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Truth and Actuality
these deal with the problem of truth, the actuality in which we live as perceived by the senses, reality as appears to our consciousness, and the relationship between them. In the main part of the book Krishnamurti considers how man's consciousness is made up of all sorts of misconceptions about the 'me', or the ego centre; he also points out how solidly conditioned it is. 'You cannot go through reality to come to truth; you must understand the limitation of reality, which is the whole process of though,' he says. The book ends with some questions and answers which throw light on certain issues previously touched upon.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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184 people want to read
About the author
J. Krishnamurti
1,337 books4,300 followersJiddu 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 14, 2020
This was my fourth book of Krishnamurti ,it was a fantastic read .It includes Dr Bohm and Krishnamurti's discussions on the theoretical physics, and it explains the truth, reality and actuality and how a human mind can enquire into these with and the prerequisites required to work upon and get settled ,book explains not just verbally but non verbally deep down what insight is and how habit which is conditioned so hard rejects it and does not want to break through from a set comfortable pattern ,so to understand the difference between reality and truth ,one has to go beyond this realm.K argues that one must have an insight into conditioning otherwise it tough to dissolve it.
Important argument which Krishnamurti emphasises on all his talks and makes it the major part to delve into is that "Observer is the Observed" and in that realisation comes truth and operates within so that the conditioning dispels, he says there comes a different kind of energy comes into being and it is that energy which seems to have quality of being free, which is completely free from conditioning.
Reality explained by K is something which is a thing/things and truth is "nothing", because it is not reality ,so it must be nothing which means an empty being.So a find which is unoccupied by reality. Thought is movement of time and measure and it is always fragmented and limited ,it includes all the world of reality, but thought cannot think about emptiness because anything you come to must be by "path" (which is marked in the field of reality).
K's asks to see the action that comes from empty house ,as content and consciousness are reality, and how to empty that ,so that it is not reality, our mind is always occupied and we all seek security in reality.Krishnamurti talks about the importance of attaining complete intelligence , for which one has definitely get rid of "I am something" and work on it.
Tn nothingness ,there is complete security ,so there is no fear, but the sense of no fear has a totally different kind of activity in the world of reality, because inwardly am secure ,I create security outwardly, where it is awfully difficult if I feel that I depend inwardly on the world of reality, which makes one one disorganised inwardly.
The book explicitly talks about the thought and its limitations and human beings' responses which are ultimately based on these responses which give absurd results and lead to divisions and conflicts even if one has a motive to bring about good, peace, so on.
Krishnamurti talks about many things like right action, the problem of fear ,desires ,pleasures and the importance of right relationship ,Suffering ,which is not of just human beings but whole mankind and the indomitable and immeasurable compassion that comes from suffering ,which is the pure love which not the one defined by our society like attachment ,dependence for pleasures ,security ,etc but much beyond it and love which is sacred and eternal.
Meditation is explained in a different way which is completely against the conventional once as they are all movement of thought, and if totality of brain is limited then there is no freedom, So according to Krishnamurti one has to be "AWARE OF THE CONDITIONING " at all moments and be completely attentive not after the act is committed but during the course. So meditation is freedom from authority and putting everything in the right place in the field of reality,ORDER is brought and there is virtue in behaviour.(complete freedom from all prejudices, opinions and judgements) then only comes extraordinary things that are timeless and very essence of comparison.
If the action is merely centred around itself ,like centre of myself, then action breeds mischief ,confusion, etc ,BUT when you realise whole movement of life as one, undivided and are AWARE of that then mind rejuvenates itself and has immense energy so this is the part of meditation and has to go all day long and not for few minutes a day.
The book was a very tough read as it was very deep and took time to understand the meaning of it and see the truth of it ,K 's teaching is very different and for decoding his view ,one being a product of existing conditions took time and thorough thinking ,it completely changes our way of looking things and strive for truth by living in this world and ultimate conclusion is that YOU are the WORLD and you a not different form any other human anywhere in the world ,so the radical mutation in you affects the entire consciousness of humanity and it is not just an abstraction. If there is this birth of compassion in you ,one will inevitably bring about UNITY, you can't help it.
