Life in the Great Nature: Tao, Awareness, and True Living

At first glance, our birth as human beings might seem like the most meaningless product of chance, and our lives appear to be determined by our surroundings and education after birth.

In other words, because we are thrown into this world without any control over our own will, life is often described as fleeting, like a drifting cloud.

Furthermore, while only a very small number of people enjoy wealth and glory throughout their lives, the majority spend their lives in poverty and illness, which is why this human existence is also called a sea of ​​suffering.

However, in my view, our birth as human beings is not a matter of blind chance, nor is life itself a fleeting existence or a sea of ​​suffering. Rather, within the vast cycle of the universe and nature, we revolve according to our past actions, and it is only this revolving that gives us the impression that we are brought into this world by meaningless chance.

The relationships we form with others and with things in the world are all created through our own judgments and decisions, not through unrelated chance.

Therefore, this life must have meaning; it is not a fleeting, meaningless existence. Having been given the opportunity to escape the errors that have persisted through countless ages, and being in a position where one can choose to do good or evil, how can this life be simply defined as a realm of suffering?

Regardless of the era, the great natural order of heaven and earth remains unchanged, yet human actions, in many ways, violate and go against this natural order.

Heaven always grants humanity the opportunity to escape the cycle of reincarnation, but humans themselves are continuously choosing the path of endless reincarnation.

Since the beginning of the universe, enlightened beings have repeatedly awakened people to the fact that they should not choose the suffering of reincarnation, but instead break free from its chains (achieve liberation) and attain paradise. However, humans, still intoxicated and dreaming, remain unable to escape this cycle.

Thus, the ancients, unable to bear this phenomenon any longer, mistakenly called this life, which holds infinite possibilities, a fleeting existence, and misunderstood the potential for creating paradise as a realm of suffering. They also considered this place, where one can build heaven in one's heart and on earth, to be hell, and instead longed for a heaven to go to after death. This is the current situation.

This is not a problem limited to present-day humanity, but one that has persisted since the beginning of humankind. As a result, this life of continuously forming karmic connections and repeating mistakes, this cycle of reincarnation, has come to be considered as if it were the normal course of nature.

However, awaken to this truth:

Within this body, composed of blood, flesh, bones, and muscles, lies an infinite, immortal life force.

Awaken to this awareness.

This body is the most meaningful body, this life is the most joyful life, and this world right now is paradise. There is no other paradise besides this world. There is no life more meaningful than this life.

Born into humanity, which cries out that life is suffering, to consider this reality as paradise, and to loudly proclaim the construction of an earthly paradise, cultivating oneself and others—this is the attitude of a person who overcomes the passive form of life called reincarnation.

Do not dream of another life or another world. Feel heaven and find the truth right where you stand.

This is the enlightenment of the ancient sages, and the message that flows ceaselessly from the great natural world.

When you know yourself, you can know others.

When you shine what is originally bright,

the Tao is achieved.

Knowing others and knowing myself,

one comes to understand all matters.

By caring for what surrounds us,

virtue is established.

This is the highest goal of life.

If your aspirations are low,

your learning cannot rise above the ordinary.

Therefore, you must set your sights on this highest aim,

and exert extraordinary effort, moving forward without ceasing.

Then, even if your innate talent and nature are not exceptionally outstanding,

without even realizing it,

you will be able to stand among the wise.

Thus, all who learn

must strive—and strive with all their strength.

<Announcement to the Baekdoosan Mountain tribe> written by Master Bongwoo Taehoon Kwon>