Self-Inquiry Meeting
On-site Dialogue with Henry Fischer
April 9, 2025
The KECC Krishnamurti dialogue was held at Goward House in Victoria on Wednesday at 4:30-6pm. The dialogue contained four participants. A brief discussion was held about how dialogue related to Krishnamurti’s teachings may be different from other forms of group dialogue. There was an invitation to consider dialogue not about exchanging opinions or seeking conclusions, but rather an exploration directly into truth without the interference of authority. The group seemed to acknowledge this and agree to experimentation with this suggestion.
One of the participants introduced the following excerpt from The Book of Life (J. Krishnamurti) July 26:
Follow the movement of suffering
What is suffering?…What does it mean? What is it that is suffering? Not why there is suffering, not what is the cause of suffering, but what is actually happening? I do not know if you see the difference. Then I am simply aware of suffering, not as apart from me, not as an observer watching suffering—it is part of me, that is, the whole of me is suffering. Then I am able to follow its movement, see where it leads. Surely if I do that, it opens up, does it not? Then I see that I have laid emphasis on the “me”—not on the person whom I love. He only acted to cover me from my misery, from my loneliness, from my misfortune. As I am not something, I hoped he would be that. That has gone; I am left, I am lost, I am lonely. Without him, I am nothing. So I cry. It is not that he is gone but that I am left. I am alone. …There are innumerable people to help me to escape—thousands of so-called religious people, with their beliefs and dogmas, hopes and fantasies—“It is karma, it is God’s will”—you know, all giving me a way out. But if I can stay with it and not put it away from me, not try to circumscribe or deny it, then what happens? What is the state of my mind when it is thus following the movement of suffering?
The group explored the meaning of a direct observation of suffering. There was a suggestion that a personal event we are going through could be a doorway into considering this question actually (rather than simply intellectually). Personal stories were shared and the group immediately looked into the more immediate reality of suffering at this point and the relationship between suffering, images, thinking and the sense of “me”. It was suggested that one could remain with the feeling and this was further questioned to consider if there is a difference between “me” looking at a feeling and a kind of looking that also questions the looking itself.
An excerpt from The Book of Life (J. Krishnamurti) July 27 was brought into the dialogue:
Spontaneous Comprehension
We never say, “Let me see what that thing is that suffers.” You cannot see by enforcement, by discipline. You must look with interest, with spontaneous comprehension. Then you will see that the thing we call suffering, pain, the thing that we avoid, and the discipline, have all gone. As long as I have no relationship to the thing as outside me, the problem is not; the moment I establish a relationship with it outside me, the problem is. As long as I treat suffering as something outside—I suffer because I lost my brother, because I have no money, because of this or that—I establish a relationship to it and that relationship is fictitious. But if I am that thing, if I see the fact, then the whole thing is transformed, it all has a different meaning. Then there is full attention, integrated attention and that which is completely regarded is understood and dissolved, and so there is no fear and therefore the word sorrow is non-existent.
The group initially marvelled at how well the two excerpts fit together. Dialogue ensued once again into the nature of suffering questioning that when suffering is not treated as something separate from the “me” what happens then?
It wasn’t clear to the group if this was my suffering or suffering itself or if the suffering was still being projected “outside” me in some way. One participant suggested that suffering and human sorrow may be different. The group considered this but seemed to remain looking at this felt sense of suffering— what I don’t like and want to get away from. There was some questions about “who” or “what” observing this.
The dialogue ended with a quiet acknowledgment of the depth of the inquiry, and the realization that the essence of the dialogue was not in answers, but in the act of looking together and perhaps questioning the looking itself. The group discussed the opportunity to go on personal or group study retreats at the KECC located in Swanwick.
Henry Fischer
Self-Inquiry with Henry Fischer, April 16, 2025
/in Event Summaries /by Drew MarshallSelf-Inquiry Meeting
On-site Dialogue with Henry Fischer
April 16, 2025
On Wednesday nine participants gathered for a KECC sponsored dialogue at the Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion in Victoria.
