My Decades-Long Cultivation Journey

(Minghui.org) I began practicing Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) in February 1998. The chronic illness that plagued me for more than 30 years disappeared. After they witnessed my positive changes many people who knew me began practicing.

I Begin Practicing

I always considered myself to be an introvert and believed I lacked any organizational skills. When Falun Dafa was first introduced in our area, there were only a few practitioners and no coordinator. Some practitioners asked me to take on the position of coordinator, but I declined. One practitioner reassured me: “It isn’t as complicated as you think. Just bring the radio to the park every morning and do the exercises. Those who are interested will join. Try to answer their questions, and if you don’t know the answer, lend them a copy of Zhuan Falun.”

I decided to give it a try because practitioners should help others. Perhaps this was arranged by Master. There were less than ten of us. As more people began doing the exercises, demand for the book Zhuan Falun grew. We managed to obtain an entire box, and every copy was claimed within a few days.

By July 1999, the number of practitioners in our town had increased to over 200. Each of our practice sites hosted over 80 practitioners who did the exercises in the morning. We discussed our cultivation experiences and stories. Many recovered from cancer or chronic health conditions soon after they began practicing. We were happy and grateful for Master’s compassion.

From Timid To Outspoken

Since childhood, I was timid and unsure of myself. When the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began to persecute Falun Dafa I was frightened and I didn’t know how to respond. Other practitioners were also confused, so they paid attention to how coordinators responded.

An official from our local police station approached me: “The government banned Falun Dafa, and we can’t do anything. You can practice at home, but you stand no chance if you do the exercises in public. We hope you cooperate.”

“What do you mean?” I replied.

“You are the leader of the Falun Dafa practitioners in our town, so you have to make your position clear. Also, give us a list of names of the practitioners in our area.”

I thought, I’m a good person and I follow Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, I haven’t done anything wrong! Why would I cooperate with this persecution? I can’t speak against my consciousness and betray Master and Dafa.

I replied, “We don’t have a leader. All practitioners come on their own. There is no name list, and many of us are strangers.”

He replied, “You’re saying you aren’t the head person, then how come only you play the radio in the morning and lay out posters?”

“That’s how I practice even when I am the only one there. I don’t organize anything, people just come.”

“You can leave now, we will talk about it later,” he replied.

A few days later, the local police chief came to my work place. Without wasting time on formalities, he said, “Do you still practice Falun Dafa?”

I don’t know where I found the courage, but I replied decisively, “Yes I do! Everyone knows I had many health problems, and I became healthy after I began practicing! If my life relied on using an oxygen tank and you told me you have an order that no oxygen was allowed, would I allow you to pull out my oxygen tube?” I left the room. As I walked down the stairs, my feet felt as if I were walking on clouds. My body was light and the sensation was amazing. I knew Master was helping me.

I later learned that someone in  upper management told the police chief, “Those words came from a usually timid person; we cannot deny the power of Falun Dafa.”

There was a change of leadership in our local police station in 2000. One evening after dinner, I noticed a couple of shadowy figures outside the window. I went out to check and saw two policemen peeking in. I said, “Come inside if you have something to tell me. Why are you standing here?” Looking a little awkward, they followed me inside.

“Say what you want to say.” I told them.

One of the policemen was my former classmate from middle school. He gestured toward his partner and said, “This is our new leader, he wanted to meet you and learn the situation.” He asked me, “Do you still practice Falun Dafa?”

“Of course I do, how could I not practice something so good? You’re my old schoolmate, so you know how poor my health was. Now I’m healthy thanks to Falun Dafa. How could I possibly give it up? You both know that practitioners are good people and a benefit to society. I hope you read Zhuan Falun and see for yourselves what a good practice it is.”

The new leader stood up abruptly and said to my former classmate, “There’s no point trying to reason with a practitioner.”

I said, “So why are you here? If you ever truly need help, I will try my best. If you look for me because I practice Falun Dafa, please don’t come. It’s already late—you should leave.”

They quickly left.

