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Reflections on the Self
Described by the Dalai Lama as "one of the greatest thinkers of the age", Jiddu Krishnamurti has influenced millions throughout the 20th century, including Aldous Huxley, Bertrand Russell, Henry Miller and Joseph Campbell. Born of middle-class Brahmin parents in 1895, Krishnamurti was recognised at age fourteen by theosophists Annie Besant and C W Leadbetter as an anticipated world teacher and proclaimed to be the vehicle for the reincarnation of Christ in the West and of Buddha in the East. In 1929 he repudiated these claims and travelled the world, sharing his philosophical insights and establishing schools and foundations. Because Krishnamurti had no interest in presenting theories, his thought is far removed from academic philosophy in the analytic tradition, yet his insights remain extremely relevant to contemporary philosophical theories and to those interested in understanding themselves and the world. Rather than a theorist, Krishnamurti is regarded as a seer and a teacher. He perceived inherent distorting psychological structures that bring about a division in the individual's consciousness between "the observer" and "the observed". He believed this division was a potent source of conflict, both within the individual and externally for society as a whole, and offered a way to transcend these harmful structures through a radical transformation in human consciousness. This is a collection of Krishnamurti's writings and lectures about the individual in relation to society. He examines the importance of inquiry, the role of the emotions, the relation between experience and the self, the observer/observed distinction, the nature of freedom, and other philosophical ideas.
234 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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About the author
J. Krishnamurti
1,289 books4,268 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 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 8, 2017
This book is as good a place as any to start reading Krishnamurti, covering a range of topics about the human condition dealing with such things as fear, loneliness, anger and freedom to name a few. I found the chapter on guilt particularly insightful, but having said that the chapters are all insightful and there is much that can be taken away from this book that could prove useful to a person in their daily living (as indeed all of K’s writings). If I was to take one quote from this book that gave me pause for thought it is this: “Sirs, if you are listening and are not acting, it is like a man who is always tilling but never sowing. It is better not to listen to a truth than to listen without acting, for then it becomes a poison”.
July 12, 2021
Aizņēmos šo grāmatu no Imeldes (pirmspandēmijas laikā) un laiku pa laikam to atveru palasīt. Tā ir meditatīva, pašizpratni veicinoša, kā arī sniedz dažas atklāsmes, kas palīdz mazināt tieksmi koncentrēties uz savu ego. Lai par kaut ko priecātos, tam ne obligāti jābūt tavā īpašumā, - tā ir atziņa, moto, ko mēģinu praktizēt.
February 15, 2015
This is one of the finest books written on mysticism/philosophy that I have ever read. This mysticism/philosophy is very similar to that of Paul Brunton and the great Yogi Ramana Maharashi. Krishnamurti was a mystic, philosopher, author and public speaker who was gifted spiritually and was seen as the next "World Teacher" by Charles W Leadbeater who was a prominent occultist and head of the Theophist Movement. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, Krishnamurti denounced all organized belief, the notion of gurus, and the whole teacher/follower relationship. He advocated that true "Self Realization" arises through our relationship with others and the realization that there is no difference between the observed and the observer. I would highly recommend this book.
April 4, 2019
The introduction to the book suggests Krishnamurti's essence is in line with Socrates' in that he fervently seeks to turn existing paradigms on their heads, and I am in agreement. In these commentaries, he espouses the ultimate guru of "no gurus!" and lauds the method of "no method!" In a sense, it felt like the book was restating the same over and over, but therein was included a powerful, lucid request for the aspirant to simply, quietly and curiously probe fear itself -- what IS it, exactly? Easier said than done for most, because the intimidating objects/subjects of fear in our lives play an effective goalie position keeping us from examining the Real Anatomy of fear, i.e. when we say "I am afraid", such a simple-seeming statement is often charged with a lot of obscuring debris, but the undeniable fact remains that the words we use to describe our situation never actually fully describe our Actual Situation. So what is the Actual Situation of fear and mental distress?
I do not know if I am in agreement with what seems like J.K.'s maverick condemnation of teacher, text, and tradition, but it is clear that he offers a powerful and important voice of wisdom. He is a well-read product of culture who attained samadhi, but speaks in circles using plain language in a way that seems to shoo people away from books and formal meditation practices and really "the whole project". If there are lineages with millennia of mind science commentary that can lead one to Being-Consciousness-Bliss, where is the bugbear?
His persona does seem caught up in a paradox of having to say, "Listen closely: I have nothing to say." So sometimes the guru will say "I am not guru" and become a walking talking Treachery of Images à la René Magritte.
