“Studying is the most enjoyable adventure in the world.”
These are the words of a student who was simultaneously accepted into nine Ivy League universities. While parents might dream of hearing their children say this, the reality is that most children simply hate studying.
For many students, sitting at a desk feels like a battle. But what if the lack of concentration isn’t about laziness, but about what’s going on inside their minds?
A fascinating feature published by Naeil Shinmun shares the story of a middle school student who completely transformed his attitude toward studyingโnot by being forced to sit longer, but by clearing his mind.
๐ The Heavy Burden of Studying
Kim Kyung-ho, a 15-year-old middle school student, went through a phase where he absolutely dreaded studying.
To him, studying felt incredibly difficult and complicated. Above all, he hated English. The mere thought of reading English filled him with fear and anxiety.
However, a surprising turning point occurred. While practicing Ma-eum Su-ryun (meditation), Kyung-ho finally realized why he hated English so much.
๐ธ Discovering the ‘Pictures of the Mind’
During his meditation, a specific memory surfaced.
“It was when I was in an English play,” Kyung-ho recalled. “I made a mistake because my pronunciation wasn’t good, and I was really intimidated then. After that, I became afraid of English.”
Past events began to flash through his mind frame by frame, like photographs. He realized that these negative ‘pictures of the mind’ were actively interfering with his ability to concentrate.
Because of these deep-seated feelings of reluctance and embarrassment, he would instinctively look for distractionsโjoking around with friends or daydreaming about video games during class.
Once he understood this root cause, he began to practice meditation even more diligently.
๐๏ธ Clearing the Mind, Finding Focus
As Kyung-ho discarded these negative mind pictures through meditation, something amazing happened: his aversion to studying completely disappeared.
The paralyzing fear of English and the frustrating thought that math was “too complicated” simply vanished.
Before meditating, exams were a nightmare. “I would solve the problems just thinking, ‘I wish this would end quickly so I can go play,’ so I got all the answers wrong,” he admitted.
But as his mind became clear, everything changed. According to the article, his transformation included:
- Smooth Focus: He can now read through exam problems calmly and clearly.
- Deep Concentration: Once he starts studying, he can comfortably sit for 3 hours.
- Enjoyment: The study time passes by incredibly fast.
๐ Real Growth Inside and Out
Kyung-hoโs academic improvement wasn’t the result of forcing himself to sit at his desk for longer hours. It was the direct result of discarding his cluttered mind.
As his concentration improved and his grades naturally went up, studying actually became fun, motivating him to work even harder.
His transformation didn’t just impact his report card. His friends were amazed by his new ability to study hard without messing around during class. Even better, by clearing his mind of distractions and negative emotions, his relationships with his peers improved as well.
Sometimes, the key to better concentration isn’t a new study techniqueโit’s letting go of the thoughts that are holding us back.
๐ฐ About the Article
- Publication: Naeil Shinmun
- Article Title: Discarding the Mind to Improve Concentration
- Published: June 20, 2011
