(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners from New York and New Jersey did the exercises on Times Square in Manhattan, New York City, on October 17, 2026. Many passersby said the scene was peaceful, positive, and uplifting.

Practitioners did the Falun Dafa exercises on Times Square on October 17. (Minghui.org)

Positive Energy

Gabriele Boetto (Minghui.org)

Gabriele Boetto is from Italy and works as a financial advisor at one of the Big Four accounting firms.

“I can feel the energy as these people are trying to pursue higher realms. This can bring positive energy to the people around them. The energy here makes one feel peaceful and serene. The whole atmosphere is great,” he said.

“Especially at the center of Times Square, this feels great and can deliver positive messages to the world.

“I think passersby can feel a peaceful atmosphere. This makes me feel relaxed, and [can have] a positive effect on this city,” he said.

He said Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are important “in our entire life, including how we interact with other people, to be kind to others.”

He said that he meditates occasionally and that learning about the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance might bring him something he never imagined: “This will bring me greater improvement spiritually. It is also a great thing that is worth exploring.”

“This Is a Wonderful Thing”

Vid Hren

Vid Hren, an Economics student from Slovenia, said seeing practitioners do the exercises was refreshing and inspiring. “It’s so busy here, with so many large screens. But at the center here, there is an event like this. This is a wonderful thing,” he said.

The event reminded him of the calm meditation people in the ancient past did: “Just like what people did a few thousand years ago.”

He was impressed by the peacefulness displayed by practitioners. “They do not care about people walking around looking at them or taking photos of them. They are only focused on what they are doing,” he said.

He said if the city had similar events, peace would be spread to different corners of the city, and more people could experience this serenity and build connections with their hearts.

“It’s Extremely Appealing”

Axelle Wangongo (Minghui.org)

Axelle Wangongo is from the Congo but lives in Manhattan. “New York is a bustling city. Seeing them calms your heart. It’s extremely appealing. It makes you yearn for it and is absolutely inspiring,” she said as she watched the practitioners doing the exercises. “Seeing something like this makes you grateful.”

Regarding the ongoing persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), she said news about it would spread throughout the world more quickly because practitioners chose to do the exercises in Times Square in New York City. “People all over the world can see what is happening here. The CCP clearly will also receive this message,” she said. “Doing the exercises in front of this American flag and the New York Police Department is a great message, which should be spread to call for an end to the persecution.

“They [practitioners] are just sitting on the pavement. Some people have mats while some only have a plastic pad. This shows their dedication and perseverance. This is also what they have persisted in doing for many years and what appeals to me.

“I feel that their meditation is about sincerity, tolerance, inner serenity, and compassion and is exactly what we need,” she said.

“A Moment of Purification and Healing”

Caroline Nicol (Minghui.org)

Caroline Nicol, a tourist from New Zealand, said as she was passing by, “This is a beautiful tradition that brings a moment of purification and healing to the soul.

“This makes people wonder if they can stop their steps, slow down, and make themselves calmer. This is truly graceful,” she said.

“Doing these exercises in such a famous place to let more people learn about what is happening in China has a big impact.

“Even though they are being persecuted in China, they all look very peaceful. This is outstanding,” she said.

“This Is How People Should Live”

Daryn Cassada (left) and Robert Skultety (Minghui.org)

Robert Skultety, the founder and president of a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit, and Daryn Cassada were impressed by the practitioners’ exercise demonstration.

Responding to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, Robert said, “This is how people should live. Everybody should live like this... If everybody can truly be honest and have a compassionate heart, the country, world, and everything will be more peaceful.”

Passersby Express Support

Jay, a young practitioner from upstate New York, is a pilot for an aviation company. He commuted from upstate New York to participate in the event.

“Many people recognized that it was a Falun Dafa event and came over to say hello. Many friendly people walked over to tell me they had heard about Falun Dafa,” he said.

Jay handed out flyers and talked to passersby at the event. He said that many tourists had heard about Falun Dafa and expressed their support when they noticed practitioners doing the exercises on Times Square. “There was an Israeli tourist who was happy and surprised and said, ‘So you guys have events here, too,’” Jay said.

“Many people were happy to see that practitioners came to Times Square to use peaceful ways to introduce their faith to the public.” Jay also mentioned that some tourists were knowledgeable about Falun Dafa and hoped to learn the exercises. “They were very willing to take flyers to learn more about Falun Dafa,” he said.

Jay said he feels this is a way to give back to the community. Through his own experience, he hoped to let more people know about Falun Dafa and the positive impact of cultivation. Jay started practicing Falun Dafa when he was a child more than 20 years ago. He said that, by doing the exercises, he obtained inner peace and his health has also significantly improved.

“Through cultivation, when I face difficult situations, maintaining the state of calm during meditation allows me to find the correct direction and continue forward,” Jay said. “In today’s busy and chaotic world, Falun Dafa brought peace to my heart. This is exactly what I need.”

Learning the Falun Dafa Exercises

Adam Malev did the Falun Dafa exercises. (Minghui.org)

Adam Malev, a comedian and content creator, did the Falun Dafa exercises at the event.

Afterward Adam said, “I feel great, very calm. I feel that my circulation is smooth and my body is relaxed. I feel the flow of energy, very free. My joints also feel relaxed and light.”