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On Freedom
This theme book examines a particularly important subject in Krishnamurti's teaching through excerpts from his talks and dialogues.
Krishnamurti addresses the basic issues of freedom - from human rights in political and social arena to the desire for freedom from "wants, pursuits, ambitions, envies, and ill will". Freedom according to Krisnamurti, is necessary for clarity of understanding. Freedom is to be without fear, but there are freedoms, such as the freedom to overpopulate the earth, that create imbalance and even catastrophe and need to be understood in all their dangers.
Krishnamurti addresses the basic issues of freedom - from human rights in political and social arena to the desire for freedom from "wants, pursuits, ambitions, envies, and ill will". Freedom according to Krisnamurti, is necessary for clarity of understanding. Freedom is to be without fear, but there are freedoms, such as the freedom to overpopulate the earth, that create imbalance and even catastrophe and need to be understood in all their dangers.
- GenresPhilosophy
150 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1991
9 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
J. Krishnamurti
1,337 books4,301 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 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 26, 2024
Jiddu Krishnamurti was an Indian philosopher and orator who travelled the world, giving speeches on freedom (among other topics) between 1948 and 1985. This book, On Freedom, is a collection of transcriptions from his speeches which pertain to this topic. The main takeaway from the book is that the reader should think deeply for oneself about what freedom means. Everyone is implored to be alert and aware, lest the mind becomes dull. There are some intriguing takes on the obstructions of thoughts, righteousness and social conditioning to experiencing true freedom.
The process of reading through this collected work is taxing, as the presentation is dry and unimaginative. There are pseudo-philosophical statements which are given as "facts" and there are many times when the frustrated reader may wish the material was presented in a laconic way. The language is easy to comprehend but the topics talked about are incredibly repetitive (which is expected, given the nature of this publication). Potential readers might want to consider skipping this book for videos online which feature Jiddu Krishnamurti's oration.
The process of reading through this collected work is taxing, as the presentation is dry and unimaginative. There are pseudo-philosophical statements which are given as "facts" and there are many times when the frustrated reader may wish the material was presented in a laconic way. The language is easy to comprehend but the topics talked about are incredibly repetitive (which is expected, given the nature of this publication). Potential readers might want to consider skipping this book for videos online which feature Jiddu Krishnamurti's oration.
December 14, 2022
On Freedom is a short, simple, thought provoking and wildly insightful read.
Freedom as we know it, is freedom of choice. It's a reaction that will cause us to either move away from something or run towards something. Freedom to be able to travel or chase your career, freedom of escaping an abusive relationship.
But in this book, freedom is described as something else entirely. Freedom of choicelessness and how it impacts our internal and external self is critically inquired and explored.
It doesn't leave you awestruck but gives you a lot to this about, an overall good read for your mind and soul.
Freedom as we know it, is freedom of choice. It's a reaction that will cause us to either move away from something or run towards something. Freedom to be able to travel or chase your career, freedom of escaping an abusive relationship.
But in this book, freedom is described as something else entirely. Freedom of choicelessness and how it impacts our internal and external self is critically inquired and explored.
It doesn't leave you awestruck but gives you a lot to this about, an overall good read for your mind and soul.
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April 24, 2021Hint Filozof Jiddu Krishnamurti'nin "Özgürlük Üzerine" kitabını Ayna Yayınları yıllar önce yayınladı! Jiddu Krishnamurti'nin "Özgürlük Üzerine" kitabı, farklı yıllarda farklı kentlerde verdiği konferanslardan oluşuyor. Jiddu Krishnamurti'nin "özgürlük"le ilgili söyleşileri, "özgürlük" kavramı üzerine yıllarca yaptığı araştırmalar, düşünce çabaları, felsefe tarihi bilgisinden ürettiği fikirler ile Platon'un "diyalog" teknikleri ile de zengin bir nitelik kazanmış notlar. Jiddu Krishnamurti açısından, "özgürlük", "insanın zihnen özgürlüğü"dür, "insan bilincinin özgürlüğü"dür, köleci, feodal, kapitalist ilişkilerin yaydığı "önyargı"lardan, "yozlaşmışlık"tan, "aşırı çıkarcı hırs"lardan insanın nasıl "özgür" olacağını sorar Jiddu Krishnamurti! Jiddu Krishnamurti açısından, insanın zihinsel hayatı, değişimlerden, yeniliklerden oluşur, "statik", "değişmez" bir "zihinsel hayat" yoktur, ama, bir yandan da, feodal ya da modernist "tutuculuk" insanın "zihinsel hayat"ını "durgun"laştırma eğilimindedir, insanın "özgürlük" yönündeki "zihinsel", "pratik" çabaları ise hiç tükenmez, kölece bir hayatı aşmak için çabalar insan!
May 9, 2023
só a mente que está sempre a se esvaziar de toda acumulação... só essa mente é livre.
June 15, 2025
good to read fresh perspectives on freedom , but after few chapters content becomes repetitive and boring ..
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews