An Uncommon Collaboration: David Bohm and J. Krishnamurti

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An Uncommon Collaboration: David Bohm and J. Krishnamurti
September 21 – 23, 2018
Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada

David Edmund Moody, Ph.D., is the author of An Uncommon Collaboration: David Bohm and J. Krishnamurti. He is the former director of Oak Grove School, founded by Krishnamurti in Ojai, California, where he worked closely for more than a decade with both Bohm and Krishnamurti. His experiences there are described in his previous book, The Unconditioned Mind: J. Krishnamurti and the Oak Grove School. Moody took his doctoral degree in education from UCLA (1991), where his research focused upon the role of insight in overcoming student misconceptions in the sciences. He is a co-author of Mapping Biology Knowledge (Kluwer, 2000), and he is the author of numerous articles in popular and professional journals on topics in science and education. He is currently working on a new book containing transcripts and analysis of several conversations he conducted with Bohm. The tentative title is Philosophy, Science, and Religion: Dialogues with David Bohm.
This was David Moody’s first retreat at KECC. It opened with a presentation on Friday evening introducing himself, the topic of the weekend, and a video to be watched. The video featured Krishnamurti, Bohm, and Narayan in dialogue at Brockwood Park in 1980 considering the subject of “Senility and the Brain Cells.” K asks if it is possible to see clearly that the mind is caught in a pattern of time and the danger of such habit. Otherwise senility is inevitable. What is needed is direct perception, which is immediate action.
On Saturday morning the fifteen participants all introduced themselves. Dr. Moody commented on the quality of presence in the group members and the extent of their first-hand experience of Krishnamurti and David Bohm. Dr. Moody then gave a power-point presentation on the material in his new book, outlining key aspects of the relationship between K and Bohm. Group dialogue filled the time until we viewed a second dialogue at Brockwood on the topic of “Cosmic Order.” It was explored whether there may be an order that is not man-made, a cosmic order which man cannot conceive. K pointed to the necessity of facing the fact of “emptiness” without moving away from it, which means no movement of thought. Can the mind untangle itself from time and “be the universe”? This is order and meditation.
Sunday was largely spent on looking at aspects of Krishnamurti’s teachings which seem to be contradictory or especially challenging for people to understand. Perhaps more inquiry is needed into these issues in order to clarify them further and increase the possibility of the teachings having the hoped-for effect of a radical transformation of human consciousness. Issues explored were “no effort” vs. the “arduousness” of self exploration, “choiceless awareness” vs. apparent judgements made by K about others, what is meant by “meditation”, the ideas that “thought can be aware of itself”, “the observer is the observed”, and that “psychological time” can be ended.
It was a stimulating and interesting weekend. Dr. Moody’s humble approach to the questions posed was much appreciated and there was a sense as the weekend drew to a close that we would be holding the unresolved issues as subjects for ongoing inquiry. Perhaps this holding of the important questions is a most meaningful response.

Krishnamurti Study Session, September 16, 2018, at KECC

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Krishnamurti Study Session
September 16, 2018
KECC

Three participants gathered on this Sunday morning to study the Q & A chapter 31, “On Simplicity”, in the Krishnamurti text The First and Last Freedom. K is asked “What is simplicity? Does it imply seeing very clearly the essentials and discarding everything else?” He begins by pointing out the falseness of “positive” approaches to any problem. We must put aside ideas and look anew. He suggests that we must first look at what simplicity is not, and after discarding quite a number of concepts he asks if it is a matter of choice. He then asks the crucial question, “What is the entity that chooses?” and how does that entity know what is essential? We must observe all the false ways of the mind in order to realize for ourselves what simplicity is. The mind is then free to receive that which is unnameable.
The group engaged in a dialogue about the ideas as we read the chapter and put attention into clarifying together some questions which arose. It was an interesting exploration and was very much enjoyed.

Approaches to Self-inquiry, September 9, 2018 at KECC

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Approaches to Self-inquiry
September 9, 2018
Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada

The Sunday afternoon session was attended by three people. We looked at a video clip entitled “Mystics and Masters: A Course in Miracles Meets Rupert Spira.” This selection was Part 2 of a series; we had watched Part 1 in a previous meeting. The issues discussed ranged from making decisions from a place of love and understanding to an exploration of the nature of time. Rupert skillfully found the common ground between the Course and his own perspective in ways that shed light on the areas being examined. We engaged in an interesting group dialogue which completed a day of meaningful inquiry.

