There was cause to celebrate on the last day of July’s 8.5-Day Health & Happiness Retreat. Physical, emotional and spiritual healing are the results of meditation practice. Read the students’ stories below.
Wang Chi, fourteen years old, attended her first Chinese meditation retreat in Vancouver a month ago. This is her first English meditation retreat. She came with her grandmother, mother, and sister from Beijing, China, to restore her health.
Her mother had told her, “Bodhi will help you walk.” Although she spoke no English (her sister translated when necessary), she was able to build friendships with other students.
At first, during The Meditation of Greater Illumination (GI), she could only stand for five minutes before she would begin to sweat. Born two months premature, her legs suffered as a result and she has trouble walking and standing. After practicing GI and Energy Bagua everyday she can now stand for an entire GI (30 minutes). She’s noticed that her legs are stronger and she can walk faster.
She expressed gratitude to Grandmaster JinBodhi for the opportunity to learn and heal. She epitomized courage and faith.
Caroline, Wang Chi’s older sister said that there is no place like this in China. Before coming to the retreat she used eye drops two or three times a day as her eyes easily dried out. She no longer needs to use them. Before coming to the retreat she felt blue, but is now happy. Her grandmother suffered from pain in her body, but that has now reduced. She thanked Master JinBodhi for building the Centre so we can all get our health back.
Nicole is French Canadian and this was her first retreat. She had participated meditation before but when the place she was going to closed, her practice faded day by day, then weekly, and finally monthly. She wasn’t able to return to her daily practice and found her heart closing. She was getting angry, impatient, judgmental, and had no compassion. She wanted to find a place to practice. While manning a booth at the Vancouver Wellness Show this year, her husband brought her a pamphlet from Bodhi and said, “You should try this.” She attended the half-day introduction class and found the “customer service” amazing and signed up for the retreat. When she came for the first day, she had three wishes:
- More energy
- Open-heart, compassion, gratitude
- Connection with Chinese people
She had lived in Vancouver for seventeen years and avoided Chinese people because of her prejudices and judgments. On Day 1 of the retreat she arrived early and sat in the designated section for her group. She was the first one. Suddenly a Chinese family, from China, sat beside her and behind her. Oh, she thought, that’s interesting; now I have to connect. She knew it was a sign and she wanted to understand them and their culture. She spoke with, and through, Caroline, the only one in the family who spoke English.
On day 5 Nicole asked Caroline why they came to Vancouver to practice meditation. “Why not practice in China,” she asked her. “There’s no centre in China as it’s not allowed,” Caroline told her.
In her heart, Nicole felt a shift.
During the chanting, she felt so much compassion for the Chinese people who don’t have the privilege we have. So her wishes all came true. She woke up at 5:30 am on day 6, full of energy. She felt compassion and gratitude, and felt her heart open to all. And even without language, she was able to fully connect to Chinese people. Her appreciation for Bodhi was so sincere that she started volunteering her time on day 7.
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.
Other blogs in this series:
Celebrate New – I
Celebrate New – III: Family
Celebrate New – IV: Hope