“I’m living without any major problems. But why do I feel so empty, as if there’s a hole in my heart?” “I’m so exhausted and want to rest, but I don’t know how to find peace of mind.”
These are common feelings for many modern professionals. When daily life begins to repeat like a mechanical hamster wheel, it is easy to become numb, anxious, or constantly chased by stress. To heal these invisible wounds, a feature published by the Kookje Shinmun recommends a highly approachable solution: mind subtraction meditation.
🌿 A Space as Welcoming as a Coffee Shop
When people hear the word meditation, they often picture rigorous, intimidating, or boring settings. However, modern Ma-eum Su-ryun centers are designed differently—featuring clean, comfortable interiors that look more like a cozy neighborhood café than a traditional training hall.
The practice itself is just as approachable as the environment. It requires no special attire, tools, or prior experience. Practitioners simply sit comfortably, listen to a clear explanation of the method, and follow the steps.
🗑️ The Simple Science of ‘Mind Subtraction’
Unlike traditional practices that focus on temporarily calming or suppressing thoughts, this method is entirely about subtraction.
Every experience we have from the moment we are born is imprinted in the brain like a picture. Over time, heavy emotions, stress, and mental wounds become overlaid on those mental scenes, remaining trapped as lingering memories. By recalling these specific “mind pictures” and systematically throwing them away, the negative emotions and burdens attached to them disappear completely.
The basic principle can be understood in three incredibly simple steps:
- Visualize: Close your eyes and imagine a specific object, like an apple, in your head. It appears clearly as a picture.
- Action: In your mind, throw that apple into a trash can.
- Result: The picture of the apple completely vanishes from your mind.
By applying this exact mechanism to real-life memories and stress, practitioners can systematically empty out the root causes of their anxiety.
🌎 Finding Global Happiness and Freedom
This practical method has drawn people from all walks of life and all corners of the globe. Among the practitioners at the center, Vinto Barrow, a Canadian elementary school English teacher, shared his transformation:
“I’ve been in Korea for 11 months, and it was so hard because the environment is different and I was stressed from work. Two weeks after starting meditation, I was happy because I felt I made a good choice. As my exhausted mind found peace, my life became happier.”
Because the mind subtraction method is consistent worldwide, practitioners can seamlessly continue their training across 320 locations globally if they relocate or return to their home countries.
⏱️ Flexible Healing for Busy Schedules
One of the greatest benefits of this meditation is its flexibility. Every practitioner is paired with a dedicated guide, known as a Helper (Doum-nim), who walks them through the steps based on their individual availability.
There is no pressure or rigid scheduling:
- Frequency: Practitioners can visit daily or opt for 3 to 4 times a week.
- Duration: Sessions can range flexibly from a quick 30 minutes to an immersive 3 hours.
- Convenience: Many busy office workers successfully utilize their lunch breaks to drop in and clear their minds.
Reading philosophical books or trying to force yourself to “live righteously” often ends up trapping the mind in a restrictive mold. True peace and mental freedom don’t come from adding more rules to your life—they come from simply subtracting the heavy burdens you are already carrying, allowing your natural happiness to fill the space.
📰 About the Article
- Publication: Kookje Shinmun
- Article Title: Empty Your Mind Completely and Happiness Will Fill It Up – The Joy of Meditation at ‘Ma-eum Su-ryun Center’
- Published: August 24, 2016
- Reporter: Choi Young-ji
