Self-inquiry, July 30, 2023

Self-inquiry

Sunday, July 30, 2023

With Mukesh Gupta

At KECC, Swanwick Rd., Metchosin, BC

 

Ten people in total were present for this Sunday afternoon meeting at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada in Metchosin, BC. Mukesh Gupta, the resident support person, facilitated the session in his usual skillful manner. He began with a silent meditation, then shared some of the basic principles and characteristics of the dialogue format as opposed to an intellectual discussion of concepts and beliefs. There was then a space for participants to bring forward any important question that was on their mind. The first one to share asked about the nature of understanding, which initiated a series of observations on the subject of knowing. How do we know anything? Is normal understanding not a limited conclusion about something, a judgement of good or bad, right vs. wrong, and so on. It is often an assertion of the self and therefore an expression of a kind of arrogance rather than of humility. It was asked if words are always limited. Can anything actually be said about truth or understanding? Are words anything more than pointers and symbols? It was suggested that a certain kind of recognition can accurately represent what is true or false. Is this connected with a curiosity and desire to learn?

Sometimes it is said in “Non-dual” circles that there is only awareness, but this was questioned. Is this a reality for us or just a concept? Can we go beyond hurt and pain? Is there knowing without a knower? Can we give up or surrender the self? What is involved in “letting go”? What does “allowing things to be as they are” actually mean? Can love and hate co-exist? These were some of the questions arising within the dialogue.

Krishnamurti’s style of questioning and discussing was looked at. Was he given the status of an authority or a guru and would that be helpful in our inquiries? One participant commented that K asked if we were really seeing what he was pointing to or did people mainly just accept what he said as the truth?

It was a very interesting session made even more enjoyable due to the sunny weather and the lovely outdoor setting in front of the main house.

 

DB