On February 26, Positive Psychology Coach Vivian Wong was invited by the Irvine Book Club to lead a discussion on the book "I May Be Wrong - And Other Wisdoms From Life as a Forest Monk"
She explained the three main themes of the book : letting go of attachments, the nature of happiness, and the wisdom of facing death.
Wong also shared the author's twelve life lessons as a special gift for the members.
The event, both in-person and online, saw near 150 participants, with members sharing personal experiences, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.
Wong introduced the book by mentioning that the author, a renowned Swedish economist, was about to become the youngest finance minister of a multinational corporation.
However, he chose to leave everything behind and spent 17 years as a monk in the forests of Thailand. When he decided to return to society, he was diagnosed with ALS and gradually approached death.
The book is not only a personal record of his life and reflections but also serves as a guide to help those suffering physically and emotionally learn to dance with life.
Through her presentation, Wong highlighted the book’s core themes : letting go of attachments, the true essence of happiness, and the wisdom of facing death.
She also emphasized that the author’s personal experiences and insights, shared without reserve, offer profound wisdom and guidance for navigating life’s challenges.
Wong quoted the author’s key messages: "Letting go of attachments" means not giving up or suppressing, but rather accepting impermanence, learning to release, and embracing the unknown.
"The essence of happiness" is not fleeting joy, but lasting peace and contentment.
"The wisdom of facing death" teaches us that life is limited, which makes it essential to live in the present, release fear, and accept the unknown.
During the discussion, attendee Chien-Hsin Chuan shared his experience of being diagnosed with prostate cancer, how his family was deeply worried, but he chose to let go of attachments and live peacefully with his condition.
Members Kathy Chen and Mulien Lee also shared personal stories of dealing with the loss of a mother and a child leaving for school, and how letting go brought them peace.
Wong concluded that in life, our most important relationship is the one with ourselves. The author’s life experience and wisdom, compiled in this book, offer readers a path to true peace and happiness.
Irvine Book Club President Laura Yen thanked Wong for her insightful discussion and expressed gratitude to all participants.
As Wong said, "This is a great book that allows us to awaken through the author’s personal experiences." The Irvine Book Club looks forward to more inspirational reading sessions in the future.
The Irvine Book Club’s discussion of “I May Be Wrong” sparked great responses both in person and online. Two members shared their reflections, which we’re now reposting.
Reflections on I May Be Wrong
Member: Anonymous
While reading I May Be Wrong, I specifically looked up its English version and noticed that the title is I May Be Wrong, not I Might Be Wrong. At first glance, this seems like a minor grammatical difference, but in reality, the two phrases carry distinct meanings.
"May" is used for the present tense, indicating that one might be wrong at this moment, whereas "Might" is used for the past tense, implying that one may have been wrong at a certain point in the past.
This distinction deepened my understanding of the book’s core concept—acknowledging the possibility of being wrong is not about regretting the past but about maintaining an open and humble mindset at all times.
Albert Einstein once said, "Intuition is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. But we have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." This quote resonated deeply with me.
For a long time, people have sought a kind of "superpower" on a spiritual level—the ability to foresee the future or perceive the past. At the core of this ability lies intuition. People want their intuition to be sharper, so they turn to meditation, mindfulness, and clearing their minds of distractions. In the process, they realize that while reason is a loyal assistant, what truly guides them forward is that indescribable intuition.
The most touching moment in this book was when the author learned he had a terminal illness and couldn’t help but break down in tears by the roadside. However, he soon shifted his mindset and felt immense gratitude toward his own body.
Our body is the vessel of life, but when this physical shell disappears, does life continue? This reminds me of a saying: "Apart from life and death, everything else is trivial." We often get entangled in life’s troubles, but in reality, as long as we are alive and well, we are already incredibly fortunate.
The fragility of life makes people cherish spiritual pursuits even more. Many long for spiritual enlightenment, hoping to one day reach inner clarity and joy. This book helped me realize that each of us is merely a tiny part of the universe. Though we are intimately connected to the whole, the universe continues to operate according to its own laws. We cannot control everything—only by learning to let go and go with the flow can we truly attain inner peace.
A wise person once said: "Beyond black and white, right and wrong, there is a vast field, and I will meet you there." This reminds me that many things are not simply black or white. When we are willing to let go of binary thinking, we can discover broader possibilities.
In the past, when someone angered me, my first reaction was always to shout, "You are absolutely wrong!" But now, whenever such emotions arise, I silently repeat to myself three times: "I may be wrong." This phrase acts like a magic spell, instantly calming my anger and helping me regain composure.
Reflections on I May Be Wrong
Member: Katherine Chang
The author of this book, Björn Natthiko Lindeblad, describes it in his own words:
- This is not a book about religion.
- I do not intend to change your beliefs or worldview.
- This book serves as a reminder to correctly identify and distinguish between your thoughts and emotions, so that your life is not disrupted by negative feelings, allowing you to fully enjoy a freer, clearer, and wiser life.
