(Minghui.org) I’m 68 years old, and I’m a retired teacher. In 1997, just when it seemed my life had hit rock bottom, I began to practice Falun Dafa.
I was three years old when the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) launched its “Great Leap Forward” political movement. My parents were assigned to a production team that smelted steel. My two older brothers and I were left at home. I sat on the ground every day. My bottom was always cold, and I eventually had rectal prolapse. I bled heavily every time I had a bowel movement. My family was very poor. We hardly had enough to eat, let alone money to take me to a doctor.
We were so hungry that we children had no strength to play. We only had enough strength to walk outside and sit in the sun. My older brother was so hungry that he wept. My mother cried with him. I was later sent to the so-called “Communist Kindergarten.” At least the children there were given food. My brothers stood outside and watched us eat. They wanted me to save some food for them. Because I was so young, I didn’t care about them. I weep now as I write these words. I experienced firsthand what the CCP’s “great socialism” did to China.
After the three years of famine, the villagers were allowed to grow crops. Our situation improved slightly, but crop production was still low. No one had enough to eat, and many picked wild vegetables. I spent my childhood and adolescence in such circumstances. Thus, my health was poor and I had many health problems. The doctor said that I suffered from malnutrition.
As I got older, my health just got worse. I suffered from hemorrhoids and bled terribly every time I went to the toilet. My face was pale. After I grew up, I had a herniated lumbar disc, and the pain extended from my legs to my knees. I developed gynecological issues after I got married. I couldn’t touch cold water all year round. I also had conjunctivitis. My eyes were red and itchy. I developed nervous tinnitus when I was 39. There was a buzzing sound in my left ear and I could hardly sleep at night. I was only in my 30s. How could I possibly teach my students when I felt so bad? I felt dizzy and muddle-headed. The students didn’t listen to me. So I scolded them and even hit them.
After class, I sat in the office staring blankly at the wall. I was worried and wondered what I should do. The other teachers chatted and laughed. I never mingled with them. I often lost my temper with my husband and my child. I got angry over trivial things. Sometimes I was so angry that I felt like that I was about to explode. I wanted to break everything at home. I wanted to die.
My son was 11 years old. I wanted him to grow up quickly so that I could die. But I couldn’t leave him behind because I worried that he would be mistreated by a stepmother. Life was so hard.
I took both Chinese and Western medicine. I did qigong exercises. I jogged and did dancing exercises. Nothing helped. The doctor said that I was depressed. One of my friends said that his colleague was so depressed she committed suicide. If I hadn’t begun practicing Falun Dafa, I also might have committed suicide.
I lost my temper for no reason after dinner on October 22, 1997. My husband knew it was a symptom of my illness and suggested we go for a walk.
We ran into one of my husband’s coworkers. My husband knew he practiced a form of qigong so he asked him where he was going. The man said that he was going to a building to practice qigong. My husband suggested that I try it. I didn’t believe that any qigong could cure my illnesses—even the medication and exercises didn’t help. He insisted that I try, so we went with him to an office on the second floor.
There were over ten people, men and women of all ages. I knew some of them. They warmly welcomed us. A lady brought us two mats. When I saw how friendly they were, I went in and sat down. My husband went home.
The assistant practitioner taught me the hand gestures for the fifth Falun Dafa exercise and said that I learned quickly. I looked around and saw everyone serenely meditating. I was not able to sit in even the single lotus position, but I felt very relaxed and pleasant. I forgot all my troubles. Afterward, they started to read Master's teachings. I didn’t have a copy of the book Zhuan Falun, so a lady offered me hers. I was very touched. I realized that these were good and thoughtful people. I knew Falun Dafa must be good.
I didn’t quite understand some of the book. I also didn’t believe in Buddhas, Daos, or Gods. But the three words, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance” resonated with me.
After we finished reading at 9 p.m., everyone began talking. I didn’t know them, so I just followed them out of the building. I suddenly realized that the constricted feeling in my head was gone. I felt comfortable, and my mind was clear. I hadn’t felt this good in over two years.
When I lay down that night, I realized that the buzzing sound in my ears was gone. I slept very soundly and didn’t wake up until 6 a.m. I was clear-headed and my body was light. I had never experienced such happiness!
All my health problems disappeared. I haven’t taken any medication for 25 years.
Master eliminated all my diseases and didn’t ask for a penny. I have no way to pay him back. The only thing I can do is to be a good person according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and let people know how wonderful Falun Dafa is. No matter where I am, whether at home, at work or elsewhere, I no longer compete with others. Instead, I consider others first.
