The Only Revolution, March 12, 2022

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The Only Revolution: Meditation on Interior Change

With Cynthia Overweg online

March 12, 2022

This was the first session in a new series to be presented by Cynthia Overweg from Ojai, California, and based on the book by J. Krishnamurti entitled The Only Revolution. Thirteen people in total were present for the Saturday morning meeting which began with a setting of the context, which included the facts that the pandemic has now been active for two years and also that war is raging in Europe. Can we find a still point in a turning world? Sensitive people are interested in responding to the challenge in a loving way, and Krishnamurti’s teachings can be of help in this endeavour. K said that revolution is the deep abiding living change that transforms our consciousness.

Cynthia wished to focus the exploration in this session on the question “What is meditation?” She suggested that it is the purging of the mind of its self-centred activity, which is hard work. “Seeing” is the crucial element in meditation; in fact meditation is pure attention. The process of the mind freeing itself from the known takes great attention and energy. Can it be present in our every-day life? K taught that life begins where thought ends. When we go beyond thought we are more alive and connected with the life force. This can only take place immediately, when the mind is attentive to the movement of life in all its relationships throughout the day. Meditation is the awakening to our own sorrow and the ending of it. It is silence, a lack of self.

After Cynthia’s initial presentation the audience was invited to pose questions and make comments. One participant offered that the mind has a tendency to want things to be different than they are and is often attached to those differences. Cynthia suggested that we can make a meaningful difference by shifting the quality of our own consciousness and embodying a deeper silence and quietude in our presence. This involves a decreasing of the dominance of the mind and a bringing forward of “the heart”. The discussion seemed to naturally produce a quality of silence and peace in the group, apparently a natural outcome of this type of inquiry and self-observation. When we cease identifying with the “ego” and its suffering and come back to the quiet beingness of the body and the breath, then we are more able to extend loving kindness to the suffering world around us.

DB

Exporing Ourselves with Jackie McInley, February 20, 2022

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Exploring Ourselves

Dialogue session with Jackie McInley (online)

Sunday, February 20, 2022

Present: 17

This was the second of a series of bi-monthly 2 hour dialogue sessions on “Exploring Ourselves” with Jackie McInley. She started with asking what people would like to discuss. Several brought up questions relating to fear, so the dialogue started with the question: What is fear?

This was followed up by participants probing into various aspects of Fear:

How is it created? It seems based on memory and uncertainty about what could happen.

It seems to be related to a feeling of ‘not being good enough’ and lacking self-acceptance, but how can I accept myself if I don’t really know myself?

There seems to be a sense of threat, and even in a benign setting such as this dialogue session there may be fear of speaking up, with related sensations in the body, such as a pounding heart, sweaty palms, etc.

What is maintaining this sense of fear now? It seems to have to do with our sense of a separate self.

Several persons mentioned that once they heard that their fear or anxiety was shared by others in the group (not only I have it, but we have it), there was a sudden noticeable dissipation of fear.

Towards the end, Jackie raised the question if it is possible to view fear as a signal and part of a system to be observed, without seeing it as a problem that needs to be worked out? And not even calling it fear. What happens then?

It was a lively dialogue session that bodes well for the series and seemed well appreciated by all.

RT

Exploring Ourselves with Jackie McInley, February 6, 2022

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Exploring Ourselves

Dialogue session with Jackie McInley (online)

Sunday, February 6, 2022

Present: 13

This was the first in a series of bi-weekly dialogue sessions, from February to June, with Jackie McInley who was this time facilitating from Ojai where she had been invited to help support KFA activities. Participants from Canada were joined by others from the US, Sweden and Australia. Introductory comments by Ralph were followed by an introduction to dialogue by Jackie. It is meant to be a space for finding out about ourselves, observing who or what we are, and not to come to any conclusions. Also, to see how thoughts and emotions can cloud communication. She suggested we start by looking at where we are stuck in our lives. Several people commented and one person raised the question: Why do we tend to take things personally? and this question became a main theme for the session. Insecurity and a sense of vulnerability were raised as factors of reaction, leading to the question: Are we aware of the past operating when we react? Also we tend to take the familiar as our reality and can we venture into the unfamiliar?

One person mentioned that a sense of caring in his work in a group home allowed him to see also the other person’s perspective, which made him less reactive. This generated an exploration of what is ‘caring’. Is it conditioned by the past and is there a caring that is not attached to people? Also, is there a caring for one’s own reactions? Jackie skillfully guided the dialogue around these questions and the central theme of why we tend to take things personally. When one person new to this kind of dialogue said he was still not clear about the purpose of the session so far, she clarified that it was about looking at what we don’t always look at and ably addressed his concerns to his satisfaction.

