This article shows that social work practice can be carried out on ecological and
spiritual levels in alignment with Korean society’s unique naturalistic principles, instead
of blindly following Western ideological systems in approaching spirituality in socal
welfare fields. According to spiritual teachings of Donghak-Chondokyo, it is important
to awaken the divine nature within oneself and realize that all beings are connected in
oneness to be able to see the universe and human-beings in a new light. If one were
to follow universal spiritual teachings of Donghak-Chondokyo, daily practices of wholistic
perspectives on life in all areas becomes important. In particular, based on the
spirituality of ‘deification/adoration(모심)’ and the principle of life, a spiritual community
of ‘ecologically integrated comprehensive welfare’ may be pursued within which
sustenance and energy can be attained independently, without dividing social welfare
areas into diverse fields of practice. It is because Suwoon’s Donghak sees that the
realization of one’s own individual dignity and connectedness of all lives and the
restoration of deep innermost mind (inner self) should serve as newly restored life’s
fundamental ontological foundation. From this perspective, the spirituality of
Donghak-Chondokyo can act as ‘deep mind’s ecology’ most needed by social workers
who must practice inner peace and sharing work, while overcoming many difficulties in
social welfare fields in the Korean society.