On July 2nd, another session of the Health and Happiness Retreat concluded successfully!
Fellow practitioners joyfully shared the transformations that meditation brought to their body, mind, and soul. Witnessing their own and their fellow practitioners’ remarkable changes, everyone’s confidence soared.
Students who have participated in several Health and Happiness Retreats found this time particularly fulfilling, breaking through their sensory experiences of the body and elevating their overall well-being. Every face was filled with boundless gratitude towards the Grandmaster!
Over ten new and returning practitioners have already made plans to join the Health and Happiness Retreat again in September, and they are determined to encourage their friends and family in need to join in learning together!
Chi Wang (right)
I’m 72 years old this year, and I’m very happy to be able to attend the class this time. I’ve gained a lot from it. In the past couple of years, I’ve felt that my body has been getting easily fatigued, and I usually need to take a nap at home during noon. During the course, I’ve been waking up at 6 am every day, and I haven’t taken a nap throughout the day. Surprisingly, I’ve felt more energetic instead. My calves used to cramp up every night around four or five in the morning, which was very uncomfortable and distressing. I had been experiencing this for several months, and even seeing doctors didn’t help. But starting from the fifth day of the course, the cramps in my calves disappeared, and I’m so happy about it.
Also, when I was young, I fell while chopping trees in the countryside, injuring my lower back. I consulted many doctors, but the old injury didn’t fully heal, and my lower back often felt painful. After receiving the blessings of Grandmaster’s “Singing and Drumming,” my lower back feels more relaxed, the pain is reduced, and my legs and feet are somewhat more flexible.
My blood sugar levels were somewhat high, which caused dizziness. From the third day of the course, I haven’t experienced dizziness. It’s amazing that these long-standing issues that even doctors couldn’t address have greatly improved in just an eight-and-a-half-day Health and Happiness Retreat. I’m so happy and grateful to the Grandmaster! I’ll definitely attend the next Health and Happiness Retreat!
Xu Jinyi
This is my first time participating in the Bodhi Meditation course, and I have no prior experience with meditation. I decided to attend the class because I witnessed the tremendous changes in my sister after practicing meditation. Not only did her physical health improve, but her personality became more cheerful. She is joyful every day, and her energy and spirit are heightened. In just half a year, she seemed like a completely different person.
I’ve worked busy shifts in a restaurant for decades, enduring a lifetime of hardships and accumulating various health issues. Especially in recent years, I felt tired every day, lacking energy, wanting to lean against something or lie down even when sitting, and my complexion wasn’t good. My shoulders, neck, waist, and back were all stiff and painful. I also had a problem with all ten finger joints swelling due to rheumatoid arthritis, and my fingers felt cold and stiff. My mind was tense, and I couldn’t find happiness in my daily life.
On the first day of practicing the “Meditation of Greater Illumination,” it was tough and uncomfortable to lift my arms, and I felt somewhat unstable. When the music for the “Meditation of Greater Illumination” started playing, I felt like sleeping. On the first and second days of doing the closing exercises, my joints made cracking sounds as I moved my knees. Now my joints no longer make those sounds.
During the practice of the “Meditation of Greater Illumination,” I felt heat and sweat in my head and neck. With each passing day, I improved. Now my limbs feel less stiff, and I’ve experienced relief. Previously, I couldn’t lift my hands to the back when combing my hair, but now I can. Raising my arms has become easier, and my fingers are more flexible. On the first day, sitting on the cushion was extremely challenging, but now it’s much better. My legs feel lighter and stronger.
On the seventh day of practicing the “Meditation of Greater Illumination,” while doing the “Universal Connectivity Mudra”, I even saw Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva behind me. My tensed-up mood eased, and I haven’t felt genuine joy from within for a long time. My complexion also became rosier.
I’ve greatly benefited from Grandmaster JinBodhi’s teachings. The Grandmaster guided us on how to become joyful individuals, taught us about the principles of karma, and encouraged sincere repentance and atonement for any harm we’ve caused to other beings. I’ve also learned about compassion, giving, accumulating merits, and the benefits of volunteering for ourselves and our families. Now that I’m retired, I want to volunteer at the Meditation Center. In just a few short days, I’ve felt changes in my body, mind, and spirit. I’m grateful for Grandmaster JinBodhi’s compassionate and wonderful teachings!
Chi Qian
I’ve attended every Health and Happiness Retreat, and each time I’ve benefited greatly! The Health and Happiness Retreat has elevated my body, mind, and spirit, and I’ve learned to understand others. Now I’m determined not to watch TV dramas; whenever I have time, I practice meditation and do chanting. Grandmaster’s teachings provide me with a lot of insights and inspirations. For example, during the last Health and Happiness Retreat in South Korea, a student asked Grandmaster, “Why, after practicing for so long, is my illness not improving?” Grandmaster explained that it’s due to karmic forces. I realized that after practicing Grandmaster’s teachings, many of my health issues improved, except for recurrent heart pain. I immediately thought that my heart pain must also be related to karmic forces.
