Ants, Asia and the Secrets of the Mundane

Big lessons from tiny insects

Photo by Prince Patel on Unsplash

Seven years ago, I backpacked for four months through Southeast Asia with a best friend. I wished for a tattoo for some time but wanted it to be intentional and something I’d be happy with (well, ya know) forever.

Then, our sexy South African dive instructor invited Sarah and me to get bamboo tattoos from a monk. These are called ‘Sak Yant Tattoos.’ Traditionally, these are large tattoos along the length of your spine. The monk chooses your tattoo and its meaning, so it’s a true process of letting go.

I’m glad we ended up passing on that invite because I had an idea brewing.

The relationship begins.

Sarah and I went to our first ten-day silent meditation retreat in the South of Thailand. The center named Suan Mohk is located on a lush, sub-tropical property that’s rich in one particular insect.

Ants.

All sorts of ants. Big ones, small ones, red ones that build three-foot-tall mounds, and more.

Like most monasteries in Thailand, you have the option to walk around barefoot.

When I first started walking around barefoot in silence, I soon noticed the ants. Tiny, painful ambushes on my feet would interrupt my…