I was astonished by what I said to them—where did those words come from? Normally I find it very difficult to complete sentences, yet I had so much to say to the two policemen and I had no fear. It became clear to me that the only way for us practitioners to protect Dafa is to study the Fa and take cultivation seriously. With righteous thoughts, we can expose the CCP’s slander and plots. Master always protects us.

Undertaking Responsibilities

Local practitioners lacked the ability to produce Falun Dafa printouts, so I took on the responsibility of contacting practitioners in other towns to obtain them. I took on the coordinator duties in two other towns—which I still do today.

My thought was simple, I became healthy because I practice Falun Dafa. Many people are suffering. I want to do my best to make Falun Dafa materials available to them, so that they too can benefit from cultivation.

I made the 80-kilometer round trip on a motorcycle once a week for almost a year to pick up and deliver Falun Dafa printouts.

As the demand for Dafa information increased, with the help of experienced practitioners, our town established a printing facility. During the day, I manned my stall while telling customers about Falun Dafa. At night, I found time to distribute information about Falun Dafa. Prior to cultivation, I was so timid and fearful that I was afraid to walk along the street even in broad daylight. After I began practicing, I was no longer afraid to go to unfamiliar places that are far from home by myself at night. Sometimes when I walked on mountain roads late at night, the rustling of the leaves, the whistle of the wind and cry of the wild animals made my hair stand on end. I would recite Master’s poem,

“Dafa does not leave the body,The heart harbors Zhen-Shan-Ren;In the world is a great Arhat,Spirits and ghosts fear greatly.”(“Mighty Virtue,” Hong Yin)

I also imagined myself as a mighty deity shining with radiant light. My fear dissolved.

Master Protects Me

During the COVID pandemic, I experienced a severe sickness karma tribulation while my spouse and I were caring for our grandson. I had a fever, a headache, and burning pain in my right leg. By the next morning, my right leg was swollen and purple. That night, I thought: sickness karma of this intensity is no coincidence, there must be something I need to improve on in my cultivation. However, I couldn’t identify the issue. So I said, “Master, I have train tickets to return home, if I have a fever, my non-practitioner family members will fear becoming infected, and I won’t be allowed to leave. I may be quarantined. Please, help me.”

When I meditated, I saw a boy about three years old meditating with me. I told myself not to disturb him. The boy appeared again, and this vision lasted for about a minute. By the next morning, all of my discomfort disappeared. We were able to return home a few days later.

Soon after I returned home, my legs swelled up again, worse than last time. My right leg was twice its’ normal size. The skin around my heels peeled and oozed yellow pus. The affected areas were extremely itchy. I wasn’t scared. I said to Master’s portrait: “I am slow to enlighten, this sickness karma is directly affecting my cultivation—I cannot sit crossed legged to meditate. I can’t find my problem, I beg Master for a hint, so I can correct myself. Thank you, Master.”

That night, I had a vivid dream. A great deity pointed at me while speaking to Master—I only saw Master’s shadow—and said, “Let him go.” I suddenly heard a kind and resolute voice say, “No! We cannot let him go, he is here with a mission.” I recognized the voice! It was Master! I realized Master again saved my life.

When I woke up, my face was covered in tears. I thought, "Master, I now realize what my mistakes are." These few years, I have been busy taking care of my grandson. I did not participate much in Fa-rectification activities. I was not fulfilling my mission and vows, and the old forces took advantage of me. Master has only encouraged me, even when I failed. Remarkably, by the following morning, all the swelling in my legs disappeared. I am deeply grateful to Master!

I still have many worldly attachments; some I recognize, and others I have yet to detect. Perhaps Master has left me with a small amount of hardship so I can elevate myself based on the Fa. Regardless of the difficulties that lie ahead on my cultivation path, I want to reassure Master, that I will try even harder to cultivate. My determination to do the three things is unshakable, and I am resolved to return to my true home with Master.

It has been 28 years, marked by both smooth passages and rough patches. Master watched over me during every step I’ve taken, and protected me all the way. I would not have made it to where I am now without Master’s compassionate salvation. My only wish is to cultivate diligently, complete my mission and fulfill my vow as a Dafa practitioner.