Comments for Spirituality in Northeast Thailand

Comment on Musing: Art by Museum or Mausoleum › Five Blogcraft Projects for New Bloggers

Museum or Mausoleum › Five Blogcraft Projects for New Bloggers — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:59:32 +0000

[...] example, I was inspired by a Thai art book I found in my friend’s bathroom to ramble about Thai and American curatorial/exhibition organizational methods. It’s not a great piece of writing, but it helped me get past some writer’s [...]

Comment on Journal, July 4: I Am a Moth to the Flame by Gecko Villa, Udon Thani

Gecko Villa, Udon Thani — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:54:30 +0000

We just found your blog and must congratulate you on it! Few visitors venture up to Isan, and many who do can pass through without studying local beliefs, traditions and spirituality. We are also impressed that you have tried the local Isan food – and that you enjoy it! Do try some “mam” – a raw beef sausage, if you get the chance, we are sure you will enjoy the flavour.
We also looked at your reading list, and would recommend Ben Davies’ photo book Isan – it was published some time ago, but there are some excellent pictures in it – and he has followed it up with a book called “Living with Spirits” – not an alcoholic’s reverie but an insight into spirits and belief systems in Thailand and Isan, featuring some superb black and white photos.
Do visit us if you come back to the Udon Thani region!

Comment on June 30: Journal by Marshall Astor

Marshall Astor — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 08:48:01 +0000

Rick. I actually thought it kind of looked like Stallone in Cobra, but it’s got some Serpico flavour. It’s worth noting that I’ve seen Stallong in Cobra and Pachino in Serpico both in the form of vinyl window stickers here in Thailand. The pantheon of American action movies definitely worshipped here.

Comment on Mor Lam and Marquee Moon by Tommie

Tommie — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:46:36 +0000

hehe…. that is a cool idea!

Comment on June 30: Journal by Rick Malkin

Rick Malkin — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 04:40:50 +0000

Marshall,
the image on the mudflaps looks like Al Pacino in Serpico.
Rick.

Comment on Journal, July 4: I Am a Moth to the Flame by Rick Malkin

Rick Malkin — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 04:07:27 +0000

Cousin, this is awesome, I’m proud of you.
Rick

Comment on June 30: Project Notes by » June 30: Journal Spirituality in Northeast Thailand

» June 30: Journal Spirituality in Northeast Thailand — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 01:51:23 +0000

[...] I go into extreme detail about this over in my project notes for today. I came away from this really feeling like I fit in here in Yot Kaeng. People seem to respect me, not only because of my association with Jessada, but because I know how to act respectfully during rituals and when at the wat. [...]

Comment on Project Notes: June 27 by » Journal, June 27: First Exposure to Sukhwan Spirituality in Northeast Thailand

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 10:25:27 +0000

[...] My Project Notes from today go into extensive detail about my visit to Luong Phu Pa Dong Kwang, the …. For my notes on those visits and experiences, please read the project notes. I feel incredibly lucky to have such good hosts, who are knowledgable about so many things, and so patient with my many, many questions. Without the support of Jessada’s entire family, this project would be beyond the scope of my abilities. Without the extremely welcoming nature of Yot Kaeng, this project would be impossible. [...]

Comment on Project Notes: June 26 by » Journal, June 26: Mapping Out the Spiritual Landscape of Yot Kaeng Spirituality in Northeast Thailand

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 10:30:14 +0000

[...] detailed in today’s notes, I made visits to the Forest Wat, what appears to be a Shivalinga near the center of the village, [...]

Comment on June 28: Project Notes by Marshall Astor

Marshall Astor — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 07:50:22 +0000

My notes that haven’t been published yet cover this. The shrine in disarray is essentially broken and disused, and abandoned. It no longer has a function.

“Casting a spell” is the translation Kanjana produced, but a blessing is more appropriate, I think. It’s essentially a sprinkling of holy water.

As to an incentive to clear land, that’s purely speculation on my part. I think there’s an aspect of “stewardship” here, akin to , but less “mandate from heaven” directed, manifest destiny.