Health Benefits of Falun Dafa (Part 1): Lifted Out of Depression

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa is extraordinary and magnificent, and its mighty power reaches both the macrocosm and the microcosm. The cases detailed in this article are just a tiny manifestation of the power of Dafa on the level of the secular world. While Dafa can bring blessings to humankind, Dafa's extraordinariness and magnificence are more for people to return to their true origins.

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Depression is a common mental illness with symptoms of low mood, lack of interest, irritability, and lack of confidence. Many depression patients also have suicidal thoughts or even make suicide attempts due to the unbearable pain brought about by the illness. 

A 2021 report from World Health Organization found that depression affected 3.8% of the world population, including 5.0% among adults and 5.7% among adults older than 60 years. In many countries, depression is the second leading cause of death after heart disease. A 2020 meta-analysis showed that 17.2% of children aged 6–15 years in China reported depressive symptoms, reported The Lancet on February 1, 2022. 

As a chronic illness, depression requires long-term medication with limited effect. “That was what happened to me in the past,” explained Ms. My, a U.S. resident originally from Vietnam, “But after I started to practice Falun Dafa, the situation improved dramatically and I am cured.”

Ms. My, a Falun Dafa practitioner originally from Vietnam, currently lives in Houston, Texas.

Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a meditation system based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. It has been persecuted in China by the Chinese Communist Party since July 1999. Despite the persecution, the practice has spread to over 100 countries and brought countless miracles to about 100 million practitioners, including some suffering depression. Below are some examples. 

Story of a Single Mother

Kathy, 56, works as an accountant in San Francisco, California. She always looks happy and healthy. Very few people knew that she had been struggling miserably for 12 years before her encounter with Falun Dafa. 

Five months into her pregnancy, her husband abandoned her and moved in with another woman. Feeling lonely and humiliated, Kathy was depressed all the time and often thought of suicide. The thought was so intense that her mother had to tie her up so that she would not kill herself with a knife or jump out of the building. When her condition got worse, she’d even pass out sometimes. 

Her symptoms also affected her son, who could not speak until age 6 and also developed depression. When Kathy’s depression got really bad, her parents would take her son to another room to prevent him from seeing her struggle, but they could still hear her weeping. 

“Do you think you are the only one suffering?” said her mother, “Your son is more pitiful than you.”

Kathy was helpless. She sought help from medical professionals and therapists, but nothing helped. When the illness worsened, she still thought of suicide. 

One friend recommended Falun Dafa to her in 1997. The changes in her were dramatic. “The severe symptoms of depression used to break out once a week, later becoming once a month, or once every several months,” she explained, “I saw hope.”

Kathy still remembered the last time she had a depressive episode. Once again she was trapped in pain and irrationality. Her parents suddenly remembered audio lectures from Mr. Li Hongzhi, founder of Falun Dafa, and played it for her. “I immediately calmed down,” Kathy recalled, “I remembered Master had said suicide is a sin and I was clear I should not do that. Instead, I have faith in Dafa.”

From then on, she was able to rise out of depression completely. Her son also became a practitioner, which brought him happiness. Witnessing all these changes, her parents began to practice Falun Dafa too. 

Kathy lives in San Francisco, California

College Professor: I Am Very Fortunate

Dr. Tian, who teaches at Indiana University, first heard about Falun Dafa in 1997 while still a Ph.D. student. She was nervous and depressed, unable to handle her heavy coursework. 

Her parents, who started to practice Falun Dafa in the spring of 1997, sent her a copy of Zhuan Falun and a video that teaches Falun Dafa exercises. Following their advice, Dr. Tian learned the exercises and read the book. In about two months, her depression was fully healed and she received her Ph.D. degree one year later. 

Looking back at these years, Dr. Tian is grateful that Falun Dafa has given her a new life. “My life and work are still busy, but I am able to remain calm and clear-headed,” she said, “I no longer worry as I used to do and I know where I belong.”

