Self-inquiry, October 31, 2024
with Ralph Tiller and David Bruneau
At Esquimalt Park Pavilion
Victoria, BC
Five participants were in attendance for this Thursday afternoon meeting at the lovely new pavilion in Esquimalt Gorge Park. The meeting was sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. The facilitator asked if any participants had a burning question they would like to explore with the group and one person shared that he would like to examine the issue of pain, both physical and psychological. Other group members offered input to the discussion which branched out to include the pain triggered by the many changes that we all undergo as life is experienced. We talked about chronic pain, the grief of losing vitality, the fragility of life, and what could happen when we accept that pain is a part of our lives, with old age for example.
We took up the question of what can be done to be with our pain or suffering so that life is not made constantly unbearable – or at least it can be less so. Krishnamurti and others have given many helpful clues as to being present with our problems which we could well benefit from. We looked at the issue of naming our experience vs. not naming it and allowing the sensations, thoughts, and feelings to unfold in our awareness. Participants have found that this approach is particularly helpful when it comes to emotional pain and discomfort. They spoke of the effects of going towards our pain or “leaning into it”. Krishnamurti spoke about “total attention” to all that we think and feel and this seems to be a very useful “strategy” or non-strategy.
The quality of the dialogue produced an atmosphere of lightness and enjoyment of the interactions and communication.
DB
Self-inquiry with Ralph Tiller and David Bruneau, October 31, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry, October 31, 2024
with Ralph Tiller and David Bruneau
At Esquimalt Park Pavilion
Victoria, BC
Five participants were in attendance for this Thursday afternoon meeting at the lovely new pavilion in Esquimalt Gorge Park. The meeting was sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. The facilitator asked if any participants had a burning question they would like to explore with the group and one person shared that he would like to examine the issue of pain, both physical and psychological. Other group members offered input to the discussion which branched out to include the pain triggered by the many changes that we all undergo as life is experienced. We talked about chronic pain, the grief of losing vitality, the fragility of life, and what could happen when we accept that pain is a part of our lives, with old age for example.
We took up the question of what can be done to be with our pain or suffering so that life is not made constantly unbearable – or at least it can be less so. Krishnamurti and others have given many helpful clues as to being present with our problems which we could well benefit from. We looked at the issue of naming our experience vs. not naming it and allowing the sensations, thoughts, and feelings to unfold in our awareness. Participants have found that this approach is particularly helpful when it comes to emotional pain and discomfort. They spoke of the effects of going towards our pain or “leaning into it”. Krishnamurti spoke about “total attention” to all that we think and feel and this seems to be a very useful “strategy” or non-strategy.
The quality of the dialogue produced an atmosphere of lightness and enjoyment of the interactions and communication.
DB
Self-inquiry
With Ralph Tiller and David Bruneau
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Sponsored by KECC
At the Metchosin location
Three people were present for this Sunday afternoon meeting at the Gatehouse on Swanwick Road, the location for the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada in Metchosin, BC. We began with a reading from The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti. The chosen reading was dated October 27, 2024 and was titled “Outside the Field of Thought”. The passage was mainly exploring the possibility of creating a change in oneself while remaining within the field of thought, which Krishnamurti maintained was not possible. For any real change the mind must realize that any change within the field is no change at all. Our discussion of the issue led us to look into the realms of Krishnamurti’s explorations with nuclear physicist David Bohm. We brought forward for inquiry Bohm’s ideas about “proprioception” and awareness of the breathing, the body, and the need to be vigilant about attempts to achieve anything for ourselves as a centre of self interest. Attempts to expand ourselves were not considered to be beneficial, and needed to include an awareness of our motives and intentions. Or so we felt Bohm had implied. We spoke of Bohm’s approaches to dialogue, considered by all group members to be very practical and wise, and did our best to gain what wisdom we could on the subject. It was an interesting and valuable session.
