Living a New and Different Story

By Jing-Yu Qiu    Malaysia

      For years I had trouble sleeping and would often wake up at 2 a.m., drink a glass of milk and pace back and forth across the room. Nothing helped. Some friends suggested that I count sheep. I tried that, but still could not sleep. I went back to my routine of drinking milk and pacing.

      After I attended two days of Bodhi Meditation, when I woke in the middle of the night, I practiced The Meditation of Greater Illumination instead of drinking milk. I went back to bed and slept through the rest of the night. The next day, I told a volunteer at the Meditation Center that I wanted to register for the 8.5-Day Meditation & Fitness Retreat because I realized the power of meditation. I now sleep through the night. Nothing and nobody can wake me. I have never slept this well or felt this good before.

       The owner of an Indian restaurant used to be very happy because I ordered large meals three times a day. I had hypoglycemia and needed to eat often to boost my blood sugar levels. Since I started practicing GI, I now order a cup of tea and a sandwich. The owner no longer looks happy. He tells other patrons that I must be incurably sick and about to die. He even introduced me to a doctor he thought I should see, but I declined. I told him I was now in good health. My body is strong and my spirit is good. I have no need to see a doctor.

        I am an elderly gentleman who had a hot temper before I started meditation. If I saw slow drivers on the road, I would chase, honk and scold them. I even told someone that they were wasting the taxpayers’ money. Now my temperament is much better. I share the road with others and drive patiently behind cars. If others curse me, I remain cool. One day I saw someone I know, but whom I did not get along with, waiting for a bus in the middle of the night. I stopped my vehicle and asked if he needed a ride. He looked at me in fear, afraid that I might do something horrible to him. Eventually he did get into my car and I drove him home. A few days later we met again. He told me that I was a nice guy. We have since become good friends and he even invites me to join him for dim sum.

         Thanks to Bodhi Meditation I now sleep through the night and eat less than before. I have also begun to understand forgiveness and gratefulness. Because of meditation, I have experienced a series of changes in my life. I feel like I have walked into my own tale from One Thousand and One Nights. My life is full of incredible happiness and joy.