Self-inquiry, June 11, 2023

Self-inquiry with Mukesh Gupta

Sunday, June 11, 2023

KECC Metchosin

 

Five dialoguers joined together on a lovely sunny afternoon in Metchosin to inquire into our essential nature and the truth of who or what we actually are. The fine weather allowed us to sit on the lawn in front of the main house at 538 Swanwick Road. The meeting was facilitated by Mukesh Gupta, who is visiting from India for several months. After a period of silent sitting, Mukesh asked if there was any particular question or issue that anyone would like to explore. He then suggested that we ask some deep questions regarding the nature of order and disorder and specifically “What is wellness?” and “What is happiness?” This stimulated further questions about suffering and disorder. Is disorder the cause of suffering, and where does reactivity play a role in our unhappiness? Unconsciousness was offered as a cause of disorder, including the assumption of identity and the illusion of such thought-generated activity. Our beliefs in certain identities have the power to cloud our perceptions of ourselves and the world, limiting the freedom that is possible when attentive awareness observes the thinking process.

Krishnamurti used to say that the first step is the last step. We discussed the importance of beginning with listening and noticing when listening is not taking place. This listening creates more spaciousness in the mind, is a living and instant perception which reveals the “truth” of life as Being and Seeing and brings us into an ever greater sense of Presence. Listening to our own suffering brings learning and insight as the outcome of our actions and thoughts are seen. Therefore, it is important to keep asking ourselves, “What is listening?”

The engagement in a small group dialogue of this sort was deemed to be of great value in the exploration of ourselves and the integration of an ever-deepening understanding of our nature and our capacity to respond effectively to life on a daily basis.

 

DB