Going From “Following” to “Sharing From the Heart”

After 20 years of searching for the truth, I knew I was lost and began seriously pondering the meaning of life and death. When I shopped in my friend's store, she would read “Lunyu” aloud and say, "Listen to this." I stubbornly tried not to listen, but I couldn’t help but listen. My ears were magnetically drawn to this beautiful heavenly melody. When I heard her read "everyday people," I became irritated and suddenly knew that I was not that and did not want to be that either. These words awakened me, and shortly afterwards I made a wish to the Gods to know "the real Master and the real truth."

This friend told me about Falun Dafa and I began to practice. That was in March of 2004. I read the books every day and did the exercises at a group practice site and at home. Practitioner A encouraged us to read all of Master's writings, so I did. I knew I should follow her advice. I didn't know much but slowly learned more as I read every day and attended conferences. I knew this was my good fortune and the answer to my wish.

I began distributing English Epoch Times (EET) in my area after listening to Master's teaching at the New York Fa Conference in 2004. In 2006, I was fortunate to do truth clarification work by scheduling appointments for promoting Shen Yun and clarifying the truth to the government.

Then one day in August 2008, I had a massive stroke. I remember feeling a sense of relief and telling Master I accepted whatever he had planned.

My main spirit (main consciousness) left my body. The doctors said that if I lived, I would be in a vegetable-like state.

While I was unconscious, Practitioner A came and played Dafa music in my ear, and Practitioners B and C sent forth righteous thoughts (SFRT). I heard that divine melody of words again and was overjoyed. I came back to earth. As I floated down, I saw myself lying there and returned into my skin. Master saved my life. It was indeed a miracle. I had not experienced any pain at that time.

The pain came later. Many wonderful practitioners visited from Washington DC. I saw many demons being eliminated as they SFRT. The power of the "one body" is amazing! Seeing the group together brought me hope, raised my spirits, and gave me strength. Later, I found out that those practitioners from DC SFRT for me for a whole night.
The doctors said it was a "miracle" and could not believe I could use my brain so well after this happened.

At first, I could not move any part of my body except to breath, swallow, and blink my eyes. I could not talk or hear.

I kept thinking, “Master, I want to read the Fa.” My hearing returned. My family voluntarily brought their DVD player with the exercises and Master’s lectures and I was able to listen.

I kept thinking that I wanted to get out of there and I wanted to read the Fa. Soon afterwards, I could do the exercises in bed and was able to read Zhuan Falun and other articles again. Two practitioners came one night and brought lotus flower and read one of Master's articles to me. They reminded me that Master had taken our names off of hell's list. These words awakened me further. I thought about why I was saved. What else did I have to do?

I quickly decided not to worry, to have faith, and was guided right away. Practioner A brought Falun Dafa and Shen Yun flyers. Another practitioner brought a Shen Yun picture book. Many people in the hospital learned that Falun Dafa is good. Hospital staff would remind me, saying, "Do you want to listen to your DVD or read your book?" I began to share the information about Falun Dafa and Shen Yun with everyone I saw. Several people that I had never seen came, saying, "We heard you know something good. Tell us."

One nurse borrowed the Shen Yun book to show patients many times. I was able to clarify the truth to many people because other practitioners helped me so much. Doctors could not believe that organ harvesting was being done by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as American doctors consider this to be barbaric and horrendous. When people viewed the flyer, I saw their faces become distorted and blackness leave their bodies. It appeared as if they were angry but actually it was good, as I realized the Falun Dafa flyer was killing evil.

My coworkers came and learned more about Shen Yun. One friend learned the first three exercises and took three people to see Shen Yun. Another Christian person began reading the "Life After Death" books and became more aware. Master helped many people in this setting.

After returning home, I began making appointments to help promote Shen Yun. Now, I want to share with you how I have been allowed to do this.

After being constantly reminded by a practitioner, I studied the Fa as much as I could. I found that it was indeed helpful. I was more successful, and contacting people was easier the more I studied. In this way, when I studied, I wasn't just being an everyday person helping Dafa. I gradually realized that I was just doing what Master wanted. Many practitioners kept me "on track."

When I start to make my appointments, I never ever think even a tiny part of a thought that I cannot do this little portion for Dafa. I have "no thought," sit down, and begin, as when having a right mind. I read the Fa before I begin and often recite Master's words to sustain myself in between calls, keeping my starting point on promoting Shen Yun to save people who are lost.

Before calling, I am rational and plan what I need to say, of course, but I have in my heart a wish for Shen Yun to save people and this thought drives everything. When I am clear minded, it all comes from my heart, and only then can I make the appointments correctly. I feel that the energy starts from my heart and comes up and out of my mouth when I am truly in the Fa. I want people to know the truth and have a bright future. Time is so short for us. We must hurry up and work with each other as "one body."

When calling, I listen very carefully to the first person I talk to. I pay attention to what kind of mood they are in. Are they serious or are they more easy going and relaxed? I don't want to be zealous but I am friendly and positive with my heart reaching out to them. I am thinking naturally, “I need you to know this.”

Here are examples: 1.) If they seem rushed, I may say "I want to speak to ---- to tell them about Shen Yun Performing Arts (as I say this I am remembering the beauty of Shen Yun) and the sound of saying the website address is amazing to their ears. They receive something and sincerely guide me to the right person. I ask, "Have you heard of it?" 2). If their voice is more relaxed, I say the same thing but guide them, asking them to write down the website and look at it.

If I leave a message, I make it brief but leave my name, “NTDTV,” and my telephone number. I think that they will call me back. Sometimes I write down "will call back!" beside their name. I describe Shen Yun, thinking of its greatness as I speak. I have seen Shen Yun five times, but each time it has left my heart uplifted.

Actually, I do what I am asked to do if at all possible, stay flexible, and listen for good suggestions for how to improve. When I focus on the Fa, I can be led to find many people to make appointments with. There are so many people waiting for us. When in need of help, I have asked Master to lead me to people who need saving. He graciously does so, although working as "one body," with each of us having righteous thoughts, is also Master’s wish.

In summary, making appointments goes much more smoothly when I make Fa study a priority, have righteous thoughts, and reach out selflessly with my heart to tell people the truth. Although I am still constantly learning to improve, I have realized the difference between “just following'” and “sharing from the heart,” thanks to Teacher and practitioners' mercy and the help of the “one body.”

I hope I have helped at least one person. So many of you have helped me. This is my limited understanding. Please kindly point out anything inappropriate.