The "ME " which is created by thought is the huge hindrance in one's progress in understanding as it creates a barrier and one cannot perceive clearly and the huge problem is the "ME" has become independent .SO ultimately "the me '' is the word , so remove the word .If one sees deep down, you and me are the same.
Important argument which Krishnamurti emphasises on all his talks and makes it the major part to delve into is that "Observer is the Observed" and in that realisation comes truth and operates within so that the conditioning dispels, he says there comes a different kind of energy comes into being and it is that energy which seems to have quality of being free, which is completely free from conditioning.
Reality explained by K is something which is a thing/things and truth is "nothing", because it is not reality ,so it must be nothing which means an empty being.So a find which is unoccupied by reality. Thought is movement of time and measure and it is always fragmented and limited ,it includes all the world of reality, but thought cannot think about emptiness because anything you come to must be by "path" (which is marked in the field of reality).
K's asks to see the action that comes from empty house ,as content and consciousness are reality, and how to empty that ,so that it is not reality, our mind is always occupied and we all seek security in reality.Krishnamurti talks about the importance of attaining complete intelligence , for which one has definitely get rid of "I am something" and work on it.
Tn nothingness ,there is complete security ,so there is no fear, but the sense of no fear has a totally different kind of activity in the world of reality, because inwardly am secure ,I create security outwardly, where it is awfully difficult if I feel that I depend inwardly on the world of reality, which makes one one disorganised inwardly.
The book explicitly talks about the thought and its limitations and human beings' responses which are ultimately based on these responses which give absurd results and lead to divisions and conflicts even if one has a motive to bring about good, peace, so on.
Krishnamurti talks about many things like right action, the problem of fear ,desires ,pleasures and the importance of right relationship ,Suffering ,which is not of just human beings but whole mankind and the indomitable and immeasurable compassion that comes from suffering ,which is the pure love which not the one defined by our society like attachment ,dependence for pleasures ,security ,etc but much beyond it and love which is sacred and eternal.
Meditation is explained in a different way which is completely against the conventional once as they are all movement of thought, and if totality of brain is limited then there is no freedom, So according to Krishnamurti one has to be "AWARE OF THE CONDITIONING " at all moments and be completely attentive not after the act is committed but during the course. So meditation is freedom from authority and putting everything in the right place in the field of reality,ORDER is brought and there is virtue in behaviour.(complete freedom from all prejudices, opinions and judgements) then only comes extraordinary things that are timeless and very essence of comparison.
If the action is merely centred around itself ,like centre of myself, then action breeds mischief ,confusion, etc ,BUT when you realise whole movement of life as one, undivided and are AWARE of that then mind rejuvenates itself and has immense energy so this is the part of meditation and has to go all day long and not for few minutes a day.
The book was a very tough read as it was very deep and took time to understand the meaning of it and see the truth of it ,K 's teaching is very different and for decoding his view ,one being a product of existing conditions took time and thorough thinking ,it completely changes our way of looking things and strive for truth by living in this world and ultimate conclusion is that YOU are the WORLD and you a not different form any other human anywhere in the world ,so the radical mutation in you affects the entire consciousness of humanity and it is not just an abstraction. If there is this birth of compassion in you ,one will inevitably bring about UNITY, you can't help it.
The "ME " which is created by thought is the huge hindrance in one's progress in understanding as it creates a barrier and one cannot perceive clearly and the huge problem is the "ME" has become independent .SO ultimately "the me '' is the word , so remove the word .If one sees deep down, you and me are the same.
May 26, 2014
This one (of 24 I have read), might be most valuable to me. It's clear and simple about topics that can easily confuse. Truth and actuality. The idea of how our personal filters ( consciousness) compares against actual truth.
Top 6 in no special order for me.
On Fear
Freedom From the Known
Flight of the Eagle
Flame of Attention
Truth and Actuality
Network of Thought
This Light In Oneself
On Action
Top 6 in no special order for me.
