The 8-Day Health and Happiness Retreat concluded on April 19. Participants joyfully shared the transformations they experienced in both body and mind. Here are a few excerpts from their testimonials.
We warmly welcome you, your family, and your friends to join our next 8-Day Health and Happiness Retreat and experience the transformative power of meditation for yourself.
- New Hope for an Injured Runner - Suvir
Three years ago, I moved to Silicon Valley and the transition was very difficult. I had left my family behind, hadn't found a community, and was dealing with a lot of stress from working in tech. Eight months ago, I suffered two tendon tears in my ankle and had to stop running, which had always been my way of managing stress. Since then, I've struggled with physical pain, mental stress, poor sleep, and uncertainty about the future.
Coming to this retreat, I experienced a sense of peace that I hadn't felt in a long time. It was a very emotional release, and as my mind relaxed, so did my body. People even noticed that I was smiling again.
My ankle pain has improved by about 80–90%. During one healing session, my leg started shaking uncontrollably and then finally relaxed. Since then, I've been taking walks every morning, and what used to be constant pain is now mostly gone. I used to doubt that I'd ever run again, but now I believe I can work toward my goal of running a marathon if I continue practicing.
My sleep has also improved significantly. I spend less time on my phone, can calm my mind more easily, and sleep more deeply. My Apple Watch shows much more deep sleep than before—even with fewer hours of sleep.
This retreat has been truly transformative. I feel like I've finally found a community where I belong.
- Goodbye to Short Temper - Wenyi
I joined the Health and Happiness Retreat with my son, simply wanting to give meditation a try. To my surprise, I discovered that this experience was about much more than just meditation.
By the third day of the retreat, I felt incredibly relaxed and peaceful, as if I had finally reconciled with myself. Even walking up the stairs became effortless.
In the past, I had a very short temper. I always expected people to understand me right away, and if they didn't, I would become frustrated and complain. Through the retreat, I learned compassion and how to let go. Now I don't lose my temper as easily, and I can tell myself, "It's okay." If I do get angry, I use the method Grandmaster taught us—I silently count to three and walk away.
I'm sleeping better now, and I feel much calmer and happier.
- Finding Rest and Support in a Stressful Life - Ryan
My wife and I don't have family nearby, so we've always been on our own. But at this meditation center, I truly felt welcomed. More than anything, I feel like I've found a place where I can find mental support, and that's my biggest takeaway.
Another big improvement is my sleep. Before coming here, I could only sleep two or three hours at a time before waking up, and my sleep quality was poor. Around the second or third day of the retreat, I started sleeping longer and more deeply. For the first time in a long while, I slept four or five hours straight without waking up. That made a huge difference for me.
- Walking Upright Again at 85 Year Old - Defeng
I'm an 85-year-old retired engineer. I worked extremely hard throughout my career, which resulted in a cervical spine injury. In recent years, I gradually lost my ability to walk and had to rely on a wheelchair.
On the first day of the retreat, I could barely walk and my back was badly hunched. But now I can walk with my back much straighter and can walk much farther.
I also have diabetes and used to need the restroom very frequently. During the retreat, I noticed I didn't need to go nearly as often.
Overall, my health has improved, and I have much more energy.
- Improved Tinnitus and Better Sleep - Weiping
I work in construction and manage multiple job sites, so I work seven days a week. During the Covid pandemic, I developed tinnitus. By the middle of last year, it had become much worse and started affecting my sleep. I would go to bed at 10 p.m. and wake up around 2 a.m., unable to fall back asleep.
I tried many treatments, including traditional Chinese medicine, medication, and acupuncture, but nothing really helped. With ongoing sleep problems and heavy work pressure, I became increasingly anxious and found it difficult to focus.
After attending the 8-Day Health and Happiness Retreat, the biggest change was that both my body and mind became much calmer. I can now handle things one at a time with a steadier mindset, and my sleep has improved noticeably. Even if I wake up during the night, I can usually fall back asleep quickly. One night, I slept six hours straight, which hadn't happened in a very long time.
