Self-inquiry with Jeff Brown, April 24, 2024

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