As an aside, David is away in February and will return in early March.

 

 

 

 

 

“A New Mind” with Mukesh Gupta January 28 – 30, 2022

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“A New Mind”

Three day online workshop with Mukesh Gupta

January 28 – 30, 2022

Mukesh joined us from Varanasi, India, for this three-session workshop which he introduced as “a meditative and transformative self-inquiry workshop.” The title of the event, “A New Mind”, was appropriate as we begin a new year. Each session was 1 ½ hours in length and, as usual, focused on questions and understandings inspired by the teachings of J. Krishnamurti and by the individual explorations of the presenter, Mukesh, and the participants in the event. The workshop was attended by twelve participants.

Mukesh began, after a short silent meditation, by asking what is the need for a “new mind”. This led to the question “Are we living with a sense of order, love, and beauty? In fact, the way we are living displays a lack of such qualities and the presence of self-centredness and violence, which indicates that our lives need a thorough exploration. We must first understand the limitations of the old mind which is conditioned, is a result of influences, lives in set patterns, and lives in the past, in memories, residues, and stories. It is dominated by the thinking process and the creation of images, is primarily concerned with pleasure and security, is attached to answers and prefers to remain in the comfort zone of the known. It is not a free mind.

Mukesh reminded us that we are looking at the structures of the old mind without any judgement or condemnation, as if studying the behaviour of our own child. The challenge is to become awake to the suffering of this old mind, with its constant generation of problems. It has too much reliance on knowledge, which binds us, lives with conclusions and beliefs, and is authority-bound, habitually repeating old ideas. Other qualities of the “old mind” are that it is self-centred, living in fear, reacting to life, inattentive, and not a loving mind. Paradoxically, without rejecting or attempting to get rid of it, this “mind” must be understood for freedom to dawn and for the qualities of the “new mind” to come forth.

The essence of the new mind is listening in openness, from a quiet space, without resistance or a motive. It listens from the heart, with the whole being, and breaks down the old patterns of thinking. The moment we start looking and listening there is immediate freedom and then staying with whatever is happening is itself the deep exploration. There is no effort or struggle necessary. After some group discussion, Mukesh asked participants to read over and contemplate some material (being emailed to us) on the topic being investigated and to consider experientially what might be the deepest pattern of the old mind functioning in themselves.

In the second session Mukesh right away emphasised that the looking and listening happen in this present moment. The “new mind” is immediately available. Is there really any block to this seeing, with its love and compassion? With this observing, there is an emptying of the egoic mind, a putting aside of the intellect, and an opening to the energies of the universe and the beauty of life.

After his initial talk, Mukesh suggested we break into smaller groups and inquire in a possibly more intimate setting. We could, if we wished, explore what is preventing the flowering of the new mind. Can we reveal the blocks? If we do, the transformation happens on its own. The breakout groups were allotted twenty-five minutes to discuss and inquire; the reports afterwards indicated an enjoyment of the process. Pretty much the same format was followed on the third day with some new questions being introduced. In the breakout groups participants could focus on a question that had particular relevance for them or could explore the nature of Presence and Awareness. Again this exercise was found to be enjoyable and valuable. We returned to the main group for a final sharing of what was significant for us over the weekend, which involved some expression of appreciation for the experience. Mukesh’s guidance was, as always, skillful and kind, providing a space for productive inquiry and insight. We are grateful for his work and dedication.

The Urgency of Change Dialogue Group Meeting, January 16, 2021

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The Urgency of Change Dialogue Group Meeting

Sunday, January 16, 2021

Zoom online

Eight people were present for this Sunday morning meeting focused on the study of Krishnamurti’s teachings as expressed in the book The Urgency of Change. Four group members had alerted us that they would not be able to attend. The agenda for the meeting was a very open one, with participants being invited to share any quotes from the book, or from another K source, that had a particular relevance to them or any issues currently needing exploration in their process of self study or self-inquiry.

The meeting began with a guided meditation employing a short passage from a K talk in Saanen (August 8, 1964): “Find out a state of mind that exists without any cause, that is awake without any reason… that keeps itself alive, aflame, without anything being added to it to keep it aflame.” The meditation led into a discussion of the nature of awareness and the potential limitation of calling it “a state of mind.” A few participants suggested that such awareness is more fundamental and unchanging than any state of mind. What was Krishnamurti really pointing to? The questioning flowed into spontaneous exploration that was apparently of significant interest and value for all.