I used to compete with my colleagues, and my life was tiresome and bitter. After I began practicing Falun Dafa, I stopped competing for my personal interests. I became considerate of others. I am happy every day. I have been praised by my leaders, colleagues, and the students. They don’t discriminate against me despite the CCP’s persecution. I was awarded “Best Teacher” and given a bonus. My students gave me the highest scores. I achieved this because I practice Falun Dafa and comply with Falun Dafa principles.
Every teacher usually teaches three classes. But the school leader sometimes asked me to teach four classes. Whether I was the head teacher or not, I was responsible to the students and their families. I was strict with the students yet I was kind and fair. I taught them how to be good people using Falun Dafa principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I reminded them to listen to their parents and help with chores. I told them to become useful members of their families and society.
One year a man with the last name of Zhang was the head teacher. He was not a bad person but he had poor management skills. He managed the students with coercion, irony, and sarcasm. The students did not respect him. There were three head students in his class who were smart yet very naughty. Two were boys and one was a girl.
The three led the other students to go against Zhang in almost everything. The class was not orderly. The students came late and didn’t do their homework or class duties. They talked in class while Zhang was teaching. When he lost his temper in one of the student meetings, the students lowered their heads and laughed with each other. They did whatever they wanted. Zhang couldn’t do a thing.
The other teachers were not happy and complained behind Zhang’s back. But no teacher wanted to fix the problem. They just left after their classes. I worried about the students. This situation couldn’t continue as the students would get poor grades and develop bad characters. What should I do? I thought, “I am a Falun Dafa practitioner and Master asks us to be good people. I must be responsible to the school, to the students’ families, and to the students. I must help Zhang and the students.”
I couldn’t directly tell Zhang what to do. That would hurt his self-esteem. I should start with the students. I spent some time talking to the students in class: “As a mother, I think all parents want to give their children the best. Your parents work hard to support you in your studies and want you to have a good future. As their children, you should be thankful to them for their hard work in bringing you up and educating you so selflessly. The best way to express your appreciation to your parents is to be good students with good grades and good moral character and become independent when you grow up. We study for ourselves. So if you are not happy with a particular teacher and go against him or her by not studying hard, you are the one who will lose out, and your parents will be heartbroken. Every teacher has his or her own merits and shortcomings. We should manage ourselves well and study hard to repay our parents. Then your parents will be very happy with you.”
The students listened quietly. Some nodded. Some lowered their heads to show that they felt bad. Some looked at me with kindness. They could feel that I wanted the best for them. When I left the class, the room was still quiet.
Previously, some teachers had left the classroom in a fit of anger, and the students broke out laughing. This time they must have been moved. I also felt the power of the compassion that I’d gained from Falun Dafa. We developed a good relationship, and they greeted me whenever they saw me.
I later talked to those three head students separately and encouraged them.
The students changed a lot. They were better behaved and their grades improved. The class environment changed greatly. They were very thankful to me. On Chinese New Year, they visited me in groups. Even after they left and went to senior high school, they still came to talk to me. One of the head students sent me a photo after he got into a top university. Even now some of them call me on Chinese New Year and Teachers’ Day.
I helped the other teachers when they asked. Giving high-quality classes was a precondition for teachers to get promoted, so they applied to have their classes assessed.
One day a young female teacher Xiao Xu came to me while I was preparing for my classes and said, “Teacher Li, I want to apply for the assessment. Can you please help me?”
My heart sank a bit because I knew it was very time-consuming. I already had a heavy workload. But I knew that Master wanted every Dafa disciple to become a selfless person who considers others first, so I agreed.
I showed her how to write the teaching outlines and helped her review them. She rehearsed, teaching the class twice, and I gave guidance. She was fine after two trials. One day Xiao Xu came to me again and said, “Teacher Li, my class is going to be assessed tomorrow. I will be the last one in the morning session. I have to take all my students with me. It is not safe for them to cross the road if I am the only one. When we get to the venue, I have to find the room and get the students seated. I don’t know if I can do it. Can you please help take care of my students? I will be in the front and you in the back. Is that okay?” I agreed. She was very happy and hugged me and said, “Thank you so much! I knew only you would help me!”
It seemed not a big deal, but I had to sacrifice a bit. Most of the teachers in my school are mothers who also have to look after their own families. It was a school rule that teachers could leave half an hour earlier for lunch if they didn’t have the last class in the morning. So everyone rushed home. Who would be willing to take care of others? I had to get home early to cook so that my son could have lunch when he got home and had more time for a nap. When I agreed to help Xiao Xu, I had to spend time and effort helping her. Later one colleague told me, “The teachers all say that you are the most honest person and will help others wholeheartedly.”
Thank you, Master! Due to your teachings and guidance, I’ve become a considerate person who makes positive contributions to society. I will continue to do my best to cultivate myself according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to validate Dafa and make the world a better place to live.