(Minghui.org) Practitioners did the Falun Dafa exercises in Fitzroy Gardens on the morning of October 23, 22026. The serene scene drew the attention of passersby. The group exercise was a prelude to a series of activities in connection with a cultivation experience sharing conference.
Falun Dafa practitioners did the exercises in Fitzroy Gardens on the morning of October 23, 22026. (Minghui.org)
With a history spanning over 150 years, Fitzroy Gardens is a renowned historical landmark in Melbourne. Featuring expansive groves of century-old elm trees and Cook’s Cottage, and the oldest building in Australia, it is a must-visit destination for tourists.
Practitioners shared their cultivation experiences, from handling tribulations and improving family relationships, to participating in online classes to teach the Falun Dafa exercises.
Improving Character of Two Generations
John (second from right) and daughter Ashleigh (first from right) meditate. (Minghui.org)
John and his daughter Ashleigh participate in the Australia Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference every year. They arrived in Melbourne the day before the event this year.
John looks healthy and vibrant, and it’s hard to imagine that 18 years ago he was mired in drug, alcohol, and tobacco addiction.
“My life was a complete mess back then. I spent all my time watching movies, playing video games, and immersing myself in decadent modern music. I was filled with anger,” John said. “I sustained serious injuries to my neck and spine from sports, and I required physical therapy three times a week. By 2009, I had reached an all-time low.”
One evening in August 2009, John deeply reflected on his life, “I remember having a kind heart when I was a child, but I lost it somewhere along the way as I grew up. Was it still possible for me to reclaim that kindness and become a better person?”
A colleague gave John a Falun Dafa flyer, which he got from a practitioner during an event in the city center. John was touched after reading the flyer and felt that Falun Dafa was what he was seeking. He found a group practice site, learned the five exercises, and read Zhuan Falun.
“Initially, sitting in the full-lotus position was difficult for me. But I felt some tranquility when I meditated, which encouraged me to continue,” he said. “I was captivated by Zhuan Falun and read it every day. It helps me to apply the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance in my life.
“Gradually, my colleagues noticed that I became composed and respectful of others, and even my complexion looked better. My pain disappeared and I experienced an inner calm that I could not imagine before.”
In 2013, having completely shed his bad habits and undergone a profound personal transformation, John gained custody of his twin daughters, and raised them on his own for the next twelve years. “Given the state I was in before, it would have been impossible for me to raise children. Dafa taught me patience and to look inward to examine my own shortcomings. It granted me rationality and a kind heart, and helped me guide my daughters to become kind-hearted individuals.”
Ashleigh, who is now 20, said that she grew up in Dafa cultivation. She paid more attention to cultivating after she graduated from high school. “By treating others and handling matters according to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, I have become more humble, patient, and selfless. In turn, I am more self-confident.”
Both father and daughter treasure opportunities to get together with other practitioners. John said, “It is meaningful to introduce Dafa to the public and raise awareness of the persecution.”
Young Practitioners Look Within
Nick (second from front) and his son Julius (first in front) meditate. (Minghui.org)
Julius, 18 years old, is a host for this event. His father Nick, mother, and grandmother were among the first local practitioners. Growing up in the three-generation practitioner family, Julius is more composed than other young people his age.
Nick encountered Falun Dafa practitioners in early 1999. “I felt every one of them was kind and genuine—a down-to-earth kindness,” Nick said. “After I began cultivating I followed Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The severe, agonizing hip pain I once had also cleared up, without me even noticing.”
After the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched the persecution in 1999, Nick and his family were the first group of Westerners who went to Beijing to appeal for Falun Dafa.
Julius said, “I grew up in a family of cultivation. I feel very happy, and that I’m surrounded by love, care, and understanding. My parents helped me understand the importance of respecting others and being responsible.”
Nick said that cultivation helped him to better educate his son, cultivate his sense of responsibility, and capacity for tolerance. He said, “Sometimes when I look at my son, I can’t help but reflect on how fortunate I am—he has remained untainted by the negative aspects of this world.”
Julius said that cultivation showed him how to solve life’s challenges, by looking within. “I do not avoid conflicts. Instead I listen, communicate, and resolve the issue with a calm attitude.”
Letting More People Know About Falun Dafa
Maryann from Queensland does the second exercise. (Minghui.org)
Maryann, from the Gold Coast in Queensland, is a chef. Born in the UK, she immigrated to Australia in 2006 with her husband and four children. Her husband met a Falun Dafa practitioner in the restaurant in 2012 and got a copy of Zhuan Falun.
Maryann once owned a collection of nearly 400 spiritual books, yet she never managed to finish reading any of them. Once she opened Zhuan Falun however, she could not put it down. “This book was like a beam of sunlight, illuminating the deepest recesses of my heart.
“When I finished reading Zhuan Falun for the first time, the golden letters on the cover leaped off the book and floated in the air before my eyes. I had visions of still waters, cultivated fields, and Chinese symbols. Celestial music resonated in my ears, and I felt an incomparable sense of lightness and ease.”
Maryann said that soon after she began practicing, the illnesses that plagued her for years, including psoriasis, sciatica, and insomnia, disappeared. More importantly, she learned to reflect on herself whenever conflicts arose, and her temper improved as well.
Maryann joined the Australian team offering free online teaching in September 2026 and hopes that more people can learn about Falun Dafa.
“I treasure this opportunity to participate and I look forward to the first nine-day online teaching class in Queensland in November. I hope more people learn about Falun Dafa and experience the wonders of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.”
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