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Retired businessman ready to enjoy hobbies and interests

Even as the sign in front of his former business, ‘Congcar Services’, comes down Duncan Congcar is ready to move on
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Duncan Congcar meditates a half an hour to an hour daily in his meditation room in his Rimbey home. The former Rimbey teacher and businessman plans to travel to Bangkok next month with his wife Sripen. He will return to Rimbey in the spring.

Even as the sign in front of his former business, ‘Congcar Services’, comes down Duncan Congcar is ready to move on to the next chapter in his life.

Congcar, who comes from Thailand, has lived in Rimbey for more than 30 years, 25 of which he spent as the mechanics teacher at Rimbey Junior/Senior High School.

Last year he re-opened his business as Duncan Lube and Auto Detailing, but has now signed a three-year lease with OK TIRE giving them use of the building.

The decision to close his business was not an easy one for Congcar, but he believes, at age 75, it’s time to move on.

“It is just about the perfect time,” he said, “but I sure do miss it. I go to visit them (at OK TIRE) almost every day.”

Fortunately, Congcar, who loves working on vehicles and putting his mechanical expertise to use, also loves golfing. This year, due to the favorable fall weather, he has been out the links several times and has also had time to perfect his putting skills on a small putting green set up in his living room.

As well as golfing, the amiable gentleman, spends an half an hour to an hour daily meditating, the benefits of which are endless, he said.

When people meditate they are forced to stop thinking, talking and being active and are simply still.

This stillness invites calmness and allows the mind to become devoid of emotions such as anger and greed.

Congcar suggests people who want to meditate visualize a favorite object or a crystal ball, allowing the visualization to enter the centre of their being and expand.

“You have to relax yourself from the top of your head until the whole body is relaxed and peaceful,” he stressed.

As the meditation proceeds, the mind, like muddy water left to settle, becomes clearer and the light inside becomes brighter.

“You need to focus on the light and let it expand. You will begin to feel really good.”

Congcar said answers to questions which hover on the edge of consciousness will become clear when one allows the mind to enter the state of meditation.

Meditation helped him cope with the death of his first wife and brother in a tragic car accident in 1981, he said.

“How do you deal with tragedy?” he asked. “Meditation helped me. Focus on the light and the light will tell you what to do.”

As a young man living in rural Thailand, Congcar spent some time as a monk, living by strict rules such as not touching, or even speaking to a member of the opposite sex.

He also was instructed not kill any form of life including mosquitoes.

“It was a simple life,” he recalled. “We had 227 commandments to follow. We slept on the floor and dressed very simply.”

Congcar was a monk for only a short time, later marrying and coming to Canada after receiving a CIDA scholarship. He studied at the University of Alberta, later moving to Rimbey where he taught for many years.

Congcar found his teaching career to be fulfilling and rewarding.

“The best career is teaching,” he said, his face beaming with pleasure. “I love stubborn kids. My philosophy is that if you can take one bad kid and teach him to be a good citizen then it’s all worthwhile.”

Congcar plans to visit his son Congsin and his family in Bangkok this fall. He and his wife, Srpen will travel to that city on Nov. 3. They plan to return to Rimbey, April 20.

As well as visiting his son, Congcar hopes to travel to Burma and Cambodia and attend meditation sessions.