Speeches of Hyo Jin Moon 2006-2008
Delivered Sunday at Belvedere Estate in Tarrytown, New York
Editor’s Preface, i
Introduction, ii 

Some episodes may contain explicit language. Reader's discretion is advised.

Editor's Preface 

This book is unofficial and unauthorized. 

These 80 sermons were given by Hyo Jin nim at the Belvedere international training center, in Tarrytown, New York, from January 1, 2006, until March 9, 2008. The final speech was given one week prior to Hyo Jin nim's unexpected passing. 

Each Sunday morning speech without exception began at 7 A.M. sharp in an environment of minimal liturgy with one or two holy songs sung for 10 or so minutes prior to Hyo Jin nim's arrival. 

Once Hyo Jin nim entered the room, a brief representative prayer was offered. This was followed by a bow from the audience to Hyo Jin nim, and he would bow to us simultaneously in return. As he then stepped onto the stage to take the podium, Hyo Jin nim quickly muted the spontaneous applause that greeted him. Then he would speak. 

Hyo Jin nim's speeches were delivered entirely in English. They were professionally videotaped and audiotaped from a podium-mounted microphone. These raw transcripts from tape were edited into their current form, governed only by two criteria: to retain the author's voice and content, and to enhance readability.

Frank Kaufmann and Peter Ross
March 17, 2010

Introduction

These speeches came about following the ascension of Shin Gil nim, Hyo Jin nim's eldest son, on December 28, 2005.

Shin Gil nim lost his physical life in a car accident near Boston. Hyo Jin nim's stated reason for starting to speak was to educate Shin Gil nim in the spiritual world as Hyo Jin nim had been separated from him for many years. On January 22, 2006, Hyo Jin nim said:

When I think about Shin Gil, I feel sorry. In my heart, I feel sorry that I couldn't spend much time with him. I wasn't allowed to. The court wouldn't let me. It was a unique circumstance, unprecedented. In a way, I know that is my victory when it comes to what had happened. But I feel sorry that I couldn't spend much time with him. I really wanted to. It was just about to be at the point where I could spend some time because he was just days from legal age, legally independent. That's the kind of thing that gets you. You're planning all this stuff, and well, I just have to wait a little longer.

The first speech was on January 1, 2006. Hyo Jin nim had planned to speak for one full year. But, week by week, his attachment to his faithful and diverse audience grew. 

Immediately after each speech, Hyo Jin nim went back to his studio near the Holy Rock on the Belvedere grounds. Usually, only his assistant, Janine, went back and spent time in the studio with Hyo Jin nim after the speeches. He would ask about all the different people in the audience, especially new people. He wanted to know if he was appreciated and if people were getting something from what he tried to give each person who came. 

As he reflected on the teaching that just finished, often he would suddenly get the title of the sermon for the week to come. Then, throughout the week, he'd work on his speech based on that title. As he did, he looked forward to seeing everyone again. We were coming toward finishing the one fuIl year that Hyo Jin nim had set for himself. At the end of his November 19, 2006, speech, "Repentance," Hyo Jin nim caught the audience off guard. He asked us if he should keep going past the original plan and time he set. 

Do you want this to go on? Do you want me to come every Sunday? (Silence) 

How long? (Silence) 

Give me the days. How long do you see that being? (Silence) 

You give me a time, and I'll do it. Whatever. How long? That's what I'm asking. 

Finally the soft voice of a Japanese sister, barely audible, said, Forever, Hyo Jin nim.

I'll be here as long as you need me.

For Hyo Jin nim himself, the experience of consistently speaking publicly had an impact on him. On May 27, 2007, at Belvedere, Hyo Jin nim said:

I'm speaking every Sunday because I'm getting attached to certain things—physically, intellectually, even certain faces. But to make this into a duty that I want to carry on, now that's the next step. I might have initially done it because of extraordinary circumstances. I forced, I willed myself to do this stuff. But in the process I changed. It was a precious and blessed opportunity for those of us who attended Hyo Jin nim's speeches. And however he may have been changed, he changed us forever by what he so greatly gave of his life and experience.

On March 17, 2008, Hyo Jin Moon ascended to the spiritual world at the age of 46, as medical efforts to respond to sudden health complications proved insufficient.