Choiceless Awareness Part 3:
The Necessity of Attention, Energy, and Relaxation
With Cynthia Overweg
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Zoom online
This was the third in a series of four presentations on the subject of choiceless awareness. There were a total of sixteen people present, including staff. Cynthia was online from Ojai, California. She began by pointing out that “choiceless awareness” was at the centre of all that Krishnamurti talked about, the central thread of many threads in the teachings. As for relaxation, K never spoke of it directly but, for Cynthia, it is very central and helpful in “practising” what K is pointing us to. She feels it is important to take regular relaxation breaks in one’s life and while considering deeply what Krishnamurti is sharing with us.
Relaxation, energy, and attention are aspects of awareness, awareness of the body, of the breathing, the emotions, and of what is going on around us. Awareness of tension brings relaxation, compassion, and understanding. The individual, according to K, needs abundant energy rightly directed. How does this come about? We need to see how we waste energy by resistance and conflict. When there is no movement, energy is at its height. Silence is a potent energy, quiet like the womb. Wordless observation is energy and non-observation is a wastage of energy, as is anything that divides. Pure energy cannot be sought after but it brings awareness of something sacred. It is attention that allows silence to come upon the mind, opening the “door of creation”. When there is attention all sorrow disappears, K has said.
Cynthia went in greater detail into the topics of attention, energy, and silence then offered a space for questions and comments from the participants. There were questions about belief and the importance of questioning and noticing our beliefs and assumptions, which disarms them. The tendency to give authority to the mind was discussed and the possibility of “getting out of the way” was spoken about by one group member. There was a good amount of exploration on the part of some and more silence on the part of others. Thanks and appreciation were expressed as the session was brought to an end.
Self-inquiry, June 11, 2023
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry with Mukesh Gupta
Sunday, June 11, 2023
KECC Metchosin
Five dialoguers joined together on a lovely sunny afternoon in Metchosin to inquire into our essential nature and the truth of who or what we actually are. The fine weather allowed us to sit on the lawn in front of the main house at 538 Swanwick Road. The meeting was facilitated by Mukesh Gupta, who is visiting from India for several months. After a period of silent sitting, Mukesh asked if there was any particular question or issue that anyone would like to explore. He then suggested that we ask some deep questions regarding the nature of order and disorder and specifically “What is wellness?” and “What is happiness?” This stimulated further questions about suffering and disorder. Is disorder the cause of suffering, and where does reactivity play a role in our unhappiness? Unconsciousness was offered as a cause of disorder, including the assumption of identity and the illusion of such thought-generated activity. Our beliefs in certain identities have the power to cloud our perceptions of ourselves and the world, limiting the freedom that is possible when attentive awareness observes the thinking process.
Krishnamurti used to say that the first step is the last step. We discussed the importance of beginning with listening and noticing when listening is not taking place. This listening creates more spaciousness in the mind, is a living and instant perception which reveals the “truth” of life as Being and Seeing and brings us into an ever greater sense of Presence. Listening to our own suffering brings learning and insight as the outcome of our actions and thoughts are seen. Therefore, it is important to keep asking ourselves, “What is listening?”
The engagement in a small group dialogue of this sort was deemed to be of great value in the exploration of ourselves and the integration of an ever-deepening understanding of our nature and our capacity to respond effectively to life on a daily basis.
DB
Self-inquiry, Wednesday, June 7, 2023
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry
June 7, 2023
With Mukesh Gupta
Esquimalt Gorge Pavilion
Six of us in total were present for this meeting at the lovely Gorge Park Pavilion. Mukesh Gupta from India was with us as a facilitator and support person. He asked participants to share what their interest was in such a meeting, which inspired interesting short stories of individual’s journeys through the realms of Advaita Vedanta, Vipassana, the formless, the opening to “emptiness”, and the experience of “just being”. A final question was asked to end the introductions: “Can we be meeting life freshly day by day, moment by moment?”
Mukesh mentioned that such explorations share a common “ground” in that the intellect can be useful but we can go deeper than knowledge and thought. We can invite a sense of love and affection. Self-inquiry can be an experience of deep meaning in the silence from which we listen and speak. We can slow down and connect with this living moment.
