Though I was Born in South Asia, I Found My Spiritual Path in the USA

(Clearwisdom.net) I would like to share my cultivation experiences and how I came to learn about Falun Dafa. Although I am South Asian, I have lived in the U.S. since the age of 9.

I have been deaf since birth. I come from a Hindu family but I was not interested in practicing it because I felt it was too complicated. I tended to like things simple, plus I was a rebellious daughter. My mother became more spiritual after her divorce. She tried to encourage me to read spiritual books and choose a path. I was reluctant, thinking the world was more "practical" and I was fascinated with everyday things.

I went through several years of hardships, emotionally and financially, and then eventually became interested in finding a spiritual path. I went to few different churches but they had different beliefs and also I felt the teachings were superficial. I read a few spiritual books based on enlightened people's past lectures. There was one particular teacher that I liked but unfortunately, he already left this dimension 60 years ago. I was disappointed as I wished for a teacher and some guidance. I felt that merely reading spiritual books and trying to improve one's life alone were not enough; it's like groping in the dark. To my discouragement I also found that this teacher's retreat classes cost money and plus I was not sure if his disciples who took over were that enlightened or "trustworthy" for me to follow. I then sighed and became resigned, thinking it was not going to happen in this lifetime and prayed it would happen in the next lifetime--until one year later.

I had never heard of Falun Dafa at all until my co-worker mentioned it. Upon reading the e-mail from my co-worker and seeing the word, "Falun Dafa," I got excited. I knew there was something spiritual about it. But to my disappointment upon arriving at the meeting it was only an exercise demonstration and there was no sign-language interpreter. So I left in the middle of the meeting. It never crossed my mind to wait after the meeting to ask the speaker about it. One month later, the opportunity came for people to learn the exercises and I immediately jumped on it. Looking back, I realize it was predestined because I had worked at this company for seven years and never heard of it and also I had seen my co-worker, who taught me the exercises, around my company building. After I started practicing, she announced her retirement one year later. I'm glad I immediately grabbed this opportunity.

Two weeks after learning the exercises, I bought Zhuan Falun and started reading that night. However, in contrast to people's articles stating how excited they became from reading the book, I did not feel that way. Most probably it was due to the fact I had read many other spiritual books and what Teacher Li said was in many ways very similar. But, when I read the part about many living beings being formed in a practitioner's body, I thought it was "far out." Nevertheless, in few weeks, I obtained the Fa.

When I read in one of Master Li's articles about how we should pay attention to what is happening around us, I realized I should pay attention to what people--especially my husband says to me. For example, one time I had a desire to watch this particular movie but it was difficult to find. My husband suggested that we watch another movie instead, but I wasn't interested. He said to me, "You're only interested in this movie because it is popular and many people are watching it." I quickly recalled in Zhuan Falun: "Of course, you should not follow what is going on in society. How can that be allowed?" I immediately let go of this attachment.

Although I am deaf, nothing stops me from what I want to do. I cannot hear the exercise music but I find other ways. In group practice, I ask one of the practitioners to tap me on the shoulder when it is time to change position. After practicing for several months, I get the feel of "movement rhythm" and once in a while I open my eyes to peek as to whether my movements are in sync with others. When practicing alone, I use the clock for exercises two and five, and view the exercise demonstration on a computer for one, three, and four.

My Husband

A few months after practicing, I got a photo of Master Li. Immediately upon arriving home, I replaced a spiritual teacher's photo with Master Li's picture. One hour later, at dinnertime, my husband commented that he sensed something different in the environment and that it felt more vibrant, but he couldn't figure out what it was. He turned and saw Master Li's picture. My fellow practitioner told me that my husband has a good foundation and should grab this opportunity to practice.

With my suggestion, my husband started practicing. After two months, he suddenly developed severe back pain. Unfortunately he did not enlighten to it, even after my explained the teachings to him. He asked for my help, so I massaged his back for a bit. The pain, however, did not dissipate until three weeks later, and by the time he got well, he had already stopped practicing because he was unable to bend at all to do the exercises. It took him at least 7 minutes to just get up from the sofa. He then used that excuses that he was not able to comprehend the book and that it was hard. He also kept saying he did not have time.

I knew one should not give up and sentient beings should be saved, especially those who are "savable." From time to time I continued to explain the teachings to him bit by bit. I got an idea and bought a book, a modern English version. That evening, when my husband arrived home, I showed the book to him and said he could try and see if he could understand it better. He got upset and the first thing he said was "Why are you always wasting money? You insisted on buying other books last year but they're still sitting on the bookshelf" I replied, "I wasn't a practitioner last year and Dafa always comes first in one's life."

However, I felt he did want to go back to practicing from the hints he gave me, but he was unable to find time. For instance, one evening, we were playing a board game, and it was his turn. He drew a card from the board. The card question said "Is there something in your life that you should be doing but have not done?" He pondered and said he felt he should go back to practicing. I was surprised, but pleased to hear that.

His job took him two hours to commute each way, plus he often brought work home in the evening. It was difficult for him to find time. I still did not give up and had hope. One day the opportunity arrived. My husband was telling me how his boss was so happy with his performance that he gave him a brand new computer and his own office--a room with a door. I then suggested that he practice at lunch time in his office and read the book on the train. He immediately took up the idea. Now, he has been practicing for a few weeks and he says he understands the modern English version a bit better.

I used to have a bad temper and was sharp-tongued, but eventually I overcame it, although I have had one or two relapses. As long as I treat myself as a practitioner though, I am able to restrain myself. I still have lot of attachments to overcome but am trying to strive forward and do the three things that Master Li asked us to do.