Leven zonder gisteren of morgen

by J. Krishnamurti, Hans van der Kroft (Translator)

"Als je wilt ontdekken wat waarheid is, moet je volkomen vrij zijn van alle religies, van alle conditioneringen, van alle dogma's, van alle vormen van geloof, van iedere vorm van gezag dat erop gericht is dat je je aanpast, wat in wezen betekent dat je totaal alleen staat en dat is heel moeilijk..."


Met Leven zonder gisteren of morgen verschijnen voor het eerst in het Nederlands acht toespraken die Krishnamurti hield in 1955 in Ojai, Californië. In het eerste decennium na de Tweede Wereldoorlog spreekt hij wereldwijd voor een zeer geïnteresseerd publiek dat – geraakt door de stoffelijke en geestelijke verwoestingen van de oorlog en gericht op een nieuwe toekomst – openstaat voor frisse ideeën en nieuwe idealen die helpen die toekomst vorm te geven.

Onder het loof van de altijdgroene eikenbomen in Ojai bespreekt Krishnamurti uiteenlopende thema’s: de betekenis van dromen, toenemende jeugdcriminaliteit, het leven na de dood, opvoeding enz.; heel concrete onderwerpen waar men niet alleen toen, maar ook nu nog steeds mee worstelt. In de roes van de wederopbouw klinkt echter ook zijn kritische stem: enorme progressie op het gebied van productiviteit, wetenschap en techniek betekent niet automatisch een vooruitgang in de richting van werkelijke innerlijke vrijheid. Alleen wie scherp en helder de eigen conditioneringen in beeld krijgt en onderzoekt, is in staat zich aan de tredmolen van illusies te onttrekken en echt in vrijheid te leven.

In Leven zonder gisteren of morgen gaat Krishnamurti ook uitgebreid en steeds verhelderend in op vragen van toehoorders.

Genres: Philosophy, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Psychology, Personal Development, Meditation, Religion

176 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2007

About the author

Jiddu 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

Reviews

[Samir Rawas Sarayji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krishnamurti’s insight and explanations have always helped me understand myself better in ways no psychologist, analyst, scientist, philosopher or writer ever will. To understand what he explains is to go deep within yourself and observe.
No judgement, no opinions, no foreknowledge, no rituals, no dogma, no concept, no condemnation, no competition, no ego, no demands, no greed, no ambition, no control, no domination...
Try it.

[Jen Madsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"And do you know how difficult it is to understand oneself? It is difficult because we are dilettantes; we are not really that interested. But if you are really aware, if you give your attention to understanding yourself, then you will find an indestructable treasure." --Jiddu Krishnamurti

That quote, perhaps, best sums up the entire book. This is a collection of talks Krishnamurti gave in Ojai, California in 1955. Once again I'm drawn to philosophy that at heart is as far from esoteric as it can be and yet feels very esoteric on the surface. There is no path to truth, no guru to get you there, no there to get to, in fact. So why bother trying to see oneself as one is? Is it possible to free yourself from all conditioning? I don't know, but I think I know why Krishnamurti thinks it's important to try:

"So, if there is no possibility for the mind to extricate itself from this prison of the collective, then the mind can only go back and reform the prison. But to me, there is such a possibility because to struggle everlastingly in the prison would be too stupid."

So the question is, do I remain a dilettante or set out on a pathless path with no guru, no guidance other than my own ability to observe the mind and peer into the abyss?

[Karthik Vegi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment you stop seeking, you'll know the truth.

[Seon Ji (Dawn) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best I've read so far!

I will certainly read this one again and again.

In these talks he investigates many things which personally touched and interested me.

Is our mind individual or part of the collective? Why do we dream? These are just some questions he inquires into with the reader.

Highly recommended.

