About two years ago, when I went to Korea, I happened to watch a Salpuri dance performance at the suggestion of a relative.

As I watched the performance unfolding on stage, it felt more like a ritual than just a dance, with a strange resonance.

Salpuri originally comes from shamanism.

It is a ritual based on the belief that harmful karma eventually returns to oneself, and it aims to release that negative energy—what is called 'sal.'

While watching the performance, I thought it was a gesture to release the guilt or fear deep within people's hearts.

Since then, the concept of 'sal' has often lingered in my mind.

If I harm someone, it will eventually come back to me.

It's like the cosmic energy balancing itself out.

When working as a dealer, there are moments when I want to be dishonest while negotiating prices with customers.

"They won't notice if I sell it a bit more expensively, right?" I sometimes think.

But after watching the Salpuri performance, I find myself thinking, 'This could all come back to me as karma' in those moments.

Then I feel a bit scared and end up speaking honestly, even if it's forced.

Interestingly, a similar message exists in religions like Buddhism and Christianity.

Buddhism teaches that 'one must be compassionate to all living beings,' and Christianity says 'love your neighbor as yourself.'

These religions come from completely different cultural backgrounds, yet they both emphasize not harming others.

Because the stone thrown at someone else could eventually break my own window.

In fact, in modern urban life, hurting others is very common.

From cutting into a lane on the street to gossiping about colleagues at work, or getting annoyed with family at home.

At that moment, it seems trivial, but eventually, it all accumulates and comes back to me as stress or relationship problems.

I want to call this 'modern sal.'

So, what is the way to avoid 'sal'? The conclusion I've drawn since watching the performance is surprisingly simple.

Live with a religious mindset. It's not about strictly following the doctrines of a specific religion, but rather having an attitude of not harming others and treating them warmly whenever possible.

In Buddhist terms, it's compassion; in Christian terms, it's love; in shamanistic terms, it's Salpuri. Ultimately, isn't it the same message?

I'm not perfect either. When I get into a mental tug-of-war with a customer, frustration wells up inside me, and I feel jealousy when I hear about competing dealers.

But every time that happens, I recall the white sleeves I saw in the Salpuri dance.

That fluttering fabric seemed to shake off the dark energy that had settled within me.

So I force myself to calm my mind.

"My words could return to me as 'sal.'" This is how I keep myself in check.

Ultimately, what I've learned is this. The most practical way to avoid 'sal' is to treat others well.

In business, at home, and even in one-time encounters with strangers.

I've come to realize that it's necessary not just because of religious beliefs, but also for my own comfort.

It has been a few years since I watched the Salpuri performance, but the message I felt back then still influences my life today.

Whether viewed through the lens of shamanism, Buddhist teachings, or Christian doctrines, the direction is the same.

Not harming others and treating them with love whenever possible.

Isn't that the most certain way to avoid harm coming back to me?