Haju Sunim‘s Dharma Talk (2 of 5) from the Farm Retreat 2026

In this reflective dharma talk from the Farm Retreat 2026, a longtime practitioner shares a deeply personal story about her daughter Grima’s birth in 1979 and her spiritual journey under the guidance of Zen master Haju Sunim. She recounts a transformative Zen and art retreat to a Boy Scout camp, where Sunim assigned her the profound practice of cooking meals with only three ingredients—soybeans, potatoes, and water—while caring for her infant daughter. The simplicity of the task became a meditation: meticulously preparing each soybean, nursing her child, and creating nourishing meals from minimal resources. The experience taught her that true richness lies not in abundance but in presence, intention, and care. She reflects on how this lesson extends beyond cooking to all forms of art—photography, calligraphy, and craftsmanship—where simplicity, focus, and attention to detail elevate the ordinary into the sacred. The talk closes with a gentle reminder to practice mindfulness in every moment, honoring the beauty of what is already present.