importing a outlook.pst file into thunderbird

trying to import my outlook.pst into thunderbird, but it seems my computer has to have outlook running on the computer to do this import.

I have the outlook.pst file, can't I just point thunderbird to that file somehow?

Use Thunderbird PST Import plugin :

Thunderbird PST Import plugin was created to allow importing Outlook PST and select which email folder to import. Thunderbird PST Import plugin is licensed under GPL (uses libpst).

Some more information is here : Import .pst files.
Unfortunately, some part of the described proceeding requires Outlook to be installed (you may even install an evaluation version and uninstall it afterward).