A Scottish Couple Thanks Master Li

(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners Eddie Aitken and his wife Shiran would like to thank Master Li Hongzhi for changing their lives. The couple shared their cultivation experiences and affirmed their strong belief in Falun Dafa.

Eddie and Shiran thank Master Li for his compassionate guidance and wish him a happy New Year.

In 2004, 45-year-old Eddie, who works as a hydrographer, went through a difficult period—he struggled to find meaning in life after losing his loved ones. His quest for answers led him to the Falun Dafa website, where he found two of Master Li’s books, Zhuan Falun and Falun Gong.

“In Zhuan Falun, I found answers to life that had been a mystery for years,” Eddie recalled. “The book explained to me the meaning of life and offered advice on facing difficulties with wisdom and peace. Never before had I encountered such a clear explanation for my life in this world.”

Eddie suffered from headaches and nausea for months and took medication to deal with it. After practicing Falun Dafa, he no longer needed his medication. “Falun Dafa gave me the strength to endure my suffering and brought me peace of mind,” Eddie said. He said that Dafa also helped him overcome the many hurdles he faced in life, including the loss of his parents and brother.

Eddie practices the exercises and talks to people in Israel about Falun Dafa.

Shiran and Eddie met while watching a Shen Yun performance in Vienna. He was living in Spain then, while Shiran lived in Israel. Their common belief in Falun Dafa brought the couple together.

Dafa has played a profound role in their marital life. “We avoid lying and are completely honest with each other,” Shiran said. “We support each other, strive to understand any situation from the other person’s perspective, and be patient when we face difficulties. When faced with tribulations, we stop and measure ourselves by the standards required of a cultivator. This always leads to good results.”

Eddie gets up each day before 4 a.m., and broadcasts Falun Gong exercise music for practitioners participating in an online exercise platform, and joins them as they exercise together online. Then, he and his wife join an online British Fa study group from 6:30 to 8 a.m. They support and encourage each other, and the couple say they have rapidly achieved a strong cultivation foundation.

Spreading the Beauty of Falun Dafa

Eddie also works to spread the beauty of Falun Dafa through cultural and artistic activities.

Eddie was a member of the “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance International Art Exhibition” organizing team. Besides showcasing the beauty of Falun Dafa, the exhibition uses works of art to demonstrate the persevering and compassionate spirit of Falun Dafa practitioners in the face of persecution.

“We brought the exhibition to famous galleries in Glasgow, London and Florence,” Eddie said. “We also held the exhibition in Madrid, the Canary Islands and various cities in the UK, from Aberdeen to Brighton. In 2013, the mayor of Glasgow personally visited the exhibition.”

Eddie (right) introduces the artworks to the Mayor of Glasgow during the 2013 Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibition.

Eddie also participated in the Edinburgh Festival Parade from 2006 to 2010. “These events allowed us to share the beauty of Falun Dafa with thousands of people.”

Guiding One’s Heart Through Master’s Teachings

Eddie and Shiran both thanked Master Li Hongzhi for improving their lives.

“Master’s compassion and teachings are highly impressive,” said Eddie. “I was able to attend a conference held by Master in New York, an unforgettable experience that enhanced my understanding of Dafa’s teachings.”

Shiran added, “Master’s most admirable qualities are his patience, compassion and consistent adherence to the values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. His teachings shaped my life and allowed me to contribute meaningfully to society.

“Thank you, Master, for giving us so many opportunities, and for your patience and compassion towards us,” she said.

Testing One’s Faith in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

Eddie and his wife continue to face tests that challenge their faith in Dafa. A recent example includes reports issued by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) which were published by Western pro-CCP media.

Regarding articles published by a certain Western newspaper that attack Falun Dafa, Shiran said the allegations in them are completely fabricated. Eddie said this was intentionally done to smear Shen Yun’s reputation, in line with the CCP’s goal of withholding knowledge of traditional Chinese culture, religion, and upright moral values from Chinese people. 

Eddie said, “Falun Dafa upholds the universal principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Spreading malicious rumors and smear campaigns will never achieve their goals.”

Looking to the Future

Eddie recalled how he fought depression as a teenager and the difference it would have made if he had known about Falun Dafa then. “I could have avoided a lot of pain. I hope those who are facing similar struggles can find inner peace and enlightenment through Dafa.”

Looking back on their cultivation journey, the couple would like to thank Master Li for giving them the opportunity to practice Falun Dafa. “Falun Dafa showed us how to live a meaningful life, so we are able to contribute to the betterment of society. We sincerely thank Master for his compassionate guidance and wish Master a happy New Year!”