(Minghui.org) Greetings, Master! Greetings, fellow practitioners!
I'm an 81-year-old Falun Dafa practitioner in San Francisco. I came to the United States in 1998 and began practicing Dafa when I went back to China in March 1999.
I remembered that Master came to San Francisco on October 21, 2000 and taught the Fa at the Western U.S. Fa Conference. That was the first time I saw Master–I could hardly describe my excitement as tears rolled down my face. After the conference, the practitioners in San Francisco started mediating in front of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco, appealing for the Chinese Communist Party to stop persecuting Falun Gong.
Initially, there were many practitioners participating, but as time passed, many went to New York to work for Epoch Times, New Tang Dynasty Television, and Sound of Hope Radio Network, leaving only about eight practitioners. I was one of them.
Since then, 17 years have passed. In these years, I have cultivated myself while clarifying the truth and saving sentient beings. On the way, I have encountered many conflicts and overcome many tribulations during this process. I would now like to share some of these experiences.
My sharing is split into two parts: the first part is on firm belief and perseverance, and the second part is on studying the Fa and cultivating myself to be a good Dafa disciple.
1. Firm Belief and Perseverance
I studied geology and have many doubts about the formation of the Earth, the origin of species, the paleontological record, the structure of the crust, and the formation of metals and minerals. After studying the Fa, everything made sense, and I was able to change my original misconceptions.
When I first obtained the Fa, I had only two books, Zhuan Falun and Essentials for Further Advancement. After returning to San Francisco, I went to the bookstore for more Dafa books, but I couldn't find any.
One night, I dreamed that a former co-worker came to find me, and his name was “Fu Shu.” (Translator's note: this is a Chinese pun on “an abundance of books”).
After I woke up, I thought, “Isn't this referring to Dafa books? Does this mean that the Dafa books have arrived in the bookstore?
I went to the bookstore the next day and saw many Dafa books there. As soon as I saw them, tears flowed down my face. I could feel that the dream was a hint given by Master.
During that period, when I was often half-asleep, I could feel myself flying in the sky with two hands holding my waist. I felt that that was Master helping me.
One night, I felt very warm when I went to bed, as though my blood was boiling. This lasted for ten minutes, but I felt very comfortable at that time. After that, my whole body and even the blanket started levitating about 70 centimeters off the bed.
It stayed like that for half a minute before everything lowered again. I could feel it very clearly when my body touched the bed and my head touched the pillow.
I remember thinking clearly, “People can float in the air!” For the longest time, I have sensed in my heart the presence of divine beings. I could strongly feel that Master was beside me and is always by my side.
In the days that followed, I studied the Fa and cultivated myself, which only strengthened my firm belief in Master and Dafa.
A Family Tribulation
In the first few years, fellow practitioners and I would sit in front of the consulate to meditate, and some pro-CCP Chinese would come to cause trouble and swear at us, hoping to chase us away. But we were very firm.
Later, we added banners saying “Falun Dafa is Good” and photos of the persecution of practitioners so that those who came to the consulate to apply for visas could see these materials.
As a result, the consulate became very afraid.
At the time, my wife was helping a tour agency apply for visas and often went to the consulate. When the consulate officers learned of this, they asked her one day, “Is that old man who comes here to hold Falun Gong banners your husband?”
She replied yes, and the officer said, “Tell him not to come here anymore! If not, we won't process your visa applications.”
My wife told my daughter about this after returning home. My daughter told me about the incident when I returned home and asked me not to go anymore, but I insisted.
My daughter said, “Dad, you can't go anymore. If you go again, not only will Mom not get her work done but Mom and I both won't be able to go back to China anymore. You have to think carefully.”
I then explained to them, “The CCP is persecuting Falun Gong, and you know about it. The reason we go to the consulate is to tell others about the persecution so that those who come to the consulate can learn about it and demand that the CCP stop the persecution. What's wrong with this?”
“It's because we are in front of the consulate, and it's right under their eyes. So, they are afraid and are at a loss for reasons. They can't stand it, so they are doing everything possible to chase us away by calling for people to make trouble. They use threats to make your family members go away. They get you today and get him tomorrow so that everyone will be chased away. This method is very insidious. Can't you see through it?”
My wife and daughter still refused to let me go to the consulate.
But I went the next day anyway. My wife did not try going back. This continued for several days until it got to the point where it involved our family's livelihood and security issues. However, I refused to give in.
