Ilchi Lee Images & Peace Quotes

In the history of film, perhaps no group of characters has personified the mind-body-spirit balance than the Jedi knights of Star Wars. These holistic and spiritual warriors go on adventures across the galaxy, but it's their personal philosophy that resonates with many filmgoers today.

In many ways, things said by the wise Jedi masters of the film correspond with some of Ilchi Lee's teachings. For example, Yoda warns about fear, anger and hate as being tools of the "dark side of the Force." Compare that with Ilchi Lee's own teachings: "Negative thoughts and emotions such as sorrow, anger, hatred and resentment are all illusion. They are just information without essence."

There are other similarities as well. Much of the flashy combat in the movies comes from the Jedi's training in martial arts. Yet they also engage in meditation and growth as they explore the varied worlds of the Star Wars setting. In the original trilogy, Obi-Wan Kenobi is presented as a wise old master who is completely in tune with his own spirit. The prequels show Kenobi as a young man – and moviegoers can definitely see that he grew as a person over time.

Overall, the Star Wars series is a great way to experience science fiction with a healthy dose of philosophy. Those who haven't seen them should start with the original trilogy, then move on to the prequels if they so choose.

Ilchi Lee says that one of the most futile pursuits that people engage in is worry. Despite the fact that fretting over a problem or thinking about it constantly does little to change the situation, many people are completely unable to switch their minds out of a state of worry.

This may apply to both life's smaller problems and its bigger questions. People's worries extend far and wide, even though these types of concerns rarely produce better outcomes.

"Can humans control life and death, or resolve the future just because you worry about it?" Ilchi Lee asked. "These are beyond our control. Nature takes care of the basic rhythm of things."

This trust that nature will provide an individual with appropriate direction in their life may be central to any person's pursuit of spiritual growth. Accepting the abundance of Nature can free their mind from the worry that weighs down most people and allow them to focus on more constructive concerns.

While life may not always deliver the results that people want to see, worrying about what is coming next has never done anyone any good.
 

Everyone in the world has a life purpose. It was decided practically from the moment of birth. However, many people fail to realize what they were put on the Earth to do. This lack of direction may stand in the way of fulfillment in life.

Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee says that discovering one's life purpose and pursuing it to the best of their abilities is one of the most important things a person can do with their life. Once this path is discovered, everything else in life may seem more natural.

"Our heart doesn't beat because it is told to. That is what it was made to do," Lee said. "What were you made to do? What is your life purpose?"

It may be difficult to recognize one's life purpose. Out of all the possibilities for a life, finding the right one can be a major challenge. However, like most profound things in life, when a person discovers what they were meant to do it will seem obvious.

There may be many paths for discovering this unique calling. In many cases, the journey of discovery is almost as important as anything else.
 

Throughout the course of daily life individuals fill their time up with what they think is important. Running to the grocery store, getting the kids to soccer practice on time and making to the afternoon’s big meeting are often given precedent. However, Ilchi Lee says that this kind of life may leave little room for spiritual growth.

Instead, he advocates for taking time out of every day to reconnect with the natural self. This is the part of a person that exists truly and without influence from the outside world.

“Close your eyes. Put your hands on your chest. Focus on your heart. Your heart will be warm and you'll feel comfortable,” Lee said.

By engaging in this type of process, individuals may be able to find out what is really important in their lives. Rather than worrying about the stresses of the day, they will see that most of their concerns are not that vital to their existence or their spiritual growth. Instead, simply appreciating one’s natural self can help to reveal truer priorities.  

While most recent graduates likely believe that having direction in their job search is crucial to ultimate personal development, it may actually be more helpful to start from scratch.

According to a recent BNET article, it can be a good thing to be "lost" during the first phase of the employment search, as this can often direct a person to opportunities that are not often selected by others.

Rather than simply narrowing one's search, it can be helpful to get to know oneself a little bit better by trying new things. By doing this, one can quickly begin to understand which types of jobs he or she will enjoy in the long term.

Additionally, according to the news source, changing jobs frequently early on in one's career can make it easier to find exactly what a person is looking for. As it can be difficult to accurately gauge what a job truly entails, trying many different positions can garner valuable experience that can ultimately lead a person down the proper career path.

While changing jobs can have tremendous benefits, it is important to remember that this is a big step and should be fully thought out prior to quitting or leaving a current position.
 

