해동검도 통한 정신수련세미나 후기 Feedback of 1st Spiritual Growth Seminar by Jose from 20 to 23 Sep. 2010

[HAEDONG]

Proper way of training

On the Sep. 20th and 23rd

Grandmaster Kim held special trainings for the Finnish instructors.

We were reminded of the importance of intensive training of basic stances and building our energy through hard and continuous training of kumbups.

Grandmaster Kim stressed the importance of using real sharp swords if we ever wanted to learn the proper way of training swordmanship.

Only by exhausting training with jingkum can we come to know what is true haedong kumdo.

This kind of training requires complete concentration and focus and is definitely different from ordinary training.

Also an important part of every training is Ki Qong (energy practise).

It is much more than merely the danjon hohup (breathing exercises), meaning that we should be aware and be able to use our energy properly and continuously during every haedong kumdo exercise.

This is achieved through hard training, relaxation, concentration, feeling the energy and even seeing it with a pure mind.

Natural way of living

During his nine-day visit in Finland GM Kim talked a lot about the natural way of living, and we had the honor to participate

in the first "Spiritual Growth through Haedong Kumdo" seminar

on Sep. 19th.

The seminar was about the interconnectedness of Nature and us all, the energy or light permeating everything and how we can come to know this energy through practise of relaxing, forgetting all and feeling it.

This idea of connectedness is also presented to us by many scientists who call it the String theory. What science is missing however is the practical application of this connectedness, which most religions present in various ways.

Living with high moral standards and helping others is very natural behavior for a realized person who can see that she is actually just helping herself,

as all is one. Grandmaster Kim sometimes uses the term Love Waves to describe this natural and positive way of interacting within the energy grid of Light that makes up the universe and all of us, connecting us to each other and our environment.

Also important is keeping our precious body healthy and our intestines balanced for better living.

Eating sensibly, naturally and regularly, monitoring the level of stress we expose ourselves to and balanced regular training are the key elements to healthy living. It should be noticed that excess hard training can also be harmful to our body.

However, even more valuable for me than GM Kim's loving teaching was the example he set by everyday living.

Whenever there was a need, he offered to help as he could, be it a spiritual or mundane thing.

Needle and herbal treatments, massage, cleaning up and washing dishes or giving his views on metaphysical subjects, it all seemed to be as important and valuable for him.

Developing our spiritual selves should be a very practical and natural way of living, helping others in whatever way we can.

To sum it up,

balanced living and practising haedong kumdo come down to the same basic principles

: living in the moment, focusing, feeling the energy and acting upon it.

The universe gives back to us as much as we give to others.

Yours sincerily,

Johannes Hentunen
Finnish Haedong Kumdo