"In this moment, how much do you feel yourself?"
An Era Where We Cannot Stop, A Conscious Break is Needed
Mornings that start with alarm sounds, endless work messages pouring in, and the tension in the shoulders that hardly eases even after work. The body may be lying on the sofa, but the mind is still organizing tasks for tomorrow. A modern person's day is filled with 'pretending to rest'.
In fact, a recent survey of domestic office workers found that over 70% of respondents feel they are "not able to rest enough" but do not know proper ways to relax. In this trend, mindfulness meditation is gaining attention as an alternative to recover the psychological fatigue of modern people. This spring, the Ulsan Myeongdeok Cultural Center is introducing a meditation program that allows individuals to face themselves through their five senses, and that is precisely why.
Myeongdeok in Sensory Log Meditation — Meeting 'Me' with All Five Senses
The Myeongdeok Cultural Center will operate an 8-week meditation program 'Myeongdeok in Sensory Log Meditation' from March to April. The subtitle of the program is 'Meeting Myself with All Five Senses'. This is not simply a meditation where one sits with their eyes closed. It is a time to notice one's state as it is, through the channels of sound, breath, and bodily sensations.
Every Thursday from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM, this program allows participants to dedicate one hour, the most exhausting time of the day after work, entirely to themselves. It consists of a total of 8 sessions, taking place on March 5, 12, 19, 26, and April 2, 9, 16, 23, building up changes in body and mind gradually over the 8 sessions.
The target audience is any office worker or local resident in need of mindfulness, and the program is operated in a small group of 15 people, ensuring an environment that allows for individual focus.
Sound Healer Ogoon, Healing with Sound
Leading this program is Ogoon, a sound healer and yoga therapist. His appearance playing the singing bowls on the beach looks like a healing landscape in itself. In that space where the sound of waves and metallic resonance intersect, Ogoon has been working to relax the tension of the body and mind through sound.
Ogoon holds various healing-related professional qualifications, including completion of the RYTK300 Korean Healing Yoga Association course and sequence, Therapy Will completion, Level 2 Singing Bowl Meditation Yoga, Level 2 Singing Bowl Healer, Level 2 Aroma Consultant, and Level 2 Yoga Therapist. He has also completed courses in yoga anatomy and teaching techniques, as well as an internship program at Seoul Hwalmyung Oriental Medicine Hospital, holding the title of the first yoga therapist in Ulsan.
He is not just an instructor who has piled up certificates. His unique approach, which integrates body, sound, and sensations, naturally permeates even those who find meditation difficult or are new to it. Ogoon expresses it this way.
"Meditation is not a time to do something well, but a time to feel the current me as I am."
It is no exaggeration to say that this one sentence encapsulates the entire philosophy of this program.
Meditation Without Special Preparation — That is the Key
Many people want to start meditating but hesitate because they think, "I might not do it well," or "I don't know how to do it." Myeongdeok in Sensory Log Meditation is a program where you can let go of those worries. It’s okay if you have no meditation experience, if your body is stiff, or if your mind is complicated. Rather, the purpose of this time is to bring that complexity and let it go.
Sitting on a yoga mat, listening to the gentle resonance of the singing bowl while regulating your breath, and feeling the sensations of the body one by one is not difficult. The only thing is to consciously focus on 'me', which may feel unfamiliar and awkward at first. However, as you go through the 8 sessions, that unfamiliarity becomes familiarity, and the sense of noticing yourself begins to naturally settle into your daily life.
Research results consistently show that mindfulness-based meditation is effective in reducing stress, improving sleep, and enhancing emotional regulation abilities. In particular, sound therapy, such as singing bowls, is evaluated as a suitable method for recovering from burnout in modern people, as it directly helps stabilize the autonomic nervous system and relieve tension.
Spring Nights, A Time to Return Thursday Evenings to Myself
On Thursday evenings in March and April, the steps heading to the center after work will feel a bit different. Taking a moment to set aside how much you have run today and how tired you are, and simply sitting in 'here and now'. That is the spring gift that Myeongdeok in Sensory Log Meditation proposes.
The total fee for the 8 sessions is 24,000 won, allowing you to start the experience of taking care of yourself at a reasonable price of 3,000 won per session. Applications can be made through the Myeongdeok Cultural Center website or in-person registration. Since the capacity is limited to 15 people, it is advisable to apply quickly.
Contact: 052-236-6388
This spring, how about creating a Thursday evening to stop for yourself, even just once?