In essence, the Thai people are not materialistic at all. They're not in the least driven by the kind of ambition that drives us. The more I got to know them, and the more time I spent with them, the more I understood that this was a totally legitimate attitude to life, and why not? John Burdett ambitionattitudedrive share on social
I think it is immensely difficult to get the U.S. interested in non-U.S. topics. I don't think this is because the average American reader is disinterested, but more because of publishers playing it safe: if a thriller based in L.A. is a sure winner, why spend money plugging one based in Paris - or Bangkok? John Burdett americanaveragebangkok share on social
Expecting to be wrong about most things most of the time brings, finally, the kind of humility that leads to peace. I think. John Burdett bringexpectfinally Change image and share on social
To a Buddhist, contradictions only exist in a mind that has been forced to cultivate them. John Burdett buddhistcontradictioncultivate Change image and share on social
Just studying Buddhism, then meditating and going to Buddhist monasteries, talking to Buddhist monks, combined with the Thai people themselves, changed the way I look at the world. John Burdett buddhismbuddhistchange Change image and share on social
I discovered that Thailand was one of those countries, like Sri Lanka and India, where memory of past lives used to be commonplace. Go back a few generations, and you find people talking about earlier lives with total certainty. John Burdett backcertaintycommonplace share on social
I'm fascinated by Buddhism. I adore Buddhism, and I read about it all the time, but I haven't formally become a Buddhist, although I don't really know why I haven't. I guess I feel I don't need to. John Burdett adorebuddhismbuddhist Change image and share on social
'Shun security,' I advise aspiring novelists when they complain to me that they are stuck. 'Get disoriented. Maybe your agonizing writing block isn't agonizing enough. Your enemy is comfort.' John Burdett adviseagonizeaspire Change image and share on social
The world other than as advertised can be an amazing place. John Burdett advertiseamazeplace Change image and share on social
Las Vegas is the expression, in glitter and concrete, of America's brittle and mutating id. John Burdett americabrittleconcrete Change image and share on social