Cultivating Myself During Shen Yun Ticket Sales

(Minghui.org) Greetings, esteemed Master, and fellow practitioners!

I realize that writing and sharing cultivation experiences during each Fa conference serves not only as a reflection of one’s own cultivation journey, but also as a requirement of the Fa, bringing the utmost gratification to our honorable Master. Personally, I benefit greatly every time I hear fellow practitioners share during these conferences. I hope that my sharing can also inspire and encourage fellow practitioners on their cultivation paths.

I would like to share with fellow practitioners the enlightenment I gained while promoting Shen Yun 2024 through ticket sales at booths during various expos in Montreal, Canada.

Spiritual Practice is Serious

In the cultivation environment at the ticket sales booth, I have often observed my own attachments towards fellow practitioners.

Master said:

“If both you and I are nice to each other and sit there in harmony, how can increasing gong be possible?” (Lecture Four, Zhuan Falun)

Therefore, working as one body has helped me identify my own attachments, so I could eliminate them.

For instance, there was a time when I found myself irritated by the casual way a fellow practitioner was introducing Shen Yun when distributing fliers. Their approach seemed brief and casual. The more irritated I became, the more unsettled my mind grew, making it difficult for me to focus on distributing my own fliers. It was then that I decided to calm down and look inward on why I was feeling this way. Was I unfairly judging them because they weren’t following my approach? Was I applying my own standards to evaluate others? I realized that my mindset was judgmental and arrogant, with a belief that I knew better than others. Shifting to a more positive mindset allowed me to appreciate the fellow practitioner’s dedication in selling tickets. They were sincerely committed to saving sentient beings.

Why should I feel discomfort just because they approached it differently? As I let go of my negative perceptions, someone approached me and asked for a flier, but I struggled because I couldn’t understand everything they said. Thankfully, the fellow practitioner beside me stepped in, offering more detailed information about Shen Yun. The person eventually decided to purchase a ticket. It was then that I realized that only when my own material obstacles are dissolved would sentient beings come to be saved.

I now realize that when participating in Shen Yun promotions, every intention and thought of mine must be exceptionally serious; even a slight deviation can lead one astray from the very narrow path of saving sentient beings.

I recall a specific instance when a woman approached us to buy tickets with a hurried expression. While a fellow practitioner assisted her in completing the ticket purchase process, I took out my phone and stepped away to capture the moment. I intended to share this photo with fellow practitioners to celebrate our success in ticket sales. However, upon returning to the booth, I discovered that she had left without buying any tickets. The reason was that she did not have an email address, which prevented her from completing the online purchase. We advised her to return home and call the hotline to buy tickets over the phone. I felt that this couldn’t be what Master would have arranged. I started to look inward immediately. I realized that my zealotry and pursuit for visible outcomes had created a negative material obstacle, preventing the woman from purchasing the tickets.

Another incident that also had a profound impact on me happened one day at the ticket sales booth. We discovered that our online ticket sales system was malfunctioning and inaccessible, which significantly disrupted our sales. Three practitioners were present, and immediately sent forth righteous thoughts, and reflected and shared with each other to uncover our own shortcomings that allowed evil forces to interfere. During this process, I felt as if our Master showed me a slow-motion replay of my mindset earlier that day before leaving home. I had spent a considerable amount of time selecting my clothes, as the job required elegant dress. But deep down I realized that I had been attached to fame and lust. I desired to appear slim and be noticed in fashionable clothing, and so on. After sharing our attachments, the ticketing sales system started to operate normally. Through this experience, I gained a profound appreciation for the seriousness of the work I was engaged in. I also realized that when disciples can acknowledge their attachments and rectify themselves, Master would manifest immense divine power, and stop the evil’s further interference.

Master Li said:

“Never in the past have human beings become divine. So how could this not be a serious matter?” (“Dafa Spiritual Practice Is Serious”)

Correcting My Own Notions and Breaking Through My Own Limitations

During the ticket sales, many people turned down our fliers because they didn’t live in the city, or felt that the ticket prices were too high. Regetfully seeing them walk away, I pondered how I could encourage them to accept our Shen Yun fliers.

