On Becoming One with Nature

[진영]

In Korean 국문 번역
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자연과 하나 된다는 것은

On the morning of my first day back home after the London seminar in the UK, I sat with a cup of coffee and penned the following thoughts.

■ On Becoming One with Nature

Sitting on a large rock by a waterfall amidst stunning scenery, engaging in meditation, might be seen as an effort to unite with nature. It’s an attempt to align one’s mind with the natural world. However, merely displaying external movements and claiming they represent "a practice of becoming one with nature" often reveals its lack of authenticity.

■ Reflections from a Recent Observation

A recent video on a popular YouTube channel featured a well-known martial artist introducing what they called ×× meditation. Surprisingly, the protagonist’s movements appeared only briefly, while most of the footage consisted of yoga-like postures and an English narration delivered in a professional voice. This raised a critical realization: such issues are not confined to ×× meditation alone but are also evident in the realm of sword martial arts training.

■ The Fundamentals and Essence of Sword Martial Arts (Kummuye, 검 무예) Training

In sword martial arts (Kummuye,검 무예), the fundamentals go beyond swift and elegant movements that merely appear impressive. Without solid foundational principles, movements lose their potential for progress. These fundamentals lie in understanding the flow of energy.

The essence of sword martial arts (Kummuye,검 무예) is mastering the principle of drawing circles to achieve maximum efficiency with minimal effort. This process expands to discovering the natural flow, allowing the body to move on its own, guided by the principles of nature. Through this, practitioners integrate the three essential elements of martial arts: techniques, philosophy, and healing.

At Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo, these principles of sword martial arts (Kummuye, 검 무예) are taught from the very first white belt. Through kimu training, practitioners learn the inflow and outflow of energy, harmonizing body and mind.
Whether wielding a sword or not, the principle of natural movement remains the same.

Kimu Practice(기무 수련) extends beyond physical conditioning. It immerses practitioners in the three essential elements: techniques (술기), philosophy (철학), and healing (힐링). Sword martial arts is a journey of exploring these principles through the practice of the sword, achieving harmony among the three.

■ The Meaning of Becoming One with Nature

Becoming one with nature is not about practicing movements in picturesque locations or against beautiful backdrops.

It is about allowing the energy of nature to move the body and becoming consciously aware of this phenomenon. This marks the true beginning of the journey toward unity with nature.

Time and place are irrelevant. Practice takes place in the here and now, wherever one stands. For centuries, countless individuals have sought to discover how to become one with nature, often without success. True understanding transcends the forms of meditation, breathing exercises, or martial arts training.

It is a process of discovering a singular truth and an exploration of life’s essence. This truth lies not in distant, abstract ideals but in the everyday practice of aligning one’s thoughts, words, and actions. Ultimately, it depends on one’s mindset.

■ A Warning About Superficial Practices

Today, the martial arts world is filled with flashy, superficial practices that mislead people. Many exploit their credentials to promote ineffective methods through platforms like YouTube or social media.

True unity with nature can not be achieved through mere appearances but must be experienced through movements guided by the energy of nature. This experience immediately reveals its authenticity.

During the Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo seminar held in London on November 16–17, 2024, participants directly experienced this phenomenon. They learned the essence of becoming one with nature and the core principles of sword martial arts( Kummuye, 검무예) which can only be understood through practical, hands-on training.

■ Conclusion

Becoming one with nature is not something anyone can achieve simply through a lifetime of effort.

However, once realized, it can happen instantaneously. The key lies in adhering to the essence of true teaching and maintaining a sincere attitude toward practice.

Superficial movements, no matter how impressive they appear, will never lead to the essence of martial arts.

The truth and principles of nature exist in the present moment, right where one stands.

This is the path to unity with nature and the only way to explore the essence of sword martial arts and life itself.

At Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo, this is the foundation of all training and its most vital component.

November 20, 2024

Kim Jeong Seong
Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo

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제목: 그 하나의 이치를 찾는다는 것

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