GUADALAJARA, Mexico—Father Luis Enrique Silva Álvarez congratulated Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Santander Performing Arts Ensemble in Plácido Domingo Hall on May 9.
It was the first time the Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Guadalajara had seen the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, now celebrating its 20th anniversary. Father Álvarez found the spirituality of traditional Chinese culture, as presented by Shen Yun in its performance of “China before communism,” particularly interesting.
Shen Yun tours the world, featuring nearly 20 short vignettes in each performance that showcase the art form of classical Chinese dance. The dances are supported by a live orchestra that combines Western instruments and traditional Chinese ones.
Each performance also includes singers, who perform Shen Yun’s original songs. An English translation of the lyrics, sung in Chinese, is displayed on the backdrop for the audience. One phrase caught Father Álvarez’s attention: “That outer strength comes from inner balance.”
“It struck me from a spiritual perspective—if one is spiritually well on the inside, one will have outer strength in the face of adversity,” he said.
At its heart, Shen Yun performers strive to return to artistic tradition and uplift humanity through their art by drawing their inspiration from the divine. That’s why so many of the dances incorporate spiritual elements and stories.
He believes we need that inner balance to be able to face life’s troubles.
“I believe we need to start by conveying this message to teenagers and young people, because today, many of them are losing that spiritual aspect or the inner strength to face the adversities that arise in life.”
But he noticed it isn’t just the stories’ messages that captured inner strength and balance, but the dancers themselves.
Thus, Shen Yun, he says, “will have a positive impact because today’s society has this hunger, this desire for spiritual work—balance in all areas of life: the physical, the spiritual, the intellectual, and the emotional.”
“It strikes me because of the story about the mother and son who, in the difficulties they faced, used meditation and reflection that led them to that strength, and the faith they had helped them grow and achieve the miracle,” he said.
Personally, Father Álvarez said he felt greatly impacted by the performance. “It has invited me to reflect, meditate, work, and share this with the different people where I am carrying out my ministry with that intention, and to recommend it.”
“The spiritual, the physical, and the mental—it’s an impressive balance that we all need to have,” he said.
