#6
6. Gathering firewood and building a fire(Part 2) – Pioneering on the West Coast of United States
Even from the opposite west coast of America, Los Angeles, contacted us. Among the people who participated in the open public lecture, there even was a person who came as far as Los Angeles. Newspapers contacted each other, and with the sponsoring from the LA Korean Daily News, Radio Korea, Korea Seoul, etc., and other press, an open public lecture took place and approximately 300 people gathered. Many participants left with the experience of feeling Chun-ji-ki-un; and again, numerous telephone inquiries came. After the open public lecture, a person who owned a restaurant, arranged a small space next to the restaurant, and it was the beginning. Here, also, was a space that completely filled, when about ten people standing up trained. Of course, we had to pay for the rent. Even though it was just an empty space and a space that was just carpeted only, the fact that it was the beginning was important. From Ilchi Lee’s one visit, through the open public lecture, and many individual private meetings and group meetings, etc., these historic moments had been created. Because of the blessings of Chun-ji-ki-un, this pioneering period was overwhelmingly successful. I was deeply touched by how easily everything flowed due to the grace, power, and divine inspiration of Chun–ji-ki-un. Now, masters were needed to work in the divided east and west coasts. There was a young master, Hyun-Mook Choi, who had immigrated to Canada together with his family and was now back in South Korea. He returned to South Korea to study fine art, and subsequently became a Dahn Master. He was asked to come to Los Angeles to manage the first western United States Dahn Center. Although it was very small, it was a great inspiration. He was a master, who sketched many illustrations for books such as Eternal Life of Ki, other Dahnhak books, magazines, and training related pictures.
#5
5. Gathering firewood and building a fire – Pioneering on the East Coast of United States
After the open public lecture, beginning the next day, endless telephone inquiries came regarding when the training facility would be opened. Even the businessman, who had invited us, said that he did not know that there would be such positive and numerous responses. He felt greatly rewarded and happy. Because of the unexpected positive and huge response, he was surprised. Even though he had invited many religious dignitaries previously, there were always limitations to the subject of religion and he had only had limited responses. Thus, he had hoped for contents like this, which anyone inevitably can appreciate, and also the fact that because the contents were not religious in nature, all people could attend without prejudice. Thereafter, from being on the radio broadcasting station, from other newspaper interviews, and from individual private meetings, many different busy days were spent. While spending busy days like this, I noticed already a month had passed.
Now, due to many people’s passionate responses and requests, a circumstance arose where a center had to be opened. While worrying where to set up, without money, or a car, or the time, and after all, since we had to travel to and from work in the businessman’s car with his wife, and since the second floor of the businessman’s office was vacant and inside there was a small partitioning screen, we received permission to use it as a temporary training facility. First of all, in a rush, carpet was purchased and it was placed as if spreading straw mats; and we decided to begin. It was such a small space that it was completely filled when about six people trained standing up.