Sharing is healing. Sharing is a way to open up, a way to trust, a way to help someone else. Those of us who have attended retreats and classes have been touched or moved by someone else’s story, someone else’s sharing helped in a way that perhaps we did not expect, or could not imagine the effect on those listening or that we would relate to it. Sharing and talking about your story, even asking a question, will help you and also someone else. We believed it was true magic during our first retreats, and many, many years later we still believe that the magic is real. Meditation is something that helps us in our daily life and we are grateful for what these wonderful meditations do for us. Here are some students’ sharing of a recent 7-Day Stress Relief Class.
Alex: I came to the retreat to learn to meditate, and not just for this retreat, but the rest of my life. I want to be able to meditate in the morning or afternoon, seven days a week. I know this is going to help me. I’ll be calmer. It will be a tool I can use over a long period of time that will enhance my overall health and well-being. This retreat has given me a better understanding and confidence about meditating. I don’t expect immediate results. It’s not that I expect to leave at the end of the day and have been healed. All I have to do is come here, learn the process and practice the process, and over time I will benefit greatly.
Gabby: About a year ago, I participated in a personality workshop where I worked so we could learn how to get along better with our co-workers. I was very disappointed with my results, because I didn’t see myself the way the personality test did. I was seen as a very “blue” personality. I don’t want to be “blue”. “Blue’ is a very compassionate person and throughout my life I have associated compassion with “I’m a sucker” and everyone can take advantage of me. What I have learned this week is that I’m not a “sucker”. I’m taking all this compassion and owning it. Now I’m going to go to work with a good feeling. It’s also getting a lot easier to practice. The first Meditation of Greater Illumination (GI) seemed like a long session. On the second day, when we did two meditations in a row, I thought something was wrong, and that someone didn’t know we were doing the same thing again. It seemed very, very long. On the third day, when Dana shared with me that she did four GIs in a row every morning, I couldn’t imagine that. But then, I came into the class and after doing two GIs in a row I thought, “My God, it went by so fast, like nothing! I could do another one right now!” So I’m really thrilled by this change and can’t wait to do more.
Phillip: I have a heart and hearing problem. After practicing GI in the past, we did some exercises that included bending down. Each time, my chest hurt when we did this. During this retreat, from the first day to today, I didn’t experience any of that pain, which is incredible. Also, during our practice, I could feel the heat coming onto my head and travelling through my body. My body warmed up so much, even my eyes were affected, perhaps even tears, as my right eye was watering. Something has really changed for me. Thank you.
Grandmaster JinBodhi says that when we shed tears during meditation practice or healing session, something unblocks. Also, sometimes we feel hot, sometimes cold. Whatever sensation we have is a sign that energy is working. It’s important that we aren’t distracted by the sensation. Don’t be happy about it, don’t worry about it; just continue practicing as usual.
S.O.: Before coming here I was really skeptical because I’d tried so many retreats, including Yoga retreats, meditation retreats, Buddhism, and many types of meditation that I’d paid a lot of money for. When I first came through the door, Maggie, the sweetest lady ever, gave me a very warm welcome. Everyone gave me a warm, happy, genuine feeling. On the first day, when we practiced GI, I couldn’t put my arms up because I felt pain, possibly because I work in an office and rarely use my arms. I kept wondering when we were going to put them down. When? When? I kept rushing through the process because I felt pain. The second day we did this again and I wondered why we doing this twice. I kept questioning things. During the practice, I didn’t feel like I was doing anything, but when I got home my relationship with my husband was better, and my whole, overall energy had improved. I feel happy. When I’m driving, I don’t get mad. I just feel genuinely happy. Nothing significant happened, just genuine happiness kept me here and I hope it will keep me going and is not just one of those things that I move on from. I still have doubts and questions, but so far I love it and look forward to the 8.5-Day Health and Happiness Retreat, to transform my life. Thank you very much.
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.