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The Impossible Question
By means of a series of exchanges, Krishnamurti helps his audience to explore matters like the origin and roots of thought, the limits of consciousness, the nature of pleasure and joy, personal relationships, and meditation, all of which revolve around the central issues of the search for self-knowledge. The Impossible Question reveals the unique approach of a profound thinker and teacher; it will prove invaluable to those who wish to gain insight into his philosophy or into themselves. Jiddu Krishnamurti was born in southern India in 1895 and died in 1986. The essence of his teachings is that societal change and world peace can only occur through a complete change of individual consciousness.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
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347 people want to read
About the author
J. Krishnamurti
1,323 books4,284 followersJiddu Krishnamurti was born on 11 May 1895 in Madanapalle, a small town in south India. He and his brother were adopted in their youth by Dr Annie Besant, then president of the Theosophical Society. Dr Besant and others proclaimed that Krishnamurti was to be a world teacher whose coming the Theosophists had predicted. To prepare the world for this coming, a world-wide organization called the Order of the Star in the East was formed and the young Krishnamurti was made its head.
In 1929, however, Krishnamurti renounced the role that he was expected to play, dissolved the Order with its huge following, and returned all the money and property that had been donated for this work.
From then, for nearly sixty years until his death on 17 February 1986, he travelled throughout the world talking to large audiences and to individuals about the need for a radical change in humankind.
Krishnamurti is regarded globally as one of the greatest thinkers and religious teachers of all time. He did not expound any philosophy or religion, but rather talked of the things that concern all of us in our everyday lives, of the problems of living in modern society with its violence and corruption, of the individual's search for security and happiness, and the need for humankind to free itself from inner burdens of fear, anger, hurt, and sorrow. He explained with great precision the subtle workings of the human mind, and pointed to the need for bringing to our daily life a deeply meditative and spiritual quality.
Krishnamurti belonged to no religious organization, sect or country, nor did he subscribe to any school of political or ideological thought. On the contrary, he maintained that these are the very factors that divide human beings and bring about conflict and war. He reminded his listeners again and again that we are all human beings first and not Hindus, Muslims or Christians, that we are like the rest of humanity and are not different from one another. He asked that we tread lightly on this earth without destroying ourselves or the environment. He communicated to his listeners a deep sense of respect for nature. His teachings transcend belief systems, nationalistic sentiment and sectarianism. At the same time, they give new meaning and direction to humankind's search for truth. His teaching, besides being relevant to the modern age, is timeless and universal.
Krishnamurti spoke not as a guru but as a friend, and his talks and discussions are based not on tradition-based knowledge but on his own insights into the human mind and his vision of the sacred, so he always communicates a sense of freshness and directness although the essence of his message remained unchanged over the years. When he addressed large audiences, people felt that Krishnamurti was talking to each of them personally, addressing his or her particular problem. In his private interviews, he was a compassionate teacher, listening attentively to the man or woman who came to him in sorrow, and encouraging them to heal themselves through their own understanding. Religious scholars found that his words threw new light on traditional concepts. Krishnamurti took on the challenge of modern scientists and psychologists and went with them step by step, discussed their theories and sometimes enabled them to discern the limitations of those theories. Krishnamurti left a large body of literature in the form of public talks, writings, discussions with teachers and students, with scientists and religious figures, conversations with individuals, television and radio interviews, and letters. Many of these have been published as books, and audio and video recordings.
This author also writes under: Jiddu Krishnamurti
In 1929, however, Krishnamurti renounced the role that he was expected to play, dissolved the Order with its huge following, and returned all the money and property that had been donated for this work.
From then, for nearly sixty years until his death on 17 February 1986, he travelled throughout the world talking to large audiences and to individuals about the need for a radical change in humankind.
Krishnamurti is regarded globally as one of the greatest thinkers and religious teachers of all time. He did not expound any philosophy or religion, but rather talked of the things that concern all of us in our everyday lives, of the problems of living in modern society with its violence and corruption, of the individual's search for security and happiness, and the need for humankind to free itself from inner burdens of fear, anger, hurt, and sorrow. He explained with great precision the subtle workings of the human mind, and pointed to the need for bringing to our daily life a deeply meditative and spiritual quality.
Krishnamurti belonged to no religious organization, sect or country, nor did he subscribe to any school of political or ideological thought. On the contrary, he maintained that these are the very factors that divide human beings and bring about conflict and war. He reminded his listeners again and again that we are all human beings first and not Hindus, Muslims or Christians, that we are like the rest of humanity and are not different from one another. He asked that we tread lightly on this earth without destroying ourselves or the environment. He communicated to his listeners a deep sense of respect for nature. His teachings transcend belief systems, nationalistic sentiment and sectarianism. At the same time, they give new meaning and direction to humankind's search for truth. His teaching, besides being relevant to the modern age, is timeless and universal.
