40-Day Mindful Journey and Reflections

These reflections come from my 40-day practice of mindful contemplation on a range of interesting topics—from love and union to knowledge. It’s important to remain intentional about what truly interests you.
---Yung Suk Kim, PhD


1
Mind

Mind is a mystery yet real.
It is free, floating, and frail.
Our engine, imagination, rationality, joy, and sorrow.
Mind is embodied and relational.
Sometimes, be mind-free.
At other times, be mindful.


2
Uncertainty

Uncertainty is inherent to human life. We are born crying—our first admission of vulnerability. Each cry signals the start of our soul's complex journey. We learn to smile, viewing the intimidating world not as a danger, but as something malleable. But this comfort soon fades when our desires meet resistance. We grieve, and we demand fairness.

In our grief, we fall, breathless and bereft of inner strength. We are left without purpose. Yet, an overwhelming power surrounds us and the world: the irresistible grace of God.

Facing persistent uncertainty, I refuse to be broken. I remain true to myself. I discover renewal through the very power of uncertainty. Standing on the brink, I perceive a force beyond my own. I navigate safely, not because tempests vanish, but because I know a path of grace exists beyond my control. I am revitalized amidst turmoil. I embrace uncertainty, which makes me alert and aware, revealing the true light that guides my way.
  

3
Time

Time does not flow; it is an illusion. Boundless and endless, it drifts like a soft, slow whisper of memory, an echo of what we perceive.

In the now, it fragments into countless forms, appearing in sharp, brief moments. It shapes the narratives we weave, the lives we lead, and the depths of what remains unspoken.

We sense its presence in thought and sensation, yet our only true holding is this singular, ephemeral instant—the present. Luminous and self-contained, it stands as our ultimate truth, our sole guiding light.


4
Truth

"What is truth?" Pilate asks. "I was born to bear witness to it," Jesus replies.

For truth is not to be possessed, but to be embodied— To live it fully, faithfully, and with unbound freedom. It is not merely a concept to grasp, but a spirit woven of compassion, gentle yet unflinching.


5
Life

Life is a precious gift. We should live it fully. It does not belong to us, but we are responsible for caring for it.

A good life means respecting each moment. Even though moments are brief, they are valuable. It also means finding joy in being clear and true to yourself.

Simply exist and feel deeply. In that experience, life’s meaning becomes real.

 
6
Way

Everyone has their own way of living, thinking, feeling, and experiencing. That way should be respected, even if it isn’t perfect.

There is also a common way we should all respect: treating each other with respect, living honorably, and loving and trusting one another.


7
Sin

Sin is failing to love yourself.
Sin is causing harm to others.
Sin is refusing to honor God.


8
Salvation

Salvation is finding peace. It is a normal state where we stop longing for what is beyond today and appreciate what we have now.

It depends on the basics: food, shelter, and relationships. It includes connections with people and with what we consider beyond ourselves. It is a simple, holistic truth: being content in this moment.

It cannot be delayed. Salvation begins now, with this very breath, in the present where real life awakens.
 

9
Vapor

Vapor appears and disappears,
but it does not vanish; it merely becomes invisible air.
There is nothing wrong with vapor or air.
We must accept them as they are.
Our life is like vapor.
There is nothing wrong with it.
The paradox is that life is precious because it is fleeting.


10
Faith

Faith is trust in the divine’s grace,
A steady beam, a sacred place.
Its highest form is love made plain,
A life whose warmth reveals the flame.

From sacred example, we learn what faith can be,
A living, shining testimony.
So, we follow that faithful way,
Living out that love each day.


11
Repentance

Repentance is a shift of mind toward the divine,
A humbled mind, in love’s design.
To see our nothingness, yet find worth anew,
Rooted in God's eternal view.

This awakening must never cease or fade,
A continuous turn, a conscious braid.


12
Confidence

Confidence in oneself is the basis of ethics and health.
Confidence is rooted in God’s love.
Can-do spirit. Can happen.
I am that I am.
Acknowledge God’s place and presence.
Accept God’s love. Accept who you are.
Assure that God’s will be done through you.


13
Normal

Who determines what is considered normal, and on what criteria?
From God's perspective, everyone is normal or should be.
God supports us, giving us the strength to return to normalcy.
When feeling depressed or anxious, remind yourself, "I am normal," not because everything is perfect or problem-free, but because circumstances do not ultimately define you.


14
Agency

Because of God's love, I come into being,
A unique presence, myself and no other.
I am I.
Decisions are mine to make,
For I am not merely my thoughts or feelings,
But a soul upheld by divine grace.


15
Prayer

I pray because I am weak.
I pray to get peace of mind.
I pray to change my thoughts and behavior.
I don’t pray to change God or others.
I don’t pray to get to heaven.
I pray to live well in the here and now.
I pray to be resilient.


16
Love

We exist because of love.
All want love.
All need love.
God loves.
We are loved and we love.
Others also need love.
True love is neighborly love.
A neighbor is not the mere object of love.
We must be neighbors to others.


17
Hope

Hope is based on want.
True want is based on true mindfulness.
True mindfulness sees and feels that the need of “now” is urgent.
Hope is not giving up on this sense of time.
Nothing can be a hindrance to this accomplishment.


18
Mortality

Mortality is a gift.
If you live forever with your body,
it will be an unimaginable burden and boredom.
Simply trust God and enjoy your life.


19
Distance

Out of sight, out of mind.
We long for something or someone because of distance.
But now distance disappears through the internet.
When there is a mind, there will be a connection.
But we also need distance from others.
We need our own space and time.


20
Politics

Politics is necessary in the human world.
We need good politics.
Good politics integrates differences and turns them into a harmonious whole.
Bad politics ruins community, society, and the world.


21
Pause

I need to pause to create more.
My weakness is anxiety and rushing.
Pause is not merely stopping work.
It is time for us to rethink and develop a better idea and fresh energy to continue.


22
Union

In a union, different members think and act differently.
But they are united with love and understanding of the differences.
There is no one thinking or lifestyle.
But they love each other and do their best.
Each one is precious.


23
Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a sense that honors being alive.
It asks questions about life and all things in the world.
Nothing is outside of it.
Mindfulness is a struggle to understand and sense being alive.
It is a path or journey to reach the point of meaning in life.


24
Unity

Who wants unity?
Those who have things to keep.
Most people don’t need such unity.
They want their simple life in union.


25
Bond

Bond means solidarity.
It is not glue or a mix that loses one’s originality or authenticity.
If a bond is immature or blind, it is a prison.
Also, what matters is solidarity with whom?


26
Retirement

Retirement is a time for maturity.
Not the time for resting or pausing.
It is the time for the last flowering.


27
Justice

Justice seeks the right things for me.
It also seeks the good things for others.
Justice also means knowing when to give up on something.
Don’t seek too much for yourself.


28
Religion

Religion is good, but it is also human-made.
No religion is pure, but we need it because we are religious.
Good religion helps people, cares for nature, and loves the self.


29
Evil

Evil is all that virtue is not.
It may be in our minds.
Sometimes it turns real, affecting others.
It is dormant in our minds.
We need to control it.
We need to win it with love.


30
Virtue

The most beautiful virtue is humility.
Humility is not letting oneself down.
It makes one see oneself as nothing before God.
Yet, one finds the most precious from that standing.
Humility gives one a true sense of existence.
Through that lens, all other things are observed in awe.


31
Wisdom

True wisdom embraces our smallness and worth,
Seeing life’s reality in an honest glance,
Living briefly, yet with mindful grace.


32
Development

True growth unfolds with patience and time,
A process steady and slow, unseen, divine.
Rush it, and it may crumble, fall apart—
Like a seed that takes its time to grow and start,
To blossom fully and bear its fruit,
Revealing the beauty of growth that’s absolute.


33
Integration

Integration combines both good and bad feelings.
Chaos and stability
Joy and sorrow
Success and failure
It’s like a river flowing.


34
Desire

Without desire, no rhythm or life.
Desire is energy, small or large.
There is a positive, good desire.
There is also a negative desire.
Good desire drives us to do something good.


35
Chaos

Chaos is disorder.
It needs reorientation.
It may inform us of what is wrong.
If we know it, there will be a chance to change.
It may be incorporated into a whole good thing.
It can lead to creation.


36
Maturity

Maturity is a goal to reach.
Once reached, one needs to fall to the ground and restart, just like a plant.
Maturity cannot stand forever.


37
Survival

Every moment, we need to survive what we face in our lives.
Life is a game or a fight against all forms of counterforces.
Bare survival is like death.
We need survival.
It depends on our every moment decision, lifestyle, and efforts.


38
Harmony

Harmony is not about the middle ground.
It consists of all parts integrated into the whole.
All are connected by love and care.


39
Healing

Healing is integration.
It addresses all aspects of life.
All times
All situations
All emotions


40
Knowledge

Knowledge is power.
But knowing our ignorance is more powerful.
Be honest.