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Krishnamurti for Beginners
Book by Krishnamurt, J
- GenresSpiritualityPhilosophy
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
9 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
J. Krishnamurti
1,149 books4,239 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
June 4, 2020
"That is to realize that we are the world with all its ugliness, that we have contributed to all this, that we are responsible for all this, all this is happening in the Middle East, in Africa, and all the craziness that is going on in this world; we are responsible for it. We may not be responsible for the deeds for our grandfathers and great-grandfathers - Slavery, thousands of wars, the brutality of empires - but we are part of it. If we don't feel our responsibility, which means being utterly responsible for ourselves, for what we do, what we think, how we behave, then it becomes rather hopeless, knowing what the world is, knowing what we cannot individually, separately solve this problem of terrorism."
No one really is going to grasp understand, experience life as he did yet some of us keep reading this mf. Such is our delusions, hopes and optimisms.
No one really is going to grasp understand, experience life as he did yet some of us keep reading this mf. Such is our delusions, hopes and optimisms.
September 6, 2016
Reading "Krishnamurti for Beginners" is something similar to watching a great trailer of what seems to be a phenomenal movie. You just can't wait to watch the full movie.
I am not entirely new to Krishnamurti's writing. With "Freedom from the known", he has already assured me that my questioning the conditioning of mind is not misdirected. But, before I could venture more into mind, I wanted to garner some beginner's perspective of this great teacher.
In this anthology of some of his public talks, conversations, writings, letters and dialogues, Krishnamurti tries to touch upon the various questions that trouble everyman's mind from time to time, about love, marriage, sex, suffering, god, education, enlightenment, et al.
Krishnamurti focuses more on understanding, realization and practice than mere reading, memorizing and regurgitating. He urges man to be intelligent, and not just knowledgeable as knowing confines him to a particular aspect whereas intelligence enables him to understand life in totality. He says
He adds,
If man focuses on "What is" rather than "What should be", a lot of inner conflict will die down freeing him from suffering. He says,
"Know thyself" is the be-all and end-all answer to all of man's perplexing queries. Even for problems of love, he says,
Reading Krishnamurti is not easy. As some of his talks is little confusing than giving you the 'aha' moment. But you want to read him anyway, as you realize that the 'aha' moment is not far away.
I am not entirely new to Krishnamurti's writing. With "Freedom from the known", he has already assured me that my questioning the conditioning of mind is not misdirected. But, before I could venture more into mind, I wanted to garner some beginner's perspective of this great teacher.
In this anthology of some of his public talks, conversations, writings, letters and dialogues, Krishnamurti tries to touch upon the various questions that trouble everyman's mind from time to time, about love, marriage, sex, suffering, god, education, enlightenment, et al.
Krishnamurti focuses more on understanding, realization and practice than mere reading, memorizing and regurgitating. He urges man to be intelligent, and not just knowledgeable as knowing confines him to a particular aspect whereas intelligence enables him to understand life in totality. He says
Intelligence is the comprehension of the whole process, the total process of life, not knowledge of one fragment of life.
He adds,
Wisdom doesn't lie in books, nor in experience, nor in following another, nor in repeating a lot of platitudes. Wisdom comes to a mind that is understanding itself, understanding how thought is born."
If man focuses on "What is" rather than "What should be", a lot of inner conflict will die down freeing him from suffering. He says,
To break down the prison meant facing an often painful immediacy of 'what is' rather than chasing an often illusory promise of 'what should be' in some distant future."
"Know thyself" is the be-all and end-all answer to all of man's perplexing queries. Even for problems of love, he says,
Love is neither personal nor impersonal; it is a state of being. It is not of the mind; the mind cannot acquire it. You cannot practise love, or through meditation acquire it. It comes into being only when there is no fear, when this sense of anxiety, loneliness, has ceased, when there is no dependence or acquisition. And that comes only when we understand ourselves, when we are fully cognizant of our hidden motives, when the mind can delve into the depths of itself without seeking an answer, an explanation, when it is no longer naming.
Reading Krishnamurti is not easy. As some of his talks is little confusing than giving you the 'aha' moment. But you want to read him anyway, as you realize that the 'aha' moment is not far away.
November 7, 2020
Though the book is positioned for beginners, there are concepts which are difficult to understand, unless having some pre-reading on the subject. Overall, gives a peek on the broad aspect of the philosophy.
September 20, 2023
The Clarity in his articulation, the novelty in his thinking and his insistence to understand and not merely accept and follow were the things that struck apart about this book. This is wholesome and universal if the reader makes effort to understand.
July 15, 2022
Best Introductory book for beginners
➡️One of the greatest thinker, writer, philosopher humankind ever had. He was the world teacher and inspiration for many people around the world. He never referred to any books or followed any kind of preaching.
➡️He shared his thoughts through books, video, audio, interviews. It’s difficult to understand the philosophy of Jidda Krishnamurti in one go. I have started with his writing but lost in between and was unable to get the contest exactly. His Philosophy is very deep and to the point he never sugar coat anything
➡️This book is like an introduction to the world of Jidda Krishnamurti teachings. This book covers every aspect of human life. Krishnamurti spoke about.It shows a different perspective towards life which we did not even imagine. It's like a warm up reading for the main writings.
➡️ If you are someone feeling Missing something in life, always worried about future, worrying about relationship, perplexed whether to follow a particular culture, religion or any kind of tradition. Then this book is for you. You will find all answers here from different perspective.
➡️One of the greatest thinker, writer, philosopher humankind ever had. He was the world teacher and inspiration for many people around the world. He never referred to any books or followed any kind of preaching.
➡️He shared his thoughts through books, video, audio, interviews. It’s difficult to understand the philosophy of Jidda Krishnamurti in one go. I have started with his writing but lost in between and was unable to get the contest exactly. His Philosophy is very deep and to the point he never sugar coat anything
➡️This book is like an introduction to the world of Jidda Krishnamurti teachings. This book covers every aspect of human life. Krishnamurti spoke about.It shows a different perspective towards life which we did not even imagine. It's like a warm up reading for the main writings.
➡️ If you are someone feeling Missing something in life, always worried about future, worrying about relationship, perplexed whether to follow a particular culture, religion or any kind of tradition. Then this book is for you. You will find all answers here from different perspective.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews