The media tend to shout “cult” or “scam” when they hear about high-pressure selling tactics at an organization — especially if it has a foreign cultural context and holistic health content. Thus, the Dahn Yoga Centers in the United States, founded by Ilchi Lee initially in South Korea in 1985, and their methodology of Brain Education, created by him during the past three decades, are sometimes dubbed the Ilchi Lee scam, Ilchi Lee cult and Dahn Yoga cult. But is there any credible link between a sometimes spirited-sell approach and a genuine scam or cult? 

Brain Education was developed in South Korea 30 years ago, and many Dahn Yoga Center managers in the United States are from there, and thus English is their second language. For reasons of cultural style as well as language skill, at times certain words are used that are confusing or distressing to center members, prospective and actual. 

The centers are a for-profit business, just like a fitness club or martial-arts training gym, where selling is certainly a necessity of doing business. Some customers report being “turned off” by what they feel is undo pressure to buy more expensive levels of membership, add-on workshops, and private healing sessions. But does this practice constitute an Ilchi Lee scam or Dahn Yoga cult? Very few people seem to think so.

Active selling is part of nearly every business, including Dahn Yoga, but per se does not mean an Ilchi Lee scam or Dahn Yoga cult exists. Customers are “upsold” on everything from computers at electronics stores to beverages and desserts at restaurants. Is what Dahn Yoga is doing really different than a gym asking customers to buy private training sessions, or move to the “next level” of expertise in a fitness technique? American customers are savvy enough and most understand that this is part of today’s go-go business reality. 

Where is the evidence for an Ilchi Lee scam or Dahn Yoga cult? The fact that selling goes on and in a for-profit environment indicates that Dahn Yoga is a business, not a religion or a cult. A religion would be a non-taxed non-profit, and ask for tithes from the congregation, rather than offer a product or service for a price.

Teachers at the Dahn Yoga Centers in the U.S. have received training in brain-focused yoga and wellness methods. While they do not claim formal medical expertise, they do understand physiognomy, posture and body energy. They can instruct customers in a number of techniques which will help in fitness and well-being. Customers should consult their own physicians, most of whom today recognize yoga as an outstanding alternate heath methods. Where there is information and responsibility, there is no Ilchi Lee scam or Dahn Yoga cult.

Perceived high prices are sometimes used as evidence of an Ilchi Lee cult. Prices vary across the country, of course, but Dahn Yoga classes generally range from $9-$12 per session, with increasing price tags for private training and other services, just as in any gym or health club. Prices are set by regional directors and are based on market forces, just as in any other business. There simply is no concrete evidence of an Ilchi Lee scam or Dahn Yoga cult.

Filed under: Ilchi Lee Cult, Ilchi Lee Scam on April 1st, 2009 | 2 Comments »

The soul is pure. Since it is pure, it is simple.

It knows that it wants and it is always ready to do anything to get it.

Once you have asked your soul and received the answer through your heart, then it is time to discuss how to go about getting it with your brain.

Your brain is monitor that displays the movement of the life current and records its path.

Your brain is part of your basic equipment to help you on your journey, much like a notebook computer you take on business trip.

‘Brain management’ by ilchi lee

Filed under: Balanced Life, Brain Wave Vibration, Health, Ilchi Lee on September 18th, 2008 | No Comments »

As you get older, it is as important that you have a dream for your life as it was when you were young. You may have a better chance of achieving it, now that the basics needs of life – financial security, starting a career, raising a family, etc. – are no longer of primary importance to you. Make a plan for who you want to be one, five, or ten years from now. This does not have to mean starting a new career or taking on some huge project. More importantly it means becoming the kind of person you really want to be in terms of character and your interaction with world round you. If you have ever thought to yourself, “I want to leave the world a better place than I found,” now is the time to act on that desire. To find your vision, find what really fills you with a sense of joy and contentment. For most, this will probably involve contributing something of value to your community or the world. Don’t be afraid to set your goal high and to dream big.

from the book ‘in full bloom’ by ilchi lee

Filed under: Balanced Life, Happiness on September 16th, 2008 | No Comments »

The journey consists of a single seed of thought, which flowers and withers, returning to its original place.

People often call the end of this journey “enlightenment”.

What does enlightenment mean? What do you have to know to be enlightened?

Is enlightenment the end?

What could be behind enlightenment?

The crux of enlightenment is that there is nothing to be enlightened about.

When you realize that there is nothing to be enlightened about, that is enlightenment.

Does it sound funny? Fishy?

from the book ‘ 12 enlightenment’ by ilchi lee

Filed under: Balanced Life, Happiness, Inspiration on September 16th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

Ilchi Lee mentions enlightenment. Many people want to get enlightenment. Lots of people want to know about enlightenment. Some people are skeptical about this. They are doubtful if the state of enlightenment exists for human being. Is there a level of human consciousness? If any, what in the world would it be like?

Ilchi Lee says many things about enlightenment. Basically, he says enlightenment is a choice. All wisdom and truth have been discovered and found by many saints, wise persons, mentors and rabbies. We all know what we should do for the world peace and save the earth. The important thing is whether you take action on what you know or not. That’s why it is a choice. You are the authority on what is possible and not possible for you. You can decide. You have the right to make a choice.

