In response to a question by Gino…
Jiddu Krishnamurti is best known for having left the Theosophical Society early in his career. What’s less well known, though described in the biography by Pupul Jayakar is that at the end of his life, in private conversation, he talked about his life in a way that confirms much in the theosophical way of looking at life. For instance on page 382 he talks about having a couple of angels – it sounds like he’s talking about guardian angels. He is telling Radha Burnier to become president of the TS, and that India is still the land of the sacred, though it’s being polluted. In effect it sounds like he wants Radha Burnier (now still president of the Theosophical Society) to help regenerate India’s wisdom, by her becoming president of the Theosophical Society. And he’s saying: want two of my (guardian) angels?
This explains why, at the last election, Radha Burnier insisted on running again – when it became clear that the other candidate would not be living in India if he was elected.
To be clear, here’s what he says about clairvoyance:
Extrasensory perception, clairvoyance, occult powers, cannot free thought from confusion and misery; sensitive awareness of our thoughts and motives, from which spring our speech and action, is the beginning of lasting understanding and love. Mere self-control, discipline, self-punishment, or renunciation, cannot liberate thought; but constant awareness and pliability give clarity and strength. Only in becoming aware of the cause of ignorance, in understanding the process of craving and its dual opposing values, is there freedom from suffering. This discerning awareness must begin in our life of relationship with things, people, and ideas, with our own hidden thoughts and daily action.
But in the context of this biography it is clear that while he doesn’t think clairvoyance is very important, he does NOT deny it’s existence. Or even that it is part of his own life. Just not worth talking about publicly.
But in the context of this biography it is clear that while he doesn’t think clairvoyance is very important, he does NOT deny it’s existence. Or even that it is part of his own life. Just not worth talking about publicly.
I read that quote a bit differently. I don’t see him as devaluing clairvoyance in and of itself. Rather, he is pointing out that ‘occult powers’, renunciation, self-control, etc. are not the key or essential focus points for the student. Clearly we encounter these things, and more, along the path. But the essential elements, he says, include awareness and the ability to stay flexible, i.e., an open mind and an open heart. And, he adds, it is essential that we begin by bringing deeper awareness and “flexibility’ into our daily life applications.
I completely agree with his statements.
I think that’s what I said, actually.
“Extrasensory perception, clairvoyance, occult powers, cannot free thought from confusion and misery; sensitive awareness of our thoughts and motives, from which spring our speech and action, is the beginning of lasting understanding and love.”
I’d say that this quote makes perfects sense at a more basic level of personal development. I recently had an epiphany of sorts as after stepping out of a business that wasn’t in line with my most important values, convictions and interests. This of course immersed me in a state of “confusion and misery” that completely dampened my “sensitive awareness of our thoughts and motives” to a point where I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life after quitting this business… which paralyzed my initiative to quit, in a vicious circle…
When I finally quit the business the confusion and misery disappeared and my awareness of what I wanted to do started to come back… It felt as if I was “remembering” my long lost passions and motives, and it all made sense again.
Thank you, great quote!
You picked up Krishnamurti’s central message in a blogpost about one of the side tracks 🙂
Yes, finding a path that fits you’re real YOU (however hard to define) does clear up a lot of confusion. Though in my experience it’s not an all or nothing process. Getting closer to your real you, some kinds of confusion end, others keep on going.
I am looking for information on what exactly was done with krishnamurti by leadbeater and anne besant. i beleive that there were no masters who worked on him but i beleive that krishnamurti underwent some yogic practices which he never spoke about. yogic practices before enlightenment may have given him hallucinations of masters and after enlightenment he understood them well. still then i would be interested to know any literature resource that fulfills my query.