“A New Mind” with Mukesh Gupta January 28 – 30, 2022

“A New Mind”

Three day online workshop with Mukesh Gupta

January 28 – 30, 2022

Mukesh joined us from Varanasi, India, for this three-session workshop which he introduced as “a meditative and transformative self-inquiry workshop.” The title of the event, “A New Mind”, was appropriate as we begin a new year. Each session was 1 ½ hours in length and, as usual, focused on questions and understandings inspired by the teachings of J. Krishnamurti and by the individual explorations of the presenter, Mukesh, and the participants in the event. The workshop was attended by twelve participants.

Mukesh began, after a short silent meditation, by asking what is the need for a “new mind”. This led to the question “Are we living with a sense of order, love, and beauty? In fact, the way we are living displays a lack of such qualities and the presence of self-centredness and violence, which indicates that our lives need a thorough exploration. We must first understand the limitations of the old mind which is conditioned, is a result of influences, lives in set patterns, and lives in the past, in memories, residues, and stories. It is dominated by the thinking process and the creation of images, is primarily concerned with pleasure and security, is attached to answers and prefers to remain in the comfort zone of the known. It is not a free mind.

Mukesh reminded us that we are looking at the structures of the old mind without any judgement or condemnation, as if studying the behaviour of our own child. The challenge is to become awake to the suffering of this old mind, with its constant generation of problems. It has too much reliance on knowledge, which binds us, lives with conclusions and beliefs, and is authority-bound, habitually repeating old ideas. Other qualities of the “old mind” are that it is self-centred, living in fear, reacting to life, inattentive, and not a loving mind. Paradoxically, without rejecting or attempting to get rid of it, this “mind” must be understood for freedom to dawn and for the qualities of the “new mind” to come forth.

The essence of the new mind is listening in openness, from a quiet space, without resistance or a motive. It listens from the heart, with the whole being, and breaks down the old patterns of thinking. The moment we start looking and listening there is immediate freedom and then staying with whatever is happening is itself the deep exploration. There is no effort or struggle necessary. After some group discussion, Mukesh asked participants to read over and contemplate some material (being emailed to us) on the topic being investigated and to consider experientially what might be the deepest pattern of the old mind functioning in themselves.

In the second session Mukesh right away emphasised that the looking and listening happen in this present moment. The “new mind” is immediately available. Is there really any block to this seeing, with its love and compassion? With this observing, there is an emptying of the egoic mind, a putting aside of the intellect, and an opening to the energies of the universe and the beauty of life.

After his initial talk, Mukesh suggested we break into smaller groups and inquire in a possibly more intimate setting. We could, if we wished, explore what is preventing the flowering of the new mind. Can we reveal the blocks? If we do, the transformation happens on its own. The breakout groups were allotted twenty-five minutes to discuss and inquire; the reports afterwards indicated an enjoyment of the process. Pretty much the same format was followed on the third day with some new questions being introduced. In the breakout groups participants could focus on a question that had particular relevance for them or could explore the nature of Presence and Awareness. Again this exercise was found to be enjoyable and valuable. We returned to the main group for a final sharing of what was significant for us over the weekend, which involved some expression of appreciation for the experience. Mukesh’s guidance was, as always, skillful and kind, providing a space for productive inquiry and insight. We are grateful for his work and dedication.