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What is Meditation?
A pocket book on the art of meditation from world renowned spiritual thinker J Krishnamurti
Meditation is freeing the mind from the known
In this inspiring collection of quotations, world renowned spiritual thinker J. Krishnamurti offers an insightful guide to the art of meditation and why it is important in helping us all face the challenges of modern life.
Meditation is freeing the mind from the known
In this inspiring collection of quotations, world renowned spiritual thinker J. Krishnamurti offers an insightful guide to the art of meditation and why it is important in helping us all face the challenges of modern life.
- GenresNonfictionPhilosophy
128 pages, Paperback
Published September 19, 2023
17 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
J. Krishnamurti
1,323 books4,286 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 5, 2024
3/5
I got introduced to Jaddu Krishnamurti through the writing of Naval Ravikant(the author of "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant" and a famous entrepreneur and investor) and got this book to get introduced to his writings.
The book is a collection of thoughts that Jaddu Krishnamurti had expressed in writing or words about meditation. He has a very out of box non mainstream approach towards meditation and is something I am yet to wrap my mind around. I think I would have to reread again to understand what he actually meant.
I got introduced to Jaddu Krishnamurti through the writing of Naval Ravikant(the author of "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant" and a famous entrepreneur and investor) and got this book to get introduced to his writings.
The book is a collection of thoughts that Jaddu Krishnamurti had expressed in writing or words about meditation. He has a very out of box non mainstream approach towards meditation and is something I am yet to wrap my mind around. I think I would have to reread again to understand what he actually meant.
February 18, 2025
This is one of those books I finished in half a day but understood only half as much. My quick reading is not to blame. It's a short book, but dense with wisdom. It definitely requires multiple readings and some deep reflection to truly uncover its value.
That said, I didn’t grasp everything in this book (no surprises there!). In fact, there were moments when I didn’t even agree with what was written. But I also recognize that I’m too naive to fully understand it right now.
Nevertheless, I read it with the objective of soaking in all the information without any preconceived notions, expectations, or objectives. Just reading, as it is.
This isn't a full-length discourse on meditation; rather, it's a collection of J. Krishnamurthy’s thoughts on the subject. Many of the quotes went over my head. Only a few lines resonated with me, not because they were poorly written, but because I haven't yet matured enough to understand them. (I’ll repeat this for my own defense, so that no part of my writing is mistaken as an attempt to discredit the book.)
Despite my limited understanding, the reading was beneficial in its own way. It has placed a few dots on the blank canvas of my mind, small dots for now. One day, those dots will connect and form a bigger picture.
This is a paradoxical situation: the teacher has arrived, but the student is not yet ready.
I’ve turned to meditation at times to calm my turbulent mind. Sitting cross-legged with closed eyes, focusing on my breath, it’s the simplest form of meditation I know. But it turns out, meditation is far more expansive and sophisticated than I had imagined. I may not fully grasp it yet because my life tends to favor simplicity.
Until that "aha" moment comes, I’ll stick to my method of sitting in silence and observing the breath.
I hope these quotes will return to me as lessons when the time is right. My goal is to get better at meditation and use it as a tool to improve my life.
This might contradict J. Krishnamurthy’s teachings, but that’s exactly what I intend to do.
That said, I didn’t grasp everything in this book (no surprises there!). In fact, there were moments when I didn’t even agree with what was written. But I also recognize that I’m too naive to fully understand it right now.
Nevertheless, I read it with the objective of soaking in all the information without any preconceived notions, expectations, or objectives. Just reading, as it is.
This isn't a full-length discourse on meditation; rather, it's a collection of J. Krishnamurthy’s thoughts on the subject. Many of the quotes went over my head. Only a few lines resonated with me, not because they were poorly written, but because I haven't yet matured enough to understand them. (I’ll repeat this for my own defense, so that no part of my writing is mistaken as an attempt to discredit the book.)
Despite my limited understanding, the reading was beneficial in its own way. It has placed a few dots on the blank canvas of my mind, small dots for now. One day, those dots will connect and form a bigger picture.
