(Minghui.org) I started to practice Falun Dafa in March 1999 when I was 25 years old. Falun Dafa taught me to let go of selfishness, assimilate to the Fa truths, and to truly understand the goodness of the practice.
Falun Dafa Opened My Eyes
Ever since I was young I felt extremely unlucky because I met with misfortunes over-and-over again, including illnesses and being mistreated.
By the first time I read Zhuan Falun, I had been ill for 40 days. But, while I read the book, the words were large and clear and I felt comfortable. It took me three days to finish it.
One sentence in Zhuan Falun struck a chord in my mind.
Master said:
“It has been said: 'When I come to this ordinary human society, it’s just like checking into a hotel for a few days. Then I leave in a hurry.' Some people are just obsessed with this place and have forgotten their own homes.” (Zhuan Falun)
I then read Master's Lectures in the United States, which taught me more Fa principles.
After I did the exercises, I felt free of my illnesses and looked healthy. Even my colleagues were shocked when they saw the changes in me.
Tranquil Heart
When I studied the Fa, I was first startled when I felt the great tranquility and the warmth and joy in my heart, but I accepted the sensation.
When I was unselfish and in the state of non-intention, I could feel each of my cells assimilating into the Fa. This feeling is indescribable. On the surface, one reads the words spoken by Master, but I believe that each word carries a different world that only practitioners can feel.
After doing the exercises, my mind is clear and I can easily do my work of translating. I am sometimes more at ease with a foreign language than Chinese.
For example, my company closed its doors in 2000, but I was immediately hired by another company with an increase in my salary. I did well in my translation assignments and always met the deadline. I have to thank Dafa for this ability.
Little Things Show Dafa's Preciousness
I have been almost hit by a car more than once, but I was not afraid and Master protected me.
I shared an apartment and could not do the exercises or study the Fa. I was fortunate, because my roommate moved out. I had to put on my alarm to wake up early so I could do the exercises. But after some time, I woke up without needing the alarm clock.
When my practice site was going to play Master's lecture tapes, I needed to leave work early, but I could not do so. However, my boss told me to leave early, and thus I could listen to the tapes.
My body felt cold and I shuddered when doing the sitting meditation, and I started to worry. I opened Zhuan Falun and asked Master what was wrong. I saw tears covering Master’s face and felt a warmth rise within me. Once again, Master endured a karmic debt for me.
I was arrested about eight times, and when police beat me, I did not feel any pain. In one of the prisons, my shoulder was dislocated because I refused to put on handcuffs, yet I did not feel any pain. I know Master endured this pain for me.
There were so many instances that seemingly look small, but each show the preciousness of Dafa to practitioners. In this way, one can then feel Master’s care for all disciples.
Letting Go of Selfishness
I started practicing Dafa before the onset of the persecution, but I did not have a good understanding of the Fa. I still had many human notions. Therefore, I used human ways to fight the persecutors, so I was not righteous and struggled a lot.
While clarifying the truth about Dafa, I noticed a phenomenon: When I planned ahead, I met with many obstacles and had to send righteous thoughts. But when I did not plan as an ordinary person, I could do many things well and effortlessly.
I realized that the thoughts, of “I want to cultivate. I want to save people. I want to clarify the truth,” arise out of selfishness. It is all about what “I” want, and not what a Dafa disciple should do, or what Master or Dafa requires. My starting point was selfishness, so the results were not good.
Once I let go of these attachments, I experienced great changes. I felt my heart opening up, and I became more pure and compassionate.
I used to be overly concerned about quantitative results, but I now focus on the overall effort. I used to regard studying the Fa as a chore, but after letting go of selfishness, I no longer think that way. I now avoid being too concerned about results.
I have met some practitioners who seem to be diligent, but who face severe obstacles that they have been unable to overcome even after several years—be it illnesses, family problems, or negative emotions. I think that maybe they are not safeguarding the Fa, but themselves.
The essence of cultivation is to let go of attachments, and not to be “firm and persistent,” as everyday people do. Only by letting go of attachments can we keep from being persecuted.
We should look within for any attachments arising from selfishness. Please think about whether your starting point is for the sake of others or for yourself.
Category: Improving Oneself
