(Minghui.org) I began practicing Falun Dafa in July 1998. Words can’t express my joy! I felt as if I was the luckiest and happiest person in the world. Our cultivation environment was very good before the persecution began. We practiced very diligently and felt completely immersed in the Fa.
I did the exercises every day. At first I could only sit with my legs loosely crossed when I meditated. I was gradually able to put both legs up and then was finally able to sit with both legs up in the “full-lotus” position. I increased the length of time I meditated from 10 minutes to 20 minutes to 30 minutes to 50 minutes, then finally to an hour. During that year before the persecution began, I read Zhuan Falun hundreds of times, and also read Master Li Hongzhi’s other lectures. I participated in activities to help more people learn about Falun Dafa and raised my xinxing. I truly felt immersed in the Fa.
Setting Aside Human Notions
I was arrested in 2006 and taken to a secret place equipped with instruments of torture. I was tortured for three days and two nights, but I did not "transform." When I was sent to the detention center, both my eardrums were perforated, I had massive bleeding in my stomach, many of my major organs were severely damaged, and my spinal cord was so damaged that I was paralyzed and disabled. I was sentenced to a 13-year prison term in 2007 and taken to a prison in northeast China. Even though I was disabled, I was subjected to both mental and physical torture.
I was in constant pain but I was determined to practice cultivation and work against the persecution. I was released from prison in 2019.
Two practitioners came to my home in January 2020 and we talked about our experiences. The following day one of them suggested that we do the standing exercises. I had been tortured so badly that I was paralyzed. I had been bedridden for 13 years and could not stand up by myself. She suggested I lean against the wall while I did the exercises. I thought, “I’m a Falun Dafa practitioner. Because my paralysis was caused by the old forces, I shouldn’t acknowledge it.”
I pushed the wheelchair away and stood up by myself to do the exercises. When the music started, I was a little off balance because I hadn’t stood for 13 years. My feet shook and I felt as if I were about to fall. I immediately remembered what Master said:
“If you are a true practitioner, our Falun will safeguard you. I am rooted in the universe. If anyone can harm you, he or she would be able to harm me. Put simply, that person would be able to harm this universe.” (Lecture One, Zhuan Falun)
Something astonishing then happened! I was able to balance myself. I felt as though I was nailed to the floor. I was covered in sweat after doing the exercises for an hour. When we finished, the other practitioner said, “That is amazing! Can you walk a couple of steps?” I immediately took a few steps, then back again. Not only was I able to stand and practice the exercises but I could also walk!
The moment I stood up I understood that if I had righteous thoughts,
“Cultivation depends on one’s own efforts, while the transformation of gong is done by one’s master.” (Lecture One, Zhuan Falun)
Master is so compassionate! Tears are running down my cheeks as I write this. I am very grateful to Master for always looking after me.
After I was able to stand, I did the five exercises almost every day. I’ve now begun to practice the second exercise for an hour. I study the Fa and read more sharing experiences on the Minghui.org website.
The two practitioners who were with me witnessed that, by breaking through human notions, the divine can be revealed. One of them was detained for seven years but never "transformed." He did the three things even though he’d been regularly persecuted. He was not moved. He was even able to do the exercises openly in prison. After being released, one of his legs was amputated.
Practitioners, treasure our cultivation environment and make sure you study the Fa and do the exercises every day. This is the foundation of our cultivation.
Even though I wasn’t able to do the three things well while I was imprisoned for 13 years, through Fa study I realized that if you have the heart to save sentient beings, Master will arrange your path. It doesn’t matter where you are, as long as you have righteous thoughts, you’ll be able to save people.
