Here are my notes from Hyo-Jin-nim's speech Sunday 09 March 2008. My ability to convey what was actually said is limited. These, at most, convey some sense of what Hyo-Jin-nim said and are not a verbatim record. To see projects that Hyo-Jin-nim is working on log on to: definingmoment.tv and www.canaanstation.com
Joe Kinney

Rev. Jack Corley is the MC. All welcome Hyo-Jin-nim and Yeon Ah-nim and offer a standing bow.

Hyo-Jin-nim bows to the audience before he approaches the stage.

Good morning (good morning)

Is everybody here committed to something? (Yes.)

When you think about commitment, what does it mean to you?

Why do you want to commit to something?

Because it defines you.

Any kind of commitment that you make will define you, and you'll be judged. That's why you commit to something.

Because you know that life is about learning something and it is short. Very short (laughing).

How about what makes you good, what makes you right?

Even in business. I'll be away for about two weeks. Okay?

If people give you money you have responsibility; you have commitment.

You have to make them profit. Otherwise I don't think you're going to get another opportunity.

So even just dealing with money, you're committed; that's what it is.

Now think about yourself. What are you thinking? What terms of thinking are you committed to? What are you reaching out to understand?

Even if you do understand something, achieving it is very difficult.

Now, take that to the next level, spirituality. How are you going to answer that question?

You have to have spirit, mind and body together to be perfect. That's crazy stuff!

That's what you have to do, basically. So, where do you stand?

You don't want to look at the person next to you. Answer that to yourself. You ask that question to yourself and you answer it to yourself, and that's where you stand.

Have I seen crap? Yes I have. I'll probably see more. (Laughing)

That's where I stand.

And how do I get better?

Pauses and answers in a whisper:

Following the basics; doing the basics, doing what is right, no other way.

Do you feel big sometimes? Yes, but who cares if it isn't real? It's about "you."

Do you think that anything worth living for is just thinking about ME?

That's not the lesson that we're learning. Otherwise the reason that this world sucks is that.

It's not about me. It's about us.

That's why it hurts. Because if we are "I" to start from, we have to understand "we."

What is family anyway?

Man and woman come together and make family. What is that?

Is it "I" or is it "we?"

Then you will die. No matter how great you think you are, you will die.

Anything that makes you arrogant, keep it to yourself. Okay?

I'm a very arrogant man. Keep it to yourself.

If you love your children, if you have children, if you have a family, that's what you do to be a good parent. Everybody does that.

Try to be good, and keep it to yourself. You want to be arrogant; keep it to yourself.

We need commitment because it defines you, and in judgment you had better know what that is.

Okay.

(taps podium once)