Educators and parents gathered at an academic conference to learn about implementing mind subtraction meditation in schools

South Korean students frequently rank at the top of the world in academic assessments like PISA, yet they consistently score among the lowest in subjective happiness and interest in their studies. As the educational landscape seeks alternative programs to alleviate student stressβ€”especially during the transition into high schoolβ€”happiness meditation education is taking center stage.

A feature published by the Aju Business Daily covered the fall academic conference hosted by the Academic Society for Human Completion, where educators and parents demonstrated “explosive” interest in the proven effects of mind subtraction meditation in schools.

Here is a look at the groundbreaking insights shared at the conference.

🏫 A Packed House for Happiness Education

The conference, themed β€œFree Semester System and Happiness Education: Finding Dreams and Hopes through Meditation,” was sponsored by the Ministry of Education and held at the KAIST KI Building in Daejeon.

The response from the educational community was overwhelming. Over 200 people from all over the country flocked to the venue, quickly exceeding the 96-seat capacity and prompting organizers to overflow into an adjacent lecture room.

Kwak Byong-sun, the former President of the Korean Educational Development Institute and the original proposer of the Free Semester System, attended the event. He highly praised the Academic Society for Human Completionβ€”a unique coalition where scholars, university professors, principals, and frontline teachers collaborateβ€”and positively evaluated the potential of integrating meditation into the Free Semester System.

πŸ’‘ The Answer for the 4th Industrial Revolution

During a nearly three-hour conference that held the audience’s rapt attention, Professor Shin Na-min of Dongguk University’s Department of Education delivered a powerful keynote speech.

She emphasized, “Human Completion education is the only answer to raising our current students into the leading figures of the 4th Industrial Revolution era,” adding that meditation is an essential method to achieve this vital goal.

✨ Real Results in the Classroom

The highlight of the event was the introduction of a real-world school application case by Shim Sook-hee, a specialized counselor at Sacheon Middle School.

She shared how introducing Ma-eum Su-ryun (mind subtraction meditation) as a Free Semester program created incredible synergy with other activities, from math and English to broadcast dance and woodworking. When applied to the “Wee Class” (an integrated student stability system), the meditation program yielded five major transformations in the students:

  1. Breaking away from bad past experiences
  2. Improving concentration in class
  3. Reducing the burden of grades (which ironically led to even higher academic performance)
  4. Enhancing creativity
  5. Discovering a new, confident self

πŸ“Š Proven Scientific Efficacy

Adding empirical weight to the success stories, Professor Yoo Yang-kyung of Kunsan National University presented a compelling research paper on the effects of the meditation program at Daesan Middle School.

Her study confirmed that students who participated in the mind subtraction meditation course experienced measurable improvements in:

  • Self-esteem
  • Consideration and communication skills
  • Social responsibility
  • Self-regulation
  • Honesty and courage
  • Overall class concentration

Following the presentations, the Q&A sessions and program consultations buzzed with passionate interest. Numerous education officials expressed a strong desire to receive meditation training themselves, and more than seven schools immediately indicated their intention to introduce it as a Free Semester System program the following year.

President Lee Deok-ju of the Academic Society for Human Completion closed the event with a promise: “Moving forward… scholars and teachers will continue to put their heads together and strive even harder for the practical application of Human Completion education, moving beyond just words and theories.”

Ready to explore the benefits of meditation for yourself, your family, or your students? Contact Santa Clara Meditation directly at 408-615-0435 to learn more about our programs and how to get started.

πŸ“° About the Article

  • Publication: Aju Business Daily
  • Article Title: “Explosive” Interest from Participants in School Introduction Cases at the Academic Conference Hosted by the Academic Society for Human Competion
  • Published: November 28, 2016
  • Reporter: Kim Ki-wan