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The Beauty of Life: Krishnamurti's Journal
The final writings by the world-famous spiritual teacher J Krishnamurti, in which he reflects to himself on the natural world around him and what this might tell us about human consciousness. Includes previously unpublished material.
Most of Krishnamurti's books are transcriptions from the many talks he gave. This book however contains short pieces from his notebooks, which are heartfelt and intimate. More than 55 short entries, between one and six pages long, start with descriptions unfolding amidst mountains, jungles and rolling meadows and then end with his own spontaneous musings. The writing feels totally spontaneous and in-the-moment, and is never clichéd or too smooth. You are drawn to consider his words carefully, because your mind is quiet.
For Krishnamurti, the challenge is to keep our minds free from preconceptions and ultimately free from any concepts at all. So, you don't "decide" to meditate and you never consciously meditate at all as a distinct action. You actively meditate from one second to the next but without effort. It's just how you are. Our minds can bring us down and seemingly conspire against us, but a quieter contemplation of how things truly are can also bring breakthroughs and peace. This is exactly what this book is for, through its vivid scenes and helpful contemplations.
Krishnamurti is perfect for seekers who have exhausted all the "how tos" and are disillusioned by teachers who are coasting or who are writing books to generate an income when they have nothing to say. The spiritual market is maturing and there are many people who want more. This is for them.
Most of Krishnamurti's books are transcriptions from the many talks he gave. This book however contains short pieces from his notebooks, which are heartfelt and intimate. More than 55 short entries, between one and six pages long, start with descriptions unfolding amidst mountains, jungles and rolling meadows and then end with his own spontaneous musings. The writing feels totally spontaneous and in-the-moment, and is never clichéd or too smooth. You are drawn to consider his words carefully, because your mind is quiet.
For Krishnamurti, the challenge is to keep our minds free from preconceptions and ultimately free from any concepts at all. So, you don't "decide" to meditate and you never consciously meditate at all as a distinct action. You actively meditate from one second to the next but without effort. It's just how you are. Our minds can bring us down and seemingly conspire against us, but a quieter contemplation of how things truly are can also bring breakthroughs and peace. This is exactly what this book is for, through its vivid scenes and helpful contemplations.
Krishnamurti is perfect for seekers who have exhausted all the "how tos" and are disillusioned by teachers who are coasting or who are writing books to generate an income when they have nothing to say. The spiritual market is maturing and there are many people who want more. This is for them.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published January 10, 2023
About the author
J. Krishnamurti
1,338 books4,412 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 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 13, 2025
This is one of those books that constitute an inspiration source of beauty in our life. I love it and often go back to its lovely descriptions of the beauty of nature and the fullness of life, a blessing to read and even more to adopt as a way of seing, listening, living...
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 13 March 2025.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 13 March 2025.
October 20, 2024
Each journal entry starts with a contemplation on nature’s beauty, which gives this book a peaceful vibe. As with the rest of his content, Krishnamurti’s words are most profound when one is willing to sincerely look at themselves devoid of the constructs of the mind.
July 18, 2025
Este livro é um convite à contemplação, e, por isso mesmo, talvez não funcione para todos os momentos da vida. É preciso lê-lo com alguma entrega, com tempo no peito e silêncio nos olhos.
A prosa da autora é serena e reflexiva, quase que meditativa. Em algumas partes do livro, senti-me perto. Noutras, perdi-me. Ainda assim, guardei dele algumas passagens sublimes sobre o presente, sobre a beleza que não grita.
Não foi uma leitura super transformadora para mim, mas foi, em partes, uma boa pausa. Uma respiração mais longa e profunda, e isso também é importante.
A prosa da autora é serena e reflexiva, quase que meditativa. Em algumas partes do livro, senti-me perto. Noutras, perdi-me. Ainda assim, guardei dele algumas passagens sublimes sobre o presente, sobre a beleza que não grita.
Não foi uma leitura super transformadora para mim, mas foi, em partes, uma boa pausa. Uma respiração mais longa e profunda, e isso também é importante.
January 2, 2025
“This egotistic occupation is destroying us.”
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews