Home for the Soul – Part IV
Barbara told the retreat students, “It gives me so much joy to see how people’s faces brighten more each day of the retreat. Meditation works like anti-wrinkle cream!” She shared this on the last day of the 8.5-Day Health & Happiness Retreat. Her words resonated with everyone. There was much joy in the room. The energy gained during the meditation opened hearts to gratitude. Gratitude gave rise to joy. Joy grew, revealing a deep-seeded peace and happiness.
Here are more of their stories:
In 2011, Sadaf experienced discomfort in her lower back but didn’t know what it was – perhaps a kidney stone. One day she went to pick up her laundry basket and her back seized. After an ambulance ride to the hospital and a scan, she was diagnosed with a herniated disc in her lower back. The pain was so intense she was hospitalized for five days.
For six months she couldn’t do anything but lie on the floor. Little by little, she started to walk again. It was a depressing time for the young woman. The discomfort and pain persisted. She had problems sitting for any length of time and that interrupted her life, including school.
She attended an 8.5-Day Health & Happiness Retreat in April 2016 and suffered soreness in her back when standing and bending while practicing her first Meditation of Greater Illumination, but by the third GI, the discomfort was gone and as she continued receiving energy, she had much less discomfort.
After her first retreat, her symptoms improved by 70%. When the soreness would return, it was gone within one or two days whereas before the retreat, it would last for almost two weeks.
Today, she’s able to go to the gym, hike and continue with her studies.
This was Emily’s fourth retreat.
Six years ago, while sitting on the couch, she felt a tingle in her face. It increased over the next few weeks and then one day while eating a chocolate chip cookie she felt like she was being stabbed in the face. Doctors diagnosed her with Trigeminal neuralgia (also known as the suicide disease), one of the most painful diseases known to mankind.
There is no way to deal with the disease. Emily was on anti-convulsive medication and muscle relaxants. She went to the hospital for IV morphine. Two years ago she met a neurologist who performed a surgery. She hoped she’d wake up without pain. Unfortunately, she woke up with more pain. Two months later the pain had decreased, but eventually it worsened.
She had surgery again in October 2016 by a top neurosurgeon in Vancouver. This time, before and during her surgery, family and friends chanted and lit candles for her. When she woke up she didn’t need any morphine. There was no pain.
Today, she’s almost off all medication. “I survived,” she said. “I have joy and energy. That’s all I need to live my life, be a good mother and help others. I was given my life back.”
Maria said, “I am 65 years young but feel like I’m 33.”
That’s what the energy does. Grandmaster JinBodhi, she said, inspired her. “I had lots of blockages, a big load to unload. At my first retreat I realized I don’t have to keep it, so I finally kicked it out.”
Throughout the retreat, Maria fasted. She lost nine pounds and gave her organs had a good rest.
In 2014, Catherine first came to the Centre on Sundays for the energy healing. She worked full-time so it took her a long time to be able to attend a retreat. Finally she did attend the retreat.
At first she had much resistance. The people at the Centre were so patient and loving that she wondered if this was normal. She discovered it was.
At the age of 23, Catherine had almost broken her neck at C1. She suffered pain and agony for years. This week during the retreat her neck went out and she had to miss two days of the retreat. It was hard to come to the Centre debilitated and vulnerable, but she returned.
Everyone offered her gentleness and kindness. Normally, she would have been debilitated for a longer period of time, but she was glad she came back after two days because the energy healing that day helped improve her condition.
Disclaimer:
- The effects associated with practicing Bodhi Meditation can vary from person to person.
- Any and all content, views, opinions, and/or responses in this student sharing are solely the views, opinions and responsibility of the respondent and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Bodhi Meditation.
- Bodhi Meditation does not provide or replace any medical advice or treatment. We recommend everyone adhere to their medical treatment and prescription.
Photos by Bruce CG Gallagher