My Journey Accompanying the Shen Yun Tour in France

(Minghui.org) I have had the good fortune and honor of participating in every Shen Yun tour in France since its inception.

I have always been convinced that the projects we are involved in, according to our mission, are truly alive and that each project is a real living being. I never feel alone, because I communicate and am connected, often without words, with deities, and I feel the presence of our Master.

During this year’s tour, we had 88 performances in 12 cities. Many challenges arose, which I sometimes overcame and sometimes failed to overcome. There were joys, but at every moment, infinite gratitude to Master, the righteous deities, and the artists of Shen Yun.

Master and the deities have saved tens of thousands of beings thanks to Shen Yun, and we have been able to participate.

To present a coherent and useful sharing, I’ll focus on one or two themes.

Overcoming CCP Interference

I’ll start with the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) interference during the tour in relation to improving in my cultivation.

The daily grind of touring is already very demanding and stressful because there are always many things to plan and anticipate, and there are always things to do on the ground. The CCP’s psychological attacks and threats were like bombs that we avoided in every city. It was truly monumental, because sometimes we were close to experiencing a real catastrophe.

All the performances were able to take place, and Shen Yun admirably fulfilled its mission of saving sentient beings. In this process, I was able to witness the magnificence of the intervention of the deities and Master, and I was also able to elevate and rectify myself.

We received threats and interference from the communist regime at all of the venues where Shen Yun was performing this year. In response, the Falun Dafa Association took the initiative to clarify the truth to all our contacts at the venues.

In one city, we received bomb threats on internal production mailboxes, not directly to the venue, just a few days before the first performance. We chose to keep the threat quiet because we wanted to avoid panic among our contacts at that venue. We asked everyone to focus on sending forth righteous thoughts. I filed a complaint about terrorist threats from the Chinese regime. I was then summoned by the DST (Directorate of Territorial Security). This department is responsible for counter-espionage, counter-terrorism, counter-foreign threats and interference, and maintaining French security.

The DST agents received me coldly. I was quite surprised because I was the one who filed the report, and their initial questions were insulting. They asked me about my connection to Falun Dafa practitioners: What was my role in Falun Dafa, why and how, and so on.

I felt like I was the culprit in their eyes, so I asked them seriously, “But what’s your Gestapo number? Are you joking or what? I’m the one filing the complaint, and now I’d like to know what you found following my filing, and what you’re going to do to protect us from the CCP regime’s abuses and threats on French soil against an association that produces shows in France?”

The tone and attitude of the two agents changed, and they began to take “my side.” I could see that they were aware of everything, including the CCP’s forced organ harvesting and all the details of the CCP’s methods of attack. They even told me about methods I wasn’t familiar with. While they were talking, I was thinking, “Well, they’re playing a role again, and I can’t see their true colors.” Then I thought, “Why am I here after all? They are human beings who need saving.”

I started to explain to them with my heart, “You know the Chinese regime. We all know that they do not value the lives of their people nor of anyone else. This part of history that we are living in is perhaps not made for us to stop the regime, but simply for us to position ourselves between good and evil. Because beyond our social masks and our functions that have brought us here today, there is in all of us something deeper, which calls us to make a more crucial choice in our soul and conscience, no matter our work today.

“In fact, the equation is very simple: on one side, you have terrorists from the regime who persecute people because of their beliefs, and on the other side, people who follow these beliefs: Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. It sounds far-fetched, doesn’t it? But there’s nothing else; so ask yourself the question deep within yourself, in the most intimate way, and answer within yourself: what is right? Perhaps all this exists only so that we can rediscover our consciences and our origin, and that once everyone awakens, this evil will no longer have a reason to exist?”

As I spoke, I saw that the man had tears in his eyes, and the young woman was also moved. It lasted just a few seconds. Then they simply thanked me and asked that we stay in touch. As I left, I had the feeling that while I was speaking, they had taken a position, while before that, although they had all the information, they hadn’t taken a position about Dafa in their hearts.

In another city, the theater received a bomb threat just as the audience was about to enter the theater. The manager had no choice but to have a bomb disposal team clear the area. The theater staff was very calm, and we were led outside along with the audience members who were already queuing to get in.

At that point, I understood that we needed to speed up the work of the bomb squad officers on site. We sent forth strong righteous thoughts with the practitioners who had been evacuated from that side of the hall. I went as close as possible to the gates, denying from the depths of my being this interference and resolutely refusing this arrangement. I believe I have never sent such intense righteous thoughts; tears flowed down my cheeks endlessly, but I was in front, so no one could see my face.

I asked for support from Master and the righteous deities, and instinctively, I called out toward the sky, “To all those who have ever borne my name, if today you can do anything: intervene, I ask you!” I felt that a battle was underway on another level, and that all intervention for the beings who must be saved was necessary to stop this interference immediately.

For a brief second, I thought to myself, “I would give anything to stop this interference.” This seemingly inconsequential thought was truly wrong, because I immediately heard a voice saying, “Very well, and what are you willing to give?” I pulled myself together and eliminated this dark energy with the word “mie” [eliminate]. I suddenly saw myself in the theater, and I was immense; my head touched the top of the hall, and I had a voice that resonated and filled the entire theater.

I said, “I am a disciple of Master Li Hongzhi. I order you to accelerate, and transcend time and space. We do not accept this interference.” I had the sensation that things were moving with force and energy, like when the sea churns. I remained in this very strong energy that surrounded me for a while, and it was also within me, as if all my cells had a force and an extraordinarily united yet independent consciousness.

