Krishnamurti Study Group

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  Krishnamurti Study Group Saturday, August 20, 2016      Three of us gathered to look into Chapter 18 of The First and Last Freedom by J. Krishnamurti entitled “Self-Deception”. He points out that the basic factor of self-deception is the desire to “be something in this world or the world hereafter.” As a group we inquired, as we progressed through the chapter, into the meaning of self-deception in our own lives. We discussed how the mind tends to have completely contradictory desires and intentions without realizing how it works against itself and against clear seeing and action. The belief in the reality of a separate identity was looked into, along with the challenge of facing and ending the identification with the thought-created “me”. It seemed to be a meaningful exploration into some important issues in our own and in human consciousness.

Stillness Within Meetup Eckhart Tolle talk: Suffering, Meditation and Seeing without Labels

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The late July meetup profiled a number of audience Qs and As from a recent retreat, as well as a guided type meditative Eckhart talk.  There were some interesting points made: – Deep suffering can lead to a deep shift in consciousness but suffering is not essential to awakening. – We sometimes hold the objective of realisation or ‘freedom’ – as a future end point.  This can be a barrier and ET pointed out that we are already in an unfolding awakening process.   – In the presence of each moment, facets of deep truth of our essential being was are evident when obsessive thinking begins to subside. – There seems to be a relationship between the degree of unconsciousness and the degree of seriousness in people;  as one becomes less consumed by thinking and past ‘programming’, a lighter world view also seems to emerge. – Finally, Eckhart offered practical advice that if we can observe the world around us without labels, judgements or even naming, we will begin to sense the essential true nature of all that we encounter (this can be applied internally as well when we sense notice an emotion or habitual impulse… – Simple observation without analysis will lead to a deeper seeing or a shift in the internal experience itself. – When asked how and when he meditates, Eckhart described a way of being in the world that is comprised of many small spaces throughout the day, with a constant awareness of an undercurrent of stillness.  While there are times when a longer pause or deepened state is expressed, Eckhart has come to feel that life as a whole is a moving meditation of sorts. – The group enjoyed discussing many of these points, and I later mused that Krishnamurti and Eckhart could have been great friends given their similar outlook on so many dimensions of the human experience.  This includes many of the points above:  neutral observation, release from thought or judgement, and the inherent truth that will reveal itself to us without effort. Thanks to the KECC team for their contribution of space for these valued meet ups.  

Stillness Within Meetup: Enlightened Approaches to Relationships

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The August 13th Gathering of Stillness Within enjoyed a viewing of a talk given by Eckhart Tolle in Norway last year.  The talk was centred around relationships, with people we meet for a fleeting moment but also those whom we love deeply.  It was a lovely talk and the audience in Norway also asked some great questions. Some of the key messages which the group discussed after the videos follow…  The ego has a tendency is to see people around us in terms of what they can or can’t do for us or to compare them in some way to a standard we hold (judging).  Eckhart suggested that it’s possible to shift even the briefest exchanges with shop keepers, parking attendants or others we encounter by shifting this transactional view of others into a more presence based exchange.  He talked about being the space for your daily encounters (letting judgements or labels fall away), and allowing yourself to see more purely the essence of each new person. Eckhart also talked about the habits we may have accumulated over our lifetime.  He was asked what needs to be given up in order to find true freedom.  His answer was very similar to some of the things that Krishnamurti has shared about noticing yourself ‘acting out’ – looking at the actions and sentiments with curious observation.  Eckhart indicated that when there is a strong compulsion to over-consume something like food or alcohol, or indulge in any kind of habitual activity, it’s often about fostering unconsciousness. His suggestion is that rather than simply trying to refrain, we instead make that pattern or activity more conscious.  Noticing the feeling before opening the fridge habitually in the evening… and becoming attuned with what discomfort or contraction might be bubbling below the surface.  Making what is unconscious conscious.  Over time, we may see a shift in what we feel drawn to or some of the underlying sources of discomfort. The group used these topics to look at real life examples that we face and how some of these approaches could be put to use.  It was a wonderful get-together.  Thanks to KECC for hosting us this month.

Inquiry Sunday at the Centre

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  Inquiry Sunday August 7, 2016   For the morning session we showed a video of Timothy Freke, spiritual teacher from England. He is a very energetic and open-hearted man who seems to lack any dogmatism or rigidity in his vision of the spiritual journey. The seven participants enjoyed his inclusiveness and the absence of perfectionism in his views. He pointed to the fact that very often in this realm of things it’s not a case of one idea being right and the other wrong, but more that  both are right – or the truth is beyond right and wrong. Love was a central proposition in his presentation. His  message seemed to have a strong effect on the listeners, which was shared in the group dialogue which followed. In the afternoon four of us watched a couple of videos of Krishnamurti speaking first on freedom and then on meditation. The stillness that comes naturally from observing oneself contains the sense of freedom that humans are looking for. This was explored in group discussion before we went on to look at two clips from Rupert Spira about abiding as awareness and addressing a question, “Why am I not enlightened after all these years of study and inquiry?” His guidance was experiential and direct. It was discussed that it may take some viewings to get accustomed to the language used by each teacher before one will grasp the real meaning. Those who have seen him several times before found his pointers very useful.

