After Letting Go of Fame and Self-Interest, the World Has Become Wide and Bright

Recently one of my former classmates was passed over for promotion in the state-owned company where he worked, and consequently he was very depressed. Shortly afterward, he was found to have coronary artery disease. His experience reminded me of my own. Twenty years ago, I was also in the same situation. At the time I started practising Falun Gong, I was working very hard, hoping that I could help out my poor family with a successful career. Through studying the Fa, I began taking fame and self-interest lightly, and in my life and at my workplace, I always followed the Falun Dafa principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. As a result, everyone respected me. In early 1999, I became one of the most successful people in my workplace.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) started persecuting Falun Gong on July 20, 1999. I was one of the targets. The police and security personnel constantly harassed me at home. I was also forced to stop working and was placed under house arrest. My colleagues became distant toward me. The possibility of being promoted was non-existent. In addition, my opportunity of transferring to a higher level department was taken by others.

I was confused and depressed for two years. After much thinking, I knew that it was not wrong to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and on the contrary, it was beneficial to others. I decided that I should continue to help others with my specialty. Despite the unfair treatment I received, I knew I should try my best to do my job well.

Gradually, my relationship with my colleagues improved. They knew that I helped them not because I was after fame and self-interest, or to compete with them, but rather because I was truly devoted to my work. They became sympathetic towards me and often said, “You are so silly. You are treated badly yet you still work so hard for them.” I replied, “As a Falun Gong practitioner, we need to be good people in all circumstances. It is my job and I need to do it well.” The personnel from the lower-level department also liked to work with me because I was willing to share all of my knowledge with them. My supervisor was very appreciative. He told me, “Sorry I can do nothing about politics. But if it makes you feel any better, you can do research on whatever you like. You just need to write a proposal. I will allocate the funds for you.” Another official came to me and said, “You don't need to stay here. I arranged another position for you in another company. It is a foreign-funded enterprise. They don't care about politics. In addition, the technique is the same there, so you don't need to learn from scratch. The salary is three to five times higher.”

I kept in mind Teacher's words that I needed to be kind under all circumstances. I then clarified the truth about Falun Gong to them and treated them as a practitioner should. Gradually my surrounding environment changed. Initially some colleagues who used to work for me followed and reported me. Others would tell me who reported me and the content of their report. However, I didn't have any ill feeling towards them. I knew that they were victims of the fabricated propaganda by the CCP. They had become muddleheaded out of their desire for self-interest. I tried to find every opportunity to clarify the truth to them. Later one of them was punished because of his personal conduct. When everyone kept distant from him, I was the only one who cared about him. He eventually withdrew from the CCP. I hope that he has a bright future.

The person who took my position used to work for me. He was later promoted and became my supervisor. He appeared kind to me, but he was very defensive in his heart. Knowing that he lacked working experience, I tried my best to help him. However, he didn't trust me at the beginning. Sometimes he refused to take my suggestions. As a result, he encountered the exact problems I predicted. When a problem arose, I didn't laugh at him. Rather I helped him to solve the problem. After several such occurrences, he believed that I was truly trying to help him. We became good friends. An accident later further strengthened his trust. Because I was in charge of the department that had the accident, I set aside my personal interest and handled it calmly. He was very respectful. After we had several long conversations, he started thinking seriously and soon he withdrew from the CCP organizations. After reading the book Zhuan Falun and other books, he started practicing Falun Gong.

One day, he asked me to come to his office. He closed the door and told me that he used very indecent means and bribery in order to get my position. At that time, I was the only candidate for that position because my personality and skills were recognized by the entire department. If I had taken that position, I could have solved many problems for the company. After reading the Falun Gong books, he understood the principles I had been following and he truly regretted what he did. He also wanted to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. This is why he told me the truth and confessed to me. I said, “I knew this a long time ago because the officials in the technology department told me. Don't worry about it. You can become who you are today. This is the best present to me, because we hope everyone will follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”

I have been practicing Falun Gong for over ten years. All my colleagues and former classmates say that I look very young. In comparison, they look much older. In fact, my heart is always content, calm, and happy. Practicing Falun Gong is the best choice for my life.