[Tarini Chandrashekhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

One reads about Eastern and Western philosophers, often wondering if any of this actually practical. Mr. Krishnamurthy keeps it real, in the truest sense of the word. His talks, ideas, books, are to be commended, not just because they are as simple as they come, they merely talk about observing one's mind. At the outset, this seems easy, but as the chapters progressed, I was genuinely taken aback by how the timelessness of mind can be destroyed just by a simple judgment of your thought, as opposed to mere observation. Problems like wars, violence can be understood better if we understand the nature of one's own mind. How would you look at your mind, if you stripped it of all of its conditioning, dogmas, beliefs, society? The book is not about the answers, it's about asking the right questions.

[Naveen Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fact of the reality can not be as apparent as mentioned in this book. Krishnamurthy really goes deep into each topic in this book (as against his other books where it's a question and answer format although this has questions and answers as well). From time to time, I had quite a few euphoric moments where reality strikes in its simplest form. Going within ourselves along with the explanation by Krishnamurthy has been one of the most satisfying internal journeys

J krishnamurti has inspired millions from Bruce Lee to will Smith many more
If u really want to know art of stillness
Here it is

[James Jesso · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book fully changed my life when I read it as a young man.

[Sunil Goel · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all this book is not for beginners.it tells you to question your mind,to self enquiry,to understand the process of functioning of mind. It cant be understandable for beginners in meditation only for people who are at advance stage of meditation.

[Mariah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I decided to listen to what Krishnamurti said about accepting what is in my mind without looking to change it. I accept that I did not love this book. I enjoyed the beginning of the book more than I enjoyed later chapters. It may be because his message became repetitive as time went on.

I’ve found that there is some insight to be found in “As One Is,” but I disliked Krishnamurti’s tone. At many point it appeared to be arrogant and patronizing. It may just be that his talks did not translate well on paper, but here are a few examples:
“...but as long as you do not know the process of your own thinking, what you think about God may be stupid and petty, and generally it is” (p.97).
“So your thinking about God is an utter waste of time; it is a speculation that has no value” (p. 98).
I understand what he is saying, but I feel as though it could be expressed more eloquently and compassionately. Who is he to say that an individual’s speculations have no value? I feel as though value is subjective.

I only made it to page 101 so I am sure there is much to be found in the lectures that I missed. I intend to receive my dose of philosophy and ontology from teachers other than Krishnamurti in the future.

[Ty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great insight to the mind and was geared to free yourself from all conditioning. One of my favorite questions in the book was "Is it possible to teach your children without conditioning them?"

This book covers things such as The accumulation of knowledge vs the Individual and keeping the mind still or motionless.

Krishnamurti also explains the difference between attention, concentration and distraction.

This book was produced from an 8 day discussions in Oak Groove California in 1955. Krishnamurti's words were recorded and published in this book.

This man is quite fascinating and he touches on the problems of society, religion, politics, violence, dominance, sorrow, conscious, subconscious, ego and the cultivation of virtue vs. virtue.

This man is obviously one of the great philosophers of our time, even though he does not consider himself a philosopher at all. Krishnamurti seems to be a proponent of self discovery and always tells people to find out the truth for themselves. Because if you take someones word as truth, then you've been conditioned. :)

Truth is a pathless land.

[Véronique · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is composed of eight talks given in California in 1955. The author constantly goes back to the conditioning of the mind, which is important I agree, but still, there is a LOT of repetition in this book.
After a while, I found Krishnamurti's tone not only very repetitive, but also annoying (I don't think I can stand another rhetorical question at this point) and borderline arrogant.
He asks a lot questions but seems to be circling around without ever finding the path to an answer.
One should not try to find peace and truth reading books or listening to a teacher or a spiritual adviser according to Krishnamurti (what exactly was he doing in front of an audience??). Well isn't there a contradiction when he spent a big part of his life creating foundations around to world to preserve his talks and writings? Or did I totally miss something?

[Patrick Connery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some useful and interesting insights. Thoughtful commentary about society’s problems and human psychological tendencies that may be at the root of that. However, at times somewhat aloof or patronizing in tone. Krishnamurti often prefaces a topic with some uncertainty about the audience’s ability to fully grasp his point, then proceeds to repeat his thesis which becomes redundant in a written format.

[Titiaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes you uncomfortable. The book's subtitle says it all: "to free the mind from all conditioning". Krishnamurti reminds you that you live in a mirage. He writes provocatively, challenging assumptions. This book is worth returning too; it's best read a few pages at a time. As Krishnamurti advises in almost every talk, "don't just hear the words, try to validate what I say with your own experience".

Some highlights:
- what most of us want is to find a secure place in our ways of thinking. We want to pursue a set pattern and be undisturbed in our thoughts, in our actions.

But it is only the mind that is capable of patiently observing its own conditioning and being free from its conditioning-it is only such a mind that is able to have a revolution, a radical transformation, and thereby to discover that which is infinitely beyond the mind
- Our problem is not how to be free from the desires which are painful while holding on to those which are pleasurable but to understand the whole nature of desire.
- Everywhere society is conditioning the individual, and this conditioning takes the form of self-improvement, which is really the perpetuation of the 'me', the ego, in different forms.

Self-improvement may be gross, or it may be very, very refined when it becomes the practice of virtue, goodness, the so-called love of one's neighbor, but essentially it is the continuance of the 'me', which is a product of the conditioning influences of society.

All your endeavor has gone into becoming something, either here, if you can make it, or if not, in another world; but it is the same urge, the same drive to maintain and continue the self.
- So our problem is how to free the mind from all conditioning, not how to condition it better. Do you understand? Most of us are seeking a better conditioning.

The communists, the Catholics, the Protestants, and the various other sects throughout the world, including the Hindus and Buddhists, are all seeking to condition the mind according to a nobler, a more virtuous, unselfish, or religious pattern.
- the mind is desire; it is not separate from desire.

If you really understand this, the mind becomes very quiet; desires come, but they no longer have impact; they are no longer of great significance; they do not take root in the mind and create problems. The mind reacts; otherwise, it is not alive, but the reaction is superficial and does not take root
- If you are not interested in listening to what is being said, why bother? But you are bothered because your life is full of envy, suffering, so want to find an answer, you want to find a meaning.

If you want to find a meaning, give full attention.
- If we want to understand the problem of sorrow and perhaps put an end to it, then we cannot possibly think in terms of progress because a man who thinks in terms of progress, of time, saying that he will be happy tomorrow, is living in sorrow.
- Surely, the man who is seeking fulfillment is hounded by frustration. That is simple enough, is it not? If I am all the time trying to fulfill through my son, through my wife, through an idea, through action, there is always the shadow of frustration and fear behind it. So if I want to understand fear, frustration, the agony of psychosomatic complexities, and all the rest of it, I must question this whole idea that there is such a thing as fulfilling myself
- there can never be freedom of thought as long as thinking is based on memory

[Carla Parreira]

