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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 23

appreciate its full range of sounds. By immersing ourselves You started the School of Broken Hearts, a non-
in these moments, we foster a sense of richness in our profit that offers group counseling and meditation
experiences, cultivating happiness and spaciousness in our for people facing life’s challenges. Can you briefly
minds. Ultimately, this practice of slowing down leads to share its main programs and whether they are
greater inner peace and contentment. available online for people outside Seoul?

For laypeople in today’s fast-paced society, slowing South Korea has experienced significant achievements
down can lead to missed business deals or career over the past three decades, including advancements
opportunities. Is it possible for us to slow down, in democracy and cultural prosperity. However, these
which is essential for our mental peace, while still successes have also brought challenges, such as the
being agile enough to cope with the demands of highest suicide rate among OECD countries and a
today’s business environment? declining birth rate, largely due to the stress stemming
from social pressures and fierce competition. This
Absolutely, it is possible to strike a balance between reality motivated me to establish the School of Broken
slowing down for mental peace and maintaining agility Hearts, a non-profit organization aimed at helping
in today’s fast-paced business environment. One key individuals navigate their challenges.
aspect of this balance is understanding that slowing
down does not equate to a lack of productivity. I often At the School of Broken Hearts, we offer a range of
teach that even a brief ten-second pause can create a programs designed to support those in need. Our
significant shift in our mindset—simply by taking a primary focus is group counseling, where individuals
moment to smile or breathe deeply. with similar experiences of suffering come together to
share their stories in a supportive environment. This
If you can spare a minute, use that time to take a deep collective sharing fosters a sense of community and
breath and appreciate the relaxation that follows. These belonging, allowing participants to realize that they are
brief moments of mindfulness can be integrated into not alone in their struggles.
our daily routines without requiring us to drastically
alter our pace. We can maintain our usual lives while In response to the growing demand, I am planning to
intentionally pausing during specific activities such as launch a program specifically tailored for non-Korean-
eating, listening, or walking. By taking just ten seconds speaking individuals. Once this program is available,
to ten minutes to appreciate these processes, we can I will announce it on my website, www.haeminsunim.
enhance our overall well-being. com. My hope is to reach a wider audience, providing
resources and support for those facing life’s challenges,
By dedicating time to this practice, we not only increase regardless of their language or background.
our happiness but also improve our connections with
others. As we become more present and aware, we As I conclude, I wish for everyone reading this to find
notice the world around us with greater clarity. This happiness, health, and peace in their lives, and to always
heightened awareness can serve as a foundation for feel protected wherever they may go. EH
success, allowing us to navigate the demands of our
professional lives with a sense of calm and purpose. Palms Together
Haemin