34. I Heal My Own Body ： Nurturing the Mind: Ego and True Nature

In his book Gyeokmongyogyeol (“Essential Teachings for Awakening the Ignorant”), Yulgok Yi I, a prominent Confucian scholar of the Joseon Dynasty, wrote: “Revere Heaven as the root, understand the principles of nature to clarify goodness, and carry them out through diligent practice—these three are the lifelong tasks of a human being.” This is summarized as Geogyeong-Gungni-Yeokhaeng (居敬窮理力行).

This teaching aligns with the Christian exhortation to “revere God and love one another” (敬天愛人), as well as the Buddhist concept of the Six Paramitas (六波羅蜜). Furthermore, it echoes the founding philosophy of Hwan-guk, the first kingdom of the Korean people (established in 3897 BCE), which emphasized Hongik Ingan, Yihwa Segye (弘益人間 理化世界): “Live in harmony with the natural order and become one who brings benefit to all beings.” The essence of truth transcends religious, regional, and ethnic boundaries; only the expressions differ.

The ego, or the self, is what distinguishes “me” from “you.” Governed by genes that prioritize physical survival and reproduction, the ego is inherently selfish. As a result, it is often dominated by thoughts and emotions, making it difficult to act with consideration for others.

True nature, on the other hand, is the “real me” that recognizes no distinction between self and others. It is known as conscience, the Holy Spirit, or Buddha-nature. It is an innate, heavenly mind that feels uneasy when violating righteousness, benevolence, propriety, or wisdom. This inner compass is expressed through the Golden Rule in Christianity—“Do to others as you would have them do to you,” in Confucianism—“Do not impose on others what you do not desire for yourself” (己所不欲勿施於人), and in Taoist philosophy—“Turn inward and find your own faults” (反求諸己).

Life is a condensed form of the word “human life,” meaning that relationships with others are its essence. As the Golden Rule suggests, the highest virtue in human interaction is love, and that love is rooted in our true nature. Of course, not all relationships can be love, and we must accept this reality. But perhaps the world would be a warmer, more livable place if we simply refrained from doing to others what we ourselves do not wish to suffer?

With this, I conclude this series of 34 reflections on health.

Dr. Jin-man Kim, director of Peace Oriental Clinic