Meeting Guidelines
The format of this group consists of a controlled form of questioning, called CONFRONTATION by Richard Rose. However, this term may mislead. It is in no way a heated argumentation or interrogation of the other person. Nothing gets too personal, and no one will be allowed to be obnoxious in their line of questioning. The purpose of confrontation is to discover our ultimate, real Self. Confrontation is not meditation. It is a technique used to provoke meditation, to get the mind off dead center. While there may be some therapeutic value as a result of confrontation, it is not the prime purpose. Questions should not involve dispensing advice. We are attempting to help others find their spiritual self-definition. Our method of confrontation will help the person “go within” to find the answers. The great value of this method is that the whole group acts as a “mirror” for the person being asked the questions. The questions themselves can possibly reveal insights to the individual being asked, questions which he might never have asked himself, or perhaps would not have asked himself until many years later, when it would be too late to take action. In this way we can expedite our spiritual search.
A monitor runs the Self-Inquiry Group. The monitor chooses the topic for discussion. He does not answer any questions. His function is to act as facilitator, keep order, and use the questioning to help the participants examine their own thinking.
Each participant will be given the opportunity to answer the topic question. All other participants are encouraged to ask questions to the person answering the topic question. This is the purpose of the group – to be a “mirror” for the other person.
Participation is strictly voluntary. You don’t have to answer questions if you don’t want to. You can just observe, but keep in mind that fewer participants would defeat the purpose of a self-inquiry group.
We are not a commercial venture or money oriented cult. The monitor is affiliated with the TAT Foundation, and as such promotes the ideas of its founder, Richard Rose. However, all spiritual seekers and those interested in esoteric philosophy are welcome, and may participate at the level of their own choosing.
The Self-Inquiry Group aims at Self-Definition and considers all knowledge incomplete until the “knower” or experiencer is identified.