Meditation is a method of self-cultivation, the process of training and learning about heart and mind. This process increases self-awareness and broadens the soul. A heart that is influenced by self-cultivation becomes clearer and more enduring; feelings of calm become more common. The body grows stronger, healthier and more relaxed. 

→ For specific scientific articles on meditation, please view the articles under the heading Science and Meditation.

Most people are very mistaken in their concept of “the body.” They believe that their bodies are flesh, and flesh alone, erroneously dividing their concepts of “self” into two categories: flesh and spirit. Due to this misunderstanding, many only know to nourish the body by means of food and drink; they do not know to nourish the spirit, and thereby suffer innumerable physical maladies.

There is a growing awareness that bodily illness is born of psychological maladies, for the spirit is the body’s master. We are mortal, thus we may not avoid unhealthy tendencies, such as greed, anger, ignorance. Those tendencies create all of our illnesses and pain. Treatments that affect only the symptoms heal once, while the root of the problem remains fixed and unaltered.

Scientific research suggests that when people are in states of psychological wellness, their bodies produce beneficial hormones, enzymes and compounds. They may lower blood pressure and excite neurons to work at their optimum. Contrarily, depression, anxiety, and sadness work throw the body’s internal functions into disorder and result in sickness.

Anyone can practice self-cultivation, because the innate wisdom that lies within each and every person is the same, though it manifests differently. Some people who regard themselves as highly educated are limited by the knowledge that they have acquired through academic study. They are unable to discern that their inner growth and natural progress are being stunned by the limit and structure that they have placed on their thinking. Meditation provides a different sort of education, an experiential one. The irrelevant is set aside, giving room for the real and personal experiencing of life truths.

Most forms of meditation catalyze a “relaxation response” and improve mental-physical function; as a result, meditation may provide short- or long-term benefit to almost anyone. Moreover, there are other potential benefits from meditation, if one ascribes to the theory of causality.

Causality states that behaviors, meaning oft-subconscious intentions, thoughts, words and actions, provoke matching responses. These responses occur both internal and external to the individual performing them. In essence, the theory of causality is an extended version of “cause and effect”—every act has a corresponding result.

Furthermore, the quality of the behaviors determines the nature of their effects: intentions, thoughts, words and actions that are positive in any given situation create equally positive results (the reverse is also true). The results of a behavior occur without fail, though they may not be immediate or obvious.

Meditation encourages an unobstructed understanding of existing and possible behaviors. This is an important point, as an unobstructed understanding of behaviors equals power over those behaviors.

For that reason, meditation is often the key to understanding and changing subconscious behaviors that create unfavorable responses… in both the mind and the world beyond. Logically then, meditation can lead to the selection of positive behaviors on even the most sub-conscious of levels, creating the possibility of positive results in every aspect of life.
In sum, meditation offers the truly phenomenal power to free oneself from those hurtles that prevent success and joy.

The meditation techniques taught at the Canada Bodhi Dharma Society Canada are those compiled by Buddhist Master JinBodhi during his many decades of self-discipline and trial. They represent the refinement of his traditional instruction, with the following enhancements:

(1) Accessibility

Puti meditation methods are easily acquired, irrespective of age or gender. Their accessibility is not fettered by differences in cultural, economic, religious, or linguistic background. With a willing mind, practical proficiency with the techniques develops in very little time.

(2) Result Oriented

Practitioners of Puti Meditation learn to access and make use of the natural world’s energies, with which they are able to treat both their own illnesses and those of others. Externally, the body is strengthened, while internally, psychological and spiritual development occurs.

(3) Making Life Meaningful

The practice of Puti methods benefits both the body and the mind.

A. Physical benefits include:

(1) The regulation of arterial and nervous system disease (e.g. fatigue, headaches, insomnia, nervous breakdowns, etc.)

(2) Obvious amelioration of lower back and spinal pain, numbness of the extremities, rheumatism and neurovascular illness

(3) Improvement of liver, gallbladder, spleen, stomach and kidney function, as well as diseases of the internal organs

(4) Treatment of allergies

(5) Notable improvements in physical condition and general appearance, including weight control

(6) The clearing of mental distractions and impurities, providing for the emergence of seemingly extra-sensory abilities

(7) The occurrence of a state in which, without intending to do so, a practitioner finds themselves unable or willing to eat, yet relaxed and full of energy. It is known as “spontaneous fasting,” a phenomenon of natural, healthy and automatic physical-spiritual readjustment

B.  Psychological/Spiritual Benefits include:

(1) Increased patience and willpower

(2) Increased mental agility and task proficiency

(3) An improved ability to remain calm and emotionally grounded

Meditation is a process of connecting with nature and thereby regaining a “natural” balance—it is not a harmful process.

During meditation, people do experience a variety of different physical sensations, ranging from shivers to feeling very hot. Also, different things may appear before the mind’s eye. These phenomena occur differently for everyone because no two people share the exact same physical or psychological constitution. Nonetheless, these phenomena are both harmless and unavoidable. Some people gain great benefit from their meditation practice without ever experiencing any of the above—this is also normal. There is nothing mysterious in the occurrences noted here, as they have no reality. Meditators should neither fixate on them, nor allow them to hinder their self-cultivation initiatives.

Due to how easy it is to learn and practice Puti Meditation, the majority of practitioners see obvious results after as little as two weeks. Results differ for everyone, as no two people have identical physical-psychological constitutions. Focus on your practice and you are certain to benefit greatly.

Best results are normally attained if students attend a Puti Meditation and Health Retreat at the College. Not only will the foundation of learning be the strongest possible, but the speed of physical improvement will be the greatest as well. However, for students who may not participate in a retreat, excellent results may also be had if there is dedication to learning the techniques correctly.

Students can practice anytime of day or night. It is best to wait thirty minutes after eating.

No matter when you practice, it is always best to continue for as long as you can, so long as it is enjoyable. Be sure to practice everything in its correct sequence, aiming for half an hour of practice, and then adding a little to that half hour each time (according to your ability). If you practice everyday, you will definitely benefit.

For many people it comes down to the following reason/excuse: “I work long hours and have no time to practice meditation.”

Meditation is a wonderful way to get rested! What’s more, it invigorates and dispels fatigue more efficiently than sleep. We recommend that anyone who works exceptionally long hours put aside an hour of their normal sleep time for meditation. It will increase both the amount of energy that you have each day, as well as your work-related problem solving skills.

The lotus position is not directly related to meditation, per se. However, body and mind are best cultivated as one—that is the goal of self-cultivation. If you have never sat in the lotus position, then you are not likely to know how much your body and mind affect one another, nor whether you have really linked them in your awareness.

When people begin to study meditation, they often experience a variety of pains and discomforts—including the sensation that time is passing very (VERY) slowly. It is important to quiet your heart and mind, because practice is a matter of overcoming your own self-imposed limitations. When you persevere and continue working through those challenging moments, you are likely to access a state of being utterly at peace and joyful. These sensations are not truly describable in words, and must be experienced to be truly understood. The most important attribute associated with this positive state is the manner in which everyday life is beneficially affected.

The most important aspect of self-cultivation is the pursuit of a balanced heart-mind. It is more important to do that than to become a vegetarian. If you are able to be happy, healthy and calm, then that is enough, regardless of what foods you consume.

Nonetheless, cattle, sheep and horses are normally gentle animals. They also benefit the human world in a variety of ways. Eating them is a form of unnecessary violence on our part. Being more aware of what we eat, avoiding the consumption of anything that has suffered to become our food, is a process that can encourage awareness and kindness.

Everyone has the right to freedom of belief; it is our beliefs that guide us through life after all. We warmly welcome people from all religious backgrounds. We wish for the everlasting peace and health of every being—potentially divisive issues have no precedence.

(1) Pick out some loose fitting, comfortable clothing; remove watches, jewelry, glasses and headgear; make sure that your feet are comfortable (be barefooted or in comfortable shoes). Make sure that your joints are not exposed to cold air.

(2) Select a clean, peaceful spot where you are not likely to be disturbed (protected from the wind if you are outside). If there are windows, open them, and allow the fresh air to enter.

(3) Sitting meditation can be done seated on a chair or bed. Wherever you sit, the surface ought to be reasonably flat. If on the floor, lay down a blanket or a cushion, which may help you meditate longer.

(4) If you are, or become, highly emotional (overly sad, excited or angry), don’t force yourself to meditate. Once you have calmed down, simply start again.

(5) Being overly hungry or full can negatively effect your meditation.

(6) Women who are pregnant or have just given birth can meditate as usual, so long as they are aware of themselves and their health.

(7) During thunder and lightening storms, or periods of very bad weather, it is not advisable to meditate, nor do we encourage outdoor meditation when it is very foggy or misty early in the morning.

(8) When you have completed your meditation, it is crucial that you perform finishing motions (rubbing your hands together, rubbing your face, and massaging or running your hands over yourself from head to toe). Also, after meditating, wait a while before using cold water to wash hands or face.

(9) Remind yourself at the beginning of each meditation session (1) to remain calm if there is either a sudden noise or disturbance; (2) not to be startled or scared. Maintain a relaxed and peaceful state.

(10) Self-cultivation has the potential to completely re-order the body’s internal functions. For that reason, it is important not to concentrate on one’s illnesses during meditation. Focusing on an issue can create or reinforce it. Some novice meditators find that while they are meditating, a number of physical discomforts pop up (e.g., back pain). However, after a few days of continued meditation, it is normal for the soreness to disappear.