Why does true peace of mind often elude us?
We live in a world where we are constantly busy, believing that the world might stop turning without us. Our heads are filled with endless thoughts that bite at each other’s tails, creating a constant inner noise.
An insightful column published in the Gyeongbuk Maeil explores the profound philosophy of Ma-eum Su-ryun (mind meditation), suggesting that our lack of peace comes from the greed to possess everything in the world. To find true rest, we must learn to let go.
π€§ The Modern Illness: A “Mind Cold”
The mind, originally, is not flawed in the slightest. It is inherently clean, boundless, and tranquil. If your mind is fluctuating with anxiety or stress, it is simply because it has attached itself to the fleeting emotions of worldly affairs.
The column shares a beautiful metaphor: βJust as you can see the stars in the sky clearly only when you turn off the lights in the temple courtyard, you can see clearly only when you clear away the illusory pictures stored here and there in the corners of your mind.β
Our lives become complicated because we keep the “lights” of our thoughts turned on even while we sleep, holding onto illusions and past regrets in our hearts. When this exhaustion deepens, it leads to what the author calls a “mind cold.”
π¬ The Scientific Power of Subtracting the Mind
While meditation was once dismissed by some as mere mysticism, its profound effects on human mental health are now constantly being confirmed by modern science.
A striking example was featured in a New Year’s special documentary by KBS (Secrets of Life, Old Age, Illness, and Death). Participants who went through a one-week Ma-eum Su-ryun meditation program at the Mt. Gyeryong Center underwent a stress test conducted by Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital.
The results were astonishing: their depression index dropped to an incredible “0.” By simply following the method to subtract the mind, their deep-seated stress and emotional burdens completely vanished.
π§ Tears of Release and Ultimate Freedom
So, how does this transformation happen? The core of this practice is to stubbornly and consistently let go and empty the mind.
During the meditation process, practitioners learn to discard the false pictures and illusions they have lived within. The column notes that sometimes, practitioners burst into tears during their training. This isn’t out of sadness, but rather a profound release. The moment they realize they have been living inside fake, self-created pictures, the realization explodes into tears.
You can consider the “mind cold” cured the exact moment this emotional release happens.
π Returning to the True Mind
A human being is just a single speck among the billions living on Earth, which is just one planet lighting up a vast galaxy. Do we really need to live a life trapped in petty illusions and heavy stress?
Through the step-by-step process of subtracting the mind, you can clear away delusions and obsessive thoughts. When the mind is truly emptied, it transforms into the infinite mind of the universe, allowing you to know the principles of the world and become a person of ultimate freedom.
You don’t need to travel to the mountains to begin this journey. This life-changing method of subtracting the mind is accessible right now at your local meditation center.
β¨ Ready to Cure Your “Mind Cold” and Find True Peace?
If you are feeling overwhelmed by endless thoughts, stress, or a heavy heart, learning how to empty your mind can bring profound relief.
π Book a Free Meditation Introduction at Santa Clara Meditation
π° About the Original Article
- Publication: Gyeongbuk Maeil
- Article Title: 7 Nights and 8 Days of Ma-eum Su-ryun at Mt. Gyeryong
- Columnist: Kwon Oh-shin, Guest Editorial Writer
- Published: May 1, 2012
