(Minghui.org) My husband and I obtained the Fa in Los Angeles in May 2007. We felt fortunate that we could participate in the promotion of Shen Yun by the end of 2008.
We did not have any experience, but through Fa study and Master opening up our wisdom, my husband and I improved. We may have started out slow, but in 2011 we sold over 200 Shen Yun tickets, and in 2014, over 400.
Minding Dafa's Resources
We began to distribute Shen Yun fliers outside the theater before the show came to town. It was very crowded when there were shows, and the atmosphere was electric.
At first, I gave fliers to everyone, much like other practitioners did. Then I noticed that many fliers ended up on the ground. These were Dafa resources, and I did not want to waste them.
I discussed this with my husband, and we decided we would first ask if the person had heard about Shen Yun. Often their response or even just a look would help us determine if we should give them a flyer. I treasure every one. We sent righteous thoughts when we arrived at the theater to eliminate all interference that prevented people from being receptive to us and Shen Yun.
Studying the Fa More Eliminates Interference
Once we were selling tickets at a large shopping mall. Our booth was outdoors, and people came from all directions, so we expected good ticket sales. Unfortunately that was not the case. Why was that?
We started to look inward. Maybe our human attachment caused unnecessary interference and slowed down the sales. We understood that just simply studying the Fa more can eliminate all interference.
Master said:
"The Fa can break all attachments, the Fa can destroy all evil, the Fa can shatter all lies, and the Fa can strengthen righteous thoughts." ("Drive Out Interference" from Essentials for Further Advancement II)
After we improved our mindset and looked at problems based on the Fa, sales improved, and people lined up at our booth to purchase tickets.
When we sold 30 tickets one day, we were encouraged and understood “Cultivation depends on one's own efforts, while the transformation of gong is done by one's master.” (Zhuan Falun)
Value Each Life
The following year, we promoted Shen Yun at different locations. Our most memorable experience involved two young sisters. One was in her early teens, and the other was about 9. They watched us from a distance and looked at the television attentively. I approached them and told them details about the show. Then I gave them a Shen Yun introductory DVD. I asked them to share it with their parents and suggested that their family see the show together.
I was surprised and touched to see the girls return 40 minutes later and buy 2 tickets.
After they left, my husband said he wondered why I spent so much time with those girls, but the result was good. I told him we must use our righteous thoughts to save people and do well with what we are supposed to.
I understand that Master encouraged me. Master has asked us to value each life. It is not accidental that the life appears in front of us regardless of their status or age. Master pointed it out:
“As I have shared with you before, you are not in fact saving those people for Master’s sake, and neither is it done for others. You are saving them for yourselves, for very possibly those are to be the future sentient beings of your paradises, or are to belong to your expanse.” (“Dafa Disciples Must Study the Fa - Fa Teaching Given at the 2011 Washington DC Metro Area Fa Conference ”)
Shen Yun Not Like an Ordinary Show
Every year we encountered some people who were deaf, and this year was no exception. A well-dressed lady came to our booth. She watched the TV introduction and I told her about Shen Yun. With tear-filled eyes, she indicated to me that she was deaf.
I encouraged her to see the show, and I could tell she understood that the show was indeed very beautiful to see. In fact, it is Shen Yun's inner energy that activates people's knowing side and wakes them up, rekindling hope in their lives.
During the Christmas season, it was crowded at the mall. A group of people passed by the ticket booth and I approached one of the ladies. She told me that she was very interested and wanted her daughter to learn about Chinese culture. However, since her daughter was not with her, she hesitated to purchase tickets without consulting her. I told her that the artistic level of Shen Yun show is not comparable to an ordinary show. This lady returned to the booth a little later and bought 7 tickets for $150.00 each.
Predestined People Come
One of our Shen Yun show ticket booths was in an outdoor market in 2014. We arrived one day after a heavy rain. No other booths were opened yet and there were no shoppers. Mall staff told us that it was okay if we decided not to open because more rain was expected.
Before we left home, we decided to come for both days and we truly believed that we should keep righteous thoughts and do everything according to the Fa. Sentient beings are waiting to be saved by practitioners. We should not slack off at this critical moment.
There was wind and rain, but we thought predestined people would come – we could not give up. We stayed until the market closed that evening.
That same day, Master published his poem, “Righteous Thoughts:”
“They surge like thunderbolts to cosmic heightsRoaring with colossal power, they reach beyond the heavensThey sweep across the cosmos, no crevice left untouchedEliminating at once all that’s degenerate and deviant”
We treasured this poem and repeated it with enthusiasm. We felt that Master encouraged us and reinforced us with energy. This is a display of the power of Dafa. We heard the sky rumble, but it soon stopped, the rain tapered off. People came and we sold at least a dozen tickets.
Shen Yun 2016 is around the corner. We will do all we can to save more sentient beings.
Category: Improving Oneself