In a white uniform and a white belt tied loosely around his waist, a tall, tan-complexioned man with salt and pepper coloured, close cropped hair was kowtowing to a chubby 10-year-old girl, his practice partner on the Aikido platform or dojo.
‘‘We have to face the truth with courage and patience. If we stand in the fire with a still mind, we will see how we can create new causes for future positive feedback" — CHAIWAT THIRAPANTU
"I felt a bit awkward and uneasy to practice with a girl my granddaughter's age. But the child proved me wrong. She was focused and very kind. She threw me down so gently as if she tried to avoid breaking me," said political activist Chaiwat Thirapantu, and avid football player.
In his sixties, Chaiwat is perhaps the oldest beginner on the dojo.
"I would like to keep myself on the edge, as a beginner. A beginner's mind always learns," he said, quoting Zen master Shunryu Suzuki-roshi's The Beginner's Mind. "When we open our hearts, we learn. I have learned to overcome my prejudices and judgemental mind," said Chaiwat, now an aikido blue belt after three years of practise.
Chaiwat does not do aikido simply to improve his fitness or fulfil his appetite for sports. He takes this martial art of peace and reconciliation to master his mind through "evolutionary politics".
Photos by Somkid Chaijitvanit
For Chaiwat, a learning mind - aware, open and calm - is crucial to create social equilibrium and cope with crises, especially now, while our country is going through a major transitional period.
"The quality of our mind and activity, individually and collectively, will designate our future," he said.
"We need to shift our paradigm of thinking and doing to tackle intricate problems. We cannot think anew from a mind that is restless and preoccupied with theories and judgments. Only when the mind is calm, adept, and sharp will we see clearly and act wisely."
For better politics, we need to better our being. "Politics is a spiritual act. Good politics needs inner strength and spiritual power," he said, his voice deep and clear. Chaiwat sometimes calls himself a "Shambala" warrior of Bodhisatva, the warrior for an enlightened society.
For the past two decades, the president of Civic Net Foundation has been facilitating workshops to enhance the human learning capacity. The processes include generative conversations, appreciative inquiries and meditative reflection. The groups he has worked with range from civil groups, community leaders and NGOs to civil servants, youth groups, university lecturers, officers in justice systems and human rights organisations.
"The quality of citizens determines the quality of democracy," he said. "I believe in organic democracy which is based on living values, community spirit and collaboration among people. This is, to me, the foundation of democratised society, which will counter-balance institutionalised politics - political parties, law and constitution," he said.
In his book Chaos Theory and Siamese Society at the Bifurcation, Chaiwat says Thailand is already plunging into an age of "Darkenss", and it will take years for us to get out of it. According to the law of cause and effect, we have accumulated detrimental causes for decades, and now it's time for the repercussions - political, economical, social and environmental.
"We have to face the truth and approach the problem with courage and patience. If we stand in the fire with a still mind, we will see how we can create new causes for future positive feedback."
Borrowing some Taoist wisdom, he added: "We live in a world of paradox; yin and yang; dark and light. When we are in the dark, be aware that there is light. We need to find it and then expand the area of light until the dark room is lightened to day."
The "light" or hope in the dark for Thailand lies in learning and commitment, he asserted.
"Despite the corrupt politicians and system, our country has steadily prospered. The credit should go to the small people like each of us, community leaders and civil groups, who have been working to sustain the country."
"We need to be aware of our contribution and work together to create a country we all want to live in. Don't leave it to politicians, policymakers or any other group."
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