A wooden plaque hung down from a wooden beam with these words engraved: 安 드려워마라 벌것 아니다. It means 'be calm, don't worry, nothing matters'. To say nothing matters may not always be helpful. We probably know, without admission, deep within, something does really matter. We cannot say, without hesitation, there is no light in shadow when the shadow is an effect of light. In the same light, we are already affected by something when we have to remind ourselves nothing matters.
I think to truly achieve calmness, we have to be detached and unplugged. We need all the time and space to breathe slowly and regularly. This is the reason why we have chosen to lodge at a hanok, with a long history, hidden in a remote village midway up a mountain. A location not accessible by public transport and the nearest mart ten kilometres away. Getting to the nearest city required more than half-hour drive and food delivery service absent. There was no continuous supply of hot water; a hot shower could turn cold halfway, leaving you shivering to the bone. A visit to bathroom at night meant walking out into the open and braving near-freezing temperature.
Inconveniences are under-appreciated. Life does not necessary get better with more conveniences. In fact, too much of them breed impatience. We get irritated, frustrated and discontent more easily on overdose. On the contrary, inconvenience teaches us to appreciate the things we have and to afford a little more time for everything around us. It seems a sanctuary should be this healing place which is built with 'inconveniences' in exchange for more time to be with yourself doing nothing - Don't Worry, Be Calm.
