The Krishnamurti Reader

This is a new release of the original 1927 edition.

J. Krishnamurti was renowned for the penetrating insight and immediacy of his spiritual teaching. Radical in his day for seeking truth beyond the boundaries of religion, ideology, or tradition, he declared that "Truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever." He traveled and lectured throughout the world, calling for a new approach to life and spirituality. In this compilation of Krishnamurti's most essential teachings, he explores what he calls "the art of living." The topics addressed include such perennial human concerns as: living life without conflict and confusion, how to act with skill and clarity, the significance of meditation, death and dying, true freedom, and bringing the sacred into everyday life. These timeless teachings guide us to live our lives simply, intelligently, and with great love—free from the bonds of sorrow and fear.

To Be Human presents Krishnamurti's radical vision of life in a new way. At the heart of this extraordinary collection are passages from the great teacher's talks that amplify and clarify the nature of truth and those obstacles that often prevent us from seeing it. Most of these core teachings have not been available in print until now. Besides presenting the core of Krishnamurti's message, the book alerts the reader to his innovative use of language, the ways in which he would use "old words with new interpretations," then gives practical examples, showing that we can clarify our understanding of life itself—and act on this new understanding. The splendid introduction by David Skitt discusses Krishnamurti's philosophy as a guide to knowledge and experience, the roles knowledge and experience should play in our lives, and the times when it is best to cast them aside and "look and act anew." The book's source notes will aid the inquisitive reader who wishes a deeper understanding of this great teacher's message.

Here is a pocket-size collection of teachings from J. Krishnamurti, one of the most influential spiritual figures of the twentieth century. With great insight and immediacy, these teachings explore what Krishnamurti calls “the art of living.” He addresses such topics as the way of life without conflict; skill and clarity in action; living and dying; and meditation and the sacred in daily life. This previously unpublished material comes together to create a little gem to be taken to heart in living our lives simply and intelligently.

In Freedom, Love, and Action, Krishnamurti points to a state of total awareness beyond mental processes. With his characteristic engaging, candid approach, Krishnamurti discusses such topics as the importance of setting the mind free from its own conditioning; the possibility of finding enlightenment in everyday activities; the inseparability of freedom, love, and action; and why it is best to love without attachment.

Changing Oneself, Changing The World. Genuine Reform, Says Krishnamurti, Can Be Brought About Only By Individuals Who Have Discovered What It Is To Love And To See . In This Radical Text, Which Brings Together Two Of His Most Popular And Influential Works, The Only Revolution And The Urgency Of Change, The Spiritual Teacher Who Rebelled Against Religion Points To A New Order Arising When We Have Ceased To Be Envious And Vicious And Have Died To Everything We Know, For Only Then Can We Give Birth To The Innocence That Allows The Timeless New To Come Into Being . The Traditional Reformer, By Contrast, Merely Patches The Old. It Is Through A Meditative Mind That Dissolves The Distinction Between Oneself And The World That Life Takes On Meaning And The Beauty Of The Heavens And The Earth Is Constant . Krishnamurti Says, Simply: When You Are Not, Love Is. Seeing, He Declares, Is The Greatest Of Skills. In These Pages, Gently, He Helps Us To Open Our Hearts And Our Eyes.