We are adopting a different approach for some of our meetings this term. The idea is to try to get away from left-hemisphere dominance because nothing new can come from all the dissection, analysis, puzzling over meanings and arguing over translations that the left hemisphere loves.
This is the first paper out of five based on the metaphor of the chariot, horses, driver and owner. It also makes use of a film by Cyril Lanier based on this metaphor that is available in five parts on YouTube (see paper for link). Since the left hemisphere cannot cope with metaphor this seemed like a promising way forward. So the plan is that each of the five papers in this series is inspired by one short section of the film, and we watch that section during the meeting. Part of the idea is that if we can allow it space, the Sadh-guru (the teacher within) will surface and provide each of us with what we need – whether it is an insight into our nature or a question that needs to be answered.
The theory seemed to work quite well in our first meeting. Responses included:
- A marvellous experience of ‘bare awareness’ during a walk home and shopping in Tesco, in which all of the parts – chariot, horses, driver were working as they should under the care of the Master. This experience seemed to have been triggered by a session with an alternative health practitioner. However, when going for a walk the following day, it was possible to reach the same state of awareness through recalling the memory of the previous day’s experience. Another group member said she also used memory in this way and thought it could be very powerful.
- A question: what should we do about all those “I’s” that usurp the place of the Master? It was generally agreed that the important thing was to observe them and see them for what they are. Then in time perhaps they will disappear.
- One person felt that the only important thing was stillness. He didn’t want to hear all the ideas he had heard several times before over many years. It’s fine for beginners but not for people further along the path. But others felt that understanding really does change over time. One person who was reading the Record for the second time said she understood things entirely differently this time round.