Introduction
✨ In this vivid and contemplative writing, Master Woo Myung reflects on the beauty of spring in New York, the lives of immigrants, the burdens of memory, and the future hope of a world united in peace and spiritual civilization.
The blooming flowers of spring appear as a vision of heaven itself, filling houses, streets, trees, and gardens with beauty. Yet alongside this beauty, Master Woo Myung also observes the realities of human life—immigration, homesickness, labor, economic hardship, and the restless pursuit of survival in a world driven by material concerns. 🌷
This writing moves from the visible beauty of nature to a deeper reflection on society, capitalism, memory, greed, and the possibility of a future in which humanity lives with one mind. Through wisdom, the discarding of greed, and living for others, Master Woo Myung describes a world that can become a true paradise on Earth.
Through these words, Master Woo Myung offers not only a reflection on New York, but also a profound vision of Heaven, peace, unity, and the transformation of the world.
Original Writing by Master Woo Myung
Spring in New York
Everywhere, countless varieties of spring flowers are in bloom.
Nowhere in the world,
is there a more beautiful scene than this:
By every house, in every street,
in trees and garden beds, the flowers in bloom
are so, so beautiful.
Here is beautiful heaven,
heaven itself.
Many European immigrants came to live here in New York.
Now, there are no traces of the Indians from long ago,
instead most are Westerners and some Africans,
and only a few Asians.
The first generation immigrants,
and the people who are here from all over the world,
must miss their home country.
The first Europeans to arrive must have felt the same way –
as the second generation is born,
their homelands fade from memory
and exist only in their minds;
The homelands in their minds would no longer be there,
even if they went back.
Yet, they labor and labor to make a living in a foreign land
holding onto those memories of the past.
The rows of houses built a century ago make me think
America must have been a good place to live.
In the midst of this transitory place, there are those who stayed
but for an Asian such as myself,
it is hard to understand what they live for,
and what joy they find in living.
They live according to their customs,
yet adapting to the life here – a busy life.
This country is a capitalist society,
where money is held in the highest,
and it has dominated the world for a hundred years.
Now it is struggling in a financial crisis;
unemployment has risen,
people are not as caring as they once were,
and those who do not have jobs find life hard.
Even though I have been all over the world,
I find everyone thinks only about eating and living well;
without money, there is nowhere in the world you can live in peace.
There is nowhere I particularly want to live.
Communism has crumbled,
and even capitalism seems to have come as far as it can go.
The time of a spiritual civilization –
when all minds become one and everyone lives in comfort –
seems to have come.
A world will come,
a world with peace of mind
where anyone can work hard and live joyously.
When man discards his greed
and knows how to live within his means,
in such a world he will be able to live a better life.
When everyone becomes of one mind,
and the world becomes a place where people live for others,
it will become a paradise on Earth.
Heaven is this world,
and for a person who has been born in this true world,
this world is heaven.
This world and that world are not different but one.
One’s true actions will remain in this world; as much as he does,
exactly that much, will remain in the living world.
As man gains more wisdom, and escapes from the world of his own mind,
this world will become one in which everyone can live well;
the whole world will be one’s own wherever he goes,
and he will be able to live with comfort and peace.
– Woo Myung
Reflect at Santa Clara Meditation
🌿 The words of Master Woo Myung show both the beauty and the sorrow of human life. The blooming flowers of spring reveal a glimpse of heaven, yet human beings still struggle with memory, separation, labor, greed, and the restless search for a better life.
This writing reminds us that even in a beautiful world, people often remain trapped in the mind world of attachment, longing, and material survival. But it also offers hope: when greed is discarded, when people live within their means, and when humanity becomes of one mind, the world itself can become a place of peace and joy.
At Santa Clara Meditation, practitioners learn how to discard the false mind and move beyond the world of self-centered thought. Through the teachings of Master Woo Myung, one can reflect on the deeper meaning of heaven on Earth, spiritual civilization, unity, wisdom, and living for others. ✨
