Posts Tagged ‘Korean culture and customs’

Personal growth experts assist in the journey toward fulfillment

Monday, October 24th, 2011

For individuals who are interested in progressing in life and becoming well-rounded people, seeking the advice of a personal growth expert may open up new points of view and allow them to understand how to make the most out of their existence.

In Korean culture and customs, there is a concept known as ilchi. This is where the author and philosopher Ilchi Lee derives his name. The phrase refers to a person who points out the path for individuals to follow. It literally translates as "to point to the truth."

By seeking the advice of such a person, individuals may be able to understand how they can improve their life and pursue personal growth. Undertaken individually, personal development can be a painstaking process. It can be very difficult to make meaningful changes in life and actually stick to them over the long term.

However, with the help of an expert, it may be significantly easier for individuals to adhere to a plan and experience the benefits of personal growth. Finding someone who can point to the way may be an important step in the journey toward satisfaction and fulfillment in life.

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.

Personal growth plans are aided by an empty mind

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

Most of the time, people perceive things that are empty and devoid of content to be worthless. Only things that are filled with content are generally viewed as being valuable. However, Korean culture and customs take a different view of the matter.

The Korean phrase gong literally translates to "empty." It is often used in the context of a person's mind. However, rather than describing a person who simply doesn't know anything, it often indicates that an individual has been able to clear their mind of distracting and unnecessary thoughts. This is considered desirable.

The human mind can only hold so much at one time. Therefore, those who never take any time to clear out their old thoughts and ideas may soon find there is no room for new ones. Every once in a while, it is important to clear some mental space and achieve an empty state of mind.

This is one of the most effective ways through which an individual can achieve their personal growth plan. Just about everyone has things they want to achieve in life. However, it can be difficult when they are never able to progress past the thoughts they had last week. Emptying the mind on a regular basis can be an important part of developing as a human.

For people to understand the benefits of a clear brain, they may need to completely change the way they look at the world. In Western society, it is common for people to take the view that more is always better. But sometimes less actually is more. Developing a better understanding of this is one of the keys to personal development.

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.

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.

Get in touch with Korean culture in Seoul

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

Korea is a beautiful place, full of history and culture. Seoul in particular is a fantastic locale, and, as the capital city of the southern portion of the peninsula, holds a special place in the heart of many Koreans. Individuals who are interested in learning about Korean culture and customs should consider planning a vacation to this beautiful metropolis.

The Gyeongbok Palace is a fantastic attraction that visitors to Seoul should be sure to check out. This castle also goes by its English translation,"The Palace of Shining Happiness," and in addition to providing travelers with insight into Korean history and culture, should be an excellent spot for contemplation and moving meditation.

The royal palace was originally built in 1394 during the Joseon Dynasty and was later renovated and reconstructed in 1867. During the period of Japanese invasion in the early 20th century, much of the palace was destroyed and is currently undergoing a major restoration project. Today, approximately 40 percent of the original buildings in the palace complex are still standing.

There are many things that visitors to Korea that wish to better understand the culture of the country and its people can learn at Gyeongbok Palace. Dozens of different buildings dot the estate that houses the castle, all of which are built in the traditional Korean style. The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion has particular historic significance, as it was once used as a hall to host banquets for major delegations and special guests during the Joseon Dynasty. It is now a national landmark and has been registered as Korea's Treasure No. 224.

The architecture that individuals who explore the property will be able to take in speaks volumes about Korean culture as well. Mostly built out of wood, the buildings on the estate are adorned with dragons and intricate carvings of other mythical beings. There are also many beautiful gardens where visitors may wish to meditate. 

The Earth has a mind that can relate personal success stories

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Korean culture and customs place a great deal of emphasis on respect for the Earth. The reasons for this may become clear when a person recognizes the way the society views the planet and the degree to which the people of this culture understand the spirit of the globe.

There is a saying in Korean that refers to this celestial spirit. Chun-Ji-Ma-Eum translates to "cosmic mind." It is used to refer to the living, breathing consciousness that lies within the planet.

In Western societies, people often refer to Mother Earth. The planet is anthropomorphized, but few people treat the natural world with the same respect they would give to an actual person. This is unfortunate given the true nature of the planet.

The Cosmic Mind concept references the consciousness that exists with the planet. It may not be immediately apparent to individuals, but the Earth is far more of a sentient being than it is often perceived to be.

The same heart and soul that breathed life into the lungs of all living things on the face of the planet is active within the land itself. It gives the Earth a consciousness that pervades all of the ground and informs every action that takes place on the planet.

Understanding the true nature of the Earth may help individuals understand more clearly their role in the world and enable them to develop more constructive personal growth plans.

It is easy to take for granted the presence of the Earth and all the gifts it gives humanity. When this complacency sets in, it is easy to abuse the planet through pollution and other forms of degradation. However, Chun-Ji-Ma-Eum may remind individuals of what they really risk through environmental abuse.