Back to Part IPrinciple of Harmony (1)

Chapter 2-6 (Continued, Part II)

II. The Cosmic Law: Give and Take Action

The Principle of Harmony (Wonhwa Wolli) within Wonhwa Do bears some similarities to each of these philosophies, but has the character to integrate and elevate their understandings to a higher level. The similarities will be self-evident, but there are significant differences, which account for the uniqueness of Wonhwa Do. These the student should take special note of.
The Principle of Harmony identifies one Cosmic law which operates throughout the entire universe. This is the Law of Give and Take Action, or more simply, the Law of Coaction. There are several characteristics of this law, which will help to clarify it. These are: "Correlativity", "Purpose", "Order", "Harmony", "Circular Motion" and "Development".

A. Correlativity


In order for Give and Take Action to occur, there must be two paired elements because when there is only a single element, no Co-action can take place. The nature of these paired elements must be such that one is a subject, which is more initiating, while the other is an object, which is more responding. In nature, some examples of correlative subject-object pairs are: nucleus-electron, cation-anion, nucleus-cytoplasm, mind-body, parent-child, sun-planets, etc.

B. Purpose and Shimjung


1. Purpose is the Centre of Co-action
The guiding centre for all Give and Take Action is Purpose. Purpose is what determines the reason or motive for Co-action to occur in any instance throughout the universe.
For example, all Co-action between the pairs of subject-object elements just mentioned above is caused by Purpose and guided by it. Through Purposeful Co-action with one another, the paired elements are caused to form a higher existence or state of existence. The nucleus-electron pair forms an atom; the anion-cation pair forms a molecule; the nucleus-cytoplasm pair forms a cell; the mind-body pair forms a person; the parent-child pair forms a family; the government-families pair forms a nation; and so on throughout the universe. In this way, the formation of higher existences is guided by Purpose. This is how the entire universe and even human beings are formed.
2. Two kinds of Purpose
There are two kinds of Purpose observable in the universe: whole Purpose and individual Purpose. Whole Purpose serves the existence of others and Individual Purpose serves one's own existence. All beings are guided by both of these Purposes simultaneously. This means that through Co-action, each being maintains both its own individual existence as well as the existence of the higher being of which it is a part. A more concrete example of this is that we eat food in order to maintain ourselves (Individual Purpose) as well as to enable ourselves to contribute actively to our family or nation (Whole Purpose).
According to the Law of Co-action, the Whole Purpose is primary whereas the individual Purpose is secondary. This is demonstrated by the behaviour of plants for example, in that they may contribute to the larger ecological system around them (Whole Purpose) in several ways: by producing oxygen and fruit, by preventing erosion and by supplying fertilizer. On the other hand, an organism which puts self-interest first becomes parasitic or destructive to its surroundings. This is the result of violating the cosmic law of Give and Take Action.

3. The Origin of Purpose
The Origin of Purpose in the cosmos is its Creator, the "Original Being" or more simply, the Origin, No Give and Take Action would occur if not for the fact that the Origin has a deliberately conceived Purpose which is destined to be fulfilled. To achieve this Purpose, Give and Take Action was initiated between beings and thus the universe was created.

4. Shimjung
Purposes and aims are not merely mental constructs. Rather, they are expressions of inner desire. This is an essential point, which distinguishes the Principle of Harmony from other philosophies: Purpose is generated by the Heart. However, in the Principle of Harmony, another term is used for the sake of exactness and this is Shimjung. Shimjung is an approximate reference to the Heart of the Original Being. Shimjung is an approximate reference to the Heart of the Original Being. Shimjung can be also understood to refer to the Heart/love of "original" man, one who has achieved harmony with the Shimjung of the Origin.
Shimjung is defined as an inner, irrepressible impulse to experience enjoyment from relationship. It is to fulfill this inner impulse that man always creates things, relationships and even his own children. The greatest enjoyment should come from the relationship with one's own children.
This impulse for relationship within man is endowed to man by the Origin. And it is due to Shimjung that all things were created, including man himself. This Shimjung that all things were created, including man himself. This Shimjung is the standard by which all purposes and motives are to be measured. Because of this fundamental point, Wonhwa Do places great stress on the quality of a student's motives and purposes for studying Wonhwa Do.


...Continue... Part IIIPrinciple of Harmony (3)

Chapter 2-6 (Continued, Part III)

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Chapter 2