An Empty Can Trapped in the Illusion of Meditation (Prayer)?

[진영]

In Korean
https://m.cafe.daum.net/enlightenment-k/dcM5/516?svc=cafeapp

명상(기도)의 허구에 갇힌 빈깡통?

■ An Empty Can Trapped in the Illusion of Meditation (Prayer)?

📖 English Version

Friday, September 27, 2025 – 10:00 AM
Founder & President, Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu · United World Haedong Kumdo Federation
Jeong Seong, Kim

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■ An Empty Can Trapped in the Illusion of Meditation (Prayer)?

We often see people sitting on a rock in the mountains or by a river, eyes closed, looking like sages absorbed in meditation.

It seems impressive, and indeed, the clear mind and refreshing state that follow are hard to put into words.

But does that truly connect to the essence of practice?
How is it different from the light feeling after a good sleep?
Does it really help your swordsmanship in Haedong Kumdo, or the maturity of your soul?

If it is only for comfort, for the atmosphere, or because others are doing it, then perhaps sleeping peacefully at home is even better.
Ask yourself: are you wasting time and energy in ignorance and desire?

For over 35 years, I have never stopped practicing Haedong Kumdo.
Yet, I have never seen an instructor or master who truly knows and teaches the essence of meditation.

This October in Ohio, the “Follow the Energy” Seminar, organized by Lisa will explore this essence.

I hope many of the first-generation black belts in the U.S. will join, to deepen their own growth and to prepare the next generation. Other martial artists and masters are also warmly welcome.

It will be an opportunity to experience the root of martial arts and human life.

It will be a chance to understand why skills, philosophy, and healing are one.

It will be a rare moment to explore why this truth is revealed for the first time in the 21st century.

I have often mentioned this, but I never insist that my words are always correct.

It is enough if they give the reader another perspective to reflect upon.

○ In Haedong Kumdo, the curriculum is generally divided into four parts:

Breathing (Meditation),

Sword Methods,

Cutting,

Sparring.


○ In Jinyoung Ssangkum Ryu Haedong Kumdo, it is divided as follows:

Kimu (Breathing and Meditation),

Sword Methods (single sword, two-handed sword, double swords),

Cutting,

Sparring.


So let us now read the following and take each our own reflections from it.

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1. Definition of Meditation and Prayer

○ Meditation (冥想):
冥 means a dark, deep, unseen dimension.
想 means to imagine, to seek within the mind.
→ Thus, meditation is “to seek the essence of God, Nature, or True Self within.”

○ Prayer (祈禱):
祈 means to raise hands in supplication.
禱 means to offer sincerely at the altar
→ Thus, prayer is “to ask outwardly for help and await a response.”

👉 In short:
Meditation seeks within. Prayer asks without.

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2. The Reality of Meditation and Prayer

The essence of both is the same.
But from the human point of view, the self in the visible world cannot force entry into the invisible.
Access must always come from Nature’s side.

This cannot be gained by knowledge or skill, but only through direct bodily and mental experience.
Even if one practices day and night, it does not come by effort—it is given by destiny, by Inyeon (因緣).
Therefore, daily thoughts, words, and actions are the true core of practice.

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3. Meditation and Breathing in Martial Arts

Breath naturally follows body movement.
When one feels and follows energy, the interaction of breath and motion is revealed, along with the true importance of breathing.

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4. The Illusion of Meditation

Meditation or prayer must enter with a clear purpose.
Otherwise, it remains a hollow repetition, trapped in illusion.

The old Zen koan “I-mwo-kko (이뭐꼬)” is still practiced, yet without grasping its essence,

saying “I-mwo-kko” and entering,
just sitting and chanting endlessly,
or simply staying seated for hours—

all these are nothing but illusions born of ignorance and desire.

It is like sitting in someone else’s room (the invisible world) without leaving.
The host might even drive you out.
In truth, most people never even enter that room, but only waste time and energy in delusion.

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5. The Tools of Practice

As human beings with a body-machine, practice is simple and clear:

○ 체득 / Self-Acquirement and Self-Magnetization (Feeling):
The body and energy directly give realization—leading to magnetization and the Ki-mu body.

○ 천목 / Heavenly Eye (Seeing):
The opening of the higher eye to perceive deeper reality.

○ 듣는 것 / Hearing:
Literally hearing, it means studying and learning the principles of Nature.


These are not achieved by force, but given as blessings, grace, gifts of Nature.
And through this true process, health and happiness come only as by-products.


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6. The Essential Meaning of Meditation and Prayer

Through Self-Acquirement and Self-Magnetization, and through the Heavenly Eye,

Two things are realized:

● To recognize the reality of God (the Divine, the Ultimate).

● To live a life of awakening through it.

These two form the very foundation of study. Only when they are realized can true meditation and prayer begin—
and with them, the proper path of practice unfolds.

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Conclusion


The manifestation through experiences of meditation or prayer is not to rule or command the world.
It is to engrave "Determination" through "Reflection", and "Gratitude" into one’s being.

With this as a base, we live daily life with deeper thought, sincere words, and mindful action—
leading to a life of abundance and freedom.

Along this path, helping others and caring for those around us becomes part of our own study.
It benefits both self and others.

This is the maturity of the spirituality, and why humans must continue studying until the very end.

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#HaedongKumdo #JinyoungSsangkumRyu #FollowTheEnergy #MartialArts #Meditation #Prayer #Healing #Philosophy


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