Prioritizing cultivation and the salvation of living beings
Joining the band
I began practicing Falun Dafa back in 2004. In 2016 I had a chance to see the Tian Guo Marching Band for the first time. When I saw them, I had the wish that one day I could join it and be part of it. But I had no idea how that could ever happen—or when.
Back in my home country, as a child I practiced karate and later even became a referee. In summer, I was often traveling around the whole country on weekends—so I knew that physically I could endure a lot: long drives, standing for hours, and so on. But I couldn’t play any instrument, nor did I have the slightest knowledge of music. I really didn’t know where to start—but our revered Shifu sees our hearts. And, as always, he showed me the way.
A fellow practitioner, who is very close to me, had started with the clarinet, and in 2023 I joined her at a workshop of the Marching Band. When I entered the music room, I immediately felt: I somehow belong here. I wanted to join the band so much—but I didn’t know which instrument. I was torn between the French horn and the clarinet… but the sound of the clarinet felt especially close to me. Later it became clear to me: at the workshop I was given a clarinet right away—as if Shifu had already prepared everything.
At home, I immediately signed up for an intensive course in music theory and afterwards also started clarinet lessons. I practiced almost every day—5 to 6 times a week, one hour each time. Later even two hours per day. It was clear to me that Shifu had given me wisdom. I started with music in July 2023, and by August 2024—in only 13 months—I could not only read music, but also play five pieces of the Marching Band!
My first performance and prioritizing being a band member
I will never forget my first performance in Vienna. I had a smile on my face the entire day—my heart was filled with joy, it was a heavenly feeling. I was happy that I could finally be part of the Marching Band and in this precious time, fulfill my mission as a Dafa disciple.
But at the end of autumn I suddenly became a coordinator in part of a Dafa project. All of a sudden, there were so many things to do… and I couldn’t practice my music regularly anymore. Sometimes only 3 or 4 times per week. I knew that as a beginner I should spend more time on music, and I still did my best—but it just wasn’t like before.
When this Dafa project was completed successfully, I was happy on the one hand, but on the other hand I realized that I had not managed my time well enough to fulfill my responsibilities as a music student. I truly regretted it. I knew that if I had cultivated myself better, I surely would have found more time for music practice. I hadn’t made good use of this compassionate opportunity to be part of the Marching Band. That made me deeply sad.
I looked within and understood that I must value time more and use it better. I stood up and started again, and practiced regularly again, almost every day. I firmly resolved to learn from this experience.
Our revered Master told us in Critical Times Reveal One’s Spiritual State (2025):
“There is no designation more exalted than “disciple of Dafa.” It means that one practices the highest, Great Way of the universe, and that one’s fundamental purpose in life is to help one’s teacher save lives. For such a person, what is first and foremost is his own spiritual development as well as upholding Dafa at all times and in all places.”
I looked within and asked myself what truly has priority in my cultivation path. I read the Fa every day, but have I really placed it as my first priority? In my heart, I wish to practice music every day, but have I truly made it a priority in my daily life?
I began to read the Fa every morning online at 5 a.m. together with a group of practitioners. During my daily commute, while on the subway, I would either listen to the Fa or to the music of the Tian Guo Marching Band. Whenever possible, I looked at the musical notes while listening to the music. This helped me to better understand each note.
I continued to work with my music teacher once a week and tried to apply the points she reminded me of during the lessons in my daily practice. When a mistake in my playing repeated itself several times, I asked myself: How could it be that my music teacher teaches me something, and I cannot do it correctly? I looked within and asked myself: Am I the same in my cultivation path? When Shifu has taught us the Fa, am I truly able to remain with the Fa at all times, and can I always follow Master’s guidance to elevate my xinxing?
I set aside one fixed hour every day for music practice, always starting at 5 p.m. I arranged all my appointments and tasks either before or after that time. Whenever it happened that I was away from home for several days, I would take my instrument with me, hoping to find time to practice – and in fact, such opportunities always appeared. Gradually, my music practice became a part of my daily routine, and sometimes I even practiced for more than one hour
Our revered Master told us in To the European Fa Conference (2018):
“To the European Fa Conference Dafa disciples in Europe, greetings to you all! Dafa disciples are the only hope for humankind’s salvation. Dafa disciples in Europe, do your tasks well, for they are your responsibility, as well as your mighty virtue and honor.”
The influence of the Marching Band on living beings
On the second day of our performance in Berlin, when we were on the subway together with other Marching Band members traveling to the event venue, a man, as he got off, thanked some practitioners who were standing together and wished them “much success.” His face was filled with joy.
On the last day, after the march had ended, a middle-aged Chinese man approached us while we were standing with some other practitioners, and asked us if we would perform again the next day. When I told him that it was the last day of our performance, we spoke with him about Dafa, and I gave him a lotus flower. With a smile, and visibly joy in his face as he received the flower, he said: “You people are bringing happiness into this world.” For me, this sentence was an encouragement from Shifu.
To my revered Master and to the dear fellow practitioners who have supported and accompanied me on this path, I extend my heartfelt thanks. I promise that in the time ahead I will do my very best to further improve my musical knowledge—which, of course, is also connected with my cultivation.
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