Jo Seongsun | Seoul, South Korea
I am Jo Seongsun from Korea’s White Jade Bodhi Meditation Center. Recently, I slipped and fell while climbing the stairs leading to significant discomfort in my knee. Not only could I not bend it naturally, but it was also swollen and painful. The pain was also inconsistent; at times, it would travel to my thigh or calves.
I managed to limp to the hospital for an X-ray. The doctor said my knee was filled with fluid and inflamed. He advised me to have surgery to drain the fluid from my knee. I did not want surgery, so I went to a Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital for acupuncture and treatment instead.
In addition, I also have scoliosis. My back hurts no matter if I straighten or bend it, it feels like I’m being pricked by needles.
Attending this Bodhi Meditation Health and Happiness Retreat, following the conclusion of the first day, I found it hard to sleep. During the second day of practice, the pain in my back and legs became almost unbearable. I had to alternate between sitting and standing. I thought to myself, “I thought attending class was supposed to help me feel better, why is it so painful?” Although painful, I knew I had to continue practicing, so I persisted.
On the fifth day of the retreat, I made a light offering to my karmic creditors. Amazingly, on the sixth day, I started feeling my body gradually getting better; on the seventh day, my back and legs were completely free of pain. I was truly amazed!
Previously, the pain in my foot and back made sitting on the meditation cushion feel as though I was tipping backward. Now, sitting on the cushion is comfortable; it’s almost as if I’m floating.
Furthermore, on the seventh day during the “Meditation of Greater Illumination” practice, I found myself visualizing more accurately with the aid of guided reminders. When I first started practicing the “Universal Connectivity Mudra”, it was very painful. However, by the seventh day, I felt confident I could repeat it ten times consecutively without any issues.
I am grateful to Grandmaster JinBodhi for relieving these ailments that tormented me, all within just a few short days.
(Note: The effects of meditation vary from person to person.)
