By a Washington, DC Practitioner

Recently, we began a practice site near a major tourist attraction in Washington, DC. I work nearby and had seen many Chinese visitors as I passed by on my way into the office. Not knowing any Chinese language except what I've learned as a practitioner, I felt very insecure about how to approach them. I thought, "Well, if they see me practicing in my Falun Gong t-shirt, they will at least start to understand that Dafa is embraced outside of China;" however, that did not feel like enough. I tried to enlist Chinese practitioners to join me at this site, but everyone was just so busy that they were not able to.

One morning, another Western practitioner and I encountered a rather stern looking group of Chinese men after practice. We were both taken aback because they didn't react when we said "ni hao (hello)." The following week, she reminded me that we didn't have to be intimidated because they were probably afraid to speak to us and as long as we spoke from the heart we would get through to them.

I kept that in mind all week and thought more about why I work near a place where so many Chinese tourists come. I started to feel even more clearly that this particular park was arranged for me to clarify the truth in and fulfill my responsibilities as a Dafa practitioner to save the precious Chinese people.

A few days later, I almost missed practice because interference caused me to oversleep. I was 10 minutes late! But I had resolved in my heart that I would break through the language barrier that restrained me. As we practiced, we noticed a large group of Chinese tourists passing by. They could clearly hear the sacred Dafa exercise music and Teacher's instructions. I noticed one man videotaping us. We would take a moment from exercising to greet them. Some would nod, others would look away, but as I exercised I felt like I was here to give them the most sacred message: Falun Dafa Hao (Falun Dafa is Great)! It was then that I realized those were the only words I needed to say.

At one point between exercises, we looked and saw a second large tour bus unloading. As they passed our exercise site we greeted them. When I said "Falun Dafa Hao," one woman smiled excitedly and nodded. I felt then I had truly broken through. Afterwards, my fellow practitioner pointed out that that was the reason for the interference that kept me in bed: we two Westerners were able to represent Dafa in America to two large (and curious) groups of Chinese tourists in one day!

Thank you for allowing me to share this personal experience.

Posting date: 11/3/2002
Original article date: 11/2/2002
Category: Truth Clarification

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