๐ Introduction
Many people believe stress, conflict, difficult relationships, and emotional struggles come entirely from the people and situations around them.
But sometimes, when our perspective changes, the entire world around us begins changing too.
Teachers especially carry enormous emotional pressure โ managing students, handling conflicts, maintaining authority, and balancing relationships both at school and at home.
This heartfelt meditation testimonial shares the story of Jong S. L., a teacher who struggled for years with shyness, inferiority, superiority, judgment toward others, emotional conflict, and stress in both work and family life.
Although outwardly she appeared kind and understanding, inwardly she constantly judged, compared, criticized, and felt trapped inside emotional struggles.
But through meditation and learning how to let go of judgment, inferiority, superiority, resentment, and self-centered thinking, she gradually discovered compassion, emotional peace, healthier relationships, and a completely new perspective toward both students and life itself.
This inspiring meditation testimonial beautifully shows how inner change can transform not only ourselves, but also the entire world around us.
๐ฌ Meditation Testimonial: โAs My Mind Changed, the World Around Me Changed Tooโ
By Jong S. L. | Teacher
My nickname in elementary school was:
โFire.โ
My classmates gave me that nickname because my face turned bright red whenever I stood in front of the class to speak.
Even after becoming a school teacher, my timid personality never truly changed.
At least, not until I began practicing this meditation.
And honestly, that was only one of many changes that eventually happened in my life.
๐ง I Was a Teacher Lost in My Own Inferiority and Superiority
During college, I suddenly became overwhelmed by feelings of emptiness about life itself.
Because of that, I began participating deeply in religious activities.
I worked hard in both school and religious life, and I sincerely believed I was living well.
But despite all of that effort, the conflicts inside me never disappeared.
Outwardly, I appeared understanding and kind to others.
But internally, I constantly struggled between feelings of superiority and inferiority.
And at home, I often released my frustrations onto my family.
Once, I taught a class of ninth-grade girls.
Honestly, the students felt extremely difficult to handle.
They were noisy, negative, constantly fighting, and divided into cliques.
Many had even been removed from the school orchestra program.
Hardly a single peaceful day existed in that classroom.
Several years later, I unexpectedly met one of those โproblem studentsโ and her mother on the street.
They looked genuinely happy to see me.
But the moment I saw them, all the stressful memories from those years immediately rushed back into my mind.
So instead of greeting them warmly, I simply gave a cold expressionless hello and quickly walked away.
Another time, while riding the bus, I saw a young woman loudly talking with her boyfriend on her cellphone.
When I looked more carefully, I realized she was one of my former students.
And inside my mind, I judged her:
โShe wasnโt even good at studying, yet she already has a boyfriend.โ
Back then, I spent enormous energy reading English newspapers and constantly taking TOEIC exams to improve my professional abilities.
But honestly, I never sincerely tried understanding the hearts of my teenage students.
One student with poor grades once wanted counseling from me.
But I refused because I claimed I was too busy.
Without realizing it, I looked down on students like that while only feeling comfortable around the โwell-behavedโ students.
Even though students continued visiting me on Teacherโs Day after graduationโฆ
I myself never truly changed.
๐ฑ Now There Is No Reason to Become Angry
When I eventually began struggling emotionally, another teacher recommended this meditation to me.
Through meditation, I was finally able to see myself honestly and clearly.
The version of myself other people sawโฆ
and the version hidden inside my mindโฆ
were completely different.
Inside, I was constantly judging, comparing, criticizing, and evaluating others.
After practicing this meditation, I unexpectedly met the same former student from the bus once again.
But this time, something inside me was completely different.
We sat together and talked for a long time.
โWhat are you studying these days?โ
โIs college difficult?โ
โDo you have a boyfriend?โ
And strangelyโฆ
she seemed wonderful to me.
The girl I once dismissed as someone who only had a pretty face and an empty mind was actually becoming a thoughtful young woman sincerely preparing for her future.
She even told me herself:
โI regret not studying harder in middle school.โ
That day, we shared a warm and joyful conversation together.
And at that moment, I realized something profound:
As my mind changed, the entire world around me had changed too.
๐ฟ Now School Feels Warm Instead of Stressful
This year, I transferred schools and became the homeroom teacher for a class of ninth-grade boys.
Everyone says this particular group of students is especially difficult.
They shout during class.
Constantly joke around.
And rebel whenever disciplined.
In the past, I would have emotionally fought against them while viewing them as rude troublemakers.
But now, things are completely different.
Of course, I still discipline and guide them properly whenever necessary.
But deep inside, I know their true nature is originally vast and beautiful like the universe itself.
I correct their behavior when neededโฆ
but I no longer carry negative emotions toward them afterward.
Because of that, we are able to maintain comfortable and positive relationships with one another.
Now, my workplace no longer feels stressful.
Instead, it has become a place where people encourage each other, exchange warmth, and truly experience the joy of living together.
The same is true at home.
My husband and our two sons also practice this meditation now.
And because of that, there is almost nothing for us to fight about anymore.
As we continue discarding the mindโฆ
small miracles continue happening endlessly throughout our lives.
