(Clearwisdom.net) On May 13, 2007, Falun Gong practitioners in San Diego held a series of activities in a famous park to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day. The one-day event included group practice, cultivation experience sharing, "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" Art Exhibit and artistic performances. While sharing cultivation experiences, practitioners expressed their joy since they began practicing Falun Gong and gratitude for Master's grace. They also called on the world's people to help stop the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.

"Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" Art Exhibit, "Journey of Falun Dafa" Photo Exhibit and Anti-torture Exhibit attract many people to watch and sign the petition to show support

Grateful to Master and Dafa

Practitioners expressed their gratitude for Master's grace. Falun Gong helped many of them to get rid of illnesses that had plagued them for years.

A female German practitioner had suffered so many illnesses before that the insurance company refused to sell her health insurance, so she had to spend a lot of money every year to see doctors and buy medicine. She did not dare to travel far away from home, because she was afraid that she might faint while driving a car. After practicing Falun Gong, her health had a dramatic change. She said that she was surprised to notice when declaring her taxes this year that her previous year's medical expense was zero. She said, "I feel I'm a changed person, I'm becoming younger and younger."

A young American man had injured his neck vertebra. Two years ago, on his way to attend a Fa conference for the first time, he fell asleep on a bus. When he woke up, his neck pain had disappeared.

Ms. Zhang from China said she'd had rheumatism, and she walked with heavy steps. When she was on the first floor of the building she lived in, her mother on the sixth floor could hear her heavy steps. After practicing Falun Gong, her rheumatism disappeared, and her steps became lighter.

Life's Awakening And Renewal

Falun Gong practitioners' understanding of practicing Falun Gong is far beyond the level of healing illnesses and keeping fit. Many practitioners said practicing Falun Gong changed their view of the world and of life. Through Falun Gong, they have understood the true meaning of life. Many practitioners said that the beginning of their cultivation in Falun Dafa symbolized their lives' awakening and renewal.

A retired professor at San Diego State University, Dr. Kupo, who is nearly 80 years old, said she had been cultivating in different ways her whole life, but she had seen many conflicts in those cultivation ways. Not until four years ago did she find Falun Dafa, the "universal truth."

The German practitioner said that the purpose of cultivation is to return to one's original, true self. A practitioner must constantly change oneself to become a better person. Falun Gong stresses looking within when encountering problems, improving moral character and constantly purifying oneself.

Gao Dawei said that for Falun Gong practitioners, World Falun Dafa Day is the most solemn, magnificent and great day. "To find Dafa, some people have been waiting and looking for hundreds of thousands of years."

"Help the Most Reliable People in the World"

Since Falun Gong was first introduced to the public in 1992, it has attracted tens of millions of practitioners. The persecution that the CCP regime launched against Falun Gong in 1999 has been going on for nearly eight years. Dr. Liu Zhengdao said that he had mixed feelings at the moment.

Dr. Liu said that on one hand, he celebrated this special day with a joyful mood. On the other hand, he missed his loved ones in China, and hoped the Chinese people would learn the facts and treat Dafa practitioners kindly.

Gao Dawei said that the CCP regime has exhausted all its most evil methods to persecute Falun Gong. But it has been eight years, and Falun Gong is still standing strong, because Falun Gong practitioners have walked the most righteous path.

As part of the celebration activities, practitioners held a "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" Art Exhibit, performed a waist drum dance, sang songs and demonstrated the exercises.

The celebration activities attracted a large number of people who stopped to watch. One person left a message in the guest book that read, "The value of truth you represent will ultimately win."

According to practitioners' introduction, because of the tremendous effect in healing illnesses and keeping fit, and upgrading people's moral standard, Falun Gong in Southern California has received affirmation and encouragement from many local governments. Over the past years, Falun Gong has been honored with proclamations from The County of San Diego, The City of San Diego, El Cajon, Santee, Poway, Encinitas, San Marcos, Riverside, Imperial County and other cities and counties.