A couple posing on one of the defunct trains. There were many glamour shots being taken all of the park.
Bike riding!
Just biking by a monitor lizard.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Suan Rot Fai (Railroad Park)
Shamefully close to our apartment is a beautiful park known as Suan Rot Fai. We had heard about it, but finally made it out there a couple weeks ago. It is built on the grounds of a former golf course and an adjacent railroad yard. Countless Thais were enjoying the park and exercising.
A couple posing on one of the defunct trains. There were many glamour shots being taken all of the park.
Bike riding!
Just biking by a monitor lizard.
A couple posing on one of the defunct trains. There were many glamour shots being taken all of the park.
Bike riding!
Just biking by a monitor lizard.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Presence and meditation
I slept in this morning, and as I was headed out the door to 7-11 to pick up some milk, Maki reminded me that a farang (white/foreigner) monk was giving a talk at the wellness center across the street from our apartment. I quickly switched gears, and ended up listening to him speak for about an hour. He didn't illuminate anything revelatory about meditation or Buddhist practice, but it did remind me that I live in a country (and region) where the vast majority of people practice Buddhism.
Living in Thailand for seven months without learning too much about meditation does not strike me as unusual, because spirituality has never been a significant dimension of my life. The only time I've only felt any sort of mild spiritual presence was around "Mama Africa" when I was abroad in college. Within black South African communities the notion of "ubuntu" abounds. Ubuntu roughly means "people are people through people." I found this idea quite transcendent, while also having practical implications for daily life. When contemplating meditation, the contrast with ubuntu struck me in that meditation is seemingly inward-facing. From my admittedly ignorant understanding, meditation focuses on solitude and withdrawal from the world. Why not celebrate and enhance the lives of those around you? Nonetheless, the lecture catalyzed me to once again explore meditation more deeply.
The facet of meditation that most appeals to me is presence. Meditation is supposed to correct the way that most of us are constantly all over the place - everywhere and subsequently nowhere - within our minds. By centering our thoughts on being present, we can...be present. Hmm, must be a better way to explain that. I attended a meditation practice last month at Wat Mahatat, and the monk instructed us to focus on awareness of breathe, thoughts and movement. I actually felt successful for about ten-fifteen minutes before the usual deluge of "what should I have for my next meal" and "remember that episode of Full House where they locked themselves out of the car" came back. One recurring argument for meditation is that it brings a more sustainable and deep, but low-key satisfaction. This seems like a healthy route, especially as I acknowledge that my life (along with many others) in the modern world sometimes consists of a constant search for the next fix of stimulation, excitement, recognition or achievement. (This Onion article rang all too true.)
I have several friends who meditate regularly. They attest that with practice and duration, it does have noticeable effects on presence and being. I am also encouraged by this NYTimes article touting the measure benefits of meditation.
So, to get to the point, I am going to try and meditate a little bit every day for thirty days. I have no idea how this will work out, but I will certainly update the blog with the results, good or bad. Most will probably come from podcast led sessions. I have also heard that yoga and reading are forms of meditation too, so I will try to diversify the methods a little.
Look for updates soon, and please comment if you have any insight!
Living in Thailand for seven months without learning too much about meditation does not strike me as unusual, because spirituality has never been a significant dimension of my life. The only time I've only felt any sort of mild spiritual presence was around "Mama Africa" when I was abroad in college. Within black South African communities the notion of "ubuntu" abounds. Ubuntu roughly means "people are people through people." I found this idea quite transcendent, while also having practical implications for daily life. When contemplating meditation, the contrast with ubuntu struck me in that meditation is seemingly inward-facing. From my admittedly ignorant understanding, meditation focuses on solitude and withdrawal from the world. Why not celebrate and enhance the lives of those around you? Nonetheless, the lecture catalyzed me to once again explore meditation more deeply.
The facet of meditation that most appeals to me is presence. Meditation is supposed to correct the way that most of us are constantly all over the place - everywhere and subsequently nowhere - within our minds. By centering our thoughts on being present, we can...be present. Hmm, must be a better way to explain that. I attended a meditation practice last month at Wat Mahatat, and the monk instructed us to focus on awareness of breathe, thoughts and movement. I actually felt successful for about ten-fifteen minutes before the usual deluge of "what should I have for my next meal" and "remember that episode of Full House where they locked themselves out of the car" came back. One recurring argument for meditation is that it brings a more sustainable and deep, but low-key satisfaction. This seems like a healthy route, especially as I acknowledge that my life (along with many others) in the modern world sometimes consists of a constant search for the next fix of stimulation, excitement, recognition or achievement. (This Onion article rang all too true.)
