(Minghui.org) I used to be a policeman. I'd like to share with everyone how I started to practice Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, and my cultivation experiences.
When Jiang Zemin's regime started the persecution of Falun Gong in 1999, I bought into the overwhelming propaganda on state-run television, radio, and newspapers that slandered Falun Gong. I was brought up on atheism and thought that Falun Gong was superstitious. It never occurred to me that it was guiding people to be kind and honest. I equated cultivation and spiritual belief with ignorance.
Because of my job as a police officer, I even engaged in the persecution of Dafa disciples. But one question lingered in my mind: “Why are so many senior intellectuals, high ranking officials, and successful businessmen across the country studying and practicing Falun Gong? Why do they remain so steadfast once they start cultivating?”
Getting to Know Dafa
In 2004, I spoke with practitioners. One, who was from my hometown, shared with me how he had obtained the Fa, which had a significant impact on me and prompted me to think seriously about Falun Dafa.
He was a few years older than me, and one could tell that he was honest and kind.
He said that, in the past, he did not believe in Gods or Buddhas, let alone that human beings can cultivate and become Gods or Buddhas. His wife had been cultivating Dafa for a long time, but he never thought about it himself. One day, his wife brought him a book and insisted on reading it to him. He was just sitting around idly and started listening. As he was listening, a round dot showed up in front of his eyes. He was surprised and wondered: “Isn't this the Falun described in the book?” In his head, he said to the dot, “If you are really a Falun, please get bigger so I can see you more clearly.” Instantaneously, the dot became the size of a desk fan, and it turned clockwise and counterclockwise. He clearly saw that it was a Falun! That was how he started practicing.
His account amazed me. Although I did not believe it completely, I knew he hadn't made it up. Falun Gong could very well be that amazing. At least I should take a closer look.
I took a few Dafa books confiscated from practitioners, and I downloaded Mr. Li Hongzhi's recent articles online. It took me about two years on and off to see if the miracles were true. I did not experience a miracle like one the practitioner from my hometown had described, but I developed an interest in Dafa. The knowledge, views, and Fa principles mentioned in the books opened up my mind and answered many of my questions about life.
From reading what Master had said, I came away with at least two insights. The first is that we humans have master souls in addition to our physical bodies. Our master souls came from high levels and will not perish when our bodies die; master souls will reincarnate. Science also tells us that 90% of our brain is not being utilized and is locked. To unlock this large portion of the brain, one has to cultivate and elevate his or her level. I read in the newspaper that in Tongdao County, Hunan Province, over 100 people recalled events from their previous lifetimes. In foreign countries, there are records of near-death experiences, as well as treatments that can restore memories of previous lives. These reports corroborated the Fa principle Master taught: “We human beings have a master soul, and our master souls don’t perish.” (“The Third Talk,” Zhuan Falun)
The second insight is that there is a heavenly secret in the universe—an eternal principle that exists in the universe. That principle is Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, which is the characteristic of the universe, which is the origin and root of the Buddha Fa. Everything in the universe is constrained by this characteristic. That is why there is the old saying, “Kindness will be rewarded, and evil acts will meet with retribution.” In Chinese medicine, there is the theory that “anger hurts the liver, joy hurts the heart, obsession hurts the spleen, worry hurts the lungs, and fear hurts the kidneys.” Not many people have given this theory much thought, but it's determined by the characteristic of the universe.
In addition, I learned why our master souls have come to this world and why we experience misery and joy. I found many answers regarding heaven and earth, life, and Gods and Buddhas. I realized that Zhuan Falun systematically guides people to cultivate toward high levels and that Falun Dafa is not superstition. It is a vast and intricate science that is beyond everyday knowledge, a golden key that demystifies heaven and earth, life, Gods and Buddhas, and that leads people to return to their true selves.
Upon reaching this understanding, I was able to appreciate the ancient saying: “One will not regret dying in the evening if he learned the Dao that morning.” It no longer puzzles me why emperors would give up their thrones for a chance to cultivate, why so many renowned scientists worldwide believe in Gods and Buddhas, and why so many people of all nationalities have spiritual beliefs. It is because the very nature of our lives is so noble, profound, and intricate, and there is such a great, magnificent path that leads humans back to their true selves.
Becoming a Cultivator
I started to see how limited I was back when I laughed at people for being superstitious. My desire to cultivate grew so strong that, in 2007, I made up my mind to practice Falun Dafa.
After that, I tried my best to follow the requirements of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to cultivate my mind and act righteously. My moral standards improved quickly. As soon as I started doing the Falun Gong exercises, I started to experience the wonders of Dafa.
Every night I had dreams, and all my dreams were related to cultivation. Some were Master's hints and tests, some were visions of what I experienced in my past lifetimes, and many were related to how I improved and elevated through cultivation.
Within a few weeks, my body changed fundamentally. I'd had arthritis and suffered generalized fatigue and irritability for years. Although these were not grave conditions, my knee joints often ached, and I was afraid of cold weather. Three or four weeks after I began cultivating, I suddenly felt heat in my knee joints. It lasted several days. And after that, my arthritis was completely gone. In the past, if I worked at night, played games, or wrote case reports at night, I would not be able to sleep the whole night. I no longer have this problem.
