How does one know oneself? What questions could arise in the mind that could lead to answers about one's self? Very often, the thoughts that arise in our minds tell us or urge us or in general direct us to feel or do something. Where do these thoughts come from? We run here and there seeking to escape the demons that chase us only to find that wherever we go, the same demons bedevil us.

How is one to find peace? Is peace to be found in oblivion? In the sweet stupor of drunkennes or drug-induced haze? What happens when that loses its power? Do we drink some more? Ingest some more mind-deleting substances? What do we want to escape? Is it feelings of guilt or inadequacy? Is it a lack of validation of our mundane, puny existence? Is this why we seek to live vicariously through our idols?

Has anything changed since man learned to communicate his thoughts through written or oral history? Are the questions that we face now the same questions of some ape-like ancestor whose brows creased in an effort to explain his feelings of a brilliant sunset? We write and read books and publish on the Internet. Is it to explain some wisdom to others, or to clarify to ourselves, the confusing issues that plague our waking hours?

Chings-world has no answers. Not even questions. It has pretty pictures of the Philippines.