Self Study Meeting, September 20, 2020

Self Study Meeting

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Zoom Online

Twelve of us showed up Sunday morning to explore the topic of the “quiet mind”. Participants had prepared for the meeting by reading and contemplating selections from The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti (October 20 – 31 entries). These daily meditations focus on the same subject and explore various issues and challenges involved in coming upon a stillness of mind in ourselves. The main point made by K is that such stillness naturally arises when we are interested in learning about ourselves and it is deepened by our self-observation, awareness, and attention.

The session began with a guided meditation looking at what is preventing the mind from being quiet as we sit in the present moment with nothing that needs to be done. The discussion was then opened to a sharing of what participants had found significant in the readings as well as other issues that had emerged for them. Some questions and challenges with the material were brought forward and points of view offered, sometimes producing opposing ideas about what Krishnamurti says and what he means. It was pointed out that what is most important is our own direct seeing and understanding, and also that we may not always agree with each other in particular interpretations. There was a good deal of sharing and inquiry and an apparent appreciation of the experience of coming together to share the investigation of Krishnamurti’s teachings and the understanding of ourselves.