Germany: Together Again in Erbach

(Clearwisdom.net) Since 1998, it has been an annual tradition for German practitioners to come together in Erbach to study the Fa, exchange experiences and practice the exercises together in the period between Christmas and New Year.

Looking back at the gatherings in the past four years, we still vividly remember the journey of our cultivation through different periods of time. In the beginning, we simply watched Teacher Li's videotaped lectures, practiced the exercises together and exchanged our personal cultivation experiences with one another. And then we studied the Fa together to improve holistically based on the Fa. Afterward, we distributed materials and held Falun Gong Exhibition Day activities in the cities nearby. Finally, we held various seminars and organized experience-sharing conferences in which some artistic performances were presented to demonstrate the greatness and beauty of Falun Gong. We recently organized a successful concert to promote Dafa.

I would like to share some experiences from the recent gathering attended by German practitioners:

A. Studying the Fa together and holding the Fa Conference

In the past, every time when we were together, we used to study the Fa. For instance, we might study Teacher Li's articles from the beginning to the end. Afterwards, we found that it would be even better if we could share our understanding with others and single out the areas that we didn't quite understand for discussion, because we are "studying" the Fa as opposed to simply "reading" the Fa. This proposal was agreed upon by all of us and implemented immediately. The result was very good. Therefore, we studied the Fa together for half an hour first, and then we shared our understanding of the articles we just read and discussed the problems we ran into with others. Veteran and new practitioners alike enthusiastically talked about their understanding of the Fa and their experiences in cultivation. Some practitioners also prepared in advance some topics for discussion, such as how to get rid of attachments and make the truth-clarifying materials easily accessible to people, how to actively participate in Dafa activities with a pure heart, etc. By doing this for two or three hours, not only did we study the Fa, but we also gained an insight into the cause of many problems. Everyone was in high spirits, and some of the practitioners shared their experiences with those in other groups individually. Many new practitioners were particularly glad to have this opportunity to join these activities.

In addition to the group Fa-study, we also held a discussion on "studying the Fa well, clarifying the truth and sending forth righteous thoughts." The topics included the importance of having a quality Dafa website in Europe and how to handle the Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong. Some western practitioners also talked about their experiences in telling Chinese people about Falun Dafa. What they talked about helped us to find our own gaps and stimulated others to improve.

B. Becoming a genuine Dafa particle and cooperating with one another

After the ups and downs of the past several years, we have gradually transformed ourselves from being attached to personal viewpoints and insisting on personal opinions to listening to others' opinions and respecting others' attitudes. In the meantime, we have also changed our attitudes from being passive, procrastinating and restless to being active in becoming a real Dafa practitioners and being kind to others.

After experiencing different situations, we gradually found our own problems and then we dug them out. We thus further realized the importance of cooperation among practitioners as Teacher has pointed out for us in his lectures. Though the activities were diversified and many people participated, they were conducted in an orderly fashion. Of course, conflicts and xinxing [heart/mind nature] tests might arise sometimes, but practitioners always helped each other to find the problems and solve them. Since we had a common wish to get things done well through cooperation, even some unplanned activities also went very smoothly.

On December 30 2002, we were supposed to have a one-hour break after lunch, but we went to a big hall where we were to perform two Dafa songs and be videotaped. The hall was filled with both Chinese and western practitioners. We were busy practicing the songs, arranging our formation and learning how to conduct the choir. We exchanged viewpoints and came up with better ideas from time to time. We tried our best to cooperate with one another, and rehearse singing "Falun Dafa Hao" and "De Du." We rehearsed diligently, because we wanted to produce a symphony from our heart. Several hours had passed before we knew it.

C. Organizing a Dafa Concert

One year ago, when we learned that more and more music composed by Dafa practitioners around the world was being released on Dafa websites, German practitioners gradually realized that it was time for us to use music to reveal the truth and to leave something for the future. During that time, many practitioners who used to be in the music profession were encouraged to perform in Dafa programs. One year later, more and more practitioners took part in the activities with their special talents.

To our delight, artistic works from German practitioners were created one after another. Some wrote lyrics; others composed songs; still others performed these songs. Before Christmas last year, some practitioners produced a CD based on this music. As it was very popular, we sent it to our friends and relatives as a New Year's present. To show people the beauty of Dafa in an artistic form, a concert was organized during our latest meeting in Erbach before the New Year. Although we didn't have much time to prepare for it and many of us did not have a lot of musical knowledge, we presented the audience with a unique, pleasant and meaningful concert that was well received and served to display the beauty of Dafa.

The song by young practitioners was lovely and beautiful, as was the one performed by male practitioners. Other singing and dancing performances also won warm applause, and the Western practitioners' reciting poems accompanied by music especially moved the audience.

The annual gathering was over, and another brand new year is coming. Let me conclude the article with Teacher Li's New Year's Greetings:

The endless journey has come to a close
And the pervasive haze is gradually dispersing
While righteous thoughts display the might of Gods
Returning to Heaven is no longer just yearned for

Source: http://www.clearharmony.net/articles/200301/9484.html