By Roar Sheppard
I took a trip around Korea recently. I missed the sea so I took an express bus to see the East Coast. It was more beautiful this time than ever before.
I really I am thankful for the Earth.
As I walked up some wooden stairs that led to a view of the East Sea, I found myself giving thanks to the all the plants, flowers and even the weeds and soil that make up the landscape. How many times have we stopped to give thanks to them? They provide the food we eat, the nutrients we live off and the support for the entire planet. We are truly indebted to them.
It was beautiful to realize this. I carried on with my trip. As I walked through the pine trees that line Gyeongpodae Beach, I noticed the small birds that perched here and there on the branches. They chirped about as if the rain had no affect on them at all; rain was just another of the beauties of the Earth, and they were able to appreciate it as it is. I’m truly thankful for the animal creatures. They are the family of the Earth, and I’m happy to share this world with them.
I felt so pleased. How more exciting and loving is life when you appreciate all the living beings we share the planet Earth with. My heart became lighter and I felt that all the worries I carried with me were really irrelevant in the face of such beauty and gratitude for the Earth.
I visited Ojukheon in Gangneung, which was the home of Shin Saimdang, the most famous Korean figure of moral and feminine wisdom, and Yi Yulgok, her son who was one of the leading scholars on Chinese characters and Universe wisdom. Their small, hanok (traditional Korean house) fit in perfectly with the surrounding nature. They lived a simple life, respecting nature and putting into action what they learned.
I could not help think how silly our material culture is that builds big houses and buildings that are apart from nature, as if they wished to live in a bubble. It was reassuring to feel that the future of mankind is moving back towards these small village houses that live with nature and have gratitude for what the Earth provides. I saw a poem written by Shin Saimdang in the room she gave birth to the scholar Yulgok.
``If there is no moral courtesy, do not say anything. If there is no moral courtesy, do not listen. If there is no moral courtesy, do not look. If there is no moral courtesy, do not make any action. This is the way to cultivate the body and the spirit.”
I was so touched by this. In the end, it is good morals of civility we have forgotten that have led us from being grateful for the Earth every day.
I walked away from the village, content that we are coming to a new era soon and will go back to living with nature. I took a train from Gangneung right along the sea down to Samcheok. You could almost touch the waves as the train went by; the water was that close. How could one not help feel gratitude for the clear air that the sea gave us to refresh our mind and purify our hearts?
I got off at Samcheok beach and walked down to the water. I felt the precious sand between my toes. I thanked the seagulls. I thanked the fish for playing their role as members of the planet.
I thought, if only everyone would walk for five minutes a day near trees, flowers or the beach, and as you walk, just say to yourself, I’m thankful for the plants and flowers. I’m thankful for the animals and all they give, I’m thankful for nature as a whole, I’m thankful for myself who has come this far, and I’m thankful for my family, friends and all the precious family members of the Earth.
With this heart, with this mind alone, the Earth will respond with happiness and warmth. With this heart, with this mind alone, the people will raise their love for each other and be prepared for new humankind. Please tell me, tell nature, for what you are thankful today. I send my gratitude to you for reading this and for your contributions to loving the Earth.
The writer has lived in Korea for over 15 years studying traditional Korean culture, language, meditation, breathing and language. He lectures, teaches and writes about all aspects of Seon Culture, and can be reached at www.suseonjae.com or email at nukeroar@hotmail.com.