Archive for the ‘Personal Growth’ Category

Sticking to a personal growth plan may reveal one’s Tao

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Everyone has a different path to follow to achieve their personal growth plan. For some, it may include going to school to become a doctor. For others, it may mean climbing to the top of a mountain in order to get in touch with their inner personal self. Regardless of the individual circumstances, this path represents a person’s Tao.

In Korean, the team literally translates to “the way.” It is used to refer to the path that each individual must follow in order to achieve their life purpose. Korean culture and customs say that each person has a different Tao, and discovering this path is one of the most important aspects of life.

It can take a person decades to uncover their Tao. In American culture, people often tend to think that an individual should have their life purpose figured out by the they graduate high school. However, the concept of Tao recognizes that discovering one’s true passions involves much deeper reflection than this. This means the process can take many years.

Some people are old and gray before they learn what Tao truly means in their life. However, this does not mean they have wasted the intervening years. It simply means that the discovery of their Tao was a little more difficult to earn. This is alright, as the highest hanging fruits are often the sweetest.

So individuals should not worry if they go through a significant portion of their adult lives without feeling as though they have discovered their personal growth plan. Even if the discovery comes late, it is still worthwhile. Persistence and vigilance are what really matter. Through the exercise of these personality characteristics, an individual may even come to discover their Tao.

Searching for the meaning of ki energy may lead to a personal growth plan

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

There is a strong power in the universe that cannot be directly felt or seen. Yet its effects are far reaching and can have a significant influence over the activities that take place on the Earth. This force is known as ki energy, and learning how it can influence life can have a major impact on a person's personal growth plan.

Ki energy surrounds everything. It is in each person, just as it flows through plants, animals and even inanimate objects. It is as ever-present as the air we breathe and as constant as the tides of the ocean.

However, ki energy can be a difficult thing to describe to another person. Its effects are intangible and its nature is insubstantial. It doesn't have a particular look or feel to it, but it is always there, influencing the things people think and the actions they take.

Therefore, people should make efforts to discover the true nature of ki energy for themselves. Reading about it in a book seldom does any good and there is only so much a personal growth expert can tell a person about it. These sources can provide a person with guide posts that may lead them toward a discovery of what ki energy really means, but the individual must take the steps themselves.

Because ki energy is so influential, it is important for all individuals to undergo these types of spiritual journeys. During the process of discovering the true nature of ki energy, a person may also discover their own true nature, leading to personal growth and spiritual fulfillment.

Not everyone discovers the true nature of ki energy in their lifetime. However, for those who do the rewards are many. It is a worthwhile undertaking that help a person in many ways.

Understanding man’s dual nature is key to a personal growth plan

Friday, August 5th, 2011

As humans, we occupy a unique place in the universe. We stand tall above the creatures that walk on the ground, yet are not quite at the celestial level of more spiritual beings. The Earthly animal world and the ethereal spiritual world have combined within humans to create something magical and special.

This intermingling of the spiritual and the Earthly is reflected in the Korean phrase in-jung-chun-ji-il. This term is important and has survived into modern Korean culture. Translated, it means “Heaven and Earth become one in humans.” It refers to the unique place occupied by people on the chain of being.

When you think about it, there is a lot of significance to this status. Our minds and intellect bring us closer to the spiritual world through thinking abilities that are unmatched in the rest of creation. However, we still retain many of our animal urges. These serve to remind us that we are still far from angelic.

In life, it is important to find a balance between these two aspects of human nature. To deny either one is to deny what makes a person human. It would be a refusal of half of the self. And as Abraham Lincoln once said, “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” He was a wise man.

Accepting one’s full self is one of the most important parts of putting in place and accomplishing a personal growth plan. It is impossible to truly move forward in life if all you accept is your intellectual self. Similarly, denying one’s spiritual side can leave a person feeling empty and hollow.

Man’s dual nature has vexed humanity for generations, but simply accepting it can play an important role in personal growth.

Finding one’s true path can contribute to a personal growth plan

Monday, August 1st, 2011

While every person has one true direction they must follow in their life, it is not always clear what this is. Starting from a very early age, it may appear as though a person's personal growth plan could include nearly anything. This is why it is important to seek the council of older, wiser individuals when deciding which direction to in life.

There is a Korean term that refers to this type of person. A person who holds the moniker Ilchi is said to be "one who points to the truth." This personal growth experts shows others the path they may follow in order to attain a higher level of peace and fulfillment in their daily lives.

The events of life have a way of weighing down a person. This may make them feel less interested in making a change. Consequently, many of us simply go through the motions of our work and personal lives without ever thinking about how we may be able to make our existence better.

