Start Where You Are by Pema Choedroen

Signed and hand numbered by author. Limited to 199 copies only.
Author's edition, printed in Thailand.

A book on a single magician has not been made for many years, which is a nod to an exceptionally talented young magician, Ajarn Apichai.

The Thai Occult 1 book is the story of The Thai Occult practices, with a particular focus on the Lanna region. The Thai Occult 2 book provides a view of the regional variations, and The Thai Occult 3 looks at the Creation of Magic itself by focussing on the work of one Ajarn. We chose Ajarn Apichai for this task, because of the sheer quantity of Wicha he carries within him. This book looks at the effect an expanse of knowledge can have on a single magician, because of the combinations of magic he can draw upon depending on the task at hand. The world of magic that resides within Ajarn Apichai can be viewed as being as deep as the magic in the country itself. While this is the case with many Thai magicians, Ajarn was chosen because of the way he views Thai magic, and the way he uses the knowledge.When creating this book, the first task was to interview Ajarn Apichai about the creation of magic itself, and then how he uses the Supernatural Materials available to him. This book is not just a case of ‘the Thais use this’, it is an attempt to explain the sources of these materials, and the specific reasons for usage. Following that, we look at his function as an Ajarn and the Kruba Ajarns he studied under.

The difference between this book and the Tamboon Edition of 100 books to raise money for Temple Building is that it contains an extra 30 pages as we translated the kata book of Ajarn Apicjai’s current Master. Luang Phor Charuay holds the lineage knowledge of Luang Pu Suk, and this book introduces the first level of knowledge to any Thai person interested in studying with him.

We like to think we understand what's happening around us; that we can determine the path our life takes. But often, things don't go that way - in fact, they rarely do.

What helps us respond to life as it unfolds? To live freely, stay humble and find comfort in difficult times?

In the Swedish sensation I May Be Wrong, former forest monk Björn Natthiko Lindeblad shares his advice on how to face the uncertainty and doubt that is a natural part of life. We don't choose our thoughts. We don't control the shape they take, or what pops into our minds. We can only choose whether or not to believe them.

Infusing the everyday with heart, grace and gentle humour, this is a book to help us all navigate the realities of modern life.