Cultivation Experience in the Past Twenty-five Years

[PureInsight.org] I obtained the Fa in 1996 and I am in seventies. Since July 20, 1999, I have been repeatedly persecuted and imprisoned for over 13 years. Thanks to Master’s compassionate care, my faith in Dafa stays firm. The following are my cultivation experience in the past 25 years.

1.    Constantly Rectifying Myself in the Process of Fa Transcribing

I was a medical staff and served in the army, before being transferred to a local hospital. I also worked as a leader and had some reputation among my local counterparts. In 1996, something unexpected happened to me. I was transferred to a hospital in the provincial capital for less than two years. At that time, the main leaders were punished due to corruption issues. I was wronged and incriminated. Shortly after the inspectors judged that I did not commit any problems with corruption, I was further investigated by another review panel. I stayed in a hotel for three days. The investigator only asked me which leader I had offended. Then I was released to go back home. A few months later, although it was concluded that I did not commit any financial wrongdoing, my workplace neither arranged work for me nor paid me, and I had to stay at home. At that time, I was very depressed. I smoked and drank all day to relieve my sorrow, and I did not interact with other people.

How wronged I felt! When I felt hopeless, it was such a good fortune that I obtained Dafa in June of that year of hardship. After I read Zhuan Falun all night, the rheumatoid disease that I suffered for more than 20 years disappeared! I used to be hospitalized almost every year and to take imported anti-rheumatoid medicine every day. After reading Zhuan Falun, I stopped taking the medicine. I came to understand the true meaning of life and the root cause of why I was wronged. It was Dafa that helped me let go of resentment and completely changed my destiny. From then on Dafa pointed me to the path of cultivation and returning to the true self.

As my employer did not offer me a job, I have cultivated myself wholeheartedly. In the eyes of my wife, I became a professional cultivator. At that stage, every morning I did five sets of exercises with the first group of practitioners who needed to go to workplace at the practice site. Next, I did the exercises again with retired employees. On finishing off the exercises, we studied the Fa together. In the evening, I did two-hour sitting meditation with my wife. This exercise once lasted up to three hours. From Monday till Friday, we organized group Fa study every night. Except Falun Gong communities’ activities, I rarely attend events organized by ordinary people. Nor did I arrange time to see movies, TV program and read magazines. In addition, I gave up the hobby of stamp collection.

Master said in Melt Into the Fa from Essentials for Further Advancement, “A person is like a container, and he is whatever he contains.” I aimed to hold Master’s Fa teaching in my mind as much as possible, so that I can change faster.

At the beginning stage, I kept reading the Fa, viewing the video of Master’s Fa teaching, reciting and transcribing the Fa. In particular, I ever used a writing brush to transcribe Zhuan Falun. In addition, I transcribed Zhuan Falun Volume II, Falun Gong, Hong Yin, Essentials for Further Advancement and Collected Teachings. Due to Master’s compassionate care, I even transcribed Zhuan Falun once in imprisonment. In 2018, I was released from the dens of demons. Since then, apart from attending family group Fa study, I recited Zhuan Falun once and transcribed the book three times using a writing brush. In addition, I transcribed Hong Yin once. Fa study has been the most crucial in my life. As for me, Fa reciting and transcribing is the best learning method. When transcribing the Fa, not only do I make good use of my brain, but also I used my hands and focused on the work. It is impossible to get drowsy when transcribing the Fa, which is also a process of constantly rectifying myself in the Fa.

During Fa study, I do not stick to human notions, nor do I deliberately delve into the connotations. I am just aware of the literary meaning of Fa teaching, which is acceptable. Master said in Zhuan Falun, “Cultivation depends on one’s own efforts, while the transformation of gong is done by one’s master.” Additionally, Master taught us in Zhuan Falun Volume II, “In cultivation, upward progress is in fact something gained bit by bit and is unbeknownst to you. Keep in mind: What you gain should come naturally, free of pursuit.” During Fa transcribing, I found that it is hard to explain such profound connotations of Dafa. In addition, I could expose some attachments and dispel them. I totally melt into the Fa, which improved my physical body and mental wellbeing. When I ran into issues, I could use a cultivator’s mindset to cope with the situation, develop a habit of looking within in conflicts and shed lots of attachments.

Due to the solid foundation of Fa study, since the persecution began in July 1999, I was able to stay unflappable in the face of tribulations. For instance, my house was likely to be ransacked if I refused to submit Dafa books. My employer would have to organize a brainwashing class for me. I would lose my job and the right to retire. In addition, my living expense would not be paid by my employer. Additionally, I would be detained, monitored, tracked and tapped by public security. Dafa had been defamed by state-controlled media rampantly. However, I kept contacting fellow practitioners and sharing our thoughts. I told them that our faith in Master and Dafa should remain unflinching. Then more practitioners came to clarify the truth to the general public; some of them even went to Beijing to appeal. My wife and I along with nearly a hundred practitioners were also illegally detained for appealing to the Provincial Party Committee. In order to withstand the brainwashing class, my wife and I ran away from home, and were wanted by the police and subject to forced labor. Later, my households and I were illegally sentenced.

