Self-Inquiry with Vala Kondo-Legan, August 20, 2025
Following prior decision to focus on “Truth” in this week’s dialogue, the group began by reading the quote from The Book of Life (Truth comes in a flash, October 6):
“Truth or understanding comes in a flash, and that flash has no continuity; it is not within the field of time. Do see this for yourself. Understanding is fresh, instantaneous; it is not the continuity of something that has been. What has been cannot bring you understanding. As long as one is seeking a continuity—wanting permanency in relationship, in love, longing to find peace everlasting, and all the rest of it—one is pursuing something which is within the field of time and therefore does not belong to the timeless.”
The group began with a questioning of the sentence, “What has been cannot bring you understanding”. It was observed that, contrary to the quote; an understanding of life’s mistakes, allows one to avoid mistakes in the future.
This led the group to define what is meant by “understanding”. It was noted that there is a belief that we can learn to avoid the pain of mistakes, and that this is doable. This led to observing the consistent creation of “should”s that avoid discomfort.
ie: “I should understand this quote!”
An awareness of a “pressure to understand” was identified in the present moment; which resonated with the group.
The group then swung to address more sweeping questions of the nature of “the ground”/ and Intelligence as a whole; which was noticed as a possible collective avoidance of the discomfort of the aforementioned pressure.
Further exploration of “the pressure” [to understand] led to disclosures about desire to receive“understanding” from a dialogue, and excitement to add something to dialogue, and thereby “build the me”. A group member mentioned the excitement with which K spoke, which was not affiliated with ego, along with his admonishment, to notice that “the house is on fire!”
The two variant views caused a slight opposition. The group then discussed thought’s reliance upon“agreement”; including the seeking to resolve discord and seek equilibrium for safety.
—Vala Kondo-Legan
