#STRESS #ANXIETY #DEPRESSION #CONSTIPATION #FATIGUE
Meditating My Way to Peace
BY SHANG BI, VANCOUVER
TRANSLATION BY GI TAO
Life in the IT industry can be stressful in the extreme. Competition is fierce, and IT professionals are under immense pressure to keep up with the frantic pace of development.
Intense Stress
When faced with demands from my boss and customers, I often had to stay up late to complete projects. I would even finish a project within a few weeks which would normally take months. The excessive pressure made me exhausted, both mentally and physically. I felt my health was on the verge of collapsing. In 2005 I began experiencing extreme fatigue after work to the point of dozing off while driving. My sleep was disturbed. I struggled to maintain my energy at work. My overall condition was poor. I suffered such severe constipation that medication was required.
My emotional health was also deteriorating. In my 20s I had settled in a new country, but I had never really adjusted, spending most of my time alone. Initially, I exercised to relieve my emotional stress; however, exercise couldn’t give me the fulfilment I craved. I began to find life meaningless. Work was merely a means of making money. There was no joy. I did not realize that I was on the brink of a major depression.
When one is calm, joy can flow. The dark cloud which once hung over me dissipated over time.
Meeting Meditation
In January 2009 a friend introduced me to Bodhi Meditation. During my first visit to the meditation center, a teacher noticed that both my body and mind were in poor states of health. After his energy blessing, I fell asleep upon reaching home. The next morning, I emptied my bowels three times and my body felt very relaxed. Following that, my bowel movements became regular and normal.
Since then, I’ve attended group practices on a weekly basis. About three months into my meditation journey. I noticed the pain in my shoulder and neck was no longer bothering me. I was sleeping well and feeling energized. To fully focus on meditation. I resigned from my job in September. In November I attended the 8.5-Day Health & Happiness Retreat. During the retreat, I constantly felt coldness leaving my body. The soles of my feet were often wet too. These experiences persisted for more than three years after the retreat.
Back to Work
Through meditation, my spiritual realm was elevated. I now understand that thoughts arise in the heart. I’ve learned to face life with a nonjudgmental mind. When one is calm, joy can flow. The dark cloud which once hung over me dissipated over time.
After practicing for about a year and a half, I returned to my workplace. In the past, I didn’t smile much. My colleagues had nicknamed me “Ice Queen.” Through practicing meditation, I’ve come to realize how beautiful the world is. Smiles come easily now. As Grandmaster JinBodhi said, “Smile each and every day with a compassionate heart to remind oneself there is tremendous love and happiness in life.”
At work, I’ve learned to think outside the box by being open to a variety of perspectives. When I communicate with my colleagues, I always put myself in their shoes and keep compassion at the forefront of my mind.
Before I started meditating, I was reluctant to help colleagues who needed professional support. Nowadays, I take the initiative to help them because Grandmaster JinBodhi said, “When facing self-interest, take a step back; however, when facing responsibility, do more than what’s needed.” I am no longer a cold person. Colleagues and customers are very satisfied with my work performance. In many reviews. I’ve been rated an excellent employee.
As of early 2019, I have been practicing meditation for 10 years. Over the years, I have served as a volunteer at Bodhi Meditation, cleaning, cooking, translating, and generally helping in whatever way I can. Every time I serve others, I feel very happy. This is the profound fulfilment I was looking for.
The intent of the testimonial is to offer wellness information of a general nature. Individual results of practice may vary.
