Hui Dejin
Name: Yarran Lu
Education: Master of Computer Science, Indiana University
Bachelor of Computer Science, National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
Occupation: Senior Software Systems Engineer, Broadcom.
Meditation Center: Los Angeles
Date of taking refuge: End of 2004
My studies began in 2005, starting with prostrations, meditation, and the "Heart Center Meditation Method," and later I practiced the "Hand Seal Meditation Method." I only started practicing the "Overwhelming Force Meditation Method" in July 2009 during the Medicine Buddha Retreat held at Big Bear Lake.
I am ashamed to say that I only practiced intermittently at the beginning and never seriously every day, so I did not experience any definite effects of these meditation methods on the body.
My guru seemed well aware of my slow progress, and every time he saw me at the monastery, he would repeatedly remind me, "Alan, you need to practice more."
It wasn't until the latter half of 2008, when my guru gave me another hint, that I felt so ashamed that I couldn't face him again. Only then did I finally make up my mind to persist in daily practice, to at least gain some insights and make progress, so as to repay my guru's teachings and painstaking efforts. At that time, I had no idea what kind of results such diligent practice would yield.
I've had hemorrhoids for many years. Because they didn't hurt, only bleed, I didn't want to have them removed. But later, I started bleeding every time I sat, and the amount of bleeding kept increasing, sometimes to an alarming degree.
I used hemorrhoid suppositories and over-the-counter medications to stop hemorrhoid bleeding for a long time, but the effects were short-lived. My family doctor also opposed my long-term use of over-the-counter medications to stop hemorrhoid bleeding, so I stopped using them later.
I usually work until after 7 PM, so I can only practice around 9:30 or 10 PM. I practice the "Hand Mudra Meditation" first, and then the "Heart Center Meditation". Every morning after I get up, I do 21 prostrations.
Although I was determined to practice every day, I inevitably had to sometimes skip a day or two. After practicing like this for two or three months, I gradually began to understand and feel the gathering and releasing of energy.
For example, after a long day of work stress, before I practice meditation, it is already nine or even ten o'clock, and my body is tired and wants to rest. But after practicing "Mind Center Meditation", my fatigue completely disappears and my spirit is restored as if it were the morning.
But strangely enough, even in such a state of peak mental alertness, it didn't affect my sleep; I could still fall asleep peacefully without any worries. I think this is because letting go of my ego during practice allows me to sleep soundly and without any concerns.
One day I noticed that my usual heavy bleeding from hemorrhoids had stopped for many days. I wondered if my diet during that period might have helped with the bleeding, or if my movements those days had helped stop the bleeding. I thought about it for a long time but couldn't come up with a conclusion. Later, I thought it might be a sudden occurrence. At the time, I didn't connect it to the effects of my exercise at all.
Several months later, I noticed that the bleeding from my hemorrhoids seemed to have completely stopped. During this period, I did not use any oral or topical medications.
Although Guru had told me many stories of seriously ill patients recovering through practicing the exercises, the fact that I, too, experienced the true story of being cured of hemorrhoid bleeding through practice was something I couldn't believe or even imagine. However, besides my consistent daily practice, I can't find any other reason!
I waited at least six months to make sure the bleeding had stopped before I dared to tell my guru. My guru was very happy and gratified to hear this.
I have personally verified and come to understand this point. No matter how high the merit of the master's teachings is, if the disciple does not practice diligently, he will eventually gain nothing and lose his will. This is probably why the master often reminds his disciples to practice diligently.