Haemin Sunim is one of the most influential Zen Buddhist teachers and writers in South Korea. His writing in his book “The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down” on the way to look at outside the world has been inspiring me and I love to share a few pieces with you:

“…When we look at the outside world, we are looking at only a small part that interests us. The world we see is not the entire universe but a limited one that the mind cares about. However, to our minds, that small world is the entire universe…What our mind focuses on becomes our world…If we look at the world through the lens of our mind, the way my friend did, we will readily notice what we are looking for, because our mind will focus on it. Given that the world we see through our mind’s eye is limited, if we can train our mind and choose wisely where to focus, then we will be able to experience the world corresponding to the state of our mind…When your mind is joyful and compassionate, the world is, too. When your mind is filled with negative thoughts, the world appears negative, too. When you feel overwhelmed and busy, remember that you are not powerless. When your mind rests, the world also rests”.

The way to be/become joyful and compassionate is to look inward. My heart fills with joy and compassion because of the love of God. Then I can look at and treat the world (and people) with joy, love, and compassion.