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What happens when we truly embrace silence? Not just the absence of speech, but a deliberate practice of observing the noise within?

In this revealing conversation between Myong-An Sunim and Dr. Ruben Lambert, we journey into the Korean Zen practice of Mugon Suhaeng (observing silence) and discover that not speaking is merely the surface of a much deeper experience. As Myung-An Sunim shares from his recent practice of silence, we learn that the real discovery comes when we notice the "murmuring"—that constant internal dialogue that usually hums unnoticed like a refrigerator in the background of our consciousness.

Through delightful stories, including a monk who could speak only two words per year yet chose to use them solely for complaints ("Robes rough," "Bed hard," "Food cold"), and a Zen master who created comically oversized shoes to expose a practitioner's attachment to appearances, we explore how traditional teaching methods cut through intellectual understanding to create direct experiential learning. These moments of clarity don't always feel comfortable, but they offer what Ruben describes as "a golden opportunity" to patch the leaks in our practice.

The conversation expands to address a listener's question about generational karma and fairness. Rather than seeing karma as punishment or reward, the hosts illuminate how we're all connected through an intricate web of relationships (inyon) spanning countless lifetimes. Like a tennis ball bouncing off a wall following the precise laws of physics, karma isn't personal—it's the natural unfolding of cause and effect. When we question its fairness, we're really expressing our inability to see the complete picture of causality.

Ready to explore your own internal murmuring? Join us each week as we tackle everyday challenges through a Buddhist lens. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or visit soshimsa.org to discover practical wisdom for navigating life's complexities with greater awareness and compassion.

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Dr. Ruben Lambert can be found at wisdomspring.com

Ven. MyongAhn Sunim can be found at soshimsa.org