I recently got the chance to experience finding my true self…for the second time! I worked as staff for the August Shim Sung training. Taking Shim Sung: Finding True Self 
is one of the most important and profound workshops developed by Ilci Lee. Shim Sung is by most accounts a once in a lifetime opportunity. You are given the chance to peel off your “layers” of a lifetime of piling up emotions, preconceptions, and habits in order to find your truest nature or core. Shim Sung is not something to know intellectually, but to experience deeply with your mind, body, and spirit.
Shim Sung is held over a weekend, so it requires you to carve out a bit of time just devoted to yourself. I had thought of helping with Shim Sung a long time and was finally able to coordinate my work and personal schedule. But as we learn in Dahn yoga, if you choose it, it will happen. Having completed Shim Sung 2 years ago, I know the deep experience and insights I gained. My desire has been to help others find health, happiness and peace, and to help them find their true selves. I wanted other people to experience the awakening that I had.
I was assigned as “inside staff,” which was a surprise gift. I was part of a devoted staff who worked tirelessly to provide support, encouragement, love, and a safe environment for the members. As staff, I had and felt a sense of responsibility to help protect and encourage members as layers of their “false selves” were peeled away. And peeling away layers can be a challenging and scary process for people as they confront their egos. It can be difficult as we face things that are new, scary, or challenge our sense how we should be.
I was given an amazing gift by being able to participate in the exercises and unexpectedly be someone’s partner. I really believe the universe gives you what you need, and I think she and I both gained a lot in our experience together. I got to look at layers that have been built up since my first Shim Sung! I got to look at my own preconceptions of my limits, my habits, and my preconceptions and how that is holding me back from what I really want in my life. My experience was deepened because I knew the benefits of giving 100%. When I didn’t give 100% it affected not just me, but the whole group. It wasn’t just me growing, but all of us—staff and members—were all connected.
Staffing Shim Sung was deeply rewarding and a healing process for me. It served as a reminder to be diligent in protecting my true self and to give 100%. When I can identify what I want, and fully direct my intentions toward that goal, then I can achieve anything. The doubts and worries don’t come from my true nature. So I can choose what voice to listen to. My inner true self voice is pure and unwavering. But that newly found true self needs training and encouragement and growth. So, Shim Sung is a beginning, but not an ending. So take the opportunity to experience Shim Sung. I look forward to helping more people experience Shim Sung and for me to continue to learn and grow.
Betsy Sievers is an advanced practitioner and part time instructor at the Gaithersburg Dahn Yoga Center
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This is a great summary of the Shim Sung workshop and precious it is, but from the perspective of participants and from the perspective of a staff member. I have also gotten a lot out of staffing Shim Sung and am grateful to have that kind of opportunity.
I was a participant at the Shim Sung workshop that Betsy helped staff and I was inspired by her dedication and appreciated her kind and generous spirit. The awakening that happens during Shim Sung is an experience that I feel everyone will benefit from and is made all the more special with the loving guidance of all the masters who supported us through our journey to finding our true self. I thank each and every one of them for their encouragement and support that continues well after the Shim Sung weekend ends.