Synopses & Reviews
WHAT I WANT TO DO
You may ask, "What is it that you want to do? If you don't want us to join any society or accept certain theories, what is it then that you want to do?"
What I want to do is to help you, the individual, to cross the stream of suffering, confusion and conflict, through deep and complete fulfillment. This fulfillment does not come through egotistic self-expression, nor through compulsion and imitation. Not through some fantastic sentiment and conclusions, but through clear thinking, through intelligent action, we shall cross this stream of pain and sorrow. There is a reality which can be understood only through deep and true fulfillment.
Before we can understand the richness and the beauty of fulfillment, mind must free itself from the background of tradition, habit, and prejudice. For example, if you belong to a particular political party, you naturally regard all your political considerations from the narrow, limited point of view of that party. If you have been brought up, nursed, conditioned in a certain religion, you look at life through its veil of prejudice and darkness. That background of tradition prevents the complete understanding of life, and so causes confusion and suffering.
To be truly critical is not to be in opposition. Most of us have been trained to oppose and not to criticize. When a man merely opposes, it generally indicates that he has some vested interest which he desires to protect, and that isnot deep penetration through critical examination. True criticism lies in trying to understand the full significance of values without the hindrance of defensive reactions.
We see throughout the world extremes of poverty and riches, abundance and at the same time starvation; we have class distinction and racial hatred, the stupidity of nationalism and the appalling cruelty of war. There is exploitation of man by man; religions with their vested interests have become the means of exploitation, also dividing man from man. There is anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, frustration.
We see all this. It is part of our daily life. Caught up in the wheel of suffering, if you are at all thoughtful you must have asked yourself how these human problems can be solved. Either you are conscious of the chaotic state of the world, or you are completely asleep, living in a fantastic world, in an illusion. If you are aware, you must be grappling with these problems. In trying to solve them, some turn to experts for their solution, and follow their ideas and theories. Gradually they form themselves into an exclusive body, and thus they come into conflict with other experts and their parties; and the individual merely becomes a tool in the hands of the group or of the expert. Or you try to solve these problems by following a particular system, which, if you carefully examine it, becomes merely another means of exploiting the individual. Or you think that to change all this cruelty and horror there must be a mass movement, a collective action.
Now the idea of a mass movement becomes merely a catchword if you, the individual, who are part of the mass, do not understand your true function. True collectiveaction can take place only when you, the individual, who are also the mass, are awake and take the full responsibility for your action without compulsion.
Please bear in mind that I am not giving you a system of philosophy which you can follow blindly, but I am trying to awaken the desire for true and intelligent fulfillment, which alone can bring about happy order and peace in the world.
There can be fundamental and lasting change in the world, there can be love and intelligent fulfillment, only when you wake up and begin to free yourself from the net of illusions, the many illusions which you have created about yourself through fear. When the mind frees itself from these hindrances, when there is that deep, inward, voluntary change, then only can there be true, lasting, collective action, in which there can be no compulsion.
Please understand that I am talking to you as an individual, not to a collective group or to a particular party. If you do not awaken to your full responsibility, to your fulfillment, then your function as a human being in society must be frustrated, limited, and in that lies sorrow.
So the question is: How can there be this profound individual revolution? If there is this true, voluntary revolution on the part of the individual, then you will create the right environment for all, without the distinction of class or race. Then the world will be a single human unit.
How are you going to awaken as individuals to this profound revolution? Now what I am going to say Is not complicated, it is simple; and because of its very simplicity, I am afraid you will reject it as not being positive. What you call positive is to be given a definite plan, to be toldexactly what to do. But if you can understand for yourself what are the hindrances that are preventing your deep and true fulfillment, then you will not become a mere follower and be exploited. All following is detrimental to completeness.
To have this profound revolution, you must become fully conscious of the structure which you have created about yourself and in which you are now caught. That is, we have now certain values, ideals, beliefs, which act as a net to hold the mind, and by questioning and understanding all their significance, we shall realize how they have come into existence. Before you can act fully and truly, you must know the prison in which you are living, how it has been created...
