(Minghui.org) When I was in primary school in 1996, my mother became a Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) practitioner. She had stopped by when practitioners were doing the exercises in a park one day. The exercise music was refreshing, and practitioners introduced the exercise movements to her. When she did the sitting meditation, she felt wonderful – as if sitting in an eggshell. She thought that Falun Dafa was amazing and started to practice it immediately.
My mother believed that the Falun Dafa principles–Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance–were good, and brought me into the practice.
From Naughty to Considerate Child
My character changed after practicing Falun Dafa. I used to be a very naughty child, and often got into fights with boys in my class, even though I was a girl. Other parents complained to my parents, because I hurt their children in fights. I was frequently punished by my parents for my mischief. My contentious and aggressive character was reflected in my appearance. On top of that, my grades were usually at the bottom. I caused my parents a lot of heartache.
After I became a practitioner, I began to follow the Dafa principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I stopped fighting with other children and made many friends. I eliminated my bad habits of telling lies, taking people's things, and so on. I loved to help others in class. I did not bear any resentment when classmates ganged up to bully me. I did not mind taking on the dirty and tiring jobs in class, and actively answered questions raised by teachers. When I was unjustly punished by teachers, I bore it silently.
My class supervisor felt that I had changed a lot and asked, “How is it that you are such a different child lately?” I said that I had started to practice Falun Dafa, and it taught me to be a better person.
Clarifying the Truth about Dafa
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched the persecution against Falun Gong in July 1999, during my final year in elementary school. Propaganda demonizing the practice was constantly broadcast on television. My first thought was, the news on TV were lies, because the practitioners I knew are all good citizens. Besides, my mother used to suffer from migraines after doctors accidentally touched the nerves during a nose surgery. Because of practicing Falun Gong, she stopped having migraines. My grandmother was going to undergo heart surgery. After doing the exercises for a week, the doctors said her heart was fine, and she did not need the surgery. My family's personal experiences told me that Falun Dafa was extraordinary.
I was determined to continue with the practice. Later on, whenever there were exam questions slandering Dafa, I gave up marks and chose not to answer them. I did the same thing during university entrance exams and postgraduate exams.
My looks changed significantly after I practiced Dafa. Those who don't know me think I am in my 20s. Some even think I am 16 or 17 years old, when in fact I'm already in my 30s. Because I look young, strangers have an affinity with me. When I clarify the truth about Falun Dafa, they listen and usually agree to quit the CCP. If I run into someone who is especially stubborn, I send righteous thoughts silently, and then reason with the person. Most of the time they renounce their membership in the CCP. I do not give up when it is difficult, because I don't know if I will meet the person again, and don't want to have any regrets. At times people are touched by my sincerity.
When I was pursuing postgraduate studies in the arts, I was required to teach at least one class to undergraduate students. I wondered how I would use this opportunity to clarify the truth about Falun Dafa to the students. By chance there was an art exhibition on the Dunhuang murals. I took the class to see the exhibition as part of the curriculum I was teaching. I told them about the content of the paintings and the traditional culture of respecting heaven and gods and went on to talk about Falun Dafa. I explained to them why they should quit the CCP, and put a question in the exam paper asking if they would like to renounce their Party membership. More than 80 students attended the class that day, and over 50 chose to quit the CCP.
One day I went to the market to buy some spinach. As I tried to talk to the vendor about Falun Dafa, she kept interrupting me. She asked me to leave quickly. I thought I would come back next time instead. Upon returning home, I discovered that the vegetables she sold me were mostly rotten. I realized why she was eager to send me away. She was afraid I would notice the quality of the vegetables and ask for a refund.
If I were not a Dafa practitioner, I would have gone back and asked the vendor to refund my money. As a practitioner, when treated unfairly, I should think of others first. Furthermore, I wanted to tell her about Falun Dafa. If I went to argue with her, how could I hope to get her to quit the CCP?
The next day, I went back to buy vegetables. I did not mention the prior day's incident. The old lady said the vegetables she sold me yesterday were not fresh and promised to pick fresher produce today. I took the opportunity to tell her that Falun Dafa is wonderful, and not like what is said in the CCP propaganda. I asked her if she wanted to quit the CCP. She gladly agreed.
I try to tell people I meet at work or while running errands about Falun Dafa, including co-workers, students and their parents, taxi drivers, and people from all walks of life. I also tell relatives about Dafa. I’ve observed that when people don't accept what I say, it is usually because I did not send righteous thoughts, or had not studied the Fa that day.
It is the power of the Fa that saves people. We should pay attention to reading the teachings, and sending righteous thoughts. I hope I can do better in the final phase of the Fa-rectification.
