Haemin Sunim is a Buddhist monastic from South Korea. The teacher and writer doesn’t just dabble in, but rather embraces ancient principles of Zen. Millions around the world have sought his guidance to get a handle on their stress and live a healthier lifestyle. It makes sense why when this guy has studied his field of expertise both through experience and top-grade education.
Haemin is a former student of Berkeley, Harvard, and Princeton, and even played the role of teacher at Hampshire College in Massachusetts for seven years. All that time and experience has since been condensed into three books – ‘The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down‘, ‘Love for Imperfect Things‘, and his latest project, ‘When Things Don’t Go Your Way: Zen Wisdom for Difficult Times‘. We could use what’s promised in that last title more than ever nowadays.
In this episode of the podcast, Haemin and I get together to discuss his uniquely holistic perspective on worldly stress and how it can be applied to the real-life challenges of those in the high-cortisol creative field.
A Quick Crash Course on Buddhism
We should start with a bit of Buddhism 101 to give Haemin’s advice some context.
For those who are unfamiliar, what exactly is Buddhism, and what does it represent?
Buddhism is a major world religion that originated in ancient India. It is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, a 6th century BCE prince who became known as the Buddha, or “enlightened one”.
The core belief of Buddhism is that life is full of suffering caused by desire and attachment. The more we get, the more we want. It’s a vicious cycle that only ends with many of the chronic issues society faces today. Through meditation, ethical living and the cultivation of wisdom, Buddhists – and Haemin – believe that one can overcome this suffering and achieve inner peace.
You Are Not Your Thoughts
We hear sayings like ‘you are not your title’ and ‘you are not your possessions’ but rarely do we hear the phrase ‘you are not your thoughts’. Ironic, considering it’s the most meaningful assurance anyone today could get. Life in the creative field is conducive to self-doubt and constant comparison to others. We get lost in our own thoughts, become consumed by them and begin to forget who we truly are.
Buddhism is big on the idea that such a state of mind is unnatural. If you were to just pause for a moment and stare at an item in front of you, observing it without saying anything, you’d probably notice a bit of quiet. That’s our inherent state of being, according to Haemin. He recognizes great value in the practice of detachment. It offers an opportunity to put emotions in check and find solid grounding.
“We are much, much bigger than our thoughts and emotions,” Haemin states, before emphasizing the benefits of mindfulness by saying “there is a promise of liberation from your own suffering.”
The Art of Being Present
It’s easy to get caught up in our thoughts, but not particularly easy to draw ourselves away from them. For those of us who didn’t go to Buddhist school, advice like ‘find your ground’ and ‘detach’ might even come across as confusing platitudes. Fortunately, Haemin is able to break these big ideas down into practical steps for everyday life.
Boiled down, detachment and self-awareness is simply about slowing down. Don’t focus on what’s in your head. Focus on what’s going on around you and take a moment to truly appreciate it.
“When you’re having coffee, appreciate the coffee. The aroma, the sensations, the texture, all these little things you actually appreciate as you are drinking coffee are you in your present moment.” Haemin says. For non-coffee drinkers, he suggests taking a moment to tune into what others are saying. “When you are having conversation, just listen.” Doing so not only helps us to be more present and mindful in our daily activities, but it also allows us to connect with others on a deeper level.
You Don’t Need to Know All the Answers
Some people look at Buddhism and assume ultimate wisdom. Practitioners of the religious lifestyle seem to have an unshakable confidence in their beliefs – a place that the everyday person may not feel they have reached yet, or will ever reach.
The key, according to Haemin, isn’t knowing everything and being completely ‘enlightened’. The subconscious mind is known to keep things secret from our conscious mind. There is a limit to what we can know and understand. It’s best to avoid being attached to absolute answers and instead let them come to us. Sometimes, this wisdom may reveal itself in a reverse fashion.
That little, instinctive voice that says ‘I’m not happy in this job’ shouldn’t be ignored. What isn’t wanted can be used as a clue to find what is. From there, it’s simply a matter of trusting your gut and being open to new possibilities and opportunities. It may lead you down a path you never thought possible, but it could also be the key to finding true happiness and fulfillment.
There’s no doubt about the fact that Zen Buddhist Haemin Sunim possesses an abundance of wisdom. His teachings and philosophy have resonated with millions across the world, myself included. I highly recommend reading ‘When Things Don’t Go Your Way: Zen Wisdom for Difficult Times‘ to gain a deeper understanding of his wise words and how they can be applied to our everyday lives.
Enjoy!
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