Mandala.

Mandala is the expression of your mind. As you follow the lines, image you are following the path-line of your life from beginning to end. The colors represent the various tones of your life experience and especially how your heart wishes to reveal itself now. Freely image yourself in the picture. Immersing in your self is the first step of meditation. What color am I? Black? Yellow? Blue? What is the current state of my energy? In which direction is my mind leaning? What are my strengths and weaknesses? But don't stop there. Enter the space between your thoughts. Emptiness. From nothingness comes something meaning the various material world. So before that material self is nothing. Got it? It's like a white hole coming out of a black hole and then returning to a black hole. To find that nothingness needs breathing. But not just any breathing, and not just any method. While all roads may lead to the same end, not all are equal in breadth, width, and height.

Don't neglect breathing. Neglecting breathing is like forgoing dinner for desert; while it may be enjoyable, it's certainly not the substance of life. Breathing is the tool to find your particular makeup. Breathing is the way to return to the state of an unswayed mind- that of a baby. Breathing is that which can't be measured by money or prestige or societal views. Only through breathing can you find your true worth as a person. Everyone has their own determined variable as a human being; either you're a Tico or a Benz, a Ford or a Fiat. Breathing lets you know your level, and after that breathing allows you to break your given fate. No matter your style of life and your goal, placing your value in mind and breathing you can find health and meaning in life. Breathing is the only continuous connection; everything else disconnects. Breathing is important. The value of breathing is in communicating with everything. There is not one thing that does not breathe. Only breathing will make everything possible. Through breath you can find out the process of creation and the extinction of everything. Everything changes based upon breathing. Breath is the biggest benefit of all that human beings have gotten, a weapon that can be used, and also the method of enlightenment.

From Yeoyu (Serenity and Spaciousness of Mind) by Master Suroso Mun (aka, Master Mun Hwa Young).

Roar Sheppard is the director of Arui Mind, Body and Spirit Center in Insadong and teaches meditation and breathing, and has studied the Korean Seondo tradition of breathing, five elements, and philosophy.

nukeroar@hotmail.com