During the illegal detention in custody, forced labor camps and prisons, I conformed to “Zhen-Shan-Ren” and did three things rationally. Master said in Dafa Disciples’ Righteous Thoughts are Powerful from Essentials for Further Advancement II, “No matter what the situation, do not cooperate with the evil’s demands, orders, or what it instigates.” In prison and forced labor camp, I did not wear ‘strict management badge’ and rejected to do slave work. In order to validate Dafa and safeguard our legal rights, I went on hunger strikes and resisted to do slave work. Every time Master created a relatively relaxed environment for me. I could teach the exercises to others while in custody and was allowed to tell other detainees how to become a person of good moral character. Nearly one hundred detainees and many police officers took my advice and quitted CCP. In the dens of demons, due to Master’s compassionate care, I passed a few significant tests, such as "hypertensive crisis", "heart rhythm disorder", and "cerebral infarction".

2.    Looking Within When Being Wronged

After I obtained the Fa, I ran into conflicts among ordinary people and fellow practitioners. In these cases, I was strict with myself and was able to look within. Even when I found myself in a situation that I was not at a fault, I could cultivate inner self.

I began to participate in spreading the Fa actively at the practice site. In addition, I helped organize nine-day Falun Gong exercise workshop and cooperated with assistants. With the increasing number of destined people, fellow practitioners hoped that I could be an assistant, and there were even rumors that I should work at general assistant center. At that moment, suddenly the assistant center came to announce three new candidates, while I was not on the list, and it was also reported that I disrupted the Fa. During those days, I was going through the test of sickness karma at home, and the three assistants came to my house to do my "consolation" work. They said, “We didn't expect this to happen.” I laughed and peacefully replied, “It does not matter if I can work as an assistant or not. Master can judge and have a final say if I had disrupted the Fa. Please do not worry about me. In the future, if you need me to do anything at the practice site, just call me, and I’m happy to help.” Seeing my mentality, they felt relieved. Later, I was not allowed to join in activities of spreading the Fa arranged by the main assistant center, nor was I allowed to attend group Fa study designed for assistants and backbones. However, I stayed in a peaceful mind, with my cultivation unaffected. Perhaps it was arranged by Master, as I did not undertake much work of assistant center, I could devote more time to Fa-study and practice. Thus, I have done what I should do for Dafa when CCP launched the evil persecution.

In 2004, I returned home from a two-year forced labor. In order to awaken the evil-enlightened people, I invited several fellow practitioners to cooperate with each other, and spent large blocks of time talking to these people. Later, most of the evil-enlightened practitioners returned to the path of cultivation, with the so-called "Help Group" disbanded.

During that period, there were rumors that I was a "traitor". Later, in response to some people’s belief that the persecution of Falun Gong in this region was not serious, I published an article on Minghui.org, exposing that this region was one of the most severely persecuted areas: When CCP started to persecute Dafa, almost all assistant center directors, deputy directors and assistants have actively or passively "transformed"; the local 610 office has also set up a "transformation base" in the country; established a "help group" mainly composed of evil enlightened persons; hundreds have signed the petition "Proposal of the Anti-Cult Association" in public and so on. In addition, my article pointed out that the evil force attempted to destroy the will of Falun Gong practitioners. When some people suspected that it was me who wrote the article, they spread out among the practitioners that I was "participating in the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners" and so on. In the face of these accusations and rumors, I remained unmoved and looked inward.

I used to have a strong character and could not bear the slightest grievance. I always thought I was smart and capable, and I did not put others in the eyes at all. In the past, if I encountered these things, I would not treat them in a peaceful manner. If I were accused of being a "traitor", I would definitely ask the bottom line, fight for a win and confess myself.

Before I took up the practice of Dafa, I led the medical detoxification research project. The party secretary reported me to the public security department, saying that I was selling drugs. After hearing this, I became so irritated that I not only argued with him at the meeting, but also invited the city leaders and leaders from Public Security Bureau to listen to my case. I validated that I was not only innocent, but also meritorious. Finally, the leaders praised our work, saying that it had played a positive role in social stability.

After practicing Dafa, I was able to look inward to find my own shortcomings when conflicts arise. I let go of attachments of striving to be competitive, showing off, zealotry, jealousy, being attached to self and looking down upon others. Then I kept doing what I should do for Dafa.

3.    Be Free from the Affection with My Wife

I lost three relatives in this persecution. Shortly after the persecution began in 1999, one day, the evil eavesdropped on the phone conversation that some practitioners wanted to send a videotape of Biography of Jesus to me. As a result, my house was ransacked at noon, and the savage knocks on the door frightened my 80-year-old father-in-law during his nap. He suffered a heart attack and was admitted to the hospital until his death.

When my wife and I ran away from home, the police repeatedly harassed and intimidated my mother who was in her 80’s at her residence, causing her to suffer hypertension and cerebral infarction twice and stay in bed for a long period of time until she died. When my two relatives passed away, I was illegally detained in prison.

