How Practicing Falun Gong Helped Me Raise a Happy, Healthy Family as a Single Father
I started practicing Falun Gong at age 32 upon the recommendation of my two brothers.
My physical health improved, which then marked a significant shift in my life that saw me apply its principles in my daily life, family and business.
In 2013, due to some very dramatic and unfortunate life-changing circumstances I became a single father with two young children aged 4 and 7 years old. My children were quite traumatised by these circumstances, and it took several years for me to stabilise my young family.
Through understanding the principles of Falun Gong, I was able to shape the rules and culture that allowed us to grow into a thriving, happy and healthy family.
Both of my children, who are now 16 and 19, are vibrant young adults who enjoy spending time with each other.
(photo courtesy of Mark Hutchison)
My Children Excelled in Their Studies
We all support each other in our work and studies, and enjoy going on adventures all around the world. My son graduated high school in the top 2% of the state schooling system and has joined the family business.
My daughter is a very successful competitive dancer, an A-grade student, and well-respected by her peers and teachers. This outcome is no accident, I believe it is a direct result of years of hard work and following the teachings of Falun Gong.
Falun Gong does not tell you how to bring up your kids. Its principles are a simple guide to how to improve your character step by step. To me it just made sense to encourage my children to live by the principles of ‘Truthfulness, Kindness and Tolerance.’ I think anyone can use these principles to guide how they live their lives just as I have encouraged my children to find their own way to do that.
How We Incorporate Falun Gong into our Lives
How we practice Falun Gong in our very busy lives is quite simple. We have incorporated the reading and the exercises into our daily lives.
I read some research years ago that reading to your kids helps them develop many skills, like literacy, language, vocabulary, thinking, emotional intelligence, behaviour, and is a lovely way to bond with your kids.
Falun Gong practitioners teaching the exercises to members of the public. (courtesy of Minghui.org)
I found this to be true, and I love sitting together each night and reading a few pages from the texts of Falun Gong. These books seem to carry beautiful energy while also guiding us to be better versions of ourselves. [Read: 5 Reasons Why Falun Dafa is Great]
I have been surprised by how easily young minds, in all their innocence, can understand the principles of being a good person. Each night over dinner we we have made a practice of reflecting on what we can be grateful for and sharing our daily experiences—both good and bad. We have come to take things lightly and see the challenges we face as opportunities to improve ourselves.
Exercises are Simple and Effective
Falun Gong’s exercises are simple and they look a bit like Tai Chi.
It’s also a nice thing we can do together on a weekend in the local park, which strengthens our health and energy, and it’s a nice way to connect with the community.
(photo courtesy of Mark Hutchison)
My kids also feel stronger and are full of energy.
I can’t help but feel these exercises and the kids’ positive thinking plays an important role in this.
Rather than trying to control my kids’ behaviour, it’s the teachings of Falun Gong that have helped them understand the principles behind being a good person and the consequences that come with bad choices.
As a result of this approach my kids have naturally chosen not to get involved with the vast array of things out there that can interfere with teenagers’ development these days, such as computer games and social media. [read: My Son Overcame his 10-year Internet Addiction and Depression thanks to Falun Dafa]
They have been careful about the friends they keep, and they are very respectful of their teachers and adults.
A Proud Solo Parent
I feel very blessed that my children are making good decisions based on their own self-improvement journey and are becoming young adults who love life, and are optimistic about their future. Both of my children are very respectful of their father and try their best to help me at home and at work.
Being a very busy family, with a father running several companies and being actively involved in community activities, we all work to support each other to achieve our own individual goals and create a harmonious home life.
With the world pulling kids in so many different directions these days, I feel very blessed that the principles of Falun Gong can be found in my children's hearts and I spend less time worrying about the things I see in a lot of young teenagers today.
I would actively encourage anyone bringing up children in this modern age to look into these wonderful principles and see how they can help you build the life you've always wanted with children who are happy, healthy and thriving.
I want to thank the many people in the Falun Gong community who give of their time freely to share these beautiful principles with the world.
~~
We hope you enjoyed reading this post.
Falun Dafa volunteers are currently holding free online classes where you can learn the exercises from the comfort of your own home. Register for a free Falun Dafa online exercise class here or for the Falun Dafa 9-Day Lecture Series here.
‘Learn Falun Gong—Australia’ is a website run by Australian Falun Dafa volunteers for the benefit of the general public. Falun Dafa is always taught free of charge.
Views expressed in this article represent the author’s own opinions or understandings.