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Why Are You Being Educated?: Talks at Indian Universities
Consists of six talks that Krishnamurti gave at Indian universities and the Indian Institutes of Technology between the years 1969 and 1984.
Krishnamurti's chief concern here is to awaken students to the fact that the pursuit of knowledge does not liberate man from his fundamental ignorance of himself. While knowledge is indispensable, it also creates the illusion that we have the intelligence to meet the challenges of life, and this makes us neglect the vast and subtle field of the human psyche. Krishnamurti\'s radical departure from mainstream educational thinking comes through clearly in these talks, which therefore have significance not just for the young but also for parents, teachers, and all those interested in the deeper issues of human existence.
Krishnamurti's chief concern here is to awaken students to the fact that the pursuit of knowledge does not liberate man from his fundamental ignorance of himself. While knowledge is indispensable, it also creates the illusion that we have the intelligence to meet the challenges of life, and this makes us neglect the vast and subtle field of the human psyche. Krishnamurti\'s radical departure from mainstream educational thinking comes through clearly in these talks, which therefore have significance not just for the young but also for parents, teachers, and all those interested in the deeper issues of human existence.
- GenresSpiritualityEducation
131 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
J. Krishnamurti
1,338 books4,412 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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 21, 2018
The fact that leads the life not the theories. A man with a problem-solving attitude can build robots but can not present the philosophical ideas. There are many ways of manipulation of the human mind. Education is one of them we really do not know the true value of acquiring it. Like it has written in the book we fall into a trap. The approach this book is totally practical and we must read it in order to better understand the worth of education.
June 6, 2010
Big ideas come in small books.
That's one thing that this book (like so many other small books) will tell you. Because it is a collection of talks given at universities there is a tendency to expect the kind of speeches from other folks given at various universities around the world.
You'll be in for a surprise.
J Krishnamurti in his unique style, talks to students about 'why they are being' educated without any answer. So, again, you are in a surprise if you are looking for something "inspirational". It's not an answer-book. It is more of a question-book. The questions are full of purpose and have a foggy big-picture lurking somewhere. But you would do well to stay away from this book if you seek talks on the lines of 'stay hungry, stay foolish.'
The texture of the talks often becomes difficult to drive over, JK uses very simple language at all times, and some times when you are having a smooth ride along his talks, he speaks of something, in the same style, which makes you brake, reverse, and drive again, slowly.
Also, because these are talks given over fifteen years, the content of the last talks are repetitive. In a way, you could surmise that none of the students, who heard the first talk in 1969, did anything worthwhile, right up to the students he spoke to in 1984.
Having said that, there are gems scattered all over the book, which you will discover, if you open this book with an open mind.
That's one thing that this book (like so many other small books) will tell you. Because it is a collection of talks given at universities there is a tendency to expect the kind of speeches from other folks given at various universities around the world.
You'll be in for a surprise.
J Krishnamurti in his unique style, talks to students about 'why they are being' educated without any answer. So, again, you are in a surprise if you are looking for something "inspirational". It's not an answer-book. It is more of a question-book. The questions are full of purpose and have a foggy big-picture lurking somewhere. But you would do well to stay away from this book if you seek talks on the lines of 'stay hungry, stay foolish.'
The texture of the talks often becomes difficult to drive over, JK uses very simple language at all times, and some times when you are having a smooth ride along his talks, he speaks of something, in the same style, which makes you brake, reverse, and drive again, slowly.
Also, because these are talks given over fifteen years, the content of the last talks are repetitive. In a way, you could surmise that none of the students, who heard the first talk in 1969, did anything worthwhile, right up to the students he spoke to in 1984.
Having said that, there are gems scattered all over the book, which you will discover, if you open this book with an open mind.
July 4, 2018
The treatment of moral education and values are added to them make this book a great one. Although, Krishnamurti's all books are good this one is my favorite. This book is a record of lectures delivered by Krishnamurti sir in different universities of India. Evey question asked by the participants are logical and practical and answer given by sir is even better.
July 25, 2018
Her şey düşünmenizi sevk edip herkes "Düşünmeyi öğrenmek" gibi klişelerden söz eder fakat ilk defa, bazenleri düşünmemeyi öğrenmem gerektiğini bana anlatabilen bir kitap okudum sanırım. Bunu yazmak istedim, epey güzel şeyler var kitapta.
August 17, 2021
Please don't read this if you're looking for something insightful, thought-provoking or worse yet, ANSWERS cuz all this book provides is a hundred question marks that the Speaker doesn't have the answer to. Oh no, he doesn't even have a semblance of an answer. If I wanted to get lost in mindless ramblings that sound intellectual but are in fact pretentious, I'd have continued my own train of overthinking.
