Swanwick Star Issue No. 3 (2010)

SWANWICK EVENTS 2010

Video Showings

This year monthly video showings and dialogues based on Krishnamurti’s teachings were offered from March through November. The subject matter was The Real Revolution series of Ojai talks since these videos present an excellent introduction to the man and his message. Each video was about half an hour long and was followed by dialogue or discussion for about one and a half hours. It seems that as interested people continue to question and inquire into the important issues of living, the inquiry itself becomes deeper for each individual and for the group. A small core group of about half a dozen persons were joined by newcomers that usually participated right away in a meaningful way. The central question for everyone seems to be to what extent are we able to live the teachings, to embody what is being pointed to.

 

Krishnamurti Retreats

There were two Krishnamurti related retreats this year. The first was with Hillary Rodrigues, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Alberta at Lethbridge and author of Krishnamurti’s Insight, an exploration of K’s teachings and the central role of insight in self-transformation. Hillary’s introductory talk on May 14th at Queenswood Centre in Victoria was attended by about twenty people; it focused on his personal experience and understanding of what K points to rather than on any academic aspects of the teachings. The talk was followed by questions and answers. The locale was then shifted to the Swanwick Centre for a weekend workshop exploring some of the issues of self-transformation in greater depth. The participants appreciated Hillary’s speaking from his direct experience and the opportunity to dialogue with him and each other in a relaxed but attentive way. We hope to continue the collaboration with Hillary in the future.

A second weekend retreat, exploring Krishnamurti’s message through video and dialogue, was facilitated by Ralph Tiller and David Bruneau. Hillary Rodrigues was also present via Skype and gave an excellent forty minute talk entitled Is it Possible to be Free of Conditioning? followed by questions and answers. For the remainder of the retreat a selection of K talks from Saanen, Brockwood Park, and Ojai was used, as well as an interview between K and Professor Allan Anderson never before seen in public. The participants in the retreat, who included for the second consecutive year Tom and John Jaeger, brothers from Texas and Hawaii, were all familiar with K for many years and this seemed to create an atmosphere of ease and enjoyment for the group explorations and sharings. The retreat was much appreciated by all.

 

Concluding Comments

Swanwick Centre is still in the process of regenerating its presence and activities after reopening its doors in 2007. This seems to be progressing slowly but surely, as the vision is clarified and programs are offered which are considered to be in harmony with Krishnamurti’s vision that the Centre could be an oasis for mankind. The groundwork undertaken this year is allowing the Centre to begin reaching out to other regions of North America as an international focal point for inquiry not dependent on belief or spiritual authority.