This past weekend about 15 practitioners, with their kids, traveled 90 miles to Macon, Georgia to promote Falun Dafa and tell people the truth about the persecution of practitioners in China. It was a wonderful, sunny and warm weekend. The sweet-smelling cherry blossoms sparkled as the breezes blew them fluttering through the air.
The Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual event attracting thousands of people to this central Georgia city and, for many, signifies the official beginning of Spring. What a better place to tell people about Falun Dafa than in a festival dedicated to renewal and rebirth of life?
I was impressed by how many people were gathered around our booth, reading our posters and watching the people perform the exercises. Although there were many of us, at times there weren't enough of us to talk to all of the people that were interested.
It was really amazing to see the people watching the practitioners perform the peaceful, gentle exercises. You could hear comments like, "How beautiful!" and "I bet that will relax you!" as well as questions like, "Mommy, what are they doing?" "Is this related to Tai Chi?" and "Why would the Chinese government do that?"
In answering this latter question, I was almost brought to tears when I felt the reaction of the couple upon hearing about the persecution. They were truly moved and picked up all of our materials.
Many people were surprised that not only is the practice taught for free, but that we also offered to drive to their town again to teach them the exercises upon request. Many were excited at this prospect and mentioned setting up other activities in schools, clubs, and their houses.
One woman was excitedly telling her husband, "You know how I've been telling you to get some videos on something like Tai Chi? This would be great!!! I've really been looking for something like this! And my father-in-law just had an operation and we're looking for something he can do at home, that's easy. This would be great. I bet he'd really get into it." Her husband, who had studied martial arts for 20 years, was very surprised that this practice was free.
When handing a group of young adults flyers and giving them my 30-second spiel about what Falun Dafa is, they asked, "Is there any martial arts involved?" When I answered that there wasn't, one of them made a joke saying "Awwww, that's no fun." They laughed and started to walk away, but then he paused as if he had something on his mind, and solemnly asked me "What did you mean when you said 'cultivation'?" I knew then his Buddha nature was trying to emerge.
One woman asked whether Falun Gong would be a good way to help her kids get discipline. There are so many wonderful benefits of this practice, that it is beneficial for everyone. Master has truly opened the widest door.
While it was fascinating to see little kids watch the practitioners performing the exercises, their gaze transfixed by the slow movements, it was more moving to see the elderly people stand in amazement as they watched 6 practitioners perform the exercises. Two of the practitioners were over the age of 60. These attentive onlookers were realizing that even elderly people could benefit from this practice as the older practitioners moved with such grace and balance - even with their eyes closed.
I took particular delight in tying Falun Dafa balloons onto the wrists of kids. Many were so pleased for the fun gift and beamed with appreciation. Many who had been crying, stopped when I put on the balloon. It was truly wonderful.
Eventually the event organizer came over to our area and was very impressed by our exhibit. He was fascinated and excited. He collected all of the materials and suggested we might get a more prominent location next year in addition to inclusion in the stage event productions.
We knew Master was at work this weekend as the power of Dafa guided not only our hands but our mouths as well, as we assisted him in this Fa-Rectification period.
Practitioner from Atlanta, Georgia
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Category: Parades & Other Community Events