One dialoguer asked what it means to “be with” or “stay with” something and it was suggested that slowing down may be very helpful. This allows us to relate to “others”.
Mukesh guided us in an exploration of the source of thought, which was found to reside in memory and imprints of memories, both of which can be useful or not. It is important to discern what about thought is true or false. Mukesh suggested that “seeing” is most important and that seeing anything clearly brings liberation.
It was an interesting meeting with some new friends in attendance.
Self-inquiry, June 4, 2023
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry
Sunday, June 4, 2023
With Mukesh Gupta
At KECC Metchosin
This was the first meeting this year facilitated by Mukesh Gupta, newly arrived from India for a planned stay of three months at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada In Metchosin, BC, a half-hour drive from Victoria. There were eight people in total present for the dialogue gathering which began with each person giving a short introduction of themselves and their interest in Krishnamurti and his teachings. There was a short disagreement between one of the group and Mukesh which created some disturbance, but most of the participants soon settled down and began to enjoy the group inquiry. We were able to sit on the front lawn where we had sunshine or shade, as we chose, and a minimum of wind.
The talk soon turned to the sharing of some painful recent experiences of separation from a wife as well as memories of relationships that had produced some intense sorrow or suffering. There seemed to be a need on the part of a number of the participants to share their pain with the others and to feel supported by them. Out of this sharing there developed a sense of compassion and acceptance which at times spontaneously turned into a meditative silence of the whole group for extended periods. Between the times of silence we spoke of the challenging reality of losing something or someone we love and of the meaning of friendship and connection with other humans. We looked at the process of becoming attached to another and of having that attachment broken. Krishnamurti’s ideas about love and attachment were brought into the circle and explored. His teachings about observing ourselves throughout the flow of our daily lives were considered with care. The individuals present appeared to find the inquiry of value and to be an activity that would attract them in the future. After a period of about two hours the meeting was brought to an end with a summary by Mukesh. We look forward to further such gatherings.
DB
Self-inquiry, May 28, 2023
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry
May 28, 2023
With Harshad Parekh
KECC Metchosin
Six people in total were present for Harshad’s last dialogue meeting at the Swanwick Road location of the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. He is returning to India on May 29. It was a lovely sunny day, allowing us to sit out on the lawn in front of the main house, with its spectacular view of the ocean and the snow-capped Olympic Mountains in Washington. We decided to read some excerpts from a Krishnamurti book, Think on These Things, to be followed by discussion of the content. Before reading, Harshad gave a short but precise introduction to what K says about thinking. In various ways, he points out that thinking continuously creates problems and, in fact, Is the problem. Is it possible to see this clearly and to be free of thinking? Is there something we can call awareness that is beyond thinking and can observe the movements of thought and feeling. Is such observation freedom? This question seems to be at the core of K’s teachings.
The chapter looks at the issue of working together or “cooperating” in order to ensure our physical survival as well as our psychological security and well-being. This requires an understanding of how our minds work when they create difficulties and conflicts in our relationships. One of the issues is that almost all our behaviour is motivated by reward and punishment and the attempt to assert and build up our sense of self. This can produce an experience of separateness, but when this is seen the separateness may dissolve and an energy of cooperation may arise to sustain our enjoyment of supporting each other. At the same time we may understand when not to cooperate, for example when an idea looks promising but includes elements that will produce conflict and disharmony. The plan may be corrupted by selfish motives.
The book is addressed to young students, and it deals with the challenge of learning how to work and play effectively and happily. It seemed like a subject of real importance and one worthy of deep inquiry in our lives. We felt grateful for Harshad’s guidance over the past month and wished him a good trip home.
Self-inquiry, May 24, 2023
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
With Harshad Parekh
Esquimalt Gorge Pavilion, Victoria, BC
Five people in total attended this afternoon meeting at the lovely location of the Pavilion in Esquimalt Gorge Park. The session was facilitated by our current visitor from India, Harshad Parekh and was sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada.
