Meditative Self-inquiry
July 14, 2024
With Mukesh Gupta
At KECC Metchosin, BC
Twelve people in total were present for this Sunday meeting at the Swanwick Road location of the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. It was a lovely, sunny day which supported our sitting on the lawn in front of the Main House. The Meeting was started by Mukesh, our facilitator, asking for a period of silence during which participants could sink into a space of silent attention. He then gave a brief introduction to the principles of self-inquiry.
Self-inquiry, Mukesh explained, is not a debate where we exchange knowledge. We connect in a space of openness and compassionate communication which is beyond the words used and which may carry a sense of wonder. We are not looking for final answers to the problems of life and yet something deeper than conventional thinking may come into existence through our dialogue.
In recent sessions we had been making use of The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti as a resource to activate our explorations. The July 14 selection from the book was read aloud and opportunity was offered to share any questions or issues arising within our group with the reading and with our individual processes of self-inquiry. One person shared some questions about the difference between conscious and unconscious sorrow. There are innumerable forms of sorrow, she said, and without understanding sorrow there is suffering of various kinds, conscious and unconscious. When we speak of the ending of sorrow, we intend to end it at all levels of ourselves.
Mukesh pointed out that we must proceed very slowly and concisely. Firstly, he asked, how are we in contact with the unconscious sorrows? And how do we avoid them? There was some discussion of our desire to keep our self-images intact. It was deemed necessary to be “naked” to ourselves and to be willing to reveal ourselves to others and to ourselves. This brought in the issue of the separation we may usually feel between ourselves and others and questions were asked. Is the separation real? Can we do anything about it? How effective is it to observe how the mind constructs reality? Is the investigation into psychological sorrow optional or necessary? Is the core issue that we have lost the recognition of our divinity?
Mukesh introduced the role of attachment in our way of thinking and acting. We are attached in many ways to the forms of the body, the mind, and are also burdened by our own self-pity. Can there be a sorrow free from self-pity, one that can shift and change? What does it mean to really “be with” our feelings of sorrow? Can such awareness open a door to a deeper experience?
Our “time” ran out and the meeting was brought to an end. We engaged in friendly talk while enjoying some snacks before participants went their separate ways. It was a good gathering which was apparently enjoyed by most or all.
DB
Self-inquiry, August 25, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry
August 25, 2024
With David Bruneau
At the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada
Metchosin, BC
Six of us were present for this dialogue for which, thanks to sunny weather with almost no wind, we were able to meet on the front lawn with the gorgeous views of the ocean and the mountains. As we sat for the beginning of the session a white cloud formed over the ocean and the trees near William Head prison, lending an atmosphere of mystery to the scene. David had been asked to facilitate the meeting and he began with a guided meditation focusing on the idea of “total attention without effort” which Krishnamurti had often mentioned in his talks. In this case total attention included awareness of the sounds of nature such as the songs of birds and the occasional voices of humans in the distance. Then there were the sensations in our bodies, including any tensions, to be noticed. Being attentive to any such feelings and the accompanying thoughts that arose provided a field of awareness within which insights might arise into the workings of the body-mind and the creation of the individual and group realities that were being experienced, including any conflicts that were being noticed in the consciousness of the participants as we sat in silent observation of the movements of the world around us and the worlds within. It was later shared by some of the group that they had noticed a certain richness of experience as attention was given to being present and aware. We also entered into an inquiry concerning the presence of the conflicts noticed and their nature, which added an extra layer of interest to the dialogue. The various participants all made valuable contributions to the conversation and we were all sad to say goodbye to a couple of them who would be returning to their somewhat distant homes before our next meeting at the Krishnamurti Centre.
DB
Self-inquiry with Christina Merkley, August 18, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry with Christina Merkley
Sunday, August 18, 2024
At KECC Metchosin, BC
Christina Merkley volunteered to facilitate a meeting for the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. She has had experience with a certain kind of inquiry which Ralph considered might be interesting for us. It is a kind of spontaneous process which unfolds as it develops along the lines of what group members share as they notice whatever they perceive about the way the group energy or the energy of individuals in the group is expressing itself. Christna drew pictures on large sheets of white paper representing the group process which could then be used to further explore what was happening for group members.
Nine people in total were present for the afternoon meeting on the front lawn in front of the Main House. The weather was very appropriate for sitting outdoors as there was almost no wind at all and sunshine was appearing more and more as the afternoon progressed. Christina began the session with a silent meditation of about ten minutes. She then asked for people’s feedback about what was happening for them. One group member expressed an interest in exploring the possibilities of what Krishnamurti had called “thinking together”.
