Myanmar: No Space for Dictators

Insight Myanmar

“No one can stop you from claiming the power of your own mind, but only you can claim it.” This statement from Rick Hanson, a clinical psychologist, renowned author and long-time, accomplished meditator, encapsulates the essence of personal agency, and frames an exploration of resilience in the face of oppression.

Rick, who first spoke Insight Myanmar in 2021, appears today alongside Brang Nan, a storyteller and witness of Myanmar’s struggle for democracy, who joins from within Myanmar. Their dialogue delves deep into the challenges of living under military oppression, survivor guilt, isolation, trauma, and the mental and emotional toll felt on individuals and communities. Through a mixture of personal accounts, reflections on Buddhist teachings and psychological insights, the conversation paints a vivid picture of the pursuit of inner peace amid turmoil.

Rick begins the conversation by expressing his solidarity with the people of Myanmar, articulating his deep, moral outrage over the military’s treatment of its citizens, and emphasizing the urgency and gravity of taking on this conversation. He notes that he has a particularly powerful connection to the country through his practice of meditation; many of his teachers trained in Myanmar and he has close ties to monastics who have fled the country due to persecution.

Brang Nan offers the raw and poignant perspective of someone navigating the dangers of life under a military dictatorship. His recounting of the years following the 2021 coup highlights the collective experience of a people grappling with grief, fear, and the erosion of trust. He describes the initial unity of the protests as an almost euphoric “high,” only to be followed by the crushing reality of isolation and withdrawal as the risks of continuing to speak out became insurmountable due to safety concerns. Despite the knowledge that most citizens are on the same side, fear creates barriers, preventing open conversations and fostering a profound sense of loneliness.