(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa has become very popular since its introduction to the public in 1992. There were 100 million people in China practicing Falun Dafa before the Chinese Communist Party banned it in 1999. Despite being suppressed in China, however, this peaceful cultivation practice is now practiced in over 100 countries.
The clear contrast of severe persecution in China and popularity overseas makes many people wonder: How could a peaceful meditation system that follows the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, become so attractive to so many people in such a short period of time? Conversations with practitioners reveal the answer.
“I have witnessed many miracles of improved physical health in practitioners. As a physician, I don't know how to explain them. The only thing I can say is that, Falun Dafa is extraordinary,” said Guo Zhengnan from Pingtung County in Southern Taiwan.
Mr. Guo and his family came to Taipei, along with over 7,000 other Falun Gong practitioners, for the 2015 Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference on November 29. Nineteen practitioners spoke at the conference, sharing how they strive to live the principles of Falun Dafa, as well as the benefits they have received from the practice.
A Harmonious Family
During a break outside the conference room, several practitioners including Mr. Guo told their stories.
With a strong interest in spiritual improvement, Mr. Guo had tried Buddhism and Taoism in the past. “But there were no real changes until January 1, 2001, when I began to practice Falun Dafa,” he said. On that day, he attended a 9-day video lecture series with his wife Xiang Xiaoping and daughter Shangyu.
Xiaoping was unable to eat or drink three days later, due to physical discomfort. Based on the teachings they had just learned and heard about from other practitioners, they knew it was a natural process of physical body cleansing. Without seeing a doctor or seeking medication, Ms. Xiang fully recovered in a few days and became more energetic than before.
“My wife's experience could not be explained by current medical knowledge, because a person would suffer from dehydration and became very weak in such a circumstance,” Mr. Guo recalled. “This made me believe that Falun Dafa has something outstanding, something beyond what we have learned from textbooks.”
Besides health improvement, the family also became more considerate of each other as they upgraded their mind nature (xinxing) with the guidance of Falun Dafa's teachings. “My parents now hardly argue, and my bad temper has improved. I have to admit that the principles of Falun Dafa made our family more harmonious,” said daughter Shangyu.
The positive changes in the family made Mr. Guo want to introduce this meditation to more people. He put up posters around his clinic with the words, “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness-Compassion is good,” which are larger than the sign of the clinic itself!
“I can help you with medical examinations and medication,” Mr. Guo often says to his patients, “but if you want fundamental improvement in your health, you may want to give Falun Dafa a try.” Following his advice, many patients have also become Dafa practitioners.
A Pure Heart
Ms. Zhao, who graduated with a Master’s degree from the prestigious National Taiwan University, currently works as a financial news reporter. “I remember once reading an article about how a professor at my university improved his health by practicing Falun Dafa. I was very interested in it and wanted to find out more,” related Ms. Zhao.
She found a nearby practice site and joined the group exercises not long after that. The cold that often bothered her disappeared, and a physical checkup showed an overall health improvement. Ms. Zhao shared, “Another thing that intrigued me was the profound principles imparted in the books, especially Zhuan Falun. They give me enlightenment in many aspects and provide guidance in my work and my everyday life.”
Ms. Zhao has been cultivating for over 10 years, and said she always feels fortunate to have encountered Falun Dafa. “Just as some practitioners have shared during the conference today, we practitioners should always look within to improve ourselves. Even if sometimes people misunderstand us, if we really look inward, we can always calm down and find areas where we can do better.”
Ms. Zhao realized when applying a similar mindset regarding her work, that she had been too attached to her strong professional background. “As a result, I tended to force my opinions upon others and hurt their feelings,” she explained. “I have now learned that, as practitioners, we should treat others with compassion and a pure heart. That is the best way to handle various issues that we come across.”
Taiwanese practitioners demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises at National Tsing Hua University on April 25, 2010
The Purpose of Life
Technical engineer Zhang Shiwen from Taichung said that Falun Dafa answered the questions he had about life. “I used to feel lost. I now know that improving myself through cultivation practice, and returning to my true nature are what is most important.” After learning to live by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, Mr. Zhang said his friends and family considered him more clearheaded, with a stronger sense of responsibility.
Mr. Zhang shared that during the conference today he was impressed by how hard other practitioners worked to spread the facts of Falun Dafa to China, where people have been poisoned by the Chinese Communist Party's hate propaganda. “'These practitioners have overcome various difficulties, both physical and mental, and have achieved many things that are seemingly impossible.” He said that their experience encouraged him to do better in his own cultivation practice.
Technical engineer Zhang Shiwen said he now has a new understanding of life.
Cherishing Opportunities
Shen Weitong, who works for the news media, began practicing Falun Dafa in 2000, but stopped two years later. Encouraged by his elder brother, he resumed his cultivation in 2013 and is grateful that Master Li did not leave him behind.
The speeches today made Mr. Shen think a lot. “Many practitioners shared how they looked inward to improve, whether it is related to misunderstandings by others or conflicts at their workplace.” On the surface, it may seem the other person is wrong. By considering ourselves as practitioners, however, we can identify many areas where we could do better. “If we have the heart to do things well and do things better, nothing can stop us on the path of cultivation practice.”
Looking back at his own experience, Mr. Shen said he felt bad for the time he has wasted. “I now cherish every day and every opportunity to do better,” he explained.
Source of Wisdom
Ms. Zhang Yiling, a teacher, has received many awards for excellence. “Many coworkers and friends were curious about how I could find solutions quickly when encountering various challenges. For me, it is simple—once you calm down and follow the principles of Falun Dafa, things will naturally work out.”
The practice of Falun Dafa benefited her two children too. The elder daughter's school grades improved dramatically. The younger daughter is only two, but she is already able to recognize over 1,000 words. “I often play Master Li's audio lectures to her,” Ms. Zhang explained.
Her husband, Li Zixun, was a site manager for a major cement company. “I used to have severe back pain because of a spine injury. Attempts to find a cure with Chinese medicine and Western medicine all failed. It was the practice of Falun Dafa that relieved the pain and gave me health,” Mr. Li shared.
Mr. Li, who currently works at Fei Tian Academy of the Arts in Taiwan where he teaches traditional Chinese culture, said that he is grateful for the positive changes Falun Dafa has brought to the family. “Instead of being nagged by fame and personal interest, I now have a new goal in my life—that is, improving myself and contributing to society,” said Li.
Zhang Yiling, a teacher, and her husband, Li Zixun, who teaches at Fei Tian Academy of the Arts in Taiwan
The family of four now live happily together, “Because when everyone looks inward, you really do not have conflicts,” Mr. Li said. “I believe other families can also benefit from Falun Dafa like us.”
Category: Improving Oneself
