Archive for category: Event Summaries

Is There a Wholly Different Way of Living?
Talk and Dialogue with Mukesh Gupta
June 30, 2019, at KECC

This Sunday afternoon talk and dialogue was offered by Mukesh Gupta as an addition to the six-day retreat just completed on June 27. Twenty people in total were in attendance in the main house at the Krishnamurti Centre in Metchosin. Mukesh began with some slides illustrating the evolution of the cosmos, our galaxy, and homo sapiens, concluding with a look at the present state of the world and the obvious need for a change in human behaviour. He then related this need to the teachings of J. Krishnamurti and the importance of self-knowledge and self-inquiry. Can thought solve our problems, or is there another tool needed to meet the challenges, many of which are actually created by thought? Mukesh explored the nature of human fear and the resulting conflict and suffering, suggesting that “awareness” is what is necessary. The intelligence awakened by sustained self-observation can put everything in our lives in its proper place and create spontaneous order. After some forty minutes of clearly presenting our situation, he then opened the floor to group dialogue or inquiry. Some of those present clearly found the talk and discussion very interesting and relevant and gave their own input to the circle.
After two hours of engaged exploration, the session was brought to a close and it was announced that Mukesh would be returning next year at the same time to offer another retreat along similar lines to this year’s. We very much look forward to his return.

Krishnamurti Study Session
June 16, 2019
At KECC

This Sunday morning meeting was attended by three of the more regular participants. The intention was to start with a selection from The Book of Life by J. Krishnamurti, the January 19 entry, and to see how we moved forward from there. As sometimes happens, a conversation indirectly related to the text material began spontaneously and unfolded in its own way to become very interesting. In looking at the nature of the self and the process of self-discovery, with reference to what Krishnamurti says about it, we seemed to go into a shared state that was beyond duality and division. In positive terms there was a sense of unity and clarity of perception which was acknowledged by each of us. It seems that as we continue to explore ourselves such states of consciousness become more readily available and significant, along with a palpable sense of freedom and wholeness.

Krishnamurti Study Session
Sunday, June 2, 2019
At KECC

Ten participants gathered for this Sunday morning exploration of the J. Krishnamurti text The Book of Life. Our first reading was the January 16 meditation entitled “Virtue Has No Authority”, which was discussed in some depth. We questioned what K means by “virtue”, “order”, and “psychological authority”, amongst other terms, and what he is pointing to when he says humility, love, and virtue cannot be cultivated. The necessity to observe ourselves in a non-judgemental way, with “tenderness” and care, was emphasized in the dialogue and we went into some detail about the observation without an observer.
There was time to move on to the January 17 and 18 entries: “The Old Mind in Bound by Authority” and “Free at the Beginning”, which also provided fertile ground for inquiry. There is a freedom at the very beginning when we enter the learning mind which looks and listens to all that arises in consciousness and is open to receiving insight. It was a lively and creative investigation of some core issues in Krishnamurti’s teachings.

The Fiftieth Anniversary May Gathering of the Krishnamurti Foundation of America in Ojai, California
May 4,5 2019

An annual gathering is held in May in Ojai to explore the teachings of J. Krishnamurti. The program each year includes presentations by people who have been immersed in the teachings and dialogues in which participants can deepen their understanding of the teachings and of themselves. The gatherings are also an opportunity to meet friends and colleagues and to be exposed to the beautiful property in Ojai where Krishnamurti spent so much time and had such significant experiences and awakenings. This particular gathering celebrated fifty years of the existence of the KFA organization in Ojai.
This year our program director Ralph Tiller was able to attend the Ojai gathering in person and represent the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada there. Others of us were able to watch the event by livestreaming on the internet while sitting together at the Metchosin Centre. There was a full program for the two days from which we could select certain events to watch from those that were streamed online.
Six people attended the Saturday events at KECC and the same number on Sunday. There were no problems with the online streaming. The program was introduced by Jaap Sluijter and began with a presentation by Michael Mendizza entitled “Unconditionally Free”, which was also the title of the celebration itself. His presentation included some short clips of K in dialogue with David Bohm and some very interesting questions and observations about the real nature of inquiry and what K was pointing to. In the afternoon we chose to view a dialogue between Prof. P. Krishna and David Moody entitled “Freedom from Knowledge and Time” which investigated some of the aspects of K’s teachings that are often found difficult or contradictory. Clear communication from both men helped to shed light on the issues considered. Also offered in this time slot was a talk by Fran Faraz entitled “Freedom from our Conditioning in the Age of Technology and Artificial Intelligence.”
The latter half of the afternoon program offered a choice between a presentation by Michael Kronen called “A Sacred Legacy: How to Keep it Alive?” and “The Biological Underpinnings of Conditioning” with Pathik Wadhwa. We tuned in to the first option briefly and then by consensus decided to use the rest of the lovely sunny afternoon to walk on the property or sit by the ocean and contemplate. The presentations were available to be watched at any time later or at home.
On Sunday morning we visited with Stephen Smith as he spoke on “Unravelling Conditioning”. Mark Lee also probed the question “Why Another Organization?” in a separate presentation. Stephen’s talk was very much appreciated. Spontaneous discussion arose amongst our group throughout the two days and the structure of our participation took its own course to a certain extent. On Sunday afternoon we had some dialogue and then chose again to finish early and to enjoy the rest of the day outdoors. A panel discussion about the Oak Grove School as well as the offerings from Prof. Krishna, “Freedom from Conditioning”, Javier Gomez Rodriguez, “On Dialogue: To See Oneself as One Is”, and Jaap Sluijter, “KFA, Past, Present, and Future”, could be watched at home or at some future time.
It was a fairly casual and enjoyable weekend. Most of the presenters will be coming to our Centre in Metchosin over the course of this year to offer weekend retreats, which will provide an opportunity for direct contact and inquiry with these central figures in the Krishnamurti world.

Krishnamurti Study Session
April 21, 2019
At KECC

The entry for January 10 in J. Krishnamurti’s book entitled The Book of Life was the material for exploration in this Sunday morning session at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. The title of the entry was “Learning Is Not Experience.” Six people were in attendance. The session began with a reading of the text, followed by five minutes of silence. Then we went around the circle of participants and each of those who wished had the opportunity to share a perception, insight, question, or other comment. We then opened the sharing up for spontaneous dialogue starting with a more in-depth investigation of the comments. We wondered if, as K suggests, there is actually nothing to learn psychologically in terms of accumulating knowledge. Is what is needed rather a stripping away of beliefs and concepts which creates a space for something of the Unknown to enter? The discussion was quite animated and engaging. There was a sense as we came to the end of the meeting that it might be helpful to move a little more slowly in our conversation. Nevertheless, the session seemed to be enjoyed by all.