MY husband and I live in Bere Alston. About six years ago, while on the lookout for something to help with relaxation, we came across the traditional Chinese practice of Falun Gong.
Its five simple tai chi-like exercises and meditation proved very effective at reducing stress. Applying the principles of truthfulness, kindness and tolerance to our daily lives also brought much joy and peace of mind. We now help to run a group exercise session in Plymouth every Sunday. Falun Gong is always taught free of charge and all are welcome.
Not long after beginning the practice we were shocked to learn that in its Chinese homeland, practitioners of Falun Gong – around 70 million people – had been subjected to a brutal persecution since 1999 by the ruling Chinese Communist Party. Because of Falun Gong's popularity and its clear link to traditional Chinese culture and values, the leader of the communist party banned Falun Gong and started a campaign to 'eradicate it'.
Hundreds of thousands of practitioners, from children to the elderly, have been imprisoned in labour camps and jails, without trial, and subjected to many forms of torture to try to force them to write a promise not to practise Falun Gong any more. To date, over 3,400 people have lost their lives, though the real number may be many times higher.
Human Rights Day on December 10 is a celebration of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948. Christianity, too, is suppressed in China. At the start of the Christmas season, let us remember those around the world who do not have the freedom of belief that we enjoy.
Dr K and Mr T Piper