Since I was young, I’ve had skin allergies that caused hives. My heart hasn’t been in good condition, and I’ve experienced chest pain. To treat my skin allergies, a folk remedy suggested eating live tadpoles. My father had me consume a lot of tadpoles, and my allergies actually improved.
Later, when I was in business, someone recommended a folk remedy for my heart pain, which involved swallowing a live hedgehog’s heart. At the time, I had money and didn’t understand karma, so I had someone catch a hedgehog for me. Now it’s clear that this is a manifestation of karma. I understand that no one can help you with your own karmic forces. After listening to Grandmaster’s teachings, I immediately lit 49-day lamps and performed prostration as repentance for the tadpoles and hedgehogs I had harmed. It’s quite miraculous – within just a few days of offering the lamps, my heart pain disappeared. As Grandmaster says, we need to genuinely repent and make amends for our own karmic forces, only then can karma dissolve and illnesses improve. Cause and effect are indeed real. I’m grateful for Grandmaster’s guidance!
Sun Fan
I’ve been working the night shift for the past two years, and my sleep hasn’t been good. I couldn’t sleep past around 3 am every night. On the fourth day of the course, I finally managed to have a good night’s sleep until morning.
During the initial days of the course, I frequently had to go to the restroom while practicing, but now the frequency has reduced. I feel more energetic in my body. Grandmaster’s explanation of the “Meditation of Greater Illumination” during the teachings has inspired me greatly. Grandmaster said, “Water seems still, but it’s actually in motion.” I’m learning to calm my mind down, just like in meditation practice. I’m applying this concept to handle daily life and work matters. Tasks that I used to procrastinate on are now getting resolved easily in the past few days, and I am much more efficient. Grateful to Grandmaster!
Yuan Xie
I live in another state and haven’t attended any classes for several years. This time, due to health issues with no apparent solution, I decided to come to New York for this course. I’ve gained tremendous benefits from this Health and Happiness Retreat, and I’m grateful to Grandmaster and all the fellow practitioners at the New York Bodhi Meditation Center.
Toothache Resolved
I’ve been suffering from severe tooth root pain for over nine years. Despite consulting many doctors, there was no way to treat it. Sometimes the pain was constant for 24 hours, even causing nerve pain that radiated through my entire head and neck, making it excruciatingly painful. There were times when the pain was so severe that I couldn’t even practice meditation. On the fifth day of this course, I realized that the toothache had disappeared. It’s truly miraculous how it’s no longer hurting at all. I’m grateful for Grandmaster’s powerful blessings and protection.
Energy Blessing Eliminated My Pain
After the energy blessing of “Singing and Drumming,” my knees were incredibly painful throughout the night. I knew it was the effect of the energy blessing still working, so I persevered despite the pain. The next morning when I woke up, my legs were flexible, and the pain was gone. Due to work-related issues, I had been suffering from back pain and persistent pain in my left shoulder. Both of these have now been relieved by more than half.
Through chanting, introspection, and repentance, I feel like my heart has opened up, and I’m able to receive energy! I’ve greatly benefited from Grandmaster’s compassionate teachings. I recognized my own greed and realized the importance of health. This time, I’m really determined to let go. Grandmaster’s teachings are truly remarkable, and he has bestowed so much upon me. I am committed to practicing diligently and hope that I can pass Grandmaster’s teachings on to more people as well.
Rong Ning
In the past few months, I’ve been suffering greatly from menopausal syndrome. I experience excessive night sweats every day, waking up two to three times during the night. I’ve been dealing with heart palpitations, numbness in my head, lack of mental clarity, and a lack of motivation. For over three months, I’ve been unable to work. Even though I’m at home, I haven’t had the energy to practice. I’ve been feeling very anxious, restless, and agitated, with a mind that can’t settle down.
On the fifth day of the Health and Happiness Retreat, I felt a surge of energy. I didn’t wake up during the night and was able to sleep until five in the morning. I went out early in the morning and returned home late at night without feeling tired. My mood relaxed, and I wasn’t as restless or anxious as before. Previously, I couldn’t even muster the energy to cook for three people at home. On the seventh day, I volunteered in the kitchen, working from nine in the morning until two in the afternoon, cooking for over 30 people. I managed to complete the tasks effortlessly, and my heart was filled with joy and gratitude.
Through “Singing and Drumming,” I received Grandmaster’s powerful energy blessing. This energy surged into my lower back, making it relaxed, and my heart opened up. Looking back to the first and second days of the class, I felt lethargic, experienced excessive sweating (my clothes were soaked), and was in a restless state of mind. Today, I’m experiencing a sense of happiness, and I can genuinely smile from within. I’m grateful for Grandmaster’s profound teachings, which have once again given me a rebirth.
Zheng Yijie
About half a year ago, I happened to pass by and saw Bodhi Meditation Center. Although I set alarms to remind myself to come and check it out, I kept postponing and never actually came. After coming to learn, I realized that Bodhi Meditation is a highly systematic organization, and learning here is the most important thing I’ve done in my life! Every word spoken by Grandmaster JinBodhi resonates deeply with me. In the past, I knew the facts, but I didn’t understand the underlying reasons.
