Self Study Meeting, June 6, 2021

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Self Study Meeting

Sunday, June 6, 2021

Zoom online

     Fifteen people, all included, were in attendance for this Sunday session online to share questions and insights related to the suggested reading from The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti. The readings were focused on selected material from K’s talks and writings on the subject of “Belief”. David opened the meeting with a guided meditation exploring Krishnamurti’s idea of “total attention without effort” and the capacity to observe our thoughts and feelings without the belief that they are a true and accurate representation of who or what we actually are. And if our thoughts are believed to be real and true, can that be seen and, in the seeing, questioned. Can there be an observing of thoughts, including any doubts and fears, “negative” or “positive” ideas, without giving them the authority of truth? Can there be a “choiceless awareness” which awakens a different kind of knowing other than intellectual analysis?

     After the meditation and some discussion the floor was opened to participants who wished to share what was significant for them in the February 9 – 16 readings. Some interesting questions and responses were shared related to the material, along with some overly long and repetitive monologues and then some seemingly assertive (perhaps even aggressive and confrontational) commentaries by a couple of individuals. It was somewhat challenging to keep the meeting on a friendly basis when frustration was being felt in the group with some of the communication styles. Hopefully there was benefit in observing our reactions as revelations of the activities of “self”. There is always value in the activity of self-inquiry.

 

The Transformation of Consciousness, May 29 – 30, 2021

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Meditative Self-Inquiry: The Transformation of Consciousness

With Mukesh Gupta

May 29 – 30, 2021

Zoom online

This was the final session of the spring series on “meditative self-inquiry” presented by Mukesh Gupta and sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. Eleven people (all included) were in attendance. The Saturday meeting featured a presentation by Mukesh covering quite widely the subject of the transformation of consciousness as Krishnamurti spoke of it in his teachings. Mukesh clearly stated that he was presenting his own understanding of the teachings and not claiming to be an ultimate authority on what K has said. He soon asked the question, “What is consciousness?” According to his understanding of K, there is no consciousness as we know it without the contents, which are our experiences, thoughts, memories, knowledge, desires and fears. There may be something else when consciousness is emptied of its content, but normally we only know it through conflict between fragments, between one desire and another, between what is and what should be (the ideal). There is the conflict between “me” and my experiences, the thinker and the thought, the observer and the observed. K asked if there is a separate “I”, or is the “I” merely a thought and therefore, in a sense, an illusion or unreal. What can be done about this sense of separation that creates all our suffering and problems psychologically speaking? Is there anything to be done other than to be completely still with it? Transformation cannot happen through effort, thought, idea, or desire. There must, rather, be a seeing of the patterns of thought and division. This seeing is the ending of conflict. The nature of this seeing includes the facts of no observer or “past baggage”, no psychological time or effort (which is futile), and no motive. It is not part of thought and is therefore free of time and conflict. Seeing is also supreme action, negation, intelligence, love, and transformation. The false drops away when seen. Supreme discontentment is necessary in this self-inquiry process.

The second half of the meeting was open for questions and comments from participants. There seemed to be some difficulties in fully comprehending what K is actually meaning and applying it to everyday life, so there was a good deal of discussion of finer points of the presentation. The meeting on Sunday continued with the same number of people and further group exploration of the same and similar issues, partly in the form of a breakout into two smaller groups. The breakout allowed for a more intimate and engaged sharing, which apparently was enjoyed by participants. Being with emotions such as anger was looked into along with what it means to be aware. At the end of the meeting Mukesh recommended two Krishnamurti books as being very helpful: The Wholeness of Life, and Truth and Actuality. It was a fruitful and enjoyable weekend of inquiry.

A New Mind and Heart: The Crucible of Sorrow

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A New Mind and Heart: The Crucible of Sorrow

May 15, 2021, with Cynthia Overweg

Zoom Online

 

This was the fourth and final presentation by Cynthia in the series “A New Mind and Heart.” Seventeen people in total were present for the Saturday morning broadcast from Ojai, California. Cynthia explained that the dictionary meaning of “crucible” is a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development. This relates to Krishnamurti’s teachings in a number of ways. He says that mind and heart are not actually divided but thought creates a division which must be transcended. Mind must perceive wholly: perception must be fresh and without judgement. In this perception sorrow comes to an end and “the ending of sorrow brings love and compassion.” (K)

Cynthia’s talk tied the topic to the challenge of the Covid-19 emergency with all its sorrow and suffering. There were also a number of pauses for relaxation and noticing the breath – a returning to silence of the mind. Her understanding of what Krishnamurti pointed to is that we must approach sorrow very simply. Our relationships must be understood, including our relationship with sorrow. There is the sorrow of ignorance, the lack of awareness of the total process of ourselves, the sorrow of time and measurement, personal sorrow and the sorrow of mankind. There is joy in life but also much suffering which must be looked at. There is war, poverty, inequality, indifference, and intolerance. These are suffered by all humans. Krishnamurti asks if there can be a “psychological revolution”, but “few of us are willing to face that.”

