(Clearwisdom.net) The Divine Performing Arts Company (DPA) performs in New York in January 2009. The ticket selling effort for the shows began a few months ago and when writing this article, we had two weeks left before the opening night. It has been a journey that left many regrets as well as rewards. To improve ticket sales methods in other areas, I would like to share my experience and insights with fellow practitioners.
1. Searching Inward at All Times
While selling tickets, I was faced with a lot of conflicts and confronted with deep seated notions and attachments. Besides, my daily life and work also threw problems in my direction. As if this was not enough, conflicts between Falun Gong practitioners influenced our ticket selling efforts. Then, we had to deal with problems arising from outside our cultivation community.
Faced with all these pressures from different directions we asked ourselves, "How should we do well in selling DPA tickets?" First, no matter the situation, we must search within, because anything a cultivator faces is part of cultivation. That's the sole way to solve what may appear to be impossible problems.
Searching within is one of the main tools we have when we promote the DPA. When we face a conflict, we should search inward to check for what we need to let go of. We need to ask ourselves, "Is it because I need to elevate my xinxing? Why do I face this problem? Is Teacher trying to tell me something?" If we can do that, all problems will be solved more harmoniously.
2. Guard Our Xinxing to Avoid Going to Extremes
To be honest, I am anxious when I sell tickets. There are different kinds of problems that arise. However, we should not go to extremes because of feeling troubled. We should absolutely not go to extremes. As cultivators, we should look at the entire process of an undertaking. Only when we follow the Fa will we be able to do things well. What is the standard of doing things well?
Teacher said,
"Zhen-Shan-Ren is the Sole Criterion to Discern Good and Bad People" (Zhuan Falun)
Teacher said,
"A practitioner believes he should only focus on practicing, without paying attention to obtaining gong." (Zhuan Falun)
Teacher said,
"Doing but pursuing not--
Constantly dwelling in Dao." ("In Dao" in Hong Yin)
3. Eliminate Human Thoughts and Persevere with Righteous Thoughts
Anxiety is a breeding ground for inappropriate thought. If we feel pressure, we are most likely forsaking righteous thoughts and becoming ensnared by human thoughts. The solution is to reinforce our righteous thoughts. Yet, solving problems isn't the purpose of our cultivation. After all, the purpose is not to reach consummation, but to save sentient beings and assist Teacher in His Fa-rectification. Besides, we don't solve problems for the sake of selling tickets. Whether there are problems or not, aren't we supposed to eliminate human thoughts?
Another point I wish to make is that we shouldn't become overly vigilant in the face of possible persecution or interference, but abide by the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
4. Eliminate Distances Between Practitioners to Form One-Body
During this effort, we felt the importance of forming one-body. What do I understand about forming one-body? Our cultivation is a "great way without form." ("Teaching the Fa at the Conference in Singapore") The one-body concept also has no form. It is our hearts that make the one-body. When we cooperate and complement each other, we are one-body. It is not just about forming one-body in the form. However, if we need to become one-body, we must take tangible actions and feel like one-body. In addition, I think we must take the initiative to eliminate the distance between practitioners. There is a distance between practitioners from different countries, regions and practice sites. Distance also exists between practitioners next to us. Teacher said,
"Compare in studying, compare in cultivating", ("Solid Cultivation" in Hong Yin)
The main point is that we eliminate the distance instead of increasing it. Falun Gong practitioners are supposed to be one-body.
5. Understanding the Significance of DPA from the Fa
I keep asking myself, "What is the significance of DPA? How do I understand this from the basis of the Fa? How do I position DPA? What, exactly, are we doing?:
Teacher said,
"Of course, things are always easier said than done, and once I got involved the very nature of it changed. You all know that Dafa disciples are to validate the Fa, so then what is Master doing? Master came to do Fa-rectification. That is why once I decided to do this, everything changed--the audience members before us, the people I wanted to save, and the affair itself that was to be carried out. If this was to be done well, then it must achieve the best results and truly save and rescue people. Only then would I do it, and this had to be achieved. So I couldn't do things as before. Before, Dafa disciples were doing the show part time, and now, if it was to be done, it had to be high caliber. Of course, some people said, "Whatever Master does is sure to be done the very best." True! If it were not the best, I wouldn't do it. (Applause) So, I asked people to start recruiting for and setting up a school of dance, selected talented people, and formed an orchestra. This entire sequence of events required training and development starting from the fundamentals, and it all had to lead to truly top-notch performances. Master has been involved in many of these things, including creative components of it and rehearsals. You have all heard about this.
In any case, the kids did great in their performances. They really did a super job. It is rare to see audience members shedding tears at a performing arts event. At every show put on by Divine Performing Arts, there were many audience members who shed tears throughout, with many more having to constantly wipe tears from their eyes. Every show was like that. People were deeply stirred and moved. In this dimension it was young people who were performing, while in other dimensions, many of my Law Bodies and many divine beings were doing so. (Applause) The strength of the impact on people, as with the changes it caused in them, were very similar to what happened back when I personally taught the Fa early on. (Applause) So it has effected tremendous changes in people." ("Fa Teaching at the 2007 New York Fa Conference")
I understand the DPA is saving all people who watch the show. Still, some practitioners probably do not feel that motivated. What is important is whether you understand this concept or not, you need to believe in it while being in the maze. If you clearly see everything and understand everything, and then get involved in it, it most likely won't be so precious.
6. Selling Tickets and Clarifying the Truth
Should we also clarify the truth when selling tickets? We all know, selling tickets is not merely selling tickets, it is coupled with saving sentient beings. Practitioners speak the truth, even if they do not speak. Every word and act, a movement and a look, and energy carried from inside to outside tells the truth. A practitioner does not need to open his or her mouth to speak. If people ask questions, we may explain according to the situation. The DPA itself is a way to save people.
7. Selling Tickets and Saving Sentient Beings
I believe that not only watching the DPA show in the theater saves people, but that all people we come into contact with while selling tickets are also targets for salvation. Our behavior is itself saving people and eliminating the evil.
8. Selling Tickets Is Also Part of Cultivation
Selling tickets is not only a part of cultivation. Teacher instructed that practitioners must do three things well during the Fa-rectification period. Many practitioners found that when we persist in group Fa study, group practice and sending forth righteous thoughts before ticket sales, the tickets sell relatively well. When doing the three things together, the effect of our efforts will be the best.
I suggest that if there is enough manpower, we have one practitioner send forth righteous thoughts in the vicinity of the ticket sales. It may be necessary to take turns.
The above is just my personal understanding. Please kindly tell me if there is anything inappropriate.
