Self-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg, May 15, 2024

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Self-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion

Victoria, BC

 

Ten participants were present for this Wednesday afternoon dialogue led by Cynthia Overweg with a quiet and gentle energy supporting group members in their exploration of significant issues in their study of J. Krishnamurti’s teachings.

The session began with a period of silence.

Cynthia then asked if anyone had a pressing question that had arisen during their reading of The Book of Life: Meditation with J. Krishnamurti or their reading the book of their own lives.

One person jumped in with a question. “What,” he asked, “was the difference for K between “feelings” and “the heart” when he used the two terms in his talks or writings?” This led to some extended discussion of the meaning of “love” in K’s teachings, including the art of seeing our conditioning moment by moment and thereby releasing our attachments to those aspects of our consciousness that create division and conflict. There was some examination of K’s ideas of “the observer is the observed” as well as the meaning of being a separate observer of the activities of thought. Are we other than what is observed?

Cynthia spoke of the blessing that we are receiving by sitting together to explore what we truly are and the value of sharing our insights and discoveries.

We acknowledged the value of interacting with nature as was made possible by holding our meetings in the lush setting of the Gorge Park with its beautiful flowers, trees, and bushes. Such an activity in such a setting seemed to diminish the sense of separateness. The exercise of looking at nature without labelling it could create a sense of wonder in our observation and even bring about a “mutation” in the brain so that the “old brain” could be dissolved and something new could appear.

Our explorations continued at some length, moving to the subject of “awareness”, until Cynthia pointed out that we could probably talk about awareness endlessly without ever grasping a clear description of its nature. Krishnamurti often used the terms “the benediction” and “the immeasurable”.

Another phrase often used by K was “the mirror of relationship”, which had a deep meaning when seeking to understand the secrets of life. Cynthia made a number of comments about the deep truths revealed by the application of the “mirror” perspective to our meditations on the totality of our lives.

The meeting was brought to an end with some minutes of silence, an appropriate closing to our delightful session.

 

DB

Self-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg, May 12, 2024

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Self-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg
Sunday, May 12, 2024
At KECC Metchosin location
538 Swanwick Road

Fourteen people attended this Sunday gathering at the Krishnamurti
Educational Centre of Canada location in Metchosin. The session was
facilitated by Cynthia Overweg who is visiting the Centre and will be
available for an uncertain length of time. We are fortunate to have a
dedicated student of Krishnamurti’s teachings like Cynthia with us and
able to support interested students of K who can choose to stay with her
at the Centre.
We began the meeting with a period of silence. Then Cynthia spoke of
her conviction that love is the essence of all Krishnamurti’s teachings,
although expressed in different ways. She asked a number of questions
about love, wondering if it is always immediately available to us and
asking what gets in the way of love and what kind of conditioning blocks
the love in us. It was suggested that our habit of comparing people with
each other can certainly prevent the flow of love between humans as it
brings memories of being hurt to the fore. On the other hand, as
Krishnamurti said, being aware moment to moment of our conditioned
thoughts as they arise can keep us open to the presence of love and
compassion. One participant expressed that when “because” loses its
significance then love appears. And the desire for security with the fear
of being threatened work together to suppress the flow of love. These
are real issues for human beings.
We discussed Krishnamurti’s ideas about those who love radically being
“dangerous”. He seems to be saying that stepping outside of
conventional behaviour may be thought of as “dangerous” by those
attached to the status quo and hesitant to explore other possibilities. In
this sense memory, although necessary, can keep love away. There was
mention of the difference between being alone and being “lonely”.
It was inquired if we could come up with a question that we could carry
with us as a reminder of the importance of staying with the “practice” of
self-observation. Can there be a continuous compassionate curiosity in
our self-observation? One person recommended Cynthia’s book Silent
Awareness because of its depth and beauty of expression.
We ended with a short silence that completed the experience for this
event. The sunny afternoon had been somewhat disturbed by wind and
cold, but most seemed to have valued the opportunity to sit outside in
nature where, although we sometimes had difficulty hearing each other
speak, we could enjoy the pure, clear sounds of the bird songs and the
lovely view of the Juan de Fuca Straight with the Cascade Mountains in
the background.

