1. Law of Relationships - (1). What is the Law of Relationships?
(1). What is the Law of Relationships?
1). Meaning of Law of Relationship
In our previous meditation class, you may recall learning about the principle of "Water Ascending and Fire Descending". This natural law, when applied to the human body, can foster a harmonious flow, resulting in physical and mental well-being without any forced effort. Similarly, there are invisible patterns, characteristics, and laws present in nature. By understanding these principles and applying them directly to our lives, unconscious misconceptions that we held onto begin to correct themselves, and the problems and challenges we face gradually resolve, leading to positive outcomes.
Today, we will explore one of the fundamental principles of the universe: the "Law of Relationships". In Korean, it is called "Law of In-Yeon". But what exactly is a "In-Yeon"? While the concept of "In-Yeon" exists in the Korean language, it’s challenging to find a term in other languages that perfectly matches its meaning. In English, there isn’t a word that fully encapsulates it. But for now, let's call as "Law of Relationship".
The Law of Relationships states that all the human connections and environments we encounter do not exist independently; rather, they are interconnected through the interaction of various causes and conditions. In other words, nothing happens by mere coincidence—every event has a clear cause and reason for occurring precisely as it does.
A significant example of this law includes our relationships with those around us and the environments we find ourselves in. Human relationships encompass family, friends, colleagues, superiors, juniors, spouses, children, and many more. The environment we currently experience is also directly linked to these human connections. For instance, the relationship with a spouse leads to children and the creation of a family environment. Similarly, your connection with your employer exists because you entered a workplace. Even joining a hobby club allows you to connect with new people in that environment. Thus, "relationship" and "environment" can be seen as synonymous in many ways.
Everything, including being born in this era and on this Earth, or in a particular country, is shaped by the Law of Relationships. The environments we experience and all the people we encounter are collectively defined by this law. The principle behind how these relationships are determined is what we refer to as the Law of Relationships. As we move forward, we will explore this principle in greater depth. For now, it’s enough to conceptually grasp that such a law exists.
Why is the Law of Relationships Important?
Whether we want to earn wealth, achieve success, find peace of mind, or build self-confidence, all of these are realized through our relationships and environments. Wealth does not simply fall from the sky because we worked hard in isolation; rather, money, energy, fame, prosperity, peace, anxiety, misfortune, happiness, and even the ways to achieve happiness are all transmitted through our relationships and environments. This is why understanding the Law of Relationships is crucial; it is the foundation of everything we aim to achieve.
Currently, you are surrounded by various human connections. The Law of Relationships refers to the clear causes and reasons behind each of these connections—be it family, friends, spouses, superiors, or someone you just met yesterday. By understanding this law properly, you can clearly recognize who the people in front of you are, why they are connected to you, and what you should do to fulfill your role. By handling relationships and environments correctly, you can attract better connections and a more positive environment.
However, handling relationships properly doesn’t always mean being kind or yielding. In certain situations, being overly kind or overly accommodating may actually be the wrong approach.
2). The Gifts of Nature and the Law of Relationships
Nature continuously provides us with various environments to help us grow. From the moment we are born, nature grants us immense strength, but often, we fail to utilize the gifts that nature bestows upon us. When we don’t know how to properly leverage the environment we are given, we become resentful and dissatisfied, which only makes the situation more challenging.
Despite being presented with incredible gifts and opportunities, our lack of understanding of the Law of Relationships prevents us from appreciating these gifts. Instead, we complain, blame others, and fail to create harmonious growth. This misunderstanding leads to conflict, miscommunication, and even deep wounds, making our lives increasingly difficult.
There is always a clear reason for you and another person to meet, as well as mutual obligations to fulfill. Understanding these reasons and carrying out your responsibilities correctly can lead to mutual growth, resulting in deeper relationships and more expansive environments. However, if you don’t understand the reasons behind your connections or fulfill your responsibilities, attempting to use the other person for your own gain will only lead to mutual hurt and difficult circumstances.
Not understanding the Law of Relationships often results in failures, such as thinking you've found a good person only to be betrayed, or believing you've met a benefactor only to be deceived. On a larger scale, even conflicts between nations can be traced back to a lack of understanding of why we connect with one another and the responsibilities that come with these connections.
There are clear laws and duties within parent-child relationships, spousal connections, and even between employers and employees. Whether you are siblings, friends, teachers, mentors, colleagues, or even business partners, every relationship carries a natural reason and obligation. However, due to a lack of understanding, people often fail to carry out their duties, leading to resentment, conflict, and even the severing of ties.
We were never meant to become enemies. For example, when couples first meet and fall in love, they cherish one another deeply. When children are born, parents experience indescribable joy. However, without understanding the Law of Relationships, over the years—10, 20 years down the line—parent-child relationships, marriages, and friendships can deteriorate, turning into sources of conflict.
We were brought together to grow and become one. By understanding the Law of Relationships and fulfilling our mutual obligations, we can transform our connections into unbreakable bonds that no one can sever. This synergy then enables us to create greater relationships and environments. Nature continually sends us these relationships and environments for this very purpose.
Summary
The Law of Relationships is a principle that states all human connections and environments are not independent but are interconnected through the interaction of various causes and conditions. Every person we meet and every environment we experience has a clear reason and cause; nothing happens by chance. By understanding and properly handling these relationships, we can create better connections and environments. Fulfilling our mutual responsibilities leads to mutual growth and stronger relationships. Conversely, failing to do so results in conflict, challenges, and hurt. Understanding the Law of Relationships allows us to achieve a life of mutual growth and prosperity.
Shall we now dive deeper into understanding the reasons behind our relationships and the obligations that come with them?