Ilchi Lee also says that enlightenment is the power to take action. It is ultimately the same thing as we say enlightenment is a choice. He says he was enlightened to the fact that there is nothing to get enlightened to. Let’s talk and think about what action we should take, instead of falling illusions about enlightenment. All the answers are in your brain.

Filed under: Enlightenment, Ilchi Lee on August 14th, 2008 | No Comments »

This song sums up all we need to transform our lives and the world—and it encompasses the highest purpose of Brain Wave Vibration. Ilchi Lee says he hopes that Brain Wave Vibration can give you the distance you need to see your own life, and all the problems that come with human existence, from a distance—even if only for a few moments at a time. As you step away from your constant thinking and continual worries, Ilchi Lee says he thinks you will be able to see the blessings that lie in everything. From that place you will begin to see the beautiful perfection of it all and will come closer to the perfection that already lies within you.

This is a beautiful and hopeful time to be alive. We are at a turning point, and your contribution to the world is needed more than ever. All of your struggles, all the struggles of your ancestors, all the struggles of all life have led to this moment right now. You are the culmination of life’s great yearning; you are the hope of the world.

Filed under: Dahn Yoga on August 5th, 2008 | No Comments »

Ilchi Lee says, he believes that information comes to us in three important forms, and together these elements have amazing power to transform brain waves—as well as lives and ultimately our entire planet.

First, there is music, which contains the power to create mood and evoke emotion. Second, there is message, which forms the structure of our belief systems and influences the quality of our relationships. Third, there is action, which is the ultimate reflection of our brain’s content.

Ilchi Lee continues:

“If we can learn to use all three of these things well, think we can find great hope for ourselves and the planet. A favorite song of mine—”From a Distance,” sung by Bette Midler—has two of these three elements. It combines music with message for a powerful effect—and it can also inspire you to act if you believe in its message. I love the lyrics, because they remind me where we are all going.”

From a distance the world looks blue and green,
and the snow-capped mountains white.
From a distance the ocean meets the stream,
and the eagle takes to flight.
From a distance, there is harmony,
and it echoes through the land.
It’s the voice of hope, it’s the voice of peace,
it’s the voice of every man.
From a distance we all have enough,
and no one is in need.
And there are no guns, no bombs, and no disease,
no hungry mouths to feed.
From a distance we are instruments
marching in a common band.
Playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace.
They’re the songs of every man.
God is watching us. God is watching us.
God is watching us from a distance.
From a distance you look like my friend,
even though we are at war.
From a distance I just cannot comprehend
what all this fighting is for.
From a distance there is harmony,
and it echoes through the land.
And it’s the hope of hopes, it’s the love of loves,
it’s the heart of every man.
It’s the hope of hopes, it’s the love of loves.
This is the song of every man.
And God is watching us, God is watching us,
God is watching us from a distance.
Oh, God is watching us, God is watching.
God is watching us from a distance.

Filed under: Ilchi Lee on August 4th, 2008 | No Comments »

We should always be ready for the moments. Ilchi Lee says enlightenment comes in an instant. Epiphany, awakening, enlightenment or inspiration. It takes only a moment for us to make a choice. No matter how meaningful the choices may be, it does not take long time. In many of Eastern tale about monks and their students, stories how people got enlightened are introduced. Some got enlightened by the sound of a stone hits another stone, after years of doing the brooms diligently out of constant sincerity for other fellow students to listen to their mentor’s teaching. Some got enlightenment by their teacher’s look full of love and truth.

They get enlightened with the help of their mentors. What a great and wonderful gift! That gift could not compared with any other gift on the Earth. What can the students pay for it in return. Ilchi Lee says, it’s passion. Passion for enlightenment is what they should show to their wise mentors to get enlightenment. Of course, the passion should be pure and 100% genuine. Students full of passion to get enlightenment are always ready.

Today, it’s a good reminder to be always ready for enlightenment.

Filed under: Dahn Yoga on August 2nd, 2008 | 1 Comment »

As we enter the world of the limbic system, we realize that we share the same emotional and instinctual make up, a commonality found to an even more profound degree in the brain stem through which we are all tethered to the same life energy that animates the cosmos.

-from “Brain Respiration” by Ilchi Lee

We are sharing our life energy.

Filed under: Brain Education, Dahn Yoga on July 31st, 2008 | No Comments »

What is your dream? What brings you lasting joy and happiness? Can we tell real joy from joy from ego? There can be many different kinds of joy. It might be necessary to have a clear view of what is really needed for my true self.

In the Brain Wave Vibration book, Ilchi Lee mentions the brain stem many times. We really have to think about what we really want. Today I asked myself. What is it that I really want? I am not in my 10s or 20s any more. I should have a clear goal by now, if not I have it decades ago. Actually I do have my goal. The question is, then, how much passion I have. How much do I want it? The brick wall exists not to turn me away but to keep others who want it not that much from going over it.

This is all about making choices and imprint it on my brain. I decided that I will make a necessary choice. I don’t have any other choices to make. The Secret, the law of attraction, You can Heal Yourself, Oprah, etc. all these celebrity, successful people and books are delivering the same message. Thoughts become things.

I have made a choice. I will move forward with it. My brain stem has the answer.

Filed under: Brain Wave Vibration on July 30th, 2008 | 1 Comment »