DB
Self-inquiry with ralph Tiller and David Bruneau, October 24, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry with Ralph Tiller and David Bruneau
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Esquimalt Park Pavilion
Sponsored by KECC
Only three people were present in the Esquimalt Park Pavilion for this meeting on a lovely sunny day in Esquimalt, BC. We began with a ten minute silence wherein we had the opportunity to observe the movements of the mind. After the silent period we talked about questioning vs. not questioning beliefs. We spoke of the history of beliefs and stories which can bring people together and at the same time can separate them. The belief in the “me” as a separate individual seems to be perhaps the basic source of the world’s problems.
We spoke of the practice of koans in the Zen discipline which seems to create an opportunity to “jump out” of the mind and somehow go beyond thought.
We commented on the fact that small groups can sometimes allow the participants to delve more deeply into whatever is looked into than larger groups can. Today seemed to support that idea.
Self-inquiry with Ralph Tiller and David Bruneau, October 24, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry with Ralph Tiller and David Bruneau
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Esquimalt Park Pavilion
Sponsored by KECC
Only three people were present in the Esquimalt Park Pavilion for this meeting on a lovely sunny day in Esquimalt, BC. We began with a ten minute silence wherein we had the opportunity to observe the movements of the mind. After the silent period we talked about questioning vs. not questioning beliefs. We spoke of the history of beliefs and stories which can bring people together and at the same time can separate them. The belief in the “me” as a separate individual seems to be perhaps the basic source of the world’s problems.
We spoke of the practice of koans in the Zen discipline which seems to create an opportunity to “jump out” of the mind and somehow go beyond thought.
We commented on the fact that small groups can sometimes allow the participants to delve more deeply into whatever is looked into than larger groups can. Today seemed to support that idea.
Self-inquiry with Ralph Tiller and David Bruneau, October 24, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry with Ralph Tiller and David Bruneau
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Esquimalt Park Pavilion
Victoria, BC, Canada
Sponsored by KECC
Only three people were present for this meeting sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada and located at the lovely Esquimalt Park in Esquimalt, British Columbia. Ralph commented that sometimes smaller meetings can be more profound and indeed we did find the meeting to be interesting and meaningful. We began with a reading from The Book of Life: Meditations with Krishnamurti which we found to be quite powerful in expressing some of K’s ideas about the “Detriment to Change” presented by knowledge and the seeking by “a centre” of personal satisfaction when the mind must be “free from the known.”
The dialogue began with a silent period wherein it was suggested we take the opportunity to observe the movements of the mind. After the silence we discussed a few subjects such as questioning vs. non-questioning and the history of belief and stories promoting it. Belief has brought people together and at the same time separated them. One of the most significant beliefs has been the idea of the “me” as a separate individual and it seems that the source of the world’s problems is the accepted idea that we are all separate individuals.
We talked about the use of koans in Zen practice which sometimes enabled a jumping out of the mind and a “going beyond”.
Self-inquiry with Ralph Tiller and David Bruneau, October 20, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry with Ralph Tiller and David Bruneau
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Held at KECC Metchosin Gatehouse
It was a rainy day as two of us drove out to the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada in Metchosin wondering if there would be a small turnout for the Sunday afternoon event, We arrived at the Centre at about 2:40, prepared some snacks for later, and prepared to receive anyone who might show up to join us. David had selected a passage (October 20) from Krishnamurti’s The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti entitled “Active but Quiet”, but as we waited it seemed that there might be no additions to the two friends already present. Some new books had recently arrived at the Centre, so we began to examine their contents. They were mostly texts of a somewhat introductory nature sharing Krishnamurti’s teachings, but we were both interested in their contents. We also noticed that the library books needed some organization on the shelves. By 4:30 we had finished our work with the various books and were ready to call it a day. Nobody had shown up at the meeting.
