(Minghui.org) I was arrested and detained for accidentally injuring another in 2001. It was a heavy blow, as I was a very arrogant and self-righteous person.
Back then, it seemed like the sky had fallen and that I was going to lose everything–my life as I knew it, my family, and my business that had cost me so much to build up. I was so grieved that it negatively impacted my health; my whole body seemed to be burning. Everything hurt.
What was more painful, however, was the overwhelming sense of fear I felt. I had always seen myself as a good person, more or less: well-educated, respected and admired by others—a superwoman. How could I possibly have gone so wrong?
That was when I realized that all the things I had learned thus far didn't actually benefit me. My principles, my habits, and my priorities in life were all wrong. I fought and competed with others without a second thought; I chased blindly after money and personal gain. The sum of all of this was what led me to commit a crime so easily and so thoughtlessly.
But where should I go from here? How could I change my principles? Where should I go to atone? I got caught up in the cycles of grief, alternating between denial and guilt. At the same time, I didn't know how to improve myself.
I stayed in this manic state for a while and ultimately collapsed and lost hope. It was difficult to know where to go morally without a spiritual belief, and for me in that moment, it was absolutely terrifying.
During my time at the detention center, many Falun Gong practitioners were arrested. Even though many of them had sustained serious injuries from the police officers' brutality, none of them had any complaints or ill-will towards the officers. They were very kind and peaceful, and they always looked for faults in themselves first when something went wrong.
From these practitioners, I learned that Falun Gong is a cultivation practice of the Buddha school; that this world and its universe possess characteristics–Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance; and that only by following these principles can we become truly good.
Gradually, I was able to pull myself out of my manic state. I had finally found the truth, the true way to become a good person–to be sincere, compassionate, tolerant, and forgiving.
My path of cultivation began in that very detention center. Falun Dafa saved me and restored my morals, my identity. It brought them back from the brink of fiery destruction that I would have inevitably gone down otherwise.
We had no Falun Dafa books to read at the detention center, but the practitioners could recite many of Master Li's articles and poems. The first article I learned from them was “Wealth with Virtue.” It was really great to learn. From the article, I learned that a person who seeks power and wealth must first accumulate virtue; he who fights for wealth by force is taking a serious risk that will not pay off in the long run.
I learned more articles from them, one after another. The more I learned, the happier and more excited I became. The more I learned, the more clearly I understood how to behave as a person. The goal of life is to return to our original, true self and to my real home in heaven.
Just a few days later, my third eye was opened. I saw a scene: I woke up in a simple and dark room to a bundle of light coming into the room from the door. I stood up and walked out, following the light. Once I was out of the room, the sun was shining brightly over an endless sea of clouds, and I was standing on top of the clouds. It was a truly spectacular sight.
Thank you, Master, for enlightening me! I know that I've walked out of the darkness and toward the light.
I was very happy after I obtained the Fa. I enjoyed studying the Fa and doing the exercises so much that I nearly forgot about my case. I could take many things lightly, including the fact that I was facing prison time.
I was sentenced and taken to the prison together with a dozen Falun Gong practitioners. On our way to the prison, we recited the Fa together, shared cultivation experiences and encouraged each other for the whole day.
I stood up to validate Dafa while imprisoned. Due to my steadfast belief in Falun Dafa, my prison term was extended by another three and a half years. Over a decade of persecution, nothing has shaken my will and belief in Dafa. My life was given by Dafa, and so I shall belong to Dafa.
Thank you, Master!
Thank you, fellow practitioners!
