Sun's Story

Sisyphus’ Cycle

When I recall the earlier chapter of my life, Sisyphus from Greek mythology comes to mind. I was extremely achievement-oriented. I went to a prestigious university in Korea, came to the U.S. to pursue an MA and a PhD, and pursued my career at the US State Department. My life back then was characterized by a continuous pursuit of happiness through arduous efforts to achieve external accomplishments and approval. As a result, I achieved a lot, but no achievement seemed to be enough. Soon after I accomplished something, I found myself setting another goal and striving again. 

However, nothing that I accomplished seemed to give me lasting happiness. There was always something more to achieve and more approval I needed. I was forever chasing after the next milestone, and there seemed to be no end to this Sisyphus’ cycle.

Stumbling upon Happiness

Then a defining moment shifted the tides of my journey. One day, I stumbled upon an epiphany and discovered that happiness does not lie outside of myself. This newfound understanding unfolded over a week, during which I experienced complete bliss and happiness that were inside of me. Unconditional love for everything poured out of me and was present everywhere I looked. For a week, I was in a state of complete peace, happiness, natural flow, and overflowing love. Oddly enough, my external circumstances remained unchanged; the irritations that used to bother me were still present without any prospect of the situation getting better. Yet, they no longer held the same power over me. It was as if I had stumbled upon a secret reservoir of tranquility within myself. 

This realization struck me to my core—happiness isn't a pursuit; it's a presence. I had heard this notion countless times, but it was this instance that etched it into my soul. It was more than an intellectual concept; it was an awakening. 

From this point, my journey took a spiritual turn. I embarked on a path of self-discovery, guided by meditation, spiritual teachings, and introspection. My thoughts, once tumultuous, became a landscape of exploration, each introspection a step towards understanding myself and life itself.

Going with the Flow of Life

As time went by, I started to trust life itself and began to naturally ease into the present moment. I could hear my internal voices and follow the signs of life without reservation. Then my external life circumstances also started changing dramatically, and the experiences I needed appeared, and wisdom was revealed. As I delved deeper, I learned to heed life's whispers and trust its orchestration. The transformation was not only internal; it extended to the world around me. 

Today, I love my life as it is, exactly as it is, and live with happiness, gratitude, and awe, in admiration. The present moment, once elusive, is now my anchor. I find joy in the simplest of things, and gratitude has become my companion. 

Most recently, after a long period of introspection, I felt a calling to share my journey with who might be on the same path. If my story resonates with you, it's likely you're also on a path towards self-discovery and lasting happiness. I know this from my own experience because if you follow that little voice deep inside you, you will inevitably find your way back to your true nature, where true happiness and love reside.