Self-inquiry with Cynthia Overweg, May 8, 2024
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