Harshad began with some ideas about perception and awareness which together awaken us to the beauty around us and within us. Attachment to words and concepts interfere with clear perception and fill our inner space with thoughts and feelings that clutter our experience. Self-observation and “meditation” can produce a clear seeing, as when the Buddha saw the morning star with its great beauty and significance. Noticing our reactions while in daily life as well as in contemplative activities like group dialogue can clear our consciousness of its content and reveal the beauty of inner space. The mind’s tendency to create images prevents a greater depth of seeing and inquiry.
The conversation turned to the value of learning moment to moment as we observe the movements of our minds and hearts. We explored the meaning of education for children and the need for the deep support of unconditional love, which Krishnamurti judged to be absolutely essential in growing up as a psychologically and emotionally healthy being. This requires a great sensitivity on the part of the parents and teachers of the children. The difference between acquiring knowledge and developing a sensitive awareness was looked into as a part of this interesting and enjoyable dialogue.
DB
Self-inquiry, May 21, 2023
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry,
Sunday, May 21, 2023
With Harshad Parekh
At KECC
Five people attended this meeting at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada in Metchosin, BC. It was a sunny but very windy day, so we decided to hold the gathering inside rather than out on the lawn. Harshad was present once again to guide us through an inquiry into the challenge of living with compassion and awareness when dealing with others and with ourselves. He began by asking if there was a burning question that someone would like to explore in some depth and one of the participants was eager to present such a problem. It was an issue of being triggered by behaviour on the part of others that felt dismissive or critical and wanting to find an effective way or a formula for being with her reactions in a more peaceful manner. The question led to an extended inquiry into being aware of the activities of one’s mind in a way that could dissolve conflict. There was a good deal of talk about self-observation as the main “solution” to any such problem as well as remarking on the difficulties that can arise when one looks directly at the self and its habits. It was mentioned that “the self” tends to have a deep attachment to its own survival and continuity, thus provoking fear when its behaviour is closely examined. There were a number of interesting insights shared in this area and, although there was some sense of argument at times, we were left with a feeling of having considered some significant issues in a cooperative manner.
DB
Self-inquiry, May 17, 2023
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry in Victoria
With Harshad Parekh
May 17, 2023
Esquimalt Gorge Pavilion
Six people in total were present for this Wednesday meeting at the beautiful Esquimalt Gorge Pavilion on Tillicum Road. The session lasted from 4 pm to 5:30. It is sometimes difficult to describe what goes on in a dialogue meeting if one is paying attention to the interactions and how one is responding to those interactions and not so much to the content being discussed. The form of the conversation can often seem to dissolve into more of a formless and indescribable happening than something that can be easily described. Some of the dialogue was focused on the very occurrence of a melting away of shape and form in favour of an experience of Beingness which is made more of a “consciousness” which has no form than it is anything concrete. The awareness of such a subtle reality was perhaps more interesting for most than anything more solid. In fact, as I write this report it seems to reflect something even less solid than what can be described with our normal language and I hope it is not too confusing or difficult to grasp hold of. Some of the participants were interested in the kind of inquiry that Krishnamurti says can involve no effort and consideration of such a phenomenon attracted our attention for some time. It was also acknowledged that inquiry may have to begin with an intellectual understanding which can become more subtle and refined as one observes the workings of one’s own thoughts and feelings. Harshad emphasised that the most significant observation is that which looks from a place that is beyond the mind (or thoughts and feelings). Other participants expressed the same idea by giving importance to the concept of Being over the directing of energy in any particular manner. These participants tended more towards quietness than towards verbal expression.
DB
Self-inquiry, May 14, 2023
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry
With Harshad Parekh
Sunday, May 14, 2023
Krishnamurti Centre in Metchosin
Lovely sunny weather supported us in sitting on the front lawn at the Krishnamurti Centre of Canada in Metchosin, BC. Six people in total enjoyed the beautiful views of the ocean and the mountains along with shrill bird songs and colourful flowers growing on the property. Perhaps the fact that it was Mother’s Day may have taken people to other locations.
