(Minghui.org) I was only six years old when my mom started to practice Falun Dafa. Because I was very young, I only watched her study the Fa and do the exercises. I occasionally picked up some exercise movements, though I didn't really cultivate back then.
I remember seeing the group exercises. It left a deep impression in me because it was so serene and peaceful.
I became a practitioner in 2013. I had just graduated from the university. I had many questions that puzzled me about life. Once I became a Dafa practitioner and studied Zhuan Falun, however, all my questions were answered. I had the feeling that I was the most fortunate person in the world.
I was born in the 80s, the single child in my family. Before I began to practice Falun Dafa, I had a very forceful personality and didn't listen to or accept others' opinions. I often argued with people to prove that they were wrong and I was right.
In high school there were strict requirements for student dress and behavior, but I ignored the rules and stuck to my own way of doing things. I behaved the same way in college. Though I participated in school activities, I only did the ones that suited my liking, as opposed to what the teacher required of us.
I followed all kinds of trends and immersed myself in the material world, but nothing brought me true happiness. My heart was filled with all kinds of desires. Once my desires were satisfied, I would feel empty again. This cycle of fulfilling my desires then feeling hollow till the next desire arose just cycled over and over—that is, until I began Falun Dafa cultivation.
Understanding of Life Totally Changes
The teachings of Dafa and Teacher Li Hongzhi’s profound compassion completely changed my view of life. By studying the books written by Teacher Li, I came to understand my true purpose for living. In the past three years, I have now participated in the local group Fa study every week.
I have also participated in writing experience sharing articles on Minghui.org. and helped rescue arrested practitioners. I also filed a lawsuit to bring Jiang Zemin, the former leader of the communist regime, to justice for initiating the persecution of Falun Dafa.
A True Change of Heart
I have gone from being stubborn to carefully listening to suggestions from my friends and family. In the past when I was dealing with my parents, I could rarely avoid saying anything that would cause an argument. I now sincerely exchange my thoughts and ideas with them, and I can feel their kindness to me in return. I feel that, as their daughter, I have found the proper way to treat them.
When I now run into things that I am not happy about, I snap out of it by using the Fa principles to guide me. When facing a challenge, I think about the fact that everything happens for a reason and that holding on to my attachments will only make things more difficult.
Teacher said in Zhuan Falun:
“Everything has its karmic relationship. Why can human beings be human? It is because human beings have sentimentality. They live just for this sentimentality. Affection among family members, love between a man and a woman, love for parents, feelings, friendship, doing things for friendship, and everything else all relate to this sentimentality. Whether a person likes to do something or not, is happy or unhappy, loves or hates something, and everything in the entire human society comes from this sentimentality.”
This explains that what we experience originates from our sentimentality, no matter whether it is happiness or sadness, love or hatred. I have found that if I can let go of my selfish mentality, it is replaced by thinking of how others will respond in all situations.
Softening My Attitude
Just as Teacher has told us:
“According to the theory of yin and yang, females should be gentle and not strong. Males are yang and strong, while females are yin and gentle. When strength and gentleness are put together, it’s sure to be really harmonious. Nowadays, it’s not that men like to mistreat women, but that this society has degenerated. Both men and women are mistreating others. At the same time, there’s been a reversal of yin and yang in modern times, and it’s most noticeable in China.” (“Teaching the Fa at a New York Meeting” in Lectures in the United States)
Teacher helped me understand that, for a woman, being gentle and feminine are the virtues that a woman should have. Therefore, I’ve let my husband take the lead in decision-making while I play the assisting role. Even so, when we are together, we still run into all kinds of conflicts.
I recall one day when I argued with him. When the problem first came up, I felt very wronged by him. I thought that he should give way to me because I am a woman. I was very perplexed when a thought came to mind: “I am a Falun Dafa practitioner, how could I be so attached to these trivial things?” With this thought, I calmed down. I then began to think of what Teacher said in Zhuan Falun:
“You should always maintain a heart of compassion and kindness. Then, when you run into a problem, you will be able to do well because it gives you room to buffer the confrontation. You should always be benevolent and kind to others, and consider others when doing anything.”
Wasn't this a test for me to see if I could discover my own problem and think about others? Once I had this thought, I wasn't upset at him anymore. I then called him up to apologize. I knew that if I didn't practice Falun Dafa, I would still be mad at him and unwilling to apologize.
Though I am a relatively new practitioner, the happiness and beauty that Dafa has brought me is tremendous. With the Fa to guide me and Teacher to protect me, I feel so fortunate. When I run into conflicts or troublesome matters, they last only a short period of time before they disappear, as my heart is immersed in the Dafa of the universe.
