Krishnamurti's observation vs Peter Fenner's Just Sitting -- some notes

Just Sitting vs. Observing “What Is”

Recently, I’ve been practising Peter Fenner’s Just Sitting meditation. It has very few rules apart from sitting in one place and simply doing what you are doing.

I found it relaxing and easy. However, it was sometimes so subtle that nothing much seemed to happen. My mind and body could continue much as they were before.

Krishnamurti’s approach of observing “what is” felt different. When I observed my thoughts, bodily sensations, sounds, and reactions without trying to change them, my mind became noticeably quieter. My body also became more still, and my breathing naturally reduced.

This interested me because I practise Buteyko breathing. With Krishnamurti’s observation, I didn’t have to intentionally reduce my breathing. It seemed to quieten by itself as the mental activity and resistance settled.

For me, the difference is that Just Sitting removes the whole project of trying to achieve something. Krishnamurti’s observation brings more direct attention to what is actually happening.

Perhaps the two can work together. I can begin by observing “what is”. If the mind and body naturally become quiet, I can then stop even trying to observe and simply sit.

Krishnamurti provides the contact with what is happening. Fenner helps prevent that observation from becoming another self-improvement project.

Krishnamurti - post follow up, carry over effect, and some key insights into Krishamurti's approach and teaching style.

 Just some notes following on from another month or so immersing oneself in J.Krishnamurti's teachings via talks, book readings etc.

Some key insights:

* Krishnamurti's teachings and 'approach' is like an aquired taste.. you get used to it after a while and it 'grows' on you. It's not an immediate transfer. You may notice some carry over effect or influence days, weeks, months later, and then realise 'ah, that was Krishnamurti's enquiries having an effect, or the contemplations and 'hard work' done in the talks and videos that had a post-effect

* Krishnamurti can get intense at times. He starts with suffering, and does a deep dive into the problems of the world. This is intentional, and is a similar approach that perhaps the Buddha performed with he also started with suffering, our daily struggle and the first noble truth. This can be intense. It can also be revealing and a shock to face the fact of how often we escape from our suffering, the problems of the world and our life, and into distractions, entertainment, projects, spiritual fantasies and other pursuits. Anything except being with and observing the situation as it is right now.

* Work done on 'oneself' has to be through and via oneself only. There's no other authority or help or assistance other than mere observation, insight, and realisations that occur through one's own work. Even Krishnamurti himself referred to 'this speaker' as a mirror, and one that could be used as a reflection or prompt to allow us to observe, enquire and meet ourselves as we are with 'what is'.

* Take as many breaks as needed with this work. It's not meant to be an effort, a time consuming task to be started and finished, or some huge thought experiment. If it becomes a chore, or a project, or a future event, a method or way, then it's time to stop, relax, and come back later one when one's inner motivation and passion return. There's nothing wrong with doing this.

That's about all to say at this point about J. Krishnamurti's teachings and approach, apart from the fact that they do 'work' organically in unseen and unexpected ways.

D.