In his youth, Lindeblad made the resolute decision to give up his position as a high-ranking financial executive and follow his inner calling to a forest monastery in Thailand. For seventeen years, he distanced himself from the material world, immersing himself in Buddhist philosophy and wisdom. After returning to secular life, he found himself engaging in broadcasting and public speaking, sharing his insights from meditation and spiritual practice with modern society.
In this era of rapid information flow and economic growth, we are constantly bombarded with messages from all directions, inevitably leading to emotional disturbances and stress.
Lindeblad provides a series of guiding principles, teaching readers how to love themselves first, manage the emotions that swirl within—joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness—and free themselves from attachments to unchangeable realities. He encourages us to acknowledge the impermanence and brevity of life and to approach it with openness and wisdom, making our existence clearer, calmer, and more beautiful.
As he approached the end of his life, he even organized a heartfelt funeral for himself as a tribute to a life well-lived.
The author quotes Albert Einstein’s famous words: "Logic and reason are faithful servants (tools for thinking), but intuition is the gift of the universe (the source of wisdom)."
This book encapsulates the wisdom Lindeblad gained from his years as a forest monk, outlining ways to reflect with an open heart, release troubling thoughts and emotions, and enhance spiritual well-being. I believe the gift he left us is not merely a painkiller for the soul but rather a natural therapy for spiritual health.
Author's Profile:
Björn Natthiko Lindeblad (1961–2022) was a Swedish economist and business executive who became a forest monk in Thailand from 1992 to 2008, adopting the name "Natthiko," meaning "one who grows in wisdom.
His book“ I May Be Wrong: The Last Life Lesson of a Forest Monk” shares his journey and insights on living a meaningful life, becoming a bestseller in Sweden.
Guide's Profile:
Vivian Wong – Master’s degree in Education, Bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting. A broadcaster, writer, and professional diction coach with a certification in Positive Psychology Coaching. Passionate about reading, writing, and traveling.
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正向心理學教練黃淑婉 2/26接受爾灣讀書會之邀，為會員導讀“我可能錯了-森林智者最後一堂課”一書，她除向大家說明貫穿全書三大主題：放下執念、幸福本質、面對死亡的智慧，也整理出作者送給讀者的十二份大禮包和大家分享，現場和雲端不僅有近達一百五十人參加，也有會員分享親身經歷，回響熱絡。
黃淑婉導讀介紹“我可能錯了”一書指出，這本書作者曾經是瑞典知名經濟學家，在他即將成為知名跨國企業最年輕的財長時，他選擇拋下一切到泰國森林，展開長達17年的出家生活。
誰知在他決定還俗回歸社會，卻又遭逢罹患漸凍症，逐漸走向死亡，這本書不僅是他對自己的完整記錄和對生命的體悟，更深具指引作用，能夠幫助身心受苦的人，學習和生命共舞。
黃淑婉透過簡報向大家表示，作者在全書透過：放下執念、幸福本質和面對死的智慧三大主題，向讀者詮釋在面對人生低谷與各種不確定因素時，要如何自處和因應。
更難得的是：作者將自已親身經歷和如何從低谷、陰霾中走出來的感受和領悟，毫未保留的透過深具洞察力的文字和人生智慧，呈現在讀者面前。她也從這本書整理出作想者向大家傳達的十二項人生座右銘，當成大禮包，和會員分享。
黃淑婉引述作者書中所說：“放下執念”，不是放棄、壓抑，而是接受無常、學會放手和擁抱未知。“幸福的本質”不是短暫的快樂，而是持續的平靜和滿足。而“面對死忘的智慧”，是知道生命有限，才會活在當下，要放下恐懼，才會接受未知。
經由黃的導讀，現場與會的莊謙信（ Chien-Hsin Chuan）老師，即向大家分享自己被診斷罹患攝護腺癌時，家人憂心如焚，他自己決定放下執念，和癌細胞共處至今。
會員夏開敏（Kathy Chen）和何慕蓮（Mulien Lee）也分別以母親病逝、孩子遠離家念書，極為不捨為例，和大家分享，即因學會放手而釋懷。另在雲端看直播的網友，也紛紛留言請教問題和分享。
黃淑婉說，在人生旅途中，每個人都會和外界產生許多關係，但最重要是和自己的闗係。作者用自己畢生的人生經驗和智慧，寫成這本專書，希望能為大家帶來啟發，獲得真正的寧靜和幸福。
爾灣讀書會會長李克琪指出， 謝謝黃淑婉的精彩導讀。如同她所說：「這是一本好書，讓我們透過作者的親身經歷，體悟人生的覺醒。」謝謝大家的參與和分享，期待未來能和大家共度更多啟發心靈的閱讀時光！
爾灣讀書會本次導讀《我可能錯了》這本書，不論現場和雲端均引起熱烈回響，有兩位會員也分享本書讀後感，也轉貼和大家分享 :
第一篇 :
撰文 : 佚名
在閱讀《我可能錯了》時，我特地找了它的英文譯本，發現書名是 I May Be Wrong，而不是 I Might Be Wrong。乍看之下，這似乎只是細微的語法差異，但其實兩者在語意上有所不同。
May 用於現在式，表示當下可能錯了；Might 則用於過去式，暗示過去的某個時刻可能犯了錯。
這樣的區別，讓我對這本書的核心概念有了更深的體會——承認自己的可能錯誤，不是關於過去的懊悔，而是一種隨時保持開放與謙遜的態度。
愛因斯坦曾說：「直覺是神聖的禮物，理性則是忠誠的僕人。但我們的社會卻只尊崇這個僕人，而遺忘了這份禮物。」這句話深深觸動了我。
長久以來，人們一直在靈性的層面追尋一種「超能力」——能夠預知未來、洞察過去的能力，而這種能力的核心正是「直覺」。人們希望自己的直覺更加敏銳，於是開始冥想、打坐，嘗試清除心中的雜念。結果，發現理性雖然是人們忠實的助手，但真正帶領人們前行的，仍然是那份難以言喻的直覺。
這本書最令我感動的一幕，是當作者得知自己罹患絕症時，忍不住在路旁痛哭。然而，他很快轉念，對自己的身體深懷感恩。
身體是生命的載體，當這副軀殼消逝，生命是否還能延續？這讓我想起一句話：「除了生死，其他都是小事。」我們時常被生活中的煩惱糾纏，但其實，只要我們仍能好好活著，便已是莫大的幸運。
生命的脆弱，讓人更加珍視靈性的追求。人們渴望靈性上的覺悟，希望有朝一日能達到內心的澄澈與喜悅。而這本書讓我明白，我們每個人都只是宇宙中微不足道的一部分，雖然與宇宙的整體緊密相連，但它仍會按照自己的法則運行。我們無法掌控一切，唯有學會放下、順應，才能真正獲得內心的平靜。
一位智者的話：「這個世界除了黑與白、對與錯，還有更廣闊的原野，而我在那片原野等你。」這句話提醒我，許多事情並非非黑即白，當我們願意放下二元對立的思維，就能發現更寬廣的可能性。
以往當我被某人激怒時，我的第一反應總是想大聲斥責：「You are absolutely wrong!」但現在，每當這樣的情緒湧上心頭，我會在心中默念三次：「我可能錯了。」這句話就像一個魔法咒語，能瞬間平息怒氣，讓我冷靜下來。
第二篇 :
撰文 : 曹海棠
本書作者 Bjorn Lindeblad 用他自己的話描述：“我可能错了”
第一：這不是一本關於宗教的書。
第二：我不想改變您的信仰與人生觀。
第三：這本書在於提醒您如何正确的辨識和區分自己的思想與情绪。讓您的生活不受負面情緒的干擾，充分享受更自由自在，更光明清晰，更有智慧的人生。
作者Lindeblad 在年輕時，毅然決然放棄管理財務的高管職位，爲了追尋心靈的呼喚來到泰國的森林寺廟，長達十七年的時間，他遠離世俗與文明，潛心體驗與學習佛學的哲理與智慧。還俗之後， 因緣際會，他從事廣播與演講的工作，和現代社會分享他禪坐修行的心得。
處於資訊發達與經濟快速發展的時代，我們面對來自四面八方的訊息衝擊， 免不了產生不必要的情緒干擾與壓力。
Lindeblad用一系列方針，教讀者如何先愛自己，處理好盤旋在心理的喜怒哀樂情緒，排除執念 -不能改變的事實，正視生命的無常與短暫，用開放的智慧把生活過得更清晰、平靜、美好。
當走入生命盡頭時，他也爲自己籌辦了一個感人的喪禮，以表達對美好人生的贊頌。
作者引用了愛因斯坦的名言： 邏輯與理性是忠實的僕役(思考的工具， 直覺才是宇宙的禮物(智慧的根源)。
這本書他綜合了森林僧生活的領悟，列出如何以開放的心胸來反思，疏解紛擾的思緒和情感，提升心靈的健康。我覺得他留給我們的禮物不是“ 心靈的止痛劑”， 而是【心靈健康的自然療法]。
作者小檔案 :
比約恩·納提科·林德布勞（1961～2022）是瑞典經濟學家和企業高管，曾在泰國出家為僧，並被授予「Natthiko」這個名字，意謂「在智慧中成長的人」。他寫下《我可能錯了：森林智者的最後一堂人生課》，分享他對自由和有意義生活的見解，該書成為瑞典排行榜冠軍。
導讀者小檔案：
黃淑婉：教育碩士，廣電系學士。廣播人，文字工作者，專業正音老師，正向心理學Coach資格。喜愛閱讀，寫作，旅行。