Notes on Promoting Dafa in Guatemala (II)

When Lifang told us that she would like to stay for the 9-day video seminar, I was very glad and admired her very much as well. Although she had this thought on our way here, to finally make up her mind was not an easy thing. The environment here is rather difficult and uncomfortable. It takes ferries followed by a long tortuous mountain road to get to Nareshs place. Plus the language hurdle. Even dining is a problem. Yet still for 10 days one person here alone When Lifang asked me if it was possible for me to stay for a few more days, my first reaction was No, I cant. Because of this, and because of that. The entire half of the day that followed, I felt rather uneasy in my heart. I would rather reconsider the issue of departure versus staying, yet something was preventing me from thinking it through.

Early the next morning, we said goodbye to Lifang, and got on the shuttle for the airport. As the small town was retreating further and further behind us, the conflict within me was getting more and more clear and intense. Recalling while teaching the movements the previous morning, and watching so many people learning so seriously, I had this voice rising from my heart I really dont want to leave so soon. Well, wasnt that Master giving me hints early on? To stay for a few more days, I could teach them the practice of Gong a few more times, exchange more with them, as well as to take some of the load off Lifang. Then what was blocking me? It was timidity, fear, dependence, the attachment of self-serving and self-orientation, and not daring to face an unfamiliar environment. Wasnt I evading the test arranged by Master? Master said, Human Buddha-nature is Shan, which manifests itself as benevolent compassion, putting others ahead of oneself, and the capability of enduring suffering. How far away I am from that criterion! The righteous thoughts were getting steadier. Could my airplane ticket be changed? Attachment was finding me another excuse. Upon my arrival at the airport, postponing the flights went smoothly. And I was here to stay.

After re-packing my bags, I hit the return journey delightfully. Along the way, I felt very carefree and very peaceful. After 2 hours of bumpiness, I was back in the beautiful small town.

Lifang told me that there was a newcomer, Michelle, in the morning. She didnt attend the previous two days sessions. Yet she learned the movements quickly and accurately, which greatly surprised James. James said that Michelle had been learning Taichi from him for almost a year, and she could never quite make accurate movements. It seems that her four limbs couldn't quite coordinate, and she was too nervous. But this time, upon starting, she caught up with James who had studied for two days. The next morning, several of them came back to learn the movements. Michelle came again. She is learning really fast, and also very attentively. Her movements were to the position often on the first attempt. Someone mentioned that their legs hurt while sitting in the lotus position. Lifang and I talked about how we have learned in Dafa to look at this issue correctly, and talked about our understandings of the relationship between pain and transformation of karma as well as our own experiences. We also told them that Zhuan Falun is a very good book, which teaches us the principle of guiding us with Zhen Shan Ren. Michelle couldnt help nodding while listening, and bought a copy of Zhuan Falun right away.

One other person who surprised James was Pabalo with thick mustaches. This was the third time he came for learning the practice of Gong, as well as with special attentiveness. Pabalo often asks about Qigong exercises James teaches, and says one day he will come to participate. Yet for three years, there hasnt been even his shadow. The showing up of Pabalo the first day was really unexpected to James. The afternoon after learning the practice twice, he came to where we lived, and said that he would like to take a look at the book to consider its purchase. He told us that two years ago he hurt his neck and shoulder when practicing Yoga, and had not been able to cure it with treatments. Yet after attending the workshop and learning the practice, the injury was healed. Plus, the principle of Zhen Shan Ren deeply attracted him. He said, I need to apply these principles and ways of thinking to my life.

Vasu came from California to visit her friend Naresh, and ran into the workshop and seminar coincidentally. She said she was thinking about changing her life, and moving away from where she was living, but hadnt yet decided where to go. She had read several chapters of Zhuan Falun, and I said, partly making fun of her, that it would be clear in nine days. Right, she said, lets see what kind of change these nine days brings me.

The first day of the video seminar, we went across the lake with several newcomers by ferry. Naresh who waited at the ferry to greet us was very surprised to see me. When Lifang told him that I came back from the airport, he could not help to step forward to give me a hug of appreciation. We followed the uneven and winding mountain road for over ten minutes and arrived at Nareshs home. Everyone was very pleased that I was there for a few more days. Monna told me, I came especially to tell you that I am very grateful that the three of you came here to let us know about Falun Dafa. I already feel in my heart that I am a part of those 100 million (Dafa practitioners). Several years ago, she was invited by friends to come to this small town by the mountains and lake. Upon first sight of the mountain from the airplane, she felt it came into her heart right away. This is the place where I want to live, she told herself. Two weeks before we came, she was pleading to God to give them one thing that could encompass all the people who were here. I feel we have received it. As the New Year approaches, old things in the old year are bygones. I am ready for a new life. She was pleased to say.

My three days went by very quickly. During the process of this Hongfa, I deeply felt the power of Dafa and the benevolent compassion of Master. We are just helping Master to connect the pre-destined threads. Yet to me this tiny living being, how much blissfulness this has become. The process of Hongfa is also a process of cultivating my heart. Sometimes I do it with pursuit, sometimes I become complacent, and sometimes discouraged. These are the attachments I need to abolish. Do yet without pursuit, constantly remain amid Tao. As all is arranged by Masters Fashen (Law Body), we still need to do what we should do and fulfill the responsibilities that are our own.

The Millennium is coming, and everyone kindheartedly reminded us that New Years eve would be terrible. Firecrackers would sound like machine guns, plus bands, singing, etc. Many people would pour into this small town, and it would become very uproarious and chaotic. We would always answer lightly Really? It wouldnt affect us too much. Or we would just smile and keep quiet. We told newcomers that the evening of the 31st they could still come to review the movements. Together we reviewed the practice in the evening. They seemed not willing to depart, and asked if they could follow the music to practice the five sets of movements one more time. The music of Dafa was clear and clean and at ease, the firecrackers and bands were fading away. They were surprised and said this New Years eve how come it was so awfully quiet. Lifang and I looked at each other and smiled. Probably that was because they had just started learning Dafa. That night, we slept very soundly, and were not disturbed by the fireworks at all.

[To be continued]