Self-inquiry, October 18, 2023

Self-inquiry

October 18, 2023

With KECC staff

Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion

 

Eight people attended this meeting at the fairly new Gorge Park pavilion in Victoria, BC. James Waite, who was scheduled to facilitate the event, was not able to do so and was replaced by Ralph and David representing the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. The meeting began with short self-introductions by those present and then a question wondering if any of the attendees had a subject related to self-inquiry or the teachings of J. Krishnamurti on that activity which they would like to explore within the context of the group format.

One person spoke directly to her interest in the question “What is self-inquiry?” and a few others responded with their perspectives on the nature of the “practice” or activity. The responses focused mainly on the significance of observing one’s thoughts and feelings as they manifest in relation to one’s interactions with the world and with other individuals. We looked carefully for some time at the sensations and reactions of our physical body, noticing that our bodies react in subtle and complex ways as we go about our daily lives. Our minds are also very complex and display multiple expressions of a “self” or personality. This “I” concept is very much involved in creating conflict in our relationships and observing its movements is necessary if we wish to attain any freedom from conflict and suffering. Insight into the workings of our body-mind is crucial in this practice of self-inquiry. We can learn to be more sensitive to the various layers of the self as we observe.

It was an interesting exploration of some fundamental aspects of Krishnamurti’s vision of life and the potential of the human being.

DB