I do not know if I am in agreement with what seems like J.K.'s maverick condemnation of teacher, text, and tradition, but it is clear that he offers a powerful and important voice of wisdom. He is a well-read product of culture who attained samadhi, but speaks in circles using plain language in a way that seems to shoo people away from books and formal meditation practices and really "the whole project". If there are lineages with millennia of mind science commentary that can lead one to Being-Consciousness-Bliss, where is the bugbear?
His persona does seem caught up in a paradox of having to say, "Listen closely: I have nothing to say." So sometimes the guru will say "I am not guru" and become a walking talking Treachery of Images à la René Magritte.
September 28, 2009
When i was 16 years old i read this book and this book make a Revolution in my mind, building in me one better man .
The true and first revolution to make yourself is the mind.
Jiddhu Krishnamurti withtou Doubt is an excelent Author, and your words is so important than any other known authors, but he is different above all that some read that i read.
I recommended this Book for all of us my Friends;
Goyacy ___________________Atenciously _____________To all Friends.
The true and first revolution to make yourself is the mind.
Jiddhu Krishnamurti withtou Doubt is an excelent Author, and your words is so important than any other known authors, but he is different above all that some read that i read.
I recommended this Book for all of us my Friends;
Goyacy ___________________Atenciously _____________To all Friends.
February 22, 2018
I found this book quite valuable as well as interesting and I'm sure it's one I'll come back to. I think the idea that each individual must find their own truth quite an appealing one. The format of the book still seemed teacher to pupil though, rather than the promised discussion. However, the content more than made up for this and seemed genuinely practical in nature.
March 6, 2023
Buenísimo, una de las cosas que tienes que leer antes de morir, tu mente adquiere nuevas perspectivas.
May 21, 2024
This is the real stuff to absorb intensely.
March 16, 2023
This book was an absolutely mind-blowing experience for me. I read a similar book about living in the now by Eckhart Tolle, but this book explains it so much better and in such a clear way. Maybe it's wrong to call this a book, because the audiobook version feels way more like an exploration.
Krishnamurti asks you questions constantly, challenges you to view yourself, your ego as a separate entity from your true self. This is done in such a wel articulated fashion, that I feel I have finally managed to separate my ego from myself most of the time. Sure, our monkey mind constantly screams for attention. It wants to feel safe and secure and the ego constantly distracts us. But underneath the layer of the ego we can find our true self. One that is simply in the moment, without judgement.
I rarely read books that have truly changed my life, or the way I look at myself, but this book has managed to start a real transformation in my way of thinking, or rather, not thinking. It sounds weird, maybe, but all I can say is try this book for yourself and see. Become the observer and find out that the observer is the observed.
Krishnamurti asks you questions constantly, challenges you to view yourself, your ego as a separate entity from your true self. This is done in such a wel articulated fashion, that I feel I have finally managed to separate my ego from myself most of the time. Sure, our monkey mind constantly screams for attention. It wants to feel safe and secure and the ego constantly distracts us. But underneath the layer of the ego we can find our true self. One that is simply in the moment, without judgement.
I rarely read books that have truly changed my life, or the way I look at myself, but this book has managed to start a real transformation in my way of thinking, or rather, not thinking. It sounds weird, maybe, but all I can say is try this book for yourself and see. Become the observer and find out that the observer is the observed.
February 28, 2013
This person was an awesome character. Anything about him is interesting, and this book is so well created, carefully put together and beautifully bundled that it deserves special treatment.
The good thing about this book is that it is made up of so many testimonies of people that had direct contact with him. It is as though one were witness in his life. I cried reading how beautiful his death was (if any death can be beautiful) The book transmitted to me all the love that this man created around him. An extraordinary person in all aspects.
The good thing about this book is that it is made up of so many testimonies of people that had direct contact with him. It is as though one were witness in his life. I cried reading how beautiful his death was (if any death can be beautiful) The book transmitted to me all the love that this man created around him. An extraordinary person in all aspects.
June 28, 2007
This was my first introduction to K sometime ago. I've never read anything so clear to the point and without any B.S. Henry Miller read him a lot,and they're both pretty cutting in their own ways.
April 13, 2019
J.K. - simply one of the best representatives of our species.
November 20, 2018
K es el más exigente de los exponentes esotéricos de los últimos siglos. Nadie ha superado su pureza al desmembrar la perturbada psique humana, a Gurdjieff, Jung, Samael Aun Weor lo podría situar en el mismo grado de penetración. Todo lo que hemos recibido de ello, nosotros los dormidos, han sido intuiciones originales, limpias de influencias y mucho menos de imitación de otras escuelas o tendencias.
