The Journey of Self Transformation, April 23 – 25, 2021
The Journey of Self Transformation with Ravi Ravindra
April 23 – 25, 2021
Zoom online meetings
Ravi Ravindra has become a regular and popular presenter at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. This year’s attendance, similar to previous online presentations, was between twenty-eight and thirty people, including facilitators. Ravi ran the sessions online from India with help from Ralph in Victoria. Ravi opened with a short period of silence and then spoke of the importance of a quiet mind and the need to transform ourselves before we can have any realization of what we truly are. A self-inquiry is necessary, a discovery of the aspect of myself that is identical with the Source of life, Brahman, or Christ Consciousness. All the real teachers ask us to wake up from a mechanical way of living to living consciously. Can we realize our true nature as love and live from that truth? What action is required? Ravi suggested it is not enough to have a theory about it. We must study the “book of ourselves” and actually experience the spiritual dimension of ourselves. Self-study is necessary and a seeing of what holds us back, including the nature of our conditioning. There is no need to be against the self or ego, but we must find that which we more deeply are: the sacred element in ourselves. Ravi suggested we take time at home to ask if we see the two aspects of ourselves, their characteristics, and how much of our day we spend in each one. Over the three days (one and a half hours per day) he spoke of various aspects of our makeup and of the journey of self transformation.
In addition to exploring various phases of the spiritual journey, Ravi also spoke of some exercises which could bring greater awareness to our breathing and our sense of being. We can spend time sitting quietly. We can investigate whether or not we have created ourselves and are in charge of our breathing as well as the operation of our bodies. Our bodily sensations are an important aspect of our self-knowing and learning. We can ask what are the biggest “demons’ in us and what are the highest gods. How much are we attached to our usual ways of doing things, to the status quo, and to the body? We should be “searchers” and not “believers”. It is necessary for us to actually practice our self-inquiry. Krishnamurti is held up as an example of someone who kept asking questions. In fact, we eventually become a question rather than “having” questions.
Ravi’s three talks were a rich sharing of his wisdom and understanding gained from many years of self-study. He also allowed time in each session for questions or comments from the participants. Some of the questions and further sharings by Ravi touched on the following:
– Awareness and love
– Being with “what is”
– Expecting particular results from our practice
– In some phases the work seems to get more difficult
– How can we move through different levels of the work?
– Why have organized religions deviated so much from the original teachings?
– How can I stay in touch with my real purpose in life?
– How can I give up desire and attachment?
– How can I get beyond the need to be wanted?
– Can I see the sacred in my own heart?
– Does everything have consciousness in it?
– The stage of “disillusionment” with the journey.
– The shift from focusing on the destination to the appreciation of the journey itself
– The indescribable nature of what is found. Even the Buddha could not describe Nirvana
– The shift from effort to grace, receptivity, and the “feminine”.
– The process of negation or “neti, neti”
– Finding the right balance and place of all apparent opposites or dualities
– Mysteries cannot be solved but may be dissolved and celebrated. A mystery may act on one’s life even though not solved.
– Is there anything that comes through me but is not my doing?
– Karma and “luck”
– Space for our “ordinary self”
– Prayer and the attitude of “submission to truth”.
– How to benefit from the “good” and “evil” in us
– Dealing with challenging situations by making room for that which is beyond the “me”.
– The uniqueness of each one of us
These questions and more were dealt with skillfully by Ravi and provoked interesting discussion amongst the group. A central theme raised by Ravi was the idea of the “wishing tree”. If we are clear about what we want and our intentions then the Universe will support us in those intentions. We can observe the truth of this in our own lives.
We very much enjoyed having Ravi with us again and look forward to further visits, virtually or in person.
