Self- inquiry, June 25, 2023

Self-inquiry

Sunday, June 25, 2023

With Mukesh Gupta

At KECC Metchosin, BC

 

Five participants were present for this Sunday afternoon meeting at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada in Metchosin, BC. The gathering was facilitated by Mukesh Gupta, who is visiting for some time from India. We were able to sit on the front lawn with its lovely ocean view, oak trees, and bird songs.

Mukesh began the session with a short description of what a self-inquiry dialogue is and is not. It is not a debate or exchange of opinions. We are not much interested in thought and the intellect, but more in learning together about ourselves. This learning takes place in a space of deep listening from one’s whole being with a quiet mind. There is a staying with a question that may be posed by anyone, allowing the question to flower, as Krishnamurti used to say.

After brief self-introductions, the floor was opened to anyone who had a burning question. One group member shared that she often wondered about how we can be fully in the present moment when there is such a tendency to be distracted. This opened the discussion to a range of responses which revealed the thought patterns that are common for most of us. One of these was the fact that we do not fully know ourselves and are actually afraid to meet ourselves. We may not know why we do what we do, what our purpose is in life, and this unknown sometimes seems vast and meaningless. On the other hand it was pointed out, is there not a great harmony in life? Is questioning and exploring not worthwhile and interesting?

The inquiry turned to the fact that we often turn away from the sense of nothingness or emptiness in life and in ourselves. This creates a great deal of noise in our minds. Can there be another sense of ourselves beyond the noise of thought? Can we make a quantum leap into a space of peacefulness? It may begin with a noticing of the movements of thought and then a “staying with” this questioning observation. “What is the capacity to be simply and consistently aware?” it was asked. And can we keep asking such questions?

The ongoing inquiry produced a dissolution of the sense of separation between individuals, and the emerging of a feeling of “love” amongst group members. A sense of shared meaning was registered by all and a harmony was strongly agreed to be present. It was a delightful experience.