PHOENIX—As Patrick Phillips, a Phoenix-based aerospace engineer, watched nimble dancers in ancient Chinese costumes appear to launch themselves into the heavens during a dance segment portraying a myth on stage today, he pondered the driving force behind their novel form of space travel—love.
Mr. Phillips spent this afternoon watching New York-based classical Chinese dance company Shen Yun Performing Arts at Symphony Hall in Phoenix. During the intermission, he told The Epoch Times how he loved the strength and fitness of the dancers, but also their graceful flow. They were “well choreographed” and “in sync” as a whole, he said, while the long, flowing sleeves of the elegant ladies were “beautiful.”
But soon, spiritual flight from the myth crept into the conversation. He’s an aerospace engineer after all.
“The young man who chased after the girl of his heart that went all the way up into the heaven to chase after her,” he began—this act of love made Mr. Phillips ponder: “How much are you willing to do for your love? How far are you willing to go?”
“Are you willing to sacrifice and do the hard things?” he asked.
But while including ancient tales like this one, Shen Yun also portrays in its programs modern China—including scenes of persecution. And here again, Mr. Phillips saw the power of love at work, in a segment which portrayed religious persecution by the officially atheist CCP.
“The scene where the young man was willing to go to prison—or he was forced to—for his love,” he began, “that was another difficult challenge for him, but again, love prevailed. It was beautiful.”
He told the newspaper how he’s a Catholic but still appreciates the universal values in what he saw tonight, which included imagery of spiritual books and a giant Buddha radiating with light while offering salvation to the world.
One such value was faith.
“You have to stay true to your faith and not give it up under pressure,” Mr. Phillips said, adding that he felt “joy” and found the show “very uplifting.”
Then he added, “It’s beautiful. It’s spiritual. And it’s physical, all in one.”