Ilchi Lee once said that the pioneers had big goals and a keen vision. He believes there are many types of loneliness and that if given the choice, he would choose the loneliness of those who had such a vision and struck out on their own to explore and create new civilizations. For individuals who are looking to embrace this aphorism, it may be helpful to follow the path of the historical characters who forged a path west through the U.S. on the Oregon Trail.

There are many peaceful places that exist along the Trail, and one who seeks serenity can select any of them. Individuals can embark on a multitude of different hikes in Idaho, Nebraska, Kansas and Wyoming that may help them feel as though they are experiencing a new world, just as the pioneers had.

Physical exercise can be a fantastic way to encourage meditation and contemplation within the busy mind, and focusing on Ilchi Lee's aphorism while embarking on a historical hike may help practitioners to fully embrace his meaning. 

The Great Plains can be considered the heartland of America for more reasons than one. They are located in the middle of the country, but they also hold what many think of as the true, core values of the U.S. A visit to this area may help one embrace simplicity and appreciate the beauty of nature in its most unadorned form.

Ilchi Lee reminds us that "at every moment, the sunshine, the blue sky, even the wind around us wait to become one with us, to find our fundamental connection." In a serene place such as the Great Plains, one may be able to feel this strong bond and achieve a new world of peace for themselves.

The Great Plains are so large and full of natural wonders that individuals who are looking for tranquility do not need to limit themselves to any one location. From the wildflower-fields of the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas to fantastically large Mississippi River, there are many beautiful places to undertake meditation in this area and contemplate the meaning behind Ilchi Lee's aphorism. 

Reading or studying on the train or bus during one's commute is of paramount importance, as Ilchi Lee says brain education is a critical factor in growing as a person and maintaining a balanced life.

For employees with lengthy commutes, work days may seem like an eternity, so squeezing every second out of every hour is even more important. While biking or walking to work can help a person get their daily exercise out of the way, taking the train or bus can also have its benefits.

One such benefit is the ability to read or study publications from their industry. While sleeping may seem like the most tempting choice during the commute, studying up on the latest industry trends can have added benefits that others in the office may not be able to take advantage of.

If thinking about work isn't what the person wants to do during the extended commute (and who would blame them), reading a book for pure enjoyment can also have its benefits. These benefits can be experienced directly for those in industries such as writing or publishing, as recreational reading inevitably adds to one's vocabulary and understanding of the language.

However, reading books for enjoyment can benefit people in all industries as it potentially gives them something to talk to clients about and increases their cultural awareness.

Taking advantage of the morning and afternoon commute is crucial, particularly as a recent WorkForce Institute survey found that 16 percent of workers said they commute between one and two hours each day.
 

Ilchi Lee believes that health is the key to living a full and rounded life, but that sometimes our mental and physical limitations can get in the way. He often discusses the importance of letting go of these aspects of existence.

"All your worries, concerns and diseases are simply what you're holding on to. Until you let go of them, they can't disappear," he says. "If you have difficult emotions or memories, let go of them right now. Lighten yourself by cutting the root thoroughly with one stroke."

This theme is readily apparent in the 2002 romantic film, A Walk To Remember, which is based on the 1999 novel by Nicholas Sparks. It starts by matching bad boy Landon Carter (Shane West) with a more traditional girl, Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore), in an afterschool drama club. They slowly fall for one another, and it's revealed that Sullivan is suffering from terminal leukemia.

Despite this, Sullivan lives her life to the fullest. Carter and she marry, which was Sullivan's number one wish, and then she passes away – leaving a mark on Carter that has transformed him forever.  

Many people lead their lives unsure of what they want. They look from one thing to the next for a bit of happiness and satisfaction. However, Ilchi Lee say that spiritual growth can only take place when a person goes within, and that this is the key to happiness.

"You experience true happiness and joy when you feel and realize the true you," he said. "For those who have found their true self, existence itself is a joy."

This is something that most people are unaware of. Instead of focusing on their own development, they look to cultivate relationships with others. While there is certainly some benefit to having close ties in life, they cannot replace the kind of development that can occur from looking inside one's self.

Everyone has a true self within, but most are unaware of what this person looks like. Taking time to meditate on the meaning of one's true self can help them realize the needs of this person and direct their future searches for satisfaction. This may be a long and, at times, difficult process, but it can yield spiritual growth and fulfillment.