Voices of Transformation

To get out of suffering, I realized I must let go of attachment to joy and learn to accept myself as a whole.

Before the Dharma classes, I admit to being easily angered and hot-tempered over small things, but after learning and practicing the teachings, a significant positive change in temperament has been noticed. The journey hasn't been easy, but it has led to becoming calmer and more mindful, and I affirm my commitment to continuing this path of growth and practice.

Combining the Buddhism class with therapy helped me gain significant awareness of my deep-rooted attachments to desires. I now feel much more mentally free most of the time and capable of catching myself when getting stuck in thought cycles.

Since starting the Introduction to Buddhism course, I learned to better control my emotions, and it contributed to a more 'chill vibe' in the home.

My mindfulness has heightened during conversations, especially with family; I am now much more aware of others' feelings and viewpoints, which has been a truly great journey of self-awareness. Beyond personal interactions, I also reflect on the broader impact on the environment, describing the entire experience as a truly great journey of growth.

My internal shifts after attending Jungto Dharma School were significant. The major lesson was the profound realization that the root of suffering comes from inside, not outside, and recognizing this internal truth is a magical insight that can immediately alleviate suffering.

I initially anticipated an academic approach to the Buddhism class, but to my surprise, it placed a strong emphasis on personal growth. This unexpected focus led to a pivotal moment where I felt empathy for a person causing harm, a spontaneous reaction that drastically reduced my personal suffering.

Attending Jungto Dharma School was a life-changing experience, where practicing mindfulness and the teachings on self-emptiness instrumentalized my personal growth, helping me live mindfully, cultivate compassion, and appreciate the interconnectedness of all life.

The Confucius quote—'I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand'—perfectly describes my class experience, especially in deeply studying and practicing concepts like interconnectedness, wisdom, and attachment.

Jungto's courses and weekly meetings provided a therapeutic reset, transforming me from an egocentric individual into a competent and compassionate person.

Through the Jungto Buddhism Dharma course, I learned about concepts like the middle way, interdependence, karma, and enlightenment. I've heard these words used before and I may have used them without fully understanding what they mean. Being in this class helped me have an understanding of what they mean because Sunim explains complex terms in a simple, straightforward style for everyone to understand. The volunteers were inspirational in their dedication and devotion to being available to us and helping along the way. My classmates and their sharing influenced me to understand other perspectives.

The course brought a positive shift in personality and character, leading to a much calmer emotional state and greater awareness of emotional triggers in daily life.

Jungto Dharma School had a huge influence on me. Not only did the course help me to recognize the root of my suffering and ignorance, but also made me see how I was creating my own suffering when my life is already in a perfect condition to be happy. I learned about non-self, impermanence, interdependent origination, the middle way, and the fact that I could lift my suffering and change my karma through consistent and continuous practice. It provided me with deep insight into life and how to live it. It was the most valuable lesson in my life.

The group's immense camaraderie and shared struggles made my journey less lonely and helped me progress faster in practicing and employing peace with others.

Before taking this course, I started studying Buddhist philosophy on my own to help my career as a therapist and also to help me with my own anxiety about things like death and success. This course taught me how much more effective it is to actually practice Buddhist principles consistently with a group of other curious and dedicated individuals compared to just reading. I learned that even without understanding Buddhist philosophy very well, you can calm your anxiety a lot with these timeless practices.