(Clearwisdom.net) I am a new practitioner who began practicing Falun Dafa in March 2010. My husband, an Australian, joined me in cultivation shortly after. I would like to share my experiences from participating in the Port Adelaide Christmas parade during the past two years.
In late October 2010, the practitioners in our area decided to decorate a float and participate in the Christmas parade. After I viewed the float design created by a practitioner, I thought that it was going to be too difficult for us to make. I had little confidence, because time was short and there were too many things to do. I then realized that I shouldn't worry. I just needed to do well with whatever I could do to help. I let go of my negative thoughts and supported the group unconditionally. I did everything possible to help, and in the meantime I studied the Falun Dafa teachings, did the exercises, and tried to cultivate every day.
On the day of the parade, I was quite happy and excited to see the beautiful float that we'd assembled. I knew that Dafa practitioners had supernormal abilities. As long as we followed Teacher's words, truly cultivated ourselves according to the Fa, and did the three things well, Teacher's law body would guide us. We would then know the right things to do, and be able to undertake anything, no matter how difficult. During the parade, celestial maidens danced to the music “Falun Dafa Is Good.” There was also a traditional Chinese costume demonstration. Our float attracted many people and received high praise, including the first place award from the Port Adelaide Christmas Parade. From this event, I witnessed the miraculous Dafa, recognized practitioners' supernormal abilities, and understood the importance of supporting the group as a whole. I experienced a firm belief in Teacher and in Dafa. I am determined to be diligent, in order to catch up with the veteran practitioners.
In 2011, we experienced substantial interference while constructing the float due to practitioners' human hearts. I learned that I must look within, and absolutely follow the decisions of the main project leader. I tried to collaborate with others and to never argue. I had no other thoughts except to build the float. My previous feelings--thinking that I knew better than others--were gone. Other practitioners also elevated in the Fa. We formed a whole group, a single body, and let go of our personal notions. Practitioners worked on various tasks, including setting up the float, costume design, translating the speech script into English, banners, contacting other communities, etc. Everything happened harmoniously, in quiet collaboration.
Our float was finished in time for the parade. The waist drum team and traditional Chinese fan dance team from Melbourne came to join us. We participated in two different parades. The float, fan dance team, waist drum team, and the Falun Gong exercise demonstration team received warm applause from many spectators. Some onlookers talked enthusiastically about “Falun Dafa,” some tried to imitate the meditation exercise, and others shed tears of excitement. A few practitioners (including me) also had tears in our eyes. We were moved by what Teacher had done and bore quietly for us, and sentient beings.
The experience gained from this parade helped me to understand that we must follow Teacher's teaching and harmonize with what He wants. We should not do things halfheartedly, let our human hearts disturb us, or insist on our own ideas or what we ourselves want to do. The success of this parade was the direct result of us cooperating as a single body. I also understood that our personal cultivation can't be separated from the group's big environment. Additionally, everyone's cultivation status determines the cultivation status of the entire group.
Actually, we shouldn't just focus on doing activities. Activities are just a form, while cultivation is the essence. All Dafa projects, including promoting Shen Yun Performing Arts tickets and media work are created to accommodate the norm of people and society. The project goals enhance the practitioners' cultivation and save people. We must cultivate ourselves solidly at all times and understand the Falun Dafa teachings. We can't use human methods to look for shortcuts. Actually, the cultivation paths that Teacher arranged for us are the most perfect and fastest. Therefore, we must let go of our human hearts, purify every thought, align with the Fa, and let go of all attachments. We will then experience the wonderfulness of cultivation and our supernormal abilities, and do the three things well. In this way we can assist Teacher in rectifying the Fa and saving sentient beings.
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Category: Improving Oneself
