(Minghui.org) In Belgium there are a number of stories of how Falun Gong practitioners inspired their entire families to take up the practice of Falun Dafa. The Bijnes' are one of those families. Mr. Bijnes, and his two grown sons Nick and John are married and have their own families. Nearly all of the family members practice Falun Dafa. How did such an ordinary family decide to practice Dafa cultivation?
John: I was so fortunate to find Falun Dafa
John is in his thirties, and is the youngest son and the first of his family to practice Falun Dafa, beginning in 2007. He has studied Zhuan Falun, participated in group exercise and in Dafa related activities for years.
Over the last five years his family marveled at his progress and improvement. As a result his father and brother also began practicing Falun Dafa. He was particularly happy to see the change in his family. One day his eleven-year-old son asked him: “What should we read tonight?” John replied, “Lets read Zhuan Falun in Dutch so that gradually other kids can also join in. One day John went out to hand out flyers about Falun Dafa, and when he returned he saw his wife and four kids reading Zhuan Falun. His family had been reading half an hour of Zhuan Falun every night for several weeks, and John was quietly very happy for them.
When John talked about his life before Dafa cultivation he reveals quite a different person: “When I was 14 years old, I let the people around me down. I was developing my individual views about society and I was curious about the various bizarre lifestyles and went astray. I began drinking, using drugs, and was attracted to the most deviated art and music. I indulged myself and thought all those things were the best. Of course, at the time, nobody liked my behavior. When I was forced to face the fact that I let everyone down, I felt very lonely.”
“I began to withdraw from society and for a long time I felt there was not one place I could feel at home. Since I did not study well, I did not graduate. Nothing could make me happy, and I felt nervous all the time. I was disappointed with myself, I did not feel good physically and when I looked at myself, I saw a hopeless life.
“At eighteen and nineteen, I did not want to live in this world anymore. The desire got stronger, and the conflicts with people around me also intensified. Whenever I wanted to end my life, consciously I realized that I could never do that, as the image of my parents burying me was too much for me to bear. It was not because we had a good relationship, but I knew they loved me unconditionally, and tried their best to understand me. I promised myself that I would never take my own life. I would endure in misery and wait for the end of my life.
“Good thing that I did not go to the extreme at that time, as a co-worker introduced Falun Dafa to me. I read Zhuan Falun first, and later learned the exercises. I remembered when I’d finished 50 pages of the book and realized that this is what I had been waiting for all along. The profound Fa was expressed in such a simple way, and so clearly.
“My wife, kids and other family members could not understand my sudden enthusiasm and diligence toward Dafa. I’d changed myself overnight. They were worried that I would go to another extreme, but I knew what to do through Fa study. From the very beginning I understood that I had to search within myself, to rectify my problems and many bad habits. My family immediately saw the big change in me. In the first step I cut my long hair, stopped smoking cigarettes, using drugs and drinking alcohol. Everything changed in such a short period of time, such as my appearance, words, deeds and thoughts. Gradually, my family learned the value of Dafa by themselves. They realized this is a truly meaningful path not only to me but also to everyone around me. My wife changed, my family and friends began to experience Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance with positive results.
“I no longer have any complaint or resentment. I feel peaceful and have a clear view of how to be a good person and a healthy view of the surrounding world. I became aware of the unlawful persecution in China, and I try my best to attend Falun Gong activities. For someone who was once lost, I am so fortunate to have found Falun Dafa. Thank you Master Li Hongzhi. I wish the best for all future human beings.”
Father: Falun Dafa gave me a healthy body
John's father, Jeff Bijnes, is seventy-one-years old. He said that Falun Dafa gave him a healthy body: “I developed prostatitis fifteen years ago and my illness got worse. I had to see a specialist twice a year. When I saw him the last time, the specialist said that I needed surgery and I had to take medicine. He told me that my disease was very serious and if needed I could call him at any time. After I learned Falun Dafa at age 66, I learned how to be a good person, and how to deal with the phenomena as a cultivator. One night, I suddenly had pain all over, but I treated it as a test. I felt better and better day-by-day and I threw all my medicine away. From that point on, I no longer needed any medicine. That specialist said that if I did not have surgery I would need medicine forever. I did not have surgery and I do not need any medicine.
I attend all the Dafa related activities and tell people “Falun Dafa is good.” I am so happy that Master brought me this Dafa cultivation. Master knows everything-- I am very clear on that. I am very happy that I learned Falun Gong, I hope to do well and not let Master down.”
Nick: I found the answer in Falun Dafa
John's brother, Nick, does technical maintenance for a job. He is a kind and considerate man, and he is very responsible with his job. He also works for the New Tang Dynasty TV Station. Because he is tall he can always find the best spot for video or photography. He is also responsible for three exercise sites on a weekly basis. Just like John, he also began cultivation by reading Zhuan Falun.
He told his story with a smile: “I’ve always looked for the answer to the questions: Who am I? What am I doing here? I found my answer in Falun Dafa. After reading Zhuan Falun the first time, I realized I wanted to read it again, as it is like a navigator. In the very beginning, I knew that this was the book that would guide me for the rest of my life.”
“During five years of Dafa cultivation, I learned about my environment, and myself. It was very inspiring. My brother John gave me the book Zhuan Falun, and hoped that I could understand. At that time, our characteristics were totally different. There was a big gap between our lifestyles, ways of thinking, and even our ways of problem solving were different. We had nothing in common, either interests or friends. None of us wanted to change the situation, we frowned on each other. Now it is different. My father has also joined us. Now we can share our cultivation experiences. I suddenly realized that Falun Gong connected us together as a family.
“We often share our experiences in a calm and peaceful way. I know that is the result of our cultivation. We walk on the same path, as long as people follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, they will naturally get into this harmonious life style. I understand that to abide by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, is to abide by the natural law. The principles infused new life into our family. I am deeply grateful to obtain the law of the universe. Thank you Master Li Hongzhi for your guidance and support. Dafa cultivation completely changed my life, and I know I will cultivate till the end.
“I came to understand how Falun Gong spread in China. In the beginning over 100 million people came to learn the practice. Because of Jiang Zemin’s jealousy, the peaceful Falun Dafa practitioners became the most brutally persecuted group in the world. The persecution has to stop. This is why whenever I have time, I attend Falun Gong activities, helping to inform people what Falun Gong is, share my cultivation experience, and raise awareness of this unlawful persecution. During the activities, we receive a great deal of positive feedback from people who are all against the persecution. We are very lucky, to live in a free democratic country. We have freedom of belief and speech. Our family has benefited so much from Falun Dafa cultivation that we truly hope more people can benefit from Dafa. It is from my own understanding that I know Falun Dafa is good.
“There is one member of my family, my mother, who has not cultivated yet. My wife and I both cultivate, our daughter is only 6 months, and John's son is only three years old. So when we attend Dafa activities, my mother takes care of our kids. She is very supportive of Falun Dafa!”
(From the Call for Submissions to Commemorate the Twentieth Anniversary of Falun Dafa’s Introduction.)
Translated on May 20th 2012 from