💡 INTRODUCTION

Master Woo Myung shares a deeply personal and poignant reflection on a childhood marked by extreme poverty, war, and profound loss. Through heartbreaking memories of his mother’s unconditional sacrifice—enduring starvation and shivering in damp clothes to care for her children—and the tragic passing of his father and brothers, he paints a vivid picture of a generation that survived unimaginable trials. This moving poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, honoring the heartache and foundational love that ultimately forged true strength.

🎬 YOUTUBE VIDEO

📖 EXCERPT BY MASTER WOO MYUNG

Unable to feed her children, she clutched her empty stomach and sighed; she lay awake all night worrying about feeding them. Such were our mothers. She did not scold those little urchins, who wet themselves in the middle of the night while sleeping in their mother’s arms. Instead she shivered all night in her damp clothes, then dried them while preparing breakfast in the morning…

Indeed I grew up with much heartache and sorrow. The poor country folk all went abroad. Without any footing, they left their homes and so they faced many hardships. But now they are the ones who are the leaders of the world.

🌱 REFLECT AT SANTA CLARA MEDITATION

At Santa Clara Meditation, we recognize that we all carry a deep history within us. Like the painful memories of poverty, loss, and sacrifice described in this poem, we often hold onto the heavy traumas and sorrows of our past. These accumulated memories become the “karma” that weighs down our present lives, leaving us with lingering heartache. While it is important to honor where we came from and the sacrifices of those who raised us, we do not have to live trapped in the pain of the past. Through our systematic method of subtraction, you can actively let go of these deep-seated sorrows and heavy emotional burdens. As you clear away the pain of your past, you can transform your hardships into profound wisdom, gratitude, and true inner strength.

🔗 NEXT STEPS

📖 Struggling with the heavy burdens and sorrows of your past? Find a safe space to heal and let go. Book your free introduction: https://santaclarameditation.org/free-meditation-introduction/

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