(Clearwisdom.net) The European Tian Guo (Divine Land) Marching Band was just set up, and we had the first group practice and training from October 27, 2006 to November 1, 2006 in Stuttgart, Germany.
I read many experience-sharing articles written by fellow practitioners in the United States and Canada about the Divine Land Marching Band, and I was really moved. In the beginning, I had many concerns about whether I should join the European Tian Guo Marching Band. The major concern was that if I went and joined the band, I had to bring with me my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Yu Qing. Would I interfere with fellow practitioners' training and practice and cause them trouble if I brought with me such a small child? Besides, would I be able to practice in the band, study the Fa and do the exercises with a peaceful mind? When I am practicing, who is going to help me to take care of her? Isn't it making too much trouble if I bring my child with me to such a far away place for such a long period of time?
In the beginning, I thought I had too many difficulties, however in my heart I really wanted to join the Marching Band. I felt the band could play a very important role in validating Dafa, saving sentient beings, making more people feel the beauty of Falun Dafa and helping others understand the truth. At the same time, I also cherished every opportunity that I had with fellow practitioners in gathering and sharing. Finally, I decided to join the European Divine Land Marching Band.
On October 27, fellow practitioners from different places in Europe arrived at Stuttgart. On the same day, we started to learn basic music theory. October 28 was the first time that I touched a musical instrument and played a tune. The following day, we practiced our marching on a playground. For the next two days we mainly practiced "Falun Dafa Hao," and practiced as a group. Although we still were not mature in playing together, we were all excited when we heard the beautiful music of "Falun Dafa Hao" coming out of our musical instruments, and we were deeply encouraged. Since the majority of us did not have any musical training, we were not able to read the music, nor had we ever played musical instruments before. We even felt that we did not have any musical aptitude. However after several days of practice, we could practice "Falun Dafa Hao" together. This made all of us again feel the power of Dafa and the compassion of Master.
It is worth mentioning that on the evening of October 31, we sat down and shared together. In such a righteous field, we shared from our hearts what we'd enlightened to and learned and we talked about our shortcomings. Many fellow practitioners were moved to tears, and there was applause from time to time. We all felt how beautiful it was to harmonize in Dafa and place ourselves on the only pure land of Dafa.
In this way, our band stayed together to study the Fa, do the exercises and practice the instruments every day. We shared with each other and helped each other. Many fellow practitioners had swollen lips after the continued practice, and we felt chest pain due to breathing incorrectly. However we still did not relax our efforts a bit, and we made good use of every single minute to practice.
I also found that my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter was especially well-behaved. She listened quietly to us when we were studying the Fa and sharing our experiences. She played by herself quietly when we were practicing. She fell asleep in her stroller for three hours when we were practicing the marching. Once in a while, she cried. However when our flute team was doing the practice or when I was busy, there were always fellow practitioners who took care of her. I deeply felt that this group of practitioners was like a very harmonious family. In such a family, there were no difficulties that we could not overcome. At the beginning, I thought my difficulties were too big. However after stepping into this big family, when I really put my heart in the Fa and sent forth righteous thoughts, all the difficulties were solved. Eventually there might not be any difficulties at all. This is the power of Dafa, this is the harmony of Dafa, and this is the compassionate arrangement of Master. So I especially want to encourage those fellow practitioners who have the same situation as me, with small children, to step forward and don't hesitate in the progress of validating the Fa and saving sentient beings, because we don't really have much time left. Besides, the so-called difficulties are actually superficial phenomena that are easily defeated. Master will arrange everything well and Dafa will harmonize everything well only if we have enough righteous thoughts.
In the morning when we were on our way home, my daughter Yu Qing suddenly looked at me, and seriously and clearly said to me, "Mom, thank you!" I was moved to tears. I knew the meaning of what she said. I knew I did not stop her from obtaining the Fa and studying the Fa. She thanked me from the bottom of her heart. So to all fellow practitioners who have small children, I want to use my own experience to tell you: please don't be an obstacle to the little Dafa disciple in their studying the Fa and obtaining the Fa. They came here to obtain the Fa. This is clear without any doubt. Make good use of your time to study the Fa and step forward to validate Dafa since Dafa will harmonize everything.
November 4, 2006
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