(Minghui.org) As Falun Dafa cultivators we know that it is our responsibility to clarify the truth to all people. Our Teacher, Master Li Hongzhi, said,
“But if that’s not the case, and you, as a Dafa disciple, don’t clarify the facts, then it means you haven’t taken on the responsibilities that Dafa disciples are supposed to take on.” (“Fa Teaching on World Falun Dafa Day”)
Since the advent of the pandemic, tourist sites are vacant and no longer feasible places for truth-clarification activities. I realized that this was a good opportunity to make truth-clarifying phone calls using the RTC platform. I treasured this opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and try a new approach of reaching out to people.
Below is my experience sharing regarding making phone calls for the past several months.
Training Sessions
Starting from day one, I considered myself like an elementary school student as I learned the basics of how to clarify the truth in a new way. I followed the requirements and guidelines of how to begin the phone contact and provide a pseudonym before beginning the topic of the withdrawals from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) organizations. The material is embedded with some stories and conjunctions useful in leading the listener back to the main topic. The material was very helpful and included more content than I could imagine. Recordings by fellow practitioners proved to be especially beneficial.
In the beginning, I was taken aback when people hung up the phone very quickly and I found myself tongue-tied. Later, a fellow practitioner from Taiwan offered guidance regarding these kinds of encounters. I listened to all her recordings; especially those addressing people with a lot of questions and calls that were not successful. The Taiwan practitioner had prepared a lot of materials and I grouped them under a few categories, such as atheism, confusion between China and the CCP, money-related questions, etc. I soon became more confident.
I Studied and Memorized the Fa to Purify Myself
Master has said,
“For a Dafa disciple, cultivation is first priority. That’s because if you fail to cultivate well, you will not be able to accomplish what you are to do; and if you fail to cultivate well, your power to save sentient beings will not be that great. And if you cultivate a little worse, then you will view and consider problems in the manner that ordinary people do, which would be still more awful.” (“Dafa Disciples Must Study the Fa,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. XI )
Cultivation requires listening to Master Li (the founder). Foremost is to study the Fa with a group every morning and do the five Falun Dafa exercises well.
I remember when we clarified the truth at tourist sites, a practitioner said because we were poisoned by the CCP culture, if we didn’t memorize the Fa, it seemed like we hadn’t studied the Fa. We were thankful for her suggestion and began memorizing Hong Yin. Since this time, we have continued to diligently memorize the Fa. For several years I have carried a copy of the entire Hong Yin series with me. I have been so moved during the memorization of these books that I am frequently in tears.
After I gained confidence, I started memorizing Zhuan Falun. It took me almost a year to completely memorize the book. On the RTC platform, I joined two Fa- study groups to memorize Zhuan Falun. That meant spending three hours in the morning and one hour at night in the group. These two groups memorized at different speeds so at times I felt frustrated. When I calmed down and focused, soon I could memorize quite well. My mind was very simple and I felt magnificent while memorizing the Fa. During this period of time, whenever I had any conflicts, I would think about what the Fa has told us, and I would naturally know what I should do. Gradually, as I looked within, and all resentments were dissolved, I became a more calm and peaceful cultivator. When I focus on the cultivation of speech, I often feel that I don’t have much to say; instead, I only want to cultivate myself well and do what I am supposed to do quietly. Through memorizing the Fa, I became very focused and single-minded. I feel cultivation is sacred and that I am melding into the Fa as I memorize.
Learning from Practitioners with Different Styles
After I was done with my training, I was assigned to a training room with a Japanese host. The host was humorous and adaptable, and able to speak very well when people had difficult questions. It was not easy to learn from her. In the beginning, I was trying to persuade people to quit the CCP with training material that I had edited. When the person I called hung up on me repeatedly, the host identified many talking points that I failed to include while answering questions. Sometimes, I was too talkative and it would cause people to hang up just because of one extra sentence. I understood that success in helping people quit the CCP was because Master saw me put my heart into the training. He encouraged and strengthened me.
Master said,
“With any project or any task, if you decide not to do it, then don’t do it; and if you do decide to do it, then you definitely have to do it well and carry it through to the end. If you do otherwise, how shall the time you wasted go down in the annals of history? Whatever is not brought to completion amounts to a failure.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the 2010 New York Fa Conference,” Collected Fa Teachings, Vol. XI)
I realized that there was still room for me to improve, as I couldn’t learn just by reading materials. I thought working as the secretary for our training team, in addition to my daily phone calls, would teach me a lot. Therefore, I kept records of each hosts’ phone calls and compiled their scripts of different questions people asked. I noticed the different styles employed by the team members and it was a good way for me to learn. Sometimes, even a host can’t remember their excellent answers. I would write these down based on the recordings and share them with our group for reference.
Since beginning this project, when I am doing housework, I listen to fellow practitioners' recordings on quitting the Party. I have noticed fellow practitioners can easily answer different questions raised by those who just want to make trouble, or those who can’t differentiate between China and the CCP, or who is asking for money or even a wife during our phone calls. Our fellow practitioners are never moved and lead the conversations back on persecution facts and then persuade them to quit the CCP in an efficient way.
