Mind Detox

While looking at the table of contents for Kim Ina’s Botongui Eoneodeul, I found the phrase ‘the time difference of the mind.’ I haven’t read the book, but it made me think that just as there can be a temperature difference between two people’s hearts in a relationship, there could also be a time difference in the mind. I pondered how this concept of time, similar to but different from temperature, might apply and react within the mind.

At first, I wanted to write a fancy article about the various measures of the mind. However, as I found myself increasingly swayed and tormented by this intangible thing called ‘mind,’ I came to the conclusion that understanding its measures wouldn’t necessarily improve anything. Then, recently, the topic of the mind came up in a conversation with some adults, and when I raised my questions about it, I received a memorable answer.

The mind doesn’t actually exist.

Right. If it has no substance, then the mind doesn’t exist. It suddenly struck me that I’ve been putting a mask of ‘mind’ over my thoughts and emotions, creating a hiding place for uncomfortable things, and sometimes using the mind as a shield to ignore the truth. The only way to free myself from this helpless ‘mind’ is to ultimately recognize that the mind doesn’t exist. It was a night of realization.

Since that day, I’ve been trying my best not to use the word ‘mind.’ I feel like I’ve been overusing it, deceiving myself in the easiest and most irresponsible way.

I need to live courageously, facing my thoughts and emotions directly.

These days, I’m practicing a mind detox.