Psychological Experiences in the Way of Living on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy of Members of Ban Sansai Community in Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study psychological experiences in the way of life based on sufficiency economy of members of Ban Sansai Community in Chiang Rai province. The key informants were 10 members of Ban Sansai Community, Chiang Rai province, obtained by purposive sampling.  Research data were collected via in-depth interviews together with participatory observation. Data were analyzed with content analysis. The research results revealed that psychological experiences in the way of life based on sufficiency economy. Comprised four main issues.  Main issue 1: psychological experiences before following the way of life based on sufficiency economy, which included six following sub-issues: 1)the way of life in the family, 2) occupation and the way of life, 3) the financial economy, 4) happiness and suffering from following the way of life, 5) realization of one’s values, and 6) the principles of living. Main issue 2: the starting point for following the way of life based on sufficiency economy, which included three following sub-issues: 1) the channel of learning leading to the principles of sufficiency economy, 2) the realization of difficulties leading to perseverance in savings, and 3) having financial sufficiency.  Main issue 3: the present state of following the way of life based on sufficiency economy, which included five following sub-issues: 1) the way of sufficiency life, 2) very common occupations that are mentally valuable, 3) plenty of happiness, 4) understanding sufferings leading to the occurrence of happiness, and 5) every life is valuable.  Main issue 4: lessons of life gained from following the way of life based on sufficiency economy, which included four following sub-issues: 1) sufficiency economy as a solution of how to live, 2) the life with sufficiency preventing one from the life with nothing left, 3) the valuable wealth that one should be proud of, and 4) the mental growth under sufficiency economy.