guided meditation Archives

The Journey of Understanding

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In the world, my existence seemed to be the only thing that was vast. It felt like I was living in a world all of my own. But then, other women—especially those around my age—started catching my attention. Friends. I began to get to know them. As time went on, women who were older than me, those who were like older sisters, came into the picture. At first, I couldn’t understand them. But as time passed, I began to. Even those who had experienced more than I had, those with more knowledge, started to make sense. I, too, started to grow older. Time moved on, and eventually, I began to understand the existence of mothers—women who had children. This time, it wasn’t something that could be easily understood. How could a human being give birth to another, and yet remain the same? No matter how much I tried to view it through the lens of my own limited human understanding, it just didn’t make sense.

But then, when I began to think about it through the viewpoint of “Hanl(the Bigger Mind),” everything shifted. I started to see it as something human. Ah, they are humans. More than that, at that moment, I realized something crucial: in my world, there were only women. It was just me and other women, different from me, but still women. Men weren’t even part of my thoughts or my world. To me, they were completely different beings—beings I couldn’t understand, and honestly, didn’t want to understand. Men, I owe you a sincere apology. Through this realization, I came to understand that only by merging with the Bigger Mind, by seeing the world from that divine perspective, could I truly understand and coexist with others. Without that shift, understanding and coexistence would have been impossible. It’s like someone who walks around with open eyes but is blind to the things around them. It’s like trying to empty your mind without ever truly understanding how it works.

This is my personal confession and reflection. If, from the moment you were born, you’ve been a person full of understanding and love for others, then I truly respect you. But I was not like that, and this is my confession to myself. I hope that by reading this, you might find something to think about in your own life.

A Story of Arrival, Living, and Return

1 Comment / Blog / By Jean

Life has been called a journey. That’s why people say we come and go. We come into this world empty-handed, and we leave it the same way. But is that really true? When this journey ends, is there truly nothing left? Is that what it means to be free? And what exactly is that freedom?

So we end up living, hoping that nothing strange or bad happens, gradually wishing that nothing at all happens. Yes, in the material world—the world we can see with our eyes—we are indeed born with nothing. But if we talk about what’s unseen, then from the moment we’re born, we actually possess a great deal.

We’re born with the genes passed down from our parents, but also feelings about an unknown soul—something we can’t name, just sense. As we live, we create and receive the results of cause and effect in countless ways.

Time passes. And then we return to that unknown place. We disappear. But when we vanish, it won’t be as if we were never here. The traces of memory, the things that made our hearts ache or sing—those will be taken along with our soul. So don’t fall into despair or think it’s meaningless. Everything follows the law of cause and effect.

This life is not simply about this life, or past lives, or next lives. It’s a life woven into the vast fabric of time and space—intertwined like the countless stars in the universe. So don’t judge your life as good or bad based on a single moment or chapter. Instead, with your breath, try to feel and understand the greater meaning—perhaps even the will of the heavens. Where am I now?

The Heart of the Bean

2 Comments / Blog / By Jean

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Sometimes, I take out Hwanyeok (a Korean book by Alexander Choi) and open it to random pages, reading them as my heart desires. When I read the book, I am often grateful for how the words on the pages deeply etch themselves in my mind, depending on what I am learning at that time. I end up reading it over and over again. Anyway, there’s a proverb that says, “Where you plant beans, beans will grow.” However, sometimes, worthless beans grow as well. Let me elaborate on what a “bad bean” exactly is.

In Hwanyeok, there are various theories about whether the “bad bean” was inherently flawed or if other variables were at play. Through several experiments, it suggests that one of the factors contributing to a worthless bean could be the state of the mind. With the same sun, water, wind, and soil, while some beans pour all their energy into growing and flourishing, others may not grow enough because their hearts are somewhere else, eventually becoming worthless. Indeed, this makes me nod in agreement!

I always thought I was a good bean, but I never seriously considered the possibility that I could become a worthless one as well. Even if you plant identical seedlings in the same tray, they won’t grow to be identical twins. Just because someone is human doesn’t mean they are the same as everyone else. I want to be someone with fragrance, someone who leaves a trace. I want to grow like a bean.

Fragrance, traces, beans… What is it I’m talking about? Let’s be curious about it! Goonggoong!

What is your dream?

1 Comment / Brain Have Fun / By Human123

In tonight’s meditation class grandmaster Johwa gave us a topic to meditate on: “What is your dream?” The answer came to me very quickly, which does not happen often. The answer was: “To die with a clear conscience.” I was surprised – how can this be a dream? Gradually I understood what was meant by it. I realized that clear conscience does not only mean the absence of bad deeds. That spending my life on trying to make my personal life better does not guarantee clear conscience. Not using my time here well means my conscience will bother me sooner or later. It will not be satisfied with the limits imposed on me by me. It will only be satisfied when I keep trying (and sometimes failing) to bring the best of me into this world, when I dream big!

I have also understood the connection between having a clear conscience at life’s sunset and having a clear mind before going to bed. It’s so obvious! And off I go to do cleaning of the mind, scrubbing of the brain, and clearing of the chest so that my heart can beat confidently and joyfully. Good night!

Learning at any age

1 Comment / Brain Have Fun / By Human123

I’ve always admired my parents for their thirst for learning and self-improvement, and their recent visit was no exception. They energetically pursued various activities – learning English, exercising at the local gym almost every day, and learning to meditate at Harmony Meditation Center. I’ve signed them up for a “ZEN Method” training and watched how miraculous things unfolded in front of my eyes. All the more miraculous considering my parents’ age – early 70’s and late 60’s. I wish I could keep that attitude of openness, gratitude, and continuous learning throughout my whole life.

Here is my mom’s testimonial.

Dear teacher Johwa,

My first encounter with Harmony Meditation and its methods made me reevaluate my worldview. When I left, I continued meditation and Taichi exercises for over a year, and I believe they contributed greatly to my well-being and ability to cope with fatigue and health issues.

This time I was introduced to guided meditation and ZEN method. I experienced and became aware of Hanl and interconnectedness of its power with human beings and the Earth. I experienced first-hand the vital role of breathing and brain’s inner workings. Every time I come to train in the center, I experience a new feeling. Every movement creates an influx of energy to various muscles.

I wish I could come to the center and study with you every day. I feel how precious your teaching is and it’s power to change my thinking and consciousness, to heal the diseases accumulated over many years. I am grateful for all the care and wisdom you shared with me and my husband. He is a retired physicist and engineer, and it took him a long time to experience benefits of meditation. He experienced some powerful healing phenomena during the ZEN method training and started coming to meditation classes of his own will after that. This was a miracle!

I wish you and your family health, happiness, and prosperity.