Dr. Tian (left) and Lillian (graduate student) from Indiana University

Screenwriter: Rejuvenated Life

Mr. Kim Lingyi, is a renowned screenwriter for Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), a leading South Korean television and radio broadcaster. Because of hard work over the years, he had depression, anxiety, diabetes, high blood pressure, and irregular heartbeat. With a pacemaker installed, he had to take over 20 pills every day and had difficulty sleeping. He lost interest in life and just wanted to end it all. He started to save sleeping pills and planned to take them together when he had 100 pills. 

One day in winter 2019, the number of pills reached over 70 and he saw Falun Dafa practitioners doing exercises near Gwanghwamun. Out of curiosity, he began to read Zhuan Falun. 

He had a medical examination in March 2020 and was surprised to see all indicators had returned to normal, including blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar. “I am so happy that my health became better than ever,” he said. 

Currently running a Youtube channel, Kim plans to create programs about Falun Dafa. “I hope more people will learn from my experience and have a better life,” he continued.

Mr. Kim Lingyi said Falun Dafa gave him a new life. 

Student: A New Outlook 

Ms. Trang is from Vietnam and currently studies in Australia. In the past, she suffered from depression, migraine, and pollen allergy. She was often irritable with extreme mood swings. She tried martial arts and Yoga, but none of them helped. She sometimes couldn’t even get out of bed or think clearly. It was common for her to be unable to do anything for an entire week. She’d get better, only to slip into depressive episodes two months later. 

Following a friend’s advice, Ms. Trang began to read Zhuan Falun and tried to apply the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in her daily life. Miracles happened one after another: her depression and migraines were gone, and even the wrinkles and acne on her face disappeared.

Thanks to Falun Dafa, Ms. Trang said she now has a peaceful heart and is able to handle various situations with a clear mind. 

Ms. Trang said Falun Dafa has brought positive changes to her. 

Psychotherapist: Being a Good Person

Ms. Jane Yu Anderson lives in Los Angeles and she is a psychotherapist. Although providing treatments to her patients every day, she was unable to cure her own depression, which started when her husband died. This lasted until she began to practice Falun Dafa. 

“It was an amazing experience,” she recalled. “Within three months, my depression was gone and I no longer needed medication.” This gave her a clearer mind to interact with her patients. She is now very happy because she has energy every day and can communicate with her patients well. 

“I don’t know how to thank Master for giving me so much,” Ms. Anderson said, “but I remember to be a good person all the time.”

Ms. Jane Yu Anderson said Falun Dafa changed her life completely. 

A Happy Family

Karen immigrated to Scotland 30 years ago and ran a family business with her husband. She used to be very selfish with a bad temper. She would spend her earnings on gambling. She also had numerous illnesses and had difficulty walking due to her back injury. 

Because of depression, she often thought of suicide. Sometimes she suggested to her husband that they jump into a lake together or jump out of a building together. Tormented by the pain from her illnesses, she and her husband had to sell the family business. To make things worse, her husband had a stroke and had difficulty walking. 

One day, Karen heard about Falun Dafa and decided to give it a try. After going to the group study three or four times, her heart felt lighter, and she did not think of suicide anymore. Soon afterwards, all her illnesses were gone. Like Karen, her husband also regained health through practicing Falun Dafa. 

To introduce Falun Dafa to others, Karen often went to business streets on weekends to talk with people and distribute materials. Already over 70, her husband sometimes gave her a ride to more areas to help people learn about Dafa. “Our gratitude is beyond words,” Karen said. “It was like we were reborn.”

Karen (middle) hands out materials to passersby. 

Remaining Calm

Louis started to practice Falun Dafa in July 2020. He first heard about it from an online forum on spirituality, where one practitioner shared his experience. Impressed by the story, Louis began to read Zhuan Falun. 

Besides depression, he was also addicted to drugs and alcohol. He kicked his addictions after he became a Falun Dafa practitioner. “My mind is calm, my body is light, and my heart is happy,” he explained. 

Working in the landscaping business, he strove to live by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance all the time. As time continued, he found many things easier to handle. Both life and work became less stressful. 

Louis is very thankful that Master had introduced Falun Dafa to the world. He is glad to constantly improve himself and do things better and better. 

Chiropractic Therapist: Inner Strength

Mr. Joseph Gigliotti is a chiropractic therapist in Toronto, Canada. Having practiced Falun Dafa since 2014, he has witnessed many miracles in both himself and in other practitioners. 

