(Minghui.org) I served in the military from 1979 to 1993, after which I was transferred to a local government discipline department. I was in poor health before stepping on the path of Falun Dafa cultivation.
I cut down my sleeping to three hours a night to fit in work, studying the Fa for several hours daily, practicing the exercises, and clarifying the facts about Falun Dafa. Sleeping just three hours a night didn't affect my ability to do all that is required of a Falun Dafa practitioner.
Greetings, esteemed Master! Greetings, fellow practitioners!
Fellow practitioners asked me about my daily schedule. Before sharing my agenda, I told them that I only sleep three to four hours a night. When I get home from work, I eat and then study the Fa. I then sleep from 8:30 p.m. until it is time to send righteous thoughts. After that I study the Fa and then do the five exercises. After sending righteous thoughts at the scheduled time, I sent out truth-clarification materials. If time allows, I prepare more truth-clarification mail before or after work.
I have followed this routine since January 2009, and it has not been easy going. At first I had a hard time staying awake after midnight. To overcome this, I stood up, kneeled down to study, washed my face with cold water, and did anything else I could think of. After some time I no longer felt sleepy, and even when I did not sleep, I was energized the next day.
I actually am a veteran practitioner who began practicing Falun Dafa in 1995. I was illegally detained in a forced labor camp for one and a half years and in prison for five and a half years, a total of seven years, and was released in 2009. After I was released, I felt that I had to make up for the time I had lost. That's why I decided on the three-hour sleep schedule.
Appealing for Falun Dafa
After the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) banned Falun Dafa and began to persecute it in 1999, fellow practitioners and I went to the provincial government to appeal for the right to practice. We were invited to discuss the practice with government officials. We began by telling them the reasons why Falun Dafa benefits society and brings no harm.
I also told them my life history, beginning with having served in the military from 1979 to 1993 and my transfer to a local government discipline department. I was in poor health then and was diagnosed by doctors at the International Peace Hospital with a cervical problem, heart disease, angina, a neurological disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and much more. I had to go to the hospital weekly for therapy. To escape the pain and ill health, I studied a number of qigong practices, but without success.
In 1995 a co-worker introduced me to Falun Dafa. I bought the main book, Zhuan Falun, immediately and read through it. After having read the book, I stopped taking medicine without any problem. My blood pressure returned to normal, and, as I continued with the practice, I returned to good health.
I used to have many bad habits, such as not paying for the food I ate in the workplace cafeteria that I managed. After practicing Falun Dafa I paid for what I ate. On weekends I bought supplies for the cafeteria and was supposed to get reimbursed 20 yuan, which I didn't ask for. When food went missing I replaced it with my own funds. I no longer turned in fake receipts, as I was now living by Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
After having spoken to the provincial government officials, the police told us that we could leave. As I left I saw several practitioners completing forms, providing their home addresses. I told them that, because we cultivate Falun Dafa, we are good people and should not have to register with the authorities. Some of the practitioners took my advice and left. Those that provided their personal information were harassed by CCP officials. They were taken to government-run brainwashing centers. I realized that as long as we did not cooperate with the CCP minions, they could not persecute us.
Held in a Forced Labor Camp
I was arrested and taken to a forced labor camp. When Master’s article “A Suggestion” from Essentials for Further Advancement II was published, we were able to distribute it to all the practitioners in that camp. After that they all condemned the “transformation” certificates. The guards began to panic, and I was transferred from the Second Team to the Third Team.
There were two of us practitioners in the Third Team. We began to study Hong Yin and other articles. I told the head prisoner, “Qiao Shi investigated Falun Dafa and concluded that it benefits society.” I spoke of Jiang Zemin, who initiated the persecution out of jealousy because so many people were involved in the practice. I told him about the staged Tiananmen Self-immolation incident. I pointed out the fallacies in the self-immolation, “How come the plastic bottle of gasoline wasn't damaged when it was burned? Why was Wang Jindong’s hair not burned? Why were the police walking around with fire extinguishers on their backs?”
I decided to write a 16-page letter to clarify the truth. In the letter I said that, among practitioners, there were highly educated people and high level officials. They could judge right from wrong. They had experienced the many political movements initiated by the CCP and could tell truth from lies. I stressed the health benefits practitioners experienced. I said that my father had been diagnosed with cancer and returned to good health after practicing Falun Dafa and is still alive. I provided details on how everyone in my family benefited from practicing Falun Dafa.
The inmate leaders changed their attitude after being around practitioners and admired us for daring to stand up to the guards. My letter was circulated among everyone in the Third Team, including the guards. One time when I was doing the exercises, a guard asked what I was doing. The prisoner leader said I was resting with my eyes shut.
Saving My Marriage
After being held in the prison for more than five years, I was released in 2009. I was immediately hit with a tribulation. My brother, my second sister’s husband, and his sister came to pick me up. They wanted to take me to my hometown because my wife was asking for divorce. I said that I had to discuss the matter with my wife because practitioners don't get divorced. If I was divorced, people would think that practicing Falun Gong caused the divorce.