On Fear
Freedom From the Known
Flight of the Eagle
Flame of Attention
Truth and Actuality
Network of Thought
This Light In Oneself
On Action
October 24, 2021
[Όπως είπαμε, όταν υπάρχει πόνος, δεν μπορεί να υπάρξει συμπόνια και αναρωτηθήκαμε αν υπάρχει κάποια δυνατότητα για τον ανθρώπινο νου, για τα ανθρώπινα πλάσματα σε όλο τον κόσμο, να μπει τέλος στον πόνο. Γιατί χωρίς αυτό, το τελείωμα του πόνου, θα ζούμε μέσα στο σκοτάδι, θα δεχόμαστε κάθε είδους πίστη, δόγματα, φυγές που προξενούν πολύ περισσότερη σύγχυση, περισσότερη βία κ.λ.π. ]
👻 [Αν κάποιος δεν έχει δραστική επίγνωση όλης αυτής τις διαδικασίας του σωματικού πόνου, είτε θυμάται που τον ένιωσε και στο παρελθόν είτε φοβάται ότι θα τον ξανανιώσει στο μέλλον, τότε παρουσιάζονται νευρωτικές συνήθειες, νευρωτική συμπεριφορά.]
👻[ Είμαι άπληστος, φθονερός, φιλόδοξος, σκληρός, βίαιος και το ίδιο είστε και εσείς. Κι αυτή είναι καθημερινή μας ζωή' ασήμαντη, με αποδοχή της αυθεντίας, με καβγάδες, πίκρες, χωρίς αγάπη και με λαχτάρα να αγαπηθούμε, με τις αγωνίες της μοναξιάς, με ανεύθυνες σχέσεις... Αυτή είναι η καθημερινή μας ζωή. Και είμαστε σαν όλο τον υπόλοιπο κόσμο' είναι ένα πελώριο ατελείωτο ποτάμι. Και όταν πεθάνουμε, θα είμαστε σαν τους υπόλοιπους, θα κινούμαστε μέσα στο ίδιο ποτάμι όπως και πριν, όταν ζούσαμε. Αλλά ο άνθρωπος που κατανοεί ριζικά τον εαυτό του, που έχει λύσει όλα τα ψυχολογικά προβλήματα μέσα του, δεν ανήκει στο ποτάμι. Έχει βγει έξω απ' αυτό.]
👻 [Υπάρχει μόνο ένας παράγοντας και αυτός είναι εκείνη η αίσθηση μεγάλης συμπόνιας. Κι αυτή η συμπόνια υπάρχει όταν κατανοήσουμε τον πόνο σε όλο το πλάτος και το βάθος του. Γι' αυτό μιλήσαμε πάρα πολύ για τον πόνο, τον πόνο, όχι μόνο ενός ανθρώπου, αλλά το συλλογικό πόνο της ανθρωπότητας. Μην το κατανοήσετε λεκτικά ή λογικά, αλλά με κάτι άλλο, με την καρδιά σας, νιώθοντας το. Και καθώς εσείς είστε ο κόσμος κι ο κόσμος είναι εσείς, αν υπάρξει αυτή η γέννηση της συμπόνιας, τότε αναπόφευκτα θα φέρετε την ενότητα, δεν μπορείτε να κάνετε αλλιώς.]
👻 [Αν κάποιος δεν έχει δραστική επίγνωση όλης αυτής τις διαδικασίας του σωματικού πόνου, είτε θυμάται που τον ένιωσε και στο παρελθόν είτε φοβάται ότι θα τον ξανανιώσει στο μέλλον, τότε παρουσιάζονται νευρωτικές συνήθειες, νευρωτική συμπεριφορά.]
