MILWAUKEE—Finding the way and staying on that path seemed a central theme in Shen Yun Performing Arts presentation of traditional Chinese culture and art. Both Hal Dessel, a psychotherapist, and Judith Kubish, a wedding officiant, thought so.
“The way of compassion, the way of beauty, the way of honesty and truth, seem to be common to all of us human beings and seems to be very much a part of Chinese culture,” Mr. Dessel said at the Milwaukee Theater on Feb. 20.
Ms. Kubish, who surprised Mr. Dessel with the tickets for his birthday, felt similarly. Mention of “the way” made Ms. Kubish reflect on the idea that no matter our spiritual path or faith, human beings, “share a common call, a common way to be compassionate, to be truthful and honest, to be kind and to be moral in our dealings. … We’re on a common path with that, when we follow the way that we are led to.”
The “great way” translates in Chinese as “Dafa,” and “Falun Dafa” is the spiritual path that many Shen Yun performers practice. Falun Dafa is a meditation practice that involves following the ideals of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance in daily life.
These ideals are rooted in China’s traditional culture, and Shen Yun aims to revive that culture through classical Chinese dance and music.
Mr. Dessel felt his celebratory birthday present, with its wonderful music played by an orchestra combining classical instruments from both the East and West, “was very powerful and strong, other times gentle and romantic.”
Ms. Kubish’s understanding of Chinese culture expanded as she took in folk and ethnic dances from Manchurian maidens to Mongolian horsemen.
Story-based dances are another, favorite component of the overall program. Some of these very pointedly tell a spiritual story. At times, in these stories, Mr. Dessel said that people seem like they might lose their way, “but the way found people and brought them back to the Divine.”
“There will be a time to laugh, and a time to be touched in your heart,” Ms. Kubish said. The performance will remind people of their higher self and higher purpose, and “will be well worth your time.”
Reporting by NTD Television and Sharon Kilarski
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
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.
