(Minghui.org) I knew of many people close to me practicing Falun Dafa as early as 2005. I witnessed how they'd changed as a result of the practice, both physically and mentally, and felt that they were very kind and genuine. I followed their lead and began practicing Falun Dafa in January 2013.
Remembering “Falun Dafa Is Good” in Dark Times
Even before I began my journey of cultivation practice, I had close friends who practiced Falun Dafa. Occasionally, I copied the Minghui Weekly and Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party for them at work. Since I have computer skills, I also helped them install software to get through the Chinese regime's Internet firewall. When their computers had problems, I likewise helped them solve the issue.
I watched them do the Falun Dafa exercises and study and memorize the Fa. I listened when they told me about the Fa of the universe, elimination of karma, and other mysteries.
In my opinion, as long as a belief teaches people to be kind and improves their physical well-being, it should not be suppressed. I was thus very disappointed with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for persecuting Falun Dafa.
I installed software to get through the Internet blockade and often surfed the Web at home, reading news from around the world. Thus, I knew that the CCP's version of the news deceived people. I also read the Minghui website. Even though I had such a good environment for cultivation practice, I did not enter the door of Dafa at that time.
Later, even though I was not around these practitioners anymore, what they had told me was deeply rooted in my heart.
In December 2012, I fell ill. My stomach hurt, I could not bend my back, and I felt bloated. I went to the hospital with my husband. The diagnosis shocked us both: I had ovarian cancer and a large abdominal abscess.
My first reaction was: “I can't believe I have so much karma!”
A biopsy confirmed that I had cancer, and the hospital arranged for me to have surgery right away. They removed my ovaries, uterus and related tissue. The incision was large, from the heart all the way to the end of my abdomen.
When I woke up, I could not move without being in excruciating pain. Various tubes were connected to different parts of my body. When I opened my eyes and looked up, the ceiling was covered with a black substance. It was weird and terrifying.
Suddenly I remembered the words practitioners had taught me many years ago: “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” I began reciting them over and over again from my heart. As long as I was awake, I would recite them. Gradually the black substance dissipated, and I also felt better.
I had a thick layer of fatty tissue. The surgeons recommended a second surgery to remove the fatty tissue, saying that it would be difficult to heal otherwise. Doctors and nurses checked my incision daily. They expressed surprise that the wound healed so well. Thank you, Dafa!
Seven days later, I was transferred to an oncology hospital for chemotherapy. When I first got there, I noticed that none of the patients had hair. As I stroked my long and thick hair, I began to repeat again in my mind, “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” I asked Master Li to save my hair and promised to practice Falun Dafa when I returned home. I was very attached to my appearance, so I still asked a friend to buy a wig for me.
After the first chemo treatment, I felt very weak. I was drenched in sweat whenever I moved. I got online, but could not get through the firewall. I thought the software might need to be updated, so I searched for new software. However, the blockade was very strong, so I didn't have much success.
I thought in my mind, “Falun Dafa is good! Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good! I want to practice Falun Dafa!” After three hours of searching, I was finally able to download the new software and freely surf the Web.
Beginning My Cultivation Journey
When I got on the Minghui website and saw Master's picture, tears ran down my cheeks. I had not cried at all upon learning that I had cancer or when experiencing excruciating pain after surgery, but now I could not stop my tears. This was the moment when I truly began my journey of cultivation practice.
Thank you, Master, for planting the seed of cultivation many years ago! Thank you, Master, for pointing out the direction when I was lost!
The indicator score for the presence of a tumor was 900 after my surgery. After the first chemo treatment, it dropped to 600. A normal score should be below 30. I told my husband that I did not want any more treatments because I was now practicing Falun Dafa and believed that Dafa would help me. My husband repeatedly asked if I could have just one more treatment.
I did not know what to do and continued the chemo. But I also did the Falun Dafa exercises. I would request a single room, so that it would be convenient for me to do the exercises. I underwent five chemo treatments while persevering in practicing the exercises and studying the Fa. The tumor indicator score after the fifth treatment was 101, the same as after the fourth.
One day, a friend who was not a practitioner visited me. In a serious tone, she advised me not to continue the chemo. I was very surprised to hear that from her, since she went to the hospital for every little thing. I told her that the oncologist recommended that I finish the chemo cycle, since the indicator score was still at a dangerous level. She could not give a reason for her strong advice, but just kept saying, “No more chemo.”
I was confused. I had just started to practice Falun Dafa, and there were no practitioners nearby to help me become clear on the Fa.
I went to the hospital again. Another oncologist reviewed my chart and said: “You may consider stopping the chemo for now. Rest a little and then we can re-evaluate your situation.”
I thought, “First my friend, and now this doctor.” I finally realized that Master was trying to enlighten me.
During my chemo treatments, I did not suffer as much as other patients. I could hear other patients vomiting nonstop throughout the ward. However, I was not even nauseous. Most patients suffered severe constipation, but I had daily bowel movements. Many experienced severe insomnia and required sleeping pills every night, but I slept soundly without medication. Chemo patients are known to have poor immunity and catch cold and flu easily, but I did not develop any such symptoms. I felt light going up and down the stairs, and after five chemo treatments, I still kept my long and thick hair.
Miracles happened one after another. Master took care of me and endured so much for me, yet my enlightenment quality was poor.
Then, finally, I became determined to let go of everything and to firmly cultivate in Dafa. I wanted to go home.
I finally let go of some attachments and studied the Fa with a pure heart. Gradually, I gained a better understanding of the Fa. I asked myself if it was the illness that had prompted me to begin the practice. The answer was no. I had a predestined relationship with Dafa. During this final stage of Fa-rectification, Master has saved me. Thank you, Master!
I was gradually able to evaluate myself according to the Fa and to better understand Master's words:
“Ordinary human affairs, according to the Buddha School, all have predestined relationships. Birth, old age, illness, and death exist as such for ordinary people. Due to karma resulting from past wrongdoing, one has illnesses or tribulations; suffering is repaying a karmic debt.” (Zhuan Falun)
“In the meantime, you should also suffer a little bit and endure some hardships to reduce your karma. You can then move up a little bit; that is, the characteristic of the universe will not restrict you as much.” (Zhuan Falun)
“Once they stepped out the door, they would act differently and go their own way, competing and fighting with others for fame and profit among everyday people. How could they increase gong? It could not increase at all, and for the same reason neither would their illnesses be healed. Why can’t some people cure their illnesses after a long period of practice? Qigong is cultivation practice and something supernormal, as opposed to everyday people’s physical exercises. One must focus on xinxing in order to cure illness and increase gong.” (Zhuan Falun)
After two big instances of karma elimination, I recovered quickly. My complexion changed from being pale to having a healthy glow, and I gained some weight. I used to have many dark spots on my face, but now they were all gone.
When one of my friends noticed it, she wanted to know how I had achieved this. I clarified the facts about Dafa to her and told her that I was now a practitioner. I told her that all of the great changes she was seeing in me were because of Falun Dafa.
My cultivation level is limited. Please kindly point out any shortcomings.