RALEIGH, N.C—Business owner Steve Long connected with Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company on Jan. 19.
“It was very special, very moving,” Mr. Long, owner of Harmony Farms Natural Food Store, said after seeing the artists at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts.
“Priceless, and the artistic performances are just phenomenal, awesome,” he added.
According to the company, “A Shen Yun performance features the world’s foremost classically trained dancers, a unique orchestra blending the sounds of both East and West, breathtaking backdrops, splendid costumes, vocalists—together creating an experience that’s leaving millions in awe.”
Yet it was the underlying spirituality of the culture that most struck Mr. Long.
“I don’t think a lot of people know the truth of the original aspect of the Chinese spiritual way of looking of life, and a lot of people are clouded by what they see today,” he said. “If they knew, there will be more common ground and understanding, and [people will] probably be able to relate to each other a lot better.”
“I wasn’t aware of Shen Yun until just few weeks ago, frankly,” said Mr. Long. “And, I’m so glad to have discovered this.”
Chinese culture originates from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, according to Shen Yun’s website, and the virtues replete in the culture, such as benevolence, justice, and wisdom are interwoven throughout the performance, seen in the myths and stories depicted on stage.
After seeing Shen Yun, Mr. Long left with positive impressions.
“The message I got is that we are all from the same source and that, through that source, you can overcome anything; and from the source, we can be together,” he said. “We are not separate, we are together.”
Shen Yun gave Mr. Long “A renewed hope that we are going to be able to connect more.”
Reporting by NTD Television and Zachary Stieber.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s International Company will visit Kansas Jan. 22 and Jan. 23 next. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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