Optimistic Wisdom

Book excerpt: Wisdom requires clear vision-the ability to see the things that matter, to pass over the things that don't, and the discernment to know the difference. In a fast-paced world, wisdom is also sometimes not equated with optimism. But is this pessimism about the future wise? Not according to the new book, Optimistic Wisdom: Living in Peace without Worry, by Dr. Srisuda Dhamwichukorn. The waves of wisdom that travel from East to West have a peaceful swell; the ocean of Pacific is peaceful. The tradition of wisdom taught from the Far East has much to do with discernment. While Western traditions often examine one's place in the world by looking outside first, the Eastern traditions teach the opposite: look first inside, then prepare for whatever adventures the outside may offer. Dr. Dhamwichukorn hints at this complementary view of the two traditions, along with the places where they peacefully interact. A native of Thailand, she grew up in a land of contrasts: sprawling, urban Bangkok has its islands of peace, the havens of shelter from worry that have traditionally housed the most clear-eyed of monks and buddhas. So how do these teachings find wisdom without worry? A fundamental tenet that often raises questions is the realization that life is suffering. If the future is a path away from worry and towards peace, then many teachers have taught what amounts to a startling starting point. As Dr. Dhamwichukorn writes in easily understandable affirmations, the first shore relieving this ocean of suffering is the knowledge that the path exists in the first place. The path, the discipline, the peaceful mind-these are the refuges of those free from worry. Therein lies the excitement of peace: freedom. Even as adventures present what may appear to be evidence of selfishness, a shortage of love and compassion, and the unforgiving failure to forget those things that don't matter, the freedom of peace persists. That is this book's discerning quality-to balance selfishness with sharing, to meet hate with love, to find peace without worry. Written in a modern, but simple style, the beautiful book Optimistic Wisdom: Living in Peace Without Worry offers rest and reflection in a troubled ocean. This is a guide filled with optimism. The author, having flown across the Pacific from Thailand to America, refreshingly describes why that ocean between East and West is named for peace itself. Reviewed by David Noever Dr. David Noever serves as the executive vice-president and chief technology officer and is responsible for overall development and implementation of the Mobular Technologies' technology. Dr. Noever received his Ph.D. from Oxford University, as a Rhodes Scholar, in theoretical physics and B.Sc. from Princeton University, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He was named 1998 Discover Magazine's "Inventor of the Year," for novel development of computational biology software and internet-search robots, culminating in co-founding the startup company cited by Nature Biotechnology[v. 15, October 1997, p. 1035] as first in its technology class. He has authored more than 80 scientific research articles and book chapters. He also received the Silver Medal of the Royal Society, London, UK and is a former Chevron Scholar, San Francisco. ___________________________________________ OTHER READER COMMENTS "I really like the good peaceful energy that the book spreads. As soon as I opened the book, I felt its peaceful energy spreading A book that spreads positive vibrations Hope it could help to develop peace in the whole world. My best regards," By Carlotta Segre, UN-Geneva "Today, when many values are relative and vague,Optimistic Wisdom gives a thoughtful, universal guide to discerning good from evil. Although I liked many things about the book, two ideas especially caught my eye. The idea in chapter 7