After a period of silence, it was suggested that dialogue might be a journey in the unknown as a field of shared listening instead of a conversation between separate identities governed by what we already know. The group listened to this comment. From this the group explored interest and passion questioning whether interests were particular and whether passion might be something different. Perhaps some kind of energy that doesn’t have an object.
The following Krishnamurti quote was read from the Book of Life (April 27):
The group explored passion as energy and looked for what might limit this passion. Was the self ( what “I know” about “myself”) a kind of lack of energy and enthusiasm for life.
The following excerpt from the Book of Life was read to continue exploration of this topic (April 28):
The group explored what kind of action Krishnamurti was getting at here. What does it mean to do nothing about a reaction? What is faced by not going along with the current of what the brain says is the right image to produce to manage a situation.
Could passion be something beyond our comprehension?
At the end of the dialogue it was suggested that perhaps this was all in the field of self-consciousness or limitation and was it possible for the group to explore love or presence or something which was not this limited offering from thought? Could this be another trap of thought? It was suggested that the group might consider this next time.
Henry Fischer
Self-Inquiry with Henry Fischer, April 13, 2025
/in Event Summaries /by Drew MarshallSelf-Inquiry Meeting
On-site Dialogue with Henry Fischer
April 13, 2025
After a brief period of silence the following Krishnamurti extract from the Book Of Life (June 6) entry was read aloud. Ten participants were present at this dialogue into the truth of our existence:
The facilitator discussed the importance of exploring together not merely as an intellectual exercise but to uncover what is operating in human consciousness as we explore any topics we bring forward.
The group looked at contradictions in thought itself and it was suggested that we do not see the contraction perhaps because we are already existing as the contraction. From this the group mainly focused on sense-making and how there appears to be a kind of organization or analysis of what is happening as a kind of thought-projection. Might we experiment to see if it is possible to simply be with being rather than relating in this fragmented way? Other themes like psychological security, trust, resistance to dissolving a sense of self were touched on throughout the dialogue.
Is the appearance of sense-making itself an indication we have lost connection with energy in its highest form. Is it so? Do we see the limitation of thought? Is it almost like thought traces an outline of what we think we are but do we see that this outline doesn’t include the whole of life? There was a sense of looking for something permanent and yet a realization (at least at the intellectual level) that there seems to be nothing permanent in the movement of life.
Henry Fischer
Self-Inquiry with Henry Fischer, April 9, 2025
/in Event Summaries /by Drew MarshallSelf-Inquiry Meeting
On-site Dialogue with Henry Fischer
April 9, 2025
The KECC Krishnamurti dialogue was held at Goward House in Victoria on Wednesday at 4:30-6pm. The dialogue contained four participants. A brief discussion was held about how dialogue related to Krishnamurti’s teachings may be different from other forms of group dialogue. There was an invitation to consider dialogue not about exchanging opinions or seeking conclusions, but rather an exploration directly into truth without the interference of authority. The group seemed to acknowledge this and agree to experimentation with this suggestion.
One of the participants introduced the following excerpt from The Book of Life (J. Krishnamurti) July 26:
The group explored the meaning of a direct observation of suffering. There was a suggestion that a personal event we are going through could be a doorway into considering this question actually (rather than simply intellectually). Personal stories were shared and the group immediately looked into the more immediate reality of suffering at this point and the relationship between suffering, images, thinking and the sense of “me”. It was suggested that one could remain with the feeling and this was further questioned to consider if there is a difference between “me” looking at a feeling and a kind of looking that also questions the looking itself.
An excerpt from The Book of Life (J. Krishnamurti) July 27 was brought into the dialogue:
The group initially marvelled at how well the two excerpts fit together. Dialogue ensued once again into the nature of suffering questioning that when suffering is not treated as something separate from the “me” what happens then?
It wasn’t clear to the group if this was my suffering or suffering itself or if the suffering was still being projected “outside” me in some way. One participant suggested that suffering and human sorrow may be different. The group considered this but seemed to remain looking at this felt sense of suffering— what I don’t like and want to get away from. There was some questions about “who” or “what” observing this.
