(Minghui.org) I have been practicing Falun Dafa for more than 10 years. I was very diligent when I first started, but my family was against my continuing the practice, and for this reason, I felt a lot of distress when it came to family matters. But thanks to the strength of my belief, I was able to rise rapidly.
I continued very diligently, without questioning much and without acknowledging interference. When I suffered a lot, I read Falun Dafa's main book, Zhuan Falun, more, and my own sorrows were lessened. Actually, my problems were still the same, but I was learning to take everything more lightly, and I was not thinking too much about my troubles.
When I began to cultivate, I quickly realized the importance of saving people. I always carried flyers with me everywhere. There was a lot of turnover at work, with people being hired and then quitting in a short time. That meant I had to quickly tell the newcomers about the Fa and the persecution of Falun Gong in China. I was able to collect signatures on the Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH) petition from almost everyone. I sometimes translated articles for the Clearharmony website.
After a few years, I was not as diligent as when I first obtained the Fa. I guess this was because of my attachment to comfort, which came about after I passed the test of family interference. For a few years, I was studying the Fa less and less while yearning for the time when I first obtained the Fa. I wanted to be diligent again, but I was not able to. I was feeling bad, and while Master was helping me in every respect, I was feeling remorse for not being able to overcome these obstacles.
Master reminded us of the importance of cultivating as we did in the beginning:
“In cultivation, there is a saying, “Cultivate as you did in the beginning, and you are sure to succeed.” Isn’t that right? (All disciples applaud enthusiastically) How did you feel when you first obtained the Fa and began cultivating? When you learned what the Fa is, wow, you simply felt so excited that you couldn’t contain yourself, and you steeled yourself to cultivate well! If you could maintain all along the heart you had in the beginning through to the end of your cultivation, even Heaven and Earth would not allow you to fail.” (“Fa Teaching at the New York Fa Conference on the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of Dafa’s Introduction to the Public”)
Since Shen Yun was not coming to our country and because I can speak German well, in 2012, I applied for a German visa to help with Shen Yun there. I also applied for a U.S. visa to attend the International Fa Conference. I was living alone, and I had only myself to support.
After I started my visa applications, my workplace shut down. This was a big test for me. I was unemployed. But despite this, both my German and American visa applications were accepted. I did not know what to do; I was uncertain about whether I could afford to go.
In the end I put all my financial problems aside and thought I should go, since I was able to get visas for the first time. Then I applied for welfare, but I was told there was a 99 percent chance I would not get it because I first had to work somewhere for a full year. Surprisingly, I received a positive response within a few days. It was a miracle! I was very grateful to Master. Shortly before I went to the 2012 International Fa Conference at the U.S. Capital, I found a job.
A single thought can reverse everything; negative can turn into positive. Master opens all the doors for us all the way.
Master said:
“We have said that good or bad comes from a person’s initial thought, and the thought at that moment can bring about different consequences.” (Zhuan Falun)
Because no one else from my country was going to attend the International Fa Conference, I was a little worried. I would be alone and did not know English very well. How was I going to manage? With the help of practitioners in Germany, I was able to participate in activities without a problem. This was my first experience participating in activities abroad, and I realized the importance of participating to be able to improve myself.
I still understand that is the case, so I am trying to participate in activities as much as I can. Actually, I wanted to participate in all the activities, but a few times I couldn't even though I wanted to. When that happened, it really distressed me—I was quite shaken by it at that time. I thought that I had not improved myself enough and I did not deserve to participate. But I realized that these thoughts were wrong and were pulling me even further down. Later, by looking within, I realized that my intention to participate in the activities was not pure; it was my ego, and I realized I'd developed an attachment. Since I've realized this, I now always try not to want anything too much and always think in my heart that I only want to go if Master has arranged it.
When we have a problem, we must first look within and study the Fa more, and we must send righteous thoughts to eliminate the interference—this is the key to improvement. Master wants us to improve and to raise our xinxing.
By participating in activities in my country and abroad, my understanding has improved in every respect. I understand that cultivators can have all kinds of attachments and that I can improve my forbearance and improve myself by seeing their good sides. As I can improve myself by participating in the activities, I can become more diligent in studying the Fa and, most importantly, in saving people compared to before—even though it is not the same as when I began to practice.
Whenever I ask Master for help with a pure heart, like every practitioner, I can always get answers and experience countless miracles that move me to tears.
With my whole heart, I hope to have as pure a heart as when I began to cultivate and hope to be as diligent as I was at that time. That way, by saving more people and fulfilling my vow, I can show my gratitude to Master for what He has done for me.
It is not possible for me to express my gratitude to Master in words for always being with me when my days were the most difficult.