DB

Self-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg, May 8, 2024

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Self-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

At Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion

 

Ten people were in attendance for this self-inquiry meeting or dialogue sponsored by the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada and held at the newly built pavilion at Esquimalt Gorge park on Tillicum Road. The building sits amidst lovely surroundings very conducive to quiet contemplation and discussion and our new facilitator, who will be visiting from Washington state for a month at least, seems to be drawing somewhat larger turnouts than we’ve had for some time now. Her mild and gentle manner apparently attracts people interested in the teachings of J. Krishnamurti.

Cynthia opened the session by asking participants to briefly introduce themselves and to speak of their interest in Krishnamurti. This was followed by a period of silence and an invitation to share any questions or insights concerning their readings of the recommended text, The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti, or their own observations of themselves. One participant shared that he was interested in the difference between sensations and feelings, and this led to an interesting exploration of K’s idea of the new brain and the old brain, the need to merge the feelings with “the heart”, and the sense of awe which can arise when we are attentive in the present moment.

There was interest in the nature and “practice” of meditation, opening the conversation to look at the watching of our thoughts as opposed to the controlling of them. Fighting with our thoughts will not create silence, spaciousness, or peace, but observing them dissolves thoughts and reactive feelings or emotions. Some readings from The Book of Life supported the insights of group members and Cynthia commented that such inquiry brought forward “an energy which affects the rest of the world”.

The meeting was brought to a close with some “conscious breathing”, being attentive to the breath. The session appeared to be very much enjoyed by all.

 

DB

Self-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg, May 5, 2024

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Self-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada

Metchosin, BC

 

Fourteen people in total were present at the Metchosin location of the Krishnamurti Educational Centre on Swanwick Road for this Sunday meeting. We were happy to welcome Cynthia, who formerly lived in Ojai, California, and now lives in Washington state. She is joining us as a guest facilitator for about one month. Cynthia has offered her skills to the Krishnamurti Centre for some years now in leading online gatherings and workshops which have been greatly enjoyed by participants. In this current series, Krishnamurti’s text, The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti, is being used as a reference for the study of K’s perspectives on important issues in life and self-understanding.

After a period of silence, Cynthia read from the first section of the book entitled “Listening” and invited group participants to bring forward their observations and questions stimulated by the readings. Individuals offered their difficulties and issues with the “practice” of listening, including the barriers they sometimes or often came up against. There was a good deal of discussion concerning the difference between hearing and listening and the importance of sensitivity and receptivity. It was said that really effective listening has a certain energy to it which is a factor of a silent mind and the operation of insight rather than an intellectual comprehension of what is being communicated. The sense of separateness disappears in the listening when there is a quality of full attention in the present moment. It was suggested that the presence of genuine interest is an important element, as is also awareness of one’s body and its sensations. The existence of an awareness that is prior to all manifestation was explored and affirmed. Beliefs and ideas were to be considered as possible blocks to listening.

It was an interesting and revealing sharing of insights and discoveries which kept us engaged for a full hour and a half or more.

 

DB

Self-inquiry with Jeff Brown, May 1, 2024

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Self-inquiry with Jeff Brown

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

At Gorge Esquimalt Pavilion

Victoria, BC

 

Five participants were in attendance for this Wednesday afternoon meeting at the lovely Gorge Esquimalt pavilion on Tillicum Road in Victoria (Esquimalt). Four of us were very familiar with the teachings of J. Krishnamurti and the other less so. He had experience in other non-dual teachings, however, and was able to join in with the flow of the dialogue and to share his own understanding of self-inquiry. We delved into quite a number of topics, including the use of the mind in exploring the meaning of our lives, the engagement with self-observation and being with challenging feelings and aspects of our conditioned consciousness. There was quite a lot of interest in the issue of dealing with traumatic experiences which could have the power to take us down “rabbit-holes” that are difficult to negotiate. It was asked why certain people seem to emerge from trauma in their lives with a sense of wholeness and health while others are more negatively affected by such crises in their lives. The importance of facing our fears was explored in some depth.

Four of the group went for a light meal after the meeting, which was an enjoyable ending to the afternoon. It was Jeff’s last day facilitating the self-inquiry meetings – at least for now – and we are grateful for his input.

