(Minghui.org) The 2023 Australia Falun Dafa Cultivation Experience Sharing Conference was held in Melbourne on October 29, 2023. Over 1200 practitioners from Australia, New Zealand, and Vietnam participated. 

The conference venue

Several young practitioners said they benefited a lot from listening to the other practitioners’ experiences. Some said they hope to overcome their attachments to comfort, and wished to become more compassionate, and integrate cultivation into their study and work as well as getting along with family and friends. They wish to fulfill their responsibilities in life and their missions as Falun Dafa practitioners.

Government Employee: Practitioners’ Sharing Helps Me Improve

Soumya Krishnankutty Rajam works in an IT department of the Federal Government in Australia. She started practicing Falun Dafa in 2009. After she began practicing, her relationship with her in-laws improved and she was able to understand situations from the other person’s perspective. 

Soumya Krishnankutty Rajam from Canberra

“I attended the conference hoping to gain an understanding of other people’s experiences so I can improve in my cultivation,” said Soumya. 

She talked about her positive changes after she began practicing Falun Dafa, “I used to be impatient. I’m now able to understand situations from the other person’s perspective. I understand that situations may not change, but the way we react to them is more positive. 

“Before I began practicing I didn’t understand why so many unpleasant things happened to me. After I began practicing Falun Dafa I understood from Master’s teachings that everything happens for a reason, and when unhappy things happen it is an opportunity for me to improve.” 

Her relationship with her in-laws greatly improved. She said, “Before, I was unable to tolerate any unfairness directed at me. But I later understood nothing is unfair-- everything is fair in this world. I was able to forgive them. Now our relationship is very good and they say that Falun Dafa is good. In my workplace everyone knows I practice Falun Dafa and through my conduct they know Falun Dafa is good.

“I would like to become more compassionate, especially towards my family members.” 

New Practitioner: Learning a Lot from Other Practitioners

Ann started practicing Falun Dafa in June 2023. 

Ann, a new and young practitioner from Vietnam who lives in Perth, said she started practicing Falun Dafa in June 2023. She is pursuing a business degree. She said she practiced Buddhism with her family, and she had different opinions about Falun Dafa. Ann realized that she needed to experience things herself and make her own decisions. After she read the first lecture in Zhuan Falun she realized that Falun Dafa is totally different from her perception. 

Ann said, “The more I read, the more interested I was in reading Zhuan Falun. I felt that Master was taking care of me and he wants every disciple to practice diligently. 

“Falun Dafa changed my perception about life,” Ann said. “As I’m an international student, and the environment around me was constantly changing. I would often meet new people, new colleagues, and new culture, which made me reserved and uncomfortable when I socialized with others. However after I began practicing Falun Dafa and apply the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance in life, my colleagues were amazed that now I’m happier and I frequently smile.”

Ann said, “I feel really lucky because I learned a lot from practitioners of different ages. I enjoyed all the activities these three days, from doing the exercises as a group, to the parade, character formation, and the conference.

“I admire those young practitioners who are excellent in cultivating in their daily lives. Especially when I heard a sharing from a young practitioner who was only 11 years old. He is so much younger than me, but he really understands how to incorporate cultivation in his studies, and his relationships with parents and his friends. This made me realize that cultivation is not staying away from society, but instead utilizing what we have and fulfilling our responsibilities.” 

Practitioner from Mexico: Overcoming Attachment to Comfort

Sean Reid said listening to other practitioners’ experiences deepened his understanding of cultivation. 

Sean Reid from Mexico, has practiced Falun Dafa for over a year. He said, “I came to the conference to find out more on how to cultivate and how I can improve. I heard one sharing about laziness. It stood out because laziness is a problem I have. When I come home after a full day, I can use my time more wisely and read the books more and do the exercises instead of laying down. When I read the teachings I feel better and my perception of the things around me improves.” 

He said this was the first experience sharing conference he’s ever attended and he benefited a lot. It also deepened his understanding of Dafa and cultivation.