One participant shared that she was feeling “resistance”. Christina asked if that resistance could be welcomed here and what happened when it was welcomed. People then reported their experiences of thoughts arising, dogs barking, and the earlier presence of a bear on the property. A sense of “togetherness” was reported wherein it seemed that a sense of group wholeness was present. This changed into a sense that togetherness was lacking and what was being felt was a sense of separateness and attachment to the feeling of individuality. This again shifted to a feeling of just being in the present moment with a sense of ease. One person then expressed that for him all experiences were “coming back to “nothingness” or “emptiness”. We then went back over what had happened and considered engaging once again with another inquiry. There was a feeling that time was running out and it might be better to engage freshly on another occasion. Participants expressed that the whole inquiry had been very interesting (or not).
DB
Self-inquiry, August 11, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry with David Bruneau
August 11, 2024
At KECC, Metchosin, BC
Five people in total attended this afternoon meeting at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada (in Metchosin). The weather allowed us to sit outside on the lawn in front of the Main House but the temperature dropped as the afternoon progressed and some felt the coldness as the time passed. The group discussion or dialogue focused largely on our perception of thoughts and ideas and the central place in Krishnamurti’s teachings of the process and value of “seeing” and “insight”. Questions were raised about how K’s teachings could be characterised. Was K a psychologist or a philosopher? Did he use thought to understand thought, or can only awareness understand thought? We entered some fairly complex explorations of thought and “proprioception” which took us into the realm of David Bohm”s work with Thought as a System as well as his other explorations and how they related to K’s presentation of the nature of thought. We also looked into the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of meditation as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and criticised by Krishnamurti, who said at times that mantra meditation created a dull mind and was ultimately quite limited. Various forms of Buddhist meditation were explored and evaluated in terms of their value as instruments of insight or their degree of power for self-transformation. The discussion eventually came to an end as we retired to the Gatehouse for some warmth and snacks.
DB
Self-inquiry, August 11, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf-inquiry with David Bruneau
August 11, 2024
At KECC, Metchosin, BC
Five people in total attended this afternoon meeting at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada (in Metchosin). The weather allowed us to sit outside on the lawn in front of the Main House but the temperature dropped as the afternoon progressed and some felt the coldness as the time passed. The group discussion or dialogue focused largely on our perception of thoughts and ideas and the central place in Krishnamurti’s teachings of the process and value of “seeing” and “insight”. Questions were raised about how K’s teachings could be characterised. Was K a psychologist or a philosopher? Did he use thought to understand thought, or can only awareness understand thought? We entered some fairly complex explorations of thought and “proprioception” which took us into the realm of David Bohm”s work with Thought as a System as well as his other explorations and how they related to K’s presentation of the nature of thought. We also looked into the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of meditation as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and criticised by Krishnamurti, who said at times that mantra meditation created a dull mind and was ultimately quite limited. Various forms of Buddhist meditation were explored and evaluated in terms of their value as instruments of insight or their degree of power for self-transformation. The discussion eventually came to an end as we retired to the Gatehouse for some warmth and snacks.
DB
Self-inquiry with Mukesh Gupta, July 28, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauMeditative Self-inquiry
With Mukesh Gupta
Sunday, July 28, 2024
At KECC Metchosin
Mukesh opened this afternoon session with a period of silence, then revealed that he would like to explore the core of J. Krishnamurti’s teachings. What is the key? he asked, to approaching the source of any problem we face, no matter what the issue? How we approach any problem depends on understanding the source of it. This requires attention, but what exactly is attention? Concentration is not needed, Thought based on memory is not required. A different kind of energy is needed. What is it? How we listen to ourselves is crucial. Are we listening now, not just to the words but to the space that is quiet and attentive? From this inner space we can listen, we can relax into the problem so it can be observed and understood. This attention is the only energy that is beyond conditioning.
Sixteen people in total were present for the meeting held on a sunny and windless afternoon. Mukesh asked us to move slowly as we shared our perceptions. Again he asked the question, “What is attention?” If we are not looking from the mind, then what is asking the question? Is it not that what is asking the question and seeking the answer is in fact not definable? But, one participant commented, one quality required is “interest”. There must be a not-knowingness, a quality of the unknown. A constant watchfulness stops the thinking and a sense of leisure is part of this awareness. We are looking for something – happiness – that is already here, like a fish seeking water. Without attention how can we relate to another, to life? Is there a different space, a simple space of silence? Is there any purpose or any answer? Even non-silence is not a problem.
Attention is not just mindfulness, Mukesh pointed out. It has compassion and love in it. Can there also be a great relaxation? Why is there so much self-protection in our attention? Surely, it is not a gradual process to achieve the qualities of love and compassion. In spite of that it may require a degree of security and there was a wondering if we ever find it entirely. Is grabbing at security like chasing a mirage? Is there any separation in attention, or is there harmony?