When I returned home that day, my daughter was crying and screaming, saying that my son-in-law had asked for a divorce to avoid being implicated, and the procedures would be finalized the next morning. She said that it was not easy for her to support our home all these years after coming to the United States. She said that because I practiced Falun Gong, both the family and her career had been ruined. She asked that I make a final decision on whether I would go to the consulate the next day.
I was very calm at the time and did not quarrel with her. I said, “I'm not wrong. I'm not the one that ruined this family. It's the CCP.”
When she heard this, she said, “If that's the case, then leave. Leave today and don't come back.”
I made up my mind and said, “I can leave, but you have to give me two days for me to look for a place to stay. You can't ask me to sleep on the streets tonight.”
She thought for a moment before agreeing.
I left the house and wondered: What should I do? Where should I stay? Just then, a thought came into my mind–to find the Fa-study group coordinator and her mother to discuss next steps.
I went to their house immediately. Luckily, they were at home.
After listening to my story, they said, “No problem! We are Dafa disciples. You can move into our home first and then decide what to do”
While on the way home, I thought, “Their place is so small, and there is a bed in the living room where we study the Fa. Moreover, it wasn’t appropriate for a man to stay in the house with all women. But, there is no choice now. I should think of other ways after moving in.”
Then, I thought, “I'll bring my clothes over after I pack the Dafa books and Master's recent writings. I'll buy a sleeping bag the next day. If there is an extra cart in the supermarket, I will buy it. If not, I will just become homeless. It doesn't matter. I could even find a place near the consulate to sleep. This will be more convenient for me to go to the consulate.”
My wife and daughter couldn’t be bothered with me after I returned home. Hence, I washed my face and went to bed.
That night, I dreamed that I was on a track and sitting on a wheelchair. I used the wheelchair to push myself forward. Suddenly, a bridge appeared in front of me, and I stood up. After carrying the wheelchair across the bridge, I woke up.
It was already midnight, so I got up to study the Fa and do the exercises. But I wondered, “That dream was very clear. It must be a hint from Master. What does it mean?”
I thought again and realized that things were not right. Being disabled, I had to sit on the wheelchair, so how could I carry the wheelchair and cross the bridge?
This meant that being disabled was a false appearance in the dream. I was not really disabled. Master was using the word “false” to give me a hint. So, what exactly was false?
As I wondered, my daughter came and knelt down in front of me before I could say a word. She said while crying, “Don't leave. I was wrong.”
I asked her, “What did your husband say?”
She replied, “He came back home after you left and asked about you. I told him what you said, and he asked if you are in. I said that you went out to look for a house and went to sleep after coming back. He suddenly said, 'Forget it. Ask Dad not to leave, and pretend that I didn't ask for a divorce. Go and tell Dad about it.'”
I patted her head and pulled her up, “Get up. Don't be like this. As your dad, I understand how you feel. I won't leave!”
I suddenly enlightened after she went back to her room that Master was using that dream to tell me that the divorce and throwing me out of the house was a false appearance. This was a big test in my cultivation journey and one that I had to overcome. It was to see if I would still go to the consulate if the family was ruined. As I was very firm, I overcame the test, and so my daughter and son-in-law changed their attitude immediately.
Cooperating Together at the Consulate
Most who go to the consulate are elderly practitioners; the youngest are in their sixties, while the oldest are in their eighties. Some of them who live outside of San Francisco had to leave their home early in the morning and taking public transit for more than an hour to reach the consulate.
The consulate opens at 9 o’clock in the morning, and we would be there around 7 to put up the shelves and hang the banners before playing truth-clarification recordings and distributing materials. We would also persuade people to quit the Chinese Communist Party and sign our petition.
Those who came to the consulate can see our display boards and listen to the recordings, and some of them even bought us food and drinks. Some gave us a thumbs-up and told us to carry on. There were also those who laid flowers in front of the photos of practitioners who were persecuted to death.
Of course, there were also those who said unpleasant things. We don't get them a lot anymore.
It is important to cooperate well. We would make banners and design the shelves ourselves. We often shared with each other on Fa-principles. Being on the same page helped unite everyone.
In addition, practitioners from other projects helped us to create photos, and some produced materials for us. In order for us to have a place to put the boards, materials, shelves, and trolley, a practitioner who lived near the consulate bought an old van for us. He even gave up his own parking space for us, because the van could not get wet. Recently, another practitioner gave us his old van to use instead.
