(Minghui.org) “Everything in your life is temporary, only the Fa is permanent. The teachings will get you through all situations in life. And since you’ve found what’s permanent why would you concern yourself with the temporary – be it money, fame, high rank, success, emotion or anything else.” My mom told me this one day. When I look back I find it so true.
I am a Falun Dafa practitioner from India. I began practicing Falun Dafa while I was 9 years old, in 2001. I would like to take this opportunity to share my experience.
A Healthy Life
Over the past 17-18 years, I have encountered several physical hardships and sicknesses, such as an abscess in my lower back, viral arthritis and a couple of episodes of very severe gastritis, to name a few. However, I always achieved wellness and good health without medication of any form. I would like to share my experience with the abscess in my lower back.
I developed an abscess that appeared as a small boil in my lower back. I didn’t pay much attention to it, and in about 10 days time it grew into a lump. Each day it was more gruesome than the day before. Eventually, my daily life was affected as it impaired my ability to walk, rest or do anything.
My family got worried and took me to the hospital and the doctor recommended surgery. He said that the root was deep and so they would have to operate. I was definitely affected. I realized one thing then. We sometimes forget to reflect on ourselves in normal times and days, but when hardship comes… Sickness in my case definitely pushed me to a realm where I reflected. My goal was not specifically to be healed by Falun Dafa, but I sensed a lot of clutter in my mind that I wanted to clear out.
Master says in Falun Gong:
“The things that exist in the bodies of true cultivators are not those of everyday people, and none of the diseases and ailments that everyday people have are allowed to occur in your body. If you can handle your thoughts well and you believe in the healing power of cultivation, and you decide then to discontinue your medicine, you aren’t concerned about it, and you don’t go to get it treated, then naturally there will be somebody who heals it for you. All of you here are getting better day by day, and every day you feel better and better. So what’s going on? My Law Bodies have been busy going in and out working on the bodies of many of you, and they are helping you by doing those things.”
I realized I had drifted from the teachings and lost myself in the mundane activities of my college life. This incident came as a wake-up call for me to catch up with more Fa study, practicing the exercises and maintaining righteous thoughts.
What appeared as sickness on the surface went very deep. I had fear, insecurity and a lot of chaos in my mind. The teachings of Falun Dafa helped me reach a content state, where pain and suffering didn’t matter. It gave me courage and a new way of viewing my situation.
Miraculously, a hole developed just at the spot the doctor pointed out as the root of the abscess. Pus and blood would ooze out for a few days and then it closed on its own. It didn’t pain either. My sister, who suffered from the same abscess at that time, however, is yet suffering from the issue. It's been 6 years now, and she isn’t cured yet after spending a lot of money, and trying out various doctors.
A Bright Career
Today, by profession I am a director of a tutorial institute. I had never taken tuition in all my life, I didn’t intend to tutor either. What began with helping out neighbours' children with school work has grown into a thriving institution today. The teachings of Falun Dafa has been my moral compass and mentor throughout this journey.
A few glimpses are shared below:
Master wrote in “Teaching the Fa at the Conference in Houston”:
“Moreover, the Great Law requires cultivators to be outstanding everywhere they cultivate. If you are a student, then you should do a good job in your studies; if you are a member of society, you should do your job well, and at the same time you are a cultivator.”
All I knew was that I have to work wholeheartedly and I’ve to do a good job. So I decided to create an environment where criticism was welcome and received constructively. It has been my secret ingredient to growth. It has been my greatest strength. There are many things, especially my shortcomings, that I wouldn’t be able to see myself.
The humility to learn and set aside ego or a sense of self in any form came to me only because I am a Falun Dafa disciple.
In my locality there is a tutor in every street. Some are renowned and have been established for over a decade. I was a novice. So there was a time when I was very ambitious and had a lot of mind games running in my head as to how to outrun my competitors. The shallowness of the thought process was exposed to me once while meditating.
Master writes in “Lecture at the First Conference in North America”:
“In regards to this point, I think Caucasian European businessmen have a very good state of mind. A Caucasian businessman considers his business a profession and a duty, and he does it whole-heartedly to the best of his ability. He doesn’t mind even if there’s only one customer a day. He thinks that it’s his job, it’s part of life, he’s doing something, and it’s fine as long as he can support himself or his family and save a little. This is the state of being human. Nowadays, people’s desire to get rich quick is terribly strong. This is the mindset that guides them. People are simply hurting one another, as if they want to get all of everyone else’s money to put in their own pockets.”
I realized that I was competitive, and I must discard this attachment. We can share; there is always enough for everyone. I spoke to my fellow tutors whenever I found the opportunity, with a different perspective. It turned out that they were all very welcoming and warm. They gave out my name to so many students and now we all thrive, in good faith.
My Concern and My Wish
While I have various other aspects of my life, I would like to shed light on some of my deep concerns and issues that have kept me wondering for years now.
Health, career, ethics, and morality… I don’t know if one can ask for more from life. I have received them all. And most of all, I’ve got the ability to be content.
I can do Falun Dafa in any part of India, in private and in public. It is welcomed everywhere by all sections of society. I wonder how just a few miles across the border, doing the same may make me a victim of torture, persecution or even organ harvesting. At times I ask myself, setting aside the benefits I’ve received from cultivation, to just look at the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) propaganda. I ask myself if there is any truth to it?
The only conclusion I arrive at is if something inspires one to be truthful, compassionate and tolerant, it definitely cannot be a cult or a bad practice.
I feel pain for my neighbors, my fellow Chinese who can’t have freedom of belief. I would urge everyone who can speak out, to please do so. It’s a cherished idea I wish to bring to our fellow Chinese.
I urge them to also be informed before making a decision about their own beliefs or regarding Falun Dafa.
We have thousands of Indians who’ve signed petitions in support of Falun Dafa. We have approached the National Human Rights Council with a complaint about the Communist Party's persecution and we have published several reports in various media. I hope our voice gives strength to the righteous course. I hope we all play our part to bring an end to this unprecedented and most brutal persecution being experienced by mankind.