Harshad asked if participants had any pressing questions they would like to discuss and one woman shared that she had been studying Buddhism for some years and would welcome some discussion of the similarities and differences between what the Buddha and Krishnamurti taught. It was shared that K said at one point that the teachings closest to his own were those of the Buddha. This opened the door to some detailed discussion of the consistencies between the two and the points of diversion. The conversation flowed in an interesting way and eventually included some of the deep challenges that self-inquiry makes of us as our insights bring the dissolution of our personality structures. There was also an examination of some of the fears and joys that can arise when this destablising of the self starts to happen. A variety of experiences in this domain were shared, including people’s experiences when meeting K and applying his teachings in their daily lives. Harshad pointed out that if one is really serious about self-inquiry – and one must be – then he or she is no longer interested in making money, being famous, or other such “worldly” pursuits. It is rare that a person does not get distracted by such outside interests.
It seemed that, even though the number of attendees was rather small, everyone found the meeting interesting, enjoyable, and beneficial.
DB
Choiceless Awareness, Part 3, May 13, 2023
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauChoiceless Awareness Part 3:
The Necessity of Attention, Energy, and Relaxation
With Cynthia Overweg
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Zoom online
This was the third in a series of four presentations on the subject of choiceless awareness. There were a total of sixteen people present, including staff. Cynthia was online from Ojai, California. She began by pointing out that “choiceless awareness” was at the centre of all that Krishnamurti talked about, the central thread of many threads in the teachings. As for relaxation, K never spoke of it directly but, for Cynthia, it is very central and helpful in “practising” what K is pointing us to. She feels it is important to take regular relaxation breaks in one’s life and while considering deeply what Krishnamurti is sharing with us.
Relaxation, energy, and attention are aspects of awareness, awareness of the body, of the breathing, the emotions, and of what is going on around us. Awareness of tension brings relaxation, compassion, and understanding. The individual, according to K, needs abundant energy rightly directed. How does this come about? We need to see how we waste energy by resistance and conflict. When there is no movement, energy is at its height. Silence is a potent energy, quiet like the womb. Wordless observation is energy and non-observation is a wastage of energy, as is anything that divides. Pure energy cannot be sought after but it brings awareness of something sacred. It is attention that allows silence to come upon the mind, opening the “door of creation”. When there is attention all sorrow disappears, K has said.
Cynthia went in greater detail into the topics of attention, energy, and silence then offered a space for questions and comments from the participants. There were questions about belief and the importance of questioning and noticing our beliefs and assumptions, which disarms them. The tendency to give authority to the mind was discussed and the possibility of “getting out of the way” was spoken about by one group member. There was a good amount of exploration on the part of some and more silence on the part of others. Thanks and appreciation were expressed as the session was brought to an end.
Self-inquiry, May 10, 2023 in Victoria
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-Inquiry
With Harshad Parekh
May 10, 2023
Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion
Six of us gathered in the late afternoon on a beautiful sunny day to engage in dialogue or self-inquiry together. We sat in a lovely room very suitable for such an enterprise, with large windows giving access to a view of the trees and plants on the grounds at the Gorge Park with the river running past in the distance. Harshad, visiting us from India, asked if anyone had a specific question or issue he or she would like to explore. It seemed that there was a keen interest in the topic of awareness and its application to our lives as we are involved in the daily challenges that almost all human beings must deal with. Harshad spoke for some time about the universality of the human experience and the similarities of all people.. On the other hand, when a human being becomes deeply interested in the functioning of his own mind there is a different approach to his or her life which invites a curiosity that continuously or regularly looks into one’s own behaviour. One sees that the behaviour is not so much under one’s control but is “just happening”. This happening involves the arising of an “I” or “me” that is at the centre of almost all actions and thoughts and is the source of all problems. If one can be the witness of the thoughts and feelings, observing them from a place that is uninvolved but not separate, then there can be a dissolution of the ego “me” and a living in harmony. The “I” or “me” creates fear and all its attendant emotions and conflicts, but a life of awareness brings a freshness and clarity which has a quality of beauty.
The dialogue penetrated into the possibility of living such a life and what is required inside oneself. It was asked if outer conditions and people were important in the journey to self-realisation and the enjoyment of life. The question was looked at from a few different angles. Obsessive thinking was mentioned as one of the factors of suffering and there was some discussion of the necessary alertness and curiosity that helps us to be observing with awareness rather than being caught in thinking. This seemed to be perhaps the key factor in effective “meditation” as explained by Krishnamurti.