Our ticket booth was once beside a hair curler vendor. A fellow practitioner wanted to buy a hair curler and asked for my opinion. Without much consideration, I replied, “I won’t buy it because it’s too expensive and not effective. I doubt those who buy it would really use it much.” As I uttered those words, I suddenly realized I was no different from those who rejected our fliers. I was attached to personal gain and price. Furthermore, I was unfairly judging and looking down on others. I assumed that those purchasing the hair curler were wasting their money. I needed to consider the true value of an item, not just the price.

Upon realizing this, whenever someone declined to take the flier due to the high ticket price, I explained to them that considering the artistic value and magnificence of the show, the ticket price was fully justified. The experience we gain from attending this show is priceless, and cannot be quantified in monetary terms. Alternatively, if someone mentioned they lived far away, I would smile and say, “Did you know that some people fly to another country just to see this show? So, if you can drive here in just two hours, consider yourself very fortunate.” Upon hearing these points, they often agreed to listen to me introduce the Shen Yun show, and accepted the flier. It became clear to me that the excuses people give are a test, and merely reflections of my own xinxing (character).

I realized that our Master has been doing things that no deities had ever done before. As his disciple, I knew I must transcend my own limitations. And during the Shen Yun ticket sales, there were moments when I felt I was breaking free from my limitations created by my human notions.

The first story involves a person who didn’t particularly enjoy attending performances but took my flier out of politeness. When I attempted to engage him further, he half-jokingly said that he enjoyed talking to me more than attending shows. Normally, I might have smiled and dismissed this as a lost opportunity, but I was determined to break through this barrier; I couldn’t accept this arrangement. So I told him that we could find a place to sit and chat if he preferred conversation. He was surprised by my response but curiously agreed. Since he wasn’t interested in performances, I shifted the conversation to traditional Chinese arts. We talked about the universe and belief in enlightened beings and reincarnations. When I mentioned “reincarnation,” he recounted meeting someone who claimed to be a soldier in a previous life, which he found hard to believe. I reiterated that humans don’t live just one life. I assured him that everything was arranged, and our meeting wasn’t by chance. After a moment of reflection, he admitted that it makes sense, as he normally disliked attending fairs. He had come that day hoping to find a fishing rod that could not be found in the regular stores, but left with nothing. I smiled and told him that he wanted to find a fishing rod but found Shen Yun insights instead. After our conversation, he sifted through his bag filled with fair fliers and found the Shen Yun flier that I had given him earlier. He mentioned he would reconsider attending the performance.

The second story took place during lunchtime, where I was sitting among others taking a break. I noticed two Shen Yun fliers on the table where a man was seated. I thought that the fliers weren’t his since he paid them no attention, focusing only on his meal, eating slowly and deliberately, not distracted by his phone like others. I believed that he was waiting for me to approach him. I was seeking guidance from Master. I approached him and asked if the fliers on the table belonged to him. As expected, he said that they weren’t his. I said that I’d like to take them back. I explained that I was distributing the fliers and selling Shen Yun tickets at the fair. I asked whether he had heard about the performance. Shaking his head, he agreed to listen to a brief introduction.

In that moment, I felt that Master had opened my wisdom, allowing my words flow effortlessly. Focusing on the flier depicting performers in long-sleeved attire, I directed my introduction to this unique aspect of the show. I felt those sleeves resembled the flow of water. Therefore, I talked about the virtues of water, always flowing towards the lowest point and reaching everywhere. I highlighted the profound symbolism and the hidden power within the performance, where dancers exerted tremendous effort to move those sleeves gracefully, embodying the enduring strength of ancient Chinese women. I suddenly remembered the tale of “Devotion” and recounted it to him—a story of a woman who patiently waited for her husband for 18 years after their wedding. It illustrated the deep loyalty and inner strength often found in seemingly fragile women. He agreed that it reflected a culture rich in profound meanings. He asked to keep one of the fliers for himself. This year’s Shen Yun performance included a piece called “Devotion.” I hoped that he wouldn’t miss the opportunity.

