(Minghui.org) I am Vietnamese and began to practice Falun Dafa in April 2019. It is true that I have only cultivated for a very short time. But, my family and I are grateful to Falun Dafa.
Master Li Hongzhi (the founder) showed me a cultivation path that introduced to me the righteous Buddha School. I followed the Dafa principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.” Master showed me the way back to my origin and rescued me from the pain of late-stage cancer.
I want to share with all Dafa practitioners Master's mercy, as well as the changes in me after I began to practice Falun Dafa.
I am an electrical engineer who completed her studies at a Vietnamese University. I immigrated to Germany in 1989 and married a German in 1990. Since the German reunification we lived in a small town near Ulm. It was rather difficult at first to work in a “foreign country.” But, we gradually established a harmonious life and had a stable job.
Our son was born in August 1990. When my child was old enough I accepted an electrical engineering job at a German company in 2001. Although we were not wealthy, our life would have been filled with happiness, as well as would have become truly harmonious, if I had not contracted a fatal disease in 2015.
When undergoing surgery in 2015 cancer was discovered – a very rare form of cancer – and the operation was halted. The operation was rescheduled a few months later, and some of my organs were removed. After the operation I lost much of my energy – and my weight dropped from close to 117 pounds to around 90 pounds. I suffered excruciating pain, had no energy and could walk only a few steps unaided. My digestive system shut down, and I was fed via a feeding tube port during the next 8 months.
My strength improved somehow after blood infusions in 2016, allowing the doctors to perform an intestinal operation. Nothing changed the following year, although I was given all kinds of different medications.
I then decided to go back to work at the beginning of 2017, as I did not want to wait for death at home. I was needed at work, although I could work only 6 hours a day.
My job was not difficult, and I worked with a good work team that appreciated my efforts. I continued to endure the pain either at home or at work. Anyway, I was more busy at work than at home. This was important, as it prevented further muscle atrophy.
Then, emergency surgery on my right hip was performed in mid-2017. I returned to the hospital after a few months for checking and treatment of my cancer. Ultrasound and a Positron Emission Tomograph (Pet scan) showed that my cancer had developed further and grown again. I was advised to go on a chemotherapy protocol. However, doctors could not guarantee that it would prevent my cancer from growing. It is widely known that chemotherapy is harmful, and the only benefit is the hope of slowing down the growth. Therefore, I refused chemotherapy.
I returned to the hospital at the beginning of 2018, the same where I had my operation. They advised that they could operate one more time, just as they had done during my first surgery.
Two days after this unsuccessful examination, I had to go to the emergency room near my home because of excruciating pain. My stomach increased in size, and it looked as if I was seven months pregnant by the time I was taken to the palliative care unit. This unit is for terminally ill patients, for whom no treatment is effective. They give morphine to relieve the pain.
Experiencing this, which resulted in my having to pay with excruciating pain, I decided to stop treatment by any Western medicine. I accepted my fate, as well as the fact that I had to live with this disease. I often heard the words, “birth, aging, illness, death, fate.” Although I did not quite understand the connotation of “fate”, I believe in a fate that no one can escape it. I understood that there was no cure for my illness, and was ready to accept it. I wanted to live until the last moment, without hurting myself, just as I had done during my postoperative care.
Admittedly, the doctors who treated me were always there for me, and the hospitals are also very good. Everyone took care of me. Health insurance in this country is also very good, as it paid all treatment costs. But, to extend my life in ways such as chemotherapy or another operation, and suffering the pain, was useless for me and my family.
My family did not want to lose me, but also did not want to see me being in pain and suffering, struggling to continue my life. Thus, they accepted my decision. I continued to suffer and kept on working. Being at home did not alleviate the pain. Once the pain got too severe, I stopped working and took pain relievers to reduce the pain. Every movement of my abdominal muscles, such as walking, moving, coughing, sneezing, bending down, sitting, and so on, caused great pain. Even turning over at night was difficult because of the pain. My husband did most of the house chores, while I cooked while standing or sitting.
At the end of 2018, the pain worsened, and I did not think that I would live until the end of 2019.
My family and I experienced a miracle at the end of April 2019. A miracle that my family and friends had hoped and prayed for, although they knew deep in their heart the impossibility of this. The miracle was that I was given the opportunity to walk on Master Li's (the founder of Falun Dafa) cultivation path.
My university professor contacted me in early April 2019. He suggested that I absolutely must read the Falun Dafa book Zhuan Falun. He said that I had to try everything, not give up, and not give in to fate. All his friends are cultivating in Falun Dafa. He understood that Dafa was good for a person's health. He introduced his friends to help me step on the cultivation path, because it could cure me.
In fact, a friend of mine talked about cultivating a year ago – as he knew that I was seriously ill. He said that he would step on the cultivation path to be cured of paraplegia, which resulted from a motorcycle accident.
I had downloaded Zhuan Falun at that time and read a few pages. But, as I did not understand what was written, I stopped reading. Besides, I did not believe in miracles that could cure me. But, this time, my teacher urged me to read Zhuan Falun. Additionally, his friend also contacted me to encourage me.
Given that I valued the attention of my teacher and his friends – I saw them as two respected and endearing people – I decided to read Zhuan Falun again. I thank the gods who insisted on my returning to read Zhuan Falun at the time. I thank the divinities who arranged that I was reminded of reading Zhuan Falun.
