Reminiscing About My Cultivation Journey

(Minghui.org) I’ve gained many insights after years of practicing Falun Dafa, and I’d like to share an experience from my cultivation journey with you.

I started practicing Falun Dafa in late March 1999 when I was in my 20s. When I read Zhuan Falun I realized this is the true cultivation way! I felt so fortunate to encounter the Fa! Like most practitioners, the excitement and joy I felt upon first obtaining the Fa were beyond words.

At the time, I didn’t think much of anything else. After reading the book, I understood many principles, such as suffering is paying off karma. So, why should I worry about my illnesses? Suffering? Sure, endure it. After all, the karma is paid off. Isn’t that a good thing? Besides, I have Master watching over me, so what’s there to fear? With this pure mindset, I studied the Fa and did the exercises every day, gradually overcoming the pain while doing the second exercise “holding the wheel” and sitting with both legs crossed when I meditated. I felt that nothing in life mattered; nothing was more important than Dafa. Bathed in the light of the Fa, every pore of my body was filled with joy. My heart disease and severe rheumatoid arthritis disappeared without my noticing.

Unfortunately, before I could finish reading all the Dafa books, the overwhelming persecution began on July 20, 1999. I lost this wonderful environment for cultivation, and as a result, my Fa study wasn’t thorough, and my cultivation remained superficial. My family and workplace bombarded me with criticism as they believed the lies and propaganda put out by the state-run media. After a period of confusion, I finally asked myself: “Is Dafa wrong?” No! If not, then I must cultivate! I firmly chose Dafa.

As soon as I made this decision, I felt a surge of warmth throughout my body. So, when a practitioner told me I could also share the truth about Dafa by distributing informational materials, I embarked on this path without hesitation.

I worked alone at first, bringing home a large bag of materials and distributing them door to door at night. I clearly remember the first time I distributed the materials. I didn’t fold them at home because I was afraid my family would see them. I just left in the middle of the night, carrying a bag full of materials. When I arrived at someone’s door, I’d take out a sheet, fold it up right there, and then hang it onto the doorknob. Even in the stillness of the night, the sound of folding materials in the hallway was still loud. I didn’t think about being afraid or not. I just wanted to quickly let everyone know that Falun Dafa is good and was wrongly accused. I didn’t want to find anyone else to help me distrbute materials either, because several practitioners I knew were under close surveillance and they were elderly.

So, I often went out alone late at night. I went to residential complexes and sometimes to rural areas. I was not afraid. I did this for a long time. Later, through an introduction from a practitioner at the Fa-study site, I met several local practitioners, which was great! We worked together, distributing materials in the nearby residential complexes, and going to the surrounding rural areas. We basically went to one or two villages a week, and covered them all in two months.

We usually took a taxi, worked together from the innermost part of the village heading outward, and then walked back home. Because the villages were quite remote, it was almost impossible to get a taxi late at night, and sometimes we returned home at 3 or 4 a.m.. I remember one time, after walking so far, I felt like my hips weren’t my own. But despite being exhausted, I was incredibly happy. I went to work that day, still full of energy.

Let me tell you about our materials production site. The practitioners were very cooperative. Every week, new materials arrived, mostly single pages back then. A few of us would look through them first. For example, we thought the first page of the Minghui Weekly had a great story, so we wanted that page. The second page of “The Law Net is Closing” was very persuasive and suitable for local residents, so we wanted that page. Practitioners at the production site would combine the two pages and print them out for us. Our cooperation during those years was truly excellent.

The persecution brought tragedies to my family, and I lived alone with my six-year-old child. I continued collaborating with everyone to distribute materials. During those years, I was busy organizing group Fa-study sessions, clarifying the truth, encouraging other practitioners to step forward, and running the materials production site. The harassment and persecution of me never ceased, and I often neglected my child. She was very independent, having learned to ride a bicycle at the age of eight. When she couldn’t rely on me due to my busy schedule, she often rode alone to her grandmother’s house. During the years when my salary was deducted by the authorities, I was often penniless and homeless. My child also lived a difficult life with me. Thinking of her loneliness and simple childhood, I sometimes felt a pang of guilt. But I still feel gratitude to Master, because I know that Master is caring for my child, and I have virtually no worries. She is supportive of my practicing and stands by me. Although she suffered some hardships, she is a life born for the Fa, and she is also accumulating her own mighty virtue.

Later, my understanding of the Fa became more rational, and I became clear about my responsibilities and mission. In the precious final moments of Fa-rectification, I must closely follow Master’s footsteps, listen to Master’s guidance, coordinate well with other practitioners, improve myself and do my utmost to assist Master.