This is a paradoxical situation: the teacher has arrived, but the student is not yet ready.
I’ve turned to meditation at times to calm my turbulent mind. Sitting cross-legged with closed eyes, focusing on my breath, it’s the simplest form of meditation I know. But it turns out, meditation is far more expansive and sophisticated than I had imagined. I may not fully grasp it yet because my life tends to favor simplicity.
Until that "aha" moment comes, I’ll stick to my method of sitting in silence and observing the breath.
I hope these quotes will return to me as lessons when the time is right. My goal is to get better at meditation and use it as a tool to improve my life.
This might contradict J. Krishnamurthy’s teachings, but that’s exactly what I intend to do.
April 19, 2025
In "What is Meditation", J. Krishnamurti explores meditation not as a technique or a practice, but as a way of living with total awareness. He rejects traditional methods, disciplines, and systems that aim to control the mind, arguing that true meditation is a state of choiceless awareness—being fully attentive to the movement of thought, emotion, and daily life without judgment or direction.
Krishnamurti emphasizes that meditation is not a means to an end, such as enlightenment or peace, but an unfolding understanding of the self and the nature of thought. For him, real meditation is freedom—freedom from the known, from conditioning, and from the effort to become something.
Krishnamurti emphasizes that meditation is not a means to an end, such as enlightenment or peace, but an unfolding understanding of the self and the nature of thought. For him, real meditation is freedom—freedom from the known, from conditioning, and from the effort to become something.
December 1, 2025
Interessante visie over meditatie.
“Meditation is to understand the whole movement of the known and to see whether it is possible to move away from it.”
“Meditation is this sense of total absence of the self. When there is that attention, the mind becomes completely quiet, silent, without any pressure.”
“Meditation is to be aware of thought and feelings, never to correct, never to say it is right or wrong, never to justify, but just to watch and move with thoughts.”
“Perception and observation are greater than control.”
“Meditation is not control. Meditation is not a practice.
Meditation is not the practise of attention or awareness.”
“Meditation is to understand the whole movement of the known and to see whether it is possible to move away from it.”
“Meditation is this sense of total absence of the self. When there is that attention, the mind becomes completely quiet, silent, without any pressure.”
“Meditation is to be aware of thought and feelings, never to correct, never to say it is right or wrong, never to justify, but just to watch and move with thoughts.”
“Perception and observation are greater than control.”
“Meditation is not control. Meditation is not a practice.
Meditation is not the practise of attention or awareness.”
August 9, 2024
The author, Jiddu Krishnamurti from the Theosophical Society, is one of the greatest philosophical thinkers of the past century; teacher of many celebrities in this book makes us understand what meditation is.
This book is, again, not any guide to how to meditate because he believes any system can never lead to a fruitful meditation, but only by understanding what we can do and how.
The book has many quotes from his various speeches and letters. Although 100 pages long, this is not one for binge reading. One has to stay read between each sentence and understand each word properly to imbibe the book's content and use it.
This book is, again, not any guide to how to meditate because he believes any system can never lead to a fruitful meditation, but only by understanding what we can do and how.
The book has many quotes from his various speeches and letters. Although 100 pages long, this is not one for binge reading. One has to stay read between each sentence and understand each word properly to imbibe the book's content and use it.
February 11, 2024
The book is written in a hard-to-understand way. But of what I understood, the meaning of it is that true meditation is the feeling of a void, focusing on our breath and everything else is dissapeared.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2026
First book of the year, and first book on meditation. I cannot say that I understand what meditation means yet, but I suspect, if it means anything, that J Krishnamurti has put me on the path to finding out.
Next up, Eckart Tolle.
Next up, Eckart Tolle.
September 9, 2023
So interesting, definitely a book you think about. Helps you dive into your brain I love books like that
September 15, 2024
This book requires more than one read. A short book but needs some efforts to understand. Liked it.
December 19, 2024
Quick little read
September 24, 2025
Short selections usually a page or less from Krishmanurti’s speeches
January 3, 2026
No he entendido bien que acabo de leer, pero creo que tiene razón y a la vez que no. Creo que debería darle otra vuelta
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews