Starting from February, 2009, the American Bodhi Dharma Society offered the very first Puti Meditation programs at Cupertino Community Center. These programs were specifically designed for people who were busy with their work and didn’t have the luxury to spare a few consecutive days for the study and practice of meditation. Although the classes were not as intensive as those in regular programs offered in a Meditation Center, usually just one class per week and two hours per meeting, the effect was quite remarkable and the program started to gain popularity.  

Students were from all kinds of background and didn’t have much experience in meditation. Some of them were sceptical at the beginning and didn’t expect much from this practice. And others were curious and would like to give it a try. But along with the progress of the teaching and practice, beneficial effects were experienced by the majority of participants. The most common ones included improved sleeping quality, enhanced concentration and work performance, enhanced vital energy, and reduced stress.

Malini, an electrical engineer, came to the program in February with a very poor health condition. In the first few classes, she couldn’t properly do the standing meditation because the pain she suffered. As she described: “was not able to sit down on the floor and couldn’t rotate the body from side to side because of problem with spinal cord”. But she didn’t give up and her perseverance was rewarded eventually. After nearly three months practice, she found that her physical health had been improved significantly. In her own words: “I have increased range of motion in my spine… being able to rotate all the way to the left and right; being able to sit down on the floor for much longer time; being able to kneel down; and my pain level has dropped since started doing Puti Meditation.” She started to work longer hours each day recently because she felt she had a lot of energy to spare. Regaining physical health was just part of the benefit; Malini also noticed that through the practice her confidence came back.  “Mentally, I feel much more relaxed and calm... I may have actually found the meaning of joy and happiness”, she wrote in her journal.  “Also, through the meditation, I notice that, first time in my life, there is something floating in my body, a dark mask, existed there and always holding me back. I would like to get it out”. Many things had happened to her and she had to keep those trauma and sufferings to herself. But now if you see Malini, she has changed so much. She talks and laughs and joy is beginning to return to her life. She said during the interview: “I wasn’t kind to myself… But now, I learn to be kind to myself after meditation. I used to be very happy when I was little. I would like to have the laugh I had at age 5 and I am confident that I will have that joy back to me through my meditation practice.” Sure she will have that. Even now her laugh already reaches other’s heart, so genuine and so touching.

William came to the program by sheer curiosity. But after less than two month practice, he was amazed by what he had experienced. As he wrote in his own words, he started meditation “with no pre-established purpose for any of my existed health problems”. But all of his existed health problems were resolved or improved gradually: first was his long time sleeping problem, followed by the urinary problem, migraine, and joint pain caused by arthritis. He was suspicious of miracle happened but had to admit that the miracle is true. As a business man, William is busy with his work. But he has put meditation on his everyday agenda and also spends more and more time on helping others to learn Puti Meditation.

Free Puti Meditation programs were also offered at the Senior Center in Cupertino. The average age of students was over 60 and most of them didn’t have much prior meditation experience. At the beginning, most students couldn’t sit well on a cushion because of stiff joints. But two months later, they not only could sit with cross-leg but also start to experience the health benefits. Most students found that their sleeping quality was improved and their body became more flexible. Some of those long time illness and symptoms were reduced or gone. The meditation also brought new activity and experience into the life of senior participants. Ms. Lee, who had to talk to the teacher through a translator, described her feeling during her meditation practice as something so wonderful that she had never experienced in her life. At the completion of one program, she expressed her gratitude by presenting a bouquet of flower to the teacher.  Through the flower, she said what she would like to say.

In May, 2009, special Puti Meditation seminars and programs are offered at residential homes. This newly invented “Puti Meditation at Home” program is tailor-designed for people who have difficulty in commuting to the Community Center. This program has already attracted wide interest and provides more opportunity for people to study Puti Meditation.

If you are interested in any one of those programs offered in Silicon Valley region, please contact the American Bodhi Dharma Society by phone or email.

Tel.:       408 – 996 – 9653
Email:    puti.cupertino@gmail.com