He's NEITHER here NOR there when it comes to anything he's questioned about. I get the symbolism of deflecting questions so that you find your way inwards and go to the answer you have. But college students are inquisitive by nature and when they ask, you have to deliver and not simply use decorative language and pointless questioning that takes you absolutely nowhere.
Yes, I have read philosophy and non-fiction before.
Yes, I have read lectures in book form.
No, NONE of them have been as frustrating as this.
He's NEITHER here NOR there when it comes to anything he's questioned about. I get the symbolism of deflecting questions so that you find your way inwards and go to the answer you have. But college students are inquisitive by nature and when they ask, you have to deliver and not simply use decorative language and pointless questioning that takes you absolutely nowhere.
Yes, I have read philosophy and non-fiction before.
Yes, I have read lectures in book form.
No, NONE of them have been as frustrating as this.
February 12, 2019
This is the fundamental question every student should ask themselves. Why are you being educated? There should be the pursuit of gathering knowledge. What Krishnamurti sir tries to say in his lectures that we should not fall in the age-long trap of our ansectors. Go to college get a degree to marry someone to have some children this should the pursuit of knowledge certainly not. He raises many questions on the ongoing condition of the Indian education system and the faulty in this. More or less we are becoming a problem-solving machine that has no emotions and human values. The pursuit of knowledge should be different than these things we should attain a higher seat in our life. And we must dedicate our lives in serving humanity does not matter in which form we can do so.
July 7, 2017
The fundamental factor of being educated is not an easy task to define. Sometimes, it becomes more complex when there is a generalisation of thought and difficult to find out the differences between educated and illiterate. The moot point of this book is define the objectives of studies. Education is meant for becoming abetter person not just a successful person in our respective field. When i start reading this book, i found myself in the trap of this book the implicit language used in the book. A truly motivation guide book for self development.
December 14, 2020
Well, this is a book that talks about the reality of Indian education and where we are heading. Humans are becoming problems solving machine and their framework of studies are defined in the same way. It does not provide critical thinking rather than a set of rules that you have to memories. The basic sense of education has been forgotten that's what the author is talking about in the book. It is such a nice book to develop your skills and thinks about the things that we don't see often.
June 17, 2017
If there are some book prevails in this world that has the capacity to transform your life in the path of righteousness then this book will top that list. I have read this book by heart. Every lesson every word in this book is energetic and full of reasoning and spirituality. I love this and like to tell others to read it.
June 24, 2017
The book can be said as a scrutiny of our education system. This is the conversation between Krishnamuti sir and students of different universities. I liked most in this book is the questions and answers. Every question that has been put forward by students posses a different meaning of life. And the replies are awesome.
June 22, 2017
One of the greatest remark on education I have ever read? He is in favour of teaching those things which matters to us rather than an aged old syllabus. He explained the purpose of education in very simple language.
June 25, 2017
After reading this book I felt motivated that i should do something greater in my life. My future should be not like that as suggest in the book 'a problem solving machine'. To create better you need to sacrifice yourself.
September 23, 2019
This book is a nice treatise on the ongoing current scenario of the Indian education system. It might feel bitter but that's the harsh reality of our education. We are producing only a bunch of problem-solving machine rather than a man who can take forward the generation.
March 4, 2020
The book is a collection of some powerful and thoughtful discussion of Krishnamurti with the students of different universities of India. The man concern of Krsihnmurti is to awake the students and tell them the real pursuit of education.
March 31, 2020
A true masterclass by Krishnamurti who has gone so deep to find out the root causes of our rotten education system. He has not only traces the problems but tried to his best to provide some remedial measures of this problem.
July 3, 2017
Books like these are treasure to keep. A lecture series by author delivered on the various university. Questioning and answering some real problem of life.
April 25, 2019
The book is really nice. It talks about real education rather than temporary education.
May 16, 2022
Summary: Inquire continuously
September 13, 2022
DNF'd at about 35%
June 9, 2013
...In my college time also, there were some leaders(thought leaders & political leaders) who gave speeches at seminar. The difference between their speeches & the speeches in this book is vast. It may be the time which has changed or may be the leaders who have drastically changed. Perhaps we as a society have forgotten and ignored such topics on human psyche. That was thought to be of vital importance just a few decades back.(Or may be I was not fortunate to listen to such speakers in college time)...
Check out the review on my blog : http://contemplatingme.wordpress.com/...
Check out the review on my blog : http://contemplatingme.wordpress.com/...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews