Mi Jin Jang Buddhist mind training

What Meditation Finally Felt Like

Yesterday, I visited a Buddhist center in Seocho-dong, Gangnam—part of the Jungto Society in Seoul, Korea.
They offer a free four-hour program called “Jeol-cation (절캉스)”, a kind of urban templestay for people looking to take a breath in the middle of city life.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the moment I arrived, I was surprised.
Unlike the traditional temples hidden deep in the mountains, this one was modern, sleek, and immaculately clean.
The volunteers welcomed me with warm smiles and quiet kindness, which instantly softened something inside me.

The highlight of the visit was the guided meditation session.
I’ve always struggled with meditation.
Whenever I closed my eyes, I’d wonder, “Am I doing this right? What should I be feeling? How do I know if I’m meditating correctly?”

But something the monk said finally made things click.

He explained that true meditation lies somewhere between two extremes:
① a state of total relaxation — and ② a state of intense, alert focus, like a soldier keeping watch.
He said if you’re too relaxed, you’ll get sleepy or lost in thought.
But if you focus too hard, your body tenses up and your senses become overly sharp.
The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle — relaxed, but alert.

That explanation helped me more than any book or app ever did.

I sat in half-lotus position, eyes closed, and focused on the sensation of breath passing through my nose.
The monk said:

“At this moment, the only thing that truly exists is your breath.”

He called that the core of meditation.

And when thoughts arise — and they will — it doesn’t mean you’re failing.
For example, if your thoughts are about future plans or to-dos, those thoughts often grow from worry.
If the thoughts are about past events, they often come from pain or unresolved emotions.

In my case, I kept thinking about what to cook for dinner, how to help my mom next week…
It was like a noisy traffic jam inside my head.
But the monk gently reminded us:

“That, too, is part of meditation.
Simply recognize the thought, watch it pass,
and gently return to the breath. That’s all.”

We did two sessions:
First, 10 minutes of seated meditation, followed by walking meditation.
Then another 30-minute seated session.

I had never sat still for that long before.
And during those 30 minutes, my legs hurt, I itched, I got distracted.
But somehow, I also got it.
Not perfectly.
But a little more than before. I used to think meditation was about emptying your mind.
Now, I think it’s more about watching your mind without judgment — breath by breath, moment by moment.

Mi Jin Jang Korean Bath Culture

Try Contrast Bathing – A Hidden Ritual of Deep Healing

Once you fall in love with bathhouses, you naturally start exploring different locations and new ways to enjoy them more deeply. One method I always recommend — especially to beginners — is contrast bathing.

Contrast bathing is the practice of alternating between hot and cold water immersion. You soak in a warm tub to open up your blood vessels, then dip into a cold pool to constrict them. Repeating this cycle acts like a natural pump, boosting circulation throughout your body.

Improved circulation can ease fatigue, reduce shoulder stiffness, and most notably — help you feel mentally lighter. During one of the hardest chapters of my life, contrast bathing became an unexpected refuge. My body felt heavy, like a sponge soaked with worry. But after just one session, I walked out feeling lighter, not only physically but emotionally too. That cloud of gloom slowly began to lift, and I found myself becoming a bit more hopeful.

Of course, stepping into a cold bath isn’t easy. It takes courage — and that’s okay. You don’t need to plunge in all at once. At first, just dip your hands or feet. That alone can help cool your body down, and you’ll start to feel subtle changes. Eventually, you might find yourself thinking, “Maybe I’ll try a little more next time.” That curiosity is the start of transformation.

Once you get the hang of it, I recommend this cycle:

  • Warm bath (fully soak and relax)
  • Cold bath (stay just long enough to feel refreshed)
  • Rest (in a lukewarm bath or sitting on a bench)

You’ll start to notice a tingling sensation as your blood vessels expand again during the rest phase — it’s an invigorating, almost addictive feeling. I usually repeat this set two to four times depending on how I feel that day.

⚠️ Important Note

Contrast bathing can be taxing on the body. Avoid it if you have heart conditions, or if your physical condition isn’t optimal that day. Always listen to your body.

If you begin to enjoy this heat-and-cool rhythm, I suggest trying the same cycle using a sauna instead of the hot bath. Wait until sweat rolls down your chin before stepping into the cold plunge. Then take a short rest. No need to follow a strict timer — just go with your natural rhythm.

After all, this is just one of thousands of ways to enjoy a bathhouse. I hope you find your own version — something that brings you comfort, calm, and clarity in a noisy world.