En el caso de K, con profunda admiración, cosa que desalentaría inmediatamente, la mayéutica con que arrinconaba y desarmaba los falsos juicios de sus interlocutores y público presencial respecto a toda una vida de conceptos, ideologías y convicciones eran lecciones que, podemos aseverar, comenzan una diminuta transformación psicológica y debilitanmiento del yo, continuar con la erradicación del hombre viejo era, entonces, responsabilidad individual.
Cada que he tenido oportunidad de clavarme a sus libros, con alternancias de entre 3 o 4 años entre uno y otro y otras muchas horas más de pláticas en la web (de donde formaron los más de sus libros, él escribió a penas un par de libros, casi contra su voluntad) descubró lo poco listo que estoy para internalizar y aplicar sus directrices e invitaciones a autexplorar la totalidad de nuestra psiques, no olvidemos que no acepta títulos de maestro, gurú o guía.
No hay otra forma de extinguir el dolor, el conflicto, el apego si no comenzamos por la observación pasiva, esto es, la no intervención en el devenir del yo en el mundo. En el momento en que filtramos el mundo a través del pensamiento, lo fraccionamos y aparece el tiempo y el yo. Ambos son los encargados de echar andar la ilusión de ser sujetos frente a objetos que tienen la encomienda de devenir en algo que aún no somos pero debemo ser en el horizonte del tiempo. Y todos los vicios de la desdichada empresa humana aparecen ahí. No hay experiencia directa de lo que es.
¿Cómo no sentirme aterrado de saberme más imperfecto que en mi última visita a uno de sus libros?
En el caso de K, con profunda admiración, cosa que desalentaría inmediatamente, la mayéutica con que arrinconaba y desarmaba los falsos juicios de sus interlocutores y público presencial respecto a toda una vida de conceptos, ideologías y convicciones eran lecciones que, podemos aseverar, comenzan una diminuta transformación psicológica y debilitanmiento del yo, continuar con la erradicación del hombre viejo era, entonces, responsabilidad individual.
Cada que he tenido oportunidad de clavarme a sus libros, con alternancias de entre 3 o 4 años entre uno y otro y otras muchas horas más de pláticas en la web (de donde formaron los más de sus libros, él escribió a penas un par de libros, casi contra su voluntad) descubró lo poco listo que estoy para internalizar y aplicar sus directrices e invitaciones a autexplorar la totalidad de nuestra psiques, no olvidemos que no acepta títulos de maestro, gurú o guía.
No hay otra forma de extinguir el dolor, el conflicto, el apego si no comenzamos por la observación pasiva, esto es, la no intervención en el devenir del yo en el mundo. En el momento en que filtramos el mundo a través del pensamiento, lo fraccionamos y aparece el tiempo y el yo. Ambos son los encargados de echar andar la ilusión de ser sujetos frente a objetos que tienen la encomienda de devenir en algo que aún no somos pero debemo ser en el horizonte del tiempo. Y todos los vicios de la desdichada empresa humana aparecen ahí. No hay experiencia directa de lo que es.
¿Cómo no sentirme aterrado de saberme más imperfecto que en mi última visita a uno de sus libros?
August 29, 2018
"I maintain that Truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect. That is my point of view, and I adhere to that absolutely and unconditionally. Truth, being limitless, unconditioned, unapproachable by any path whatsoever, cannot be organized; nor should any organization be formed to lead or to coerce people along any particular path. . . . You will probably form other Orders, you will continue to belong to other organizations searching for truth. . . . If an organization be created for this purpose, it becomes a crutch, a weakness, a bondage, and must cripple the individual, and prevent him from growing, from establishing his uniqueness, which lies in the discovery for himself of that absolute, unconditioned truth. . . . Because I am free, unconditioned, whole, not the part, not the relative, but the whole truth that is eternal, I desire those, who seek to understand me, to be free, not to follow me, not to make out of me a cage which will become a religion, a sect. . . . I have now decided to disband the Order, as I happen to be its Head. You can form other organizations and expect someone else. With that I am not concerned, nor with creating new cages, new decorations for those cages My only concern is to set men absolutely, unconditionally free."
"You can only live truly happily with the world when you are not of the world, which means you don't give wrong values to the things in the world. This can happen only when you understand yourself, the giver of wrong values.
It is like a stupid man trying to renounce stupidity. He will still be stupid; he may try to become clever, but he will remain stupid. But if he understood what stupidity is--that is, himself--surely then he would reach great heights. Then he would have wisdom. It is not by renouncing that you can find reality. By renouncing you escape into illusion; you do not discover that which is true."
