How important is the spirit of dialogue and self-inquiry in our lives and relationships? Whether in our family, workplace, organization, culture, or surroundings, self-inquiry stands out as a unique process. It differs significantly from casual conversation or discussion. The goal is not to provide a "quick fix" or convince others of our knowledge and conclusions. Instead, "Learning and Unlearning Together" in a safe and compassionate space embodies the spirit of self-inquiry.

The power of self-inquiry lies in creating an open and safe space free from fear and judgments. Our inner space is often clouded by the "knowledge," past experiences, fears, and our overwhelming desire to “fix” oneself and the problems created by the mind. When we enter into a relaxed, non-reactive and an affectionate meditative space, insights and deeper understandings flow through our shared presence.

The Core Spirit of Meditative Self-Inquiry

The core spirit of meditative self-inquiry is held together by the following qualities:

Togetherness: Self-inquiry and dialogue thrive in an environment of real togetherness, friendliness, trust, and love, regardless of personal acquaintance. The work of self-inquiry is not just for the benefit of oneself but for the sake of whole human consciousness of which we are tiny sparks. In self-inquiry we work as friends and fellow travelers without hierarchy. The facilitator's role is to initiate and sustain the dialogue, keeping the flame of self-inquiry alive while gently reminding our original intentions and core questions.

A Deep Sense of Wonder: Wonder, innocence, and curiosity are essential to meditative self-inquiry. The purpose is not to gather more intellectual knowledge but to see the great beauty and significance of letting go the burden of our past baggage. Participating in self-inquiry does not require extensive knowledge of any teaching or philosophy. What we need is a simple heart and mind open to listening, inquiring, and wondering without seeking specific results. Our challenge is to come together as beginners and compassionate friends.

Quality of Looking, Listening, Awareness, and Compassionate Presence: The foundation of self-inquiry lies in exploring these fundamental aspects of our being. These are perhaps the unconditioned tools that allow for deeper insights.

Silence and Spaciousness: A deep process of self-inquiry unfolds when the mind is quiet and at ease, free from the rush to reach a predetermined destination. It is an uncharted journey into the unknown.

Let Stillness Answer the Question: Staying with a question for an extended period, rather than rushing to answer it based on past knowledge, allows the question to unfold and answer itself in a space of curiosity, wonder, and stillness. Can I allow stillness to answer the question rather than “me’ or “you”?

Learning and Listening Mindset: With what attitude am I coming to a retreat or a self-inquiry meeting? Is it to learn and unlearn or to teach? Am I coming to listen or to fill the space with my past stories? Self-inquiry is not a "therapy session" for catharsis or unloading all my baggage onto others. Self-inquiry is a sacred space to uncover and explore profound questions, remaining open to spontaneous insights and inner shifts while listening deeply from the heart.

A Sacred Space: From the beginning, we need to recognize that this is a sacred space, not suitable for debates, arguments, or asserting any particular ideology, strong opinions, or ideals. Our primary shared concern is to gain insight into what is true and what is false, rather than determining who is right or wrong. Gentleness, affection, trust, respect for each other, patience, and humility in one's approach and communication are crucial for a deep meditative self-inquiry.    

-Mukesh Gupta

“Don’t you want to go away sometimes to a quiet place where you take stock of everything that you have done. Some of you might want to do; but family responsibility and so on crowd in your way. All the same it is good to retreat to a place having great beauty with trees, birds and quietness, for beauty is truth and truth is goodness and love. The external beauty, external tranquility, silence may affect the internal tranquility. Beauty can only be when the self is not. Your retreat if you follow it rightly will have significance to you. I think it is essential sometimes to go to retreat, stop everything that you have been doing and look at them anew. You would then let in fresh air into your mind. You would be open to the mysteries of nature and to things that are whispering about us, which you would not otherwise reach; you would reach the God that is waiting to come, the truth that can not be invited but comes itself. In a retreat do not plunge into something else. Do not take books and be absorbed in new knowledge and new acquisition. Have a complete break with the past and see what happens.

Sirs, do it and you will see delight. You will see vast expanses of love, understanding and freedom. When your heart is open, then reality can come, then the whisperings of your own prejudices, your own noises are not heard. That is why it is good to take a retreat and to go away and stop the routine.

Try it Sirs, those who have the opportunity, then perhaps you will know what is beyond recognition what truth is which is not measured. Then you will find that God is not a thing to be experienced, to be recognized; but that God is something which comes to you without invitation. But that is only when your mind and your heart are absolutely still, not seeking, not probing. If we take a retreat, then thing that is waiting will come directly and surely.”    

                - J. Krishnamurti, Madras, Ist Public talk 05 Jan 1952