Can the mind be silent in the face of sorrow? Can we remain with sorrow? Out of that comes passion (the abandonment of the self) which is love and beauty. “Beauty, love, is where you are not.” (K) Cynthia wondered if the sacred can be experienced without the contrast of the profane. Following the hour-long presentation there was a half hour available for group discussion of the topics introduced, producing some interesting questions and observations. Cynthia wound up the session with her favourite quote from K, “When I understand myself, I understand you, and out of that understanding comes love.” The series of four presentations was an offering of lovely quality from Cynthia.

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

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The Urgency of Change Dialogue Group Meeting

Sunday, May 16, 2021

Zoom online

Twelve participants attended this Sunday morning meeting. Three of the group were unable to join us for various reasons, but two of them sent their greetings and best wishes. We began the meeting with a guided meditation exploring the possibility of “whole attention”, mentioned by Krishnamurti in the readings. This attention is not something that can be practiced or made deliberate. The question was posed, “Can this quality of attention be present right from the beginning, without psychological effort?” After the “meditation” there was some discussion of our experience, which revealed that participants had been aware of certain shifts in their consciousness which seemed meaningful. The inquiry moved to a consideration of Krishnamurti’s teachings as often having the nature of Zen koans, or questions that cannot be answered by rational thought and therefore require an accessing of a state beyond, or prior to, the thinking mind. This may be what David Bohm described as “shared meaning” in his writings on group dialogue.

The chapters recommended for reading in preparation for the meeting were the ones entitled “Perception” and “Suffering” in The Urgency of Change. Some of the ideas shared by K in those chapters were integrated into our discussion and overall the conversation flowed in a creative and interesting way, interspersed with periods of spontaneous silence. The silence was appreciated by some of the participants who commented on the phenomenon. K often speaks of the significance of that quality of silence which is a natural outcome of self study and a doorway to a “deeper” knowing of who or what we are – and what life is. The companionship was hopefully enjoyable for everyone, significant in the experience of non-separateness, and of value as an opportunity for self-observation and learning.

The Journey of Self Transformation, April 23 – 25, 2021

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The Journey of Self Transformation with Ravi Ravindra

April 23 – 25, 2021

Zoom online meetings

 

Ravi Ravindra has become a regular and popular presenter at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. This year’s attendance, similar to previous online presentations, was between twenty-eight and thirty people, including facilitators. Ravi ran the sessions online from India with help from Ralph in Victoria. Ravi opened with a short period of silence and then spoke of the importance of a quiet mind and the need to transform ourselves before we can have any realization of what we truly are. A self-inquiry is necessary, a discovery of the aspect of myself that is identical with the Source of life, Brahman, or Christ Consciousness. All the real teachers ask us to wake up from a mechanical way of living to living consciously. Can we realize our true nature as love and live from that truth? What action is required? Ravi suggested it is not enough to have a theory about it. We must study the “book of ourselves” and actually experience the spiritual dimension of ourselves. Self-study is necessary and a seeing of what holds us back, including the nature of our conditioning. There is no need to be against the self or ego, but we must find that which we more deeply are: the sacred element in ourselves. Ravi suggested we take time at home to ask if we see the two aspects of ourselves, their characteristics, and how much of our day we spend in each one. Over the three days (one and a half hours per day) he spoke of various aspects of our makeup and of the journey of self transformation.

In addition to exploring various phases of the spiritual journey, Ravi also spoke of some exercises which could bring greater awareness to our breathing and our sense of being. We can spend time sitting quietly. We can investigate whether or not we have created ourselves and are in charge of our breathing as well as the operation of our bodies. Our bodily sensations are an important aspect of our self-knowing and learning. We can ask what are the biggest “demons’ in us and what are the highest gods. How much are we attached to our usual ways of doing things, to the status quo, and to the body? We should be “searchers” and not “believers”. It is necessary for us to actually practice our self-inquiry. Krishnamurti is held up as an example of someone who kept asking questions. In fact, we eventually become a question rather than “having” questions.

Ravi’s three talks were a rich sharing of his wisdom and understanding gained from many years of self-study. He also allowed time in each session for questions or comments from the participants. Some of the questions and further sharings by Ravi touched on the following:

– Awareness and love

– Being with “what is”

– Expecting particular results from our practice

– In some phases the work seems to get more difficult

– How can we move through different levels of the work?

