Taking Charge of Diabetes, Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
Challenges: high blood pressure, high cholesterol,diabetes, insomnia, facial paralysis, stress
By Lin Ji Ren, Singapore
Translation by Gina Ko
My health has made a steady turnaround ever since I attended the Bodhi Meditation 8.5-Day Health & Happiness Retreat. I embarked on a daily regime of meditation practices, and within six months was freed from the suffering of diabetes, endless nights of insomnia, and sudden attacks of facial numbness. Being able to regain physical health and recover from emotional exhaustion has meant that I now have the confidence to face life and live fully.
Ignoring Warning Signs and Symptoms
My father passed away when I was very young. My mother endured the hardships of raising three children alone. I was only 15 and already helping at my mother’s eatery, working daily from as early as 4 a.m. till midnight. Irregular meals and chronic sleep deprivation meant that I was exhausted much of the time. When I was about 30 I was diagnosed with diabetes. As I was still feeling well and was busy with life, I did not seek any medical treatment. I continued to operate at a fast pace for 30 years. When I turned 60, I retired from my business hoping to enjoy life.
It was then that my diabetic condition worsened. For five years I sought Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment, but my health failed to improve. My blood sugar and blood cholesterol remained high. My blood sugar spiked as high as 18 to 20 mmol/L, while my cholesterol level was between 9 mmol/L and 11 mmol/L. (Editor’s note: Normal cholesterol reading for seniors is below 7 mmol/L).
A further challenge arrived in the form of insomnia. I would lie awake most nights, sleeping for only two hours. I was tormented by constant lethargy. The enjoyment I had hoped to experience during retirement eluded me. I became a very unhappy person. I worried about my health and my family. My
short-term memory deteriorated. Toward the end of 2016 I was hospitalized for a week when my blood pressure soared to the astonishing level of 300 mmHg.
In December 2016 I suffered from an attack of facial paralysis on the left side. I was unable to open my left eye nor control the drooling. My facial muscles lost sensation and strength. I was admitted to the emergency ward and began taking medications for high cholesterol and diabetes, as well as insulin injections.
A New Life
In February 2017, a Bodhi Meditation practitioner recommended that I attend the 8.5-Day Health & Happiness Retreat.
A few days into the retreat, my sleep improved — I was able to sleep through the night. My blood-sugar level dropped to between 7 and 8 mmol/L. My diabetes medication and insulin injections were reduced by half.
By the fourth day of the retreat, the pervading sense of unease that had plagued me was gone. Amazingly, the symptoms of the facial paralysis were also gone. My eyes could blink normally. My face was symmetrical.
After the retreat, I started to attend the group practice at the meditation center and also took up Energy Bagua. After a month of daily commitment, my insomnia and mental stresses subsided. My cholesterol dropped to normal range, between 4 and 5 mmol/L. A medical checkup showed that my blood-sugar level was normal at 5.5 mmol/L, and my blood pressure was healthy too. If the indicators remain in the healthy range, I can stop taking steroids and insulin.
Grandmaster JinBodhi’s dharma teachings have greatly influenced my thinking. His simple but profound ideas have transformed the way I approach daily life. Full of confidence, I look forward to enjoying my retirement days.
The intent of the testimonial is to offer wellness information of a general nature. Individual results of practice may vary.
