Weekend Retreat with Ravi Ravindra, April 13 – 15, 2018

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Spirituality East and West – Krishnamurti and Gurdjieff

Weekend Retreat with Ravi Ravindra

April 13 – 15, 2018

For the sixth consecutive year Ravi Ravindra offered a weekend retreat at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada. A Ph. D and former professor of physics and philosophy, Ravi resides in Halifax. The retreat opened with a public talk on Friday evening at the Centre in which Ravi addressed the topic of differences and similarities between Eastern, and especially Indian, perspectives on spirituality and those of the Western or Abrahamic tradition. Sixteen people in total were in attendance. Ravi opened with a few interesting questions that are widely asked, “It is fairly clear that I did not create myself. So, in this vast universe, why did the divine intelligence or God bother to create me? What am I really, and why am I here?” In answering these questions the two traditions take different approaches which are influenced by the culture and in turn affect the cultural viewpoints. Ravi had many interesting points about the spiritual search and what is required for a radical transformation to take place in the individual. He also emphasized the significance of the sense of wonder.

Fourteen people in all were present for the weekend events, which included guided meditations, awareness exercises, time for walks and rest, as well as plenty of group discussions of the issues being explored. A film was shown introducing Krishnamurti and his teachings. Ravi himself shared stories of his meetings with K and his experiences with the Gurdjieff work, which he suggested brought a scientific flavour to the approach taken by Krishnamurti, which emphasized “Being”. Ravi put “awareness” at the centre of the quest for transformation and attachment to the status quo as the main impediment. He spoke of the need to be receptive to the subtle energies and levels of reality that may ordinarily be overlooked. Delicious food was provided by Glenrosa Restaurant. The weekend was much enjoyed and appreciated and we thank Ravi for his visit.