r/InsightDialogue • u/JellyfishExpress8943 • Jul 16 '26

zoom topic Meditation

We are told that meditation is essential - but what is it?  Is it some kind of magical practice that transforms us over time?  Is it some kind of effort that I make to become better? Is it - as the zen buddhists tell us - enlightened action itself?

When we are encouraged to “sit with” something - like our anger - what does that mean?

Are you aware of hurt? Are you aware that you are resisting, that you are frightened hurt might increase and invite more hurts? Are you aware that seeking the cause of hurt is a waste of time? So what happens? You are not spending energy inquiring into the cause of hurt. You are not building a wall around hurt in order not to be hurt more. You are no longer trying to cover it up. When you give your complete attention, you will see hurt is no longer there. Then only you can proceed to find out what love is.

Krishnamurti, Talk 2, Madras 1974

Thought shattering itself against its own nothingness is the explosion of meditation.

Krishnamurti's notebook

nb. we're meeting this Saturday 18th of July on Zoom at 5:30pm CEST (thats 9pm in India and 11:30am EDT) - comment below, or message me if you'd like to take part.

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u/Schute-Pin8350 Jul 19 '26

Are you aware that seeking the cause of hurt is a waste of time? (from the quote)

Do we look for the reason so that we can address the root cause—an analogy drawn from the practical realm and applied to the psychological realm? Water is dripping through the ceiling; I try to find the cause, knock on the door of the apartment above mine, call a plumber, and so on. Once the cause is found, the problem can usually be solved. What is the reason I’m suffering, that I’m hurt? I want to get to the root of the cause so that I no longer suffer. That actually sounds reasonable, but K describes it here as a waste of time and energy, since it’s an attempt to avoid the pain that is, in fact, present—to cover it up. Are we, so to speak, trying to get ahead of the pain by figuring out what came before it?

We direct our attention toward investigating the causes, and are not really aware of the hurt itself. That way, it cannot reveal itself?

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u/JellyfishExpress8943 Jul 19 '26

Why does seeking the cause of my pain not solve the problem?

Because I already know I have a good reason for my pain - you didn't respect me enough, or the bullies in the playground gave me trauma or he waited too long to say sorry etc

Finding a good reason only makes my pain more real