Meditative Self-Inquiry with Oda Lindner, April 12, 2026

We met outside on the lawn near the pool at the Swanwick Centre to explore meditation together. One participant, deeply influenced by Jiddu Krishnamurti, shared his personal journey, describing meditation as moments of being fully present without thought, often supported by sensations such as sound, breath, and bodily awareness.

He felt he had learned to “stop thinking” at times and saw this as meditation, though he also noticed how frequently thought would return. He connected these experiences to broader ideas about vibration, consciousness, and occasional mystical impressions.

The facilitator gently questioned whether the very act of “trying to be empty” might itself be part of the problem. She invited the group into a simpler, shared exploration: sitting quietly, sensing the body, and observing without effort—allowing silence rather than attempting to produce it.

The dialogue then opened into key themes central to Krishnamurti’s teachings:

– Meditation is not a technique but part of daily living

– Thought is rooted in the past and can distort perception

– True stillness comes not from control, but from understanding the movement of thought

– Seeing the destructive nature of psychological patterns may itself bring about change

The group reflected on fear, responsibility, and whether real change begins within oneself rather than externally.

Overall, the conversation moved from personal experience and seeking toward a shared inquiry into whether meditation is an effortless awareness—free from trying, control, or accumulated knowledge.

 

•  Anastasia Shtamina