Vipassana Meditation Master
Acharavadee Wongsakon
During family trips abroad last year, renting houses or apartments replaced the usual hotel stays. As the children grew older, this setup proved much more comfortable. For a similar cost, these rentals provided small kitchens and shared living areas, allowing everyone to bond in a common space rather than retreating to separate hotel rooms.
From the outside, most of these properties looked beautiful, offering a homey atmosphere perfect for cooking homemade meals. Yet, some felt distinctly built solely for commercial renting, resembling empty shells staged with generic furniture.
A striking commonality linked every single place: almost everything was sourced from IKEA. From the beds, sheets, pillows, and towels to the kitchen utensils, sofas, cabinets, and chairs. It was flat-pack furniture as far as the eye could see.
Living surrounded by these pieces, however, left a strange impression of rootlessness, as if lacking a solid foundation. Everything seemed to wobble slightly; the tables, cabinets, screws, and chairs felt lightweight and precarious, lacking any sense of permanence or structural integrity.
Most of this furniture wasn’t solid wood but particle board disguised under a thin veneer. To the touch, it felt temporary and superficial. The bedding felt rough, and the kitchen tools lacked durability, appearing designed only for short-term utility. Ultimately, staying in these homes felt like living inside an artificial IKEA showroom—an environment that felt unnatural, even for a brief visit.
This experience sparked a deeper reflection on the subtle connection between physical objects and the human mind.
As a global giant from Sweden manufacturing primarily in China, IKEA heavily impacts local markets. Its low prices often undercut traditional furniture companies, affecting manufacturers from Italy to Thailand. In Thailand, flat-pack furniture designed by Western creators holds a trendy appeal, driving up its perceived value.
Undeniably, smaller IKEA items serve a great purpose, allowing those on a budget to decorate beautifully. But closer inspection of their larger furniture or lamps often reveals fragile, plastic-heavy compositions. A key part of the appeal is the DIY assembly process.
However, if a home features more than four large knockdown pieces, it is worth pausing to observe its impact. A space dominated by flat-pack items can easily feel devoid of a strong foundation. This stands in stark contrast to furniture crafted from solid wood or built by skilled artisans. Traditional, custom-built, or handmade furniture brings a palpable sense of stability, making life at home feel grounded and secure.
If this perspective doesn’t resonate, that is completely fine; perhaps some minds are simply more sensitive to these environmental energies than others. This observation doesn’t stem from a place of luxury or disdain for budget furniture. Many homes, including my own, naturally blend built-in structures and handmade pieces from places like Bang Pho or Chiang Mai with smaller IKEA kitchen items. The realization only hit after living in spaces entirely filled with flat-pack furniture, revealing how profoundly our immediate surroundings can influence the subconscious mind.
Visitors to the Bodhidhammayan Retreat often remark on its deep peace and gentle, natural beauty. This atmosphere is intentional, created by paying close attention to the landscape and prioritizing natural materials. Avoiding plastic tables, chairs, and excessive knockdown furniture in primary shared spaces prevents that artificial energy from disrupting mental tranquility.
Surrounding oneself with cheap plastic chairs can evoke a sense of the “unreal” – a stark contrast when the goal is to train the mind in search of Ultimate Truth. Everything in our environment connects through subtle energies and influences.
Try not to rely too heavily on mass-produced, flat-pack, or plastic goods, as they can gently distance us from the natural world. Instead, choose household items mindfully within your budget. If possible, invest in at least one piece of authentic wooden furniture with sturdy legs. It doesn’t need to be massive or expensive. Just real wood, firmly constructed.
Let that single piece become an anchor in your home. Its natural presence serves as a silent reminder of strength, stability, and a deep connection to nature; a particularly grounding practice for anyone living in a townhouse or condominium.
When a living space feels flimsy or fragile day after day, it often reflects an inner state of mind. Conversely, when the mind lacks a solid foundation, it becomes fragile, making it much easier to suffer or be swayed by life’s inevitable hardships.
Asalha Puja Day marks the moment the Buddha established a profound spiritual foundation for humanity, mapping out the path to a stable life. He taught us not to drift aimlessly with worldly pleasures, nor to remain trapped by suffering, but to walk the Middle Path. This great beginning served as a guiding light amidst the chaotic, confusing beliefs of that era.
Life is shaped by choices, and every choice stems from the mind. Embracing a “knockdown” lifestyle too deeply might inadvertently make our inner foundations just as unstable. A resilient mind is the bedrock of a meaningful future.
Take a moment to look around your living space with fresh eyes. As you work on improving your home, remember to examine the foundation of your own mind.
EVERYTHING MUST GO!
Where should it go? That is for each individual to decide. The answer, however, has been clear for a very long time.
—
View full content by subscribing or buy on Shopee.
