On Friday, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism held a Zen meditation event at Jeonggwan Temple in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, as a prelude to an international Zen meditation event to be held in Seoul in September. Aimed at journalists and reporters, the event introduced various meditation techniques, including walking meditation (led by Monk Junhan), loving-kindness meditation (led by Monk Haeju) and Kanna meditation (led by Monk Geumgang).
Meditation is often thought of as a practice in which you sit quietly with your eyes closed to calm the mind, but there are different ways to apply it in different situations. “Meditation can be practiced not only while walking, but in all aspects of life,” Monk Junhan explained.
“Clear all thoughts from your mind, including your daily tasks and worries,” Monk Junhan instructed. “Concentrate only on walking. Don’t try to see or hear the flowing water or the birds, just accept what is.”
Though it was hard at first, concentrating only on walking and avoiding other thoughts created a refreshing feeling that was different from a normal walk. “During a normal walk, you might think you are relaxing, but your mind is likely filled with thoughts of work, relationships, or the song you were listening to,” Monk Junhan added.
Monk Hyeju’s compassion meditation, which encourages us to focus on feelings of love and hospitality, was particularly unique. “Think of a time when you felt warmth from someone,” the monk said. “When a memory comes to mind, try to recall that person’s words or actions to make it more vivid and concrete.”
Monk Jin-woo, who is in charge of organizing the event, stressed that modern society’s problems, such as mental distress and suicide, cannot be solved simply by practicing self-control and good personal hygiene. “At the International Zen Meditation Event to be held in September, the Jogye Order will introduce several easy-to-follow Zen meditation programs for the general public,” the monk said.
Lee Jin-Koo sys1201@donga.com