Some time later (I was no longer aware of time at all), someone from the theater arrived to open the door for the audience, and the show was able to take place, just 45 minutes late. The venue staff told us they had been certain the show would be canceled, because it normally takes much longer to deal with this type of incident, as there is a very lengthy protocol.

We all knew that the battle at another level had been won. The strong righteous thoughts sent forth by the practitioners in those moments, united and unwavering, helped turn the situation around. I thought of Master’s words:

“When disciples have ample righteous thoughts,Master has the power to turn the tide.”(“The Master-Disciple Bond,” Hong Yin II)

Master also taught us,

“For Dafa disciples as a whole, in the process of validating the Fa, when you work together in concert, the Fa power is great.” (Teachings Given on Lantern Festival Day, 2003)

This event also made me realize a bad thought that I often have: I often think that I would do anything for Dafa. I could give my life. I’ve always felt this thought was correct, but I understand that from another level it can present a loophole for the old forces, who can take advantage of this mentality to bring me down or to put conditions on my path. I understand that this thought is linked to my ego and strong will, so I should be less fire and more water to be able to adapt with calm strength and wisdom.

All the CCP’s interference allowed us to further clarify the truth to sentient beings, and allowed people to position themselves more clearly and honestly.

Ultimately, this helped to expose the true situation for all the police stations, prefectures, and staff, warning them of the Chinese regime’s terrorist behavior. Many were truly shocked by what I told them, and each time, we received support from the police or gendarmes on site.

Some of our contacts in the theaters didn’t even acknowledge any CCP messages received, and threw them in the trash right away. One director received a visit from the Chinese consul a few days before the first performance, asking her not to present Shen Yun, but she refused, saying that we were in France and that such underhanded activity is illegal in France. The same day, she rushed to send us the contract for the next season and ensured that it was received and signed that same day.

There are many attachments I haven’t fully removed yet, but I will continue to try to meet the standard of a diligent practitioner. I understand that believing in Master isn’t just knowing that he is the Master of the universe and of all things and acknowledging him (for even the demons know this), but it’s also about agreeing to follow the path he has planned for us at every moment.

Dafa Helps Me Improve My Relationship with My Family

I was born into a family of ten children where only my father worked outside the home as a laborer. He was courageous and had good values. When I was born, my sisters told me that my mother cried a lot. She was in mourning because I was her seventh daughter and she was trying to have a boy. There was also a superstition that the seventh daughter was a bad omen and that she would bring misfortune into the house. My father consoled my mother by telling her that it was God’s will even if we did not know where the light would come from.

From then on, everything that happened at home was my fault. I was ignored at best. My father later took an interest in me because I was studying law. I excelled in this field that I loved very much and I was happy that my father showed interest in me. My father was the only one who was kind to me. When he died, my sisters refused to let me go to his funeral. They said that either I or my sister (the one who was closest to me) had to stay. I told myself that I would be more able to bear not going than her, so I chose to stay. At that moment, I didn’t blame my sisters for their behavior, but I didn’t understand why they were like that.

I left my mother’s house when I was 21, and I wasn’t afraid, because I knew that whatever I encountered outside, it couldn’t be worse than what I’d already experienced. What’s very strange is that if anyone saw me during then, I was always full of joy and supportive of my friends. People thought I came from a very close-knit, warm, and caring family. After my father’s death, I left my family and wanted nothing to do with them.

I learned the Fa in 2002-2003, and understood karmic ties. I felt liberated and fortunate. I resumed contact with my family, and apologized for leaving. I explained to them that I practice Falun Dafa and that was why I had returned, because I needed to maintain a good relationship and connection with my family.

Since then, seven of my siblings and all of their children have come to see Shen Yun several times, including my mother. They have all seen the benefits Dafa has had on my character. My family situation has changed a lot; my whole family trusts me and supports Falun Dafa.

I do my best to act with the maximum amount of kindness I can, and also righteousness, out of duty to my mother and my family, because I think about the image they will have of Dafa practitioners in general. Many of them have said that the practice is really great and they even want to start practicing. Yet despite these positive changes, I feel that I still harbor resentment and that I am acting only out of a sense of duty.

I often recall Master’s teachings,

“So whether it is good things or bad things you run into, so long as you cultivate in Dafa, they are all positive, to be sure.” (Teachings at the 2005 Conference in San Francisco)

Having grown up in a rather harsh environment, I realize that sometimes I myself seem harsh in my interactions. I realized during this past Shen Yun season that efficiency, confidence, and a strong will are all very good, but I discovered, particularly, thanks to Shen Yun, the power of gentleness, and finally, the ability to accept one’s vulnerability and be willing to show it. This realization has been a way for me to grow and let go of the heavy shields I was carrying.

I now allow myself, in my deepest being, to bear witness to my vulnerability. Just because there is a part of me that is vulnerable doesn’t mean there isn’t also a part of me that is strong. And it is by recognizing my vulnerability that a whole dimension opens up, a connection with a part of myself that I know less well. Leaving the show, I felt I had let go of the armor of the warrior who goes into battle. I had become a being who does things out of love and kindness, because I am truly sensitive.

I still have trouble managing my emotions, especially anger. Even though I’m controlling myself a little more on the surface, I feel that it still blinds me sometimes. I know I still have a lot to cleanse and discard.

When I’m in conflict or contradiction, I try to systematically remind myself of two very important things. The first is to repeat to myself several times, “Assimilate to Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” And the second is to tell myself that I have no enemies and that practitioners are Master’s disciples. For ordinary people, I remind myself that they had the courage in heaven to come here, and that the person in front of me has already gone through several hells.

Thank you, Master, and thank you, my fellow practitioners. The above is only a testimony of a process on my path. Please let me know if you see anything that is not right.