Being in nature

Looking at flowers lets me be happy and peaceful. It is always a cheerful sight to see our neighbors taking care of flowers and plants here and there.

When I take a walk in the mountains, what a joy to see a good man planting various flowers and taking care of them along the walking paths.

In another nearby mountain ridge, there is a man who constantly tidies up the winding walking path by pulling weeds with an iron rake. One day, I asked him if he is a volunteer for an environmental protection group. He replied simply, “I am just exercising by pulling weeds.”

While walking the trails, I observe farmers reclaiming a field at the foot of the mountains. Sometimes, I appreciate wild flowers blooming in their fields. Being surrounded by flowers and being friendly with nature always bring us much joy, hope and consolation.

I think the spirit of being in nature and with nature has been inherited from Toegye Yi Hwang (1501-70). To him, nature was not a simple background, but an object of realizing human nature and cultivating the self sincerely. He believed that nature and humans are mirrors that reflect each other.

Based on this philosophy, he built Dosan Seowon, an academy where people could appreciate the harmony of nature, study and human beings. He liked plum blossoms best, believing that they stood for endurance and self-cultivation.

In the beginning, he built Dosan Seodang from 1557 to 1561. A larger compound was then established in 1574, surrounded by various plants and flowers. Later, in 1970, it was repaired and cleaned up. Finally, in 2019, it was declared a holy place and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On Korea's 1,000 won bill, the portrait of Toegye Yi Hwang appears with a blossoming plum tree, Myeongryundan lecture hall at what is now Sungkyunkwan University, and “Gyesangjeonggeodo,” is a landscape painting by Gyeomjae Jeong Seon (1676-1759).

Toegye served in various public offices, but he aspired to devote himself to studying, cultivating his character and teaching. As a result, he became a man of light, leading future generations.

According to his dualistic theory of principle and energy, we must govern our vital energy to cultivate a good heart and live righteously, and to manage all things in accordance with the natural order.

In “li-qi” dualism, there are “Four Beginnings” of li (meaning essential principle, formative element or moral standard, in relation to innate human nature) and “Seven Emotions” of qi (the existential force or material energy to realize li, in relation to temper).

The Four Beginnings are the compassionate heart, the yielding heart, the heart with a sense of shame and the heart that judges right from wrong. The Seven Emotions are joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, hatred and desire.

This dualistic theory invites us to live a vigilant life with a sense of constant self-discipline that Neo-Confucian scholars practiced day and night.

“The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down, to still waters he leads me, he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name.” (Psalms 23:1-3)

The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (Figlie di San Paolo), living and giving the good news to the world by means of social communication. Learn more about the congregation at fsp.pauline.or.kr.