My wife was sentenced twice. During her imprisonment, she was subject to confinement cell, strict management, and long-term sitting on a small stool, which resulted in increased blood pressure, and edema of lower limbs. After my wife was released from prison for the second time, she was kidnapped and detained again while clarifying the truth to the public. Shortly after I was set free in 2018, my wife suddenly passed away at home. I was hit hard and felt most painful. However, for the sake of safety, I declined fellow practitioners’ request to mourn my wife. I just allowed my wife's family members to host her funeral. At that moment, I reckoned that the sentimentality between family members could not affect me.

Shortly after my wife passed away, I developed an attachment of fear and was hit by physical discomfort. I was afraid that my life was about to be taken. No matter day or night, I would be frightened when I heard the sound of ambulances, fire engines, police cars, people walking outside the house, knocking on the door, noises upstairs, and even the sound of rats stealing food. I was unable to do the exercises and even while I was asleep, I felt scared. These interferences had lasted for long periods of time.

Why did the attachment of fear emerge? What was I scared of? I ever served in the army, and I have participated in wars. After the persecution of Falun Gong began, I was kidnapped for appealing; I was "wanted" by the police when I ran away from home; I went on a hunger strike to counteract the persecution while in the dens of demons. I have never been afraid of the evil. How could a fearful heart suddenly emerge? I had been interfered with the fear for a long time.

Master said in Lecture Six, Zhuan Falun, “Since human beings have sentimentality, being upset is sentimentality, so are happiness, love, hatred, enjoying doing one thing, resenting doing another thing, preferring one person to another, hobbies, and dislikes. Everything belongs to sentimentality, and everyday people just live for it. Then, as a practitioner and one who rises above and beyond, one should not use this approach to judge things, and one should break away from them. Therefore, as to the many attachments that come from sentimentality, we should take them lightly and eventually abandon them.” Through Master’s hint, I realized that I was entangled by this human sentimentality. My affection for my wife who passed away had interfered with my cultivation, whilst it was manifested as the attachment of fear.

I had a deep affection for my wife. We stepped onto the path of cultivation together. Since we took up the practice, we treated and encouraged each other sincerely. We were almost inseparable; we studied the Fa and spread the Fa together. After the persecution began, we appealed to seek justice for Dafa, clarified the truth, and produced truth-clarification leaflets together. In addition, I wrote sharing articles, which were revised by her. We simply undertook all tasks together and cooperated very well. Even when it was getting very late, we recited a few poems of Hong Yin before we went to bed. We felt very pleasant when we shared our understandings of the Fa.

If my wife were still alive, she would help me attend to every issue properly. However, she suddenly left, many truth-clarification project work had to cease. Moreover, we had less contact with relatives, and cut off nearly all contact with fellow practitioners. In fact, this was all the dependence manifested by "emotion". A sense of loss that was a kind of intolerable loneliness had disturbed me. Since I had found this attachment, I stepped up my efforts to study the Fa. Soon Master removed the attachment of fear that had impeded my cultivation path. Now I was free from the sentimentality with my wife.

4. Steadfastly Walk along My Cultivation Path

After I was released from the dens of demons in 2018, fellow practitioners came to see me. I told them I had planned to expose the local evil to a greater extent. However, they persuaded me to strengthen Fa study and look inward first rather than doing things. Some of them even insisted that we clarify the truth face to face instead of exposing evil. My households were less supportive with my plan also.

Why was I persecuted? It is absolutely right that I have kept saving people. However, the key issue was that I did not balance the relationship between Fa study and genuine cultivation, cultivation vs doing things, and personal cultivation vs Fa-rectification cultivation. I always went to extremes in my action. I have taken doing things as cultivation whilst I slacked off in cultivating Xinxing.

Nevertheless, I should not give up exposing the evil simply because I had been persecuted. Master said in Unimpeded from Hong Yin Volume II,

“The paths of cultivation are varied
But none is outside the Great Law
When one is attached to nothing
The path underfoot is naturally smooth”

When I searched for the Internet resource, I noticed that NTD TV program and Epochtimes had conveyed my information about the local evil. This had filled me with stronger confidence.

Therefore, I had determined to keep transcribing the Fa, attending group Fa studies, SFRT (send forth righteous thoughts) at the four global times, and clarifying the truth at markets. I have simply melted into the Fa.

I have enjoyed being more efficient after I put more efforts studying the Fa. Since I was released from prison, I wrote more than 100 articles exposing the evil. In addition, I completed articles on cultivation practice experiences, comments and stories about new and veteran practitioners. When it came to May 13 World Falun Dafa Day and Minghui Fa conference, I helped with local practitioners’ sharing articles. Most of our work had been published by Minghui.org, which has played a positive part saving sentient beings. Over the past twenty years, I helped hundreds of people accept the truth and renounce CCP, which was really worth my efforts.

Master said in Fa Teaching at the 2009 Greater New York International Fa Conference, “That is why it's said that always cultivating as if you were just starting will surely result in achieving your ultimate rank.” At the final stage of Fa-rectification cultivation, I should seize the time to do three things and fulfill the prehistoric vow.

Please kindly point out anything inappropriate.

Chinese version: www.zhengjian.org/node/270251