Star in the East: Krishnamurti--the invention of a Messiah

by Roland Vernon

The story of Krishnamurti, one of the twentieth century's most influential and controversial spiritual figures, takes place in the crucible of sexual scandal, mysticism, and an extraordinary personal history.

Genres: Biography, Religion, Nonfiction

306 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2000

About the author

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Reviews

[Brian Griffith]

I really appreciated this account. It's honest and respectful, and it brings out the vast decency of this teacher, who gave an uplifting, dignified, thoughtful, compassionate face to the movement for a globalized spirituality.

[Preston Bryant]

Krishnamurti was undoubtedly a spiritual savior for the world we live in today. His teachings are practical, free of "new age" jargon, and quite astounding in their presentation and power. Although the man faltered in his consistency (indeed his behavior was not always consistent with his work), I think the teachings are invaluable. This book is beautifully written. For those who are unfamiliar with Krishnamurti, I suggest you pick up one of his books and take a read. His view of intelligence being the ability to observe with a thought without evaluating it, and his decry of western philosophy as a system of impractical thought that does nothing but generate theories is a radical, yet refreshing outlook on a world that is so desperately waiting for a revival of action and creation--especially in the spiritual, conscious community.

"Truth is a pathless land."

[Michael Jay]

The story of the man is impressive; the fleshing out of his character by the author is instructive; Krishnamurti's refusal to be made into an icon is admirable. A worthy read.

[Liam Griffin]

A tale of two halves excellently told. Thorough and unbiased account first of the Theosophical Society under Annie Besant and Charles Leadbeater and their attempts to engineer a Messiah on the world stage, then Krishnamurti's post-Theosophical career, his personal and public life as a teacher of transcendence.

[martin]

Fair and even-handed; compulsively gives both sides of the story - it's like the CNN of K. biographies