The Cultivation Journey of a Young Dafa Disciple

(Clearwisdom.net)

I have been a good-hearted child since I was young. I was also able to see other dimensions, as well as various colorful lights. Other children often took advantage of me, but I was not angry at all. When other children swore at me or beat me, I just smiled at them with no complaints. One day when playing on the road, a bicycle rode over my stomach. I did not feel any pain, just a little embarrassment, since many people were there watching me. I believed that good meets good, and evil meets evil. This is because when I did something wrong, retribution immediately came in the same way as it did to others. All of this made me understand further about life, and also helped me begin to practice later.

1. Starting to practice--everything is arranged

My mother told me that someone gave her a copy of the book Falun Gong in 1994. I had seen a magazine someone had brought, which had Teacher's picture on it. Looking at the picture, it was as if my memory was opened after being buried for a very long time: I immediately wanted to practice. I was 9 years old. For numerous reasons, I did not begin to practice at that time, but I decided to look for Teacher and to keep the wish to begin to practice in my heart. Looking back, even I am surprised at my sincere wish to cultivate at such a young age.

In the next several years, I thought about cultivation all the time. One day in 1998, when going to a barbershop for a haircut, I saw several kind ladies listening to a lecture tape. I was curious and asked them what they were listening to. They told me they were listening to the Fa. I said to myself, "I have also been looking for my teacher these years." They asked me the name of the teacher I was looking for, and I spoke the name. They were surprised and one lady gave me a copy of Zhuan Falun. Seeing Teacher's picture, I was extremely happy. I told them, "This is the teacher I have been looking for." Later, I realized that Teacher had guided me to the Fa.

2. Numerous tribulations

After cultivating steadily for more than one year, the bloody persecution started in China. In July 1999, I went to Beijing to appeal for justice for Falun Gong, hoping to tell the facts to high-level officials. My thought was simple: they have to know the truth. We had heard that some practitioners were beaten when going to appeal in Tianjin City right before April 25, but I did not have any fear. I thought, "If my life could clear up Chinese people's misunderstanding of Dafa, it is worth it." After traveling a long way and arriving in Beijing, I saw many practitioners doing exercises, so we did the exercises together. But soon afterwards, a policeman came and took all of us to a place and detained us there, together with many practitioners from other provinces who had also come to appeal.

I was detained at a gymnasium in Beijing, and then transferred to a local police station. I remember clearly several questions the policeman asked me. The first question was whether I follow the Communist Party or Falun Gong. Without any thinking, I said, "Falun Gong." The policeman was surprised: "At such a young age, how can you be against the Communist Party? Why do you think Falun Gong is good?" I said, "Falun Gong teaches one to be a better person. When guided with the principles of 'Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance', a person will be better and better. Is anything wrong with this?" I then asked them, "Why do you think the Communist Party is good?" He was hesitant, and then said, "The Communist Party has Marxism, Leninism, and Maoism." I said, "Why are Marxism, Leninism, and Maoism good?" One policeman was angry, "Stop it!"

Because I was unwilling to write a pledge to give up the practice, I was sent to my middle school despite the summer break. Numerous school officials took turns talking to me. They threatened to keep me out of school if I did not pledge to give up my practice. They also said my future is doomed to fail without education. They then asked two "transformed" practitioners (two students in the school) to talk with me. My parents were called to the school and were told that I would not be released or receive an education until pledging to give up Falun Gong. Under such high pressure, my father furiously reprimanded me, and forced me to press my fingerprint onto a statement reading that I would give up Falun Gong. That evening, I saw Falun rotating in several circles in my home and then leave. I was very regretful over this. Later, I made a solemn declaration voiding my pledge to give up the practice. I know Teacher gave me an opportunity to begin cultivation once again.

3. Clarifying the truth, and asking people to quit the CCP

In high school, I clarified the truth on a large scale to my classmates. At the beginning, they did not understand me and even said some cynical words. I always considered myself as a Dafa practitioner and often sent forth righteous thoughts to eliminate the evil elements behind them, as well as thoughts to sincerely help them. Their attitudes changed dramatically. During the exams, many people planned to cheat using cell phones. A classmate asked me, "If I find you a cell phone, will you use it [for cheating]?" Before I replied, a classmate who knew me well said, "Of course she will not use it. She has her faith, and thus will not cheat."

After seeing many classmates had a good understanding of Dafa, I was very encouraged and felt happy they were choosing good futures for themselves. Another time, I talked with one classmate about the truth of the staged Tiananmen self-immolation. She said, "I have already heard about it, Xin told me that." I realized when I clarified truth to one student named Xin several days earlier, she already passed the truth onto more people. I was very glad to hear that.

During high school, I often went out to distribute truth-clarification materials between classes and at lunchtime. A teacher who knew the truth was joking with me, "Please be careful and pay attention to safety. Do not let me visit you in the detention center. That is not a place for good people."

Later, the Nine Commentaries (Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party) was published by the Epoch Times. I quit the CCP Youth League using my real name, and started to ask others to quit as well. I also distributed Nine Commentaries and other truth-clarification materials. By this time, I had begun college.

Sometimes I went out distributing truth-clarification materials during the day, and after arriving back home in the evening, I found my feet were worn out with blisters. Still, I did not feel any hardship. Once when going to the senior center to visit my grandmother, I clarified the truth to a lady who took care of her. She was very happy to hear it. I then asked her to quit the CCP and its subordinate organizations. She was very happy and agreed. She walked me out and thanked me again and again. I knew her enlightened side was very excited. On another occasion, I first shared my cultivation experience then clarified the truth. Seeing that I was so candid, she told me, "In fact my mother and I also practiced for a while before the persecution started in July 1999, but soon afterwards the persecution began and we gave up practice." After agreeing to quit the CCP and its subordinate organizations, she asked me for a copy of Zhuan Falun and said she would return to the path of cultivation. There were also many other examples like this. Following Teacher's compassionate guidance, I have saved many people.

4. Handling criticism well

Because of the age difference, some practitioners complained about me, thinking I did not do much. Once a practitioner said to me, "You have not cultivated solidly." I did not say anything but felt disturbed in my mind. I thought, "I have even showed you how to clarify the truth and distribute materials. How can you turn around and criticize me?" Then I remember Teacher asks us to look within, and I found I still had attachments to fame and competition. If I did not have intention to validate myself, I would not be angry when others criticized me. I also realized I was still influenced by the CCP's Party culture, that is, tending to fight with others. After noticing this, this matter immediately disintegrated.

The purpose of writing this article is to remind all our young practitioners not to find excuses for ourselves because of our young age. We also have our missions and we need to walk our paths well. Right now, as very limited time is left for the Fa-rectification, we should all cherish the opportunity. Let's all do the three things well, and fulfill our historic missions. Let's not let down the expectations that Teacher and sentient beings have of us.