You need to learn the South Korean practice of meong for a healthier life

In a world constantly buzzing with screens and notifications, finding moments of quiet contemplation can feel like a luxury. That’s where meong, a simple yet profound Korean wellness practice, comes in. Pronounced “muh-uhng,” meong translates to “to stare blankly” or “to gaze vacantly,” but it’s far from mindless. It’s about intentionally entering a state of present-moment awareness through focused staring, often at nature.

Imagine yourself perched on a rocky cliff overlooking the vastness of the ocean. You close your eyes, but instead of darkness, you’re met with a kaleidoscope of colours dancing behind your eyelids. You open your eyes and fix your gaze on the rhythmic dance of the waves, the salty breeze whisking away your worries. This state of tranquil observation, free from thoughts and judgments, is the essence of meong.

Dr Rituparna Ghosh, consultant senior clinical psychologist, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, explained that meong is used as a suffix in the Korean language to describe the act of “staring into stillness”.

“Meong refers to activities such as ‘bull meong’ or staring into the fire, or staring at nature (trees or water) as a restorative practice. This is explained as a form of zoning out mindfully and shares parallels with Indian meditation and yoga, which also help to achieve calm and awareness of the present moment. You may be aware of a yogic meditation technique where one focuses on a single object like a candle flame. Known as ‘trataka’, this is a Sanskrit word that means “to look” or “to gaze”,” she tells indianexpress.com in an interaction.

Why can it be hard to practice meong for some?

We live in a world where there is intense stimulation of our minds and our senses. This is what makes it difficult to sit quietly in a room alone for some people.

We are conditioned to seek constant engagement and this makes it challenging for us to face stillness, work on mind calmness and solitude without discomfort (Image source: GettyImages)

“A constant need for stimulation, discomfort with introspection, or an underlying feeling of anxiety is the result of our fast-paced, technology-driven lifestyle,” said Dr Ghosh.

What is its benefits?

The practices of meong, meditation and yoga train our minds to be comfortable alone in silence, allowing for introspection and fostering self-awareness. Stress is also reduced and one also feels fresh and rejuvenated with enhanced focus, said Dr Ghosh, adding that the practice can also improve mental resilience and over time can help in achieving better emotional balance and a deeper sense of peace.

How can you practice meong?

• Find a calm environment: Choose a quiet place with minimal distractions, such as a park, your backyard, or even your living room.
• Focus on your senses: Observe the sights, sounds, smells, and textures around you without judgment. Pay attention to your breath and the sensations in your body.
• Let go of expectations: Don’t force yourself to see anything specific or achieve a certain state of mind. Simply allow yourself to be present in the moment.
• Start small: Begin with short periods of meong, such as 5-10 minutes, and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable.

While meong may seem passive, it can be a surprisingly transformative experience. You might find yourself lost in the intricate patterns of a spiderweb, captivated by the dance of sunlight on leaves, or overcome with a sense of awe at the vastness of the universe.

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