The dialogue ended with a quiet acknowledgment of the depth of the inquiry, and the realization that the essence of the dialogue was not in answers, but in the act of looking together and perhaps questioning the looking itself. The group discussed the opportunity to go on personal or group study retreats at the KECC located in Swanwick.
Henry Fischer
Self-Inquiry with Henry Fischer, April 6, 2025
/in Event Summaries /by Drew MarshallSelf-Inquiry Meeting
On-site Dialogue with Henry Fischer
April 6, 2025
Ralph Tiller began by inviting all dialogue attendees to the 2025 KECC events and personal study stays at Swanwick and in Victoria and communicated that dialogue is an exploration in self-inquiry. He introduced Henry Fischer as April’s support person and dialogue facilitator. Nine people were present at the dialogue.
Henry began with an invitation to consider that we are coming together as human consciousness and that we might be tentative about what we know. He welcomed all attendees to be facilitators and explore topics together potentially as one human consciousness exposing itself as it is. After a period of quiet the following reading from The Book of Life (excerpts from J. Krishnamurti) was offered:
The group began by considering both the reading and the invitation that we explore as one human consciousness. There was some pointing out that delight might be a better word than desire for the direct experience of sensory desire and also some looking at what was meant by the word consciousness. Did it refer to some experiences and not others? Is it increased by attention, meaning is there a distinction between the conscious and unconscious? Was it divided in some way that wasn’t the activity of thought? There was also discussion about awareness and interest in the reactions of everyday life.
The group finally moved into considering the movement of wanting itself (without an object) and desire (with an object). There was some sensing that wanting itself was an undesirable state but did it reveal something that is normally covered over by the activity of seeking an object of desire?
Henry Fischer
Learning Together with Jackie McInley, March 26-30, 2025
/in Event Summaries /by Drew MarshallLearning Together
Online 5- day workshop with Jackie McInley
March 26-30, 2025
The overall theme of our workshop was learning together and our first question was: “What are we here to learn?” Being in the present moment was felt to be the place where real learning begins. Our dialogue then delved into the question: “ But what is the present moment?”. Does the mind mistake the past as the present? What we call the present, is actually a reality formed and informed by past experience and prerecorded thought.
Throughout the week we explored several topics including perception, identified thought, and the nature of inquiry itself. An interesting dichotomy emerged when we were wondering together, whether inquiry and awareness could exist simultaneously. Doesn’t awareness need complete stillness and silence, not a conscious process of investigation?
Our workshop ended with our whole impression of existence embodied as the “me”. We explored how we see ourselves as the thinker who thinks: we wondered if it was in fact thought that was “thinking up” the sense of me? As our workshop came to a close, there was a feeling of affection and sharing between us, and that perhaps some real learning had indeed taken place.
Jackie McInley
open-door-worldwide.com
Exploring Ourselves with Jackie McInley, March 15, 2025
/in Event Summaries /by Drew MarshallExploring Ourselves
Online dialogue with Jackie McInley
March 15, 2025
Todays dialogue began with the world dialogue itself and its etymology. The meaning of the word comes from dia: through and logos: word or meaning. Through the word: a flow of meaning or connection through words. Participants exchanged on how dialogue is a forum where one becomes aware of what is. The drives behind our behaviour can also be exposed in dialogue. We also asked what role dialogue indeed can play in life?
Our questioning expanded into wondering whether dialogue is a practice? Should it be repeated frequently to deepen the investigation into human consciousness and conditioning? Practice, some said, implied a path with a predetermined end point; practice can also become a means to overcome problems and help self improvement.
Can we practice real life? Can we be ok without having a practice to support us? In fact can we live life with no dependancy at all?
Jackie McInley
open-door-worldwide.com
What is the Nature of Enlightened Being with JC Tefft, March 16, 2025
/in Event Summaries /by Drew MarshallPart of a six-day series led by JC Tefft entitled “Investigating Truth.”
Sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada
Day Five: March 16, 2025
8 Attendees Present
Using Krishnamurti’s teachings as a guide, we asked and investigated the question: ‘What is the Nature of Enlightened Being?
Referencing Krishnamurti’s teachings throughout, JC shared testimony and insight into the nature of Enlightened Being. JC shared his personal experience in this way. Attendees were encouraged to share insights of their own as well.
Primary references for Krishnamurti quotations came from: ‘The Book of Life’ – ‘Krishnamurti’s Journal’ – ‘Probing the Mystery: J. Krishnamurti’s Process’ – Scott Kiloby, ‘Reflections of the One Life’ – and ‘Krishnamurti to Himself: His Last Journal.’
JC Tefft
jctefft.com
Exploring Ourselves with Jackie McInley, March 1, 2025
/in Event Summaries /by Drew MarshallExploring Ourselves
Online dialogue with Jackie McInley
March 1, 2025
We began this session with a question about feeling right or wrong. What does it mean to be right, or to have a sense of being right or good? Is being right a fact, or is it a psychological standard that I must adhere to? Does this standard come with a certain weight or pressure to be right? Is my energy very invested in being right and what is being avoided during this psychological investment?
Does the need to be right create conflict? The more acute the conflict, the less space there is for neutrality and objective fact. The expectation to be right generates a need to hold opinions, which in turn guarantees a position of psychological self righteousness. These opinions seem to turn the neutrality of direct perception into the bias of a particular perspective. Belief overrides actuality: bias justifies lack of restraint and often violates goodness itself. The mind is following ideas rather than seeing clearly. The self identifies itself with what it sees is right and good: when there is an attachment created to being right – attention is fragmented.
Has the self confused right and wrong, preferring to see justice through distorting masks, rather than from an innocent awareness of what is?
Jackie McInley
open-door-worldwide.com
What is the Nature of True Freedom with JC Tefft, March 2, 2025
/in Event Summaries /by Drew MarshallPart of a six-day series led by JC Tefft entitled “Investigating Truth.”
Sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada
Day Five: March 2, 2025
9 Attendees Present
Using Krishnamurti’s teachings as a guide, we asked and investigated the question: ‘What is True Freedom?
Referencing Krishnamurti’s teachings throughout, JC shared testimony and insight into the nature of freedom from attachment to the content of Mind. Attendees were encouraged to share insights of their own as well.
Primary references for Krishnamurti quotations came from: ‘The Book of Life’ – ‘Krishnamurti’s Journal’ – and ‘Krishnamurti to Himself: His Last Journal.’
JC Tefft
jctefft.com
Loving What Is with Kathryn Jefferies, Feb 21-23, 2025
/in Event Summaries /by Drew MarshallLoving What Is
Online Workshop with Kathryn Jefferies
February 21-23, 2025
The intention of this workshop was to give participants direct experience of the non-conceptual mind through the process of self-inquiry, specifically The Work of Byron Katie. Kathryn framed the content with Krishnamurti’s directive to look deeply at why people behave as they do, and notice the tendency of the mind to instead assess the world. Kathryn invited the participants to become acquainted with “the one mind” by seeing for themselves the justifications the mind uses for its activities and the effects of judging (i.e. drawing conclusions about) the world.
Kathryn asked the participants to consider the possibility that their resistance to life isn’t needed, that life’s apparently negative occurrences are happening in support of their awakening to reality, in service of their freedom.
We looked at how resistance is necessary to avoid completely accepting how things are, and how this very resistance creates the illusion of the separate self by creating boundaries of identity. In inquiry, people could experience for themselves the effects of resistance on the physical self as well as the emotional-mental self.
Participants generated personal lists of what they believed was going wrong in their worlds and they were guided to notice if these were statements of fact or rather just interpretations, and therefore if they could open to the possibility that their initial perceptions could be just images generated by the mind — i.e. pure imagination — and that through thought they could never perceive accurately.
From there, working with a single thought, Kathryn invited participants to notice who they are without it, thereby removing the obstacle to experiencing themselves as pure awareness.
Kathryn Jefferies
inquirywithkath.com