(Clearwisdom.net) I obtained Dafa in July 1996. With Master's protection I have been able to retain my faith and Fa cultivation in spite of the evil persecution. I would like to share my 11-year cultivation experience with my fellow practitioners.
I. Having firm faith
In early 1994, I was on a trip to Shanxi Province and someone introduced me to Falun Gong. I was busy and did not begin to practice until 1996. One day, seeking tips for illness recovery and health, I accompanied my wife to a park where we saw a Falun Gong practice group. We went up to them, asked questions, and were able to obtain copies of the just published book, Zhuan Falun. I read the book twice and realized it was the best book I had ever seen, a book from heaven.
In the beginning of the persecution, I was confused and did not know what to do. I made up my mind to believe in Falun Gong, but soon I was trapped by attachments, which led me to suffer a lot, especially when money was at stake. When I noted that Master might come here to save us, my mind became clean. I realized the distance between myself and Dafa. My mind was firm and I treated myself as a practitioner who would go forward on the cultivation path, and get rid of my attachments to selfishness, fame and gain.
I set high standards for myself. I am now retired, but when I was still working, I did not fight for fame or gain, and did any work arranged for me, because I understand that to be my responsibility as a Dafa practitioner. I would do any task and do it well, regardless of the reward. As a leader of an engineering project, I got along with my colleagues and worked with compassion. I treated everyone nicely, even those who used to hurt me or were against me. I did not hurt others. I followed my understanding of a practitioner's standards and showed tolerance for others. I could tolerate any dishonorable matter without argument. As Master said, "We say that when you're handling a disagreement, if you can take a step back you'll see things in a whole new light." (The Ninth Talk, Zhuan Falun, 2003 Translation version) I would look inward and feel the environment improving around me.
II. Studying the Fa
Cultivating for eleven years, what I gained most was a change in notions and an awakened life. I repeatedly studied Master's lectures and found new content and understanding each time. Master reminds us many times to study the Fa more and study the Fa well. I have read the book Zhuan Falun more than four hundred times, listened to Master's lectures more than a hundred times and hand-copied Zhuan Falun once. I also have read Hong Yin more than a hundred times and hand-copied the book twice. I read each of Master's new articles three to four times and hand-copy them once. I enjoy doing this and haven't felt any bitterness at all during my cultivation.
My "xinxing" has improved rapidly since I memorized the Fa, and I have more understanding of the Fa and realize that studying and cultivating the Fa illustrates high level cultivation. In 2004 I was listening to Master's lecture. Master said, "Why don't we memorize something that's this good?" (Explaining the Content of Falun Dafa)
Only if one memorizes Dafa, keeping the Fa in one's mind, can one melt into and assimilate to Dafa, and become a Dafa particle. One can do things according to Dafa, distinguish good from evil, understand the Fa from a high standard, and do the right thing. I have recited Zhuan Falun four times. Throughout the memorizing, I realized that I had done something wrong and had wrong thoughts in the past because I was not thinking on the level of the Fa. I used human thoughts to rid myself of human attachments. I thought that I had gotten rid of attachments, but, in fact, I had not. They were hiding at a deeper level so that I was not aware of them. Melting into Dafa is great joy to me. Studying the Fa in the lotus position is also cultivation at a high level. It is the combination of studying and practicing Dafa that leads to: 1) building up the foundation of true cultivation and 2) changing the mind set to temper the willpower and to enhance stability. Now I can sit in the lotus position for two hours and enter a deep state of tranquility that words alone cannot describe.
III. Overcoming tribulations
A. Illness Tribulation
I have experienced three illness tribulations. The first was a year after I started to practice Dafa. I used to be very healthy, but at group practice, on the way to work, and at home when I started to practice the meditation, my heart started beating irregularly. At one time, I was in a deep coma, and felt that my main spirit had left my body, but I was not afraid. Ten minutes later, I awakened, but the family was quite frightened and did not know what to do. I told them that I was a practitioner and Master and Dafa would protect me. My illnesses resulted from debts that I owed over the course of my many lives. It was a good thing rather than a bad thing.
The second illness happened just after the persecution began in 1999. I had a slight fever, flu-like symptoms, and coughed up thick phlegm.
For 22 days, I could not eat, did not want to eat, but retained my energy by drinking water. I could not sleep well, but insisted on studying and practicing Dafa. I told my family that I would be fine. My illness was gone on the 23 day.
The third illness was scabies from head to the toe. It was really painful and I felt I wanted to die. However, I remained myself as a Dafa practitioner not to pay too much attention to the illness, and continued studying and practicing Dafa. Two weeks later it was gone.
B. Sentimentality
My wife, who had also become a practitioner, died as a result of the persecution. I lived alone, and my children worked out of town. Colleagues and friends attempted to find a companion for me, which I kindly rejected. I had read an article on the Minghui/Clearwisdom website regarding man, woman and marriage. It is very clear and Master has also mentioned this in Zhuan Falun and in many new articles on the topic.
IV. The Wonders of Dafa
A. On December 30, 1998, and July 20, 1999, thousands of people, including myself, protested in front of the provincial government building, appealin for justice for Falun Gong. Countless Faluns appeared in the sky with different background colors. They circulated up in the sky and moved in different directions; It seemed that the gods from heaven were there to ratify Falun Gong.
B. I placed truth-VCDs in the mail box of our local residential library. The first time, I put 20 VCDs in the mail box, and was reported to the local residential security office by someone who did not know the truth about Falun Gong, which caused some chaos. The security official claimed to arrest the person who placed VCDs in the main box. Everyone was on high alert. During this time, two practitioners that used to distribute VCDs were arrested, but they were innocent this time. I sent forth righteous thoughts. I placed another batch of VCDs into the mailbox. As I left the library, I saw the chief of security walk toward me, pass me shoulder to shoulder, and not even recognize me.
C. My sister-in-law and I studied the Fa and made and distributed "truth-materials" together. She lives far from me and it would take her an hour and a half on the bus to get here. Once she brought the Nine Commentaries and the other materials she had on hand. Since she could not control her human attachments and zealotry, and plus she wanted to save more people, so she went to the park and handed out truth clarification materials without using caution. She was arrested after someone reported her to the police, and detained at a police station. It was ten days before the 2006 Chinese New Year. The family was so worried because they could not find her. Finally, they contacted me at 5:30 p.m. I was, then, very calm and I told her husband to cook dinner and wait for her to come back. She should be back soon. I sent forth righteous thoughts and, at the same time, asked Master for strength to eliminate the evil persecution, to not allow any evil to persecute her, and to hope that she would walk out the police station with the righteous thoughts. It was a miracle. With Master's protection and the righteous thoughts, my sister-in-law left the police station at 7:00 p.m. and returned home. If we can stick to our righteous thoughts at critical moments, miracles will happen.
V. The Choices
Everything in the universe, including human beings, are created by Dafa. A human's final destination is back to his/her original place and to return to one's original, true self. Therefore, I have no regrets and made up my mind to cultivate Dafa.
People, please wake up and take this opportunity. Time is very limited. Please treasure this precious opportunity; it only comes once.
VI. Mission and Responsibility
We have walked on the path of goodness. We are genuine Dafa practitioners in the Fa-rectification period, and will be remembered in history. We provide salvation to more people. Now we need to catch up with the Fa-rectification process since it is the final period of Fa-rectification.
This is my understanding. Please correct me if there is a problem.