The third story took place at a gas station near where I had parked my car. Passing by, I noticed two young people struggling with the air pump for their tires. It was the gas station’s air pump, which is difficult to use, especially in the dark. I initially wanted to leave them to solve it on their own, but a sudden recollection of the “Kindness is Cool” competition on Gan Jing World prompted me to reconsider—Aren’t we Falun Dafa disciples, and shouldn’t we exemplify kindness in our daily lives? This is a reflection of our Fa principles. So I approached and offered assistance, which they gratefully accepted without hesitation. While they were inflating the tire, I took the opportunity to give them a Shen Yun flier. One of them excitedly mentioned seeing advertisements for the show on Facebook, and expressed a genuine desire to attend. I hope this encounter left them with a positive impression of Shen Yun, prompting them to purchase tickets and experience the show.

Dafa Manifests Miracles Once I Rectify Myself

Master compassionately demonstrated to us that when disciples overcome personal challenges and rectify themselves, circumstances will change accordingly. I deeply understand that I can only manage my own cultivation practice; the outcome of ticket sales—whether someone buys or not—is beyond my control. Despite this, Master revealed to me the impact of my actions through two incidents that profoundly touched me.

The first involved a woman who couldn’t purchase a ticket because she didn’t have an email address, as I mentioned earlier. It occurred on the first day of ticket sales at my participation in the fair. After she left without making a purchase, I was unsure if she had called the hotline number as we had suggested. This experience made me realize how serious my offense was in saving sentient beings, due to my zealotry.

On the final day of ticket sales at the last fair, two women approached the booth and purchased tickets. One of the women seemed familiar to me, but I couldn’t remember where I had met her before. I thought I might have seen her before. While my colleague entered information into the computer, I stood by to assist with taking notes. During the email section, she mentioned not having an email address, and her friend lent hers to complete the ticket purchase. It was then that I recognized her. She was the person who my zealotry had prevented from buying a ticket earlier. This time, she wasn’t alone, and the issue was resolved. In that moment, I felt deeply thankful for Master’s compassion, and clearly realized that every seat in the theater was predetermined. She had found her ticket to enter her future.

I would like to share with fellow practitioners the second incident that Master arranged as a beautiful conclusion to my sharing. When I handed a Shen Yun flier to a gentleman, he mentioned knowing about Shen Yun since 2009. He recalled being in the U.S. that year, passing by a theater where they had opened the doors due to the hot weather. From inside, he heard the orchestral music harmonizing—a pure and lofty sound that deeply impressed him. Even after 15 years, he still vividly remembers the experience.

I sense a deep connection between him and Shen Yun. He spent considerable time at the ticket booth, and we had a lengthy conversation. However, he mentioned that he hadn’t organized his schedule for the next month, so he couldn’t commit to purchasing tickets yet. Understanding I couldn’t push him, I suggested he call the hotline for guidance if he decided to buy tickets. He also took note of my name on the flier.

Since he emphasized “Compassion” multiple times in his story, I decided to gift him a lotus flower, hoping that even if he couldn’t attend this year, he would learn about Falun Dafa. At that moment, I had only one lotus flower left in my bag, and it happened to be purple. He said that purple was his favorite color. I watched him carefully place the lotus flower in his shirt pocket, handling it with great care. I felt so happy for him.

The incident passed without much notice. Just hours before the show, I received a message from a fellow practitioner managing the hotline, informing me that a man had called to express gratitude for my recommendation of the program. He confirmed he would attend that evening’s performance.

Even more surprisingly, during intermission, as I stood in the lobby, in such a bustling crowd, he recognized me. When I returned to my seat, I noticed he was seated a few rows in front me. At the end of the performance, he was among the first to stand up and applaud. It was a moment when Master compassionately showed me the process of saving a sentient being through my own flesh eyes.

I wish for a highly successful Fa Conference, and I wish that all disciples maintain righteous thoughts, diligently cultivate, and enhance our coordination even better to fulfill our commitments with Master. This sharing reflects my enlightenment at my own level.

Thank you, Master, and fellow practitioners!

(Presented at the 2024 Canada Fa Conference)