“Apart from the technical perfection, the artistic quality, above all the authenticity and the honesty, the pure life that was behind it—that very much touched the soul. And it is very, very good in times like these,” he said.

China’s traditional culture was divinely inspired, one where heavenly beings and earthly mortals co-existed peacefully.

“You can feel [the divine] in the choreography, in the whole production. There is no superficial showmanship. You notice the thousands of years of tradition and the knowledge of ancient wisdom and skill,” Schwab said.

Some of Shen Yun’s dances tell a story that depicts moral or spiritual values, a historical event, a comical legend, or colorful scenes from China’s varying ethnic regions.

Schwab believed that values are more important now than ever. “In a way, they are eternal, like the divine moment. And that, I think, is embodied wonderfully by every single artist who has performed here today,” he said.

Schwab felt connected to the divine.“That is the nutrient of all art. I don’t exclude myself from that. Without divine inspiration, without modesty, without humility, nothing works,” he said.

“To be even more open, even more attentive, even more mindful, and to try to absorb everything that is nevertheless present in this world in terms of rich culture, and [to attempt to go beyond] the difficulties of this time,” Schwab said.

Susanne Feix is an artist. She paints, works with glass, and is a dancer. Shen Yun was wonderful, she said.

“I can say that there were really moments where I was very touched.”

“These two strings bring out such amazing music and variety of tones and depths and heights and expression. There was a great expressiveness in this playing—that touched me and [so did] the singer.”

“And what is meant by that is, an energy of love. This divine energy is beauty. When you have experienced that … then you feel the divine. And that is actually beauty,” Feix shared.

“I think there are just a lot of people who also have faith. It was a performance in which spirituality and dance and everything came together, and beautiful colors and great dancers, amazing movements—it was truly great.”

“But I take [Shen Yun] with me as a beautiful, enriching experience.”