Krishnamurti spoke not as a guru but as a friend, and his talks and discussions are based not on tradition-based knowledge but on his own insights into the human mind and his vision of the sacred, so he always communicates a sense of freshness and directness although the essence of his message remained unchanged over the years. When he addressed large audiences, people felt that Krishnamurti was talking to each of them personally, addressing his or her particular problem. In his private interviews, he was a compassionate teacher, listening attentively to the man or woman who came to him in sorrow, and encouraging them to heal themselves through their own understanding. Religious scholars found that his words threw new light on traditional concepts. Krishnamurti took on the challenge of modern scientists and psychologists and went with them step by step, discussed their theories and sometimes enabled them to discern the limitations of those theories. Krishnamurti left a large body of literature in the form of public talks, writings, discussions with teachers and students, with scientists and religious figures, conversations with individuals, television and radio interviews, and letters. Many of these have been published as books, and audio and video recordings.
This author also writes under: Jiddu Krishnamurti
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 21, 2016
If you want to feel confused and pissed off, this is the book for you. I even started to feel a bit like I was losing my grip on reality, or my feeling that I know how to live skillfully. In that sense it's a dangerous book. I've read books about 'consciousness' for years, watch videos and listen to other so-called 'enlightened' teachers, have meditated daily for 9 months and have been to two silent retreats, so it's not like I had no preparation.
I got really confused about 'fragmentation', (duality, I guess he meant) which he went on about for like 50 pages or so.
I got pissed off at times because of the way he talks to his students - seemingly berating them for not participating or understanding enough, but then biting their heads off when they give a wrong answer. I get that he wants people to think for themselves, but it was kinda depressing having to read that over and over again.
He repeatedly emphasizes the importance of understanding certain points clearly before moving on, but doesn't give enough direction as to how to understand them.
I got really confused about 'fragmentation', (duality, I guess he meant) which he went on about for like 50 pages or so.
I got pissed off at times because of the way he talks to his students - seemingly berating them for not participating or understanding enough, but then biting their heads off when they give a wrong answer. I get that he wants people to think for themselves, but it was kinda depressing having to read that over and over again.
He repeatedly emphasizes the importance of understanding certain points clearly before moving on, but doesn't give enough direction as to how to understand them.
January 2, 2016
One of the best books I have ever read. The most important thing in our life is dealt with in this mind-blowing book. Why are we so hollow and vain ? Krishnamurti asks us. His answer is not so simple.
We are slave to conditioning and there are too many division in our life. We can not overcome the habit of indulging in thought. He just implies those things. He does not push his taught to us. Again and again he begs us for thinking by ourselves. His humble attitude is very impressive. This is the book written by a man of true wisdom. All we have to do is to taste it carefully and live with it.
We are slave to conditioning and there are too many division in our life. We can not overcome the habit of indulging in thought. He just implies those things. He does not push his taught to us. Again and again he begs us for thinking by ourselves. His humble attitude is very impressive. This is the book written by a man of true wisdom. All we have to do is to taste it carefully and live with it.
June 14, 2011
Similar discussion format as many of the other Krishnamurti books, although rather than a range of selected discussions it follows the same group day-after-day and covers a very in-depth approach to Krishnamurti's world view.
One of the interesting themes throughout Krishnamurti's discussions is his continued insistence that he is not an authority, teacher, or guru; and yet the audience treats him as if he was..
One of the interesting themes throughout Krishnamurti's discussions is his continued insistence that he is not an authority, teacher, or guru; and yet the audience treats him as if he was..
May 10, 2013
Un libro muy confuso lleno de incognitas, pero cada una de ellas te deja pensando. Krishnamurti dice desde el principio que no es un maestro, que está investigando en conjunto con el lector y así se va desarrollando el diálogo en el que busca desentrelazar un problema que ni siquiera sabíamos que teniamos y que es el eje de todos los problemas según él.
July 25, 2014
Although I just read Part I of this book, I would definitely recommend this one to people who like to question, not just society, but their personal cage of opinions, i.e. how you can free yourself of prejudices and ego, logically.
A great read.
A great read.
May 25, 2011
It is unfortunate that you can't give six stars here. A life changing read.
April 12, 2013
Questions and answers with the public. Krishnamurti definitely makes you think.
April 24, 2016
vraiment une superbe lecture qui a remit en cause toute ma façon de pensé mais alors la d'une façon radical a A life changing read.
February 25, 2019
this book is concerned with oneself knowledge by exhibiting absolute definitions (fear , consciousness..etc) not correlated with past experiences as it disdain dependence on anyone or anything.
it put you alone facing all your fears and trying to let you perceive your reality about yourself inwardly and outwardly.
lean towards oneness concept and it scorns divisions and fragmentation which as it claims they are humane method to escape our fears while it double it on the other hand.
it put you alone facing all your fears and trying to let you perceive your reality about yourself inwardly and outwardly.
lean towards oneness concept and it scorns divisions and fragmentation which as it claims they are humane method to escape our fears while it double it on the other hand.