This was the last meeting of this group for the time being, but the possibility was acknowledged of a re-forming of a similar group at some point in the future. Other options that will soon be offered by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada were mentioned as a way to continue with inquiries into the nature of consciousness and the self.

Self Study Meeting January 2, 2022

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Self Study Meeting

Sunday, January 2, 2022

Zoom online

 

Fourteen people were in attendance for this installment of what has been a series of monthly meetings to explore deeply the teachings of J. Krishnamurti. The meetings have been going on now for a few years and most recently have been via the internet, which allows participants to join us from all over the world. Our investigations are supported and stimulated by selections from The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti. In this case the readings were the April 1 – 14 selections focusing mainly on the topic of desire.

The April 4 entry was used as guidance for a silent contemplation to begin the session and bring attention to observing ourselves. The passage was read slowly while participants sat quietly, opening to the meaning and experience of what K was saying. The main thrust of the pointers was that if we look at desire without any judgement or “condemnation” then the nature of desire will be revealed in unexpected ways and with new and fresh aspects. K challenges us to be open not just to particular desires but also to the “total quality” of desire. The contemplation of these utterances triggered a variety of responses, sometimes quite contradictory and emphasising different perspectives and ways of approaching the issue of desire in us. There were manifestations of apparent conflict between participants and, on the other hand, of significant “truths” or insights. There were sharings of appreciation for the opportunity to discuss such subtle but important matters with like-minded individuals. As usual, the nature of “the self” was questioned again and again and discussed with some intensity. Many of the group agreed that kindness, patience, and compassion are elements much needed in the practice of dialogue if it is to be not only fruitful but also enjoyable.

What is Our Relationhip with Each Other?

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What is Our Relationship with Each Other?

Supplementary Meeting with Jackie McKinley

December 30, 2021

Zoom online

 

From November 25 to 28 Jackie Mckinley hosted a series of dialogue meetings exploring the question “What is Our Relationship with Each Other?” Those dialogues were attended by fifteen to seventeen people. At the close of the series, Jackie invited participants to reconvene for a follow-up gathering on December 30 to further investigate the same question in the light of what may have been awakened by the first series of dialogues and since. On this occasion, fourteen people were able to attend.

Jackie began with an acknowledgement of the significance of people gathering in an atmosphere of respect and seriousness to address questions of importance to themselves and humanity as a whole. On the other hand, she pointed out, there is a danger in presenting our conclusions as if they are the truth. Thought thinks it is in control but, in fact, we are imprisoned by thought and time without being fully aware of it. Can we “suspend” our thoughts and feelings so there is space to look at and listen to them? Can there be a different quality to our discussion, an awareness which notices the outward reality and the inward at the same time? Can we simply be with what is taking place in the here and now, experientially?

After her introduction, Jackie suggested we sit quietly in silence and be open to whatever arises for individuals. This stimulated a sharing of a number of issues in relationship with others and questions of identification with thoughts and with people. It became a process of “unburying” hidden things in ourselves, which was said to be “very interesting”. The significance of an awareness that questions everything and takes no assumption for granted was explored in the group, and the subject of psychological “death” was brought forward as deeply relevant to self-transformation. It was proposed as a key topic to be looked at when bi-weekly dialogues begin with Jackie in February of 2022

The Urgency of Change Dialogue Group meeting

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The Urgency of Change Dialogue Group meeting

Sunday, December 19, 2021

Zoom Online

Eight members of the Urgency of Change Dialogue Group were able to attend this final meeting of 2021. The focus of the session was the chapter entitled “Dreaming” in the J. Krishnamurti book, The Urgency of Change. The chapter contains an interesting discussion of the similarity between our daily use of symbolic language and the symbolic nature of our nighttime dreaming activity. One segment in particular seemed to communicate the essence of K’s teachings about the “self” and the causes of unhappiness in our living. “Symbols are a device of the brain to protect the psyche; this is the whole process of thought. The “me” is a symbol, not an actuality. Having created the symbol of the “me”, thought identifies itself with its conclusion, with the formula, and then defends it: all misery and sorrow come from this.” This statement by Krishnamurti formed the basis for much of our group dialogue and inspired some unravelling of the truth of it in our own life experience. K’s core ideas about the mind’s tendency to separate the observer and the observed were very much a part of the inquiry and, as such, seemed to be a fitting completion to a year of exploration.