Weekend K Study Group

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  Krishnamurti Study Group Saturday, August 6, 2016   Four of us gathered on Saturday to study Chapter 17 in The First and Last Freedom by J. Krishnamurt. The topic was “The Function of the Mind”, and K points out that the process of the thinking mind psychologically speaking is one of isolation and separation. Can we see clearly that thought will never be able to resolve the issue of separation so that thought “comes to an end?” We discussed this and other ideas in the text, moving on to related issues such as love and cooperation. It was an excellent dialogue. Next meeting we will look into Chapter 18, on “Self Deception.”

Buddhism, Krishnamurti, and A Course in Miracles

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  Approaches to Individual Transformation: Buddhism, Krishnamurti, and A Course in Miracles Professor Emeritus Theodore Kneupper   Ted Kneupper, former professor of Philosophy at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, led a weekend exploration into the perspectives and practices offered by three different teachings that have had a real impact in the world of self transformation. Prof. Kneupper has had significant experience with the three approaches being examined and was skillful in guiding us through them. On Friday evening Prof. Kneupper gave a public talk at the Krishnamurti Centre, which was attended by eighteen people in all. Ten of us were present for the entire weekend. Ted admitted to still being a seeker and did not claim to have reached the lofty goal of “enlightenment”. His humanness and humility turned out to be an important feature of the way the weekend unfolded and was one of the factors, along with authentic sharing by group participants, which enabled the group to experience realms of love and oneness that were perhaps unexpected. We looked into Buddha’s teachings about mindfulness, Krishnamurti’s ideas of meditation and dialogue, and the Course in Miracles’ method of contemplation using some of the 365 lessons. We engaged in experiential explorations of each approach so as to have a direct experience of their essence. The group also discussed with some passion the apparently contradictory concepts that were expressed. At times this made evident the limitation of philosophical debate but no doubt brought some useful awareness to our tendencies to be attached to and defend our ideas and beliefs. The difficulty of bringing about a transformation in ourselves was acknowledged. The retreat was a skillful blend of theory and practice, with time for nature walks, informal discussions, and excellent meals. As Prof. Kneupper said, it was a challenging endeavor to bring together and look into three approaches which have both differences and similarities. It seemed to be felt that it was definitely an endeavor of value.

Krishnamurti Study Group

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  Krishnamurti Study Group Saturday, July 16, 2016   This session we looked into chapter 17 in The First and Last Freedom, “The Function of the Mind”. K speaks of the importance of looking at ourselves without judgement and without opinions about how things “should” be. When we look through thought we enter a process of isolation, as thought is always seeking to sustain and promote the “me”, the separate individual. This leads to loneliness – the sense of being cut off from others. The five participants spoke up with comments and observations as we made our way through the first part of the chapter. The discussion was very interesting, perhaps insightful, and appeared to be much enjoyed by all. We were able to sit out on the lawn and be inspired by nature.

A Nondual Look at ACIM

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For those who might be interested in the upcoming retreat that discusses the similarities between K’s perspective, a Buddhist view and ACIM I did the Course a few years ago, and I really enjoy Paul’s NonDual perspective on ACIM. https://youtu.be/tq5sga_EFZE  

You Are The World – Stillness Within Meetup

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The Stillness Within Meetup at the end of June was attended by a small group of five.  The gathering profiled a talk given by Eckhart Tolle at a retreat in Norway in the fall of 2015.  He noted that each of us is a one-of-a-kind yet indivisible part of the greater whole, and explored how it is that “the One expresses through the many.”  He also emphasised that as Krishnamurti has pointed out, not needing things to be a certain way is a path of ease (and he joked that trying to understand how things should be is like trying to second guess God).  The video was followed by a short meditation time, sharing and then tea.  

Krishnamurti Study Group

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Krishnamurti Study Group Saturday, July 2, 2016 Four people showed up on the Saturday of the holiday weekend to explore the last half of chapter 16 in The First and Last Freedom by J. Krishnamurti. The subject of the chapter was “Can Thinking Solve Our Problems?” K goes into the limited nature of all thought when it comes to resolving psychological problems.  He invites us to see that thought can never solve such problems, but awareness, or simple looking and listening, can. This requires a quiet mind. The participants discussed the nature of this awareness and how a quiet mind can come about, as well as related questions and perceptions. It was a lovely day and it was pleasant to sit out on the lawn, enjoy the views and the sounds of nature while looking into the ideas expressed by K. and sharing our own questions and insights.