(Minghui.org) I have practiced Falun Gong for 28 years. Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of the practice, has improved my body and mind significantly.
Once, I ran into a friend whom I had known for many years. He was surprised to see how well I was doing and said, “It's been quite a while since we have seen each other and you still look so young.” I could tell that he was truly impressed with Falun Gong.
After the persecution began, I was jailed for my belief and after I returned home, the local authority treated me as a key surveillance target. There was a group of police officers responsible for monitoring me. They monitored where I worked, how I got to work and who I interacted with. They considered all of this information as so-called “Falun Gong information.”
As for me, I was not bothered by any of it and just did what I was supposed to do. I went to work on time and was never late. Year after year, full of energy and good health, I never took sick leave. At work, I am reliable, responsible, and down to earth. A nurse once praised me, “You are so nice, and always smiling!”
One day, a young man brought his girlfriend to the doctor’s office, and I happened to be the only one on duty. During the process, he was quiet but kept his attention on his girlfriend. After the examination, undergoing lab tests, and receiving the report, he said to me, “I have been to many hospitals and met many doctors. You are the best doctor I have ever seen – the way you treat the patient, your attitude, and your medical skills.”
“Thank you,” I replied, “this is what I am supposed to do.” His girlfriend asked, “Do you accept red-envelopes [monetary gifts or bribes]?”
I told them, “I am a Falun Gong practitioner who follows the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I never accept anything of that sort. Here is a Dafa amulet. If you could recite the auspicious phrases written on this amulet, you will be blessed.”
They both appeared happy to receive the amulet and even before leaving they began reciting the phrases “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good,” that were printed on the amulet.
One policeman who was monitoring me met another Falun Gong practitioner, and asked the practitioner in disbelief, “Why is he [referring to me] still so happy after going through so many difficulties in his life?” The practitioner explained that the practice of Falun Gong nurtures one’s mind through the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The practitioner said that is how one can stay young mentally and physically. The policeman nodded in agreement and he no longer monitored me after that.
My attitude toward the police officers also changed over time. When they began monitoring me, at first I was resistant, afraid, and even resentful. With improvement through cultivation and elevation of my xinxing, my negative feelings disappeared. Instead I became considerate of the police, developed forgiveness, and felt that I could help save them.
I noticed that the police's attitude towards Falun Gong practitioners has also undergone a change. At first, they were hostile and arrogant; gradually they became passive and perplexed. With the continuation of Master’s Fa rectification, more and more vicious factors have been eliminated, and the police officers changed their attitude and even began to admire Falun Gong practitioners, particularly those who were solid and determined. When dealing with the persecution, these police officers also became less active.
In recent years, the local Domestic Security Bureau launched a large-scale “control” operation against Falun Gong practitioners. All practitioners who have been imprisoned previously were listed as key figures. I am one of them, but I was not afraid. Although they are around monitoring me, I consider them as “bodyguards.” As a Dafa practitioner, I still do whatever I am supposed to without being affected.
Once, at a meeting at the police station, the community and Domestic Security officers gathered together and held a meeting just about me. Originally, many of the people involved in my surveillance did not know what kind of person I was, only that I was a Falun Gong practitioner.
When the information gathered about me from various sources was put together by the authorities, many officers were moved. This is what a police station director later told me. He said, “In the past, we only knew that you are a Falun Gong practitioner. Now we know you as a person. We do have differences, but I admire your character."
In fact, I just did what I should do as a Falun Gong practitioner, following the principles of the practice and acting on my conscience. In the eyes of the police officers who monitored me, this is how I appeared:
I work diligently and have never missed a day; I am on time to work and sometimes I work late due to a heavy workload. I walk to and from work, and I walk briskly because I am healthy.
Every Saturday, I go to visit my wife who suffers with schizophrenia and is hospitalized in a long-term care facility. I bring food and personal items to her. I behave as an upright decent man, with no bad habits. I dress nicely and neatly, and maintain the demeanor of a Dafa practitioner.
I know this is so because of Falun Dafa. So I am very thankful to Falun Dafa and Master Li.