On the day when the first snow of winter fell heavily, a special reading session was held at the small mind bookstore 'Seoganeun' in Hyehwa-dong. It was a meditation reading gathering to read and share the book 'Daily Meditation', published in October this year. Arriving at the bookstore, transformed into a snow fairy while being hit by the suddenly falling heavy snow, the warm atmosphere was filled with the presence of five participants already seated.
A Free Meditation App Born as a Book
'Daily Meditation' is a book created based on the content of a free meditation app used by over 1 million users. The Daily Meditation app, operated by Mujin Associates, was selected as 'App of the Day' in the App Store in 2018 and won the Service Innovation Award at the 2020 Korea Industrial Awards.
This book is designed for ordinary people who may not have a strong interest in meditation to comfortably look into their hearts and try meditation. It was born for modern individuals shaken by burnout and excessive stimulation in their busy daily lives. It is planned to establish the center of the day with a 5-minute routine of reading in the morning and writing in the evening.
The Reading Time Started with Breathing Meditation
The reading session began with breathing meditation to first calm the mind. It was a moment when the busy minds of the participants, who had come through the cold winter air, slowly became tranquil.
Next, each person selected the part of the Daily Meditation book that resonated with them the most, read it aloud in turn, and shared their thoughts. Someone chose the phrase, "The more you open your heart to suffering, the smaller the suffering becomes. Please acknowledge it without running away or avoiding it," as it felt like a sentence that encapsulated the process of overcoming personal trauma experienced over the year.
Reading Meditation, Writing Meditation, and Cards
Daily Meditation is not just a book. It consists of three components: a 30-day card and a coloring book. The 30-day cards, which are made to be inserted into a stand, are created from the meditation phrases in the book and are currently sold only in their own store. You can create a meditation routine by placing one card on your desk each morning to start the day.
During the reading session, there was also a time to write the text from a favorite page directly onto the card. The act of slowly transcribing each letter with a pen becomes a focused meditation.
Meditation on a Snowy Day, Mindfulness Becomes Daily Life
Outside, the snow was falling softly, and inside, we enjoyed fragrant TWG tea and tangerines freshly brought from Jeju while reading quotes about meditation. It was a completely different aspect of myself compared to my usual busy daily life. It felt as if two selves were living separate lives.
As the reading session concluded, the organizer presented a four-leaf clover coated gift made by themselves. It was a thoughtful gift that had been kept in the refrigerator to prevent fading.
On the way back to the office, the snow that had fallen thickly on the green trees of the fence was beautiful. The cold air I breathed in while hearing the crunch of the snow with every step was very refreshing.
Starting a Daily Meditation Habit with the App
The Daily Meditation app can be downloaded for free and is one of the largest meditation apps in the country, with over 100,000 downloads. It includes everything from meditation psychology lectures to various meditation music and genres needed for meditation. It is good to meditate with meditation music, and for those new to meditation, starting with introductory lectures is also a good method. It seems to be a good guide for beginners who find paid subscriptions burdensome.
Meditation is awareness in every moment. No matter what state I am in at any moment, it is about being aware of it. Isn't that what it means for life to become meditation?
The Daily Meditation encountered at the reading session on a snowy winter day showed that even in a busy daily life, one can establish the center of the heart with just 5 minutes of leisure. For modern individuals exhausted by burnout and anxiety, the Daily Meditation book and app will be a small but meaningful gift.
