Rainy season in Thailand runs from June to November. This period is HOT and wet - making it HUMID!!! Have I failed to tell you how HOT it is here?!What an amazing lecture today!!! Doctor Soree Pokao, a psychology professor from Chulalongkorn University, who actually studied in Illinois for a while, began with … “for there to be external peace, there needs to be internal peace.” He continued to talk about the boundaries – simple boundaries – that we establish amongst ourselves – that of being a woman or man or a psychologist, or a company owner, or a mailman. These boundaries separate us, thus encouraging discontent and alienation. How true! I think many of us can see this in our work but also in our social interactions. This imbalance causes a sort of disequlibrium or disproportion.
He also spoke about Eastern philosophy and how gratitude is given to all living things (past and present), from the sun and the trees to one’s ancestors and other nations. If people (you, me, world leaders) could look at life like this, the way in which we would treat others or our work through conflict would be so different. Life could be so different!
Doctor Pokao went on to state that many of us are programmed to believe that “the more we have, the better. This is what determines success!" He mentioned that having this engrained in our “spirit” has caused mental distress, especially amongst Westerners, and that we should develop the philosophy of living more with less.He then asked us (he asked us A LOT of questions!!!!) what, in reality, can we own? Can we own our car, our children, our eyes, our husband/wife? Do we, or can we, take what we “own” with us when our life ends? By not having (material) desires and by living life naturally (like a flowing river) would provide us with an internal or inner peace, thus unfolding into external peace. Hence, internal peace promotes – encourages – breeds – external peace!
On a lighter note and after a long day of lecture, Manisha and I went to MBK because I needed a highlighter (MBK is a mall that contains 6 floors of ENDLESS shopping). It’s actually nauseating … ANYWAY, look what I found! Pringles!!!!!! I am not one for junk food, but sometimes have a weakness for Cape Cod chips and …. yes, Pringles! (No, I didn't buy any!!!) Check out the flavors!!! Any takers?! :o)