 

DB

Self-inquiry with Jeff Brown, April 28, 2024

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Self-inquiry with Jeff Brown

April 28, 2024

At KECC Metchosin, BC

 

Seven people were present for this Sunday afternoon meeting at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada, facilitated by Jeff Brown and held at the Metchosin, BC location. After a period of silence, Jeff opened the floor to discussion of whatever was interesting to the participants. Somehow the use of the word “God” and related concepts was brought forward and a quite lengthy exploration followed with focus on the question of what is sacred and what do such words mean to us or to others. Is there a quality of experiencing which has a sense of depth and beauty, love and unity, and which could be called an expression of the heart when the thinking mind is in abeyance or in the background? Krishnamurti seemed to be open to such depths of awareness and to be pointing us towards such fullness and completeness of Being.

We asked what can give access to such realms of beauty and does the contact with the “heart” then enable one to live in a way that is attuned to the intelligence of the “heart”. To live in a more or less constant state of learning was mentioned by a few of us as a desirable state to realize or embody while at the same time not losing the humility and innocence of “not-knowing”.

Participants were invited to share a meal at the MyChosen Cafe, which proved to be an enjoyable experience of friendship and a lovely way to complete our afternoon.

Self-inquiry with Jeff Brown, April 28, 2024

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Self-inquiry with Jeff Brown

April 28, 2024

At KECC, Metchosin, BC

 

Seven people were present for this Sunday afternoon meeting at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada, facilitated by Jeff Brown and held at the Metchosin, BC location. After a period of silence, Jeff opened the floor to discussion of whatever was interesting to the participants. Somehow the use of the word “God” and related concepts was brought forward and a quite lengthy exploration followed with focus on the question of what is sacred and what do such words mean to us or to others. Is there a quality of experiencing which has a sense of depth and beauty, love and unity, and which could be called an expression of the heart when the thinking mind is in abeyance or in the background? Krishnamurti seemed to be open to such depths of awareness and to be pointing us towards such fullness and completeness of Being.

We asked what can give access to such realms of beauty and does the contact with the “heart” then enable one to live in a way that is attuned to the intelligence of the “heart”. To live in a more or less constant state of learning was mentioned by a few of us as a desirable state to realize or embody while at the same time not losing the humility and innocence of “not-knowing”.

Participants were invited to share a meal at the MyChosen Cafe, which proved to be an enjoyable experience of friendship and a lovely way to complete our afternoon

DB

The End of Suffering, April 26 – 28, 2024

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The End of Suffering

April 26 – 28, 2024

with Kathryn Jefferies

Zoom online

We were happy to welcome back Kathryn after some years without contact. She was not able to join us in person but we found her online presence to be very satisfying and effective in communicating her message. Eight people were present for the three meetings spread over three days and engaging us for almost two hours each session.

Kathryn introduced herself to the group and shared some of the background to her work and the connection with Krishnamurti, whom she has greatly admired and found very helpful in her pursuit of self-knowledge and self-inquiry. She has also found The Work of Byron Katie to be extremely useful and complementary to working with Krishnamurti’s teachings. “Katie,“ she said, “is the how to Krishnamurti’s what.” The weekend was to be a demonstration of this fact in our direct experience, facilitated by Kathryn, who proceeded to guide us through an exercise in noticing what is happening in our own experience. Both K and Katie, Kathryn said, were interested in exploring what suffering actually is rather than in just getting rid of it. To this end Katie had developed a series of questions which could penetrate the beliefs that we hold about life, the behaviour of others and ourselves, and our suffering. Thoughts believed cause suffering but thoughts questioned bring freedom. Using her questions, Katie asks her fellow inquirer to examine the truth or falseness of his or her complaints about a person’s behaviour and what is being expected. Kathryn asked us to go through the questions in each of our personal situations. This is a way of bringing our assumptions and beliefs to light and, as Krishnamurti said, discovering the self in “the action of relationship.” We see the “stories” that our mind is running. The inquiry is most effective if we want to see the truth rather than seeking to support our egos.

