These are questions that can only be answered by looking inwardly, by whatever means possible, and not through beliefs or theoretical aspects of philosophy, psychology or any belief system
January 2024
'Who is it that exists?' or 'Who is it that is here?' are questions that can only be answered by looking inwardly, by whatever means possible, and not through beliefs or theoretical aspects of philosophy and psycholog, or through science or the dogma of religion. A search for an indisputable answer to the age-old question "Who Am I?" It is a critical analysis of first-hand subjective experience and observations, shared with and questioned by other serious seekers for answers to the big questions about life. And no one can give you those answers, but together we can help evaluate each others' thinking, feeling and experiences.
If you are drawn to this, regardless of your particular path, you can discover the benefits of finding others to compare notes, question and be questioned, helping the momentum of each other's search. If such a quest is a journey, then we are looking at expediting that journey by helping to eliminate our roadblocks.
Self-inquiry is the investigation of the "I" or "me", and the “selfing” that is convinced that it exists.
The format of our meetings is group confrontation, to examine, question and confront our convictions, motivations and identities in an organized way. We use others as mirrors as they question our own and others' opinions and views, in a respectful and sincere manner. Each meeting focuses on a prepared specific topic.
There is nothing to join, nothing to buy, meetings are free and there is nothing to believe in. This is not a solicitation for any belief system, organization or philosophy. Just “Take what you need, give something in return and leave the rest”. Think for yourself and figure out what’s true. That’s all it's about -sifting and asking yourself what’s true until you know. You are welcome if you are willing to question yourself.
Our topics are inspired often by Zen, Mysticism, Sufism, Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism; Nisargadatta, Ramana Maharshi, Richard Rose, Bernadette Roberts, Franklin Merrell-Wolff, Paul Brunton, H. Benoit, John of the Cross, Rumi, Theresa of Avilla, Huang Po, Gurdjieff, Tolle, D.E. Harding. We often invite guest speakers who claim to have found answers, and reference whatever resources to help us further question who we are.
Currently (2024) we hold two meetings each month in person in the Pittsburgh area, a Wednesday evening online Zoom meeting and join-up monthly with a self-inquiry group in Dublin, Ireland.
Our meetings are 2 hours long, typically around a single topic, and everyone who wants to participate gets 10 minutes total, depending on number of people attending, to give their view or opinion and then be questioned about their thinking as honest feedback on what they believe, think or how they feel, feedback that they might never get from friends, family or through everyday interactions. There are no "right" answers, only honest ones. So anyone can just observe, or participate, that's up to the individual. There are usually 8-12 people who attend (online Zoom meetings), usually a new person, too. Some are more regular, some occasional. There is a broad background of the group -some scholarly, religious, professional -or not. The common thread is individuals who question who or what am I.
We do ask for a short introduction from newcomers, what caught their attention in order to attend, any background, etc.
Some resources regarding self-inquiry include:
TAT Foundation.org
TAT Forum (monthly publication which includes a list of self-inquiry groups that meet)
spiritualteachers.org
selfdefinition.org
realization.org
selfdiscoveryportal.com
mysticmissal.org
Meet-up: Pittsburgh Self-inquiry Group (listing of meetings since 2016)
For further info, or Zoom invitation to public meetings, please email us.
Thank you for your interest and hope to see you soon.
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