My tinnitus is still there, but I've learned to accept it. It no longer makes me feel as irritated or anxious as before. Overall, I feel much more relaxed and emotionally stable
- Burning Pain Disappeared, Sleep Quality Improved - Carlos
From the first day of this health and happiness retreat, I felt that everything started to change.
Before coming here, I could only sleep about four hours a night. But after the first day, my sleep quality became much better. One night, I slept so deeply that I even drooled in my sleep—it hadn’t happened since I was a child. It felt like true deep sleep, where I just completely passed out. My energy and mood have also improved a lot.
Physically, starting two weeks before coming here. I felt constant burning pain in my neck, shoulders, and upper body. But now, the pain is gone, and I only feel warmth.
I also used to feel pinching sensations around my liver area over the past two years, and I had issues with my gallbladder as well. But now those sensations are no longer there. Overall, I feel so much better physically.
This retreat was much more than learning meditation—it feels like something deeper. From the very beginning, I felt a strong connection with everyone here, like receiving a warm hug from each person. I’m very grateful for this experience.
- Restful Sleep, Peaceful Mind - Maggie
I gained so much from this retreat—not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually.
Although I used to sleep seven or eight hours a night, I often had stressful dreams and still woke up exhausted. Since the retreat began, I've been dreaming much less and sleeping much more deeply. Even when I wake up early, I feel more energetic.
Another wonderful change is that when I can't fall asleep right away, the Mantra I chanted during the day naturally comes to mind. As soon as I start chanting, my mind becomes quiet, my body relaxes, and I quickly fall asleep.
Spiritually, I've gained greater compassion, wisdom, and inner peace. One teaching from Grandmaster especially stayed with me: when our hearts are open, many things simply pass through. It's not only better for others, but also better for ourselves.
I used to be impatient with my family if they didn't understand me right away. Now I can respond with more compassion, knowing that everyone has their own obstacles. Because of that, my heart is much more peaceful, and our relationships have become more relaxed.
One of my biggest takeaways is realizing that inner steadiness comes through practice and meditation. I'm also deeply grateful to the TAs, volunteers, and classmates. Seeing everyone's compassion and hearing their stories has made me appreciate life even more.
- Through Tears, Found Clarity and Peace - Alireza
The most meaningful part of this retreat was the emotional release I experienced.
One day, I arrived late. As I walked in, I heard the chanting music, and within a minute of sitting down, I began crying. It happened naturally, as if something inside me was being released.
Many men, including myself, rarely experience that kind of emotional release. The chanting deeply touched me. Even though I didn't understand the words, I could feel it came from the heart, and it opened my own heart. That was very precious to me.
Later, I realized the release was connected to emotions I'd been carrying about my parents since childhood. Through this experience, I was able to let go of a large part of those bottled-up emotions.I came to the retreat hoping to gain more clarity of mind, and I feel I've taken an important step toward that.
- Overcame Grief, Restored Sleep and Appetite - Lihua
Three months ago, I lost my husband, my lifelong companion. I fell into deep grief. I lost my appetite, lost a significant amount of weight, and struggled with severe insomnia. Even after taking melatonin, I often slept only one or two hours a night.
When I came to the Health and Happiness Retreat, I was deeply touched by the kindness and compassion of everyone here. I truly felt the warmth of this big family, and many times I was moved to tears.
The changes in my body were remarkable. Starting on the third day of the retreat, my appetite returned, and I began sleeping again. I gradually went from sleeping only one or two hours to three or four hours, and one night I even slept seven hours straight. My appetite also came back, and I could finally enjoy eating again.
- Not just me, and my family are transformed, too! - Mingzhu
Finishing the 8-day retreat seemed unattainable at first, but I did it and felt this immense joy.
I am grateful for the support from my husband. My husband is a quiet and reserved person but when I went home yesterday, surprisingly he became talkative and open. He shared with me what he did during the day and went on for a whole hour. He was a completely different person.
My daughter also reported a boost in health and spirits. I realize that transforming my own inner state leads to transformation of my family. The atmosphere of the whole house becomes more harmonious and relaxed.