MyongAhn Sunim
Transformational Guide - Zen Master - Speaker
Spiritual Chaos Specialist
Inner Turmoil Pacifier
Stale Water Agitator
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About MyongAhn Sunim
MyongAhn Sunim is a Zen Master whose teachings bridge the ancient wisdom of Zen with the practical realities of today's world. As the Abbot of Soshimsa Zen Center, MyongAhn Sunim’s journey has been one of guiding others through stillness and awareness, helping them connect with the depths of their being.
Venerable MyongAhn Sunim carries out his monastic vows within the context of urban and city life. He leads a life of service where his central focus is assisting people in achieving their own personal peace and freedom from suffering.
He speaks widely on the topics of meditation, stress, spirituality, and the pursuit of happiness and skillfully merges the time-tested ancient meditation techniques and Zen philosophy with the modern way of thinking, making the esoteric easily accessible to the public. His approach is known to be both profound and eccentric, often weaving humor and story-telling into his teachings.
He is a Master of Taekwondo, Tong-Gong Healing Arts, and Chon-Do Reiki System of Natural Healing. He is a Founder of Lotus Scouts, a scouting organization guided by Buddhist ideals, the Principal of Deer Park Academy, and a compassionate and caring beekeeper. He wears many hats but when asked he always says he’s just a monk.
Why Book MyongAhn Sunim?
Unlock the Power of Zen to Transform Your Audience
MyongAhn Sunim's approach to Zen is unique, blending meditation practices with solutions to modern challenges such as stress, anxiety, addiction, and societal issues. His wisdom inspires and uplifts the audience, from corporate teams seeking clarity and cohesion to individuals embarking on personal or spiritual growth.
With his background in Zen meditation, Chon-Do Reiki, and martial arts, Sunim offers an integrated experience that appeals to a wide range of audiences. His speaking engagements are not just about Zen theory; they are interactive, transformative, and deeply practical, offering real solutions for everyday challenges.
Who Should Book MyongAhn Sunim?
Your Audience Can Benefit From Zen's Timeless Wisdom
MyongAhn Sunim’s speaking engagements are perfect for:
Universities and Educational Institutions:
MyongAhn Sunim’s teachings resonate deeply with students and faculty, offering insight into living mindfully and handling the pressures of academic life.
Spiritual and Wellness Retreats:
Whether you are planning a silent retreat, a mindfulness seminar, or a spiritual gathering, Sunim brings years of experience guiding individuals toward greater clarity, peace, and purpose.
Corporate Events and Leadership Seminars:
MyongAhn Sunim’s wisdom on stress reduction, mindful leadership, and employee wellness has been embraced by companies looking to improve team dynamics and foster well-being in the workplace.
Forgive (one of MyongAhn Sunim's poems)
The insulted insult The shamed shame The pitied pity even if they have to find someone more pitiful, if not someone then some thing and if no one or no thing pitiful enough, beneath them enough, is found they will invent it The angered rage, frequently when they can’t rage on their abuser they find someone weaker to rage onto The miserable seek out those in greater misery So too it is for the whole gamut of human emotion We share! It is innate in is We share our hatred and love, our joy and misery, suffering and happiness We share the good and the bad The good we share to invite more of it The bad we share to free ourselves of it We see the good as born of us, birthed from us, gifted into the world by us But the bad…the bad we see as imparted onto us, spewed onto us, forced upon us Wake up! One is a dream and the other a nightmare It is all from us Beware, however, the danger! Having found no one or thing blameworthy Find oneself not blamed and punished but simply accountable Having forgiven others forgive yourself and so wipe clean your heart Forgive! Don’t simply listen to the word Forgive! Look at it. Forgive with your eyes Forgive with your skin Forgive with every one of your senses Forgive with you heart and soul Forgive with every twist and turn of your brain and every twist and turn of your intestines Forgive your son and your daughter Forgive your inner child and it’s trauma Forgive your siblings Forgive your mother and your father Forgive you neighbor, your city, your county Forgive the world Forgive with every molecule of your being Forgive …. for therein lies freedom and peace Forgive the fly its buzzing Forgive the lion its roaring Forgive the flower its fragrance Forgive the winter its cold Stop it. Here and now. Defang the gears of karmic wheel so that they bite no more and therefore turn no more Cycles broken Cease to look for who to blame Then the blameless self appears before you, shining and bright, and still And where there is a blameless self, there’s a blameless other and a single thought of forgiveness purifies the entire universe and every being within it. So Forgive.
What others are saying
MyongAhn Sunim has a presence that can be deeply felt just by proximity. His compassion knows no bounds and he has a way of seeing the root cause to ones suffering and delivers the right verbal medication to help one to get through a hard time. I know this personally. He has helped me so many times I lost count. He also comes to my company and gives Zen talks to help my fellow Co workers and the response is overwhelming.
Dawn
What sets MyongAhn Sunim apart is his capacity to meet you exactly where you are on your spiritual journey. He never imposes his beliefs or experiences onto you; instead, he honors your unique path. His non-judgmental approach fosters a trusting relationship, allowing for authentic dialogue and self-discovery. You can express your thoughts and feelings freely, knowing that they will be received with kindness and understanding.
One of his most impressive qualities is his ability to dispense the right amount of wisdom just when you need it and without overwhelming you with advice."
Nic S.
Against a background of practitioners of Zen claiming the title of “Master” who hail from a trendy but dubious provenance, MyongAhn Sunim is the genuine Zen article.
Over the course of twenty years of diligent study, teaching and tireless service to others he has accumulated the wide-ranging knowledge of a polymath on the nature of the mind, the body and the spirit. He possesses extensive practiced and teaching experience in a host of disciplines, including the Tong-Gong healing arts, martial arts, and Zen breathing, meditation and philosophy and he stays current with developments in our modern stress-ridden society where depression and anxiety are so common.
Whether the setting is corporate, academic or a retreat. with a gentle toughness, he is able to assess and counsel individuals and groups from all walks of life at whatever point along their personal path they have attained, always with compassion, insight, patience and humor.
He is the kind and helpful down-to-earth teacher and wise guide on your journey.
Robert
He's an insightful, wise and sometimes quirky speaker. Captivating storytelling kept us laughing while important life lessons. I left inspired and eager to learn more
Simone
MyongAhn Sunim's talks are like an acid trip!!!
You never know what to expect. I LOVE it !!!
Daniel
He's a treasure.
Eman
Venerable Myong Ahn’s teachings are a light that shines into the recess of our minds and and unveils our forgotten innate abilities. His spiritual guidance unbinds us from the stress, fear and worry that when unchecked can cripple our well being and daily functioning. In today’s day and age a message of hope that is uplifting is needed more than ever. Therefore, I highly recommend his services as a means of restoring balance to families and organizations.
Dr. Lambert
Taste of Zen Retreat - Sat morning talk
Forgive