When reading the first pages of Zhuan Falun I immediately found what I had been looking for – the three words “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.” This took my breath away. I had seen these words often, but never knew where they originated. I only understood that I had to follow these principles to be a good person. I kept reading. Therefore, I am infinitely delighted, as this is the cultivation path I will follow.
At the moment I no longer think about my illness but hope that the remainder of my life would continue because I now found out – walking on the Falun Dafa cultivation path arranged by Master Li Hongzhi. Thus, I asked Master for permission to walk on the Dafa cultivation path.
When done with my prayer, a hot stream of energy ran through my body – from top to bottom. That was odd. My body was hot, but I continued to read “Lecture One.” I was in an extreme emotional state, holding the hope that Master accepts me as a practitioner. I did not ask Master to cure me, but of my hope that Master allows me to walk on the Falun Dafa cultivation path. I could feel that Master accepted me as a Falun Dafa practitioner.
My illness raged through my body, creating excruciating pain, due to an inflammatory infection. I had to take a lot of pain medication, but the medicines had only a very short and little effect. When I had read the first lecture of Zhuan Falun. I noticed strange changes in my body.
Then, although I still felt a strong pain, it was not as intense as the previous day. Therefore, I quit all pain medication. The pain lessened over the next days. It took me one week to read Master's lectures. By that time the pain had reduced to 30 percent of how I used to feel. I had the energy to do the exercises by listening to Master's video. When I told my teacher's friend that I had stepped on the Dafa cultivation path, he was overjoyed and moved to tears.
Positively Cultivating in Dafa
After two weeks of practicing in Dafa, I told my husband and children what I had experienced and decided. This cultivation was like a “miracle” for me. I no longer felt the pain and had stopped taking the medicine. My belly no longer hurt much. I was like a person who was granted a second life, and relieved of pain. My family was overjoyed to see me feel better, and no longer experienced the suffering of days ago. It seemed that I was resuscitated, and walked out of my shadows. I gradually returned to my old self, and even gained more than four pounds.
At the advice of a fellow practitioner in Vietnam – the friend of my teacher who led me to the cultivation path, suggested that I should participate in the group exercises. I checked online and found a practice group near my home. I contacted that practitioner the next weekend and have participated in group activities since then. I'm happy that the Ulm practitioners welcomed me, support me, and accepted me. They treat me as if I were a family member.
Although I stepped on the cultivation path only six months ago, I know deep in my heart that I will never give up this cultivation practice. This is the only way we can thank Master, and show our infinite gratitude by cultivating based on the Fa he taught.
The more I read Master's Fa, the more I understand and become aware of everything. The great wisdom and infinite mercy of Master shine brightly. Fellow practitioners and I are happy that Master directly explained the Fa to us.
Just like other Falun Dafa practitioners, I have also experienced enormous mental and physical changes. At the same time I also noticed tremendous mental and physical changes. Yet, I went wrong at times and made mistakes. Ignorance in one's cultivation is found when one encounters “incidents.” Lessons will always teach where one went wrong, and how to correct oneself. One always must remember Master's Fa, look within, and correct immediately one's shortcoming, to improve xinxing. Practitioners must value everything that Master gave practitioners, study the Fa, and do the exercises.
Since Master cleansed my body, I no longer experience the pain from my former illness. I am stronger and became more steadfast on my cultivation path, which resulted in an almost normal life.
As I understand, Master said that I still have to pay off karma. Therefore, I still feel pain and discomfort in my body, and my stomach, meaning that I still have to pay off karma. Now, I don't really care, and I don't worry about feeling pain. Instead, I just suffer. My diarrhea is due to the removal of my gallbladder, but I'm not taking the medicine to stop the diarrhea. My stomach feels pain, and I feel uncomfortable because of it. But, I will endure this suffering to settle my karmic debts.
My family is happy because of the good environment created by Falun Dafa. My husband and children support my cultivation, because their hope that I would recover from my illnesses has been granted. Although neither of them is fortunate enough to practice Falun Dafa as I do, my husband tells his friends and acquaintances that they should practice Dafa, just as I do. He will always take me to Dafa activities, such as meetings, projects and events.
I now treat my family differently than I used to in the past. For example, I no longer try to have everything my way. I rather accept whatever my husband or children come up with, and I no longer persist in what I want. If they did something wrong, I can easily ignore it now. I understand that when it comes to my children, they have their own destiny. It doesn't work, even if I want to give them all the best. The best for them is that I teach them how to gain virtue, become good people, and always help others.
I am glad that one of my children has read a few lectures in Zhuan Falun. I hope that he is predestined to cultivate in Dafa and follow the teachings of Master Li Hongzhi.
My old friends and I still have a good relationship. I still help them and we care for each other. My friends are truly happy that I have experienced the healing power of Falun Dafa. They support me on my cultivation path, because I'm living proof of Dafa's healing power.
I clarify the truth about Dafa, and explain why the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) persecutes Dafa practitioners. I tell them of my personal experience with Dafa, and how to practice. Hopefully, some of my friends have a predestined connection and will practice Dafa.
I don't know how far I will go in this life on the cultivation path. But, I'm certain to always give cultivation my best.