Archive for category: Event Summaries

During the January regular meetup, 7 of us gathered to explore a number of common Qs and As that have been asked of Eckhart Tolle, including dealing with illness, whether pain or suffering is necessary for evolution of consciousness, and how we can overcome fear in the midst of health crisis.

There were quite a few points in the responses that resonated with the group. For example, the notion that suffering or pain can present an opportunity to surrender (rather than get caught up in a narrative around the situation or resisting the situation in some way).

The group felt that some of the content shared by Eckhart was definitely valued in terms of life experiences currently arising in our lives. And that finding quiet joy in small day to day moments, can bring a subtle experience of lightness, even in the midst of challenges or ’emotional’ storm fronts that may pass through.

With time left over at the end, we also watched a video which was recently released: Happiness beyond thought. Eckhart echoed Krishnamurti’s pointing here. He suggested that we all experience at times, brief pauses between thoughts that eventually become wider and deeper… often these are the times that a sense of divine, or subtle unlimited joy can arise… showing us aspects of our own existence that our day to day experiences often miss. Of course, like K. points out… this subtle joy is less accessible when the mind is consumed by constant thought.

  Krishnamurti Study Group Saturday, December 17, 2016   On a cold wintery day only two of us showed up for the study session. We read and discussed a chapter from The First and Last Freedom, the Questions and Answers #3: “Why Spiritual Teachers?” K takes up the question as to whether a teacher or guru is necessary and is it possible for truth to be given by another. The text provoked some exploration of the truth and value of absolute statements about such matters. It was an interesting discussion of possible viewpoints and the seeing that all viewpoints and conclusions are limited. K’s emphasis on understanding our motives for wanting a teacher was seen to be very significant. The inquiry brought us to a place of open, spacious looking and being which was felt to be beyond concepts and ideas.

  Victoria Krishnamurti Event Sunday, December 11, 2016   Six people met at the Church of Truth for this monthly event. This month the topic was “Can We Be Free of Fear?” We began with a thirty-seven minute video of Krishnamurti speaking in Ojai on May 4, 1982 about how to be with fear. He first asked the audience if it was interested in going deeply into the issue and then inquired into the root of fear. He soon suggested that the root of fear is thought and time and went into some detail about how that is so. The investigation then proceeded to how we look at fear. Do we look as an observer separate from the fear, or do we realize that in fact there is no separation? When it is seen that we are not different from the fear and the division is only created by thought, then our relationship with fear, or whatever is being observed, is transformed and conflict comes to an end. The video was followed by a very interesting discussion in which participants were asking important questions and looking into the structures of thought and feeling. After a tea break we watched a short clip of Rupert Spira answering a question about dealing with emotions like being upset. Rupert guided us in his skillful way into questioning the identity of the one who feels upset. Does that person actually exist, or is it an imagined entity that is usurping observation and experiencing? Again the video was followed by some group dialogue. It was an excellent session which felt like a real meeting of minds and hearts.

Five Day Retreat with Scott Kiloby “Embodying Awakening” November 25-30, 2016.   We were fortunate to have Scott join us for the third year running, this time for a five day intensive retreat exploring his Living Inquiries method of self inquiry. Scott is the founder of the Kiloby Centre for treatment of addictions in Palm Springs, California. Twenty people were in attendance for the retreat, which began on a Friday evening with a talk on the topic of “Awakening and Embodiment.” Scott made a distinction between a “head awakening” and a “body awakening”, which involves being in touch with what is going on in the heart and the belly without moving away from it. Other talks throughout the retreat focused on describing his inquiry methods, some of which were new since his last visit, how to “own” our emotions, readiness, the need to learn skills for working with our conditioning, contractions in the body, the challenges of the embodiment process, trauma and how to work with it, and addiction. Interspersed were plenty of sessions working with the inquiries experientially and practicing them so we could do them on our own after leaving the retreat. An assistant was available for private sessions if desired. All the work was supported by the basic practice of resting in and as awareness, which involves recognizing that awareness is our essential nature. From there we can observe everything that arises in and as awareness without taking on the belief that we are those phenomena, without identifying with the thoughts, feelings, and sensations. Scott mentioned that his work is in essence very similar to that of J. Krishnamurti, and participants familiar with Krishnamurti’s teachings experienced the Living Inquiries to be an effective way of applying K’s teachings in a very specific and practical manner.  Other activities over the five days included plenty of Q and A opportunities, two Krishnamurti videos, time for self-reflection, walks, and sharing at meal times. Spontaneous conversations took place in the unstructured periods, mostly in the evenings. Meals were provided by nearby Pearson College. By the end of the retreat there was a strong sense of unity and affection amongst the group members – a direct result of the honesty and authenticity of the sharing and working with the sometimes difficult issues of our human experience. It was an opportunity much appreciated and valued by all the participants. Scott will be returning at about the same time next year to continue with the exploration of awareness and its embodiment into all aspects of our life experience.

  Inquiry Sunday November 6, 2016   Sunday was a full day of “inquiry”, with morning and afternoon sessions bringing out a good number of participants. Eight of us watched three videos on the subject of “the holographic universe,” beginning with an interview between Jeffrey Mishlove and Michael Talbot, author of the book The Holographic Universe. It is an excellent discussion which sheds light on recent studies on the nature of the observer and the observed, a popular subject with David Bohm and J. Krishnamurti, as well as other concepts scientists are exploring which have correlations with nondual spiritual insights concerning the “oneness” of all reality. Two other videos exploring the same domain were helpful in making sometimes difficult scientific concepts more accessible to the average person. One of the speakers, Professor Susskind, did acknowledge that it might take quite a lot of education for most people to grasp some of the complexities. For the afternoon session, the co-authors of two interesting books, Blowing Zen and The Shadow that Seeks the Sun, were present to talk about their spiritual adventures in India. Ray and Dianne Brooks conducted the gathering in front of fourteen others with humour and wisdom as they spoke of their experiences with teachers in Rishikesh and of the truths of nondual understanding which bring seeking and suffering to an end. Ray’s long-time interest in Krishnamurti, and his meeting with K in Ojai, California, were significant contributors to his own realization. Dianne read some passages from the second book which pointed to the essence of what he learned and now lives in his daily life. Questions were fielded and there was some interesting discussion amongst the group on the topic of fear and conflict. It was an afternoon apparently enjoyed by all present.