The Art of Self-Inquiry

This gathering became an immersion in self-inquiry as a living practice. Mukesh invited participants into “a space which is alive, which is soft, which is connecting, not separating,” emphasizing that this work requires tools beyond thought—particularly deep listening and observation. When participants brought cosmic questions, he gently redirected toward immediate, existential concerns: “Do you see that you, as a human being, are suffering?” Drawing from Buddha’s approach, he encouraged finding one’s authentic questions rather than borrowed philosophical concepts. The dialogue moved through themes of sorrow, the “me” as a creation of thought, and the possibility of meeting without psychological separation. “This moment,” he offered when exploring what could end psychological time.

Gist: The group explored the art of self-inquiry, emphasizing presence over philosophy, listening beyond thought, and finding authentic existential questions rather than metaphysical speculation.

By Joost De Wulf, Belgium

Opening Meditation and Self-Inquiry

This gathering began with Mukesh establishing the delicate art of meditative dialogue—learning to meet as humans beyond our particular stories while honoring our full presence. Questions emerged around attachment and love, particularly when one participant shared a mysterious experience of believing one of his closest family members had died, revealing how attachment operates in the realm of immediate feeling, not just memory. The conversation wove through the aliveness that appears when we’re truly present together—birds coming alive after silence, curiosity arising spontaneously when a deer entered our space. Participants explored how genuine interest makes us forget ourselves completely, and why we give so much attention to the false self while starving for authentic presence. The dialogue touched on disorientation as potentially creative, the mind’s resistance to change, and the Buddha’s story of the grieving mother who discovered that loss is universal.

Gist: The dialogue went into an exploration of attachment versus love through immediate experience, the mystery of presence that makes everything come alive, and how genuine curiosity dissolves the psychological barriers between self and other.

By Joost De Wulf, Belgium

Reflections from the Meditative Dialogue on June 25, 2025

In a quiet and attentive space, a small group gathered to explore the essence of meditative self-inquiry. The meeting began not with goals or agendas, but with a simple invitation to rest in silence—to let the conversation arise not from ideas, but from a shared field of presence. The dialogue opened with a heartfelt introduction to the essence of self-inquiry: a coming together as human beings, beyond background, ideology, or personal history. Mukesh emphasized that the spirit of this work lies in affection, care, and a quality of listening that springs from a quiet, unburdened mind. This meditative self-inquiry is rooted in essential elements such as togetherness, deep listening, and inner stillness. It invites us to come together simply as human beings, setting aside our personal baggage and ideologies, and to listen to one another with care, love, and a quiet mind. The process emphasizes letting go of attachment to knowledge or ego, allowing both heart and intellect to support a gentle, open-ended exploration. There is no goal to reach—rather, the shared presence and glimpses of silence that arise along the effortlessly.

From this sacred space of togetherness, the group entered into a deeper investigation—what is the root of the crisis we see in the world? Is it not a reflection of the inner fragmentation within ourselves? An honest look at the process of ego revealed how it lives through stories of separations, and illusions of control and permanence. The ego, as one participant noted, seduces us with false promises of happiness and security. Yet, its nature is inherently illusory and always promising what it cannot offer.

Through real-life examples and personal sharing, a clear thread emerged: that true transformation begins in moments of seeing—when we become aware of our own reactions, thought-patterns, or suffering, and pause. Mukesh pointed out that in these moments of seeing, a subtle but significant shift becomes possible. The grip of ego loosens, and there is space to act—or not react—from clarity rather than confusion.

The conversation also touched upon the collective pain body fed by a constant compulsive and habitual exposure to media, fear, and division. Is it possible that our mind does not become a bin to be filled up with false narratives? Can there be a discernment? A quiet mind can see through what is false and non-essential. In this way, self-inquiry becomes a subtle art of balance—being in the world, yet not lost in it.

Toward the end, a participant posed a beautifully simple and piercing question: “What is preventing us from living this freedom now?” This sparked a meditative silence. An invitation was shared to ponder not just the question, but the place from which the question arises. Is the infinite asking the question, or the finite? If all concepts—even of finite and infinite—are dropped, what remains?

As the dialogue drew to a close, there was a shared sense of depth, connection, and stillness. The group was reminded that transformation doesn’t lie in the future or in elaborate methods, but in direct perception—in a living presence that sees, listens, and acts with love. In this sacred space, even the ego can be seen as part of the learning—a fire that, when faced, reveals the essence of being.

• Mukesh Gupta

Reflections from the Meditative Dialogue on June 18, 2025

In this meditative self-inquiry, participants explored the subtle difference between true inspiration, creativity and action rooted in conditioning. The conversation began with a question about discerning whether creative impulses arise from genuine insight or are shaped by past experiences, performance, or ego-driven motives.

Mukesh invited everyone to reflect on the source of their inspiration. True creativity, he suggested, emerges not from the self-centered mind but from a space beyond the ego — a ground of stillness and silence. When there is no motive, no desire to impress or gain, what flows through us may be considered an expression of life itself. In that sense, genuine inspiration is not “ours” but a happening through us, a channeling of something larger and unknown.

Participants shared experiences from poetry, art, and dreams, recognizing how some moments of creativity arise effortlessly, without intention. These moments often come when we are deeply empty, open, and receptive. Others reflected on how even conditioning and personal emotion could contribute to expressive beauty — that art, even if influenced by our past, can still be moving and authentic if it arises from the heart.

The dialogue unfolded further into questions about imagination, mythology, and the origins of cultural symbols and stories. Mukesh distinguished between ancient wisdom traditions, like the Vedas and Upanishads — which are anonymous and impersonal — and the later development of mythology, which served to unite communities through shared stories. True spiritual teachings, he said, do not seek personal credit or authorship; they simply arise and are shared.

There was also reflection on the human tendency to avoid inner emptiness by filling life with distractions. It was emphasized to see the value of remaining vacant — not as a lack, but as a rich space where insight and beauty can be received. Emptiness is not to be feared; it is the prerequisite for receiving something truly new.

Towards the end, the group touched on the importance of caring for this inner space — nurturing the “divine spark” within. Can we live from that essence, to abide in what is real and sacred, and to negate the non-essential. In doing so, we not only free ourselves from the noise and illusions of the world but also raise the quality of collective consciousness.

The session concluded with warmth, gratitude, and a sense of shared purpose. In a world increasingly dominated by distraction and separation, such spaces of inquiry and stillness offer not only healing but also a profound reminder of our interconnectedness and potential for awakening.

-Mukesh Gupta