(Minghui.org) Many people registered to attend the free online Falun Dafa class offered by practitioners in Canada during the pandemic. Within six months the number of people who signed up increased by ten-fold.

Dr. Lei Shizhong, one of the moderators, said that several Falun Dafa practitioners held online classes for the first time on October 31, 2020. Thirty-six people participated in the first class. So far, nearly 2,000 people have taken the classes.

“In the beginning we held one class a week, but later increased to two classes a week,” Dr. Lei said, “Starting in February this year, due to the large number of applicants, Falun Dafa practitioners from Boston in the U.S. joined Canadian practitioners, and we were able to offer three classes a week. Now four classes are offered a week. We also held the first class in French last week.”

“During this pandemic, people quickly realized that human beings are vulnerable to the plague. They hoped to find an effective way to cure diseases and keep fit. Soon after the pandemic started last year, someone found in North American opinion polls that the number of people who wanted to meditate increased by 30% compared to before the outbreak. Many people asked where they could learn Falun Dafa.”

Dr. Lei continued, “Before the pandemic, there were several Falun Dafa practice sites in cities in Canada and the U.S., especially in big cities. People who wanted to learn Falun Dafa could easily find practitioners to show them the exercises.

“Due to the restrictions during the pandemic, it is hard to offer teaching face to face. So last September practitioners in Canada began offering free online classes on the Internet.”

City Councilor Participates in Online Class

Greeting letter from Councilor Lisa Osanic of the City of Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Councilor Lisa Osanic participated in an online class for about two hours on May 1. Dr. Lei said, “She sent a message after the class that she was very satisfied with the online class. She said she slept well that night and thought it was because of her participation in the class. She indicated she would watch more online courses to learn the exercises and remember the hand gestures.”

Councilor Osanic stated in her letter to Falun Dafa Association of Canada to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day, “The compassion and forbearance demonstrated by Falun Dafa practitioners have touched the lives of many people across the globe. The principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance are so important at this time.

“With so many of us feeling uncertain, isolated, and lonely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thank you for providing Falun Dafa classes online to help our mental, moral, and physical wellbeing.”

I Found What I Was Looking For!

Dr. Lei said Falun Dafa is available to everyone. No private information is required to sign up: https://www.facebook.com/LearnFalunGong. Most attendees have some prior knowledge about qigong and meditation.

He said some participants want to heal illnesses and keep fit, because they heard that Falun Dafa is beneficial. Many people said they felt the strong energy flow when they learned the exercises. They said their pain was alleviated, their stress was reduced, and afterwards they slept soundly.

Sonnia said her upper jaw was sore for a few weeks, but the pain disappeared when she attended the online class.

Many participants left positive comments in their feedback. A student named Derryce said, “I have severe arthritis, but today I had no problem with my arms while doing the exercises.”

Some people joined the class because Falun Dafa is simple and easy to learn. Some people with certain physical disabilities are especially happy when they know that they can also practice Falun Gong. A woman named Janice Nash said: “Seeing (Falun Gong movements) lets people relax.”

Many people said they had been seeking a spiritual improvement method for life, and finally found it. A student named Rosemary left a message: “I felt the energy flow in my body after I finished the exercise today (following the video of Master Li). I think I finally found what I was looking for!”

Wish Fulfilled

Ms. Silke, who runs a high-end eco-resort in British Columbia, said: “I prayed to God a few days ago and said, ‘Please show me a path to practice.’” The next day she saw the news about free Falun Gong teaching on Facebook, so she immediately registered.

During the class one man said that he spent several thousand dollars to find a spiritual practice. He appreciated the practitioners for the free teaching.

According to Dr. Lei, Mrs. Joelinda from Costa Rica participated in several classes in a row. During a question and answer session, she said that Falun Gong was so phenomenal and she felt her meridian was open. She was very grateful and almost wept.

Elected Officials Commend Falun Gong

Falun Gong practitioners across the world spread the practice in local communities and online. Their efforts are widely commended, shown by the greeting letters from elected officials to mark the World Falun Dafa Day this year.

Letter from Marie-France Lalonde, Member of Parliament (MP) for Orléans

MP Marie-France Lalonde stated in her letter, “Falun Gong and the practitioners of Falun Dafa here in Canada are a strong component of our vibrant cultural tapestry.

“Their contributions to our society have been particularly pronounced through this pandemic, particularly through the Falun Dafa Association’s free online meditation sessions, contributing to the wellness of Canadians as we collectively endure hardship. Through sharing their experiences, the community also remains a constant reminder of the importance of human rights, freedom of conscience, and to the values of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance and its benefits to Canadians.”

Ryan Meili, Leader of the Official Opposition, stated in his letter, “I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize the work of Falun Dafa practitioners here in Saskatchewan and abroad. Your work continues to serve many people in our province by improving their mental, moral, and physical well-being.

“This past year has challenged our province, and as we know, it has been a challenge not only to maintain and protect our physical well-being but also our mental well-being. Falun Dafa practitioners have offered meditation exercise instructions online throughout the pandemic, and that work is invaluable.”

Mayor Colin Basran of the City of Kelowna, British Columbia stated in her proclamation, “Since its first introduction to the public in China in May 1992, today Falun Dafa is practiced in over hundreds of countries worldwide by people of all ages and backgrounds. It is always taught free of charge by volunteers and can be practiced individually or in groups.”

Phil M. Boyle, Member of the Senate of the State of New York, stated in his proclamation, “Through their practice, people become healthier, happier, and more altruistic.

“Falun Dafa practitioners all over the world have dedicated countless hours to their communities in organizing free meditation classes and hosting traditional Chinese cultural productions.”

Indu Harikrishna, chairperson for one of the largest community organizations in Sydney, said in her speech that Falun Dafa could help citizens around the world improve their health, purify their minds, uplift their moral values, and enhance their understandings of life.

She thanked practitioners for sharing the beauty of Falun Dafa with the community and providing free exercise instruction. This has helped individuals, organizations, businesses, clubs, and schools to understand the practice better. This practice improves people’s minds and bodies and benefits all of society.

Background: What is Falun Dafa?

Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Millions of people have embraced the teachings—which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance as well as five gentle exercises—and experienced uplifted health and well-being.

Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceived the spiritual discipline's growing popularity as a threat to the CCP's atheistic ideology and on July 20, 1999, issued an order to ban the practice.

Minghui.org has confirmed the deaths of thousands of practitioners as a result of the persecution over the past 22 years. The actual number is believed to be much higher. More have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith.

There is concrete evidence that the CCP sanctions the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered to supply the organ transplant industry.

Under Jiang's personal direction, the CCP established the 610 Office, an extralegal security organization with the power to override the police and judicial systems and whose sole function is to carry out the persecution of Falun Dafa.