Introduction
✨ In this reflective passage, Master Woo Myung describes the quiet yet powerful beauty of Ulleung Island, a small island surrounded by the vast waters of the Eastern Sea. Through vivid imagery, he portrays the everyday lives of fishermen and villagers who depend on the ocean and the natural environment for survival.
The story follows a fisherman who spends long nights at sea, enduring wind and waves in order to provide for his family. His life reflects the deep connection between human beings and nature, where survival depends on patience, endurance, and harmony with the natural world. 🌊
Through the scenes of village life, the return of fishermen at dawn, and the rugged beauty of the island’s mountains and coastline, Master Woo Myung captures both the simplicity and dignity of people living close to nature.
Yet beneath the peaceful scenery lies a deeper reflection. Over time, many residents have left the island, and the warmth and generosity that once characterized the community have gradually faded. Through this observation, Master Woo Myung invites readers to reflect on the relationship between human life, nature, and the deeper meaning of existence. 🌿
ORIGINAL WRITING BY MASTER WOO MYUNG
Ulleung Island
There is a small wooden boat floating beside the ship,
and on it, a poor fisherman is catching fish that are in season
to eke out a living for his family.
In order to catch even a few,
he needs to go far out into the open ocean.
The fisherman catches fish throughout the night,
while listening to the pounding of the waves against his boat.
The strong winds make for big waves, but despite them,
he continues to catch fish that can be readily caught in this type of weather.
He does not suffer from seasickness,
perhaps because he has been doing this for a long time.
When the horizon turns a reddish hue, he gathers in the nets,
and the cold morning air of the way back home
makes him forget his struggle with the waves.
His wife and children who have slept the whole night curled up like shrimps,
come out to greet him and help to unload the catch off the boat.
For the people of the fishing trade, the ocean is their life-line.
There have always been many widows near the ocean
because until even a few decades ago, many men died out at sea.
Many fishermen who were too poor to leave,
plied their trade fighting with the waves,
but most of their old wooden boats have now been replaced
with motored boats.
Although their work has become much easier,
they still live in fear of the waves.
A big passenger ship pulls in, sounding its foghorn,
and an eldest son who moved away from home
alights laden with presents.
Everyone greets him joyfully.
Ulleung Island has beautiful mountains
and lots of squid, being located in the Eastern Sea.
A truly beautiful island, with steep rocks near the shore
that have been shaped over thousands of years
by the pounding of the waves and rain.
There are lots of squid, cedar trees,
and wild herbs such as asters and lily leeks.
On the way from Do-dong to Chun-bu,
there is a waterfall and a mountain path,
that are too beautiful to describe with words.
The residents of this place make their living
by growing garlic, corn and potatoes,
raising cows and catching squid.
The water is pure, and the people of this island are gentle,
so the expressions on their faces are relatively open and bright.
In every valley, there is a fishing village,
and although in the past, they could only be reached on foot or by boat,
they can now be reached by car.
Many people have left, so the population has decreased.
The people of this place used to be generous and warm-hearted –
it is a shame that they do not live in the world.
— Woo Myung
🌿 Reflect at Santa Clara Meditation
At Santa Clara Meditation, practitioners reflect on teachings from Master Woo Myung that explore the relationship between human life, nature, and inner awareness.
Through meditation and reflection, individuals begin to appreciate how simple lives lived in harmony with nature often reveal deeper truths about existence.
🌠 By quieting the mind and observing life clearly, people can rediscover the natural balance that exists between humanity and the world, allowing them to live with clarity, gratitude, and deeper understanding.
