Meditative Self-Inquiry with Mukesh Gupta, October 10, 2021

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Meditative Self-Inquiry

With Mukesh Gupta

Sunday, October 10, 2021

Zoom online

 

Nine people showed up for this Sunday morning meeting with Mukesh, who logged in from Belgium. He had two questions he wished to explore with the participants. First was to ask ourselves if we are living a mediocre life and, secondly, “What is a creative living?” We began with a short silent sit which was then followed by an hour-long talk by Mukesh and a splitting into small “breakout” groups for a more intimate discussion of the issues being explored. The talk began with Mukesh openly wondering what creativity actually is. As human beings our creativity in any field seems to be limited, and what is our daily life like? Is there joy, peace, and beauty? Is creativity limited to its expression, and does it depend on being recognized? What actually is a creative state of mind?

Krishnamurti might begin by asking “What is not creativity?” Is it a mediocre life when we only go halfway in our engagement with life and we hold back our full potential? And what blocks us from the full depth of participation in our lives? Can we be free of patterns, traditions, and beliefs? Can we be free of judging or comparing ourselves and others. These patterns of thought create mediocrity, a living in the past. Are we identified with certain perspectives and aspects of our thinking that bring limitation and suffering? Is mediocrity accepting things as they are, without questioning or doubting our conclusions?

Mukesh pointed to K’s challenge that we relate authentically to whatever information comes before us. Can there be a seeing that all conflict is created by thought? Attempting to resolve conflict through thought is contradictory. Can there be, on the other hand, a quiet observation? Can we be present with others and with ourselves? This may be a creative act. Can I look without conclusions? There is then a quality of love and an openness to learning and unlearning. Going more deeply, the cause of mediocrity is fear, which comes from not knowing myself. I must explore the means of exploration, the tools and energies I use to get to the root of fear. This inquiry may be true creativity out of which comes compassionate presence and choiceless sharing of Being, without effort or achievement.

As the meeting turned to group discussion, the topics that had arisen were investigated more thoroughly, with greater participation from participants. It became more apparent that inquiry and “being with what is” is itself creative. We broke up into smaller groups for about forty-five minutes and then returned to the main group for concluding comments. It was suggested that creativity is starting afresh moment to moment and this seemed to carry meaning for everyone.