May 30, 2025
En el libro se establecen una serie de pautas para que cualquier persona tenga la posibilidad de vivir mejor. En efecto, la posibilidad de conocerse a uno mismo tiene directa correlación con estar mejor, vivir más tranquilo, ser uno sólo con el mundo. El contenido del libro se compone de unas charlas que dictó el autor, en las que, en principio, expone unas premisas y, luego, escucha preguntas de unos estudiantes y realiza contrainterrogatorios sobre las mismas, casi como Sócrates con su bien conocido método de la mayéutica, en las cuales se va conduciendo a las personas para que abstraigan ese conocimiento. Ahora, el mismo autor les dice que nadie les debe decir el cómo, que cada experiencia debe ser personal, por lo que, concluyo, para conocerse a sí mismo no debe existir un método único, pues todos somos muy distintos, pero si puede haber unas herramientas que permiten que se llegue a ese conocimiento. Jiddu trata de exponerlas, pero son unas herramientas de trabajo muy pesadas, no aptas para cualquiera, como quiera que tienen por inicio la abstracción de todo aquello que nos rodea, de todo pasado que nos envenena, de todo pensamiento futuro que nos causa ansiedad, de todo pensamiento, porque -dice- el pensamiento hace que nazca el temor. Así, pues, se busca que haya un absoluto silencio para poder comprender quién es uno y, en consecuencia, para hacer parte de ese todo del que está compuesto el ser. Suena muy complicado, lo sé…
El autor ahonda en los condicionamientos culturales, religiosos, etc., que tenemos los seres humanos, condicionamientos que impiden que el ser llegue al conocimiento de sí mismo. Señala que el ser debe ser observado sin el yo, que es lo que envenena, sin tener en cuenta lo que haya pasado, de una forma objetiva. Habla sobre el error que implica pensar en forma fraccionada, porque algo es el todo y así debe ser comprendido. También habla de la disciplina y de la libertad, sobre la forma en la que una permite llegar a la otra. Medita sobre la conexión que existe entre placer y temor, y concluye que uno lleva a lo otro. Habla sobre la comparación como forma de condicionamiento, sobre lo que conlleva el estar comparándose con los demás; sobre la comparación como forma de violencia y que lleva a la frustración y al sufrimiento.
En conclusión, indica que conocerse a uno mismo es la única forma de liberarse de los prejuicios del pasado, de ahí la importancia de conseguirlo para poder vivir en tranquilidad.
El autor ahonda en los condicionamientos culturales, religiosos, etc., que tenemos los seres humanos, condicionamientos que impiden que el ser llegue al conocimiento de sí mismo. Señala que el ser debe ser observado sin el yo, que es lo que envenena, sin tener en cuenta lo que haya pasado, de una forma objetiva. Habla sobre el error que implica pensar en forma fraccionada, porque algo es el todo y así debe ser comprendido. También habla de la disciplina y de la libertad, sobre la forma en la que una permite llegar a la otra. Medita sobre la conexión que existe entre placer y temor, y concluye que uno lleva a lo otro. Habla sobre la comparación como forma de condicionamiento, sobre lo que conlleva el estar comparándose con los demás; sobre la comparación como forma de violencia y que lleva a la frustración y al sufrimiento.
En conclusión, indica que conocerse a uno mismo es la única forma de liberarse de los prejuicios del pasado, de ahí la importancia de conseguirlo para poder vivir en tranquilidad.
April 2, 2023
Incredibly frustrating. Krishnamurti makes some fairly interesting points, but much of that is lost in a confusing mix of circular talks and his own special brand of high-handed browbeating of his students. In many of the dialogues you can really get a sense of the frustration both he and his audience have with each other. I may come back to this in the future and read it more slowly, but for now I'm just happy to be done with a book that is simultaneously condescending and contradictory.
September 19, 2023
I hated everything about this how he talks to his students how he constantly repeats the same thing over and over again without really giving anything of value I read this book and I was pissed from start to finish I genuinely felt rage at some points this is such a bs book I don't know how can anyone like it tbh
July 31, 2019
The explanation is not the explained. You delve deeper and further and observe and find. You walk and run and fly and sleep. You ask and answer and talk and listen. None of these answer the impossible question unless you want to know what is the possible answer. The possible answer is inside.
January 20, 2022
It was impossible for me to read it at once, just because of the realisations it brought up. Wonderful book that makes people think on a deeper level. Every single chapter has a content for a separate book written nowadays.
August 8, 2018
An excellent start to read J.Krishnamurti's finest ideas about the current question we have. This book made me to continue to read his other works containing his words about how we perceive life.
March 1, 2019
A bit too abstract for me.
April 27, 2020
Mind-opening experience.
April 13, 2021
A book that makes you put on your thinking cap!
November 25, 2021
Really a very, very, very good book.
August 7, 2020
Reading evokes a myriad of emotions in me; and sometimes it is a deeply intellectual exercise. But it rarely happens that a book proves to be a combination of the two. The Impossible Question by J Krishnamurti is one such rarity.
Read my thoughts on the book here: http://www.anamfatima.com/conversatio...
Read my thoughts on the book here: http://www.anamfatima.com/conversatio...
April 7, 2019
The book has been written in an interview style. The conversations are thought provoking but, at times, hard to follow.
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March 7, 2021Interesting ideas about how we should view the world.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews