Self-inquiry, September 13, 2023

Self-inquiry

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

With James Wait

Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion

 

Six participants in total attended this late afternoon meeting at the lovely Gorge Park Pavilion in Victoria, BC. The meeting was sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada and was facilitated by James Waite. The event began spontaneously with group members introducing themselves and sharing how they understand who or what they are, which at least partly depended on their conditioning or what they have been told. It was clear that each participant has his or her own explanations of what life is about and how they identify themselves in the world. It was mentioned that Krishnamurti focused on bringing forward the quality of “intelligence” which arises when thought takes a back seat. He asked if there is a “fresh” and “new” way of living that is beyond thought.

Another participant asked if we could explore the question of “how” intelligence is awakened. Man, according to K, is caught in knowledge and thinking. What will change him or her? It was offered by a few that what is required is observation without trying to change what is observed. The movement of thought can be observed and we can thereby be free of the thoughts that are habitual for us and which create a kind of slavery.

It was commented that group members tended to hold forth with their sharings for long periods rather than asking for responses and questions about what is being said. Some wondered if we needed more questioning, and if it would be useful to explore the make-up of our own suffering. K put a lot of attention in his talks onto psychological suffering, one participant said, and the need to break the slavery that we ourselves have created. The perceiving of slavery, he said, is the breaking of it. As soon as we see the fact, we are out of it.

At one point the discussion seemed to become contentious. James then asked what we really want and there was some agreement that we want happiness. It was then suggested that we need total attention, which produced a shift towards more cooperation and peacefulness within the group – and a sense of “love”. The meeting ended on a “positive” note.

DB