Ilchi Lee's Blog

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Each of us carries a hidden genius within our brain, and by awakening it we can discover new confidence, creativity, and purpose for solving life’s challenges.

Do you realize that everything in our human world, from the technology we use daily to the art that inspires us, came into the world through the human brain? The human brain is truly our most precious gift. Through it, we will create the world of tomorrow, and it is only through the brain that we will find the answer to all the problems we face. As I see it, every baby born is a potential genius because of this powerful gift we have been given.

However, very few people realize their true genius. Most people think geniuses are incredibly rare, and they rarely believe that they themselves have such potential. I believe that all humans are geniuses because they have the power of imagination, which gives them the power to create and the true essence of genius.

We do not need to have special talent to use this power of your brain, either. In fact, we use your creative powers all the time, such as when we daydream about our ideal vacation or when we plan how we will spend our evening after work. All these creations start with a spark of imagination that you turn into reality. And, while these examples are rather mundane, you can use your genius for much greater creations if you choose. You can use your genius to improve your life and solve the most difficult problems you face. In fact, you can even change the world and help solve its many problems if you choose.

Here are a few tips for realizing our hidden genius:

1) Believe in your brain. Believing in the power of the brain is the critical first step in realizing our full potential. Perhaps because of how we are raised and educated, most people view their potential in rather limited ways. If we are not the ones who receive awards, gain fame, or reach the top of our professions, we tend to think of ourselves as having limited potential for creativity and problem-solving. This is unfortunate because it wastes the brain potential of millions of people who could be contributing to a better world. We must believe in the power of our brains before we can fully access it, so we can keep telling ourselves, “My brain holds the key to my limitless potential.”

2) Develop self-confidence through goal achievement. To overcome any self-doubt that we have about our potential, we can set some achievable goals for ourselves and dedicate ourselves to achieving them. Begin with something small we know we can do every day, and then do it. The important thing is to make goal achievement a regular habit; otherwise, we will undermine our self-confidence. Establishing a goal achievement habit literally embeds a success mindset into the structure of our brains as it forms new neural pathways and connections that support the positive habit. I recommend beginning with a physical fitness goal so we can really see the changes it makes in our bodies. As I often say, “Making a miracle body makes a miracle brain!” In particular, I recommend doing pull-ups. Often, people can’t even do one when they start, but over time, they improve greatly, gaining the ability to do one complete pull-up, then a few, and many more by the end of a year. If we dedicate ourselves to this sort of goal, we will be amazed by how quickly we gain strength of both body and mind.

3) See the world beyond the surface level. Having confidence in our brains and reaching our full potential also requires seeing reality beyond the surface of things, which is what I call “the zero point.” This reality is the dimension beyond the illusions of the material world to the world of pure cosmic energy. If we can begin to feel and understand energy, we will understand the importance of the soul’s defining purpose in this life, the purpose that will manifest through the brain’s unique genius. Holding this realization in our hearts will help us work past any obstacles that the physical world presents because we will know our true value and the ultimate value of our contributions to this world.

4) Visualize yourself as a saint. The saints presented in the world religions often have amazing abilities to perform miracles, such as healing the sick or feeding the hungry. All of us can see ourselves the same way. Because we have souls and thus a spiritual purpose for our lives, our brains are here for us to accomplish miracles and to live our lives like saints. By this, I do not mean adherence to any particular code of conduct or belief system. Rather, I mean that we can offer solutions to the world’s problems and create a new and better world for humanity. Ultimately, this purpose is our souls’ fulfillment, the real reason we were born into this life. By visualizing ourselves as saints, we are committing ourselves to the highest possible version of ourselves and the healing of all humanity.

5) View every challenge as an opportunity for self-discovery and growth. Persistence in the completion of all goals is critically important. If we give up in the face of hardship, we will undermine our chances of reaching our full potential. So, since obstacles are inevitable, we can visualize ourselves overcoming these obstacles and becoming stronger and better because of our determination. Although these difficult times are very uncomfortable, and the temptation to quit can be strong, we needn’t forget that these are the moments that are the greatest blessing because they are the ones that help us grow to our highest possible potential.

At this time in human history, it is more important than ever for people to realize their brains’ full potential and use their inner genius. We have entered a whole new globalized world of connection between diverse cultures, and we are facing difficult political and environmental problems. We won’t be able to overcome any of these difficulties using the same perceptions and mindsets that we’ve used in the past. We need a world of people who are willing to rise to their highest selves and work to make a better world for everyone. So, our time to become a saintly genius has arrived. All we have to do is use our brains.

