Absolute Solitude (Hardcover, includes autograph) / Go Do-won's New Essay

* Includes a handwritten signature by Go Do-won. *

[Book Introduction]

‘Mental Preparations’ for Those Struggling Through the Time of ‘Absolute Solitude’

Go Do-won, the author of *Go Do-won’s Morning Letter*, who has delivered ‘vitamins for the soul’ to 3.7 million members every morning, has published a new essay collection titled *Absolute Solitude*. This book covers nine themes related to facing absolute solitude—solitude, choice, pausing and self-healing, wounds, time, the struggle with oneself, challenge, dreams, and the meaning of life—and richly captures the meaning and wisdom these themes offer to our lives.

The author emphasizes that even when absolute solitude approaches, one must not be overwhelmed by the situation but must silently endure that time, just as Genghis Khan said, “I became Genghis Khan because I won the battle against myself.” This book will serve as a reliable companion, like a friend or a mentor, for those struggling through their own time of absolute solitude amidst change and hardship. Furthermore, for those seeking new directions and challenges in life, this will serve as "mental preparation" for the time they will spend walking alone.

[About the Author]

Author: Ko Do-won

Author Ko Do-won is a person who awakens the hearts of 3.7 million people every morning with dreams and hope. Starting *Ko Do-won's Morning Letter* in August 2001 with his first piece titled "What is Hope," he has become a reliable companion on the journey, delivering humble yet sincere messages to those who wish to live vigorously amidst a harsh world and achieve their own dreams.

Currently, as the Chairman of the Morning Letter Cultural Foundation, he operates the Morning Letter Meditation Center "Deep Mountain Spring" in Chungju, providing a time of rest and healing to care for weary bodies and minds.

He graduated from the Department of Theology at Yonsei University and the Graduate School of Political Science at the same university, and completed training at the University of Missouri's School of Journalism. He served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Yonsei University student newspaper, *Yonsei Chunchu*, and worked as a reporter for *Deep-rooted Tree* and *JoongAng Ilbo*. He served as the Presidential Speech Secretary (Grade 1) at the Blue House for five years starting in 1998. He was awarded the Order of Merit of the Yellow Ribbon in 2003 and the "100 People Who Made the World Brighter" award by the Korea Green Foundation in 2006.

To date, he has published bestsellers including *Because I Want to Love More*, *With a Gaze Filled with Soul*, *Let Your Dreams Dance*, *A Moment to Pause*, *I Love You, Thank You*, *May Stars Rise in Your Desert*, *Dream Beyond Dream*, *You Are Hope*, *The Ugly Tree Protects the Mountain 1, 2*, and *Go Do-won's Morning Letter 1, 2, 3*. Godowon's Morning Letter www.godowon.com

[Table of Contents]

Prologue

1

A Time When Solitude Is Needed

2

Life Is a Series of Choices

3

Stop and Look Back

4

Rise Again from There

5

If You Always Stay in the Same Place

6

Go to the End Even If You Waver

7

Today Is a Day That Will Never Come Again

8

It Is Not Too Late Yet

9
In Search of the Meaning of Life

Epilogue

[Into the Book]

From the Prologue

Do not fear solitude!

For my life, for the one and only story in the world

Absolute solitude.

Solitude that no one can take your place,

Time that no one takes responsibility for.

Everyone has such moments of absolute solitude.

Especially those who stand before people, those walking the path of dreams,

must cross this river of absolute solitude.

I, too, have crossed that river countless times.

I am still crossing that river now.

I am a person who has written my entire life.

No one can write my writing for me.

In that sense, writing is the product of absolute solitude.

It is a gift of pain obtained while crossing the river of absolute solitude.

Life is a piece of writing,

a story unique to me, the only one in the world.

No one can write it for you,

and no one can live it for you.

That is why, as anyone lives on,

moments of absolute solitude arrive, making you feel as though you have been left alone in the world.

Even if one day you suddenly find yourself standing alone in this vast wilderness of life,

do not be too afraid.

At that moment, write. Draw. Sing.

Writings, drawings, and songs that move people to tears will be created.

From the text

Because we are lonely, we are human!

I grow through time spent alone!

Short but intense stories of nine different colors that lead to growth in life!

Finally Meeting Myself

ㆍ
While living a lifetime,

there is at least one moment when ‘absolute solitude’ overwhelms you.

It is also a time to finally meet yourself.

People sometimes absolutely need a time for a true ‘self-encounter.’

It is a moment when everything changes.

Solitude is a signal to have a ‘self-encounter.’

There are times when we all stand alone.

All that is visible is a desolate wilderness,

and nothing but fierce winds and sandstorms.

It is a time when you must endure entirely alone.

It is a moment when you must face yourself completely.

When you try to walk your own path

...

Everyone has their own time and their own path.

To walk that path,

a few important rules are required.

First, cross the stepping stones of absolute solitude well.

Second, if you cannot see the path, wait.

Third, enjoy the waiting.

And finally, one more thing,

there is something you must engrave deep in your heart.

There is no path that is always safe!

From <1. A Time When Solitude Is Needed>