|
Jim Nelson
Hello to everyone here. My name is Jim Nelson, and I have been practicing Falun Gong for one-and-one-half years now. What has Master Li's teaching done for me? It has exposed to me the inner meaning of my life, and the way I fit into everything else in the Universe. I have learned how to become a more kind and compassionate person, to discover the true meaning of things that happen in my daily life, and to be able to endure tribulations that come along, no matter how large or small it may be, by continually looking within myself. When I found Falun Dafa, or should I say, when it found me, I had already given up the drugs and alcohol that had controlled the past twenty years of my life. The first year of my sobriety was very difficult. I had a lot of guilt over the things I had let happen to me, and things I failed to do in my life. But there was so much more out there. It was time now to find my way. I realized what a huge spiritual void there was in my life. I wondered how I was going to fill that emptiness and not just cover it up with artificial stimulants. After reading about different cultures and beliefs, I started out with yoga, which seemed suited for e. I guess I still felt handicapped by having an artificial leg. I ewas doing yoga at home, and looking for a class, when a friend I met at my workplace told me about a Falun gong group practicing in our area. I did not go at that time, and lost touch with that person. About six months later, I saw my friend again and asked about the group. He said he was part of it now. Three hours later, he returned with a copy of Zhuan Falun and said “Try to read it straight through if you can.” From the first time I opened Zhuan Falun, there was no way to stop me from reading it. Every free moment I had, I would open the pages and continue. It became my constant companion. I found out that the exercise group had moved away. Wherever they had gone, I was determined to find them. However far I had to travel, I wanted to be part of this. I got the times and locations of the exercise classes. The first time I went I drove for an hour-and-a-half after work, and was very tired when I got there. The first four exercises were hard, and I was sweating tremendously. My shirt was soaking wet. When the fourth exercise was over, I felt differently, and I had this funny smile on my face. I knew this was where I belonged- Falun Dafa- the land of purity. The way I looked at things changed immediately. The first way was when people would use dirty language around me. It never bothered me, nor did I I give much thought to it before. Now I actually felt physical discomfort when people cursed or told nasty jokes in front of me. This was a very unusual reaction. These things were easy enough to walk away from. But was I really ready or able to be tolerant of people when they confronted me directly? I was not sure. Before Falun Gong, I tried to ignore situations that bothered me- such as traffic jams or long lines. My way of dealing with life’s difficulties was “Oh, I’ll deal with that later,” which, of course, was exactly what I would still have to do. When I understood the principles that Master Li teaches, I learned that I had to look inside myself when confronted. I began to see the Truth, which was always right there in front of me. Nothing could be more plain. Each time I felt intimidated, belittled, or put down, it always came back to me not letting go of my personal interests, ego, or pride. Selfishness- that was the bottom line. Like many other practitioners, the workplace is providing me with plenty of opportunities to practice Zhen-Shan-Ren, while also upgrading my xingxing. I work in a big warehouse in a Disney resort. I had been practicing cultivation for six months when I started working there, but I still could not understand why a new co-worker was constantly pointing out every little thing he thought I was doing wrong. I was not the only one he did this to, but most of it seemed focused on me. I tolerated a lot and would never talk angrily. When I truly looked inside of me, I realized that he was trying to be a perfectionist at all that he did- something I had rarely, if ever, attempted at any level. As soon as I arrived at this realization, his behavior totally changed- the way he talked and did things. It happened so quickly. From that time on, I would always examine myself first. Before learning the Fa, I would always examine others first- never myself. There is an older woman where I work named Mary. When I first started working there, she seemed to be mad at the world- always grumpy and sad. Each time I asked her how her day was going, she would say, “I'm not here to make friends!” One day, she was in a new car, so I said, “Hey! That’s a nice car. When did you get it?” She replied,” You must be talking about someone else. I don’t have a new car.” Before cultivation I would have thought,” Well, I tried, but she is too far gone. There is no hope for her at all.” But I kept saying “Hello! Good morning! How are you?” Eventually she opened up. Something in her came alive again. She is now smiling and joking around with everyone. She even asks me how my day was. If I don’t have a smile, she wants to know why not. I would really like to think that it was the power of the Fa working through me that was able to let Mary open up. Last year, on Chinese New Year, we held an event in front of City Hall. Practitioners from around the state came to help promote Falun dafa here in Orlando. We demonstrated the exercises and passed out a lot of information. At the end of the day, we all went to dinner at a local restaurant. There were many of us, so we put tables together so we could talk and listen to each other. After three hours of sitting, eating, and talking, I suddenly thought to myself that in all this time, I never heard one negative thing being said, not one piece of gossip. All that we exchanged was virtuous. I did not say anything at that moment, but sat there completely at peace. It was the same experience I had at the first group exercise but a lot stronger. On the way home that night, I had the overwhelming feeling that I was flying my car, not driving it. Shortly after I started coming regularly to the practice, I was offered the opportunity to become an organizer at one of the sites. I had some doubts whether I could do it. It sounded so easy, just bring a tape player and some mats, be on time, and show new people the movements. I was going to be there anyway, so I agreed. It was a good start at responsibility. I soon became responsible for two groups. Although these sites are quite a distance from my home, I never think about how far I drive. I have gained so much. I have a better understanding of the Universe and the Laws of the Universe- laws and principles that I can put to use in all of my everyday situations. Around Christmas, we participated in many local events, including being part of many parades. Our participation exposed thousands of people to Falun Dafa with brightly-colored banners and flyers handed out by the hundreds. In the time I have been cultivating, people close to me have noticed
a dramatic change in who I am, and who I am becoming. Even though they
won’t read the book, they can see the Fa at work in me. Who can argue with
Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance!
|