Melhores trechos: "...Espiritualidade, verdade, divindade, está fora do tempo; não é, portanto, aquela continuidade que conhecemos como o amanhã e o futuro. Compreendeis? Se isso que eu sou é uma entidade espiritual, ela deve ser sem continuidade, não pode progredir, não pode crescer, não pode vir a ser; mas, em verdade, aquilo que eu sou pensa que deve 'vir a ser', isto é, estou pensando em termos de 'vir a ser'... O coração amante é generoso, bondoso, sem reservas, nada retendo, e esse coração conhece o real; conhece aquilo que não tem princípio nem fim. Mas a maioria de nós não tem um coração assim. Nossos corações estão secos, vazios, e fazem muito alarido. Nossos corações estão cheios das coisas da mente. E porque estão vazios os nossos corações, dirigimo-nos a outra pessoa para os encher. Procuramos outra pessoa, em busca daquela eterna segurança que chamamos Deus; procuramos outra pessoa, para achar aquela permanente satisfação que chamamos realidade... Uma pessoa que está reclamando, pedindo, suplicando, ansiando, por uma orientação, essa pessoa encontrará o que procura, mas não será a verdade. O que receber será resposta das camadas inconscientes de sua própria mente, a se projetarem no consciente, e aquela voz tranqüila, aquela voz sutil que o guia, não é o real, mas tão somente a resposta do inconsciente... Pode o imensurável, o inefável, estar interessado nas pequeninas preocupações, misérias, confusões, criadas por nós mesmos? Quem é, então, que nos atende? Evidentemente, o imensurável não pode atender ao que tem medida, ao mesquinho, ao pequeno. Mas, que é que nos atende? No momento em que oramos, estamos silenciosos, em estado de receptividade; e, então, o nosso próprio subconsciente traz-nos uma claridade momentânea. Isto é, desejais alguma coisa, ansiais por ela, e nesse momento de anseio, de devoto suplicar, estais relativamente receptivo; vossa mente consciente, ativa, está relativamente tranqüila, e por isso o subconsciente se projeta nela e recebeis uma resposta... Estes são, por natureza, um fator de desintegração na sociedade; quantos mais advogados, mais policiais e soldados existem, tanto mais evidente se torna a decomposição da sociedade. É o que está acontecendo no mundo inteiro: há mais soldados, mais advogados, mais policiais, e, naturalmente, o negociante anda de mãos dadas com eles. Assim, tudo isso tem de ser modificado para que se possa fundar uma sociedade correta; e pensamos que tal tarefa é impossível de realizar-se... A verdade, o amor, é o desconhecido, e o desconhecido não pode ser capturado pelo conhecido. O conhecido precisa cessar, para o desconhecido ser; e quando o desconhecido surge na existência derrama-se uma benção..."

[Ruvini · Rating 5 out of 5]

In As One Is, J. Krishnamurti challenges us not to become something, but to observe what we already are, without judgment, defense, or denial. The essence of the book lies in the radical act of accepting our ignorance; not as weakness, but as the very beginning of freedom.

Krishnamurti insists that transformation does not come from adding more knowledge, beliefs, or practices to ourselves. Instead, it comes through the quiet courage of seeing, watching the mind in action, recognizing its conditioning, and allowing the space for something new to arise.

This theme recalls a famous quote from Sherlock Holmes to Dr. Watson:

“A man's brain is like a little empty attic… It is a mistake to cram it with all sorts of furniture. The trick is to take in only what is useful.”

Holmes was speaking of facts, but Krishnamurti speaks of mental clarity and freedom. To discover something original something true, we must empty the attic of our minds. Not to become blank, but to become aware.

As One Is suggests that truth isn't found by becoming someone else, but by unbecoming - dropping all the roles, opinions, and inherited beliefs that bind us. In this shedding of layers, we find our individual essence, not the self shaped by collective conditioning, but the self that exists beyond it.

This book isn’t easy reading in the traditional sense, it doesn’t comfort or entertain. But it awakens. And for those who are willing to sit with themselves, as they are, As One Is becomes more than a book. It becomes a mirror.

[St aL iN · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is compilation of Eight Talks,given by Jiddu krishnamurti in Ojai, California,in 1955.

What Mr. J.K communicated in Razor Sharp words and as Experience (few times with unoccupied, aware/Unconditioned mind - most of the times with occupied memory/conditioned mind) I could only made an attempt to fathom his talks.

Mr.J.K's method of teaching is not having a Method at all,he don't use a method or examples, parabols, stories, Jokes, quotes, scriptures,Imaginations or logics ....

We will simply dissect the mind by paying 'ATTENTION'(attention is entirely different from concentration or absorption in something - where their is urge, struggle, conflict) to his words observing the Judging mind ,the Evaluating mind ,the Condemning mind, the Justifying mind and from the superficial self-knowledge of the surface mind or the cumulative memory of the mind to deeply more profound to the self-knowledge of the mind to the state of 'Not knowing' in discovering the new knowledge/Truth/Reality where ever it leads to..

