Archive for the ‘Korean Culture’ Category

Korean culture in America may have important benefits

Monday, October 17th, 2011

Bringing Korean culture to America could have important implications for our society, as the ancient Eastern culture has some philosophical solutions to problems that plague the West.

For example, there is a concept in Korean culture known as han-se-gye, which describes a time when the world will unite in harmony. The phrase literally means "one world," and is a favorite of the philosopher and personal growth expert Ilchi Lee.

Given the high level of violence experienced in American society, the concept of han-se-gye may never have been more important. Street shootings are a regular occurrence in the nation's cities, the most popular TV shows often involve violence and our political culture seems to reward conflict over cooperation.

However, Lee says that understanding the importance of uniting under a common cause and furthering peace efforts could put an end to all this and lead to a much more harmonious planet. This is why it is so important for Western cultures to learn from their Eastern neighbors and put the best of their ideas to work.

Korean culture and customs suggest living free of attachments

Monday, October 10th, 2011

In life, the highest desire of most people is to find a romantic partner or to develop a supportive network of friends. However, Korean culture and customs have a phrase that suggests these connections can actually be counterproductive to individuals who have a personal growth plan.

The term Gong-Shim translates to "empty mind, heart or core." It is used to refer to a state of mind in which a person no longer desires personal attachments. Instead, these individuals prefer to put all their energies in life toward the public good.

By living a life free of emotional attachments, a person is able to focus all of their attention on improving the lives of those around them without allowing their decisions to become clouded by personal desires involving family or friends. In this way, one's work can be completely selfless.

Few people ever achieve this state of mind. One of the most difficult things in life can be letting go of personal desires and living free of attachments. However, this is one of the only possible paths toward truly working for the public good.

Korean culture and customs suggest a powerful personal growth concept

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

In life, it can be difficult to know which personal growth experts to listen to. There are many people who profess to have all the answers for a satisfying, fulfilling life. However, Korean culture and customs have a concept that may make this process easier.

The term chun-shim refers to the Heart of Heaven. It is used to describe a natural state of mind in which an individual is able to see everything in the world for what it truly is. They can look past an object's external appearances and see its real character.

There is a material world outside of people's brains, but much of an individual's perception of that world is constructed in their head. Those who have a positive outlook on the world will see a tremendous amount of beauty, while more negative individuals will fail to see the value in many things.

By stripping away the layers of false perception that cloud many people's view of the world around them, individuals may be able to see things as they were meant to be seen in their true light.

The concept of chun-shim suggests that wisdom and creativity naturally spring from within the mind. All a person has to do is figure out how to unlock this brain power. There are no mystical secrets to living a more complete life. Everyone already has the tools they need to pursue personal growth.

Meditation is one technique that can help individuals focus their mind on the natural character of things. This process works by clearing the mind of extraneous thoughts and feelings, allowing one's true thoughts to come through. This concept appears often in Korean culture and customs.

Knowledge from Korean culture and customs may help individuals attain personal growth

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Within each and every individual lies a complete and true being that is the foundation upon which the rest of existence is built. This inner-self is true and honest. It is described by the term Bohn, which comes from Korean culture and customs.

Translated, Bohn means origin, foundation or essence. When it is applied to a person, it describes their inner-self, who is the basis for every action they take and thought they think. While most people may not be very familiar with this entity, it informs all aspects of life, and coming to understand it better may be at the heart of any personal growth plan.

During the course of the day, most people do not stop to think about how their inner-self is interacting with the world around them. They simply go through the motions of their daily routine, at times almost on autopilot. This is fine, and in some ways even beneficial. But conducting one's life in this manner may leave little room for personal growth.

Introspection and self-examination are important parts of developing as a human and reaching higher levels of consciousness. For anyone who believes there is more to life than going through the motions of daily routines, this is particularly important.

Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee has described a person's true inner self as an inextinguishable flame whose purity and completeness cannot be touched. Imagine the benefits of drawing closer to this type of power. Think of how life-changing and mind-altering that experience could be.

It may take some time and work for a person to finally discover their true inner-self, but when they do stumble upon this entity, the benefits are often immense.

Knowledge from Korean culture and customs may help individuals attain personal growth

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Within each and every individual lies a complete and true being that is the foundation upon which the rest of existence is built. This inner-self is true and honest. It is described by the term Bohn, which comes from Korean culture and customs.

Translated, Bohn means origin, foundation or essence. When it is applied to a person, it describes their inner-self, who is the basis for every action they take and thought they think. While most people may not be very familiar with this entity, it informs all aspects of life, and coming to understand it better may be at the heart of any personal growth plan.

During the course of the day, most people do not stop to think about how their inner-self is interacting with the world around them. They simply go through the motions of their daily routine, at times almost on autopilot. This is fine, and in some ways even beneficial. But conducting one's life in this manner may leave little room for personal growth.

Introspection and self-examination are important parts of developing as a human and reaching higher levels of consciousness. For anyone who believes there is more to life than going through the motions of daily routines, this is particularly important.

Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee has described a person's true inner self as an inextinguishable flame whose purity and completeness cannot be touched. Imagine the benefits of drawing closer to this type of power. Think of how life-changing and mind-altering that experience could be.

It may take some time and work for a person to finally discover their true inner-self, but when they do stumble upon this entity, the benefits are often immense.

Korean phrase explains importance of life energy

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

These days, there is a lot of discussion of environmental concerns. It may seem as though people only recently became aware of their connection to the fate of the planet. However, humans have long been cognizant of their interconnectedness with the Earth, as evinced by an old Korean phrase.

Chun-ji-ki-un refers to the universal life energy that flows around everything. It has been referred to as an invisible sea of energy, its waves breaking over everything in existence, giving it sustenance.

Human beings' connection to this energy is mediated by the Earth. The planet continuously issues forth tremendous amounts of its own energy, which was derived from the cosmic energy. It is this sustaining force that humans interact with at all moments of the day.

With every breath, people are absorbing this energy. Without the Earth to provide this sustaining force, life would be impossible. This is why many of the teachings of Ilchi Lee focus on becoming aware of the energy that surrounds everything and learning how to take advantage of this powerful force.
 

Korean phrase inspires balance

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

There is a Korean expression that goes Chun-ji-in, which essentially means Heaven, Earth and Human. It is intended to remind individuals of their place in the Universe and to help them channel their life energy to get the most meaning they possibly can out of their existence.

The reference to Heaven is intended to inspire individuals to have a large, open heart. The heavens above are empty and accepting of all things. They are also able to detach themselves the smaller things that may only bring worry and trouble.

By reflecting on Earth, students can learn what it means to be stable and supportive of others. The Earth gives birth and provides sustenance to all things in creation. When people incorporate these feelings into their daily lives, they may become less reactionary and more reflective.

The final piece of the phrase is Human. This is meant to remind individuals that they are spiritual beings and that their physical frame only serves to connect them to the larger soul of humanity.

Ilchi Lee says that Chung-ji-in can help those who are seeking spiritual growth to balance their mind-body-spirit connection, which can lead to positivity and happiness.