We have overcome many difficulties in these past ten years: We had biscuits for lunch, and our clothes and shoes were often soaked during rain and storms, but we continued to hold on to the boards and shelves so as to prevent them from being blown down. People are moved when they see practitioners in their seventies standing for the whole day.
We can persevere for so long were because we have firm belief in Master and Dafa through studying the Fa, and we do not waver in the face of interference and tribulations.
Dafa disciples in San Francisco and the Bay Area are one body. It is because of this cooperation that we can persevere in this project. I feel that only by firmly believing in Master and Dafa can we be unwavering, and that only by firmly believing could we have persevered for 17 years.
2. Studying the Fa and Cultivating Myself to be a Good Disciple
As a Dafa disciple, I know the importance of studying the Fa but always feel that there is insufficient time to do so.
I remember having a dream not long after I started practicing Dafa. I dreamed that I was bathing, and the pail I was using was taken away by others. How do I bathe without a pail? When I turned around, I saw a small washbasin and used that. Although it was troublesome, I managed to finish my bath.
I enlightened that Master was telling me to study the Fa by using the time of waiting for the bus, riding the bus, and picking up my grandchildren from school.
Furthermore, I would sleep for five hours after sending righteous thoughts at night and wake up at midnight to read the Fa or do the fifth exercise until dawn. This way, I can study the Fa during the quietest time of day.
Master said,
“... you must put your mind to studying the Fa. Read the book and study the Fa. Read the book and study the Fa. Almost every time when I’m teaching the Fa I painstakingly tell you to read the book, read the book, and read the book. As long as you read the book you will attain things better than you’d expect.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Conference in Europe”)
Master also said,
“As a student, if his mind is filled with nothing but Dafa, this person is definitely a genuine cultivator. So you must have a clear understanding on the matter of studying the Fa. Reading the books more and studying the books more is the key to truly elevating yourself. To put it more simply, as long as you read Dafa, you are changing; as long as you read Dafa, you are elevating. The boundless content of Dafa plus the supplementary means—the exercises—will enable you to reach Consummation. Group reading or reading by yourself is the same.” (“Melt Into the Fa” in Essentials for Further Advancement)
I always keep in mind Master's teachings and dare not neglect Fa study. So how do I cultivate this? This question puzzled me.
When I was studying the Fa, I saw that a disciple had asked in “Teaching the Fa at the Eastern U.S. Fa Conference”: “I am aware of the state of my xinxing, and at the same time, I sense that I have demon nature. How should I eliminate my demon nature?”
Master said,
“That’s actually an excellent state. In other words, you’re able to sense the bad side of yourself, so you should repel it, resist it and reject it. You should repel it from your mind, not follow those thoughts, and stop doing those bad things. Then you are cultivating and improving—that’s called cultivation.” (“Teaching the Fa at the Eastern U.S. Fa Conference”)
I suddenly understood the meaning of cultivation: various human attachments and notions are reflected on the mind and actions. I have to eliminate them and resist them. So, isn't this looking within? Isn't this cultivating my attachments? Isn't this cultivation?
Since then, I would grab hold of various bad thoughts that appear in my mind and say that I don't want them because they are formed by human attachments and notions–they are not me. I know that this is cultivating away my attachments. I have been cultivating like this for over ten years, and I know that, by doing so, I will always be in a state of cultivation.
At this moment, I enlightened to the meaning of the last two sentences of one of Master's poems:
“Cultivate your xinxing withouta moment’s pause,To taste the wonder,so immeasurable, at Consummation.” (“Real Cultivation” in Hong Yin)
Master also said,
“Don’t treat those seemingly accidental and trivial things that you encounter in your daily life as accidental, because there can’t be many strange things happening to you and you can’t go to another dimension to practice cultivation—you wouldn’t be able to improve your heart and mind that way. You are still in a state where you’re amidst the worldly things, your problems are still ordinary human problems, your way of life is still that of an everyday person, and the things that you encounter aren’t much different from before. But if you think about it carefully, they aren’t the same. They all come about to enable you to improve in cultivation.” (“Teaching the Fa at a New York Meeting” in Lectures in the United States)
Master is telling us that all those trivial things in our daily life are arranged by him for us to elevate. I would like to give some examples that I have experienced.
I have to take the bus every day. Once, when I was on the bus, I saw someone come on without buying a ticket. The driver saw this and made him buy one. At the time, I felt disgusted with this person. However, I suddenly recalled Master saying before (not in exact words) that if a matter didn’t have anything to do with you, you wouldn’t see or hear it.