On the third and fourth days of the Health and Happiness Retreat, I felt my inner self calming down. In terms of physical well-being, I’ve also improved significantly. I used to lack self-discipline, had poor habits, and ate irregularly. I felt that my life was a mess, and my physical condition was poor. I’ve worked in a restaurant for 20 years, and I’ve developed many occupational ailments. My back was stiff, all my joints ached, and my lower back issues affected my legs, so I used to go for massages frequently to alleviate the pain.
After the energy blessing of “Singing and Drumming,” my back pain has improved significantly, and it’s almost not painful anymore. In the Health and Happiness Retreat, I learned how to grasp the second half of my life. Stepping into Bodhi Meditation feels like entering the gate of auspiciousness and health. At the same time, I’m also cultivating wisdom and compassion. Here, I’ve found the purpose of my life.
Li Xiuyun
My body has had many health issues. I’ve had two cervical spine surgeries, one lumbar spine surgery, and a minimally invasive surgery for kidney stones. Last year, my cousin brought me to the meditation center and introduced me to Bodhi Meditation. In this Health and Happiness Retreat, my sleep has improved. I’ve had insomnia for two or three years, relying on sleeping pills every night to fall asleep. Additionally, I’ve had neuralgia for over a decade, so I have to take two types of medication every day.
I haven’t sweated for more than a decade. Even while working in a restaurant cooking over hot oil pans, I wouldn’t sweat even in scorching June weather. After taking the Energy Bagua class last year, I started sweating a little. Now, my insomnia and neuralgia no longer require medication. I had severe constipation, sometimes not being able to use the bathroom for seven or eight days, even with laxatives. After the March Health and Happiness Retreat, my bowel movements became normal. I don’t need laxatives anymore, and I can naturally have regular bowel movements every day.
During the “Meditation of Greater Illumination” practice in this Health and Happiness Retreat, my whole body felt hot, and my body could sweat. I felt like every cell in my body had been opened. While doing the “Universal Connectivity Mudra”, I used to struggle to lift my hands, but now I can raise them. Participating in this Health and Happiness Retreat has opened up my emotional blockages, and I’m happy every day. Grandmaster’s teachings are incredible; I’ve benefited greatly. Gratitude to Grandmaster.
Su Yayu
Before the start of this class, I was contemplating whether to sit on a chair or on a cushion. I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet, causing them to feel hot and painful when standing for long periods. But then I remembered the words from the “Grandmaster JinBodhi’s Golden Words”: “I like challenges, I am most accountable, I will fulfill my life purpose.” So, I chose to sit on the cushion and didn’t use the chair.
Every morning before getting out of bed, I had to move my feet to prevent stiffness. By the third or fourth day of class, my feet miraculously stopped hurting, and there was no more stiffness. I could get out of bed without the pre-movement routine. As I have rheumatoid arthritis, I wanted to transcend it. During the class, the second day was very painful, the third day was numbing, the fourth day was even more painful and numbing. On the fifth day, the numbness disappeared, and the pain decreased. By the sixth day, there was almost no pain. And today, there’s no pain at all! I successfully challenged myself and feel incredibly joyful and grateful to the Grandmaster.
In every class, I sincerely listened to the Grandmaster’s guidance and focused on the teacher’s explanations. When I opened my heart, while doing the “Wheel Mudra,” I felt inner softness. During the “Universal Connectivity Mudra,” my posture automatically adjusted, and I felt a strong energy blessing. Now my eyes are brighter, my memory has improved, my reactions are quicker, and my observation skills have strengthened. I’ve become more optimistic. Previously, I used to isolate myself at home, but now I enjoy chatting with friends. Bodhi Meditation taught me to express love, praise others, and I’ve found health and happiness through this. Gratitude leads to cherishing. I feel that my remaining years are precious, and I hope in the next Health and Happiness Retreat, we can all participate together!
Lai Lun
I’ve attended many sessions of the Health and Happiness Retreat, and this time’s course is the best I’ve ever experienced. The energy during this class is exceptionally peaceful. Following the Grandmaster’s guidance in practicing the “Meditation of Greater Illumination,” I entered a state of neither sadness nor happiness, free from worries. I felt the sensation of “lightness and ease,” as if I could stand on a leaf, that’s how light it felt. Throughout this course, tears kept flowing from my eyes, continuously streaming. After shedding these tears, I felt a profound sense of relaxation in my mind, body, and soul.
This is the first time I felt that time and space were compressed when I practiced the “Meditation of Purity.” The 30-minute practice felt like it ended in just three to five minutes. Such an experience is truly indescribable, and the inner joy and emotions are beyond words. Boundless gratitude for the Grandmaster’s compassionate blessings, the Grandmaster’s teachings are truly extraordinary. Thank you, Grandmaster!
Students practicing the “Meditation of Greater Illumination.”
Students recite the “Grandmaster JinBodhi’s Golden Words.”
At the conclusion, practitioners express their gratitude to Grandmaster JinBodhi through song.
The intent of the testimonial is to offer wellness information of a general nature. Individual results of practice may vary.