An intellectual taster: Shan mystical formulae by Dr. Susan Conway
by Naw Liang (London, UK and Rio de Janiero, Brazil)

Mai soong kha!
Slightly breaking with All about Shan Studies tradition, I won't start this post with my usual self-deprecating 'I'm sorry I haven't been productive' routine. The truth is I've been busy, I've been away and, unfortunately, I've found it difficult to find the time and energy to dive into my Shan Studies recently. Sadly though it may seem, my professional life and my pseudo-academic life have reached a crossroads that, I fear, may make or break one or the other. This was how I started 2011, sitting on the fence and wondering which way I might topple.

SOAS and CSEAS seminar series: 'Shan mystical formulae - dealing with risk and uncertainty' by Dr. Susan Conway (SOAS University of London)
In the end, I didn't topple, and it was largely down to a seminar that I was dying to go to, but missed. Yes, it is confusing, so let me explain. I have known of Dr. Susan Conway (or visit her private page here) since I began this blog and following a chance meeting in September 2006 during a previous CSEAS seminar entitled "Eating the horses" by Dr. Conway. That meeting helped fuel a long-term desire to research the Shan that I had placed on the back burner for too long. Once again, now nearly five years later and as my drive to investigate all things Shan was once again waning, Dr. Conway arrived again with a seminar that combined my current professional leanings with my curiosity with the Shan.

For the past five years, risk and uncertainty have been at the heart of what I do everyday. I investigate, analyse, mull over and make decisions related to risk and uncertainty on a global scale, interweaving a number of cultural (business, social, investor) spheres to do what I feel is best for my company and people. It often feels like a religious procedure - investigating the truth, deep mediation on the facts, 'soul searching' the choice and, in the end, a leap of faith - and, regardless of the outcome, there is always a deep seated lesson (for those who are aware enough) at the end. It tests you daily, but the feeling of accomplishment (or failure) is real and tangible and worthwhile.

I really wish I had attended Dr. Conway's seminar on 1 March at SOAS University of London. For what I can imagine, she has weaved an intricate, but accessible tale of Shan historical and religious elements to illustrate how the Shan may (or may not) deal with risk and uncertainty in their daily lives and in the 'grand scheme' of things. I hope to get in touch with her to receive a copy of the presentation (or just an overview) so that I might better construct any parallels or recognise any similarities between how they do things 'over there' and how things are attempted 'over here'. Expect a follow-up blog shortly.

For now, while I cannot provide any commentary on the presentation itself, it is worthwhile simply to recognise that driven and insightful people like Dr. Conway are constantly and consistently not only developing remarkably creative research, but continuing, through their scholarship, to encourage others to contemplate, investigate and comment on issues that might just pertain to us all. And, yes, she is good enough to encourage some of us more than once.

Mai soong Susan and jom lii kha everyone,

Naw Liang