Appreciation was expressed by participants for the opportunity to share such genuine exploration of ourselves while at the same time acknowledging the challenging nature of honest observation of the often tricky mind and its motives for behaviour. A quiet sense of comradeship seemed to have been generated by such an authentic and self-revealing endeavor. There was little doubt that we would all continue to pursue our interest in self-knowledge. We will have a “final” meeting in the first month of the new year.

A New Mind and Heart: Living and Dying

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A New Mind and Heart: Living and Dying

With Cynthia Overweg (Online)

December 18, 2021

This was the last installment of the year in Cynthia’s series of presentations called “A New Mind and Heart”. This session was entitled “Living and Dying” and was attended by eighteen people in total. Cynthia attended through the Zoom online platform, as did everyone else. She began her presentation by stating that living and dying are in fact not two separate things. The “me” or “self” must die or disappear for love and life to be fully manifest. “Freedom from the known is death, which is truly living” (K). Krishnamurti’s teachings to that effect may seem complicated but can be very simple. And they seem to be particularly relevant at this point in our present global challenges.

K asks us what can bring about a complete harmony of the intellect and the heart, given that we are heavily conditioned in so many ways and our thought-belief patterns cause enormous division and suffering in the world. Clear seeing, he says, is the ending of the “me”. This “seeing” is not part of the conditioned mind but, rather, acts upon our conditioning to empty the conditioned contents of our consciousness.

As usual, Cynthia interspersed her talk with periods of silent watching and listening, adding beautiful pictures and relaxing music to the experience. She asked profound questions about what stands in our way and how fear resists the coming to an end of the self which seeks continuity. She brought in some nuggets of wisdom from other traditions; for example, a writing found in a Greek monastery and a saying by Ramana Maharshi about the great importance of self-realization. And her presentations always include numerous expressions of Krishnamurti’s words and their relevance to the topic being investigated. A central point in that context is K’s suggestion that we observe the operation of our own minds without any condemnation or justification.

A good half hour to forty minutes was left for questions and responses from the participants. Issues of ending divisive thinking by seeing in the moment, letting go of attachment, the desire for continuity of thought and self-identity, the inadequacy of words, repression of the feminine, and the loss of sensitivity and emotional balance were discussed and some significant insights were shared. In concluding remarks, Cynthia emphasized the central importance of understanding ourselves that is so central to Krishnamurti’s message.

Meditative Self-Inquiry with Mukesh Gupta

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Meditative Self-Inquiry

December 12, 2021

Zoom Online

This session of meditative self-inquiry led by Mukesh Gupta, who reached us online from India, was focused on a question asked by Krishnamurti: “Is there a single factor that can solve all our problems?” Sixteen people in total were in attendance for the presentation which consisted of a talk by Mukesh followed by a good amount of time for questions and group exploration. After a short period of silence, Mukesh asked a challenging question right from the beginning. “What is the dominant element in our daily lives? What occupies us most of the day?” He then suggested that it was thinking. Although thought has practical value and is necessary, it also brings fear into our consciousness. It creates problems and suffering in our relationships and then tries to solve the problems it has itself created. We live in a world of images which create division and separateness and are driven by self-centredness. Is it possible to let go of all the contents of our consciousness and see what is actually present in that state of emptiness in which it seems nothing is happening? Can we meet the living moment fully?

Mukesh expanded on these topics for about forty-five minutes then opened the floor to questions and dialogue. One participant asked about superstition or stories created by thought and Mukesh wondered if we could look at the phenomenon without judgement and explore the related issues of self-centredness and insecurity. In this way self-inquiry could help us.  Another group member brought up the fact that fear distorts our perceptions and closes the “heart”. “How can we love unconditionally?” he asked. Mukesh offered that thought must be looked at as a universal element that creates fear, which originates in “unawareness”, avoidance, and not facing the reality of what is. The key is to be attentive. Attention is not an expression of thought; it is, rather, a wholistic intelligence free of conditioning, free of the “me”, of the “centre”. It can unlock the heart and put thought in its right place. Attention-based living is living from the heart. This was explored in its different aspects and in greater detail. We touched on the nature of silence and the silence of nature.

The central place of love was brought forward and its significance for being attentive was looked at from a few angles. It was suggested that meditation is only meaningful when there is love, and in our inquiry we must ask ourselves why love is not present. St. Augustine’s saying, “love and do what you will” was explored along with Krishnamurti’s statement that “I don’t mind what happens”. It was an insightful two hours of dialogue and inward focus of attention. We look forward to more time with Mukesh in the new year.