As Mr. J.K says 'It is the mind that is totally unoccupied, completely empty it is only such a mind that can receive something new,in which their is no occupation.'

It is not as simplified as I put it above.The book deals on many things profoundly deep which can only be experienced with Mr. J.K's talk.It is suggestable not to read the at once because it takes more than just READING.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The guy obviously had some profound experiences and insights; however, by uncritically adopting the western metaphysical concepts when expressing himself, the result is just some confused and popular self-help. This is also a good source for understanding such popular and oriental movements here in California following the end of WW2 and of the generation that started to reject material prosperity. This oriental and guru trend will explode 10-20 years later all over America and the world with the Vietnam War, Beatles, and the baby-boomers.

Basically the author is advocating a philosophy/religion of the unconditioned that will eventually liberate one and grants direct access to God/truth. However, this can be achieved only if one is not following any goal and just simply let everything go. Passions, culture, society, techniques, influences, the past, any involvements, preconceptions, and so on are all blocking this liberation – even if in a very small dose. In other words - there is no method at all here, but only a promise of some inner paradise. All failures - and it seems to be a lot of them - are attributed by the author to misunderstandings of his teaching. The way he repeats himself, asks questions without providing the core answers, and by continuously rebuking and assuming that his audience do not understand him - are quite annoying.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are we conditioned? The answers might vary but if we look closely, deeply into our own minds, we can see that we are indeed conditioned both consciously and unconsciously. As children we absorb everything from our environment including our parents beliefs, the school system indoctrinations, the religious indoctrications, our cultural norms etc. The question is: How do we free ourselves from all these conditionings, all these programmings? This is what this book is all about. This is not a how to manual, for if we ask the question of "how", we miss the point of getting rid of conditioning since if we ask "how are we going to free ourselves from all these conditionings?" then we are seeking some sort of result, a state which is itself stems from conditioning.

This book presents a complex and challenging read especially for those new to this type of thinking. If you haven't question yourself, your parents , authority figures, the government, media, society, capitalism. This is hard to read because it contradicts and trigger you, but if you are willing to not be a mere follower then this book will change you, not entirely but it is a start - a start of a life long discovery of who you really are.

[Senthil Ganesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"An artist who is concerned with his name, with his greatness, with comparison, with fulfilling his ambition, has ceased to be an artist; he is merely a technician like everybody else. Which means, really, that to love something there must be a total cessation of all ambition, of all desire for the recognition of society, which is rotten anyhow."

In this nice little series of lectures, JK posits that - deep down , all of us are afraid of being empty/lonely and to avoid being empty , we keep ourselves engaged and tie ourselves to competitive pursuits that seek social approval.

Ultimately, we seek an illusion of our future, better selves.. ignoring the more peaceful current-self. This impacts the state of mental peace.To avoid this trap, JK suggests the following.

" If you are examining, understanding the ways of your own mind without seeking a reward, an end, without the motivation of gain, then there is self-knowledge, and you will see an astonishing thing come out of it."

[Rajesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

One highlight from the book .. We are always saying, “This book is not as good as the other,” or “This man is better than that man,” and so on; there is this constant process of comparison, and we think that through comparison we understand."

So, without comparing this book to any other :)....

The key idea is that we always go to the seemingly safe space of prior habits/wisdom/dogma from society, religion, culture and try to live up to those ideas - instead of trying to understand ourselves as we are which will provide better answers. This conflict from what one "seeks to be" and who "one is" drains your energy even more and further makes it hard to truly explore the real truth of who one really is - as one is.

This is a transcribed version of delivered talks, so there is a fair bit of repetition, but probably not a bad idea to think of the same concepts in multiple ways.

[Johnny Woo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve literally listening to hundreds of hours of J. Krishnamurti. At this point, I’m not listening to discover something new. I just listen. I’m also a therapist and the way he talks helps me understand how to interact with the ideas that drive people’s lives. I’m tempted to write about how the book has affected me, but there’s no way for me to isolate what I heard here versus the other books and talks I’ve heard. Just know I enjoyed it! I think I enjoyed the first and last talk most. I need to go back and listen to the middle talks again. I was mostly driving and listening so I definitely wasn’t really listening to a few of the middle talks. Traffic is pretty heavy here, so my focus was split.

