U.G. Krishnamurti
U.G. Krishnamurti: A Life of Unconventional Wisdom
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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The full name of the subject is Ullrich Franz Joseph Kittel, commonly known as U.G. Krishnamurti.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on September 14, 1915, in Oettingen, Kingdom of Bavaria (now Germany), U.G. Krishnamurti passed away on April 15, 2007, at the age of 91.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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U.G. Krishnamurti was an Indian-born German citizen who claimed to have renounced all worldly possessions and professions. However, he did engage in various activities throughout his life, including:
Writing
Public speaking
* Spiritual guidance
Early Life and Background
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Krishnamurti was born into a Catholic family but later converted to Buddhism. His early life was marked by a tumultuous relationship with his father, who was reportedly an abusive and authoritarian figure. U.G.'s mother, on the other hand, is said to have been kind and gentle.
As he grew older, Krishnamurti became increasingly disillusioned with organized religion and its practices. He began to question the nature of spirituality and the role of gurus in people's lives.
Major Accomplishments
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Krishnamurti's life was not marked by traditional accomplishments or achievements. Instead, he focused on spreading his message of spiritual skepticism and self-inquiry.
However, one notable event occurred when Krishnamurti publicly renounced his relationship with the Theosophical Society, a spiritual organization that had supported him in his early years as a guru.
Notable Works or Actions
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Krishnamurti's writings and public talks are perhaps his most significant contributions. His books, including "Freedom from the Known" and "The Mystic Path," offer insights into his views on spirituality, consciousness, and human nature.
He also traveled extensively throughout his life, giving talks and sharing his ideas with various audiences.
Impact and Legacy
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Krishnamurti's impact extends beyond his written works. His influence can be seen in the lives of individuals who have been inspired by his message of spiritual skepticism and self-inquiry.
Many people have reported feeling liberated from their conditioning and dogmatic thinking after encountering Krishnamurti's teachings. His emphasis on living in the present moment, without attachments or expectations, has resonated with those seeking a more authentic and meaningful life.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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U.G. Krishnamurti is widely quoted and remembered for his unorthodox views on spirituality and human nature. His willingness to challenge established norms and conventions has made him a significant figure in the world of spiritual inquiry.
Krishnamurti's message continues to inspire individuals who are seeking a more authentic and meaningful life. His emphasis on living in the present moment, without attachments or expectations, remains a powerful reminder of the importance of being true to oneself.
Quotes by U.G. Krishnamurti
The demand to be prepared for all future actions and all situations is the cause of our problems. Every situation is so different; and our attempt to be prepared for all those situations is the one that is responsible for our not being able to deal with situations as they arise.
You say that I am living in illusion. But poverty, work, war, they are not illusions. Are they? In what sense am I being deluded? What you experience through your separative consciousness is an illusion. You can’t say that falling bombs are an illusion. It is not an illusion, only your experience of it is an illusion. The reality of the world that you are experiencing now is an illusion. That is all I am trying to say. If you say that.
The body is not interested in your perceptions. It is not interested in learning anything from you or knowing anything from you. All the intelligence that is necessary for this living organism is already there. Our attempts to teach this body, or make it function differently from the way it is programmed by nature, are what are responsible for the battle that is going on. There is a battle between what is put in by culture and what is inherent there in the body.
Life is simply a process of stimulus and response; and stimulus and response are one unitary movement.
Sometimes we are so involved with our activity that we lose ourselves in it, and in that sense we are living in the moment.
As a human body it is an extraordinary piece of creation. But as a human being he is rotten because of the culture.
The fear of extinction will probably bring us together, not ‘love’ or feeling of brotherhood.
Those who are marching into the battlefield and are ready to be killed today in the name of democracy, in the name of freedom, in the name of communism, are no different from those who threw themselves to the lions in the arenas. The Romans watched that fun with great joy. How are we different from them? Not a bit. We love it. To kill and to be killed is the foundation of our culture.
Human thinking is born out of this neurological defect in the human species. Anything that is born out of human thinking is destructive. Thought is destructive. Thought is a protective mechanism. It draws frontiers around itself, and it wants to protect itself. It is for the same reason that we also draw lines on this planet and extend them as far as we can.