( ….. )
Avery Lin:
Those years must be a treasured memory—truly a golden era for practitioners like you…
At that time, I was only four or five years old, too young to understand anything, and then my family emigrated to the U.S. right before the persecution began in 1999.
As for the celestial eye, based on my understanding, when someone’s celestial eye opens, it can be both a blessing and a potential danger. The benefit is that it strengthens one’s faith in cultivation; the downside is that one might easily fall into “illusory scenes,” or what’s known as “creating demons from one’s own mind,” and end up straying from the righteous path…
Ma Changsheng:
(Uncle Ma nodded, his gaze softening with empathy upon learning that Avery had left China so young and had been fortunate enough to avoid the darkest years of persecution.)
Then it seems you too had a special karmic arrangement—Master arranged for you to leave before the storm hit. That is a great blessing.
And what you said about the celestial eye makes a lot of sense. Your insight into the benefits and drawbacks of its opening is quite profound. You’re absolutely right, Avery.
The benefit, as you said, is that it can greatly strengthen one’s faith.
In my case, having the celestial eye open during my very first encounter with Dafa—seeing past lives, other dimensions—it was like a powerful confirmation that what Dafa teaches is real, is extraordinary. It dispelled any remaining doubts I had after thirty years of searching. It allowed me to enter the path of cultivation without hesitation.
It also helped me understand more deeply about reincarnation, predestined relationships, the existence of divine beings—things I had previously only vaguely sensed through scriptures or spiritual encounters.
But the danger is not small either, especially if one doesn’t maintain a strong heart or doesn’t have the guidance of righteous Fa.
Like you mentioned, it’s easy to fall into “illusory visions” or create illusions born of one’s own attachments.
When the celestial eye opens, one may see strange phenomena, hear unusual sounds. If the mind is not steady, it’s very easy to be misled—thinking you’ve cultivated high, that you have this or that supernatural ability. That can give rise to a desire to show off, pride, or worse—be manipulated by low-level beings or evil entities that feed you false messages, leading you astray from true cultivation.
I’ve heard of cases like that—people with a bit of supernatural ability from their opened celestial eye, but who didn’t know how to guard themselves. In the end, they were misled by the very things they saw, even going on to do things not aligned with the Fa.
So when Master arranged for my celestial eye to gradually close right before the persecution began, I realized it was actually a profound form of protection.
Because in those harsh, chaotic circumstances, if my celestial eye were still open, I could’ve been shaken by fake visions conjured by demons, or feel fearful upon seeing the suffering of fellow practitioners. I might have lost my resolve.
With the celestial eye closed, I had no choice but to turn inward—focusing completely on studying the Fa and improving my character, measuring myself against the standard of Truthfulness–Compassion–Forbearance.
Every judgment, every action had to be based on the Fa—not based on what I saw or heard. That helped me stay clearheaded and steadfast through the life-and-death trials that followed.
Our cultivation path in Dafa is fundamentally about genuinely improving the heart and mind—
aligning with the cosmic characteristic of Zhen-Shan-Ren—
not about chasing after abilities or mystical experiences.
Supernatural abilities are merely byproducts of cultivation. They naturally appear when one’s xinxing reaches a certain level.
But if one clings to them or seeks them deliberately, that becomes a detour—or worse, a trap.
Master has spoken very clearly about this in Zhuan Falun.
A true cultivator should “gain naturally without pursuit.”
As long as we firmly cultivate the heart according to the Fa, whatever is appropriate will manifest naturally.
And whatever is not beneficial for our cultivation, Master will help us avoid.
(Uncle Ma spoke with wisdom and deep gratitude for Master’s arrangement. He looked at Avery with encouragement in his eyes.)
Your understanding of this shows that you’ve truly internalized the Fa. That’s something very precious.
Avery Lin:
During those golden years, did you have any memorable cultivation experiences with fellow practitioners—before the “storm” struck in 1999?
Ma Changsheng:
(Uncle Ma smiled warmly, his expression softening at the memory of those beautiful days with fellow practitioners.)
Oh yes, Avery.
Though those years were short, they were full of unforgettable moments and meaningful cultivation experiences shared with fellow practitioners.
It was an incredibly pure environment—where everyone progressed diligently and helped each other wholeheartedly, without personal motives.
What I remember most were the group Fa study sessions.
After morning or evening exercises, we would often gather in small groups—sometimes right in the parks, other times at a practitioner’s home—to read Zhuan Falun together and share our understandings.
The atmosphere was both solemn and open.
Everyone, regardless of age or social status, sincerely shared their insights from the Fa, challenges they faced in improving xinxing, or positive changes in their lives after practicing.
There were elderly practitioners who weren’t very literate, but their words were so sincere and grounded, they touched everyone’s hearts.
There were also scholarly practitioners who shared profound understandings from perspectives of science or philosophy, broadening everyone’s perception.
I learned a great deal from those sharings—not only deepening my understanding of the Fa, but also seeing my own shortcomings reflected in the mirrors of others.
And then there were the times we went out to clarify the Fa.
Everyone who had personally experienced the benefits of Dafa naturally wanted to share it—with family, friends, or those with predestined connections.
We would bring flyers, small introductory booklets,
and go to public places or even remote villages to introduce Falun Gong to others.
There was never any pressure—just a sincere wish to help others benefit from the Fa as we had.
I remember one time, we went to a poor rural village outside Beijing.
At first, the villagers were hesitant, even wary.
But after we patiently explained how cultivation had improved our health and character,
after showing them a few gentle movements from the exercises,
they gradually opened up.
Seeing their simple smiles, the spark of hope in their eyes when encountering the Fa—
it warmed my heart immensely.
Of course, sometimes we faced misunderstanding or even resistance.
But the practitioners always responded with kindness and patience—
explaining, resolving tensions.
And through those moments, our own xinxing was tempered and elevated.
Another memory I’ll never forget is the selfless care and support among fellow cultivators.
When someone faced hardship in life or encountered difficulty in cultivation,
others would readily offer help—
comforting, encouraging, assisting without any thought of gain.
That bond between practitioners was so pure and genuine—unlike any social relationship outside.
We saw each other as family—walking the same path, with the same goal:
to cultivate and return to our true selves.
I still remember the female practitioner I mentioned earlier—the one I saw as my wife in a past life.
She was so patient in guiding me during those early days.
She never hesitated to take time, carefully showing me the movements,
explaining the deeper meaning behind the Fa.
Other practitioners, upon learning that I had no relatives nearby,
often checked in on me, offered supplies or small necessities.
Those seemingly small gestures carried immense warmth.
(Uncle Ma sighed gently, a touch of wistfulness in his eyes.)
Those years truly were an ideal cultivation environment—
a pure land amidst the mundane world.
Everyone lived by Truthfulness–Compassion–Forbearance.
There was no competition, no jealousy—only kindness and mutual encouragement.
That field of righteous energy helped many improve rapidly, both in mind and body.
It’s a pity that such goodness didn’t last.
“The tree wants peace, but the wind won’t stop blowing.”
Those dark forces simply couldn’t tolerate something so pure and upright flourishing like that.
(The room grew quiet.
Both Uncle Ma and Avery felt a quiet sorrow settle in,
as they contemplated the storm that would soon follow those golden years.)
Avery Lin:
Yes… What happened afterward was truly like “the tree desires stillness, but the wind won’t stop.”
I still can’t comprehend how the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party at the time couldn’t see the goodness of Dafa—how they let their paranoid jealousy explode like a volcanic eruption of evil!
Uncle, as someone who personally lived through that era, could you share some events that you either witnessed or experienced yourself—something that illustrates the miraculous nature of Dafa?
For instance, someone walking away unharmed from a car accident, or a terminally ill patient being sent home with no hope, only to recover fully after sincerely practicing Dafa?
