Journey of Water 00 — The First and Last Sip
Beyond Readers to ‘Sik-Gu’: A New Bond
As I begin this journey with Jinpath, I find myself imagining you—the person who will be reading these words. I have spent a long time reflecting on the relationship between myself and my readers, and the mindset I should carry as I write to you.
During this reflection, a specific Korean word came to my mind:
‘Sik-Gu’ (식구, 食口).
In Korean, ‘Sik’ (食) means to eat, and ‘Gu’ (口) means the mouth.
Therefore, ‘Sik-Gu’ literally translates to “those who eat together.”
Sharing a meal is far more than the simple act of consuming food;
it is a profound philosophical act of sharing life itself.
In preparing this first post for Jinpath, I decided to think of you not just as a reader, but as my new Sik-Gu.
The Legacy of the Scholar: A Room Filled with Wisdom
While thinking about the meaning of Sik-Gu, I was reminded of the person I respect most in the world—my late grandfather. He was a scholar and a journalist who dedicated much of his life to reforming and educating prisoners.
During the Korean War, he took in an orphaned girl and raised her until she was married, treating her as his own. He was a man of immense knowledge, having read so many books that he eventually founded a regional library with his personal collection.
I still remember playing in his room as a child—a room where every wall, from floor to ceiling, was covered in books. There, I would practice calligraphy, read alongside him, and ask endless questions. He always welcomed me with warmth and affection. Even though I was very young—only four or five years old—one memory remains etched in my heart. He looked into my eyes and said:
“Sang-jin, never stop reading. Keep books close to you throughout your life.”
I didn't understand the depth of those words then, but they stayed with me. Following his guidance, I still consciously strive to keep books by my side today.
The Ritual of Water: Purifying the Vessel
I also vividly remember the way he ate.
He always sat before his meal with a composed and pristine posture. In front of him always stood a single, clear glass of water. He would start his meal by moistening his lips with a sip of that water and end his meal with another sip from the same glass.
As a child, I thought it was just a habit. But now, I understand.
That first sip was a gesture of respect to awaken the senses that had slumbered through the night, and the final sip was a sacred ritual to conclude the flow of metabolism. Before filling his mind with knowledge, he first purified the vessel of his body. In memory of the grandfather I respect most, I now begin a journey into something that is as vast as it is simple: Water.
More Than Chemistry: The Visible Soul of Vitality
What is water?
The transparent plumpness in a child’s cheek is the most brilliant sign of life force. Conversely, as the flame of life flickers out, human skin is the first to lose its moisture, withering like a fallen leaf. The depletion of water is the departure of vital energy. Therefore, the water we drink can never be confined to the dry chemical formula of H2O. It is the very essence of life force flowing through the earth of our flesh.
From Cosmic Vastness to Our Own Veins
There is a reason humanity spends trillions of dollars and pours its greatest wisdom into exploring the desolate reaches of space: to find traces of water.
Just as NASA’s probes seek the clues of extraterrestrial life solely through the presence of water, in the world of science, water is the most vital indicator of survival.
This macro-cosmic law operates without a single error in the microcosm of our bodies. Our vitality is directly proportional to the amount of water flowing through our veins.
Water is not merely H₂O; it is the life energy itself.
Following this sublime "Truth of Water" proven by the universe and practiced silently by my grandfather throughout his life...
I now wish to begin this journey of water with you—my Sik-Gu.
