(Minghui.org) After seven years of practicing Falun Gong, I got busy and stopped practicing. It took approximately eight years for me to practice Falun Gong again. There were many ups and downs, but I am determined to continue on my cultivation path.
I did believe in my youth in other dimensions and that gods and Buddhas exist. When I faced danger, such as being hit by a car, I called on divinities for help. I believed that I managed to avoid disasters and emerged unscathed because of it.
I kept looking for the meaning of life and searching for answers, without finding them. I asked many people during my quest, but no one could satisfy my need to know.
Learning about the True Law of the Universe
During my search, I found information about the spiritual practice Falun Gong in a newspaper in China. The words “Falun Gong” sounded very familiar. It was said that a Master was teaching the practice, that it was a cultivation practice of mind and body and that one could rise in cultivation levels. This newfound knowledge gave me the incentive to learn this practice.
Soon after, I emigrated from China to England. It was just before the Chinese Communist regime banned Falun Gong in 1999. In England I bought Zhuan Falun, the main book of Falun Gong, at a bookstore in Chinatown and read the entire book within two days. It was an eye opener, telling me that humans who had been born into this world should return to their origin, the place where they were created. Deep in my heart I understood that what I read was the true law of this universe and I began to truly cultivate.
Learning of the Reason for Coming to this World
Master opened my celestial eye and I could see Master's law body, which answered a lot of my questions. However for questions that I had to discover the answer to on my own, Master didn't respond and just smiled.
Master also let me see my original form – a sacred female deity dressed in white, sitting in meditation. I saw Master asking me to descend to the human world, to which I agreed. He also told me that I had faced countless hardships during many reincarnations and I came down through many levels in the universe before reaching the human world. He told me to persevere.
The first seven years after attaining the Fa, I was very diligent and often went to Chinatown to tell people the facts about Falun Gong. Master gazed upon me with smiling eyes.
Slacking Off in Cultivation With Dire Results
I didn't treasure all that Master had shown to me, slacked off in my cultivation, and gradually I deviated from the Fa.
There was so much to do, such as running my Chinese takeout restaurant, marriage, and children. For about eight years, Master continued to give me hints and did not give up on me. After I begged him in my mind, Master took on my karma during a bout of sickness karma, despite my not having cultivated well.
Yet, I continued to slack off in cultivation and I often saw Master sigh and look sternly at me. Because I did not study the Fa well and lacked righteous thoughts, the old forces and demons took advantage of my loophole and tried to destroy me.
Demons took me to their den and attempted to eliminate me. It was a tough fight, as my righteous thoughts lacked strength. I again called on Master to help me and he vanquished the demons, but walked away ignoring me. I stood there alone, afraid to move.
Facing Tribulations
A Fahui (an experience sharing conference) was held in England in August 2014, and I was fortunate enough to attend. I listened to fellow practitioners' experience sharing articles and was very moved. How I wished I could be like them, assisting Master in saving sentient beings. My desire to do that grew stronger.
After returning home from the Fahui, I began to study the Fa diligently. I also read Master's conference lectures and recent teachings. I gained a lot and improved my xinxing. I was very anxious and longed to go out to let people know about Falun Gong daily. I truly hoped to make up for lost time. I said to Master that I really wanted to go out more often and asked for his help.
However, the old forces interfered with me. When I wanted to take part in Falun Gong truth clarifying activities, my wife voiced strong objections and threatened to divorce me. She cried, made a scene, and threatened me. I realized that this was a test because I had slacked off for so long. I was very determined, because I wanted to be a qualified practitioner.
On my way to clarify the facts about Falun Gong, I faced other tribulations, including heavy traffic and getting lost. But fellow practitioners kept encouraging me and promised to wait for me. Upon returning home, I noticed that my wife had left, but she came back three days later. It is a Fa truth that as long as I let go of my attachments, I will not lose anything.
My mind was filled with Fa truths once I studied Falun Gong diligently, and I was no longer bothered by everyday human thoughts.
I joined practitioners on the RTC platform, through which practitioners worldwide are helping mainland Chinese quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliates. I got up early in the morning to make phone calls to China. Often the other party could feel my compassion and some even thanked me for my efforts.
I hired a new employee, who had told me of his abilities. But, already on the first day of work, he was a total flop and I wanted to fire him. I hesitated and thought that I had hired him because he needed to hear the facts about Falun Gong. I told him about the practice and helped him quit the CCP and its affiliates. He said that he hadn't realized that Falun Gong was such a wonderful practice.
It was important to me that no matter how badly others treated me or when facing problems, I would only hold good thoughts. Holding a compassionate state of mind keeps me from being affected by bad notions.
“Please Save Me First”
Shen Yun was coming to England, and I was hoping to take part in the promotional activities. However, this created havoc in my marriage. My wife asked for a divorce. She complained that, besides work, I did nothing but practice Falun Gong and take part in promotional activities. She was ready to return to China and called her parents and my mother.
I told her, “The Communist regime is still persecuting Falun Gong. Our master told us that every Dafa disciple must save people.”
My mind remained calm, and I kept thinking of Master's words: “By remaining unmoved you could handle all situations.” (“Teaching the Fa at the 2005 Canada Fa Conference”).
My understanding was that clarifying the facts about Falun Gong was an act of great compassion to save people, and if my family stops me, they would have committed sins against Falun Gong.
I then suddenly recalled what my wife had said: “If you want to save others, then please save me first.” I realized that her knowing side was asking for help. She is also a sentient being and I should save her too! I should treat her like I treat non-practitioners. How could I neglect those closest to me!
Sending righteous thoughts was my next step. No one could stop her from understanding the facts about Falun Gong. I said to the old forces: “I am Master's disciple and we negate your arrangements and so-called tests ... From today onwards, I forbid you to stop me from saving people.”
While driving to the Shen Yun promotional activities, I realized that I was no longer affected by feelings for my parents or wife and could let go of everyday sentiments. I could give up my life and everything in this world for Dafa.
When I was distributing flyers about Falun Gong, my wife called and spoke kindly. She wanted to help distribute Shen Yun flyers and wouldn't stop the children from learning Falun Gong. This was a clear sign that the evil beings in her dimension that were controlling her had been destroyed.
I am grateful to Master for his immense grace. As long as we are firm in cultivation, he will help us resolve any problem.
The other day I looked at Master's portrait and said to him: “Master, how did I handle the tests?” Master had a huge smile on his face.
Thank you, compassionate Master! Thanks to fellow practitioners who kept encouraging me!