The Light of Pure Knowing, September 9, 2018, at KECC

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The Light of Pure Knowing
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada

This Sunday morning session was attended by nine participants. We listened to a guided meditation on breathing by Rupert Spira from his book and CD entitled The Light of Pure Knowing. The forty minute meditation was an exploration of several dimensions of our breathing, beginning with a more physical aspect, moving on to a contemplation of the false idea of a separate self that is doing the breathing, and ending with an invitation to realize that it is not “we” who are breathing but the universe itself. “Whatever it is that is undertaking the breathing is also undertaking thinking, sensing, feeling, and perceiving. Experience is always one – one seamless tapestry – made only of the knowing of it. Nothing is distant from that; nothing is separate from that; nothing is other than that.”
Following the guided meditation there was an hour left for sharing and discussion. We talked about the meanings and significance of what had been pointed to by Rupert, along with the challenges of embodying it in our lives or “abiding” in the knowing Presence. There were some lively interactions which were noticed to present an opportunity to see ourselves and our reactions in the crucible of relationship.

Exploring Awareness at KECC, Sept. 2, 2018

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Exploring Awareness
September 2, 2018
At KECC

Five of us were in attendance for this Sunday afternoon of guided meditations which aimed to deliver an experiential, direct knowing of the nature of awareness and our essential being. The weather allowed us to sit outside under the fruit trees. The session began with David guiding us through an “Inner Body” meditation derived from Eckhart Tolle’s teachings. We brought attention to the aliveness in the body and then further explored the nature of this Presence, the sense of Being, and the awareness of it. Is the sense of Presence limited or bounded? Is Awareness itself located in any position?
We took a twenty-minute walk on the property, observing nature without attaching to labels and concepts. Can we see the “essence” or beingness of a tree or a flower? The walk was followed by a CD featuring Mooji inviting us to pay attention to our sense of Being and its qualities. Appreciation of what is, that which is here without effort or thought, was a central aspect of the half-hour meditation. We ended with a period of silence, some sharing of our experience, and further inquiry. Participants expressed an enjoyment and a positive value in the experience.

Krishnamurti Study Session, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018

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Krishnamurti Study Session
September 2, 2018
At KECC

Six people gathered on this Sunday morning to pick up on the study of Chapter 31 in the Q & A section of J. Krishnamurti’s classic The First and Last Freedom. The section is entitled “On Immediate Realization” and in it K asks whether there can be a direct understanding of a problem without needing preparation or extensive analysis. He suggests that direct contact with the problem can only happen in the “now”. Anything else will be a postponement, which can never lead to an adequate response to a challenge, which is always new. K interestingly admits that when he explains his vision with words it can all sound very complicated. If we experiment, however, we may find that it is easy and simple to understand. This just requires an open receptivity to the “truth” of the matter.
The material stimulated a focused inquiry in the group which brought us to the sense of entering a state beyond thought wherein we experienced a completion of the exploration. Of course, the looking and listening will continue to probe more deeply.

Krishnamurti Study Session at KECC, August 26, 2018.

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Krishnamurti Study Session
Sunday, August 26, 2018
KECC

A small group of four met to study J. Krishnamurti’s book The First and Last Freedom. We resumed our investigation of chapter 31 in the Q & A section, entitled “On Immediate Realization”. The questioner asks Krishnamurti, “Can we realize on the spot the truth you are speaking of, without any previous preparation?” K responds by asking, What do you mean by truth?” He puts the question differently: “Can you understand a problem directly, fully, and be free of it?” As we slowly read the first couple of paragraphs in the text we probed into the meaning of looking, listening, and seeing. Can there be seeing or insight at any time but immediately, in this moment, the now? The seeing is immediate, but perhaps we cannot know what the results will be and how insight will translate into action or transformation. We discussed K’s idea that insight produces a mutation in the brain cells, which are then “permanently” changed in some significant way. Does this mean that psychological thought comes to an end or is less predominant? Is psychological thought necessary? We examined our ideas of what K is actually saying and its implications. There were some differences in our understanding of what he was pointing to, but as we explored more deeply we seemed to transcend those differences and come to a more common perception. All participants were familiar with such inquiry and contributed to a meaningful and rich sharing of questions and insights.

