The Difficulty of Cultivating Character
Human beings possess a self-awareness called “ego.” This ego develops through accumulated experiences, establishing itself as an individual entity. It originates from the life energy within us, an energy that is eternal. If this life energy is likened to the ocean, then the “ego” can be compared to a wave born from the ocean. Eventually, this wave must return to the ocean, returning to its original life energy.
Life consists of expansive yang (positive) energy and contracting yin (negative) energy. This is represented by the Taegeuk symbol on the Korean flag. The ego, formed by yin energy (all experiences accumulated through the five senses), contrasts with the soul, which is rooted in yang energy. Thus, the ego thinks, while the soul acts.
The soul, being instinctively driven to protect the body, is equipped with certain protective functions. This invisible body is referred to as the astral body, which operates through seven functions known in Sanskrit as chakras. At the core of the astral body is the soul, which governs these seven functions. While the ego represents the thinking self, the soul represents the feeling and acting self. To address one’s flaws effectively, understanding this relationship is crucial.
The ego thinks based on personal experiences, whereas the soul, being unconscious, perceives only through energy. This perception happens through the seven chakras. Common terms like “intuition,” “sixth sense,” “inspiration,” or “premonition” all fall under this category. Simply put, the ego represents thoughts, while the soul embodies feelings and actions.
The soul perceives through the seven chakras and acts instantaneously, moving the body without preparation. For example, when the soul senses an urgency to act, one might impulsively dash out without even grabbing their car keys—an action driven by the soul’s unconscious nature. In contrast, the responsibility of remembering the keys falls to the ego. Thus, all spontaneous actions stem from the soul.
Conversely, the ego often stops at merely thinking. Though it contemplates based on experiences, the ego itself lacks the outward energy to carry thoughts into action.
To lead an ideal life, the ego must plan, and the soul must act. Harmony between the ego and soul is essential for coexistence. If this balance is disrupted, the ego may fail to control the soul, leading to irrational behaviors, or the ego might suppress the soul, resulting in passivity. Therefore, achieving a well-rounded personality requires a harmonious integration of the ego and soul, as they are intrinsically one—like the ocean and its waves.
When someone is referred to as “lacking a foundation,” this foundation refers to the soul. Hence, the ego’s level of education is relatively insignificant. For instance, someone who feels discomfort at the mention of “gangster” is guided by a good soul. Similarly, someone who resonates positively with the concept of “respect for elders” has those values ingrained in their soul. Thus, the core of a person lies within the seven chakras of the soul.
Success and failure in life also hinge on the soul. No matter how much one studies, a person with a spiritually impoverished soul cannot thrive because their soul harbors poverty. Strictly speaking, the soul is not directly related to personality. A person who appears kind and courteous may still commit murder if their soul contains violent energy.
A sex offender who reoffends after imprisonment does so because their soul is deeply imprinted with sexual pleasure. Repeated exposure to pornography, indulgent thoughts, or acts of sexual violence engraves this into their soul, making them prone to such crimes.
The ratio of the unconscious (soul) to the conscious (ego) is approximately 70:30. This disparity makes it exceptionally difficult for the ego to overcome the influence of the soul. This highlights the importance of avoiding addictive behaviors, as repeated actions—like drinking, smoking, gambling, drugs, or even hobbies like golf and fishing—become deeply imprinted in the soul, making them difficult to quit. The prevalence of educated individuals involved in scandals, such as sexual misconduct, underscores this challenge.
To transform the soul, the ego must deeply recognize the issue and persistently strive to change. This process is called self-cultivation. Since the soul tends to act impulsively without the control of the ego, vigilance is necessary at all times.