Owen Ziliak

“In October 1999 I found the basic works of Falun Gong, ‘Falun Gong’ and ‘Zhuan Falun,’” said Wang. “I learned the exercises from Falun Gong books and video tapes. follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to be a good person.”

“Why would a country persecute people like this?” said Wang. “They just want to be healthy and enjoy a better life. Why should a country’s regime be like this?”

The motive for the Chinese government to ban the practice is not entirely clear. In an unpublished letter to The Washington Post, Chinese press spokesperson Shuning Yu wrote that Falun Gong “is nothing but an evil cult that has all the inherent characteristics of a cult: worship of its leader, systematic mind control, spreading heretic ideas, amassing wealth, secret organization and endangering the society.” Non-government affiliated outlets suggest that the group’s growing popularity and subversive nature led to the crackdown. 

In 2002, Wang received grave news. Her father was seriously ill. In an attempt to return home and care for him in his final days, Wang applied for a visa back to China. But in the two years that had passed, Wang had been blacklisted from returning to the country.

Barred from being able to return to her father because of her practice, Wang was unable to follow through on the traditional expectations of the younger generations caring for the old.

“In traditional Chinese culture, filial piety is very important,” said Wang. “As children, we owe filial piety to our parents' kindness for their upbringing.”

“Especially as a doctor, I will do my best to help patients with their ailments,” said Wang. “But when faced with my father's serious illness, until his death, I could not take care of him.”

His passing still affects Wang today.

“I didn't even see him for the last time,” said Wang. “The pain in my heart can not be imagined.”

Following the attempt at a visa, Wang was harassed by the Chinese embassy. 

Despite Falun Gong being the reason for her heartbreak in 2002, it helped her cope with the situation as well.

“Bad people do bad things. At the same time, he creates karma and destroys himself,” said Wang. “There is a Chinese proverb that describes bad people doing bad things: ’Lifting a stone only to drop it on one's own foot.’”

Wang has since expanded her practice and invited others to join her in the Falun Gong exercises. Previously, Wang did everything by herself. Now, each Saturday, Wang and others interested in the practice gather to do the five Falun Gong exercises in one of the rooms of the Aarhus civic center.

“There are often some new people who come to learn the exercises,” said Wang. “ We will teach them because it is a good opportunity for them… I think it’s a good thing when they come. When everyone practices together, the energy will be stronger than practicing alone at home.” 

Wang is also a licensed to administer the traditional Chinese medicinal practice of acupuncture, which according to Wang, is similar to the regulation of energy that the Falun Gong exercises provide.

“When we practice on Saturday, we practice by ourselves to help the body’s qi circulation. Acupuncture uses acupuncture needles to pierce them further to regulate the patient. They just need to be quiet and do nothing.”

Wang will also offer Falun Gong texts to her patients.

“Generally, when someone comes to acupuncture, I will give them this information. If they are interested they can read a book or try exercises.”

Even after the turbulence Wang has experienced due to Falun Gong, she has faith that everything that she has done in her life and everything the CCP has taken from her will come full circle.

“Between heaven and earth there is justice,” said Wang. “So I believe that justice will come to the world sooner or later. All the evil deeds done by the CCP will be judged by justice in the end. I understand these principles and I have no hatred in my heart.”