My wife said that I could keep all the money—she just wanted to get the divorce, because living with me brought suffering and she was miserable. She complained about our house being ransacked by the police and it took three days to get things put back together. She complained about being alone when I was in the military, even when our child was born. There was much she had to say.
Then I put in a word. I told her that the situation wasn't to my liking, either. But, she should see that the CCP was the culprit, not practitioners. I used different examples to explain my reasoning. I asked her, “If my Master is maligned, shouldn’t I speak up?” Then I reminded her of the many illnesses I used to suffer from, which had not been cured even after we had spent every last penny. Yet, after practicing Falun Dafa I regained my health without spending a cent. I spoke of her, our son's, and my father's illnesses and how everyone regained good health after practicing Falun Dafa. I also reminded her of the time I was struck by a car and not injured, as well as other incidents that showed the power of Falun Dafa. I said, “It is true that you and our child have suffered a lot, and I didn't want that happen. The CCP not only persecuted me but also my family. It is the CCP that is responsible for the deterioration of our relationship.”
My parents-in-law said that if I were ever imprisoned again, I would have to agree to a divorce. They had lots to say. I responded, “Now I am free and I will make it up to her.” After having said that, my wife agreed to try again. I helped with the household chores and would forbear when my wife complained. Life went on, and I always treated everyone based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
Beneficial Introductions Before Talking about Falun Dafa
In 1988, I was a company commander in the Vietnam War. After returning from the front lines, I was promoted to be a deputy battalion commander, a lieutenant commander officer rank, and my battalion was ranked as an elite fighting group.
On June 2, 1989, the general of the 38th military branch refused to go to Tiananmen Square to crack down on the students. We were assigned the duty, and I witnessed first-hand the June 4th Tiananmen massacre.
At times, I used the above information before telling someone the facts about Falun Dafa. After that, everyone listened to what I had to say. I also spoke of the political movements launched by the CCP and asked the people if they knew how many Chinese people it had persecuted to death. There are so many historical events that can be used before introducing Falun Dafa to capture the listeners' attention.
Sending Righteous Thoughts
I generally sent righteous thoughts four times daily and made it up later if I've missed the appointed times. Sending righteous thoughts works well after a few hours of sleep or after making Falun Dafa truth-clarification materials. I also send righteous thoughts while talking to people about Falun Dafa.
Before mailing truth-clarification packages to mail, I talk to the flyers and tell them how important it is to save sentient beings and then send righteous thoughts. Some fellow practitioners said that the middle and elementary schools could not receive Falun Dafa materials. I eliminated that thought and I mailed such letters quite successfully. Friends that received my letters would tell me that they received them. After mailing letters to the senior court judge, the head of the judiciary, and the 610 Office, I was told that they received them personally.
Letting Go of Fear
When I started to talk to people about the facts of Falun Dafa, I was hindered by the attachment of fear and uncertainty. One time I was walking over a bridge and wondering if I should talk to the person ahead of me. I broke the ice by making small talk with him. Then I asked him if he had heard about quitting the CCP. Since he hadn't. I said, “It is important to quit the CCP, the Youth League, and the Young Pioneers.” He responded with a fearful expression, “You eat the CCP food and accept a salary from the CCP, but you still want to oppose the Party. How can you say that?” I felt cold and bitter in my mind and had no idea what to do next. So I walked slowly to let him get ahead of me. After a minute he turned around and glanced at me. My heart was thumping and I feared being reported to the police.
One time I put the Shen Yun DVDs into some cars. One young man opened his car. He saw the DVD and threw it out of his car. I felt cold, and fear entered my mind. I thought about stopping my truth-clarification efforts. I didn't move and kept watching. Then, an elderly person passing by picked up the DVD. This eased my mind.
Another person arrived at his car and said to his friend, “Look at this.” I thought it was all arranged by Master. This let me know that I should have confidence; once one has confidence, a practitioner can do whatever he ought to do. Gradually, I became braver and my confidence grew. Now when I meet up with the community security guards, I give them materials about Falun Dafa and talk to them about Shen Yun Performing Arts. I tell them the facts about the persecution of Falun Dafa and advise them about software programs that bypass the Chinese Internet blockade.
Asking Master for Help
At critical times, it is important to ask for Master’s help. Once when I was putting truth-clarification DVDs into a mailbox, several fell to the floor. I heard footsteps and instantly asked Master for help. I said in my mind, “Saving people is the most righteous and no one should be allowed to interfere with me.” The man passed me without looking at me.
On one occasion when I was handing out materials, one person came right up close to me and looked at me closely. I walked toward the door and he followed me, so I chatted with the security guard. After observing that, the man turned around and left. I said to Master, “I did not finish my task, so I should go back.” I turned around and began to distribute the rest of the materials for another half an hour. I suddenly felt fear. Then, a warm current flowed through me from the left side of my body. I realized that Master hinted that I should distribute the rest of the materials. As long as we believe in Master and the Fa, nothing will trouble us.
The above is my experience sharing. If anything is not within the Fa, please kindly advise me.
