(Minghui.org) As the president of a calligraphy research institute at Daegu, South Korea, Kim Yu-han, 56, has always written very well. But he walked a long way—from a scientist to a calligrapher and he is now writing a new chapter of his life as a Falun Dafa practitioner.
Calligrapher Kim Yu-han began practicing Falun Dafa in 2009.
From a Scientist to a Calligrapher
As a scientist, Kim spent hours in the laboratory and sometimes worked overtime. To relieve stress, he drank and smoked after work. But he had to rethink his lifestyle after he was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 34.
After the cancer cells at the end of his digestive system were removed, an artificial material was installed followed by restoration surgery. After undergoing surgery twice, however, Kim decided to stop since he was afraid that continued surgeries would only weaken his health instead of offering a cure. Looking back at his reckless lifestyle, he knew only a good balance of mind and body could restore his health.
To achieve that goal, Kim resumed doing calligraphy—something he stopped after he joined the army many years before. Because his father always did calligraphy, Kim had a strong interest in it. He ended the cancer therapy and decided to spend the rest of his life nurturing his mind through calligraphy.
Because self-learning was slow, he went to Palgong Mountain where he studied calligraphy, and he gradually recovered. To further improve his health and character, he launched a calligraphy academy. He was later appointed the leading calligrapher for the Daegu Calligraphy Exhibition and the Yeongnam Calligraphy Exhibition organized by the Korean Calligraphy Association.
After adapting to this new life, however, Kim realized he lacked spiritual guidance. He looked into various religious groups, but always felt something was missing.
He read Tao Te Ching and was very impressed, and he decided to hand copy the scriptures. But he still hoped to find a genuine master who could guide his spiritual journey.
Positive Energy
One day in 2009, Kim happened to meet two former high school classmates and this was a turning point in his life.
One classmate was a teacher and he showed Kim a book, Falun Gong. On his recommendation, Kim joined a Nine-Day Lecture session and watched video recordings of the lectures given by Falun Dafa’s founder.
“I was very excited when I watched the videos,” Kim recalled. “I could feel positive energy – as well as gratitude – which filled me like waves. I finally found what I had been looking for my entire life.”
When he attended the Nine-Day Lecture session Kim learned the five sets of Falun Dafa exercises. He was deeply moved by the mind and body practice and began practicing Falun Dafa.
A Better Life
Another practitioner and Kim get up at 5:30 every morning to do the Falun Dafa exercises. Although he sleeps two or three hours less, Kim says he now has more energy. Three months after he began practicing, his frozen shoulder completely disappeared and he easily walked up the stairs to the third floor. He no longer needs to take a nap at noon and the stomatitis that bothered him since childhood is also gone. He says all this is so amazing.
Kim does the fifth Falun Dafa exercise, the meditation.
Although calligraphy helped Kim recover from cancer, anxiety over his health often made him agitated. He said that it was not until he began practicing Falun Dafa that he was able to relax and find inner peace. Along with his health being restored Kim said his temper and personality improved. His daughter said, “We are so lucky that Dad began practicing Falun Dafa because he no longer gets angry.”
Kim said, “Whenever I became frustrated, I used to get upset and I tried to convince others that I was right; I even lost my temper if the other person did not listen,” he explained. “Falun Dafa’s teachings require me to look within. So when there are conflicts I first check myself and see if I have an attachment that caused the problem. I also realized getting angry would not help or improve the situation.”
This helped resolve conflicts he had with his wife. When problems arose, Kim spoke less or was quiet. The couple seldom argue now.
Seeing his positive changes, Kim’s children and friends were also interested in Falun Dafa, and they attended the Nine-Day Lecture session. Another calligrapher in his 90s joined Kim and does the exercises on weekends. His wife also began practicing.
A New Chapter
After he became a professional calligrapher, Kim had a question: Should he follow the trend and pursue so-called modern calligraphy, or should he maintain the traditional style? This dilemma perplexed him for a long time. After he began reading the Falun Dafa teachings, however, Kim knew which path he should take. Although some feel traditional calligraphy is outdated, it is very precious. He tries to preserve traditional values while he produces calligraphy artworks. He knows this is not an easy journey, but it is important.
Kim and his calligraphy.
Kim does the Falun Dafa exercises every morning, followed by teaching students during the day and creating artwork. Besides visiting his parents in the countryside on weekends, he also introduces Falun Dafa to the public. He recently began volunteering to introduce the practice to people during the Nine-Day Lecture sessions.
Kim is thankful that Falun Dafa gave him inner peace. “This helps me, my family, and my work – everything is so natural now,” he said.
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