[Martin Koo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Language is unnecessarily verbose, which makes it hard to get through.

The importance is the process, and not necessarily some hard method or technique.
To look into one's mind and be aware of one's conditioning. This is supremely important to declutter oneself and view oneself as a clueless human being, without being trapped within social identities.
This kind of thing is difficult, or impossible, to put into words.
But I think K does a good job of hinting at what he is trying to say, although I think he could have explained himself better.
Sometimes his manner of speech annoys me.

I may read his other book sometime... I wonder if he actually wrote any books.

[Bharathwaj Dk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I would say I cannot completely grasp 100 percent of what JK says ,he sure has understood the mind better than many psychologists/psychiatrists by pure technique of self enquiry /self knowledge.
My takeaway from this book would be

1) we are all conditioned by people and our surroundings
2)Thoughts are simply a recycled garbage which generates from our memory
3)He beautifully explains what karma is ,without even mentioning the name of karma .In final chapters he explains about collectives which leave residue (as per my understanding he talks about karma )
4)Miracles happen only when you stop seeking and try not to become something or someone

[Lucas Oliveira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um dos primeiros livros que adicionei ao "quero ler" mas que demorei anos pra de fato, ler.

É um livro profundo, com vários questionamentos sobre o que é ser, de fato, livre. Livre de preconceitos, de amarras, sejam elas impostas por nós mesmos ou pela sociedade.

O autor não traz muitas respostas, mas ao invés disso, faz o leitor perceber que, para livrar a mente de qualquer tipo de condicionamento existente, é preciso fazer as perguntas certas... e pensar sobre as respostas, não aceitando nada que alguém diga como verdade absoluta, por que raramente tem alguma verdade ali, já que todos nós temos algum tipo de condicionamento em nossas mentes.

Recomendo a leitura e reflexão.

[Pajtim Ademi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, "As One Is" by Jiddu Krishnamurti is a game-changer! If you're into understanding the complexities of human conditioning and the mind, you've gotta read this. Krishnamurti dives deep but keeps it super accessible. I found myself pausing to really think about what he's saying, you know? It's not just another self-help book; it's like a manual for understanding yourself and the world around you on a whole new level. Seriously, if you're a fan of Krishnamurti or even just exploring philosophy and spirituality, this is a must-read. Five stars all the way!

[Nithila Talgaswatte · Rating 4 out of 5]

First attempt at a "philosophical" book, it was quite captivating, in that I continued to read it with great interest but at the same time quite difficult to comprehend and grasp some of the concepts, reading the first 6 "talks" will leave you with far more questions than answers but the 7th and 8th definitely provide more direction, I'll certainly attempt to read a few more books by Krishnamurti to try and make more sense of this one !

[Onur Bulun · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I read this book I realized that I am always seeking for a method or an authority to be free from my mind. Also I am always seeking for a reward for my efforts. I was not be able to watch my mind because I could not see these seekings and many other activities of the mind. Now, I can watch and discover my mind's activities.

[Max Tower · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone on their spiritual path!

The message is simple: Free yourself (i.e. your mind) from all conditioning and then rebuild your paradigms with what you believe to be true!

I have done this exercise myself, and it takes a bit of time, but it is definitely worth it. We need to go beyond our ego for that; we need to work with our "true" self.

Good luck :)

[Laurie A. Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. I love reading spiritual literature. This is one of the best as the teachings direct me to my own inner self. This is a very thought provoking read. I highly recommend Krishnamurti's books.

[Abu Sesay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A massive amount to chew on with some parts missing flavor and others being the best taste you’ll ever have in life. Grateful for this text. Truly challenges your mind in terms of thoughts and really seeking oneself.