Foundations in Meditation and Enquiry

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It’s late in the afternoon, and the sheen from a dozen shades of green shimmer off a glassy section of the stream. A fair sized trout, for so shallow a waterway, bursts from light to shadow and back again.

A flock of small birds dart into the brush to my left, and then, on some hidden cue, fly in unison across the creek and disappear into the bushes on the other side.

Sycamores, vines, and various plants are mirrored in the creek’s calm surface. The sitting is first characterized by sluggishness and doubt, but the intent to go beyond the shadows of thought and time keeps one put, and awareness effortlessly gathers.

Unexpectedly as always, the continuity of thought gives way. Observing without an observer creates its own sanctuary, and one is enveloped in peace.

At the end of the dark corridor of thought lies the portal to the timeless. One cannot take time to cross it, since the accretion and continuity of thought is precisely the impediment of time.

The light fades. Dusk descends noticeably earlier and more quickly now in the northern hemisphere. Soon even the light at the tops of the trees disappears, and the place slides into deep shadow.

What allows this regenerative state to be? What breaks the continuity of self-concern, worry, and fear, even temporarily?

There are two factors: the spontaneous ending of the observer, and the spontaneous ending of time. There is nothing one can do to make the observer and time end. One can only put oneself in contact with nature (even if just in one’s backyard), and take the time to end time.

It’s strange, but psychological time can stop temporarily, only to start up again. Since growth occurs through negation, not addition, does the breakthrough of illumination happen when content-consciousness within an individual gives way completely?

Passive observation, unwilled gathering of undivided attention, and negation of the continuity of memory, thought, emotion, and time, are the essence of meditation in the solitary individual. Is there a social equivalent?

Without implying a method or technique, which are artifices of thought and so keep one contained in the dimension of memory and time, there is a way to ignite insight with two or more people. Indeed, I’m sure it is the fountainhead and foundation of a new global civilization.

That word ‘foundation’ is interesting. It’s root meaning is ‘to pour.’ The problem with psychological foundations is that they set, and become rock hard within a person. ‘My opinions,’ ‘my beliefs,’ ‘my truths’ become inviolable, pass for security, and promote endless conflict.

But if one is continually pouring, through questioning and igniting insight alone and with others, one’s foundation is fluid. Then when errors in one’s foundation are discovered, or one suffers a loss or collapse, the false can be thrown out without undercutting the ground on which one’s life is standing.

The essence of a true foundation is therefore completely within oneself, not in any religious or philosophical texts or teachings. And one is continually pouring and re-pouring that foundation by questioning one’s basic and often hidden assumptions and premises.

There are many subtle forms of psychological authority and dependency, and they all have to be rooted out for one to be a fully realized person, continually pouring a foundation within oneself.

So what is the foundation for cooperation and peace? The word ‘dialogue’ is overused and abased, and has mostly come to mean political negotiation. But there is a kind of dialogue that involves the suspension of judgments, beliefs, and opinions in favor of questioning together with the intent to ignite shared insight.

The process of enquiry can be seen as two or more people pushing a smooth boulder up a slight incline with sustained questioning. When the question leads, and its natural thread followed, energy is gathered, and simultaneous insights ensue.

When the questioning is done for its own sake, with no thought of reaching a goal or adhering to an agenda, the ball suddenly begins rolling on its own, taking the participants with it as they continue to follow it through their questioning together.

In enquiry each person’s views are respected, but everyone is asked to hold their views in abeyance as much as possible, so that a space is held open to listen and ask together.

I recall being in a group of about 20 people, mostly strangers, when we all began to probe together. As the process gained momentum, and insight become a single unfolding movement shared by all, our separateness vanished. It was a tremendous experience, one that deeply affected all of us.

One fellow never said a word. But you could feel the quality of his listening, and he contributed to the group as much or more as any of the talkers. Being in the practice of checking my perceptions whenever possible, I approached him afterward and asked if he in any way felt outside the enquiry.

I said that it was my feeling that his listening was perhaps the most potent ingredient in the experience. He said he felt completely involved in the process, and that he was contributing, with his listening.

The only way I can see that a global revolution in consciousness can come about is through small groups of transforming individuals all over the world questioning and igniting insight together.

Martin LeFevre is a contemplative and philosopher. More of his work and an archive can be found at the Colorado-based site Fountain of Light (fountainoflight.net). martinlefevre@sbcglobal.net

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