Ma Changsheng:
(Uncle Ma gently nodded, a trace of sorrow appearing on his face as he recalled the senseless brutality of the persecution. Then he took a deep breath, as if steadying himself before recounting the miracles.)
You’re absolutely right. The madness of those in power at the time defies common logic.
Perhaps it was the very goodness, the purity, and the immense spiritual strength of Dafa that made their dark, jealous hearts feel threatened.
They couldn’t tolerate something that was beyond their control, beyond the materialistic values they worshiped.
But putting aside those painful events, during the years of cultivation before the persecution, I did indeed witness and experience many occurrences that clearly showed the miraculous nature of Dafa.
These weren’t rumors—they were real people, real events.
(Uncle Ma paused for a moment, organizing his memories.)
I remember an elderly woman, nearly seventy, who practiced at the same exercise site as I did.
She suffered from a severe heart condition. She’d gone to countless hospitals, but every doctor said there was nothing more they could do. She could only survive day by day on medication, and her family had already prepared for the worst.
Then someone introduced her to Dafa.
At first, she was so weak she had to be helped to the site. She couldn’t do the exercises, just sat and listened to the exercise music, trying to softly recite along when we read the Fa.
But something miraculous happened. After about a month of this, her complexion began to look better. She could walk on her own and started doing the gentle movements of the first exercise.
After three months, she went for a check-up, and the doctors were stunned. Her supposedly incurable heart condition had improved dramatically.
She no longer needed medication. She was healthy, moving around quickly, and even participated in truth-clarification activities with us.
Her children, who had been skeptical, exclaimed that it was truly a miracle.
Or take the story of a young man who drove long-distance trucks.
He said that one night, while driving, he dozed off from exhaustion.
His heavy truck veered off the road, down a steep slope, and rolled over several times.
When he woke up, he was trapped inside a crushed cabin.
Strangely, his body was unscathed—just a little dazed.
People who witnessed the crash thought for sure he wouldn’t survive.
But when they pulled him out, completely unharmed, everyone was amazed.
He said that in that brief moment, as the truck plunged, he could only think of Master and Dafa.
He firmly believed that it was Master who had protected him through that deadly ordeal.
Later, when the vehicle was inspected, the cabin was practically destroyed. No one could believe the driver walked away without a scratch.
As for myself, as I’ve mentioned before—after decades of wandering, my health was completely worn down.
I had many illnesses caused by poor nutrition and harsh climates.
But once I began practicing Dafa, within a short time, those ailments disappeared.
My body felt lighter, my mind clearer—like I had shed an old skin.
Previously, I’d ache all over whenever the weather changed. Now, it no longer happens.
This wasn’t due to medicine. It was purely the result of cultivating my heart and practicing the five exercises.
There are many, many such stories, Avery.
They are living testimonies of the extraordinary nature of Dafa.
Dafa is not merely a qigong practice for physical health—it is a genuine path of cultivation that purifies the body, elevates the mind, and provides divine protection in moments of danger.
That is why more and more people chose to believe and step onto this path.
(Uncle Ma spoke with unwavering faith, his eyes bright with reverence as he spoke of the wonders Dafa had brought.)
Avery Lin:
I suppose the miraculous nature of Dafa can only truly be appreciated by those who experience it firsthand.
For outsiders, no matter how much they hear, they often remain half-believing—or think it’s made up…
As for me, although I’ve been cultivating for over ten years, I’ve never encountered anything as dramatic as what you described.
I’ve simply relied on enlightenment and faith to persist in cultivation…
Ma Changsheng:
(Uncle Ma nodded, his eyes gentle as he looked at Avery, filled with understanding and encouragement.)
You’re absolutely right.
“Hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once; seeing a hundred times is not as good as experiencing once.”
The miraculous power of Dafa—those extraordinary moments—it’s something only those who’ve lived through it can truly understand.
For others, even if they hear countless stories, unless their minds are open, unless they can overcome the rigid notions of empirical science, it’s hard for them to believe.