When I was working in the RTC platform room for the first time, a host reminded me that I spoke in a rush and my tone was too harsh. I should be gentle and calm down. I felt guilty because I had been communicating with others using a very strong and demanding tone of voice. At the time I was not aware that this could have been very offensive to my fellow practitioners.
Master says,
“While working, your tone of voice, your kindheartedness, and your reasoning can change a person’s heart, whereas commands never could! ” (“Clearheadness,” Essentials for Further Advancement)
I know I need to cultivate so that my tone of voice can be better and I will have more kindheartedness, which might take some time; however, I should always be mindful about the way I talk to others.
I recorded all my calls, did further analysis, and realized that my transition to the main topic could be a little bit slower. My tone of voice when speaking of the evil nature of the CCP could be calmer. The common expression I use, “I tell you” could be replaced with “do you remember” or “would you agree” so that my tone could be more gentle and carry the power of benevolence.
Once I called a young man who had many questions that I couldn’t answer and he hung up after forty minutes. I couldn’t figure out where I fell short, so I shared my recording with other practitioners. Our host pointed out some of my problems, and suggested I should avoid anything that may provoke him. After listening to my recordings repeatedly, I realized that I had several problems. I became angry in response to his anger. Therefore, I couldn’t answer his questions and actually tried to avoid them. I started arguing with the man and saw my attachment of competing to win arise.
I used other practitioners’ materials and prepared a script based on his questions. After I calmed down, on the fourth day, I had the courage to call that person again. He was surprised to receive another phone call from me. I first apologized and then acknowledged that I was too anxious the last time and needed to learn how to better answer his questions. I told him the evolution of Buddhism and the comparison to Marxism. I also explained that just because we could not see something with our naked eye, did not mean that it does not exist. I also answered his question about the elite class. They are finding the truth and looking for their path in life. The CCP, however, has reached the end of the road. I didn’t expect the man to cease arguing and listen the entire time, but he indeed did so! Finally he quit the CCP Youth League organization. I congratulated him for his ability to realize the truth and quit the CCP.
These two conversations were like a war between good and evil, and I finally made a breakthrough and gained confidence. I am thankful for fellow practitioners’ materials and their instructions. Gradually, I came to no longer feel nervous or worried about the outcome when making calls. I no longer consider whether the outcome of the call will damage my reputation if I can’t talk well. Making phone calls seems a natural way for me to clarify the truth to people. I now feel calm and more urgency to save all sentient beings.
Looking back at every improvement I made, I realize how important the contributions and instructions of fellow practitioners were.
Improving Myself Through Further Challenges
I was fortunate to make some special case phone calls to Dalian City, Shandong Province, and Beijing. One day, our RTC conference room was as quiet as an exam site, and I felt that our phone calls were concise and peaceful. This atmosphere enhances our daily phone call project.
Having learned from past experience, I shortened my beginning and started my topic directly, “I would like to talk about one thing. Now is the time for everyone to make a good choice. There are more than 300,000,000 people who have already quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations, so we do not want you to miss this opportunity. I will give you a good pseudonym.” Then I paused and talked about quitting the Party. I always try to understand any questions they might have, and if the person is hesitant I will share the stories of others who have vowed to withdraw from the CCP.
Starting the conversation is the hard part. For me, as a beginner, to prepare my script with a brief and clear beginning without any sensitive words, is the main factor for success. Our RTC platform is a good cultivation environment and it is a good process to improve our cultivation. When we make phone calls, it is quite common that people curse us. Once when a person cursed me I responded as if I didn’t hear and continued to clarify the truth with a smile. After I was done, I realized that I had reached a place of “listening but caring not to hear.” I remembered when I asked my sister, also a practitioner, what she was thinking when someone cursed and beat her. She replied that she continued to be calm and had no thought in her mind. At that time, I felt it was very hard to reach that cultivation state. Now I realize that after working in this project, I don’t have any ill thoughts on my mind when talking with people.
Master says,
“You might not be aware of it, but the person you see now acting so evilly might have once upon a time been a holy divine figure in the heavens, and he is now here as a human, having come to this earth to gain this Fa.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the 2015 New York Fa Conference”)
I feel regret because people with predestined relationships may have been lost. We clarify the truth and feel they are changing their attitudes. I understand our truth-clarifying is to eliminate evil behind people so that they will know what they should do next. With more experience and stronger righteous thoughts, I feel I am always improving myself each day I make calls. I am very familiar with scripts, my tone is more gentle and soft, I am calm and feel as if I am talking with old friends.
I thank fellow practitioners for their guidance and selfless contribution. After I have accumulated some experience, I am recommended to provide RTC training. I feel it is a responsibility and an encouragement. Regardless of how long I can continue making truth-clarifying phone calls, I will assist training hosts to share their experiences so we may finish our mission and fulfill our vows together.
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