Jiddu Krishnamurti
Jiddu Krishnamurti: A Life of Inquiry and Insight
Full Name and Common Aliases
Full Name: Jiddu Krishnamurti
Common Aliases: Krishnamurti, K
Birth and Death Dates
Born: May 11, 1895
Died: February 17, 1986
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: Indian
Profession(s): Philosopher, Speaker, Writer
Early Life and Background
Jiddu Krishnamurti was born in the small town of Madanapalle in the Madras Presidency of British India, now part of Andhra Pradesh. He was the eighth child in a Telugu-speaking Brahmin family. His father, Jiddu Narianiah, worked as an official in the British colonial administration. Krishnamurti's early life was marked by poverty and the loss of his mother when he was just ten years old. Despite these challenges, his life took a dramatic turn when he was discovered by Charles Webster Leadbeater, a prominent member of the Theosophical Society, on the grounds of the society's headquarters in Adyar, Chennai.
Leadbeater believed Krishnamurti to be the potential "World Teacher," a messianic figure the society had been anticipating. This led to Krishnamurti's adoption by Annie Besant, the president of the Theosophical Society, who became his legal guardian. Under their tutelage, Krishnamurti received an education that was both traditional and esoteric, preparing him for his future role as a spiritual leader.
Major Accomplishments
Krishnamurti's major accomplishments are not easily categorized into conventional achievements. His life was a testament to the power of inquiry and the pursuit of truth. In 1929, in a bold and unprecedented move, he dissolved the Order of the Star, an organization created to support his role as the World Teacher. He declared that truth is a pathless land and that no organization or creed could lead one to it. This act of renunciation was a pivotal moment in his life, marking his break from organized religion and the beginning of his independent journey as a philosopher and speaker.
Over the next several decades, Krishnamurti traveled extensively, giving talks and engaging in dialogues with individuals from all walks of life. His teachings emphasized the importance of self-awareness, the limitations of thought, and the necessity of understanding the mind to bring about a fundamental transformation in society.
Notable Works or Actions
Krishnamurti's teachings have been compiled into numerous books, many of which are transcriptions of his talks and dialogues. Some of his most notable works include "The First and Last Freedom," "Commentaries on Living," and "Freedom from the Known." These texts explore themes such as the nature of the self, the role of thought in human conflict, and the possibility of living a life free from fear and conditioning.
His dialogues with prominent figures such as physicist David Bohm and psychiatrist Carl Jung further illustrate his commitment to exploring the depths of human consciousness. These conversations, often published as books, provide profound insights into the nature of reality and the human condition.
Impact and Legacy
Jiddu Krishnamurti's impact on the world of philosophy and spirituality is profound and enduring. His teachings have influenced a wide range of thinkers, educators, and spiritual seekers. He challenged the status quo, urging individuals to question authority, tradition, and the very nature of thought itself. His emphasis on personal responsibility and the need for a radical transformation of the mind resonates with those seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.
Krishnamurti's legacy is preserved through the work of several foundations established in his name, including the Krishnamurti Foundation Trust in the UK and the Krishnamurti Foundation of America. These organizations continue to disseminate his teachings and support educational initiatives that align with his vision of holistic education.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Jiddu Krishnamurti is widely quoted and remembered for his incisive insights into the human psyche and his unwavering commitment to truth. His teachings transcend cultural and religious boundaries, appealing to individuals seeking clarity and understanding in a complex world. Krishnamurti's ability to articulate the intricacies of thought and consciousness with simplicity and depth makes his words timeless and universally relevant.
His quotes often challenge conventional wisdom, encouraging readers to look beyond surface appearances and explore the deeper layers of their own minds. In a world rife with conflict and division, Krishnamurti's message of self-awareness and inner transformation offers a beacon of hope and a path toward genuine peace and understanding.
Quotes by Jiddu Krishnamurti
Jiddu Krishnamurti's insights on:
The more you know yourself, the more clarity there is, Self-knowledge has no end—you don't come to an achievement, you don't come to a conclusion. It is an endless river.
If you begin to understand what you are without trying to change it, then you are undergoing a transformation.
Real learning comes about when the competitive spirit has ceased. The competitive spirit is merely an additive process which is not learning at all. This is true not only of competition with others but competition with yourself as well.
The whole of life, from the moment you are born, to the moment you die, is a process of learning.
Freedom from the desire for an answer in essential to the understanding of a problem.
To say that the mind can or cannot be free from its conditioning is still part of its conditioning, but to observe that conditioning without saying either is a furthering of awareness—awareness of the whole process of thinking.
Being fully conscious of one's whole process of thinking, and being able to go beyond tnat process, is awareness.
Awareness is of the total process of the mind, not just of one particular segment of that process.
Being watchful from moment to moment of all its thoughts, its feelings, its reactions, unconscious as well as conscious, the mind is constantly discovering the significance of its own activities, which is self-knowledge.