(Minghui.org) “I feel refreshed and invigorated. How amazing!” two young women exclaimed after they learned the Falun Dafa exercises.
The annual Rotary Village Day was held in Ashtead in Southeast Surrey on June 13, 2026, and many attendees stopped at the Falun Dafa booth. From students to professionals, families with children with special needs, to retirees, many people tried the exercises and said they were deeply touched after learning about the persecution. Some said they were interested in learning more about Falun Dafa.
That atmosphere was lively and there was a constant flow of people. As one of largest local community celebrations, the event brought together hundreds of trade stalls and thousands of attendees who enjoyed the stage performances, music and amusements.
Surrounded by the hustle and bustle, practitioners demonstrated the exercises to relaxing music.
The Dust of Our Souls Were Cleansed
The relaxing exercise music attracted two young women Sienna and Rossie who came to the event together. They stood outside the stall for some time watching practitioners do the exercises. They told practitioners, “We need to do something first, but we’ll come back!”
They soon returned as promised learned the meditation exercise. As the music began, they closed their eyes and immersed themselves in the quiet atmosphere.
Sienna (center) and Rossie tried the sitting meditation exercise during the Rotary Village Day.
After they meditated Sienna said, “While I meditated I felt my whole body go into a relaxing and peaceful state. I felt relaxed—as if the dust of my soul was cleansed.” Rossie said happily, “It was a great experience, I really loved it!”
They took flyers about Falun Dafa and asked what time and where local practitioners did the exercises.
Their experience is just one example among many touching stories that day.
Twenty Two Young People Learn the Exercises
Twenty-two young local residents and students came to the booth and learned the exercises that day. As the music began, the initially lively, noisy teenagers gradually became quiet and the atmosphere became tranquil.
After doing the meditation for a short time, several of them said they felt relaxed and happy. One of the girls said excitedly, “I loved it! I will continue doing this for sure!”
Young people said they felt relaxed after they tried the Falun Dafa exercises.
Three boys came to the booth to try the exercises. They said they heard about Falun Dafa at last year’s fair and signed the petition to call for an end to the human rights abuses in China. This year, they decided to learn the exercises.
After they did them they felt warm and relaxed. They also said they admire practitioners even more for persisting in introducing the spiritual practice to the public.
A Boy Is Able to Sit Still
One family’s experience deeply touched many people at the booth.
A mother brought her autistic son to the stall to watch practitioners demonstrate the exercises. The child is usually rather excited and has trouble concentrating for long periods of time, so it was quite hard on his family.
Gently guided by practitioners, the boy tried to follow along and do the sitting meditation exercise. He was initially restless, but as the gentle, relaxing music played, the atmosphere gradually became quiet.
Then something unexpected happened.
He gradually relaxed and he sat in the lotus position. He also tried to follow practitioners’ gestures. In this moment, the surrounding noise and lively atmosphere seemed to be shut out and he showed an unusual calm and focus.
An autistic boy learns the exercises and gradually becomes tranquil.
His mother stood aside quietly observing. Her expression turned from surprise to disbelief. She covered her mouth with both hands and there were tears in her eyes. She didn’t look away for a long time as if she could not believe the change happening in front of her eyes. “He has never been this quiet before.” she said emotionally, “this is incredible.”
The father was touched. They left their contact information hoping to learn more about Falun Dafa. They also said they would bring their son to do the exercises.
Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Is Extremely Important
Jo, a senior therapist in an intensive care unit highly commended Falun Dafa’s principles: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. As a professional medical worker she agrees with the healing powers of spirituality.
She encouraged her two sons and their friends to try meditation. When she saw the usually active young men follow practitioners and meditate, they became peaceful and relaxed, and she said she could not help but feel moved.
She told practitioners, “I truly love the idea of meditation. I also love the values you teach through meditation. They seem to enjoy doing it. I think it is a great thing for young people to participate in something like this.”
She said practitioners are passing correct values to society, “This is amazing. Indeed, we must be grateful, yet all this is taught for free. You are very friendly and encouraging.”
Jo said it was a remarkable thing that practitioners teach the younger generation the values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance at large scale community events like this, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are extremely important, isn’t that right? Without these principles, you cannot get through life. I think everyone should pay more attention to them.”
I Understand Where Shen Yun Artists Get Their Strength From
A volunteer at a theater said she understood where Shen Yun artists get their strength from.
A woman who volunteers at a theater came to the stall. She often works at the theater screening room and she’s watched Shen Yun, including the performances that expose the persecution of Falun Dafa. But she said what continues to amaze her is the artists’ exceptional demeanor and perfect artistic skills.
When she learned that Shen Yun performers practice Falun Dafa and conduct themselves according to Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, she said, “Now I understand! It turns out that the pure energy and superb skills come from deep spiritual faith. Pursuit of perfect artistic qualities must first come from pursuit of a perfect spiritual realm.”
She accepted a flyer and said she will learn more about Falun Dafa.
Man Signs Petition to Support Ending the Persecution
Oliver took off his hat in a show of respect to practitioners after learning of the brutal persecution in China.
Oliver tried Tai Chi exercises and knows a little about traditional cultivation practices. Twenty-five years ago while working in London he heard of Falun Dafa and he knows it is a form of cultivation that improves mind and body.
After learning more about the persecution practitioners are subjected to in China, he signed the petition to call for an end to the atrocities and asked a woman next to him to sign the petition. Oliver said such a peaceful practice that benefits society should not suffer any form of persecution.
He hopes he can learn how to practice Falun Dafa and he wants to help more people know about the persecution.
Children Drawn to the Peaceful Exercises
Two children were captivated by the peaceful scene of practitioners doing the exercises. They spontaneously sat on the grass and followed practitioners in doing the sitting meditation. Their youthful yet focused expressions made many people stop in their tracks and they recorded the scene with their mobile phones.
Two children imitated practitioners’ movements as they did the exercises.
Their parents were surprised and said they were gratified that their children were able to become quiet on their own amid the noisy surroundings.
As the event drew to a close, surrounding stalls started to pack up.
Practitioners prepared to pack up, when three boys in grade 7 ran to the stall hoping to learn the exercises. Practitioners took out the mats again and accompanied them in doing the sitting meditation.
The three boys did the meditation exercise attentively. Afterwards they excitedly said how they felt and left happily with lotus flowers the practitioners gave them.
Three students said they felt peaceful after they meditated.
That evening, as the Rotary Village Day came to an end, the crowds gradually dispersed. Many people took away not just a holiday experience but an experience of peace and warmth.
From children to adults, students to professionals, the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is quietly touching the souls of more people.
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