Some may wonder why, if cultivation can cure all illnesses, we still have hospitals. That is because medical treatment is geared toward killing germs and improving the body's immune system. When we cultivate, we are storing high energy matter within each of our cells, which will strengthen our immune system. The higher the level we reach, the stronger the energy we develop. That is why some terminal illnesses disappeared after people started practicing the Falun Gong exercises. When I do the fourth exercise—the Falun Cosmic Orbit—I can hear the sound of energy being released when my palms move over my head.
In 2008, we had record low temperatures. One day I received an emergency call when I was on duty. We'd gotten a report that someone was near death in the mountains. I went with several coworkers. We saw a disheveled man who was crawling and unable to get up. He was shaking from the cold. He didn't answer our questions. I took off my sweater to put on him. He grabbed my police uniform. I did not mind keeping him warm, but I could not give him my uniform.
Our police station is not equipped to house homeless people like him, so we took him to a refugee center. But he still did not answer any questions at the registration desk. Staff members there gave him some paper and a pen. We waited nearby. After some time, we went over to see what he had written. To our surprise, he did not write anything. Instead, he'd drawn a female figure. From her expression, we could all see that she was full of compassion and sympathy for the people of the world. I later learned that this man had been homeless in our area for years.
After practicing for some time, my celestial eye was opened. I also developed the ability of precognition and retrocognition. I could see the relationships I had with people in my previous lifetimes. I can also see clearly the beauty and magnificence of other dimensions.
The fifth Falun Gong exercise requires sitting in the full lotus position for an hour. At first, no matter how hard I tried, I could not sit for more than 30 minutes. One day I made up my mind to sit for 32 minutes. When I reached 30 minutes, I held on despite the excruciating pain. It was then I saw myself sitting on top of a huge energy column, which grew rapidly. I witnessed what Master taught us: “The black matter is karma, and suffering eliminates karma and turns it into virtue.” (“The Fourth Talk,” Zhuan Falun) That day, I sat in the correct position for 38 minutes. Within six months, I was able to sit in the full lotus position for an hour.
On another occasion, I saw layers and layers of Gods and Buddhas filling all of heaven. Some wore red robes, some white, some were other colors. I also heard a loud voice say, “All Gods, [prepare to] take orders!” It is true when the ancients said, “There are deities a yard above your head.” It is just that one cannot see them unless one cultivates and has his or her celestial eye opened.
Validating Dafa and Saving Sentient Beings
I have also met with tribulations on my journey of cultivation. I was taken to brainwashing centers twice, where they attempted to pressure me to give up my faith. When I distributed pamphlets exposing the persecution, I was turned in to the police and arrested. I passed these tests with steadfast belief in Dafa's principles.
One day, seven other practitioners and I were taken to the police station. Over 20 police officers watched over us in a hall in the station, with all the door and windows locked. I managed to walk away right in front of them. After being displaced for a year, I returned to where I used to work.
The fact that I escaped in plain sight of so many police officers shocked top officials. Some suspected an officer in the hall had released me. But they could not explain why the 20 or so other officers did not see me leave. Some suspected that I had jumped out of a window, but they could not explain why the windows remained sealed. There was an investigation within the police system, but it was closed without reaching a conclusion. Everyday people are not able to solve the mystery of Falun Dafa by their logic or deduction.
In 2015 the Supreme Court published the new regulation that “all cases will be filed, and all lawsuits will be responded to.” Over 210,000 practitioners have filed criminal complaints with their real names against Jiang Zemin, the top perpetrator responsible for the persecution. I was among the first groups of practitioners who sent in criminal complaints to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Procuratorate.
Then it occurred to me that, since I had sent in my lawsuits by signing my name, I might as well take this opportunity to present the facts to the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and government agencies in my area. In a public letter, I recounted the persecution and unfair treatment I had endured over the years, how I had benefited from Falun Dafa mentally and physically, the miracles I had experienced firsthand, and the crimes Jiang Zemin committed in persecuting Falun Gong practitioners, as well as his actions' disastrous consequences for our country and people. I also explained why Falun Gong practitioners put their lives on the line to expose the facts of the persecution. At the same time, I pointed out that the persecution of Falun Gong violates Chinese law since freedom of belief and freedom of speech are guaranteed in the Constitution. I tried to awaken these officials' consciences with kindness and righteousness so that they could choose a bright future for themselves.
To reach a broader audience, I made copies of the open letter and mailed them to my colleagues and leaders and to the leaders of the county police department, political and judiciary committee and the 610 Office.
At first, these leaders were worried when they got my letters. They called me in to talk to me. The police department and the 610 Office asked questions and took notes. I presented the facts with honor and dignity. I told them that Jiang Zemin was involved in selling China's territory, cracking down on patriotic students who petitioned peacefully in 1989, and suppressing a large number of innocent Falun Gong practitioners. Jiang's crimes are monumental and will go down in history in shame. Now that we are to implement the rule of law, Jiang will be no exception. I gave them an analysis of recent developments and encouraged them not to commit crimes against Dafa.
At the time, I put aside concerns for my own safety and sincerely tried to have them see the facts. In the end, they simply talked to me for verification and did not retaliate against me.
After reading my story, you may still wonder whether these amazing things really happened. What I can tell you is they are what I experienced myself. From the bottom of my heart, I hope everyone can come to a clear understanding and save themselves by quitting the CCP and its affiliated organizations. Especially for those in the public security bureau, procuratorate, courts, justice departments, and education systems: do not oppose Falun Dafa, and do not participate in the persecution.
