September 01, 2002

The recent opportunity for Montgomery County residents to peacefully practice an ancient Asian meditation may be the envy of millions around the world, some of whom face death for the same freedom. The Montgomery County Library in The Woodlands opened its doors Saturday afternoon to residents who wished to practice Falun Gong, an Asian exercise of the mind and body, that translates in English to "great law of energy."

Since 1999, residents of China are being tortured and even killed for practicing the exercise of five steps that resembles yoga.

The leader of China, Jiang Zemin, has overseen the killing of several men, women and children because the practice attracts several million people in the name of truth, compassion and tolerance, according to Jason Wang, a Ph.D from the University of Houston.

A small but growing group of county residents joined on Saturday to participate in the series of meditations and slow stretching movements that are geared to clear the mind, relax the body and generate positive energy.

Falun Gong was brought to Montgomery County by resident Ealy Lim.

"I was introduced to Falun Gong through my family. I had an uncle who was dying of pancreatic cancer, and once he began to practice it made a world of difference," she said.

So much difference that Lim says her uncle's cancer is now in remission.

"We couldn't believe it, but of course now he is a devout practitioner and the cancer has not resurfaced."

Lim, a self-proclaimed skeptic, said she had to try the series of exercises and mediations for herself before she was sold on the idea of its healing powers.

"Once I started doing it, I was totally convinced and am trying to share it with as many people as I can," she said.

Lim was successful in having a workshop taught at the South location of the Montgomery County library on Saturday and has already planned two sessions for September. The lessons are taught by residents of the southwest side of Houston, where the practice is very common. Wang, who helped Lim bring the workshop to the area and who has been practicing for about four years, defines Falun Gong as a "cultivating practice."

Wang says it is about cultivating all parts of the human body and spirit.

Spring resident Leon Lemmons, who has history of hip pain and injury, said his wife, who is of Chinese descent, was the reason he started practicing, "and I haven't stopped since," he said.

Lemmons said of all the lessons that come with the practices, he has most learned to evaluate himself as the source of problems or feelings instead of pushing the problems on to someone else.

"Before I started practicing, I used to come home from being in traffic and I was always upset and frustrated," he said. I am a lot less anxious and have additional patience in certain situations."

The exercises are known for providing physical, mental and emotional healing to people around the world.

For more information on the exercises of Falun Gong, log on to www.falundafa.org, or for information on those being persecuted for practicing, log on to www.faluninfo.net.

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