Other questions that arose challenged the nature of thought itself, which seems to bring an army of problems. What happens when we stay with what is happening within us? There may be more needed than mere noticing. Can there be patience and urgency at the same time?
It was a valuable afternoon
DB
Meditative Self-inquiry with Mukesh Gupta, July 21,2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauMeditative Self-inquiry
Sunday, July 21, 2024
With Mukesh Gupta
At KECC Metchosin
Ten people were present for this Sunday afternoon meeting with Mukesh Gupta at the Swanwick Road location in Metchosin. The meeting was sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada and it began in the Gatehouse before it was decided to try sitting on the lawn in front of the main house. The change in location was enjoyed by most of the participants but a few were feeling cold towards the end of the session.
Mukesh began the meeting with a silent sit and a short introduction to the nature of self-inquiry. He said that in self-inquiry it is very important to slow down and to inhabit the space in a way that creates a togetherness. The process is more one of the “heart” than of the intellect. Listening from the space of the heart there is no limitation. We are exploring, or, rather, a shared space is exploring without judging. There is an inquiry into what is true in this moment. What is arising may be from the past but then the question is “how do we relate to it?” Do we judge “what is” as good or bad? Any judgement is a waste of energy, it was said. Pure observation was invited as the most effective and meaningful approach
Participants offered some descriptions of their state of mind when listening in a state of presence or in what some called “meditation”. States of “mind” were described as “high” or “low” energy and it was asked if such a variation was not natural. A distinction was made between the state of “becoming” and the state of “Being” or peacefulness where there is no effort to reach or achieve any particular state.
There was a sharing of being open to one’s own likes and dislikes within oneself and the flow from one personality to another where there might even be a sense of multiple personalities. It was said that the personality is “the known” and there is no freedom in that state. When there is a seeing of the personality then there is a dissolution, which brings some freedom. The state of Presence is the freedom from the personality. One group member emphasised that our true nature or essence is Divine and we must fully acknowledge that aspect of what we are.
We spoke of the truth of non-movement, of that which is prior to all movement and all arising. In that state there are no points of reference and no place to land on. There is neither this nor that. There is a state of beauty when one is beyond the mind.
Our explorations seemed sometimes difficult to follow and yet there seemed to be significant moments of “truth” and insight.
DB
Self-inquiry with Mukesh Gupta, July 17, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauSelf Inquiry with Mukesh Gupta
July 17, 2024
At Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion
1170 Tillicum Rd.,
Victoria, BC
Nine people in total were in attendance at this Wednesday afternoon meeting with Mukesh Gupta at the Gorge Park Pavilion in Esquimalt. We began with a period of silence which was then followed by a reading and some comments emerging from The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti. The selection was read by Mukesh. The quote from J. Krishnamurti was to the effect that there is no path to truth. Truth is to have an open and simple heart when there is not a fullness of the things of the mind but rather of the things of the heart. The mind must be empty and the heart full, whereas the opposite is usually the case.
There followed some discussion which touched the interconnectedness between people and the presence of love, with a listening and a paying of attention to each other. It was said that words are not so relevant. What do we really wish to communicate? When the “me” is not dominant then there is an offering of attention and Presence. The “me” or “self” is suspended for the moment.
Mukesh asked what is the tendency to get lost in the activities of the mind and why can we not put aside our concern with the “I”? It was suggested that the intensity of a question – the curiosity and passion with which it is asked – may be a crucial element in dealing effectively with the habitual tendencies of thought and the mind. On the other hand is it possible for the mind to be totally silent and aware so that all escape has disappeared? Can there be a state where the instrument that created the problem is not employed in transcending it? Can the death of the self be fully faced?
It was quite a delicate inquiry, which was given a good deal of subtle attention and exploration by the group.
DB
Meditative Self-inquiry with Mukesh Gupta, July 14, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauMeditative Self-inquiry
July 14, 2024
With Mukesh Gupta
At KECC Metchosin, BC
Twelve people in total were present for this Sunday meeting at the Swanwick Road location of the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. It was a lovely, sunny day which supported our sitting on the lawn in front of the Main House. The Meeting was started by Mukesh, our facilitator, asking for a period of silence during which participants could sink into a space of silent attention. He then gave a brief introduction to the principles of self-inquiry.
Self-inquiry, Mukesh explained, is not a debate where we exchange knowledge. We connect in a space of openness and compassionate communication which is beyond the words used and which may carry a sense of wonder. We are not looking for final answers to the problems of life and yet something deeper than conventional thinking may come into existence through our dialogue.