We are the World Weekend Retreat at KECC

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We are the World Weekend Retreat at KECC

August 17 – 19, 2018

This retreat was focused on the frequent statement of J. Krishnamurti that we are the world and the world is us. The intent was to look at the state of the world, with special attention to a few specific aspects directly experienced by the facilitators, and to question what is the correct action to be taken in the face of the dangers we are currently facing such as climate change, the proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear radiation in the environment, and the abuse of aboriginal peoples, to mention but a few. In what way are we responsible for these problems and what can we do to make a difference? Three doctors, Chanda Siddoo Atwal, Melissa K. Nelson, and Hillary Rodrigues gave presentations over the weekend concerning their areas of particular interest. The retreat participants then engaged in group “dialogue” to explore collectively how to approach these huge challenges which threaten both human well-being and survival as well as that of the other species and manifestations of life on this planet.

The introductory “talk” on Friday evening was attended by 25 people, facilitators included. Brief descriptions of the topics were offered as well as an outline of “Dialogue”, the mode of shared exploration to be employed over the weekend. The group then entered into a dialogue for the rest of the evening. This set the rhythm for the weekend, which unfolded in a similar way over the three days. The quality of the participation was remarkable high, as there was a level of attention and presence which allowed for deep sharing of thoughts, insights, and feelings about the topics being explored. Some of the information shared about what has been and is going on in our world was shocking to many participants. It was realized that such knowledge has been widely suppressed by those in power who have benefitted from the denial of and insensitivity to the harm they are inflicting.

The first evening and the Saturday were perhaps relatively more focused on the situation in the “outer” world. On Sunday the attention turned more to the possible causes of the problems within ourselves and how they emerge from our “inner” state of consciousness, which often acts on the basis of fear and violence. Hillary led us in considering the actual truth or falseness of the “We are the world” statement. Using a collection of quotes from Krishnamurti’s talks and writings, we looked at what it might mean to experience the statement not merely as a concept, but as a reality – if it is such a fact.

The workshop was felt to be quite intense and challenging by many of the fifteen who stayed for the whole retreat, but also there was a great sense of sharing in a way which supported us to “be ourselves” and to express without being judged or evaluated. This was felt to be a very significant aspect of the experience and one important element of the “action” that is required in meeting the realities of human conflict and the destruction of life. Chanda summarized the event by saying that she felt something very important had taken place and that we should meet again next year to delve further into the issues and be part of a necessary transformation of consciousness.

Approaches to Self-Inquiry, August 12, 2018

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Approaches to Self-Inquiry
Sunday, August 12
At KECC

Four of us were present for this Sunday afternoon session in the meditation room of the main house. There were several options in the material to be explored and we settled on a video of Rupert Spira, well-known nondual spiritual teacher, in conversation with two teachers of A Course in Miracles. The teachers wanted to ask Rupert how the vision of the Course compared with his own perspective on key issues related to consciousness, awareness, God, and reality. Rupert was asked to comment on a number of statements from the Course, which he did in his usual precise and detailed manner. There seemed to be agreement on the points discussed.
Our group engaged in a further discussion of some of the issues which seemed most interesting to us and slowly inquired together in a way which brought is to a sense of stillness and peacefulness beyond the activity of thought. There was a feeling of unity and harmony in the group which seemed to be a significant outcome of the dialogue exploring the nature of our experience.

Rupert Spira Session–August 12th

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Report for the Rupert Spira Session—August 12, 2018

Chapter 20—Every Breath Belongs To The Universe

Today’s session included powerful sharing—so powerful that we only completed one half of the chapter. The theme today was Rupert’s idea that belief in a separate self moving about in a world of independent objects is nothing short of blasphemy. In order to help us shift into a more spacious experience he took us through several visualizations and contemplations centered on breathing.

For example, we learned that with our eyes closed we have no experience of a solid, dense earth. Also, in these existential contemplations there was nothing to think about. It only involved visualizing and feeling.

Participants noticed a feeling of peace permeating the meditation room as we all reflected on Rupert’s words. One person shared that all we needed to do was relax and stop “seeking”. Another told us how we could experience oneness with others. This is because the awareness that I am is the same awareness that you are. The importance of breathing began to become clear as the session continued.

We spent time talking about how the power of judgments can cause us to start believing in things or conditions that don’t exist, reminding us of Krishnamurti’s focus on the importance of observing and experiencing what actually is.

In order to maintain the belief in a separate self we must rely on clues embedded in our conditioned reactions and become aware of the influence of our five senses. What Rupert does in this audio is start to erase those clues and undermine our conditioning so that we rely more and more on our actual experience. This is the way to freedom. This is the way to break up the myth that we’re a cluster of thoughts and feelings imprisoned inside a bag of skin.