June 21, 2023
Growing up, I always enjoyed this kind of thinking. This is probably due to the fact that my parents were hippies and studied under swamis that moved to California from India, and transmitted their passed down wisdom of self-reflection, transcendentalism, enlightenment, and various forms of Yoga. I often think about the different yogis and thought leaders that inspired my parents, like Krishnamurti. This book of reflections reminded me very much of my father and his way of thinking, and, oddly enough, surfaced feelings in me of disagreement, pushback, disinterest, and conflict; all surrounding this way of being in practice; especially in the complex modern social world of competition and required maintenance of American exceptionalism. It's just not where I'm at in my life and I did not find myself enjoying this book.
October 15, 2017
it is not often that you run across a book that gives insight into a repetitive dream that I at least have. Krishnamurti is eloquent yet down to earth in this book. Though what sounds so simple in his writing is of course hard in practise. But ever so important. The dualistic and contradicting views in this book are well explained and food for the mind. And by saying that you touch the very basis of this book. As you will have to questions his views if you really take to heart his writing and by that you are again creating a dualistic view.
Similar to his views on freedom. For one to be free, freedom can not be the goal. If you make it the goal you are not free.
Similar to his views on freedom. For one to be free, freedom can not be the goal. If you make it the goal you are not free.
September 28, 2017
Kafka said “I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound or stab us. If the book we're reading doesn't wake us up with a blow to the head, what are we reading for? ... But we need books that affect us like a disaster, that grieve us deeply, like the death of someone we loved more than ourselves, like being banished into forests far from everyone, like a suicide. A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us."
This book was an axe and my mind, the frozen sea.
This book was an axe and my mind, the frozen sea.
May 7, 2019
Just what I was searching for, though, I need to reread it; it's a lot to take in and I didn't fully grasp it. But what I got from it was still enough for me to see life a bit clearer.
I would like to say that I recommend this book to everyone, but I don't think everyone are willing to listen to what he has to say. Furthermore, it's quite a difficult read.
So read this book if you have a genuine interest in truth and the real. Ambiguous words but I hope you understand what I'm getting at. Although, this book might not be the truth, it could still be a key to it.
I would like to say that I recommend this book to everyone, but I don't think everyone are willing to listen to what he has to say. Furthermore, it's quite a difficult read.
So read this book if you have a genuine interest in truth and the real. Ambiguous words but I hope you understand what I'm getting at. Although, this book might not be the truth, it could still be a key to it.
September 15, 2019
Krishnamurti is one of the great spiritual thinkers of our time and this book captures his various thoughts on the self. He speaks about the need to not rely on authority, connecting with what’s real, and how to foster a choice-less awareness.
His writing is profound and gently authoritative. However this particular book doesn’t flow as a cohesive book, rather it’s a collection of varied talks and teachings that deal with the self.
4 out of 5 stars.
His writing is profound and gently authoritative. However this particular book doesn’t flow as a cohesive book, rather it’s a collection of varied talks and teachings that deal with the self.
4 out of 5 stars.
December 22, 2023
Krishnamurti's transcriptions do not lend themselves so well to (audiobook) narration, and I found that much of the book seemed to dwell on semantics and did not offer the degree of insight I had hoped for. K wheels back around to the paradox of desire (the idea that wanting to be free from desire is in itself a desire, and variations on this theme) numerous times, seemingly because it provokes reflection in the listener. I found Anthony de Mello's book to be more accessible and interesting.
July 21, 2024
It’s fairly incomprehensible to me to know what to do with this line of reasoning. Krishnamirthy feels someone belligerent to me, circling back to how the self always reasserts. It was fun to listen to (audiobook) but immensely impractical. I am getting more from teachers like Ram Dass, Eckhart Tolle and Alan Watts.
September 17, 2017
wow! wow! wow!
December 28, 2019
Eye opening insights worth rereading every now and then.
July 22, 2020
I think, therefore I am not.
September 17, 2020
I didn't find this particularly edifying unfortunately
January 19, 2022
very interesting but poor audio book diction.. these are dialogues where you often miss who is asking to K’s responses. The content is weird and interesting…
May 31, 2022
it's ok
July 26, 2022
Very insightful, inspires alot of self reflection. Fascinating how much convergence there is between Eastern phisophical thought and modern psychological/neuroscience research
August 31, 2022
Herinnering aan mezelf om een exemplaar te kopen.
August 15, 2023
Can be read as a philosophy or self-help book. Surely need to read it again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews