Even in a chaotic world, we can find stability by reconnecting with our spirit and bringing our life energy into balance.
When we look at the news these days, it can feel as if the world is becoming more unstable. Many people today feel that the world has become increasingly chaotic. Conflicts erupt suddenly, divisions deepen, and many people feel as if events are moving beyond anyone’s control.
When we see this happening, it is easy to feel anxious or discouraged. We may wonder why humanity continues to struggle despite all the progress we have made.
But when we look more closely, the root of the problem is not only political or social. It is a question of human consciousness. When people lose connection with their spirit, emotions such as fear, anger, and resentment begin to drive their actions. Instead of acting with clarity, individuals and societies alike react impulsively.
This is why, especially in chaotic times, the most important thing we can do is return to our center and awaken our spirit.
Spirit Must Guide Energy
Today, many people are turning to practices such as meditation and qigong because they feel the need to restore balance in their lives. They sense that something deeper within them needs attention.
Energy practices can certainly help. But energy alone is not enough.
I often say that energy, or ki, is like fuel in a car. No matter how much fuel you put into a car, it will not move unless someone is driving it. In the same way, energy must be guided by spirit.
When spirit is awake, energy becomes a force for healing and creativity. When spirit is absent, energy can easily be used for domination, conflict, or personal gain.
For this reason, the true purpose of practices such as qigong is not simply to accumulate and circulate energy, but to harmonize it with spirit so that our life moves in the right direction. To reconnect with that guiding spirit, however, we first need to calm the constant noise that pulls our awareness outward.
Why Clarity Begins Within
In modern life, our attention is constantly drawn toward the outside world. News, messages, images, and endless streams of information collide with our senses throughout the day. When our awareness is scattered like this, it becomes difficult to feel the deeper current of life within us.
In my teaching, I call the practice of returning awareness inward geumchok, which literally means “to forbid collision.”
Geumchok is the process of stepping back from the constant stimulation of the outside world and bringing our awareness into a deeper place within ourselves. When we stop reacting to every stimulus, the mind naturally becomes calmer.
We can experience this shift in as little as a single minute. Try this simple reset: Sit comfortably and bring your attention to the area about two inches below your navel, the lower dahnjon, one of the body’s centers of energy. Take a slow breath in through your nose and let your abdomen expand slightly without forcing it. Then exhale gently and completely through your mouth. Repeat this three times.
As you do this breathing exercise, notice how your awareness begins to settle. Instead of being pulled outward by thoughts or information, your mind naturally returns to your body.
When awareness returns to this center, our energy circulation begins to stabilize. From that stability, clarity gradually emerges. Out of that clarity of energy and awareness, our true selves and their wishes become known.
Our true self is not simply a concept or an idea. It is a feeling of presence free of emotion that yearns to be expressed. When the mind becomes steady in this way, something else that many people believe they have lost begins to return.
Rediscovering Our Dream
It’s not uncommon for people to feel that they have lost their dreams. They may be busy and successful on the outside, yet inwardly feel a lack of direction. Often their days are filled with responsibilities and constant information, leaving little space to sense what truly matters.
In my experience, a truly satisfying dream does not come from pressure or comparison with others. It naturally appears when the mind becomes quiet and our energy flows smoothly.
When our spirit and awareness awaken and grow steady, we begin to sense what kind of life we truly want to live and what we want to contribute. A dream emerges from this clarity that ignites hope, passion, peace, and joy in our hearts.
This is why practices such as qigong help people rediscover their dreams. When spirit and energy come into harmony, our direction becomes clearer. Then, our lives naturally expand beyond our individual concerns.
Living for the Benefit of All
In Korean tradition, this way of life is called Hongik, meaning living for the benefit of all humanity.
Hongik encompasses both the big decisions that change the course of countries and the simple choices of everyday life. When our spirit is steady, we become the masters of our minds rather than being driven by emotion. We respond with clarity rather than reacting with anger or fear.
From that clarity, our actions begin to support life rather than harm it. We naturally become more compassionate, more responsible, and more aware of how our actions affect others. In this way, individual awakening becomes the foundation for coexistence with all, from the individual to the societal level.
At times when the world appears especially chaotic, it may seem difficult to believe that such harmony is possible. Yet moments of confusion and upheaval often invite humanity to grow to a new level of awareness, bringing about transformation.
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Crossing the Pass of Our Time
As I mentioned in my last blog post, the Korean folk song “Arirang” has long symbolized crossing a difficult mountain pass. It is a song of perseverance and renewal.
Recently, I have been chanting, “Saengki Sosaeng Arirang,” which means reviving life energy and bringing life back to life. The message of this chant reminds us that even during challenging times, life energy can be restored.
Every era presents humanity with a pass to cross. The challenges we face today may feel overwhelming, but they also invite us to awaken to a deeper level of consciousness. That awakening does not begin somewhere far away. It begins with each of us returning to our center.
A Simple Practice for Returning to Your Center
If you feel overwhelmed by the noise and uncertainty of the world, try this simple practice:
- Stand comfortably with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Lengthen your spine and tuck your chin slightly.
- Raise your hands to chest height with your palms facing your body and your fingers pointing toward each other. Let your arms form a relaxed circle with your elbows hanging slightly lower than your hands. Don’t reach or stretch; relax your shoulders and round your shoulder blades.
- Then, bring your attention to your lower dahnjon, the energy center about two inches below your navel.
- Breathe slowly and naturally in this posture for about five minutes. At first, your mind may wander, or your body may feel uncomfortable. Simply keep your awareness on your dahnjon and continue breathing.
As you practice, you may notice the physical, mental, and emotional reactions inside lessening or weakening. You may become aware of deeper parts of your body and mind. Energy flows from your head to your core, allowing your mind to feel cool and clear while a sense of vitality and stability grows. From that steady awareness comes the strength and clarity to move through even the most uncertain times.
When each of us takes responsibility for our spirit and energy, we not only find our own center—we help create a brighter world for everyone.
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