Science and Nonduality Conference 2019

Science and Nonduality Conference
Livestream and Recorded Transmission
October 25 – 27, 2019
At KECC

It has become an annual tradition for us to bring this conference from California to Victoria via the internet. This year the conference was held in San Jose. Thirteen people were in attendance at the Krishnamurti Centre for the weekend streaming of the event, beginning on the Friday evening. We showed opening talks by A.H. Almaas, Swami Swarvapryananda, and Adyashanti. Almaas spoke about embodying love and how relationship and nonduality fit or don’t fit together. He pointed out that there are many different qualities of love and experiences of it and made a good case for the idea that both the personal and the transcendental aspects of love are precious.
Adyashanti also explored the subject of love and its embodiment. The spiritual impulse of absolute love wants to be fully embodied in the life of the individuals. How this can happen is a “life koan,” or a question to be held constantly in our consciousness. Wisdom and human warmth are both necessary. Can we look through the eyes of the heart and invite “redemptive love” into our lives?
Swami S presented a condensed form of Advaita Vedanta in twenty minutes, focusing on the capacity to witness all that appears in consciousness and to realize that we are that which cannot be objectified.
Saturday was rich with numerous presentations focusing on various aspects of Oneness and Compassion, the Absolute and the relative aspects of love and presence. There was a good deal of discussion about trauma and its effects and the importance of self-compassion for healing. Rupert Spira spoke on the essence of nonduality, Jean Houston gave a passionate presentation about the mystic path, and Paul Levy explored the relationship of quantum physics and spiritual realization. Others spoke from multiple perspectives within the container of science and non-dual awareness and participants had their own favourite presentations. We watched a movie produced by Micheal Mendizza (“Walking Beside the Mind”) investigating some of the interactions and inquiry between J. Krishnamurti and the quantum physicist David Bohm, who had many dialogues over the years.
Sunday continued to be a rich blend of male and female presenters as well as panel discussions on climate change and how to approach the challenges facing us today in terms of the threats to the planet and the creatures depending on it. There were suggestions that we need new paradigms and ways of understanding reality and ourselves in order to live in harmony with nature and each other. The final words of the last presenters left us with some hopeful and uplifting viewpoints.
It seemed that everyone participating in our retreat felt the weekend was very interesting and worthwhile. We had opportunities for some walks on the lovely property and many informal conversations and sharings which added to the experience of being together. Delicious meals were catered by Glenrosa Restaurant and, as always, breakfasts were prepared by Luis and Nao, who work tirelessly keeping the property in wonderful condition and cleaning up during and after the meals and the retreats. They are a much appreciated part of the “team” that provides the environment for the retreats to take place. Ralph Tiller did a great job, as usual, in organizing practical aspects of the weekend.