In recent sessions we had been making use of The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti as a resource to activate our explorations. The July 14 selection from the book was read aloud and opportunity was offered to share any questions or issues arising within our group with the reading and with our individual processes of self-inquiry. One person shared some questions about the difference between conscious and unconscious sorrow. There are innumerable forms of sorrow, she said, and without understanding sorrow there is suffering of various kinds, conscious and unconscious. When we speak of the ending of sorrow, we intend to end it at all levels of ourselves.
Mukesh pointed out that we must proceed very slowly and concisely. Firstly, he asked, how are we in contact with the unconscious sorrows? And how do we avoid them? There was some discussion of our desire to keep our self-images intact. It was deemed necessary to be “naked” to ourselves and to be willing to reveal ourselves to others and to ourselves. This brought in the issue of the separation we may usually feel between ourselves and others and questions were asked. Is the separation real? Can we do anything about it? How effective is it to observe how the mind constructs reality? Is the investigation into psychological sorrow optional or necessary? Is the core issue that we have lost the recognition of our divinity?
Mukesh introduced the role of attachment in our way of thinking and acting. We are attached in many ways to the forms of the body, the mind, and are also burdened by our own self-pity. Can there be a sorrow free from self-pity, one that can shift and change? What does it mean to really “be with” our feelings of sorrow? Can such awareness open a door to a deeper experience?
Our “time” ran out and the meeting was brought to an end. We engaged in friendly talk while enjoying some snacks before participants went their separate ways. It was a good gathering which was apparently enjoyed by most or all.
DB
Self-inquiry with Mukesh Gupta, July 10, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauMeditative Self-inquiry
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
With Mukesh Gupta
At Esquimalt Gorge Park
Nine people attended this gathering on the Gorge Park grounds at a lovely outdoor setting to which some participants brought folding chairs and others blankets. We sat in a circle near the forest bordering the grassy field of the park and several comments were made about the suitable nature of the location. The meeting was sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada.
The facilitator for this gathering, Mukesh Gupta, led us in a period of silence which he described as a deep listening which has a universal nature in that all humans are likely to share whatever issues arise to be explored. When we give attention to what is being said we create a safe space in the here and now where we can be compassionate and sensitive with each other.
Mukesh asked one of the group if she would read the July 10 passage in The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti, the book we have been using to guide our group inquiries. The selection is titled “Acquiring Beliefs to Ward Off Pain” and in it K points out how we use the accumulation of beliefs in order to protect ourselves from pain both in the physical sense and the psychological. We do not want to be disturbed, so we resist the unknown, using knowledge to ward off pain. There was some discussion about the tendencies of the mind to hold on to accumulated identities or to create new ones. Can I create a satisfying life by organising my memories and my “past” in a way that forms a sense of security for myself? This question led to some inquiry into the issue of dealing with the “darkness” in ourselves. How do I experience myself if I do not hold on to my accumulated identities and attachments – and burdens? There is a fear of losing my “self”, which may not actually exist. Can we invite ourselves to step outside of the familiar, to abandon our past identities? When Krishnamurti was asked what is his secret, Mukesh reminded us, he replied “I don’t mind what happens”. A fundamental question that must be asked again and again, one group member shared, is the question “Who am I?” or “What is the I?” The past identity must be abandoned moment by moment.
It seemed that most participants found the inquiry to be interesting and fruitful. A good meeting!
DB
Self-inquiry with Mukesh Gupta July 7, 2024
/in Event Summaries /by David BruneauMeditative Self-inquiry
With Mukesh Gupta
Sunday, July 7, 2024
At Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada
Metchosin, BC
Nine people were present for this dialogue held on the front lawn of the Main House at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre in Metchosin, BC. It was a lovely sunny day with none of the recent winds which had been quite disturbing during our recent meetings at the Swanwick Road location. We began the session with a silent sit, followed by a sharing by Mukesh of the main principles of meditative self-inquiry which he described as a meeting in friendliness and “Presence” where the primary intention is to find what is “true” and false without resorting to comparative judgements. The deeper ground from which we can communicate is a deep listening from the “Heart”. There is no goal to be reached or which is known to the participants: we are walking together without knowing where we are going. We allow a natural gap between our words and anyone can raise a question. What is interesting to us in this moment. Mukesh asked.
One possible question that was proposed was related to the issue of inner transformation. What do we understand self-transformation to be? Where does such an inquiry begin? Does it start with a sense of discontent? Awareness of suffering may arise and initiate some questioning and inquiry. Our thinking may bring with it a sense of psychological suffering. Self-observation is then necessary and brings some insight and understanding. As we spoke of these matters a feeling of “love” began to be shared by all or most of the participants. There was a sense of non-separation within the group and of a deeper connection. It was a lovely experience of Being together.
DB