Self-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 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
Self-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg October 3, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry
With Cynthia Overweg
October 3, 2024
At Esquimalt Park Pavilion
Victoria, BC
Five people in total were present for this meeting sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada and facilitated by Cynthia Overweg. Cynthia and Ralph introduced Cynthia and the programs she would be offering, followed by a short meditation guided by Cynthia and focused on awareness of the breath, then including awareness of the body and any tensions being experienced. It was suggested that such attention brings a different quality of awareness and energy. The floor was then opened to any questions or issues participants wished to explore within the group context. The topics that were brought forward for discussion were as follows:
DB
Self-inquiry with Hillary Rodrigues, September 19, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry with Hillary Rodrigues
September 19, 2024
At Gorge Pavilion
Esquimalt, BC
This meeting began with a short period of silence wherein participants were able to be with their own thoughts and feelings. There were only four of us at the gathering, but still we could share and explore together as we looked into some of the teachings of J. Krishnamurti, that being perhaps the main purpose of such meetings along with looking into the understanding of ourselves. As it turned out, one group member was interested in a phrase often presented by K himself: “the observer is the observed.” It is a saying which seems to be only partially grasped by many inquirers and often causes some difficulty in comprehension. In this case we examined a number of angles to the mystery and questions were raised which seemed to be unresolved. A few such issues were as follows: “Is silence the ultimate reality”? And, also, it was asked, “Is it beneficial to understand the nature of the self and the nature of the activities of our consciousness?” Several participants asserted that Krishnamurti indicated in his talks and writings that such understanding is crucial. Some debate about the questions took us to the end of the meeting.
DB
Self-inquiry with Hillary Rodrigues, September 29, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry with Hillary Rodrigues
Sunday, September 29, 2024
At KECC Metchosin, BC
Eight people attended this Sunday afternoon meeting sponsored by the Krishnamurti Centre of Canada. Four of them were new to self-inquiry meetings. It was a lovely day, with weather enabling us to sit out on the front lawn in front of the main house. It was the last meeting for the time-being that will be facilitated by Hillary. After a silent period the meeting was opened to questions and observations. Some participants shared that, for them, Krishnamurti had been difficult to understand but also very valuable and interesting for the exploration of deeper ideas about life and living.
Hillary outlined some ways of paying attention to both the outer and the inner responses that arise in daily existence. The challenge of the chattering mind was mentioned along with the counter-productive nature of attempting to control it. The “practice” of noticing the activities of thought and feeling was said to be very interesting and valuable in the understanding and transformative power of observing the actions of our conditioned selves and gaining insight into our patterns of behaviour. There was a good deal of discussion about the significance of “seeing” in Krishnamurti’s teachings. Hillary concluded the session with the statement that one of our most challenging issues is the factor of time, both in the realm of the clock and in the psychological sense.
Participants commented that the dialogue had been very useful for them in the pursuit of “truth” and the study of K’s message.
DB
Self-inquiry with Hillary Rodrigues September 26, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry
Thursday, September 26, 2024
With Hillary Rodrigues
At Gorge Park Pavilion
Esquimalt, BC
Five people in total were present for Hillary’s last Victoria meeting. We began with a reading from The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti in which K speaks of the relation between the brain and the conditioned mind. His explanations were found by the group members to be complex and challenging. As a group we explored the fundamental relationship of the human being to the rest of life and the relationship of all life. Other topics explored were the question “Can the conditioned mind examine itself?”, the emptying of the content of consciousness, being with the “facts” and the movements of the self, the possibility of living with an open vulnerability, and total attention without effort. We closed with the appreciation that our “imperfections are opportunities for discovery and “enlightenment”.