5 Roots - Wake up !!!

In Buddhist philosophy, particularly within Zen practice, there exists a profound concept of the "five roots" that govern our existence. These roots are not something we need to acquire; they are innately part of our being from birth. Like the physical roots of a tree that remain hidden beneath the soil yet provide essential nourishment and stability, our spiritual and psychological roots operate beneath our conscious awareness, silently directing our lives.

In a recent exploration of this topic, Myongahn Sunim and Dr. Ruben Lambert delved into the concept of "Yom Gun," the root of mindfulness or wakefulness. While many of us have become familiar with mindfulness as a buzzword in contemporary wellness culture, the traditional understanding runs much deeper than simply being present. Yom Gun represents our capacity for remembrance, awareness, and conscious attention – a fundamental aspect of our being that, when cultivated properly, transforms into a powerful force for personal transformation.

The transformation process from root to power illustrates the essence of Buddhist practice. Just as rain seeps into the ground to be absorbed by a plant's roots before making its way to nourish the entire organism, our spiritual practices must penetrate deeply to effect genuine change. This is why superficial engagement with spiritual concepts often fails to produce lasting transformation. The practice must be consistent, like raindrops falling repeatedly, creating a cumulative effect that eventually saturates our entire being. Psychologists suggest it takes approximately 21 days to begin developing a habit and 90-100 days to solidify it – a timeline that parallels the spiritual understanding of how practice gradually infuses our consciousness.

What makes Yom Gun particularly significant is that without this wakefulness, we cannot truly understand what's happening within and around us. We become entangled in projections and fantasies rather than seeing reality as it is. Our judgments, reactions, and attachments operate on autopilot, and we find ourselves repeatedly falling into the same patterns of behavior and suffering. The practice of wakefulness interrupts this automatic functioning, creating space for conscious choice and new possibilities.

One powerful example shared in this discussion involves adults fighting over a parking space with the same emotional intensity that children might display when unable to place their shoes where they want. The root dynamic is identical – attachment, desire, and ego – yet we often judge children's tantrums while failing to recognize our own adult versions of the same behavior. Without wakefulness, we remain blind to these parallels, unable to see how our supposedly "mature" reactions often stem from the same childlike impulses.

The transformative power of Yom comes when we not only recognize our patterns but consciously intervene in them. It's like having an internal parent or witness that observes when we're about to metaphorically "run into traffic" chasing after our desires. This wakeful part of ourselves can interrupt harmful patterns before they lead to regrettable consequences. Whether dealing with anger, judgment, attachment, or any other challenging emotion, the practice involves first noticing the pattern arising, then consciously applying an alternative response, and finally observing the results.

What makes this practice particularly challenging in our modern world is the overwhelming amount of information and stimulation that constantly bombards us. Our capacity to hold onto wakefulness can easily be tussled out of our hands by the next distraction. This is why consistent practice and regular reminders are essential. Like first responders who train extensively so they can remain clear-headed during emergencies, we must practice wakefulness so thoroughly that it becomes our automatic response even in chaotic situations.

The ultimate goal is for this wakefulness to permeate our entire being, radiating naturally through all our actions and interactions. When our practice has truly taken root, it manifests spontaneously even in unexpected situations – like waking from a nightmare and automatically responding with a centering practice rather than getting swept away by fear. This is the power of Yom Gun fully realized: not just momentary awareness, but a transformed way of being in the world.