Bilal: Empowering Myself I came to this 8 Day Health &Happiness Retreat to learn meditation and how to let go. In the past, I had learned other meditation methods, but compared to those, Bodhi Meditation is easier to learn and produces faster results. Now I feel more confident and stronger, because I finally have a method. Through meditation and through Master JinBodhi’s Golden Words affirmations, I’ve learned how to empower myself. My wife even noticed that I’m much calmer than before, without the anxiety I used to carry. This retreat gave me hope. It also helped me realize that my actions affect those around me and the future. I must take responsibility for what I do, be accountable to others, and do more good deeds.
Sasikanth: My purpose coming to this retreat was to reduce my stress and anxiety, especially the negative thoughts that used to haunt me. Before coming here, no matter what I did, I was always filled with “what if?” thoughts—worrying constantly about bad outcomes. During the retreat, I found that these negative thoughts have essentially disappeared. Now I feel so much calmer. My mind is lighter, and overall I feel really wonderful.
Susanna: Before this retreat, I often lacked confidence and was insecure in my work. Recently, I had a very important meeting with my boss, and many more higher ups. Before the meeting, I practiced The Meditation of Greater Illumination and recited Master JinBodhi’s Golden Words. For the first time in my life, I walked into that meeting full of confidence. I never had such a feeling before. The meeting went very well. I knew this inner change had made the difference. After the retreat, I feel calmer, more energized, more confident, and more compassionate. There’s a warm, peaceful energy within me. Another big lesson was Grandmaster’s teaching about perspective—stepping back when planting rice so you can see the bigger picture. Shifting the angle at which I look at things has helped me live with more empathy, peace, and joy. I’ve also become closer to my parents and children, and more loving in my daily life.
Jig: My wife attended the March retreat and insisted that I come too, so I agreed. I’m really glad I did, because I liked this retreat very much. Before, I often quarreled with my wife. But now, I’ve learned how to let go. As Grandmaster JinBodhi teaches, even if I think my wife is wrong, I don’t need to argue with her. Instead, I can retreat to my room or go outside for a walk. I’ve stopped fighting with her, and this change has brought more peace into our relationship.
5, Shoushui: Positive Energy Freed Me from Anxiety, 20 Years of Back Pain Gone For many years, I was tormented by anxiety. It was so bad that every night I had to pace outside before bed; otherwise, I couldn’t sleep. I joined this retreat hoping to reduce my anxiety. But at the start of the retreat, my mind was restless and doubtful: Why did I come here? I’ve already attended so many retreats. Am I wasting my time? These thoughts made me even more anxious.
Then I thought about offering a light myself, and I did so. At the same time, I listened to Grandmaster JinBodhi’s teaching on “Letting Go.” Suddenly, I became calm and told myself: It’s okay that I can’t settle down right now. Accept anxiety as part of life. This was not just a change in thinking; it was a shift in energy. I suddenly had the strength to face anxiety instead of being afraid of it. I also gained confidence that I can control my emotions.
There was also a physical breakthrough: After giving birth 20 years ago, I suffered from chronic stiffness and pain in my lower back. On the sixth day of the retreat, after the energy healing, the pain completely disappeared! I couldn’t believe it. I kept twisting my waist, testing it, and there was truly no more pain. Something that plagued me for 20 years vanished in an instant—it’s incredible!
Christina (Tina): I learned so much from this retreat. When I arrived, I was deeply sad and exhausted because of problems with my boyfriend, and I also felt conflicted and distant from my parents. On the very first day, Grandmaster said in his teaching that when our relationship with our family is not good, it affects our health. I immediately thought of my parents and of my own poor health, and it struck me deeply. I suddenly understood, and just realizing this brought me closer to my parents.
Chanting for my parents became a joy, because while chanting I could focus on how much I truly love them. In this retreat, I learned to pay more attention to the truly important people and things in my life, and to place my focus on those who genuinely love me, like my parents and my friends.
Because of my sadness, I had lost my appetite for the past two months and didn’t want to eat at all. But now, my body knows it needs energy again. My appetite has come back, and the food at the meditation center tastes especially delicious. My parents saw the changes in me and were so happy.
Tran: I finally learned the correct way to meditate. During chanting, I could directly face my past mistakes and sincerely repent for the wrong things I have done. Afterward, I felt much lighter in my heart.
In the past, after coming home from work, I would shut myself away and hardly speak with my family. But yesterday (on the seventh day of the retreat), I went driving with my mom, and my mom said: “I finally see you opening your mouth to speak—you’re talking much more than before. You look so much lighter now.” And I noticed that as I changed, even my father became less quick-tempered.
Through this retreat, my heart feels lighter, and I’ve grown more compassionate and understanding. I’ve learned to see things from others’ perspectives, and my depression feels less heavy. Most of all, I’m reconnecting with my family in a way I thought I had lost.
Deepa: I truly, deeply loved The Meditation of Greater Illumination. Every minute of it was pure enjoyment for me. Chanting at. the meditation center felt completely different from chanting at home—it was so much more powerful and full of energy. It was as if my body, my consciousness, and my soul were all being purified.
Binh: This retreat brought me surprise after surprise. At home, I also meditate and chant, and I’ve visited many meditation centers before, but somehow I could never really get into it. Here, it was completely different.
At first, I thought only a few people would show up, but when I entered and saw more than 20 people, I was amazed. In the beginning, I wanted to talk to the other students, but everyone looked so serious—I wondered how I could connect with them. By the end of the retreat, everyone’s face was smiling, completely different from before
When practicing The Meditation of Purity, I realized I had never known how to steady my thoughts at home while meditating. Following Grandmaster JinBodhi’s guidance step by step, I could finally keep my mind from racing and settle into calmness.
I’ve also had neck pain for five years. During the energy healing, it felt as if something was knocking at my neck. That very night, my pain felt much better. During the second healing, when Grandmaster explained that all the negative energy and pain were being released, I felt as if yellow gas was leaving my body.
Through this retreat, I not only improved my health but also recognized my past mistakes but resolved to change.
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