The following is an edited excerpt from
the December 2, 2001 morning meeting with Gangaji,
at the West Coast Winter Retreat
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I have often spoken about the value and privilege of retreat. There is the
opportunity for deep investigation during retreat - investigation of what
has been avoided on the positive and on the negative side. True inquiry
occurs when one is willing to fully investigate and what is discovered in
that investigation is the truth of oneself that is deeper and closer than
either the positive or the negative. The capacity for investigation arises
naturally in the willingness to rest. If the mind is wound around its
normal activity, its aversions and graspings, there is no space for
investigation. There is no space for inquiry.

This retreat follows the September 11th calamity and the penetration of the
cocoon of separation that we, with our affluence and power, had wound around ourselves. As is natural with affluence and power, we like to be insulated from the horrors and discomfort of the world. But in the penetration of that cocoon, retreat has even greater meaning, especially this aspect of rest, of letting go. Not letting go to get something, not letting go to inquire or investigate. Just to be here. To be fed, to meet together, to be in one
another¹s company.

You may not even be aware of the wound-up-ness of body and mind. In a
national tragedy, which reflects the world tragedy, which reflects the
on-going tragic side of the human progression through history, there is
agitation. I am not saying that agitation is wrong or misplaced. There is an
appropriate time for agitation, but it is wearing on the psyche and on the
body.

Give yourself this day, at least, to not get anything, so that the unwinding
can begin. That requires a level of trust that is not a part of our
conditioning as Westerners. We have trusted work, not rest. Work is
beautiful, but without rest it is horrible. So I invite you to just be
here, resting deeply, without knowing how to rest.