Maturing at the Shen Yun Arts Proficiency Center Summer Camp

(Minghui.org) I am ten years old and a young Falun Dafa practitioner from the United States. I am blessed to have been born into a family of Falun Dafa practitioners.

Being a Shen Yun dancer has been my dream ever since I watched a Shen Yun performance. Though I have been learning classical Chinese dance, I am still far from realizing that dream. However, after the Shen Yun Arts Proficiency Assessment Center was established, I attended the online and in-person training. After beginning to receive systematic training from Shen Yun dancers, I felt I had taken another step toward my goal. I realized that my fundamental dance skills were improved after studying for a semester. I understood more about classical Chinese dance and was even happier when I attended the Shen Yun Proficiency Center summer camp.

While attending the summer camp, I cried, laughed, felt wronged, got upset and felt touched. I knew I had grown. I especially improved my xinxing and found some attachments.

My friend started to bother me one time after we finished doing the Falun Dafa exercises. I got agitated and said something impolite. She still kept bothering me, and I got into an argument with her. While studying the Fa in the afternoon, I read a section of Master’s lecture that mentioned the area of cultivation I needed to improve in.

Master said,

“Whenever you encounter problems you should each look inward to search for the cause within, regardless of whether you’re to blame or not. Remember my words: Regardless of whether the problem is your fault or not, you should look inside yourself, and you will find a problem.” (Teachings at the Conference in Europe)

I found that I had the attachment of feeling annoyed. My friend started to bother me again the next day after we finished practicing the second exercise. I thought of Master’s lecture and no longer felt agitated. During stretching class afterwards, another friend of mine told me that my flexibility had improved. I didn’t even notice that I could now do a back leg hold. I realized what my dance teacher said was true: she said that when our xinxing improved, our flexibility would also improve. It is indeed true. I was really happy.

Dance teachers choreographed solo dances, four-person dances, and group dances during the summer camp. I naturally thought that I would be selected for a solo dance since I was chosen to be a principal dancer last year. However, I was not selected to be in a solo dance this year. I was not only disappointed but also envious.

I suddenly remembered that my mom once told me that I should be happy for others when I saw them succeed. I realized that I should not feel jealous and should eliminate this attachment. Rather than envying others, I should work harder. Thinking about it now, I was not as hardworking as I should have been. I wanted my mom to buy me good food and take me places where I could enjoy myself. I would also think about playing all the time, and she even had to remind me to complete my sketching homework. Then I thought about how my mom once told me that not all Shen Yun dancers are lead dancers; everyone on stage fulfills his or her own mission and assists Master in Fa-rectification that way. Upon thinking about this, I was no longer attached to being a solo dancer.

Now, I just want to perform my own dances well and do my best in accomplishing whatever role my teacher assigns. I wish to become a Shen Yun artist one day and stand on the stage. I also hope that all my friends at the Shen Yun Arts Proficiency Center will fulfill their dreams as well.

Lastly, I want to thank Master for creating the best environment for us. I also want to thank the dance teachers at the Shen Yun Arts Proficiency Center for all they’ve done for us. The teachers would wake up at 7 a.m. and take us jogging. The dance teachers also had to arrange Fa study and host experience sharing for us after a full day of dance classes.

Teachers, you’ve worked hard! Thank you.