👻[ Είμαι άπληστος, φθονερός, φιλόδοξος, σκληρός, βίαιος και το ίδιο είστε και εσείς. Κι αυτή είναι καθημερινή μας ζωή' ασήμαντη, με αποδοχή της αυθεντίας, με καβγάδες, πίκρες, χωρίς αγάπη και με λαχτάρα να αγαπηθούμε, με τις αγωνίες της μοναξιάς, με ανεύθυνες σχέσεις... Αυτή είναι η καθημερινή μας ζωή. Και είμαστε σαν όλο τον υπόλοιπο κόσμο' είναι ένα πελώριο ατελείωτο ποτάμι. Και όταν πεθάνουμε, θα είμαστε σαν τους υπόλοιπους, θα κινούμαστε μέσα στο ίδιο ποτάμι όπως και πριν, όταν ζούσαμε. Αλλά ο άνθρωπος που κατανοεί ριζικά τον εαυτό του, που έχει λύσει όλα τα ψυχολογικά προβλήματα μέσα του, δεν ανήκει στο ποτάμι. Έχει βγει έξω απ' αυτό.]
👻 [Υπάρχει μόνο ένας παράγοντας και αυτός είναι εκείνη η αίσθηση μεγάλης συμπόνιας. Κι αυτή η συμπόνια υπάρχει όταν κατανοήσουμε τον πόνο σε όλο το πλάτος και το βάθος του. Γι' αυτό μιλήσαμε πάρα πολύ για τον πόνο, τον πόνο, όχι μόνο ενός ανθρώπου, αλλά το συλλογικό πόνο της ανθρωπότητας. Μην το κατανοήσετε λεκτικά ή λογικά, αλλά με κάτι άλλο, με την καρδιά σας, νιώθοντας το. Και καθώς εσείς είστε ο κόσμος κι ο κόσμος είναι εσείς, αν υπάρξει αυτή η γέννηση της συμπόνιας, τότε αναπόφευκτα θα φέρετε την ενότητα, δεν μπορείτε να κάνετε αλλιώς.]
March 24, 2014
A great book presenting many facets of Krishnamurti's outlook. A must read for anyone interested in looking a little deeper within his/her self. Owing to the shortness of the book, it makes for a very delightful read, with the amount of repetitions(which obviously can't be avoided in such compiled books) kept at a minimum.
May 13, 2007
a book which disturb your mind to learn you the truth is behind the chaos of thoughts.The way of salvation is going above of the thoughts (using thinking!).
July 20, 2023
Lessons:
I can formulate and think more for myself. I am human. I am the world, the world is me. So first think for myself. Solutions. Reasons. Explainations.
Also: my definition of a word, can differ to yours. It is handy to explain definition of words. For self and in conversation.
I can formulate and think more for myself. I am human. I am the world, the world is me. So first think for myself. Solutions. Reasons. Explainations.
Also: my definition of a word, can differ to yours. It is handy to explain definition of words. For self and in conversation.
December 4, 2025
The real difference between reality & actuality
April 22, 2010
Krishnamurti is sublime and stimulating. This isn't exactly a book, written as such, but a collection of excerpts from speeches and interviews. He can be incredibly arrogant and to call him eccentric would be an understatement, but i think this is his (Indian Brahman caste) upbringing showing through but that he really is on to some enlightened truths. Some of my favorite excerpts:
The content of my consciousness is knowledge. p. 22
Insight is never the product of thought. p. 29
"It's part of education that keeps us constantly in the realm of reality." p. 36
"Because inwardly I'm secure, I create security outwardly." p.43
"Truth and knowledge don't go together." p. 48
"You have been hurt, haven't you - I am not talking to you personally - and you resist, you are afraid of being hurt more. So you build a wall round yourself, isolate yourself, and the extreme form of that isolation is total withdrawal from all relationship. And you remain in that but you have to live, you have to act. So you are always acting from a center that is hurt and therefore acting neurotically. You can see this happening in the world, in oneself." p. 98
"Do see it quickly, do see it. Please, just listen for two minutes, I am on fire!" p. 104
"So we are saying that when there is this suffering, either momentary, or a continuous endless series of causes that bring about suffering, to look at it without the observer. You are that suffering; not, youare separate from suffering. Totally remain with that suffering. Then you will notice, if you go that far, if you are willing to observe closely, that something totally different takes place: a mutation. That is, out of suffering comes great passion. If you have done it, tesetd it, you will find it. It is not the passion of a belief, passion for some cause, passion for some idiotic conclusion. It is a totally different kind of energy; not the movement of thought, which is mechanical." p. 133
"So your consciousness is the consciousness of the world, and if there is a mutation in that consciousness it affects the total consciousness of human beings. It is a fact." p. 134-135
"What we are saying is that consciousness, with all its content, is the movement of time." p. 140 (kinda makes ya look at the Garden of Eden stories a bit differently!)