After thoroughly questioning ourselves, we employed some “turn-arounds” which provided new and different perspectives on our beliefs and behaviours. “She is rejecting me” becomes “she is not rejecting me” or “I am rejecting me” and other variations. In each case the inquirer asks in what way the turn-around is true. The turn-arounds were surprisingly effective in revealing the mind at work and dissolving the concepts of thought which limit our sense of freedom. What is left is a greater degree of compassion and kindness. The participants found the process of the workshop to be most helpful.

DB

Self-inquiry with Jeff Brown, April 24, 2024

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Self-inquiry with Jeff Brown

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Esquimalt Gorge Pavilion

Victoria, BC

 

Eight people were present for this Wednesday afternoon meeting facilitated by Jeff Brown and attended by several new participants who added a unique flavour to the interactions making up the group dialogue process. The session began with a short meditation or quiet period; it was then followed by introductions. It was suggested that people bring forward any questions or topics of interest that the group might explore together. One of the first-timers explained that such self-exposure might prove challenging to him, but with encouragement he was able to speak of his persistent difficulty in sharing about himself in such a setting. Other group members found ways of responding that brought forth some interesting questions and comments. Jeff wondered if we might say what it was that each one of us was looking for when we engaged in a dialogue with others willing to explore together. The answer that came was that the individual was looking for a “free mind”.

The idea of a free mind triggered the question “What is freedom and why do we want to be free?” A number of responses were offered, one of which suggesting that freedom may be connected with having a sense of control over the mind. One person offered that Krishnamurti’s approach was perhaps more one of learning about ourselves from self-observation than one of controlling the behaviour of thought and emotion. Learning could bring an insight which might change our behaviour. It was stated that this might be what was “meditation” for Krishnamurti.

We explored in some depth the significance of attachment in relation to freedom, or the lack of it, and the importance of seeing the patterns of attachments and habits which keep us from being free. Does it work, we asked, when we seek to achieve an ideal, or is it more effective to see clearly the way things are and to be with the “fact” rather than the idea? This would imply dealing with our fears and resistances. For one participant it would likely require that he examine his sense of “despair”.

The meeting seemed to be enjoyable and valuable for al of those present.

 

DB

Self-inquiry with Jeff Brown, April 21, 2024

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Self-inquiry with Jeff Brown

Sunday, April 21, 2024

At KECC Metchosin, BC

 

There were nine participants in attendance for this Sunday afternoon meeting at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada location at 538 Swanwick Rd. in Metchosin. It was a sunny day, a little on the cold and windy side, and we decided to hold the meeting on the front lawn. We were treated with the beautiful ocean and mountain views and the lovely Gary Oak trees giving the property its delightful variety of objects such as grass, bushes, rocks and clouds floating in a blue sky. After some moments of silence there was a sharing of a contrasting reality that seemed to hold all objects in an open space which penetrated their solidity. Jeff asked if anyone had a question they would like to explore with the group and this awakened a few lines of inquiry which became more and more absorbing. The discussion turned to the strange fact of this existence of emptiness and fullness at the same time, as spoken of in Buddhist texts from long ago. There was a quality of mystery and a sense, at least for some, of being without separation from one’s surroundings. Each dialoguer expressed his or her own experience of known and unknown as we explored our sense of self or no-self. It was difficult to describe, but participants made valiant attempts at putting words to the blend of form and emptiness which most seemed to register in the present moment. The noticing of a few fences on the property triggered thoughts of division and a recognition that we may all be as guilty as anyone of creating division while pretending that we are only interested in togetherness and sharing. We may not, it was said, be as innocent of creating separation as we’d like to think.

The conversation turned to a questioning of relationships and their value. What value does right relationship have, and what about so-called “healing relationship?” it was asked. As is often the case in our dialogues, the nature of the self was brought forward for examination along with the nature of conflict and its source or root. How much self-protection do we surround ourselves with as we go about our daily lives? Can we learn about our defensiveness as we observe our reactions in our lives. Such seemed to be the essence of Krishnamurti’s teachings.

The group appeared to be enjoying itself as we continued to question the nature of our experience. We gave up trying to stay warm as the day grew colder and moved to the Gatehouse for some tasty fruit and cookies, along with further conversation and enjoyment of each other’s company.

 

DB