Returning to the Path of Cultivation

I'm a practitioner from Huaihua who has been through good times and bad on the path of cultivation for the past ten years.

The year 1998 was my most fortunate year because I was given a once-in-a-million-years opportunity to practice Falun Dafa, which brought me to the path of returning to my original true self. Through studying the Fa and practicing the exercises constantly, I came to understand the principles of how to be a good person. Dafa changed everything for me, including my way of thinking, and gave me a healthy body. I vowed to practice Falun Dafa steadfastly and follow Teacher home.

In July of 1999, the large-scale persecution against Falun Gong started. As a person who had benefited from practicing Falun Dafa, I had to step forward to say something fair about Falun Dafa. In November 1999, I went to Beijing to appeal for Falun Dafa. Consequently, I was detained by the authorities after returning home. Afterwards, I went to many places to clarify the truth about the pesecution and distribute informational materials. One time while distributing truth-clarification materials, I was arrested by the police. As a result, I was sentenced to serve forced labour. Because I did not study the Fa deeply enough and failed to properly understand the Fa, I compromised and went down the path of evil enlightenment.

When I was released from the forced labour camp in 2003, my head was filled with evil thoughts and I followed those who took the path of evil enlightenment to search for teachers in another school of cultivation. I was totally devoid of righteous thoughts because I had deviated from Dafa for a long time. Out of greed, I invested in many business opportunities, and I was in financial crisis as a result. My family blamed me for dragging the whole family down. Yet, I thought I had cultivated well and considered everything as a test to pass. I thought I was not moved by everything and was able to let go of everything. Little did I know that I was turning my back on Dafa and was creating a lot of sinful karma.

Teacher did not abandon me when I was about to pass up my precious predestined opportunity. In December 2008, Teacher arranged a fellow practitioner to come visit me at home and share his experiences with me. The fellow practitioner patiently and kindly clarified the truth to me and talked to me from the standpoint of Dafa. I opened my mind and calmed down to listen to him. As tears rolled down my face when he told me Teacher's words, I suddenly realized that I had not studied the Fa or practiced the exercises for six years; I did not follow Teacher's words, and yet I thought I was still cultivating. I made such a big mistake. My thoughts and actions deviated from the Fa so much, and I had not been clear-headed for the past six years.

My heart ached so much at that moment. I regretted going so far away from the Fa and wasting so much precious time. I walked away from the Fa and almost took the opposite path. Nevertheless, Teacher was still so compassionate and refused to abandon me. Teacher gave me another chance. As a disciple, I had no choice but to rectify myself as soon as possible, do the three things (study the Fa [the teachings of Falun Dafa], send forth righteous thoughts and clarify the truth about Falun Dafa and about the persecution to the world's people) well, and clarify the truth to save sentient beings in order to fulfil my prehistoric vow. This is how I could repay Teacher's grace.

Now that I returned to the path of Fa-rectification cultivation, I thought about those who have taken the path of evil enlightenment, and felt sorry that they became lost. I hope that they can return to cultivation path as soon as possible. I went looking for them and tried to talk to them, yet it was so difficult. I've tried my best but to no avail. I therefore realized how difficult it must have been for Teacher. I also felt Teacher's compassion and Teacher's reluctance to abandon any student, and yet people just do not appreciate it.
I have taken many detours in the past. Nevertheless, I no longer wander around, and I will follow Teacher closely and persist in practicing Falun Dafa to the very end. I will strive forward on the path of cultivation.

I have been away from the Fa for a long time. Please kindly correct me if there is anything improper.