(Minghui.org) I live in a village and, at 67, have been a Falun Dafa practitioner for over 20 years. I would like to share how I got over difficult bouts of eliminating illness karma.

In 2016, my back suddenly started to sting. I looked and saw blisters had formed but didn't think any further about it. During the night, more blisters appeared until they covered my whole back down to my waist. When I told my family, they said it was caused by shingles (herpes zoster). They asked me to go to a clinic, but I refused because I knew these symptoms were caused by karma, which I needed to eliminate.

Sleeping was painful. Whenever I moved even a little bit, the blisters broke and a foul-smelling fluid seeped out. Initially, I had righteous thoughts about forbearing, but they became weaker as the pain increased.

I knew I was in a dangerous situation, so I decided to forgo my housework and send righteous thoughts. I remembered what Master Li Hongzhi said:

“Disciples’ righteous thoughts are strongMaster has the power to turn the tide”(“Master-Disciple Grace,” Hong Yin II)

I repeated these words thousands of times.

Gradually, the blisters became fewer and the pain diminished. I didn't treat myself like an ordinary person. I kept myself righteous. I thought about the Fa teachings and asked Master to help me. He saved me with his great compassion, and the blisters completely disappeared.

I really appreciated Master’s help and shed tears that I was so fortunate to be a Dafa practitioner.

In 2018, I had another difficult experience. As I was washing clothes, I got a scratch on my leg that was so deep it started to bleed. A big blister then appeared. I broke the blister and squeezed out the fluid. A few days later, my leg was infected and oozed pus. It hurt so much I couldn’t walk.

Again, my family asked me to go to the hospital and see a doctor. They said I could become disabled if the wound didn't heal quickly. I disagreed with their assessment and didn't go. But I was afraid even though I kept sending righteous thoughts.

I normally went to my father-in-law’s home for group Fa study but couldn't make it without assistance. Luckily, my sister-in-law, who is also a practitioner, picked me up. Everyone in our group sent righteous thoughts to help me heal faster. My righteous thoughts also became stronger.

When I looked inside to find my shortcomings, I saw attachments to self-interest, chatting with others about ordinary things, and saving face. I decided to correct my behavior and thinking. I stopped the unnecessary gossip, and I did not fight for my personal interests anymore.

Several days later, I could walk again. I walked to the group exercise site and told myself, “This is nothing. I have Master to protect me. I will be alright.” A few months later, the wound on my leg was fully healed.

After these two experiences, I understood more clearly what Master said:

“But there’s one condition, in this scenario: the days that you may gain beyond those originally allotted to you, are only provided so that you may continue to practice. And so you may be at risk if your thinking gets off track, for your life was supposed to have already ended.” (Lecture One, Zhuan Falun)

This is very true! Dafa cultivation is serious. We must keep righteous thoughts so we are deserving of Master’s compassionate salvation.

I know there are still many stepping stones along my path until I achieve success. There is not much time left. I hope I will be more diligent, follow Master’s Fa, and return home with him.