– Why have organized religions deviated so much from the original teachings?

– How can I stay in touch with my real purpose in life?

– How can I give up desire and attachment?

– How can I get beyond the need to be wanted?

– Can I see the sacred in my own heart?

– Does everything have consciousness in it?

– The stage of “disillusionment” with the journey.

– The shift from focusing on the destination to the appreciation of the journey itself

– The indescribable nature of what is found. Even the Buddha could not describe Nirvana

– The shift from effort to grace, receptivity, and the “feminine”.

– The process of negation or “neti, neti”

– Finding the right balance and place of all apparent opposites or dualities

– Mysteries cannot be solved but may be dissolved and celebrated. A mystery may act on one’s life even though not solved.

– Is there anything that comes through me but is not my doing?

– Karma and “luck”

– Space for our “ordinary self”

– Prayer and the attitude of “submission to truth”.

– How to benefit from the “good” and “evil” in us

– Dealing with challenging situations by making room for that which is beyond the “me”.

– The uniqueness of each one of us

These questions and more were dealt with skillfully by Ravi and provoked interesting discussion amongst the group. A central theme raised by Ravi was the idea of the “wishing tree”. If we are clear about what we want and our intentions then the Universe will support us in those intentions. We can observe the truth of this in our own lives.

We very much enjoyed having Ravi with us again and look forward to further visits, virtually or in person.

The Urgency of Change Dialogue Group, April 18, 2021

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The Urgency of Change Dialogue Meeting

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Zoom online

Three members of the group were unable to attend the meeting this month, but the rest of us – ten participants – enjoyed an excellent gathering. The material for assigned study was the two chapters in The Urgency of Change text by J. Krishnamurti entitled “Organization” and “Love and Sex”. The two topics were not as different as they might seem, for they both explored the facts of division and separation within human beings and in their relationships. The process of self observation and self-understanding was also looked into in both chapters in a way that provoked fundamental questions about how we live and how we set about looking at ourselves and our ways of organizing our daily activities.

After beginning with a guided meditation and some silence, we read the last paragraph of the first chapter out loud. We then entered into a discussion of some of the significant questions therein about our approach to self-knowledge. “Where are we going to start?” K asks. “You must start from freedom,” he answers. This stimulated a good deal of conversation and inquiry amongst the group in examining what is meant by these statements. The talk led into other material in the chapters, especially looking at some of the ways we divide our experience and perceptions into images and concepts about who or what we are. We create an “observer” and an “observed”, for example, which division K points out is the basis of all human problems. Other topics explored were the central place of “negation” in K’s approach and the emphasis on seeing what love and freedom are not rather than attempting to develop an intellectual understanding of what they are, which would put us in the limited realm of thought.

There were many insightful contributions from the participants and it seemed to be an interesting and fruitful dialogue, hopefully of benefit to all. The readings for next month are the two chapters “Perception” and “Suffering”, which appear to be linked by some common themes.

A New Mind and Heart with Cynthia Overweg, April 17, 2021

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A New Mind and Heart: Awakening to Inner Freedom

With Cynthia Overweg

Saturday, April 17, 2021.

Zoom online

 

This was the third of four presentations by Cynthia Overweg from Ojai, California, exploring the teachings of J. Krishnamurti and inspired by his statement that the world is in such a crisis that we need a “new mind and heart” in order to effectively meet the challenges facing us. This particular session was focused on “Authority and Fear”, both very central issues in K’s teachings, and was attended by 25 people in total. Cynthia’s format is to share a number of quotes by Krishnamurti and then speak of each one. Later in the meeting she opens the floor for discussion and dialogue. There are also a number of breaks for tuning in and relaxation, which are both essential in appreciating K’s approach to self-knowledge and inquiry. Central to the process is the seeing of our psychological reactions to what life presents. We may have to see the reactions many times before they fade away. Connections were made between our self-understanding and issues that the Covid pandemic provokes in us. What K suggests in terms of observation and being with our experiences can bring about a different quality of attention and awareness in which our problems may be resolved or dissolved.

During the discussion segment of the meeting a number of questions arose concerning love and fear. There are many kinds of fear, including the fear of losing love. And what is love? Seeing the fear ends it in that moment if we are not identified with it. There is no formula or technique, but compassion for ourselves and others can arise when we are able to stay with the fear. Love may then be a sense of total union. For Cynthia, a key statement (of K’s) is the following:

“When I understand myself, I understand you, and out of that arises love.”