I have several friends who meditate regularly. They attest that with practice and duration, it does have noticeable effects on presence and being. I am also encouraged by this NYTimes article touting the measure benefits of meditation.
So, to get to the point, I am going to try and meditate a little bit every day for thirty days. I have no idea how this will work out, but I will certainly update the blog with the results, good or bad. Most will probably come from podcast led sessions. I have also heard that yoga and reading are forms of meditation too, so I will try to diversify the methods a little.
Look for updates soon, and please comment if you have any insight!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Penang
Took a weekend trip to Penang, an island off the Malaysian coast. Perfectly manageable for a weekend. We did a never-ending hike up to the Penang Hill Station.
Like Malaysia, Penang is a combination of several ethnic groups. The native Malay population, Chinese merchants who settled the Strait of Malacca, and Indians brought by the British during the colonial era. All groups are represented in population, culture and food. Here is a Chinese temple burning huge incense sticks.
Penang is also well known as a foodie destination. And we ate a ton - Indian, Chinese, Malay.
Like Malaysia, Penang is a combination of several ethnic groups. The native Malay population, Chinese merchants who settled the Strait of Malacca, and Indians brought by the British during the colonial era. All groups are represented in population, culture and food. Here is a Chinese temple burning huge incense sticks.
Penang is also well known as a foodie destination. And we ate a ton - Indian, Chinese, Malay.
Thailand's Got Talent
One particular video from this show has made the rounds among western social networks. One of my students introduced me to this show, and we watched a couple videos at the end of class. The injured guitar man is amazing. The young girl's rendition of "And I Am Telling You..." is incredibly annoying. Maki sent me this link and I checked out all the rest. The kathoey (lady-boy) is definitely worth watching, and one can see how it became circulated so widely. So enjoy.
Thailand's Got Talent
BTW, the whole Charlie Sheen debacle had me thinking about the 24 hour internet "news" cycle and how quickly things have changed. I was abroad in 2003, and would check email and NYTimes every other day or so, but felt nicely out of the loop. Now with not only internet access at home, but the development of facebook, blogs, etc., I might as well be in New York as far as pop culture consumption is concerned. I recognize this as a negative generally, especially in preventing me from more fully embracing my Thai environment. Its sad to realize how hard it is to backtrack on roads to life before certain technologies (even ones that have existed for only one, two, or five years).
Thailand's Got Talent
BTW, the whole Charlie Sheen debacle had me thinking about the 24 hour internet "news" cycle and how quickly things have changed. I was abroad in 2003, and would check email and NYTimes every other day or so, but felt nicely out of the loop. Now with not only internet access at home, but the development of facebook, blogs, etc., I might as well be in New York as far as pop culture consumption is concerned. I recognize this as a negative generally, especially in preventing me from more fully embracing my Thai environment. Its sad to realize how hard it is to backtrack on roads to life before certain technologies (even ones that have existed for only one, two, or five years).
this and that
Have not been taking too many photos lately. With many visitors lately, I have been relying on more disciplined photographers to document events. Eventually I'll drop by their computer with a flash drive, but until then here are the few photos I took.
Visitor Gordon and Maki, on top of Centara Sky Bar
Visitors Tim and Gordon, learning all about the Thai feat that is the beer tower.
Swim time in our pool. With our guests, my new friend Linda. We met in Thai language class.
Taken from the apartment during a big and beautiful thunderstorm. Like other parts of the world, Bangkok is experiencing weather uncharacteristic for the season. Its been very cool, while the temperatures are supposed to be climbing to ultimate hot season. I actually wore a sweatshirt for the first time since being here one day. It smelled like closet. Its also supposed to be dry season, but many violent thunderstorms have rolled through. Of course this is not that extreme when compared to Japan, etc. but is interesting.
Visitor Gordon and Maki, on top of Centara Sky Bar
Visitors Tim and Gordon, learning all about the Thai feat that is the beer tower.
Swim time in our pool. With our guests, my new friend Linda. We met in Thai language class.
Taken from the apartment during a big and beautiful thunderstorm. Like other parts of the world, Bangkok is experiencing weather uncharacteristic for the season. Its been very cool, while the temperatures are supposed to be climbing to ultimate hot season. I actually wore a sweatshirt for the first time since being here one day. It smelled like closet. Its also supposed to be dry season, but many violent thunderstorms have rolled through. Of course this is not that extreme when compared to Japan, etc. but is interesting.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
modes of transporation
This photo captures three different forms of transportation in Bangkok. At the top, sky train. In the middle, road. Below, canal boat.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
trouble abroad
Don't you hate it when a thunderstorm interrupts the satellite feed of an afternoon viewing of Maid in Manhattan? Jeez, frustrating.
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