📖 INTRODUCTION

Many people begin pursuing their dreams with pure passion and joy.

But over time, comparison, competition, recognition, and the desire for success can quietly take over.

What once brought happiness can become a source of pressure, frustration, and dissatisfaction.

Artists are no exception.

This meditation testimonial shares the story of Eun-hee K., an artist and homemaker, who spent years pursuing artistic excellence while constantly comparing herself to others.

Although painting was her lifelong dream, she eventually found herself trapped by competition, awards, recognition, and the desire to prove herself.

Through this meditation, she gradually learned how to let go of jealousy, pride, inferiority, and attachment.

As her mind became lighter, painting once again became a source of joy rather than pressure.

Today, she creates art with a peaceful mind and hopes her paintings bring comfort and warmth to others.

This meditation testimonial beautifully illustrates how creativity flourishes when the mind becomes free from selfish intentions and comparison.

💬 MEDITATION TESTIMONIAL: “LIKE A PEACEFUL PAINTING WITHOUT SELFISH INTENTIONS — MY MIND BECAME THE SAME”

By Eun-hee K. | Artist

In October 2012, I held my first solo exhibition.

More than simply displaying paintings, I wanted it to be a warm and comfortable gathering where people could relax and enjoy themselves.

Thankfully, many friends and visitors came, and the exhibition became a joyful experience.

Yet the journey leading up to that moment had not always been peaceful.

🌱 A CHILDHOOD DREAM TO BECOME AN ARTIST

My dream began when I was in elementary school.

One day, while drawing paper dolls and making clothes for them, my father looked at my work and said:

“You’re really good at this.”

That simple sentence stayed with me.

From that moment on, I believed I was meant to become an artist.

I studied Oriental painting in college and later worked for a period of time before getting married.

After marriage, I put my paintbrushes away for nearly ten years while raising children and caring for my family.

Eventually, I returned to painting because I wanted to rediscover my own life.

And simply painting again made me happy.

😔 WHEN COMPARISON STOLE THE JOY OF PAINTING

At first, creating art was enough.

But eventually, I wanted to exhibit my work.

To gain recognition, I entered competitions and participated in group exhibitions.

That was when comparison began.

Whenever someone received a better award than I did, I became upset.

I thought:

“I can paint just as well as that person.”

“They’re not even better than me.”

The more I compared myself to others, the more jealous and frustrated I became.

I hated seeing that narrow-minded side of myself.

Even when I told myself not to think that way, the thoughts continued appearing.

Instead of enjoying art, I became preoccupied with:

• Competitions
• Awards
• Recognition
• Accomplishments

Eventually, painting itself began to feel like a prison.

Deep inside, I knew something was wrong.

✨ THE DAY I DISCOVERED TRUE FREEDOM

In 2006, my younger sister introduced our family to meditation.

My son began practicing first.

What surprised me most was how much he changed.

Since childhood, he had always been at the top of his class and carried tremendous pressure to remain there.

One day he told me:

“I no longer focus on being number one.”

“I simply enjoy learning.”

Those words touched me deeply.

Soon afterward, I began meditation as well.

As I reflected on my life and let go of countless attachments, something suddenly emerged from deep within me:

“Freedom.”

The feeling was so powerful that it shocked me.

For the first time, I realized I had never truly been free.

It felt as though I had been trapped somewhere for years and had suddenly broken out.

🌌 MY TRUE SELF WAS FAR GREATER THAN I IMAGINED

As I continued letting go of my mind, I experienced another profound realization.

The self I had always believed was “me” was not my true self at all.

My true self felt vast.

Limitless.

Like the infinite universe itself.

That realization changed everything.

For years, I had measured myself through comparisons with others.

But once that perspective disappeared, I began seeing life differently.

I no longer felt confined by competition or inferiority.

Instead, I felt connected to something much larger.

🪞 EMPTYING THE MIND IS LIKE PEELING AWAY CELLOPHANE

Looking back, my life had actually been quite comfortable.

I had loving parents.

A supportive family.

Healthy children.

A stable life.

Yet despite all of that, genuine gratitude rarely appeared.

Instead, I remained trapped by pride.

Even painting became tied to my ego.

I wanted recognition.

I wanted praise.

I wanted to be seen as talented.

Without realizing it, those desires became attached to my artwork.

Through meditation, I gradually let go of those attachments one by one.

Even memories connected to painting itself were released:

• Paintbrushes
• Art books
• Museums
• Awards
• Artistic accomplishments

As those burdens disappeared, painting became natural again.

I often describe it this way:

“Emptying the mind is like peeling away a layer of cellophane that covers life.”

The life underneath remains exactly the same.

But suddenly everything becomes clearer.

🎨 PAINTING WITHOUT SELFISH INTENTIONS

Today, painting feels completely different.

I no longer think:

“I must paint better.”

“I must impress people.”

“I must receive recognition.”

Instead, I simply enjoy painting.

Colors flow naturally.

Ideas emerge naturally.

And before I know it, the painting is complete.

Sometimes I think about traditional Korean scholars and artists.

They did not create art merely to impress others.

They first sought to empty their minds.

Only then did they paint.

Now I finally understand why.

💖 I WANT MY PAINTINGS TO BRING PEACE

Recently, an older gentleman visited one of my exhibitions and told me:

“Your paintings are beautiful because they contain no selfish intentions.”

His words deeply moved me.

Another visitor said:

“I simply want to sit quietly here because this gallery feels so peaceful.”

Those comments meant more to me than any award.

Today, my wish is simple.

I hope my paintings bring comfort and peace to people’s homes.

I hope they feel natural, warm, and welcoming.

As though they had always belonged there.

And just as I hope my paintings become peaceful, I hope my own life becomes the same.

Simple.

Comfortable.

Free.

And filled with gratitude.