(Minghui.org) The world first learned about the coronavirus one month ago. As it turned into an epidemic my heart went up and down. I was initially shocked, confused, angry, and then worried. Eventually, I managed to calm down and resume doing the three things.
There's a sharp contrast between the busy, festive atmosphere in China prior to the Chinese New Year and the oppressive silence after the virus's outbreak. In most areas families and friends weren’t allowed to visit each other for the New Year because cities and residential areas were placed on lockdown. Security guards wearing red arm badges demand to see IDs, registrations and take temperature checks. As things became increasingly strict, every resident had to get a pass. Those who don’t live in the residential compound aren’t allowed to enter it.
Although quarantines are normal to avoid the spread of infectious diseases, the goal of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) propaganda and its extreme measures is to cover up the catastrophe. Under the name of quarantine, the CCP is preventing people from communicating. This is one way the Party uses to stop people from using public opinion to pressure them.
Master Li (the founder of Falun Dafa) treasures every life and asks practitioners to tell people about Falun Dafa and help them quit the CCP. As practitioners, we should follow Master’s words and clarify the facts no matter how difficult it is.
Just before the Chinese New Year I printed a large number of truth-clarification flyers, and I nearly ran out of printer ink. Many stores were closed. I diluted the ink as the other practitioners suggested. The printouts didn't look as good, so I decided to pick up ink cartridges from another practitioner’s home.
When I arrived at the practitioner’s residential compound, I noticed the security guard was sitting in his booth with his head down. I sent forth righteous thoughts and entered through a small side door. Great! No one stopped me! I hurried to the practitioner’s apartment and knocked on the door. The practitioner’s daughter, who is a non-practitioner, opened the door and looked shocked to see me. She asked me how I had managed to get in. This is a residential compound of a government department, and anyone who does not live here can't enter.
The practitioner gave me two ink cartridges. As I walked towards the gate, a tall young man happened to walk in from outside, and the guard paid attention to him. I sped up and passed through the gate as the young man’s body blocked the guard's view. Everything happened very smoothly. I didn’t have to stop printing truth-clarification materials.
By reading articles written by overseas practitioners, I've kept up to date about recent developments. As soon as I returned to work, I shared what I learned with my colleagues. I'd previously told them about Falun Dafa and the persecution, so they accepted what I said. However, it occurred to me that I had a strong attachment to zealotry and showing off.
I shouldn’t have pursued quick results. For those who don’t know the facts about the persecution, too much information may push them away. I decided to adapt my approach to each person. Most people agreed that the CCP failed to contain the coronavirus, instead they covered it up. For those who are well informed and think for themselves, I was able to talk about the situation in-depth.
My work resumed on February 3rd, much earlier than most other places. My colleagues who had the courage to return to work happened to be those who quit the Communist organizations. I have a feeling that quitting Communist organizations had given them a new life and bravery, and they had been freed from the old forces' arrangements.
I reflected on my recent cultivation state and wondered if I'd prepared myself for the current situation. Because I wasn’t calm at the beginning, I felt it indicated that I hadn’t cultivated myself well or I didn't have a clear understanding of Dafa's principles. As I concentrated better during Fa-study, and while I sent forth righteous thoughts, Master showed me more of Dafa's principles at different levels. I now feel my cultivation state is improving.
I used to send righteous thoughts because it’s required, but I had many distracting thoughts, and I couldn't keep my hand upright. Sending righteous thoughts is very solemn and sacred; we are eliminating those evil entities that want to destroy people. After all these years I finally send forth righteous thoughts correctly.
I now focus on every word. As I begin, I remind myself of my mission which is to save people.
Master must have seen my strong wish to improve, and helped me eliminate my thought karma and external interference. My thoughts have become pure, and clear. Each time after I send forth righteous thoughts, I can feel that the strong energy remains with me.
I would like to remind fellow practitioners of what Master said,
“It is necessary for a Dafa disciple to ensure his cultivation on a daily basis, and it is the mission of a Dafa disciple to clarify the facts and save people. You cannot go without either of these as you journey toward consummation. How well you do is a reflection of whether you are diligent in your cultivation. The current state of affairs in society may change, but never will the requirements for cultivation, as they are the standards of the cosmos and the standards of Dafa.” (A Reminder) (Team Yellow Translation)