I understood that this person was trying to covet little advantages. I looked within quickly to see if I would do such a thing. Of course I wouldn't this time, but I definitely had this mentality. This could happen in another matter and was a flaw I had–if not, why would Master have me see this? I must remove this attachment.
Another time, I saw a person stretching his leg onto another seat, and I knew that Master was telling me to remove the attachment of not being considerate of others. I quickly told myself that I didn’t want this attachment.
I know that we can't catch and remove all our attachments at once, but as a disciple, I have this wish coming from my heart. So, if I meet a cultivator’s standard, Master will help me. Isn't this “Cultivation depends on one’s own efforts, while the transformation of gong is done by one’s master”? (Zhuan Falun)
Once, we were told to attend an activity on a Sunday. But I thought that I had my own things to do and did not want to go. As a result, I missed my bus stop and had to turn back. I did not dare to relax and quickly looked within.
There is a Chinese saying: “After one passes this villages, there won’t be this shop anymore,” meaning that an opportunity missed won't come back around. I instantly understood that Master was telling me to attend that activity. This must be an event I needed to attend in my cultivation.
I have many other examples, such as taking the wrong bus or direction, wearing my clothes inside out, forgetting to bring Zhuan Falun, etc.
As a disciple, who wouldn't wish for Master to tell us what to do on our cultivation path? But Master won't tell us, as we have to enlighten to it and cultivate ourselves. Instead, Master will give hints to help us.
Master is always by our side and constantly giving us hints. I understand that what we see, hear, or encounter in our daily life are all related to our cultivation. If we don't think about it, we will miss the chance to eliminate various attachments and elevate ourselves.
I recently saw a garbage truck dropping trash as it cleaned the road, scattering it everywhere. The truck that should have been cleaning trash actually increased the amount of trash on the road.
I recalled Master saying before,
“Nothing has changed. Master is still the same Master he was at the beginning, and the Fa of the universe will never change. (Enthusiastic applause) It’s just that during this persecution, during this so-called “test,” some people have gotten rid of their attachments while others have not, and some have actually increased their attachments. This is how they have acted during this so-called “test.” It is you who are changing; it is Dafa disciples who are changing. And if you are not changing in the positive direction, you are changing in the negative direction, for sure.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the 2014 San Francisco Fa Conference”)
Isn't Master giving me hints? Master is telling me that I have increased my attachments while cultivating. I was shocked! How did I increase my attachments? What kind of attachments did I grow?
I had recently been using my cell phone after getting home. Although I was reading the news, I read for more than an hour, losing time that I should have used to study the Fa. Moreover, I could feel myself getting more and more attached to the phone. Isn't this an attachment?
Some people call those who use their phones while walking “mobile phone addicts.” Though I had yet to become one, I had started becoming attached to the phone. Master saw this and gave me hints so I could remove this attachment.
In this society, demon nature is increasing greatly, and materialism can cause us to develop new attachments. If we do not place importance on cultivation, we will be contaminated easily. I must be alert and not develop new attachments.
I can't talk about high-level Fa-principles, much less use words to express them. What I have shared are the trivial things in my daily life that I have experienced. This is the true portrayal of my cultivation process and is my true experience.
For a veteran practitioner, this is nothing, as everyone has cultivated in this way, but for new practitioners, my experience might inspire them in their cultivation. This is my main purpose for sharing my experiences.
The situation in the world is developing rapidly, and the evil CCP will be finished soon. The situation in China, the United States, and Europe is also changing.
Master said,
“Before long everything will change, but as Dafa disciples, you can't waver in any way before Consummation. You should do what you have to, just as you have been all along.” “So I hope that under no circumstance will you waver. Whether the verdict on Dafa is overturned by people or not, whether a new situation comes about or not, whatever the case, Dafa disciples should still save the sentient beings that need to be saved. Keep doing what you should do all the way until Consummation!” (“Teaching the Fa at the 2004 International Fa Conference in New York”)
I will keep in mind Master's teaching, especially during this period.
I firm believe that with Master and the Fa, and as Fa-rectification period Dafa disciples who have overcome the storms, we can definitely walk the last stage of the cultivation path well. This is because we are beings created by Dafa, we are a particle of the universe's Fa, and we are Master's true disciples!
Thank you, Master! Thank you, everyone!
