BERKELEY, Calif.—In a modern age where instant gratification and worldly gains reign supreme, the idea of divine-inspired culture—though prevalent throughout history—is quickly losing ground.
For retired systems analyst Slawomir Sieminski,
Shen Yun Performing Arts conveyed “a deeper meaning of life and humanity.” It was a reminder that there is more to life than meets the eye. This was Mr. Sieminski’s biggest takeaway after attending Shen Yun’s evening performance at Zellerbach Hall on the evening of Jan. 13.
“In our daily lives, we forget about our destinies. We should pause and think about our values. Not only the materialistic ones right now but the long-term values that we should all have—to God and humanity,” he said.
Through classical Chinese
dance and
music, New York-based Shen Yun is sharing the beauty of China’s 5,000 years of history with the world. Since its founding in 2006, the
company has received worldwide praise and acclaim.
It was beautiful to watch. You cannot find this anywhere else.
— Slawomir Sieminski
Mr. Sieminski couldn’t agree more. “It was marvelous. You have a very talented group of people who performed flawlessly with joy and smiles and without any hesitation. It was beautiful to watch. You cannot find this anywhere else.”
With shows
scheduled in more than 180 cities and across five continents, the 2023 touring season is shaping up to be the artists’ busiest one yet.
Referring to
Shen Yun’s short dance pieces showcasing the diverse regions and tales of China, Mr. Sieminski said they “bring us back to the old, old times.”
“It was fantastic, unique, and one of a kind,” he said, “it catches us from reality and moves us into a realm of dreams, happiness, and humanity. Each story is unique and each one has its own morals.”
Prior to the communist takeover in 1949 and the regime’s spread of atheism, Chinese people had a deep belief in the divine. In fact, the whole foundation of China’s
civilization was built on values and virtues from the spiritual teachings of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism.
“I wish more people would see [Shen Yun] and see the values [they portray,] then more people will turn away from earthly pleasures and find deeper values in their own lives,” Mr. Sieminski said.
“[Shen Yun] shows that we are on this earth only temporarily. There is a greater value somewhere in the universe and we will all be joined with it someday.”
Reporting by Sunny Chen, Gary Wang, and Jennifer Tseng.
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