My Insight Into “Mutually Save and Help Each Other”

(Minghui.org) An incident that occurred some time ago provided me with insight into Master Li’s teaching: “mutually save and help each other” (“Stay Far Away From Peril”). I’d like to share my experience with you.

Shuli fell down a long, steep slope. Concerned that her family would send her to the hospital, which would cost money and burden them, she came to my home instead of returning to hers.

Shuli’s injuries appeared extensive: a large lump on the back of her head; dark purple bruising around her right eye which caused it to close to a narrow slit and severe abrasions to her right arm. Her right thigh hurt when she tried to walk and she had to lift her leg with her hand before she could take a step. I thought: “She’s seventy years old. Falling from such a height—if not for Master’s protection, the consequences would have been unimaginable.”

I just finished cooking when she came. I said, “Sit down and have something to eat.” Shuli replied, “I can’t eat anything solid—just some millet porridge.” I told her I would go out to buy some millet. Millet is usually easy to find, but that day I went to several supermarkets and couldn’t find any. I felt a bit annoyed. I’m usually impatient and quick-tempered, but to help Shuli, I searched the entire town before I finally found some.

While I cared for Shuli, whenever I felt impatient or annoyed I looked inward. I prepared three meals each day as if I were caring for a child.

I discussed with Shuli that we must follow Master’s requirements and do the three things well and negate the old force’s persecution. We did the exercises that evening. She persevered, even though her entire body hurt.

When I asked her, “Can we distribute truth materials to people today?” She replied, “Yes.” I took her with me to distribute truth materials. Since she had difficulty walking I brought fewer materials—only twenty or thirty copies each time. When climbing stairs proved challenging, Shuli would step forward with her left leg, using her right leg for support. When she had difficulty I occasionally offered her my arm. I continually looked inward, and constantly encouraged her. I accompanied her as one would care for an injured child.

About two weeks later, while we did the second exercise, “Falun Standing Stance” Shuli began to feel a cooling sensation in the soles of her feet, and her body became increasingly more comfortable. Looking down, she saw a pool of dark red blood on the ground. It turned out to be blood draining out from the bruises on her head, eyes and the wounds on her arms. After we did the exercises, the swelling on her head and the bruises on her eyes disappeared, and her legs no longer hurt. She was able to move easily.

Through this experience, I shed my self-centeredness and I learned to care for other practitioners. It also tempered my character—my heart became calmer and steadier. Shuli, too, strengthened her righteous faith and thoughts. She eliminated karma, and her body was purified through this ordeal.

Through this experience I realized that when tribulations arise, they are truly opportunities—we must seize them, not avoid or flee from them. We should promptly look inward and strive to improve ourselves.

Helping others is also helping yourself; Saving others is also saving yourself. In giving, you will receive greatly in return.