Krishnamurti Study Session
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada

Six people were in attendance for this morning session. The chapter for study was Q & A # 38 from J. Krishnamurti’s book The First and Last Freedom, entitled “On Transformation”. The questioner asked Krishnamurti “What do you mean by transformation?” K begins by affirming that there is obviously a critical need for a radical revolution given the state of the world. The difference in his approach is that the revolution must not be based on an idea, as has always been the case in the past – and which has never been effective. We usually think that a transformation must be a kind of ultimate event, but in this way we miss the actuality of seeing “what is” in the now, in this very moment, and being with it fully. The truth liberates, and truth is in perception of the false as the false from moment to moment. This perception releases the energy of love, without which revolution has no meaning.
As we read through the text questions and observations were raised in exploration of K’s concepts and the intention to directly understand what is being pointed to. The dialogue was focused and insightful, inviting a deeper understanding in the participants, who confirmed that the inquiry had been beneficial. We have now completed our study of this particular text and will move on to a group reading of The Book of Life, a collection of daily quotations from Krishnamurti’s talks and writings. The meetings are on a drop-in basis and all are welcome to attend at any time.

Our December meetup followed closely on the heels of the November meetup and we had strong turnout.  There were nine of us at the meeting – four of whom were there for their first time.  We opted for a traditional book study format, with a focus on the chapter on Fear – from Krishnamurti’s work:  The First and Last Freedom. 

The group took turns reading, reflecting, seeing whether the proposed concepts resonated with our own experience in some way.  It was very exciting to see people who have never been exposed to this format or to the works of Krishnamurti really connect with the content.  The chapter itself explored the nature of fear – how the mind itself is engaged in the production of fear and how a wider sense of identity can observe the concepts, projections, yearning or clinging that is essentially working to protect our sense of self.  As we looked further at the concept of self, and the silent quiet place of non-filtered observation, there was a general sense of just how limited a perspective we (as a sense of self) can be.  And also, how challenging it is to describe what’s left when we aren’t relating from this self-identity.

The evening was a real gift and we enjoyed snacks in the adjacent restaurant afterward which kept the conversation going into the evening.

The Power of Self-Inquiry
Weekend Retreat with Mooji on DVD
December 7 – 9, 2018

This weekend retreat offered the opportunity to be fully immersed in the pointings of Sri Mooji, renowned teacher of self-inquiry and Self realization. The retreat was mostly in silence, as Mooji recommends for such gatherings, in order to enhance a persistent looking into oneself and the nature of consciousness without distraction. As the program began on Friday evening there were twelve of us in attendance; a few had to leave over the course of the retreat for different reasons.
The videos presented were selected from two retreats with Mooji in 2018: the Advanced Silent Retreat in Monte Sahaja, Mooji’s place of residence, in June and a retreat in the Netherlands in August. The selections were considered to be particularly significant satsangs and the participants concurred with that decision. Also included were two meditations guided by Mooji: “An Invitation to Freedom”, and a “Silent Sit with Moojibaba”. There was time for quiet contemplation, walks, and some group sharing. A video introduction of J. Krishnamurti and his teachings was shown on Saturday afternoon.
The degree of presence and attention embodied by the group produced an experience of deepening into what was being spoken of and invited, and it was expressed that the retreat was of great value to those able to remain with it. Some of those less familiar with the teachings were surprised by the clarity and power in Mooji’s communicating his perceptions and guidance. Delicious lunches and dinners were provided by Glenrosa Restaurant and nourishing breakfasts by the Krishnamurti Centre staff.

Krishnamurti Study Session
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada

The reading for this week was Q & A #37 in J. Krishnamurti’s The First and Last Freedom: “On the Confusion of the Mind.” The questioner asks, “I have listened to all your talks and I have read all your books. Most earnestly I ask you, what can be the purpose of my life if, as you say, all thought has to cease, all knowledge to be suppressed, all memory lost? How do you relate that state of being, whatever it may be according to you, to the world in which we live? What relation has such a being to our sad and painful existence?” Krishnamurti then goes into the importance of self-knowledge and self understanding which can open the door to the “other”, to the reality of love. Surely, he proposes, the meaning and purpose of existence is to go beyond the self-centred activity of the mind.
Our small group of three participants explored the subtleties of K’s responses to the question and shared a movement into a deeper sense of the truth that is being pointed to, with significant insights and perceptions. Our next meeting will be looking into the final chapter of the book. Our next text for study will be The Book of Life, a collection of daily meditations, which we will take up in the New Year.

Krishnamurti Study Session
Sunday, November 18, 2018
At Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada

Seven people were present for this week’s study group. We explored Chapter 36 in the Q & A section of J. Krishnamurti’s The First and Last Freedom: “On the Meaning of Life”. The questioner asks of K, “We live but we do not know why. To so many of us, life seems to have no meaning. Can you tell us the meaning and purpose of our living?” K responds by asking why this question is being asked and by going into the probable reasons in some detail. Essentially, because our lives feel empty, we seek a deeper meaning. The person who lives a rich inner life does not ask what is the meaning or purpose of life. He is content. Because we do not love, we search for meaning. K challenges us to find out what love is and to live from that truth.
The group engaged with the issues raised in the text and had an interesting dialogue and sharing which penetrated to subtle levels of the activity of thought in its’ avoidance of the facts of impermanence and “emptiness”. It was a mature group of explorers able to consider deeper aspects of human consciousness in it’s contemplation of meaning and purpose, love and conflict.