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Choiceless Awareness: A Study Book of the Teachings of J. Krishnamurti
A series of Study Books was produced in the 1990s for use as concentrated study material on a particular topic at the four-day dialogue weekends held in Ojai, California. Editors utilized the CD-ROM to compile an extensive collection of excerpts for each theme–which range from one sentence in length to an entire talk–and they have organized them into chapters of subsidiary topics. These books are an invaluable resource of excerpted material as they offer a sustained survey of each subject, allowing for a deeper comprehension of what Krishnamurti was conveying. Much of the material has been drawn from the Collected Works of J. Krishnamurti, Vols. I-XVII, the record of Krishnamurti's public talks from 1933 to 1967.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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About the author
J. Krishnamurti
1,323 books4,282 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 6, 2020
Need of the hour
Marvellous piece of wisdom which we need every moment of the life. I was applying in daily life while reading this book, it was so liberating. This is pure gyana yoga, being one with the universe through inquiry.
Marvellous piece of wisdom which we need every moment of the life. I was applying in daily life while reading this book, it was so liberating. This is pure gyana yoga, being one with the universe through inquiry.
February 25, 2020
One of his best, a series of exploratory discussions with the main theme of how to create a better society through expanding the consciousness of the individual, though I guess that's the theme of his entire output, it seems more concentrated in this volume.
September 23, 2021
Great read.
Explains the essence of meditation. Also explores what it means to go beyond mind. If you have read Osho before, you will love Krishnamurti.
Explains the essence of meditation. Also explores what it means to go beyond mind. If you have read Osho before, you will love Krishnamurti.
November 29, 2022
Insightful and Illuminating
This book is well put together, all excerpts from Krishnamurti's talks over his 60+ years of public speaking, and all centering on the theme of 'choiceless awareness'. The book flows rather well and is organized as such. This is my introduction to J. Krishnamurti's work. Although he never emphasized any particular meditation methods, he does espouse the approach of what he terms 'choiceless awareness'. This is essentially being aware of one's thoughts, feelings, and actions from moment to moment, which is also the art of Vipassana meditation - although Krishnamurti refrains to call it as such. This book gives many different angles on Krishnamurti's take on Vipassana - all very insightful and illuminating.
This book is well put together, all excerpts from Krishnamurti's talks over his 60+ years of public speaking, and all centering on the theme of 'choiceless awareness'. The book flows rather well and is organized as such. This is my introduction to J. Krishnamurti's work. Although he never emphasized any particular meditation methods, he does espouse the approach of what he terms 'choiceless awareness'. This is essentially being aware of one's thoughts, feelings, and actions from moment to moment, which is also the art of Vipassana meditation - although Krishnamurti refrains to call it as such. This book gives many different angles on Krishnamurti's take on Vipassana - all very insightful and illuminating.
February 15, 2019
Awareness
A beautiful journey that the observer is observed
He enlights us that the thinking should be without the centre... Here centre means your knowledge or perception. Thinking without centre gives immense experience.
He define 'Time' if you ask time means you postpone and skip the same in future. Time we use to escape from present.
Amazing
Every paragraph loaded with immense experiencing with the cosmos.
Superb book!
A beautiful journey that the observer is observed
He enlights us that the thinking should be without the centre... Here centre means your knowledge or perception. Thinking without centre gives immense experience.
He define 'Time' if you ask time means you postpone and skip the same in future. Time we use to escape from present.
Amazing
Every paragraph loaded with immense experiencing with the cosmos.
Superb book!
April 1, 2025
Fantastic book on awareness and self knowledge
Very in depth analysis about what js awareness and how to become aware along with its challenges and misconceptions! Loved reading it.
Very in depth analysis about what js awareness and how to become aware along with its challenges and misconceptions! Loved reading it.
November 25, 2023
Great primer on one of K.'s key topics.
July 2, 2007
next best to the videos
October 24, 2013
Just beautiful and lightful
December 8, 2014
Very profound work of krishnaji's. good insight. don't expect enlightenment from this book, or any book.
Read
September 10, 2018Another gem from Krishnaji!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews