Members of the Korea Chunhwa Meditation found great hope for a harmonious world

Upon my return from staffing the Chunhwa Meditation Suhaeng in South Korea, people asked me, “How was Korea? How was the Gaechun Festival?” Though all I could say was, “It was great!”—such words could not even begin to describe my feelings. I have so many amazing and touching stories, and I would like to share just a few with you.

The main event of the tour was the Korean Spirit Festival on the national holiday, Gaechun Day (Heaven’s Opening Day), which celebrates Korea’s 4344th birthday. A parade kicked off the main event, with Koreans and delegations from the US, UK, Canada, Europe, and Japan marching enthusiastically around Gwanghwamoon Plaza, the symbol and heart of Seoul, South Korea’s capital. With singing, dancing, flag waving, and cheers of “Happy Birthday Korea!” we truly transcended the barriers of country, race, and language in a magnificent celebration of Korea’s birthday and the Hongik spirit.

When we entered the Jamshil Olympic Stadium in Seoul that afternoon, from the floor of the stadium I noticed it was nearly full of beautiful souls dressed in red. With no security anywhere, it was an unusual feeling to feel so safe in such a large crowd.

However, it was easy to see that everyone cared for each other and made sure each person was safe. Parents let their children run and play freely and took care to have contact information pinned to their backs in case they got separated. In my heart, I could feel that everybody there wished for one thing—to revive the Korean founding philosophy of Hongik, which means to widely benefit and harmonize all.

As the event got started, fireworks exploded and Dahn Yoga members and other talented people from all over the world took the stage with graceful and creative performances. Ilchi Lee, founder of Dahn Yoga and president of the festival committee, gave a powerful message to Korea about reviving the Hongik spirit and philosophy and the importance of making it its core value. It was gratifying to see that many Korean politicians were in attendance. Though I knew it would be a tremendous feat, I imagined holding an event in the US with members of Congress. I could also visualize Korea soon recapturing its original political system, which was based on the development of each person’s welfare, self-worth, and happiness.

After finalizing the event, members from the US, UK, and Canada spontaneously joined Koreans on the main stage and danced to the rhythms of Korean drumming—Samulnori. It was incredible to see all the happy and joyous faces around me. We danced, sang, and hugged as if we had known each other for a long time.

After the dynamic experience of Gaechun Day, we started the regular meditation program and visited many historic places. One of the most impressive and touching places was Moak Mountain, where Ilchi Lee spent twenty-one days of intense fasting and meditation without sleep when he was just thirty years old. It was there that he found the answers to his questions about existence. Our meditation group started climbing the mountain early in the morning. Guided by the tour’s trainers, we took short breaks to meditate at the creek and rocks that have special meaning and energy. When we arrived at the final destination, I was overwhelmed to be able to sit at the very same spots and admire the same views that Ilchi Lee had enjoyed during his training many years ago.

The last area we visited, Jeju Island, also had a significant impact on me. This island is so magnificent that words cannot express the purity of the land, air, and water. All five elements are present in abundance with gorgeous mountains and trees and so much to explore.

At Jeju Kookhakwon (Korean Traditional Culture Center), all the historical statues were white to express the purity of the island. There at Ilchi Ki Garden, we meditated and felt the value and purpose of our lives. The garden was created by Ilchi Lee to resemble the human brain. It started with a cave that represented the mother’s womb. Birthing ourselves from the womb, we wound through mazes and over healing rocks. As I walked through the garden, I released all of my fatigue and felt revived, fresh, and peaceful. A waterfall at the end refreshed my brain and revitalized me even further. The Kookhakwon staff touched our hearts with their warm welcomes and helped us experience various activities, such as archery, horseback riding, and healing stones.

The Jeju beach was another gem with its rocks and sand touching crystal clear blue-green water. We enjoyed the Kigong exercises, which helped everyone experience their inner strength and grace. Since very few of us had bathing suits and we could not resist the warm, fresh ocean, we just jumped in with all our clothes on. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life. My mother, who is also a member, attended the tour and we just played like children in the welcoming water.

My biggest joy was in seeing how the program participants loved the program and developed strength, love, and confidence each day.

Here is what other people had to say:

“I awakened to the fact that the Hongik spirit is alive in Korea through history, traditions, people, and places. Each site that we visited had life energy flowing all around, connecting everyone and everything harmoniously as one. I feel so grateful for having the opportunity to visit such a wonderful and inspiring place. I truly trembled in the presence of such greatness of unconditional love that emanates from the one source of all that is.” - Rochelle Cornnell, Gaithersburg, MD

“I gained the experience of being amidst Hongik in Korea. The awakening was more validation to me that this is possible and is already happening here. The festival gave me insight into Ilchi Lee and Hongik members’ hard work and the outcome of it. Another awakening was that the young girl is still in me, still green, eager to explore and always aware and observing everything around her. These are the times that I am most connected with myself and the origin, the earth ....” - Cat Sawai, Honolulu, HI

— Mary McKinley