(Minghui.org) I visited a friend in November 2014 and was very touched by her pious heart and deep respect for her belief as she tried to help her bedridden father. She made herself look presentable and dressed nicely before offering incense to a Buddha statue and chanting scriptures.

I had told her about the persecution of Falun Gong and helped her and her family to withdraw their membership from the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated organizations. I asked them to recite, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good, Falun Dafa is good,” and told them that I hoped they would all be blessed with protection from righteous gods. They thanked me.

After I returned home, I thought about my own behavior: “Have I been respectful of Dafa and Master?” Master has done so much for me. He has lifted me out of hell, cleansed my body, chosen me to be his disciple, and taught me principles to enable me to return to my origin.

What a great honor I have been given, but I haven't shown due respect to Master. Sometimes I didn't heshi, or press my hands together in front of my chest, when I offered incense to his picture. Sometimes I studied the Fa in my nightgown. I had just witnessed how people show respect to their gods. It was a good lesson for me.

I now ensure that I make myself presentable before offering incense to Master's picture. I wash my hands before studying the Fa and sit with my legs crossed while studying. I realized that offering incense to Master is a process of showing my gratitude.

When we attended our Fa-study group on Thanksgiving. I asked the other practitioners if we could heshi to Master before we studied the Fa. The energy field was very strong, and none of us felt any pain while we studied the Fa with our legs crossed. I even experienced a warm current go through my whole body.

Our regular Fa-study group was held on Christmas Day this year. We respectfully offered incense and did heshi toward Master's portrait before studying the Fa. When we sent forth righteous thoughts at 6 p.m., my body was very light, and my right hand felt like it had disappeared. My mind was very clear. It was a wonderful, sacred feeling. Other practitioners also felt better after Fa study.

I realized that showing respect to Master and Dafa is the most sacred thing in the universe. It's also a requirement for a practitioner. It's important when enlightened beings are watching our every move. When we do well, it's equivalent to opening a door to many things. I now gain deeper understandings when I study the Fa.

Actually, Master told us a long time ago that “...matter and mind are one thing.” (Lecture One in Zhuan Falun) I'm embarrassed to have just gained a deeper understanding about this principle after twelve years of cultivation. Master has rewarded me with so much just for correcting myself on this one issue. It's the most precious gift I received this year.

I'm sharing my understanding with fellow practitioners, hoping that all of us will truly respect Master and Dafa and experience the sacredness of the Fa. Thank you, Master!

The above is my limited understanding. Please kindly point out anything inappropriate. Thank you!