by Da Bin, Vancouver
The Accidents
Each morning, when I open my eyes, I say, “Thank you.” The fact that I am able to do this simple task is a miracle. Years ago, I was hit by a car and in a coma for days. I lived in the hospital for three months. The neurologist told me that I was lucky to be alive. I was in a wheelchair and locked myself away from the world because I was so limited in what I could do. I was disabled. I felt helpless. My mother cared for me because I did not want any stranger living with me. I know how it is to suffer, to be incapable of walking and to be cognitively impaired. I learned how to perform basic tasks such as walking, brushing my teeth, preparing lunch, changing clothes, doing laundry, washing my hair, taking showers and other everyday activities, but always with pain.
Life somewhat returned to normal, but I continued to suffer cognitive impairment. I couldn’t retain new information and had trouble with memory and reasoning. Pain ran from my head to my toes. The headaches were worse than a migraine – head injuries are like that. I suffered from dizziness and insomnia and lived on pain medication. Tai chi, acupuncture, yoga, physiotherapy, different doctors and neuropsychologists, Chinese medicine – nothing brought relief. Yet I continued to work, denying my symptoms and my health. I had not learned the lesson – to slow down and appreciate the preciousness of life.
Several years later a second car accident exacerbated the symptoms. Within six months of the second car accident, my mother, my best friend and a dearly beloved cousin died. In hindsight, this was another wake-up call to appreciate how precious life is, but I was too much in pain to understand. I was just surviving.
The Healing
Friends took me to the Vancouver Wellness Show in early 2013 to seek new sources of relief. A Bodhi volunteer asked me, “Would you like to learn how to heal yourself?” This was the key invitation that convinced me go to the Bodhi Center.
In January 2013, I attended an 8.5-Day Health & Happiness Retreat. On the third day I had so much energy that I easily carried a five-pound bag of groceries without a thought about the pain. On the fifth day, during Grandmaster JinBodhi’s drum healing, he said, “chu lai” or “come out.” I felt a huge force enter the right side of my head. It felt like a vacuum, sucking out my brain. And it all came out – all that accumulated pain inside my head. In the days that followed, I could once again retain information. In April 2013 I read five books and could remember and discuss with others what I read. My language skills returned and I could remember everything I heard. I felt joy for the first time in years.
Amazed by the fast results, I continue my daily practice of The Meditation of Greater Illumination and 30 minutes of prostration. I find the key to my success of continuous practice and recovery is by volunteering at Bodhi Meditation and building my trust in Master JinBodhi. The key is to participate and be involved with everything in life.
The Miracle
The miracle is that I can converse with people again. This was something I hadn’t been able to do since the second accident. By the end of the year, I was able to express myself verbally as a team leader. As an example, I remember when a new brother came to Bodhi Meditation because of a family situation that caused pain and shame. He did not know how to handle these problems. He also suffered stress and the responsibility of caring for his daughter who suffered from depression. He asked me, “What should I do?” I was afraid to answer so I looked at a picture of Master JinBodhi and asked him silently how to advise this man. I was inspired to say, “You, as the father, are the major key for the future of your family. When you change, your family will change.” I recall sharing the above encounter with the rest of the team and everybody was impressed that I was finally talking to people.
Gratitude for my Parents
In many ways, Master JinBodhi reminds me of my father. He was also a musician of the same instrument (woo chen) that Master JinBodhi plays. I remember being about five years old and asking my father, “What are you doing?” He was meditating. He died when I was 13, but in that short time he managed to teach me many things. He taught me many values that I am reminded of when I hear Master JinBodhi’s teachings. He told me that everybody is equal regardless of color. As a hard-working and successful businessman, he helped all of us, his family in China and the new immigrants who came from China to the small town where we lived. In fact, I remember that he used to be the godfather to many of his employees’ children. His gestures of generosity and care for people were my first lessons in life.
My powerful and intelligent mother also taught me many things. I appreciate her lessons of wisdom and strength which I applied throughout my recovery process. She taught me, the sixth of seven children, to be independent, to stand up in a new land with a different language and lifestyle, which I have been doing since I was young.
Third Accident
In 2014, I had my third car accident. I was a passenger in a small car that was hit by a truck on my side. When it happened, I was uninjured and calm enough to pacify the two drivers and even negotiate on behalf of both, offering a solution to both drivers who were understandably unnerved. Besides the miracle of safety, I found that the blessed necklace I had been wearing somehow found its way outside the car. Strange, the impact was strong enough to do that, but I didn’t suffer in any way. I believe that the same compassionate energy that Master JinBodhi brings to the center protected all of us. I was healthy, happy and cried out of gratitude for the blessing of protection. In the first accident I was broken, the second I was fragile, but in this one I was strong because I lived my life with the awareness of how precious it is. Somehow, I felt I had graduated from a painful phase of my past.
Currently, I volunteer at the front desk to help newcomers. I continue to learn and grow by listening and connecting to people who are sad, depressed or ill and I witness their smiles after they practice Bodhi Meditation. One sister cried because she had no place to live. I advised her to be calm and continue her practice. “If you look at the Master’s picture and ask sincerely for assistance, help can come in three days, three weeks or three months.” Soon after, she phoned me and joyfully gave me the good news that she found a place and a job. I believe all these blessings come from Master JinBodhi. The healing process is a continual and ever-changing process.
I’m grateful to Bodhi Meditation, Master JinBodhi, and the brothers and sisters who continue to help me. Bodhi completes my existence. I get to give back, apply the teachings of Master JinBodhi to my life, understand my ancestors and use my experiences to grow. We have to take action, be responsible, and remember that it is up to us to make a change.
Disclaimer:
- The effects associated with practicing Bodhi Meditation can vary from person to person.
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