From Delusion to Awakening with GP Walsh, March 26 – 28, 2021

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From Delusion to Awakening

With GP Walsh

March 26 – 28, 2021

Zoom Online

 

This was the third time GP has given a presentation at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada and the first one online. GP is a spiritual teacher from New York, now living in Seattle. He has been teaching inquiry and self-awareness for over thirty years and is the founder of the MasterHEART Institute and the creator of Inner Reconciliation. GP’s website explains the central points of his teaching. The path to awakening is twofold: the path of inquiry or wisdom and the path of compassion or heart. Both are necessary in order to both know the reality of your true being and to live it in everyday life. We are always our true self, but we do need to have our own unique personal realization of it. And it doesn’t stop there. Once the awakening begins to dawn we can begin to integrate that inspiration and wisdom into every detail of our lives. Thus we become the living truth.GP offers satsangs or contemplative gatherings every week on his website.

Thirty-seven people in total were in attendance for the three-day workshop entitled “From Delusion to Awakening”. Each of the three sessions was two hours in length and included a talk followed by a Q & A period. GP opened the first session on Friday morning with an acknowledgement of J. Krishnamurti’s status as a “giant” in the world of spirituality and a guided meditation in honour of K’s famous statement that “Truth is a pathless land.” He then discussed the essential points of self-inquiry as he understands it. Questions he asks include “Who am I?”, “Am I an object?”, “How can I know myself directly as the pure subject?”, “Can I know myself first-hand and not just as others see me?”, “What is Presence or Being made of?”, “What is ego: is it a thing? A problem?”

GP pointed out that we are learning to distinguish between what is true and what is false. Self-inquiry brings us to the point where there is no self-referencing. You are the ultimate without any definition – and not an object of perception. The truth is that which is not subject to perception, the one unchanging element. Using guided meditations and clear expositions, GP explored various aspects of the self-knowledge process, the end of which, he asserted, was the disappearance of all questions. Questions from the participants arose, however, in response to the talks and were dealt with in a skillful manner that involved an ever-deepening investigation of the issue being explored. Some of the ideas were no doubt challenging to participants but at the same time were of great value.

 

 

The Urgency of Change Dialogue Group Meeting, March 21, 2021

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The Urgency of Change Dialogue Group

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Zoom online

For various reasons three of the regular group members were unable to attend the Sunday morning meeting online. There were ten of us present, which was enough for a lively discussion of the chapter in The Urgency of Change entitled “The Seeker”. Picking up where we had left off in our February meeting, we investigated some of the challenging questions raised in Krishnamurti’s inquiry with the “questioner” in the book. The first question we took up was about our capacity to receive “the immensity” of that which is beyond thought and beyond the seeking of the egoic consciousness. The exploration touched on the resistance of thought to silence and stillness, which Krishnamurti deems essential for self-discovery and which, he says, are far more important than our usual activities of thought. We cannot do anything to create love, but there is another kind of action which opens our “minds” to the beauty and immensity of that state or experience. What that “action” is and what are the obstacles thrown in by the thinking mind or “ego” were perhaps considered to be the most significant issues needing understanding or insight, and the energy directed towards such inquiry seemed to be of value and worth.

In the next meeting we will look at the chapter entitled “Organization” and explore the ways in which thought creates division. Perhaps we can get a sense of what it means to transcend such division with its inevitable conflict.

A New Mind and Heart with Cynthia Overweg, March 20, 2021

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A New Mind and Heart: Awakening to Inner Freedom

With Cynthia Overweg

March 20, 2021

Zoom online

 

This was the second of a series of three presentations by Cynthia Overweg from Ojai on the topic of the “new mind and heart” deemed necessary by J. Krishnamurti throughout his years of teaching. In this session Cynthia focused on energy and attention, core elements of K’s talks and writings. Twenty-six people in total were in attendance for the one and a half hour presentation, appropriately scheduled on the first day of Spring. Cynthia began by stating that K had said the mind and heart are one, and therefore our question is “why does the mind divide?” Other key questions are, “Can we attend to what is right in front of us without wasting energy on anxiety and stress? and “Is there anything beyond thought?”

Cynthia discussed a few aspects of energy including the tremendous energy of the big bang, the beauty of energy, the healing quality of the earth and of stillness, relaxation, and sleep. How are we spending energy and how can we conserve it? The activities of the self or ego create conflict and use up energy. Krishnamurti points out that anything which divides is a wastage of energy.

A different kind of energy arises when there is attention, which is different than concentration. Attention allows silence to come into the mind. It was recommended that we make times in the day to be attentive and to observe ourselves and our bodies, including our breathing. It is also important to release self-criticism and judgement and to simply be with “what is”. The talk, with the questions and discussion that followed, touched on issues of fear and attention, being attentive to physical and emotional pain and shock, being aware of inattention, and the difference or sameness of attention and awareness. Participants obviously enjoyed and felt benefitted by the event and the sharing of insights that took place.