A Practical Guide to Daily Meditation by a Lawyer Who Has Maintained His Center Through 30 Years in the Intense Legal Field
Lawyer Choi Soon-yong, 『Meet Meditation Before Turning Forty』 Published
“The Power of Practicing Meditation in Life, Not Separating Meditation from Life”
What if a lawyer who has been going back and forth in court between countless criminals and victims has lived for over 30 years without letting go of meditation?
In the fierce legal field, where one can easily become engulfed in money, power, and success, a lawyer who has lived without losing calmness and kindness has published a book summarizing his meditation experiences.
Choi Soon-yong, who graduated from Seoul National University Law School and worked as a prosecutor, is currently active as a lawyer, and his new book 『Meet Meditation Before Turning Forty』 is an introductory book on meditation for busy modern people.
The author has continued meditation for over 30 years, starting in his early twenties, and says he has learned how to maintain his center even in a fierce daily life through Vipassana meditation based on mindfulness.
“A True Free Person is One Who Does What Needs to Be Done Without Being Swayed by Emotions”
The author defines the essence of meditation by saying, “A true free person is one who does what needs to be done without being swayed by emotions.”
During his time as a chief prosecutor, he submitted his resignation to continue his meditation life more freely, which shows his sincerity towards meditation.
Even after becoming a lawyer, the author has continued deep meditation practice while studying the teachings of Buddha and the Pali scriptures.
In particular, as a meditation practitioner and facilitator, he has been conducting offline meditation classes at places like Shinsegae Academy and Samsung Sports Center for the past 15 years, and has been working to popularize meditation by giving lectures to military chaplains, college students, and corporate employees.
Currently, he is also continuing meditation classes through various online channels, including 'Yuna Broadcasting'.
34 Meditation Methods That Can Be Done Anywhere in Daily Life
What differentiates this book from existing meditation books is its emphasis on the everyday and practical aspects of meditation.
The author explains, “Meditation is not some religious or mystical teaching; it can be done while having dinner, waiting for the elevator, taking a lunch walk, or waiting for a signal in the car.”
The book contains 34 meditation methods that can be directly applied in daily life, such as breathing meditation, walking meditation, eating meditation, and awareness meditation. It introduces meditation practices that are sufficient with just 10 minutes a day, structured to allow each person to start right away in their own life. The author emphasizes that meditation is not a special practice but a “way of life,” and asserts that meditation that is “separate from life” is incorrect.
“Meditation is Interest and Care for My Life”
The author defines meditation as “interest and care for my life” and emphasizes that “there is no useless time for a person who meditates.” He explains that especially when one is caught up in rising thoughts and cannot concentrate on work, when relationships or work life feel empty, or when one falls into deep depression and becomes lethargic, meditation can be helpful.
The author's statement that “meditation is not about trying to change the object of my worries, but changing my attitude towards that object” well illustrates the essence of meditation. Through meditation, one can do the tasks in front of them “without hesitation.”
Practitioner of Vipassana Meditation and Professional Translator
The author is a practical legal professional who has also been active in the field of meditation. In particular, he translated the works of Ven. U Jotika, 《Sitting at the Feet of the Buddha》 and 《Snow in Summer》. This shows that he is not just a hobbyist in meditation but possesses expertise based on a deep understanding of the teachings of Buddha and the Pali scriptures.
Vipassana meditation is a traditional Buddhist practice of observing and gaining insight into one’s body and mind as they are, also known as 'insight meditation.' This meditation method, which means 'to understand and penetrate everything' in Sanskrit, is also a core meditation method that the Buddha practiced when he attained enlightenment.
The Philosophy of Daily Meditation Completed Through Numerous Trials and Errors
The author introduces himself as someone who has become a steady daily meditator through numerous trials and errors. This suggests that his meditation methods are not theoretical but practical methods verified in real life. His confession that “what has propelled me forward in a fierce workplace and repetitive daily life is meditation” resonates deeply with modern office workers.
An Introductory Book on Meditation for Modern People
For modern people who are increasingly losing the power to think, reflect, and concentrate, this book offers a new perspective. In an era overflowing with distracting stimuli and increasingly chaotic daily life, bringing focus back to oneself is precisely what meditation is about.
The author states, “Meditation is not about doing it well or poorly; it is simply about doing it or not doing it,” and calls meditation “the best gift you can give yourself.” In particular, by asking the question, “How much time do you spend talking to yourself during the day?” he points out the phenomenon of inner alienation among modern people and emphasizes the importance of self-reflection through meditation.
A Practical Guide to Meditation
The greatest feature of this book is that it does not stop at theoretical explanations but helps readers start right away in their own lives. The author repeatedly emphasizes “experiencing through practice,” explaining that the fact that one can meditate anytime and anywhere ultimately means that one can take care of oneself anytime and anywhere.
『Meet Meditation Before Turning Forty』 is expected to be a practical guide for those who want to manage increasingly difficult relationships, time management, and stress more efficiently or want to fully immerse themselves in their lives. In particular, the author's experiences of living with meditation for over 30 years in the extremely competitive environment of the legal field show that meditation can be a realistic solution, not just an ideal, for busy modern people.
Written by/Healing News Editor Hyesun Oh Ji-hyun