BILLINGS, Mont.—Boyd Badten, operations director of nonprofit The Hearts Center, was left with a deeper sense of appreciation towards life after watching
Shen Yun, particularly with the spiritual messaging he felt conveyed through the world-class performance.
“I think what’s important is to remember our connection to the divine and that everyone has a connection to the divine,” Mr. Badten said on March 4, after watching
Shen Yun perform at the Alberta Bair Theater with his wife, Nancy.
“I like that they’ve put into art what many of us simply know mentally, and it conveys emotion as well as just ideas.”
According to Shen Yun’s website,
ancient people believed that art was meant to uplift, which would, in turn bring joy to both the artist and those who experienced it. In order for art to uplift, artists, as well as those in various professions, looked towards the divine for inspiration.
Shen Yun
artists seek this spiritual inspiration through the practice of
Falun Dafa—a spiritual discipline based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Thus, the spiritual connection and heart is present behind each movement and musical note.
“[Shen Yun is] inspiring, and it helps you remember that there’s something very good to live for,” Mr. Badten said.
Mr. Badten was also impressed by the soprano as well as the vibrancy of colors and music shown throughout the performance.
“I love opera, I love singing, I love music, and I haven’t seen nearly so much dancing,” he said.
“The colors, the
costumes were beautiful.”
However, the crème de la crème for Mr. Badten and his wife Nancy was the message of hope and freedom for those in China who are currently being persecuted for their faith. This part of the performance highlights the traditional principle that those who do good will receive blessings, while those who do evil will be punished.
“The last scene with the Buddha and the aura, I live for that,” Mr. Badten said.
“Taking away the Creator is not the way of life—it’s the way of death,” Mrs. Badten said.
“We knew this would be the main message, it’s really heartwarming for us to know that people in
China have to have a lot of bravery in order to live their ideals,” Mrs. Badten said.
“I think many people in the world know right now, this message is very understood by many people in the world.”
“Thank you for your bright hope for the future, and showing people a lovely future where there is not all of this difficulty,” Mr. Badten said.
Reporting by Sherry Dong and Henry Jom.
