NEW YORK—Shen Yun Performing Arts graced the stage at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater on April 21, enchanting the sold out audience.
Dr. Lisa Miller, director of Clinical Training at Columbia University, said that Shen Yun was “the most outstanding, beautiful performance.”
Dr. Miller studies spirituality and religion, as well as wellness and mental health, and helped start the Spirituality and Mind-Body Institute at the university.
New York-based Shen Yun travels around the world reviving the ancient, divinely inspired Chinese culture.
“Sophisticated dance techniques, an orchestra joining instruments East and West, beautiful costumes, and a stunning back drop—this is Shen Yun at first glance,” according to Shen Yun’s website. “But digging deeper, one discovers a sea of traditional Chinese culture. Mortals and divine beings merge on stage as one.”
Dr. Miller said that she felt an affinity with the traditional Chinese culture in Shen Yun.
“I feel very deeply connected to the spirituality expressed in the show today,” she said. “The presence of spirit in all people, the presence of Buddha consciousness and Buddha energy, of celebration of wind and snow, of all the peoples in the many different ethnic groups—so sacred.”
The ancient culture is replete with legends and myths that have helped sustain the culture over different eras and dynasties.
“Ideals of loyalty, filial piety, and veneration for the divine are cherished and celebrated. Heroes are extolled for their compassion and tolerance as much as their courage or determination when facing adversity,” explains Shen Yun’s website about the short dance pieces that are based on the vast cultural lexicon.
‘Enjoyed it Immensely’
Peter Roggeman, who owns Profitable Projects, also said seeing Shen Yun was a great evening.
“I enjoyed it immensely: the energy, the colors, and the way the colors matched and were brought together, the way the dancers interacted,” he said.
The spiritual nature of Chinese culture and thus the performance also connected with him.
“We are spiritual beings and it’s important to cultivate that part of your life and your existence,” he said, referring to a truth he gleaned from the performance.
“We all have the same creator and we all have to lead good lives, so that we can be good to each other, and hopefully someday we all meet in heaven,” said his wife, Barbara.
Several Shen Yun dances show the modern day situation in China, including the persecution of Falun Gong, a meditation practice that is based on truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Despite helping guide over 100 million Chinese people back to the essence of traditional Chinese culture, the practice has been focused on by the ruling regime in a ruthless campaign, according to Shen Yun’s website.
“But Falun Gong practitioners have held firm to their beliefs and have continued to expose countless injustices through peaceful means,” the website states. “Their spirit of compassion and tolerance manifest the very essence of China’s 5,000-year-old divine culture.”
Mr. Roggeman said that these dances gave him a positive feeling.
“I have hope for all people who experience persecution,” he said. “It’s hard to have hope because it’s so difficult, but you are inspired by people who are willing to suffer to follow their belief and spread their belief.”
“Good will win over evil in the end,” said Mrs. Roggeman.
Reporting by NTD Television and Zachary Stieber
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
Shen Yun Performing Arts is performing at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center through April 28.
The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