Synopsis
Described by the Dalai Lama as one of the greatest thinkers of the age, J. Krishnamurti has influenced millions throughout the 20th century, and his thoughts continue to resonate even a decade after his death. His words have influenced such notables as Dr. Jonas Salk, Aldous Huxley, Joseph Campbell, Van Morrison, Bruce Lee and countless other students of the spiritual path, ranging from scientists to philosophers to artists of all kinds. Practical, profound and timeless, Krishnamurti's ideas -- rejecting the prejudices of traditional learning, celebrating personal, spiritual freedom, and the individual's search for Truth -- are inspiring now more than ever. Collected in this comprehensive volume are the most illuminating and essential of his writings and talks: words that are of vital relevance to today's spiritual environment, and catalytic in guiding us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves, our place in the universe, and the mysteries of the human condition.
Total Freedom is both an introduction to Krishnamurti and an essential, extensive collection. It includes selections from his early work to his later, Krishnamurti to Himself: His Last Journal, and his valuable insight into the nature of the self, meditation, sex, love, and the mysteries of life and death. Revealing his core teachings in all their eloquence and power, these writings incite us to recognize that Truth is a pathless land, to accept no spiritual authority -- not even himself -- and to think critically, that we may free our minds and see clearly on our own personal journey.
As revolutionary now as ever, Krishnamurti remains, for independent minds, one of the most influential guides in the quest for spiritual understanding and enrichment.
"[Krishnamurti's] language is naked, revelatory and inspiring. It pierces the clouds of philosophy which confound our thought and restores the springs of action... He initiated no new faith or dogma, questioned everything, cultivated doubt and perseverance, freed himself of illusion and enchantment of pride, vanity, and every subtle form of dominion over others... I know of no other living man whose thought is more inspiring." --Henry Miller
"In my own life Krishnamurti influenced me profoundly and helped me personally break through the confines of my own self-imposed restrictions to my freedom." --Deepak Chopra, M.D.
Synopsis
Counted among his admirers are Jonas Salk, Aldous Huxley, David Hockney, and Van Morrison, along with countless other philosophers, artist, writers and students of the spiritual path. Now the trustees of Krishnamurtis work have gathered his very best and most illuminating writings and talks to present in one volume the truly essential ideas of this great spiritual thinker.Total Freedom includes selections from Krishnamurtis early works, his ‘Commentaries on Living, and his discourses on life, the self, meditation, sex and love. These writings reveal Krishnamuris core teachings in their full eloquence and power: the nature of personal freedom; the mysteries of life and death; and the ‘pathless land, the personal search for truth and peace. Warning readers away from blind obedience to creeds or teachers - including himself - Krishnamurti celebrated the individual quest for truth, and thus became on of the most influential guides for independent-minded seekers of the twentieth century - and beyond.
Synopsis
Counted among his admirers are Jonas Salk, Aldous Huxley, David Hockney, and Van Morrison, along with countless other philosophers, artist, writers and students of the spiritual path. Now the trustees of Krishnamurti s work have gathered his very best and most illuminating writings and talks to present in one volume the truly essential ideas of this great spiritual thinker. Total Freedom includes selections from Krishnamurti s early works, his Commentaries on Living , and his discourses on life, the self, meditation, sex and love. These writings reveal Krishnamuri s core teachings in their full eloquence and power: the nature of personal freedom; the mysteries of life and death; and the pathless land , the personal search for truth and peace. Warning readers away from blind obedience to creeds or teachers including himself Krishnamurti celebrated the individual quest for truth, and thus became on of the most influential guides for independent-minded seekers of the twentieth century and beyond.
About the Author
J. Krishnamurti was a world-renowned spiritual teacher who, for more than fifty years, shared his message with people of all ages, races, and backgrounds.
He was born in 1895 in a Tamil Brahmin household in Madanapalle and went on to become a prolific speaker and author. He was considered by the Theosophists to be the reincarnation of Maitreya, though he himself rejected this accolade and chose to follow his own spiritual path. Indeed, he wanted his teachings compared to no other doctrine or faith. By encouraging others to challenge the self-deceptions of our age, his aim was to take man beyond the limitations of the self.
He wrote many books including the Ending of Time, The First and Last Freedom, Freedom From the Unknown, Total Freedom, Awakening of Intelligence, On Mind and On Fear.