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When our minds grow quiet, the vibrations of life strengthen and move us toward health and peace.

Sometimes, when we think of meditation, we think of stillness—the still pool of the mind that lies beneath the chaotic waves of our surface thoughts and emotions. Yet that stillness, just like everything else, is full of energy—the vibrating energy of life.

Vibrations of life energy can be perceived as subtle or small, only perceptible when our minds are quiet. These subtle vibrations don’t move our body. But when flowing and vibrating life energy encounters an energy blockage in the body, it moves and shakes us. These vibrations open the blocked, stiff meridian points throughout our bodies, giving us more vigor and health. Through movement, both chaotic and smooth, our bodies express life energy.

What caused the vital phenomenon called “vibration” to arise? The brain does. The brain has such a function. Who was it, then, who made the brain cause the vital phenomenon of vibration to arise?

Our Movements Reflect Our Minds

Vibration doesn’t happen when we are immersed in thought in our daily lives. But when we focus on our feelings and our thoughts cease, in other words, when we experience Jigam, our brains connect with the pure life energy of the cosmos. The energy of life is the power that returns everything to its normal state. So what arises in us is an autonomous vibration for normalizing our bodies’ abnormal waves.

When energy flows through our bodies, our hands and feet move on their own. Since it is like a dance, we call that movement “Dahnmu,” an energy dance. When the energy flows more vigorously, martial-art-like Dahngong movements emerge.

The brain executes that energy because, when thinking ceases, the energy of life grows stronger. The energy of life always exists within us. We are always connected with the great life energy of the cosmos. It is simply that this life energy is sleeping because the brain ordinarily is executing the thought of “self.” The brain has been carrying out the thoughts of the ego, not the energy of life.

When thinking ceases, however, the energy of life grows stronger, allowing the brain to run on that energy. The brain goes with the energy that is presently the strongest. Life energy is a power that returns everything to normal.

Also within this energy of life is the mind of life. When we are in the energy of life, our inner soul awakens, and a numinous mind arises within us. Then, we experience deep emotion, peace, and love. We’re at peace when we stop thinking and dwell in the energy of life, but we return to our ordinary patterns when we start thinking again. Then we reenter the world of our tangled thoughts.

How to Stay in the Fullness of Life Energy

What should we do? What do we have to do to always be able to work and think in the fullness of life energy? It’s simple. We just have to make good use of our minds. Use our minds for what? That’s why it’s important to choose and concentrate well. Our brains work on what is of greatest interest to us, and they go with the most potent energy. This principle is simple but clear.

Ultimately, if the circuit of cosmic life energy is strengthened in the brain, and so we overcome the power of our egos, then our brains start moving without resistance as our souls intend. A process for taming the brain is needed to reach that point.

We can use the power of the brain to its greatest extent when we have a dream and a clear goal. In this way, we can develop the power of our souls to overcome the power of trivial emotions and desires. And we can create the circuit of our souls in our brains. That’s why dreams and goals are truly precious.

Do you have a clear dream and goal?

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Breathing is the most natural opportunity to expand your awareness and reconnect with your deepest being.

Breathing is something we are doing every moment we are alive. But breathing does not only keep our body alive, it can keep our spirit alive as well. Breathing is the secret to discovering our depths and reaching the sky.

Breathing is one of the simplest forms of meditation. By focusing on the sensation of breathing, you automatically relax. Your heart rate and breathing rate slow down. With time your breathing becomes deeper without trying. If in the beginning you are breathing from your chest, with your chest rising and falling, as your chest and abdomen relax, you will begin to breathe from your upper and then lower abdomen.

When you breathe from your lower abdomen, your diaphragm extends more and you take in more air. Your brain gets more oxygen. Your breaths are longer and slower, keeping you in a restful and peaceful state—one in which the parasympathetic branch of your autonomic nervous system is activated.

Abdominal breathing circulates your body’s energy healthfully in a Water Up, Fire Down cycle. Hot fire energy generated in your heart goes down and gathers in your lower abdomen. Your furnace-like energy center there uses that fire power to shoot the energy up to your kidneys, which cool it down with water energy that travels up to your head and finally down to your heart once more. Water Up, Fire Down is the ideal state for your body and mind.

In this state, your perception and awareness change. Your consciousness is immersed in the present moment. Because your brain waves are slower in this relaxed but awake state, your awareness is able to sink from the thinking of your conscious mind into the myriad memories, emotions, and ideas swimming around in your unconscious mind. With increased awareness of your unconscious mind, you are able to see, and release with each breath, the energy of whatever has been stored there. The mental baggage of your unconscious mind is usually put away without your conscious permission. However, by making yourself aware of what’s there through breathing, you can clear it out or make it work for your goals.

Deeper than your unconscious mind, however, at the very bottom of your consciousness, you can meet the greater consciousness and energy of the source of life. It is a state of oneness and revelation. In this place, you meet your true self, your divinity.

At this level, you can see all things clearly, you can integrate the knowledge you’ve acquired and truly make it your own, and you can create change with a heart alive with passion.

Mindful Breathing Practice

Straighten your spine in a way that is comfortable, not forced, so that your brain is not under pressure. Breath will enter your body comfortably only when you’re well centered. Keep your legs uncrossed and put a comfortable smile on your face. These three things are the basics.

You shouldn’t do unnatural and painful breathing, such as forcing yourself to take long breaths or holding your breath. You shouldn’t breathe too rapidly, and you’ll get drowsy if you breathe too slowly. Just breathe very simply.

As you breathe, focus solely on the energy center in your lower abdomen. Don’t concern yourself with the different phenomena that appear before your eyes—with seeing auras, with darkness or brightness. Just watch your energy center and discard thoughts that would rush you.

You may find yourself vibrating as energy accumulates in your abdomen. This is natural and ok. Keep focusing on your energy center, letting yourself vibrate. The vibrations will disappear, and your body will start to grow warmer. This is when Water Up, Fire Down circulation will begin, making your head clearer. This is a state without any desire, fear, loneliness, or boredom.

Then, like a dragon appearing out of deep waters, the true nature that is the master of life, divinity, will appear. When you have encountered that, the ecstasy is indescribable. That is the mystery of the human body. Once you experience that, you won’t be so caught up or led by worldly things.

Live within breathing. Everything will look new if you do. Rocks will seem new, trees will seem new, and even the stars of heaven will seem new. With mindful breathing practice, you’ll feel your cells awakening and your consciousness awakening.

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“Giving birth to ourselves” means nurturing our true selves until it becomes the strongest and brightest part of who we are.

“I give birth to myself.” What comes to mind when you hear this sentence? It’s a phrase that I really love, and I’d like to share what it means to me.

First of all, who is the “self” I am giving birth to? It’s my true self. This true self is the part of each of us that is eternal and self-existent. I have felt this self—this energy and consciousness connected to all life and to divine energy and consciousness. Once I felt it, I worked to make my true self’s energy bigger so it would take up more space inside. When our true selves grow bigger and stronger, they have a greater effect on how we think, feel, and act. They change how we exist in the world and what we can accomplish. We can live as our true selves, and doing so brings us genuine joy and deep fulfillment.

Unfortunately, many of us remain unaware of our true selves. While we live in a body and have an ego, our other parts, such as our habits, emotions, and preconceptions, typically receive most of our attention and energy. The world around us has nurtured these parts as well. Many of us haven’t even heard about our true selves. Our parents didn’t tell us about them, nor did our teachers or the television.

Without our attention and energy, our true selves remain small and quiet. However, they still have an impact. They nudge us in the direction they want to go, and they cry in despair when we go in the opposite one. Our true selves are always encouraging us from deep in our hearts.

Choosing the True Self

The process of uncovering and growing our true selves is a long and challenging one. Our bodies and brains have the natural capacity to do it, but we need to overcome the ingrained habits and ideas we’ve absorbed since childhood. This process involves choosing our true selves over other parts of ourselves—before our desire to protect ourselves, to please others, to be successful, and many more. To overcome these strong forces, we need to turn our attention to our true selves again and again, moment by moment. We have to clear away any energy that may be covering them and make choices that feed them and let them grow. This labor of love can last a lifetime.

A Journey That Mirrors Birth

The journey to our true selves reminds me of one of life’s most profound experiences: giving birth. It is a process of creating new life. Although it’s difficult, the result is worth it. Just as a mother forgets much of the pain when she holds her newborn, the growing pains we feel in our own birthing process fade into the background when our true selves become strong and bright.

I have not given birth to a human being myself, but I value the power of this metaphor. I have experienced the process of making my true self my dominant energy and mindset. Everything I have created or taught aims to help people give birth to their true selves.

Although we can help each other emerge into our true selves, no one can do it for us. That’s the importance of “I” in the sentence, “I give birth to myself.” “I” am in charge of my brain and body, “I” make choices for my life, and “I” am the only thing my true self really needs.

I believe giving birth to ourselves is the purpose of every life. I often speak and write about what we can do for the world, and I believe the most important thing is to grow into and live as our true selves. At our core, we are all beings of light, love, and oneness. When we let this self lead our lives, we naturally bring light and love to the world.

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If you’ve ever felt torn between what you think, feel, and do, you’re not alone. Learn how to restore the inner harmony that brings clarity, confidence, and forward momentum.

Have you ever considered how much alignment exists between what we think we should do, how we feel about it, and what we actually do? The results of our efforts often hinge on whether these three parts are working together or pulling in different directions. For example, we might decide to exercise every morning to stay healthy, but when the alarm goes off, we feel tired and unmotivated. Instead of putting on our workout clothes and starting our day, we stay in bed or watch TV. This mismatch between thought, feeling, and action leaves us frustrated and disappointed.

When our thoughts, feelings, and actions are misaligned, our energy becomes scattered. It’s like a carriage being pulled in different directions by three horses—progress becomes slow, difficult, and draining. This lack of coordination not only wastes energy but also creates internal conflict, adding stress and frustration to our lives.

However, when our thoughts, feelings, and actions align, our energy becomes focused and balanced. This harmony creates inner stability, authenticity, and clarity, empowering us to move toward our goals with purpose. In this state of alignment, we unlock our ability to create meaningful change, achieve our dreams, and live a life that truly reflects who we are.

Experiencing Dissonance

Everything in the world, including our brains, hearts, and bodies, carries a unique vibration. When our thoughts, feelings, and actions are out of sync, these vibrations clash, creating internal dissonance. This dissonance leaves us feeling confused, frustrated, and disconnected. Over time, it erodes our self-esteem and diminishes our sense of purpose.

For example, internal conflict grows when we deeply desire something but deny it out of fear. Our brains may push us to move forward, but our hearts hold back with anxiety, and our bodies resist taking action. This misalignment not only creates confusion within but also sends mixed signals to those around us. Even the universe, which responds to clear intentions, cannot fully support us if it doesn’t understand what we truly want.

How to Create Alignment

To unlock the creative energy of our brains, harmonize our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Aligning these three brings the vibrations of our brains, hearts, and bodies into sync, creating a powerful force for transformation.

The first step toward this integration is discovering what we truly want—not what we think we should want or feel pressured to pursue. We can use the BrainPhone to listen to our inner feelings, identify our authentic desires, and take actions that resonate with them.

Activating the BrainPhone helps us tune into the deeper layers of our consciousness—our bodies’ sensations, our emotional truth, and our authentic inner voice. This clear internal signal allows us to recognize when our actions are aligned with our true intentions or when we’re moving based on fear, habit, or confusion. It also connects us to our intuition and higher consciousness, guiding us beyond the limits of conditioned thinking.

Practicing Brain Sports then takes this inner awareness and puts it into action. Brain Sports involves any activity that is done mindfully. By doing an action with presence and mindful attention, we connect body and brain, training alignment in real time. It cultivates focus and presence, grounding our energy and amplifying our intentions. Whether we’re performing a complex movement or building toward a simple, tangible goal like raising our chin above a pull-up bar, Brain Sports require our thoughts, emotions, and body to work together. They show us in a direct and physical manner where our focus wavers and where we can grow. In this way, Brain Sports don’t just reflect our current state of alignment, they help us strengthen it, one intentional movement at a time.

Staying Connected to Our Initial Motivation

Often, people lose direction or give up on their goals, not because circumstances are too challenging, but because they’ve disconnected from the feeling that first inspired them. What we call “lost motivation” or “waning interest” is often a loss of connection to that initial spark. Staying connected to this feeling through our BrainPhones, even during tough times, provides the resilience and energy to keep moving forward.

When our thoughts, feelings, and actions align, we create a sense of harmony that connects our values to how we live. This alignment brings authenticity and consistency to our lives, helping us feel more grounded and true to ourselves. Authenticity builds self-trust, confidence, and respect, empowering us to break free from old habits, discover hidden strengths, and shape a life that reflects our true goals and desires. By activating the BrainPhone and practicing Brain Sports, we can develop this alignment and unlock our full potential.

Editor’s Note: Edited from Ilchi Lee’s book, Take Back Your Brain: Reclaim Your Power with Brain-Centered Living. Learn more here.

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An energy capsule is a space of light and intention that helps us find focus, strength, and imagination.

There are times when our minds feel crowded, our hearts feel heavy, and our bodies feel tired, even though we’ve done our best to meet our responsibilities, support others, and achieve our goals. In these moments, what we need is not more effort but a return to our pure essence—a reconnection to the part of us that is always alive and full of potential.

How can we do this? One way is to step into an energy capsule.

What Is an Energy Capsule?

An energy capsule is a field of bright, clear energy that surrounds and protects us. It is formed through our intention, imagination, and spirit. We can think of it as a spiritual incubator—a sacred space where our body, mind, and soul can rest, recharge, and be renewed.

There are different kind of capsules, each with their own qualities. Lately, I’ve focused most on golden capsules, which help rejuvenate our health, peace of mind, and manifestation power. This capsule matches the energy of the golden time I feel is now emerging.

Within a capsule, bright energy easily flows into us, while stagnant or dark energy leaves. Our natural energy flow of Water Up, Fire Down is restored, cooling our heads and warming our lower abdomen. This energy balance supports our immunity, our mental clarity, and our emotional calm.

With balanced energy flow, we are no longer limited by our past thoughts, emotions, or habits. We return to the simple truth of who we are: pure life and consciousness. Then, we can more easily see deepest wishes of our true selves. From this state, we can create from a place of clarity and courage rather than confusion or fatigue.

How We Can Use the Capsule

A capsule is more than a container for rest. It’s a space for transformation. That transformation hinges on what we imagine, and the power of our imagination becomes enhanced when we’re in a golden capsule. There, whatever we imagine becomes filled with LifeParticles—the most elemental particles of energy, matter, and consciousness that make up all life, which respond to our intention. With them, our vision begins to take form.

The capsule also activates our MindScreen, the vast inner screen of our consciousness. It is on this screen that we can visualize and feel our goals as if they are already unfolding. This focused imagination is the key to manifesting change, not only for ourselves, but also for our loved ones and the world.

Using our focused imagination, we can bring others into our capsule. We can invite the people we love, those we wish to support, and even those we are trying to forgive. The capsule can grow larger than our bodies, larger than our homes, expanding to hold anything we wish to nurture with light.

A Capsule Meditation to Begin Now

Let’s try stepping into our capsule together:

Sit comfortably in a chair or in half lotus posture. Straighten the spine, and relax the shoulders.Raise your hands in front of your chest and gently tap your fingertips together for about a minute. Then shake your hands loosely and briskly.Keeping your hands in front of your chest, palms facing each other, a few inches apart, close your eyes and take a few deep, slow breaths.Focus on the feeling in your hands. As your awareness settles there, you may feel warmth or tingling.Imagine a golden ball of light forming between your hands. Move your hands away and toward each other, growing and shrinking the ball.Bring your hands up over your head and expand them in an arc around your body. Form a capsule with your body in the center. Rest your hands on your knees as you feel your body inside the capsule.In this space, ask: “What do I truly want to create? What is the dream of my soul?” Confirm your answers by asking three times.Let that dream appear in your mind’s eye. Feel it deeply. See it vividly coming to fruition. Imagine the feeling you will experience when it happens. At that moment, vibrations and thrills may occur.Now, imagine what will unfold once your dream is accomplished. That imagination creates reality, and it tells you what you should do now. At this stage, your imagination is not one-dimensional anymore. It has become vivid enough to change your brain and words.Let your upper body move freely for a couple of minutes, following its feeling as well as the feeling of energy. Integrate your imagination into your whole brain and body. Use the language of love toward yourself. The language of love includes both words and actions. Express messages of praise and admiration to yourself. Dancing and singing are also forms of love.Come to a gentle stop, and stay with this energy for a few more breaths before opening your eyes.The Energy of Now

The energy of this time is calling us to awaken—to stop living only for survival and to start living with vision. The field around us is shifting, offering powerful support for those who are ready to change. But to ride this energy, we must focus our minds and clarify our hearts.

That’s what the energy capsule is for. It allows us to tune into the pure, creative energy of the universe and use it to shape our lives. It gives us a sacred space to ask meaningful questions and to listen for the answers.

What do I truly want?
What kind of person do I want to become?
What can I contribute that brings me joy and fulfillment?

That’s why we have capsule meditation. Inside a capsule, we can listen to our inner voice, offer devotion, chant, visualize, and act. We can do PDCA—Plan, Do, Check, Act—with sincerity and focus. We can plant the seeds of our dreams and water them with energy and faith.

The capsule allows us to align our thoughts, emotions, and actions in one direction. That alignment brings momentum. And from momentum comes fulfillment.

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We Are the Creators of Our Lives

This capsule is a gift. It is a space where we can choose the life we want to live and begin to walk toward it. We don’t need to wait for everything to be perfect. The moment we step into the capsule and choose with sincerity, the energy begins to shift.

We are not here to live small, distracted lives. We are here to awaken to our inner light and use it to bring peace, joy, and healing—not only to ourselves but to others. We are the masters of our brains, the designers of our lives, and the lights of our souls.

Let us step into our capsule. Let us dream, create, and live from that space. The energy is already here. All we need to do is receive it—and use it well.

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Here are a few things we can do energetically and physically to help prevent and relieve mild depression.

Brain scientists and psychologists now know more about the human mind than ever before, but sadly our mental health may be worse than ever. Especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of depression has been on the rise. According to one Gallup poll, almost 30 percent of all adults say they have been diagnosed with depression at some point in their adulthood. This number does not include those who have experienced depression but have not been diagnosed. The number of people seeking help for depression has increased by 25 percent in the last five years, and the numbers keep growing according to the WHO.

Of course, it is always best to seek professional psychological help for severe depression, especially if thoughts of self-harm arise. But I believe we can do a lot energetically and physically to help prevent and relieve mild depression. Most people follow daily habits that support their physical health: bathing, brushing teeth, exercising, eating healthy food, and so on. So why shouldn’t we be just as proactive about our mental health? We are living in times of rapid change and technological development that can, at times, make us feel isolated or overwhelmed, which in turn may lead to depression. Here are some habits I recommend to help relieve and prevent mild depression:

Move your body. Exercising your body may be the most effective way to prevent and relieve depression. Many studies have shown this to be true, and it makes sense since most of the brain is devoted to our muscular and nervous systems. Essentially, any time we move our bodies, we also stimulate the entire brain. In addition, exercise releases endorphins and other “happy” hormones to the brain.Stretch your body. Stretching is the best way to open the meridians of the body so that energy can flow better through our energy system. When our minds become depressed, our energy system essentially stagnates in response, leading to many blockages within it. I recommend incorporating stretching sessions into your day, such as ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes in the evening. If your job is sedentary, stop occasionally to stretch your entire body for a couple of minutes. Not only will this make your body feel better, but your mind will also brighten and lighten.Breathe. Most adults tend to breathe too shallowly, especially when stress and tension are building in the body. While relaxing, spend a little time focusing on your breath with your eyes closed. Notice how you breathe. Most people breathe quite shallowly into just their upper chest. To correct this, try to breathe like an infant&mash;deeply into the belly. Breathe in through the nose and carry your breath all the way down to your lower abdomen. Then exhale through the mouth, releasing all tension and stress as you do so.Meditate. Several studies have also shown that meditation is wonderful for relieving depression. I especially recommend a form of energetic visualization meditation where you imagine bringing golden light into your body with each breath. Visualize your brain being cleansed with bright golden light as your body fills with energy. You will be surprised how wonderful you feel when you open your eyes.Live for your true self. I believe that depression is, at least in part, a spiritual problem, not just a physical one. The fact that many modern people often feel depression does not surprise me since so many people are living according to a false identity. Too many people think they must have lots of money and high social status to be of value in the world, but this is not true. Our true value was already determined before the day we were born because we each have a soul. The soul has infinite and endless value with or without “success” as it is defined typically in our culture. If we learn to appreciate this fact about ourselves, we will discover a form of self-love that can never be degraded.Live a visionary life. When we talk about visionaries, we’re usually talking about very rare and highly talented people who accomplish something extraordinary in life, such as Steve Jobs or Walt Disney. But we do not have to do anything spectacular to live a visionary life. The key is to find meaning for our lives that is truly satisfying to our true selves, our souls. Our souls do not care about fame or fortune, but they do care about being of service to other beings and contributing to the upward evolution of humanity. See if you can find what that thing is, that one contribution you are destined to make to the world. If you can do that, you have found your wellspring of joy.Enjoy Ilchi Lee’s blog posts?

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If you struggle to keep a positive outlook on life, please understand that this is normal and natural to feel occasionally. Life is not always easy, and our growth process often requires us to move past difficult obstacles to move forward. Whenever you feel sadness, the important thing is to find a way to keep moving forward. The most insidious aspect of depression is its tendency to rob us of our momentum and motivation for life. You are a very important soul with an important mission to complete on Earth. So, seek professional help, meditate, exercise more, or do whatever you can to lift yourself to keep going.

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Discover how wholehearted sincerity can awaken your true self and move the energy of the universe.

There is a Korean word I hold dear: 정성 (jeongseong). It means sincerity, but not just any kind of sincerity—it means offering your heart with complete focus, care, and devotion. When we pair this word with 수련 (suryun), meaning training or practice, we get 정성수련 (jeongseong suryun): training with wholehearted sincerity.

In a world that moves quickly, we often rush through life without presence. We want results, but we don’t always pause to give our full heart. Jeongseong suryun is a reminder that true growth doesn’t come from skill alone—it comes from the energy and sincerity we pour into each moment.

A Practice of the Heart

When I speak of jeongseong suryun, I’m not talking about a technique. I’m talking about a way of being.

It could be sitting in meditation before sunrise, bowing to the earth with a clear mind, or simply breathing into your lower abdomen with deep intention. It could be creating something with love, or praying for someone’s healing. Whatever the form, the essence is this: you are doing it with all your heart.

This kind of practice moves energy. It connects us to something greater than our thoughts or emotions. It awakens our true self.

Why Sincerity Transforms Energy

Energy follows the direction of our mind. But when our mind is filled with distractions, doubt, or half-heartedness, our energy scatters.

Sincerity focuses the mind like a laser. When we bring sincerity into our breath, movement, and intention, the energy we generate becomes powerful and pure. It doesn’t just stay within us—it touches others, the earth, and the universe. This is why a single act done with jeongseong can have more power than a thousand done without it.

Practicing Jeongseong Suryun Daily

You don’t need a special time or place. What matters is the heart you bring. Here are simple ways to begin:

Morning breathing: Before your day begins, take five minutes to breathe into your lower abdomen while holding a clear, sincere intention.Sincere bowing: With each bow, express gratitude to life itself.Write in a journal: Pour your truth onto the page, without judgment.Send healing energy: Focus your heart on someone you care for, and send them love and peace.

Whatever you do, offer it with your whole being. Even drinking water can be Jeongseong Suryun if you do it mindfully, with gratitude.

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Your Sincerity Is Your Power

In Korean tradition, we say that sincerity moves heaven. That is not just a metaphor. The universe responds not to our outer performance, but to the vibration of our inner being. That vibration becomes strongest when it is sincere.

Let us not underestimate the quiet power of our hearts. Let us cultivate sincerity in our practice—not to be perfect, but to be real.

This is how we change ourselves. This is how we create new life.

Related PostsSincere Devotion: From Surface Living to Authentic Fulfillment5 Daily Actions for Total TransformationA Step-by-Step Way to Manage Change and Achieve Your GoalsYour Body Is a True FriendMake Hard Work Your Lucky CharmFeatured Video

[Photo by Iakobchuk via Envato Elements]

Discover how wholehearted sincerity can awaken your true self and move the energy of the universe.

There is a Korean word I hold dear: 정성 (jeongseong). It means sincerity, but not just any kind of sincerity—it means offering your heart with complete focus, care, and devotion. When we pair this word with 수련 (suryun), meaning training or practice, we get 정성수련 (Jeongseong suryun): training with wholehearted sincerity.

In a world that moves quickly, we often rush through life without presence. We want results, but we don’t always pause to give our full heart. Jeongseong suryun is a reminder that true growth doesn’t come from skill alone—it comes from the energy and sincerity we pour into each moment.

A Practice of the Heart

When I speak of jeongseong suryun, I’m not talking about a technique. I’m talking about a way of being.

It could be sitting in meditation before sunrise, bowing to the earth with a clear mind, or simply breathing into your lower abdomen with deep intention. It could be creating something with love, or praying for someone’s healing. Whatever the form, the essence is this: you are doing it with all your heart.

This kind of practice moves energy. It connects us to something greater than our thoughts or emotions. It awakens our true self.

Why Sincerity Transforms Energy

Energy follows the direction of our mind. But when our mind is filled with distractions, doubt, or half-heartedness, our energy scatters.

Sincerity focuses the mind like a laser. When we bring sincerity into our breath, movement, and intention, the energy we generate becomes powerful and pure. It doesn’t just stay within us—it touches others, the earth, and the universe. This is why a single act done with jeongseong can have more power than a thousand done without it.

Practicing Jeongseong Suryun Daily

You don’t need a special time or place. What matters is the heart you bring. Here are simple ways to begin:

Morning breathing: Before your day begins, take five minutes to breathe into your lower abdomen while holding a clear, sincere intention.Sincere bowing: With each bow, express gratitude to life itself.Write in a journal: Pour your truth onto the page, without judgment.Send healing energy: Focus your heart on someone you care for, and send them love and peace.

Whatever you do, offer it with your whole being. Even drinking water can be Jeongseong Suryun if you do it mindfully, with gratitude.

Enjoy Ilchi Lee’s blog posts?

Keep up-to-date with weekly wisdom delivered directly to your email inbox.

Sign Up Now

Your Sincerity Is Your Power

In Korean tradition, we say that sincerity moves heaven. That is not just a metaphor. The universe responds not to our outer performance, but to the vibration of our inner being. That vibration becomes strongest when it is sincere.

Let us not underestimate the quiet power of our hearts. Let us cultivate sincerity in our practice—not to be perfect, but to be real.

This is how we change ourselves. This is how we create new life.

Related PostsSincere Devotion: From Surface Living to Authentic Fulfillment5 Daily Actions for Total TransformationA Step-by-Step Way to Manage Change and Achieve Your GoalsYour Body Is a True FriendMake Hard Work Your Lucky CharmFeatured Video

[Photo by s_kawee via Envato Elements]

A simple five-minute stretching and tapping routine can help ease summer fatigue and restore morning energy through gentle movement, breath, and light.

Some mornings, even after a full night of sleep, we may wake up feeling heavy and foggy, as if our bodies haven’t fully recharged. In the summertime, this sensation can be more common. Long hours of sunlight affect our melatonin cycles, and higher temperatures place extra strain on the body as it tries to maintain a stable internal environment.

This phenomenon is sometimes called “summer fatigue.” It can show up as general tiredness, lack of motivation, sleep disturbances, or digestive trouble. Changes in appetite, dehydration, and uneven indoor-outdoor temperature shifts may contribute to this state. As the balance in our autonomic nervous system (ANS) becomes disturbed, our body’s ability to rest, digest, and regulate its energy can become less efficient. Symptoms like dizziness, muscle fatigue, and even mood shifts may follow.

In such times, it’s helpful to give our energy circulation a gentle boost. A few minutes of mindful stretching, tapping, and deep breathing in the morning can awaken our senses and guide our nervous system back toward balance.

Try This 5-Minute Routine Upon Awakening

This short routine can be done right from your bed or on a comfortable mat. Take each movement slowly, staying connected to your breath and your body.

Full-Body Stretch
Keep your head down and close your eyes. Inhale and stretch your arms and legs while tensing your entire body. Then exhale and relax. Repeat this twice to bring fresh oxygen into your body and brain.Knee Hug and Rocking
Raise both knees and draw them into your chest, holding them with your arms. Gently sway from side to side as if massaging your back. This helps stimulate the spine and calm the nervous system.Hip Opener with Breath
Bring the soles of your feet together and let your knees drop open to each side. Rest your hands on your lower abdomen and breathe slowly. Relaxing the hips improves circulation to the lower organs and supports digestive health.Neck Stretch and Rotation
Sit up slowly. Stretch your neck by tilting it forward and back, then gently move it side to side. Keep your gaze low as you rotate your head from right to left, then reverse. This can ease tension and clear mental fog.Side Stretch with Arm Raise
Raise one arm in a V-shape and gently bend your torso to the opposite side as you exhale. Repeat on the other side. Opening the sides of the body can ease the breath and release tightness in the chest and ribs.Abdominal Tapping
Rub your lower abdomen in a circular motion. Then, using open palms or fists, gently tap below your navel about one hundred times. As you do, focus your mind there and lightly contract your anus. This area, called dahnjon in Korean, is considered an important energy center in traditional Asian medicine.Light, Movement, and Breath: Natural Energy Sources

To further support your energy each morning, allow a little sunlight to touch your skin—especially your face, arms, and legs. In summer, just five minutes may be enough. When you begin to feel a subtle tingling in your fingers or toes, your body has likely absorbed enough. Be mindful not to overexpose yourself, as too much heat can create internal stress and ANS imbalance.

In all seasons, but especially during summer, our bodies benefit from simple rhythms: fresh air, natural light, and mindful movement. These are not complicated treatments, but natural ways to recover our balance and feel more at home in ourselves.

Let’s take care of our energy each day, starting with the moment we wake up.

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