(Minghui.org) On May 13, 2023, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day, practitioners went to the farmers’ market in downtown Ann Arbor to pass out information and demonstrate the exercises.
The melodious music and peaceful, slow movements as practitioners did the exercises attracted people to stop to watch. Some said that they felt the energy emanating from practitioners. Others asked for information about Falun Dafa, while some hoped that practitioners would often come to the farmers’ market to practice.
Practitioners held an event in downtown Ann Arbor on the morning of May 13, 2023. Many people accepted the information about Falun Dafa.
Practitioners’ group exercises.
A group photo of practitioners.
Retired Physiotherapist: “It Is a Practice that Purifies the Mind.”
Ms. Shay Maxwell said she had heard about Falun Dafa as early as 1996.
“At that time, there was a group of Chinese practitioners at the University of Michigan. I later heard that they were persecuted and banned by the CCP [Chinese Communist Party]. I know it’s a practice to purify the mind.”
Ms. Maxwell, a retired physiotherapist, talks to practitioners.
Ms. Maxwell is a physiotherapist with 25 years of experience. She studied martial arts and qigong. “The moment I first saw them, I felt that they radiated beautiful energy. I walked over to see the words on their banner: Falun Dafa is good. I was happy to see it, that’s so good!”
She also believes that practitioners’ energy field as they do the exercises is very good. “Oh, that energy is wonderful. The children who held the banners were so calm. They are respectful children. And the practice is very peaceful, yes, very peaceful.” Ms. Maxwell went on to say, “I think this exercise is suitable for everyone, young and old.”
She believes that Falun Dafa’s concepts of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are universal values and are needed in today’s world. “It’s vital, absolutely critical. You see what is happening in our world. Those people don’t have balance in their hearts; they don’t have compassion. Many children who do bad things grow up like that, you know because they are far from God’s teaching.”
Referring to the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa, she said, “Because Falun Dafa teaches people to be good from the heart, practitioners come from the heart [cultivate the mind to be good]. If you have kindness and compassion, you are not afraid of being bullied.”
She said she knew about the CCP’s organ harvesting from practitioners in China while they are alive. “That was one of the worst. This is a war crime, this is really a war crime.”
“The World Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
When Ms. Robin Brophy, who works in the dental field, saw practitioners doing the exercises, and said, “I feel this is very good.” She said it was the first time she had heard of Falun Dafa.
Ms. Brophy says the world now needs Falun Dafa’s principles.
When she learned that practitioners follow the values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and cultivate their minds, Ms. Brophy said, “Oh my God! The world today needs exactly this. I think it can help people have compassion and tolerance in their daily lives. I know that it can help the world and heal people’s hearts.”
“Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is eternal.”
When Ms. Andrea, a dentist, came out of the farmer’s market and noticed practitioners doing the exercises. She sat down and watched.
“I think it’s great. They teach something new to those who may need it, which is very nice. I think it relaxes your mind and keeps you at peace.”
She said she heard of Falun Dafa before and had seen advertisements about Falun Dafa on billboards on the highway. She also shared her feelings about the exercise music, “Very relaxing, very relaxing. The music seems to be able to bring people into a different space, which is very beautiful.”
Regarding the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance followed by practitioners, she said, “This should become a part of our lives. It’s a value we need to live by every day, and it will put us in a good atmosphere so we have good relationships with others.”
She believes these principles are eternal. “Don’t think it’s just something that the world needs to follow today. This is an eternal value, no matter what happens in the world. I think these will last forever.”
Andrea said that she wants to learn the exercises, “When I get home, I will go online to find practice sites near my house.”
Activity Organizer: Falun Dafa Helps Achieve Physical and Mental Improvement.
Ms. Vivian LaFarge, the contact person for this event, said that practicing Falun Dafa has done wonders for her, and she wants to let more people know about it so they can achieve physical and mental improvement through practicing.
“My whole life has been improved because of Falun Dafa. So I hope that through this activity, we will find a way to make more people interested and to understand and learn about Falun Dafa. They may not immediately start practicing today, but if they need to find help in a very difficult situation and do not know where to go, I hope they will remember the spark left in their minds and remember Falun Dafa.”
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