This facilitator is in no way an authority or 'Krishnamurti Teacher'. She speaks in her own name and moves together with all other participants on a journey of self inquiry.
She may help organise retreat programs, but truth and awareness can never be organised, nor administered by another: it can only be discovered simply and naturally for oneself.
Somehow, we love to follow the leader. Without realising, we do what others tell us to do. Other people advise us what to think; persuade us what to believe in. Not all others of course; only those who have credibility. Authority.
All this began with our parents, our teachers, our bosses and the political leaders. In the larger scheme of things it’s always been part of human history to look up to kings, queens, generals, priests and gurus. Thinking for ourselves has often, in fact, been rather a risky business, with all these authorities around who have “say” and we don’t.
Many of us behave independently, demand emancipation and already feel free of authority. Well, at least we think we’re free. Am I really free of the invisible influence that my family, education, religion and culture have had on me? Is there a deeper inner authority within me? I’m often unaware that I think and act in a certain way according to my background, beliefs and received ideas.
When I don’t have anybody guiding me or telling me how to act, I may feel lost, entitled even to the safety of their protective power. I may fear those in control, yet fear more the absence of them. Or I rebel against people in charge: seek to pull them off their pedestals – but who hoisted them up there in the first place?
So when it comes to participating in self inquiry groups like these – my conditioned mind can naturally make the facilitator into an authority. Either to appreciate or to criticise. I might not be aware that I am doing either: just as I’m not aware of the influence of authority, dictating my thoughts, psychologically speaking.
If there is to be genuine inquiry happening in a group, there cannot be any sense that the facilitator knows or should know more than me. I have to see the topics for myself – face the music honestly and alone – yet circled with others in dialogue.
There is no need for anyone to assume ascendancy when we are friends looking together, equally interested, concerned with the questions at hand.
