LE SECRET D’UN PEINTRE DE « CHEVAUX GENTILS ET HEUREUX »

Hello. From the memory of Jinko, I welcome you. A window on traditional Chinese culture, ancient stories, and their profound wisdom to offer inspiration to young and old. An invitation for a journey towards authenticity, goodness and tolerance. The secret of a painter of kind and happy horses. In a small Australian town, eight hours west of Brisbane, lives an artist known for her paintings of kind and happy horses. People say that her works make them feel happy. From her point of view, happiness comes from her belief in authenticity, goodness and tolerance. A graphic artist and Australian artist who paints horses and landscapes, Laura Douglas is 34 years old and the mother of two children. Although her life is well filled between her family and social gatherings, Laura says she has always felt that she was waiting for something. In 2007, she began to practice the Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, and realized that it was this something. Awareness. Laura was a Christian and always in search of the true meaning of life. She often said, looking at the sky, I want to know more. I must know more. There are so many things in the universe that I don't know. In 2003, Laura met two Dafa practitioners and it was the first time she heard about the practice. Four years later, she met them again. She asked them many questions. The practitioners replied, She followed their advice. She read the book and felt an immediate and powerful connection with Dafa, as if she were returning home. The first time Laura practiced the exercises, she could not help but cry. She said that, deep in her heart, she knew it was what she had been waiting for and that it was the right thing to do. By reading Juan Falun, Laura felt her memory awaken. She said she was moved by the tears every time she read. When the nature of Buddha arose in someone, the world of ten directions was overwhelmed. Juan Falun's first lecture. I know I'm a nice person, but it was only after reading Juan Falun that I understood how to eliminate attachments and really be a good person. Said Laura. Abandon alcohol. When Laura read in Juan Falun that drinking was not good for a practitioner, she thought, I would like to stop drinking. She was just about to attend a party. She thought, OK, I'll drink for the last time. I will stop drinking after the party. She got drunk at the party. She lost some of her expensive personal belongings and almost fought with someone. Laura said that the incident had really made her understand what was written in the book. That drinking alcohol could make someone irrational. Remembering the incident, Laura said, It was a terrible experience. The next day, I decided again to never drink again. I think it was a good arrangement. It may seem extreme, but it made me realize that drinking alcohol is a disgusting habit. Since then, I have not touched alcohol. Paint the horses. Laura seems to have a predestined relationship with horses. She loved horses since childhood, but did not think of painting them. One day, when she went out to paint, a horse came and stopped in front of her. As the horse blocked the view of the landscape she was painting, she moved her horse and continued to paint. However, the horse also moved, blocking the view again. She moved three or four times, the horse followed her and insisted on getting in front of her. Laura thought, Okay, I'll paint you. It was the first time she painted a horse. Her work soon attracted the attention of a gallery in Sydney, where she was invited to exhibit. Because she painted horses, she attended several horse races and met many people. She always told her new friends about Falun Dafa and the importance of authenticity, goodness and patience in her art. Laura's works were selected for an exhibition in Brisbane. A man told her, I never loved horses and I lost them. But I don't know why I feel happy when I look at horse paintings. Laura replied, Maybe it's because I was happy when I painted them and the message is inside the paintings. Because I practice Falun Dafa, I know that each artistic creation carries an energy and feelings. When I paint, I pay attention to bring joy and positive energy to my work. The man asked, What happens if you are in a bad mood? Laura replied, I examine myself inside to find the cause of my bad mood. I adjust my mind before working. I don't paint with negative feelings. Laura often tells people that in traditional Chinese culture, calligraphers, dancers and other artists calmed their thoughts before creating their art. They worked on their hearts. When she was asked what is the biggest change in her artistic work since she started painting, Laura said, In the past, my main consciousness was not predominant when I painted. It was rather random. Since I have been cultivating, I create my art wisely and am clear of mind. My landscapes must be beautiful and the eyes of the horses I paint must be kind. Reveal the persecution through art. The first time she heard about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, Laura was shocked and said, I have to do something to stop it. She decided to use her artistic talent to reveal the persecution. She participated in the preparation of the international exhibition The Art of Zhen Shan Zhen. Authenticity. Kindness. Tolerance. At first, Laura's husband did not understand why she participated in the exhibition when she was already very busy. Laura told him, I have benefited so much from Falun Dafa. It has changed my life. Imagine if I were in China today. I would be persecuted and my organs could be taken. How could I do nothing? Her husband's answer was, What can I do to help you? Laura wishes to use art to put an end to these atrocities, help people regain their consciousness and goodness, and allow the world to be filled with authenticity, kindness, tolerance. From the memory of Jinko, thank you for listening to this podcast. It is a pleasure to meet you for other stories.