My Cultivation Experience as a Member of the Tian Guo Marching Band

(Minghui.org)

Greetings to Master! Greetings to fellow practitioners!

The Tian Guo Marching Band was established in Sydney in 2006, and I was honored to be among its first members. I still remember that several Falun Dafa practitioners purchased various instruments from a music store that was about to close. They laid them out on a large lawn, and each practitioner present selected their own instrument, thus beginning the path of clarifying the truth through playing music and sharing the beauty of Dafa with the world.

I tried every instrument. Playing the flute made me dizzy, I couldn’t get any sound from the saxophone or clarinet, and the trombone and euphonium felt too big. Finally, I picked up the trumpet and was able to make a sound! Probably because I played it in the school band when I was a fifth grader. When my parents saw the trumpet at home, they were shocked that a girl would choose a trumpet—it seemed so unladylike. Thankfully, they still supported me.

Years later, I learned that Master also played the trumpet, which delighted me. Although I could produce some sound, true musical mastery and refined technique were a completely different matter. Like all truth-clarification projects, playing in the band requires sustained effort and constant refinement. Every note carries tremendous power—like an atomic bomb—yet even a small mistake can weaken the effect of purifying other dimensions and saving sentient beings.

Throughout my cultivation in the band, I came across many opportunities to elevate my character. When feelings of joy and pride surfaced, I looked inward to dissolve any attachments. At that time, I was still quite new to the trumpet section, but I had some musical foundation. I was often praised by the conductor and fellow practitioners, making me believe I was doing quite well. Looking back now, I realize that much of that praise was simply encouragement from others.

The pressures of everyday life later intervened, and I left the marching band for more than a decade. I tried returning a few times, but my commitment was never strong enough. Here I must thank the former assistant conductor who never gave up on me. Whenever I saw him when dropping my child off at the Minghui School, he would patiently ask when I would rejoin the band, saying they urgently needed trumpet players. He did this for over 10 years. Sometimes when I saw him from a distance, I would change my route to avoid any conversation. Yet I am deeply grateful to Master for continuing to remind me of my mission. Finally, it was during the pandemic lockdown that I picked up my long-neglected instrument and resumed my path of clarifying the truth through playing music.

When I returned, I noticed the band’s excellent management system, with overall skill levels greatly elevated. Thanks to professional coaching, the band’s repertoire had increased, and the performances had become truly magnificent. This inspired me to catch up quickly, as I had gone from being one of the better players to one of the weakest.

Master has given me many opportunities to eliminate various attachments. For instance, when I was asked to play, I performed poorly due to nervousness. This revealed my attachment to saving face. It also exposed my lack of practice and poor skills, which were my own shortcomings. Furthermore, when fellow practitioners offered constructive advice, I resisted inwardly. On one occasion I said that I couldn’t handle the rhythm and would just follow along with everyone else. Looking back now, that was truly an unprofessional mindset. Rhythm is the foundation of any music, and losing the beat is worse than playing a wrong note. Of course, neither should occur.

On another occasion, I played the opening note incorrectly. I was focused on playing the first note of the Triumphant Return perfectly. I was confident since I'd finally mastered the high G, and this opening note would surely ring out loud and clear. However, the conductor had actually signaled a different piece, yet my mind was fixated on the Triumphant Return. Wanting to play the first note well was not wrong, but that subtle desire to show off was. Playing every note well is what we should strive for. Clearly my desire to show off caused the mistake. I realized I needed to look inward and study the Fa more.

My attachment to showing-off surfaced when I felt I was playing well but not syncing with others. Sometimes, if I played a wrong note during rehearsal, and a fellow practitioner kindly pointed it out, I would respond, “It wasn’t me, I didn’t play that part.” Later I would realize that I didn’t play the right part at all. Other times, I smiled and nodded outwardly, while inwardly refusing to face my mistakes. Like other truth-clarification projects, the band prioritized teamwork above all; it is never about showcasing individual skills.

Since joining the Tian Guo Marching Band I have gained a profound sense that Master has been protecting me all along. Whenever I felt unwell, the discomfort would vanish after I started playing. Whenever I decided to attend an event, everything would fall into place effortlessly. During daily practice, even when exhausted from work, I’d feel energized after playing my instrument. I realized that “tiredness” is also a concept and a substance. If one can ignore it and simply do what needs to be done, it loses its hold and dissolves on its own.

Of course, I am not always this resolute. Sometimes I think, “After today’s event, I must be tired. I will rest and skip the evening Fa study.” The moment that lazy thought arises, I truly feel exhausted. Though normal physical rest is still necessary, I only refer to my own conceptual issues.

Another time, I developed a severe headache on my way home from work, and felt as if my head were splitting open. I was too weak to practice and decided to sleep. But after hours of sleeping, the pain remained. Though I hadn’t eaten, my stomach churned constantly, making me feel nauseous. Then I thought I must get up to send forth righteous thoughts and practice the exercises. Just as this thought crossed my mind, my son happened to be practicing the trumpet, playing a piece of Dafa music. Normally a headache and trumpet playing would be completely unrelated. Yet unexpectedly, after he played the Dafa melody, the noise made me want to scold him for being inconsiderate, only to discover my headache had vanished! I could eat again and my strength to practice had returned. Thank you, Master, for your compassionate protection.

Since returning to the band, I have witnessed countless acts of selfless dedication from every fellow practitioner. During out-of-town performances, they coordinate to ensure every member has breakfast the next morning. Late at night, knowing we would get up early the next day, they would wait at the hotel entrance for members arriving on different flights, distributing food to us. During marathon performances in pouring rain, the tents, raincoats, warm water, and snacks were prepared in advance. Their actions made me feel deeply humbled.

Before every performance, I silently ask Master for blessings, to ensure that I play with no mistakes, protect the performance’s success, and clear negative entities from other dimensions behind the audience so that they will accept the Fa and understand the truth. Seeing the smiles and expressions of admiration on the audience members’ faces, and hearing their applause, my heart fills with immerse joy.

I am truly fortunate to be a member of the Tian Guo Marching Band, cultivating in such a warm and supportive environment while showcasing the beauty of Dafa through music.