"I think we all agree, at least most of us do, even the scientists, that thought is a material process, is a chemical process. ... So thought is essentially a thing." p. 146
"So freedom is absulutely necessary to observe - freedom from prejudice, from information, from what has been learned, to be able to look without the idea." p. 162
"A mind that is fragmented is not a beautiful mind, and therefore is not creative." p. 165
"If you change deeply you affect the whole consciousness of man." p. 169
The content of my consciousness is knowledge. p. 22
Insight is never the product of thought. p. 29
"It's part of education that keeps us constantly in the realm of reality." p. 36
"Because inwardly I'm secure, I create security outwardly." p.43
"Truth and knowledge don't go together." p. 48
"You have been hurt, haven't you - I am not talking to you personally - and you resist, you are afraid of being hurt more. So you build a wall round yourself, isolate yourself, and the extreme form of that isolation is total withdrawal from all relationship. And you remain in that but you have to live, you have to act. So you are always acting from a center that is hurt and therefore acting neurotically. You can see this happening in the world, in oneself." p. 98
"Do see it quickly, do see it. Please, just listen for two minutes, I am on fire!" p. 104
"So we are saying that when there is this suffering, either momentary, or a continuous endless series of causes that bring about suffering, to look at it without the observer. You are that suffering; not, youare separate from suffering. Totally remain with that suffering. Then you will notice, if you go that far, if you are willing to observe closely, that something totally different takes place: a mutation. That is, out of suffering comes great passion. If you have done it, tesetd it, you will find it. It is not the passion of a belief, passion for some cause, passion for some idiotic conclusion. It is a totally different kind of energy; not the movement of thought, which is mechanical." p. 133
"So your consciousness is the consciousness of the world, and if there is a mutation in that consciousness it affects the total consciousness of human beings. It is a fact." p. 134-135
"What we are saying is that consciousness, with all its content, is the movement of time." p. 140 (kinda makes ya look at the Garden of Eden stories a bit differently!)
"I think we all agree, at least most of us do, even the scientists, that thought is a material process, is a chemical process. ... So thought is essentially a thing." p. 146
"So freedom is absulutely necessary to observe - freedom from prejudice, from information, from what has been learned, to be able to look without the idea." p. 162
"A mind that is fragmented is not a beautiful mind, and therefore is not creative." p. 165
"If you change deeply you affect the whole consciousness of man." p. 169
January 7, 2024
Is it the thought that gives rise to feelings or do feelings give rise to thought? I would answer that question taking physiology into perspective. Does one have feelings in the head, the brain, or the mind? When one feels anxious, is there not an effect of that feeling/thought physically in the body? Does one feel secure physically? I know the answer for me is a hard “No”. No matter how much I may think it’s in my head – the stress, the worries, anxieties, insecurity, I feel it in my stomach too, I tumble down the staircase, I throw up, I feel it physically in my chest, even though it’s just a feeling, I feel it physically. My question is how do I stop myself from feeling it physically?
Read the whole review here:
Book Review: Truth and Actuality by Jiddu Krishnamurti
Read the whole review here:
Book Review: Truth and Actuality by Jiddu Krishnamurti
September 13, 2011
I absolutely love this book, Krishnamurti is a joy to read and has a wonderful poetic style discussing fundamental questions of reality and truth. Like most of his talks, it's very logical in tone yet deep in abstraction touching upon the limits of psychological thought (ego, selfish desire, etc).
August 20, 2009
complex- slow going- deep shit
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews