For tech-savvy individuals, there are some methods to attempt before giving up.

If you have Adobe Acrobat (not just the free Reader), you can sometimes salvage a file by opening it and using the "Export PDF" tool to save it as a Microsoft Word, Excel, or RTF file. This can bypass the corruption and allow you to recover text.

Full lotus is historically preferred, but half-lotus or a strict cross-legged position on a firm cushion is acceptable. The spine must be perfectly straight, like a stack of coins.

Here is the paradox: In Mo Pai philosophy, the intent matters more than the letter.