Because of depression, he lacked confidence and had frequent mood swings. After becoming a practitioner, however, he felt more assured and could better handle challenges in his personal life or family relationships. 

“Falun Dafa gave me strength, which comes from my assimilating to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” he said. “My finding is that, if you are truly responsible for yourself and cultivate Falun Dafa genuinely, your entire life will change for the better.”

Mr. Joseph Gigliotti from Toronto, Canada

A Hopeless Young Man

Liang, 30, is from Liaoning Province and he had suffered from depression for 12 years. When severe symptoms arose, he would break window glass of other families or nearby cars. When he ran out of his village, he didn’t know the way back home. As his condition worsened, his doctor kept increasing the doses of his medications. He also lost his appetite and ate less and less. He became so emaciated that he had little strength to even walk. His parents were very worried but they could not help with anything. 

On November 4, 2019, Liang’s parents sent him to a psychiatric hospital again as he had not eaten for several days. A nurse there could hardly find his veins to draw his blood samples. Many indicators on the blood test results were out of normal range and he was on the verge of death. The hospital refused to admit him given his grave condition and his parents had no option but take him back home. 

Liang begged his parents to let him die. He stopped eating or drinking. Soon he began to have bloody stool. 

His mother then remembered how she recovered from an eye disease by reciting “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” She and her husband decided to recite the phrases next to Liang, while telling him to do the same. As Liang and his parents continued doing this, his condition improved. He was able to drink milk and later able to eat some food. His parents were very thankful for Dafa. 

Encouraged by his progress, his parents borrowed a copy of Zhuan Falun for Liang and found a practitioner to teach him the exercises. Since then Liang improved quickly. By the end of November 2019, he regained normal weight and had become a happy and healthy young man. 

Remarkable Recovery, Then Persecuted 

Mr. Song Yucen, 27, used to have a difficult life. His father had a stroke and became disabled in 2006 when he was 11. His mother was laid off from work. All these changes left him with low self-esteem and he gradually isolated himself. 

Because he could not get into his preferred major in college, Mr. Song became even more depressed. After graduating from Dalian University of Technology, he was swindled out of 40,000 yuan while trying to find a job. His depression worsened as a result. In January 2019, his employer terminated his job due to his depression-induced incompetence and asked his family to take him home. 

Mr. Song tried many ways to get better, but nothing helped get rid of his depression. 

Out of despair, Song remembered that in his childhood, his grandfather sometimes told him about Falun Dafa and its miracles. He began to practice Falun Dafa and saw his depression gone in less than two months. 

While visiting China Medical University in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province on March 29, 2019, Mr. Song shared his recovery story with some patients. One nurse reported him to the police. He was arrested and later sentenced to five and a half years in prison. He was taken to Dalian Prison in August 2021. 

Miraculous Necklace

May is a practitioner in Northeast China and her grandson Jian started exhibiting abnormal behaviors in fifth grade in 2019. The boy often skipped class, argued with his teachers, and fought with other students. Instead of staying at home, he often went out playing in a nearby shopping mall by himself. He refused to communicate with his family.

Later, the situation got even worse. He easily became irritable and angry. He often yelled, even beating and swearing at others. He couldn’t sleep well and woke up at around 3 a.m. every day. As soon as he got up, the entire family wasn’t able to sleep anymore. He sometimes mumbled to himself that he’d jump out of a building or run away from home. No one knew how to deal with it. His parents had no choice but to put him on medical leave from school. They took him to see doctors and psychologists, but there was little improvement. 

As a Dafa practitioner, his grandmother May realized only Dafa could help him. 

May asked Master for help and gave her grandson a necklace with words of “Falun Dafa is good” while reminding him to recite the phrase. “Thank you grandma for not giving up on me,” Jian said in tears. “I promise to do that.”

From then on, Jian’s condition improved. He learned to control his mood and could communicate with others normally. The family also played Falun Dafa music (Pu Du and Ji Shi) in the house almost all the time. Not long after that, Jian was able to return to school again. After finishing his homework every day, he also helped his mother with household chores and their family business. The entire family and their relatives were amazed.