When this type of life becomes all a person can imagine, it is time to call in the help of a personal growth expert. This person can point to the truth that others may not be able to see. Since everyone has an established life purpose, there is no need to continuously repeat the same mistakes over and over again. If a person has found their unique path in life, they will know only inspiration and joy.

While it is impossible for one person to decide the true path of another, it may be useful for individuals to consult with one another about the various possibilities. This type of counselor, or Ilchi in Korean, can do a great service for their friends.

 

Unity can inspire personal growth

Monday, July 25th, 2011

At times, the divisions in the world may seem too deep to bridge. Like the churning seas that lie between the continents, which drift ever further apart, humanity's differences place a briny barrier in the path of individuals who would like to unite.

However, it may not always be this way. The Korean phrase Han-se-gye translates to "one world" and describes a time when everyone will live in harmony and peace. Personal growth expert Ilchi Lee says that it is possible for the world to attain this type of bliss. All that people need to do is overcome their differences.

All too often, people focus on the things that make them different. We live in an individualistic society. However, when dealing with people from other cultures or nations, this can make things difficult.

Instead of focusing on our differences, Lee says that individuals should embrace their commonalities. Rather than identifying with any one nation, religion or culture, people should first consider themselves citizens of Planet Earth.

Lee describes this as the Earth Citizen movement, and it describes a time when people from all around the globe embrace their common humanity and overcome their differences to live in peace and harmony. Rather than fighting wars or spreading violence on the basis of skin color or religion, individuals will share resources and take care of the least fortunate members of this global society.

The world may be some ways away from setting this personal growth plan in action, but many people are beginning to think of ways to nurture it. As more people begin to accept their common humanity, it will become like a great bridge spanning the continents, uniting people in their similarities despite the gulf of differences that lie beneath.

 

Humans interact with each other through connection to Heaven and Earth

Monday, March 21st, 2011

Though many do not realize it, humans are inextricably linked to both Heaven and the Earth. It surrounds everyone and plays a part in all they do. Ilchi Lee says that, given this connection, it is important to respect the planet and strive for peace.

The Korean phrase in-jung-chun-ji-il reflects this concept. Translated, it means Heaven and Earth become one in humans. Through the food individuals eat they are consuming the Earth. The breath they breathe comes directly from the heavens. Within the human frame is contained an amalgamation of all these sources.

Yet, despite this connection, some individuals continue to disrespect the planet. They fail to properly take care of its natural resources and consume at unsustainable levels. This also leads to conflict and occasionally violence.

In-jung-chun-ji-il can remind individuals that they owe their existence to both Heaven and the Earth. This may lead to a feeling of connectedness, not just to the bodies of the cosmos, but to their fellow humans, who are also formulations of Heaven and Earth.

An empty mind may reveal a truer self

Friday, March 18th, 2011

Most people come to define their life based on the things that they are attached to. Their friends and family dictate their identity, the music they listen to helps them identify with a certain group or the clothes they wear indicate their personality.

However, these attachments can also bring with them a false sense of identity. Rather than displaying a person’s true self, they merely serve to obscure and cover up. When this begins to happen, it may be time to remember the Korean phrase gong-shim.

This term means empty mind, and is used to refer to state in which a person has freed themselves from attachments and is living a more authentic and honest existence. Ilchi Lee has said that this kind of sincere life is one of the keys to spiritual healing.

It is impossible to go through life pretending to be someone else and to still have any sense of integrity. Individuals must shed themselves of these false identities before they can bask in the glow of spiritual growth.

Through meditation and other forms of brain education, it may be possible for individuals to rid themselves of attachments that only serve to obfuscate their true identity.

A “right brain” can help individuals let go of negativity

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

For individuals who participate in brain education exercises, the world is likely to be a clearer place. It will become easier for individuals to perceive its variety of forms and functions and to understand their place in this planet.

The Korean phrase Chun-shim reflects this idea. Translated, it literally means heart of Heaven. In context, it is used to refer to the fact that wisdom generally springs from having the “right mind.”

This implies that by ridding the brain of all the unnecessary and negative thoughts that accumulate throughout the day, it becomes possible to see the world in all of its natural beauty more easily. Differences in objects become clear without having to think too much about them.

Brain training programs, which may include meditation or yoga, can help individuals achieve this right mind. They teach students methods of clearing their mind of negativity and otherwise useless burdens. By learning how to live more in the present, it becomes possible to let go of worries and concerns that have little relevance in the moment.

Ilchi Lee has championed brain education exercises like this for a number of years. He says that they are among the best methods for living a more fulfilling life.