February 6th Krishamurti Book Study

The focus of our early February book study was on the self’s struggle with ‘what is’.  As K. points, the self is always in tension – always trying to escape – looking to become more ‘this’ or ‘that’ – generally moving away from ‘what is’.  We came to the conclusion that in our continued self-inquiry, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that the self is non-existent.  When one looks, and sees that there is nothing there, Hints of this emptiness can be glimpsed and sometimes the initial response can be fear or desire for escape or avoidance – the cause of all addiction and suffering.  Awareness is here in each moment – a void, emptiness. Self emerges from that – trying to establish solidness, something to grasp onto…. It needs this to feel secure and safe.  Our schools and other institutions reinforce this… proposing that ‘knowledge is power’.  Yet K.’s work, and his specific pointing is to the freedom that underlies all that we think we know… ‘freedom from the known’.  Our reading resulted in discussion about the habitual effort we go to, almost instinctually – always trying to become, and always moving away from ‘what is’.  We can try to create joy – looking to heal, advance or overcome – when in fact, true happiness is what emerges from instants when all efforting has fallen away.  This is the place of creativity, peace and fulfillment.  K. points out… If we can face the void, looking it right in the eye, rather than moving away or covering it up…. this acceptance of ‘what is’ is also the end of suffering. ​Posted on behalf of Bill Brown