(Clearwisdom.net) Julia, a college student majoring in Piano Education and Music at the University of Vienna, met a new friend two years ago. When she played a duet with him, Julia felt that he was extremely calm with unique qualities. She heard that he was practicing a meditation, so she asked him which practice had made him so peaceful.

This friend brought Julia the book Zhuan Falun. He had practiced Falun Gong for ten years. His special qualities came from his cultivation of the principles Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. At first, Julia had difficulty understanding the book, having grown up in the West and being unfamiliar with Chinese culture. Upon learning the exercises, she had a clear sense that this was something she should continue practicing. “It was a strong feeling in my heart, telling me that it is right, and it is good. I have always been asking myself what the purpose of life is and what is next, after this life. I found all my answers in Falun Gong.”

Piano Department Student Julia

Since she practiced Falun Gong, the rivalry between her and her sister, who was only slightly older than her disappeared. “Since practicing Falun Gong, I no longer have the urge to argue. Whatever she says does not irritate me any more. I no longer get upset or harbor hurt feelings. I don't need to fight back. We understand each other better since I started cultivation.”

Julia feels that she has changed a lot as a result of the practice. “I am more calm. It is much easier for me to find balance in my mind. I feel that my health and spirit have been improving. I have become a more positive person. All people, including my family and friends, say the same thing. They all think that I have gone through very good changes.”

Her teacher also said that her piano playing has become much deeper and calmer. Without spending more time practicing the piano, Julia saw great improvements in her playing. “I can feel that I can focus better. Before, I could only sit to practice piano for an hour, then my mind started wandering. Now, I find that I have a better control of my time. Actually, I spend less time practicing, but I get more out of it, because I can better utilize the time and concentrate more.”

After practicing Falun Gong, she no longer gets anxious when taking tests. She no longer worries about her scores or her reputation. Instead, she just focuses on practicing the piano. Then she gets surprisingly good results. “I had my Bachelor exam a few months ago. I used to think that I must prove myself in the test. But as I kept practicing Falun Gong and behaved like a cultivator, I realized that my worries and wanting to prove myself were a kind of showoff attachment. It is no good for my exam. So I tried to do the exercises and study the Fa every day. That was really helpful. When I had completely given up the thought of proving myself, I did extremely well on my exam. However, I no longer chase after a superior performance at exams, I just want to do well for the sake of being a good person and a better musician.”

As for the persecution that Falun Gong practitioners are suffering in China, Julia tries many ways to help people understand the truth about Falun Gong. “I try my best to do the exercises in the City Park in Vienna every day. We have many materials and a big banner with the words 'Falun Dafa Is Good' there. We also talk to people about Falun Gong and the persecution. Many Chinese tourist groups pass by. They are surprised to see that we can do the exercises freely. It is very good to clarify the truth to them. I also tell the facts to people in my circle, to help them to understand Falun Gong.”

She used her savings from teaching piano and participating in music concerts to attend events in other cities and countries, to let more people know about Falun Gong and the persecution in China. While participating in a large scale parade in Rome, Italy which called attention to the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of Falun Gong, she said, “The personal accounts of the brutal persecution I have read on the Internet have compelled me to do whatever I can to help. I saved my money to come here, and it's worth it. I feel very good about doing this.”