Report from Jersey

I'd like to tell you about an event we attended this weekend here in Jersey and how we are progressing here [Jersey is one of the U.K.’s Channel Islands between the UK and France].

Each year one of our local health shops organises the "Natural Health Fair." I heard about this event a few weeks ago and thought it would be an ideal opportunity to tell people about Falun Gong and clarify the truth to any people who had any misconceptions about it.

I arranged for a stand, and as soon as I had received confirmation we could attend I became very busy at work, working late each night and having to work weekends. This interrupted my exercise practice and studying Zhuan Falun [the main book of Falun Gong] in the few weeks leading up to the event. I then began to worry that I hadn't studied the Fa [principles of Falun gong] enough and thought that I wouldn't do a very good job in clarifying the truth to the people. I also started to get nervous as it was the first time I would have been speaking to so many people and I was responsible to the Fa and couldn't go wrong. It was this that changed my thinking. I realised it was my attachments and fear that were making me doubt myself and these were not the thoughts a Falun Dafa practitioner should have. There may have been some interference involved but my attachments were the main obstacle. I began to send out righteous thoughts [maintaining upright and true thoughts according to Falun Gong].

A very kind person at a printing shop printed the "Compassion" journals, "Journey to Ultimate Health" book, many health surveys, posters and other files I gave him to have on our stand. During the fair, my friend (also a practitioner) and I spoke to many, many people. Some had never heard of Falun Dafa before so we explained what it was and about the terrible crimes that are being committed against practitioners in China. Others had seen the BBC2 Correspondent television programme and had questions to ask about that and other things they had heard about Falun Dafa, all of which we answered. Some had visited China recently and seen some things happening but were told lies about what was happening, which they realised after speaking to us. What really moved me was that the people came specifically to see us because they had heard of Falun Gong before and didn't know how to find out more. These people came everyday. I think everyone we spoke to left knowing the truth about Falun Dafa.

We had a truly wonderful opportunity to clarify the truth this weekend. The organisers were expecting 5000 people. I have 25 names of people who want to learn the exercises, most of whom have requested a copy of Zhuan Falun or were going to download it from the internet. We have posters and leaflets in shops and the library and other posters. I think this is a turning point and hope to organize a room to practise in and have a regular class within the next week or so and hopefully organise other activities. The next being to clarify the truth to the Chinese community on the island.

Practitioner in Jersey
5th November 2001