INTRODUCTION
In this gentle and touching teaching, Master Woo Myung contrasts the carefree innocence of a child with the heavy, restless mind of an adult.
A young child follows his mother without thought, purpose, or fear—fully present, fully alive.
Meanwhile, the mother is filled with concerns, responsibilities, and the weight of countless thoughts.
The child symbolizes a pure mind, unburdened by the concepts and worries that shape the adult world.
He has no idea that life “passes by like a drifting wanderer,” and yet he lives more freely than anyone.
This writing invites us to rediscover the simplicity, presence, and lightness of a child’s mind—a mind without burdens. ✨
ORIGINAL WRITING BY MASTER WOO MYUNG
The Mind of a Child
The toddling baby follows his mother,
who is carrying a water jar on her head.
They simply walk on without a thought or purpose.
He follows his mother everywhere,
making onlookers nervous.
But neither mother nor child is nervous.
The child plays happily prancing about,
but his mother’s mind is uneasy.
Her mind is consumed by many thoughts,
but her son is without a care.
‘Human life passes by like a drifting wanderer.’
The child knows not what this means
nor does he have a single thought about it;
he is having a merry time.
– Woo Myung
REFLECT AT SANTA CLARA MEDITATION
At Santa Clara Meditation, practitioners learn to let go of burdensome thoughts and return to a mind as light and free as a child’s—clear, present, and joyful. 🌠
