(Minghui.org) I am 84 years old and started practicing Falun Dafa in May 1996.
After having practiced Dafa for more than 20 years, I felt pain in my left rib in July of this year. I did not pay it any attention, but the pain worsened a few days later. A few nights later, as the pain worsened, I touched it and felt fluid-filled blisters that were one inch long. My next thought was that these blisters were like shingles. Although they felt very painful, I did not tell my family.
I studied the Fa, looked within, sent forth righteous thoughts, and clarified the truth about Dafa with another practitioner. However, I did not look for any attachments.
The blisters kept spreading, and I felt very uncomfortable. I did tell my husband that I had shingles, but I refused to let him see the blisters. My son noticed the blisters and told me to see a doctor immediately.
Then, I began to worry, because I had heard that when the rash circles the waist, one is near death. So, I went to a hospital and got three bottles of medicine. I applied the medicine several times, but the rash worsened and spread rapidly toward the left side of my back.
I burned incense and told Master that I had been wrong.
Master said,
“As I indicated, the Fa rectification of the cosmos is now in the latter stage, and is concluding soon, and it is transitioning toward the Fa’s rectification of the human world. So during this period you have all the more reason to do well, to not squander your achievements, to cease doing wrong” (“Fa Teaching Given at the New York Fa Conference Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Dafa’s Spreading”).
Although I did cultivate according to Master's Fa, I had human thoughts when I was faced with tribulations.
Master said,
“Whether you can let go of ordinary human attachments is a fatal test on your way to becoming a truly extraordinary being. Every disciple who truly cultivates must pass it, for it is the dividing line between a cultivator and an everyday person.” (“True Cultivation” from Essential for Further Advancement)
If I cannot let go of ordinary human attachments, how can I cultivate into a Buddha? I have studied and remembered the Fa, so why haven’t I been able to truly cultivate? This is because I do not have a solid understanding of the Fa and thus could not improve my xinxing. During critical moments, I did not truly believe in Master and the Fa.
Master gave me a hint. When I was doing the “Falun Cosmic Orbit” exercise, I suddenly thought of the Falun that Master has installed for us in our abdomens. Master has given it to me, and it belongs to me. Master said, “they’re just abilities that come out from cultivating our mortal human bodies. All the same, they’re pretty rich and plentiful ...” (Zhuan Falun) Thus, I thought that I should have the Falun destroy the bad substances on the upper left side of my body and then disperse them outside my body.
Just this thought made the difference. The pain on the upper left side of my body lessened. I felt relaxed and no longer stiff.
I studied Master's lecture and recalled related lectures. I also read sharing articles published on the Minghui website. These were instrumental for my denying the old force's arrangement and rectifying myself. As a result of my belief in Master and the Fa, and sending strong righteous thoughts, scabs formed and fell off.
Through this tribulation, I realized that a practitioner should be steadfast while facing tribulations. One should never forget to believe in Master and the Fa, look within, and send forth righteous thoughts with a clear mind.