DB
Exploring Ourselves with Jackie McInley, October 19, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauExploring Ourselves with Jackie McInley
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Zoom Online Meeting
Eight people were present for this meeting sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. After the usual period of silence it was suggested that we might wish to explore the phenomenon of fear, especially as we had gone somewhat deeply into it in previous meetings. The idea raised many questions. Is fear owned by an individual or can it be a shared experience? Is it an expression of egotism or is that an accusation or judgement? It was noted that fear can manipulate people and participants started to admit some of their own fear. We looked at a number of forms that fear could take and the elements of its structure. The desire to continue in one’s self-identity was acknowledged as a cause of fear. Jackie brought up the interesting possibility of being with fear without really knowing anything about it. There is the fear we know about and are aware of and the fear we are not. There may be a kind of paralysis which comes with fear and humanity itself may be held in this state. It was asked if fear is the most fundamental issue we must deal with, which would give it a depth of importance. It may be that love is as important as fear and we may need to look deeply at fear in order to be with love.
Many questions arose as we continued to look at the issues:
DB
Self-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg, October 17, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg
October 17, 2024
At Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion
Esquimalt, BC
Five people were present for this Thursday meeting at the lovely Gorge Park site. The event was sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. Cynthia Overweg began the event by holding up a book wherein J. Krishnamurti addressed the topic of How to Find Peace. She highly recommended it to the group. Speaking of the contents, we were led into a discussion of why change does not happen in our world in terms of finding a more peaceful way to live with each other. The way we use words can pit people against each other and small disagreements can produce conflict and violence. Krishnamurti himself was not involved with politics but, still, he spoke against war and conflict for his whole life. The conversation moved into aspects of human behaviour which seem essential to examine. We must question authority, as K did, and learn to be at ease in being alone rather than identifying with groups and nations that emphasise their differences and exaggerate them to the point of combat. He made himself unpopular during his lifetime by questioning the tendency to live in conflict.
We explored in the group whether or not the message of peace was spreading in the world and we noted the movement in human beings towards more harmony and cooperation. The phenomenon of the hundredth monkey was taken to be a sign of hope in the world, for example. Generally there seems to be a movement towards a mutation in the human brain, something much needed. Participants expressed the necessity for a radically new intelligence to arise and the signs that such may be happening.
The session was closed with a quiet meditation with a focus on the breath, which can effectively calm the mind. We acknowledged our appreciation of Cynthia’s presence with us and wished her well on her way.
DB
Self-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg, October 10, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry
With Cynthia Overweg
October 10, 2024
Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion
Esquimalt, BC
This meeting was sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada and was held at the Gorge Park Pavilion in Esquimalt with Cynthia Overweg as facilitator. There were eight of us present to enjoy the lovely setting of the pavilion. Cynthia began with thoughts about peace and the suffering of human life. We must be at peace in ourselves, she said, in order to address the issue of peace in the world. Must we not discover how we interact with the rest of the world and how we create suffering? There must be inner peace before there can be outer peace.
Why should we even care about peace? A powerful response may arise in us but then fade away before long. The situation is very complex. Can we respond in small ways that can make a difference? Can the “new brain” of which Krishnamurti speaks emerge from the old, violent brain? What kind of life do we really want to live? Can differences become less meaningful and love be more predominant? Can we see what we and others really are? Can we love each other? Can we address our fear? Can we do so without being overwhelmed by our situation? How we meet with “what is” is highly significant. Can we act without being attached to the outcomes of our actions? Although self-orientation may be difficult to move beyond, self-awareness is the beginning of compassion. “Seeing” is the essence: we must really look!
DB
Self-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg, October 6, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry
With Cynthia Overweg
October 6, 2024
At KECC Metchosin
Eight people attended our October 6 Sunday meeting sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada and held at the Metchosin, BC, location. Cynthia Overweg was the facilitator. Subjects we explored in the meeting included the fact that nothing is permanent and the existence of the “old” brain vs. the “new brain. Interestingly, the awareness of the old brain is the new brain. In our exploration we touched upon such subjects as the tendency to overthink and the attempt to stop over-thinking. Thought wants to get involved in the transformation, but seeing is the key more than purposeful action. And being in touch with the body is very helpful, for it brings a different quality of attention which could be called “blossoming”. We are the teacher and the student.
We explored the willingness to surrender to the unknown and to put the mind in the heart, thus creating compassion for ourselves. We need patience in order to unravel our “selves” and “flower”. Making an authority of Krishnamurti is not helpful but trusting the body more than the mind may be of value.
DB