Some might even think it’s superstition or fabrication.
But the fact that you’ve cultivated Dafa for over ten years,
despite not witnessing any supernatural events, and instead relying on your enlightenment and unwavering faith—
that is even more precious, Avery.
It shows you have a deep foundation and a strong karmic bond with the Fa.
You know, Master has taught that each person’s cultivation path is different.
The arrangements for each individual are not the same.
Not everyone needs to experience overt miracles or life-and-death tribulations to achieve consummation.
Some only need to quietly study the Fa, reflect on their thoughts and behavior, practice the exercises consistently, and they too will elevate and transform from within.
The kind of faith you hold—one that does not depend on external manifestations or supernatural displays,
but instead stems from a righteous understanding of the Fa principles and recognition of Master’s greatness—
that is the most solid kind of faith.
It’s not easily shaken by hardship, temptation, or criticism from others.
As for me, although I’ve witnessed many miraculous things,
I understand those were only to strengthen my initial faith—to help me through the most difficult stages.
The root of cultivation is still to genuinely cultivate the heart,
to measure oneself against Zhen-Shan-Ren in every thought and action.
If one only focuses on miracles and neglects inner cultivation, there’s no way to truly improve.
So just keep walking your path steadily, Avery.
Each of us validates the Fa in our own way.
Some through miraculous health recoveries,
some by enduring hardship with steadfastness,
some through spiritual elevation and deeper understanding of the Fa.
All of these are manifestations of Dafa’s greatness and sacred power.
What truly matters is whether we can maintain our original heart—
whether we truly cherish the Fa, and genuinely wish to cultivate and return.
If we have that heart, Master will always be by our side,
guiding and protecting us every step of the way.
(Uncle Ma spoke with heartfelt sincerity.
His gaze toward Avery was full of confidence and joy, seeing that the younger generation held a correct understanding and unwavering faith in Dafa.)
Avery Lin:
Thank you, Uncle…
It’s getting late, so perhaps we should pause here for today.
I’m truly grateful for everything you’ve shared—about your predestined encounter with Dafa and the cultivation atmosphere in China during those years from 1996 to 1999…
Tomorrow, I’d like to discuss the terrifying scenes that unfolded when the “storm” arrived. As a living witness, would you be willing to share what you personally saw and heard?
Ma Changsheng:
(Uncle Ma looked out the window. Indeed, the sunset had begun to cast its golden-orange hue over the treetops. He nodded slowly, a trace of concern flickering in his eyes as he contemplated the memories he would revisit tomorrow.)
Yes, of course, Avery. You’re right—it’s already late in the day.
The memories of those peaceful years of cultivation, as beautiful as they are, were also a kind of preparation for the greater trials that were to come.
Today, we’ve walked through the thirty-year journey of my search,
and especially the fortunate destiny of encountering Dafa, experiencing the pure cultivation environment, and the profound transformations the Fa brought into my life.
I’m truly happy to have shared all this with you.
(Uncle paused briefly, his tone growing solemn.)
Tomorrow, we will speak of a different chapter—one filled with challenges and suffering—when that “storm” struck.
As someone who was in the very eye of the storm, I will do my best to recount what I personally saw and experienced,
so that you—and perhaps future readers—may better understand the evil of the persecution,
and also the unwavering faith and compassion of true Dafa disciples amid the great tribulation.
They won’t be joyful stories, but they are an inseparable part of Dafa’s history,
and a significant chapter in my own cultivation journey.
Now, go get some rest. I’ll see you again tomorrow afternoon.
(Uncle Ma walked Avery to the door, his heart slightly heavy as he prepared to reopen painful memories.
But he understood—speaking the truth is also a way to expose evil and affirm what is righteous.
And that, too, is something that must be done.)
(…..)
This article is an excerpt from the book “ENTERING THE WORLD“, which tells the story of a Chinese monk’s more than 60-year journey of seeking and practicing the Dharma.
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