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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
In my fathers home library, I had seen Jiddu Krishnamurti's books. I never read any of it, but I have heard his Lectures. For those who don't know about Jiddu Krishnamurti, he was a renown modern-day philosopher, speaker and writer on philosophical and spiritual subjects. He specialized on the subjects like "Human nature" & "The Self". Some of his discourses are recorded and available as videos. After hearing some audio version of this book, I decided to download the book into my Nook. In various lists on the internet this book has been spoken highly of, and listed among the books which could change "the perspective of thinking".
Jiddu Krishnamurti's, " Freedom From The Known " is a thin philosophical non-fiction book, containing only 14 Chapters (just 128 pages). The book deals with numerous intellectual subjects. It speaks of the reasonable way to see the world. To recognize ourselves both inwardly and outwardly. The bondage by various elements like love, hatred, fear etc. To put the content of this book in one phrase, the book deals with the "realities of life". The books begins by questioning the human nature. The Man, Mind and the Existence. Then it moves on to more introspections. Subjects like consciousness, pleasure and fear, love, freedom, death, memories and experiences, passion and finally the required revolution. Before we start thinking and analysing on these subjects, separate chapters are provided for the subjects like "What is Thinking ? " and "Observer & the Observed", which will even question our way of thinking and enrich it. Book follows the same pattern of his discourses, i.e like addressing an audience.
I was really impressed by this deeply introspective philosophical book. This book gave me a fresh outlook on the world, and helped me replenish inadequacies in my thinking. After reading this book, I was able the see the world differently. This is one of those books which will change the way you see the world. Even though the book is written in simple English, since the book covers a lot of deep subjects, multiple reads might be required. Like all philosophical essays, it should be read by reserving adequate time for it. This book increases our vision,while the introspection is left to us. Unlike all 'religions' and some 'gurus' who serve ready-made dogma to everybody's questions and blinds people by demanding faith, Jiddu Krishnamurti through "The Freedom From The Known" invites us to think, analyse and realize together the question of our very existence . Highly Recommended. 5 stars.
Read Full Book ( Web Version ) -> FREEDOM FROM THE KNOWN
You cannot efface class, gender, sexual, race, disability-based discriminations through the total effacement of actual, social emplacement. If anything, you must throw yourself deeper into your embodied becoming to connect yourself to the histories that have projected you to where you are, and where you could go from that particular space and place.
Kirshnamurti's solution towards suffering, through the effacement of time, of past and future, of thought itself, does nothing but emaciate those who must be emancipated through a re-grounding in history, in historical struggle, in the truth of becoming as eternal conflict (which is not suffering, in and of itself).
Could certainly not deny or complain about what he speaks for. Yes, self-awareness is essential, to be free of preconceptions is vital to one's growth, as a society etc. To break free from dogmas of religion, culture and our own anxieties and fears that are rooted in societal conditioning etc. How therapy is mere conditioning in itself and in the end it's only you who can help yourself through internal reflection. However, his speech was mostly vague, from a rather privileged tone I'd say. Felt preachy and harsh at times which just didn't sit well with me for it lacked compassion and understanding. Perhaps that was the whole point of it, to not necessarily accept ideas as they are but to give it a thought and come to your own conclusions, or rather live your life and see for yourself. Bookish knowledge alone is never going to help. Came across a lot of good points and thoughts to ponder over so no regrets whatsoever. Especially those that particularly emphasize the kind of influences we're prone to, without realizing it. Well dressed common sense, I'd say. "The very denial is a positive act." He says. It was disturbing to an extent. So I guess it's a good thing because you get to rethink and feel uncomfortable about certain habits we're so used to, specially where individual reflection is essential in a way because it ultimately reflects on this horrible society we live in.
" That is what we do. We carry our burdens all the time; we never die to them, we never leave them behind. It is only when we give complete attention to a problem and solve it immediately – never carrying it over to the next day, the next minute – that there is solitude. Then, even, if we live in a crowded house or are in a bus, we have solitude. And that solitude indicates a fresh mind, an innocent mind. "
I don't think this book taught me much (besides the segment on love which is fantastic), but I'm not saying that it was a waste of time at all. I just think that a person who would agree with this book probably doesn't need to read it at all. Siddhartha by Hesse was the same and it is my favorite book.
Here's my difficulty. I'll first clarify that I am completely non-religious and I don't associate with any philosophy, dogma, religion, etc. Despite that, I have an issue with Krishnamurti completely dismissing all religious practices and their prescribed methods. Does having religion narrow one's mind as Krishnamurti thinks? It absolutely does. In any case though, Buddhist monks are some of the happiest people I encountered, and regardless of their religious association "limiting" them, they are fantastic at staying in the moment. Chalking up their methods to be childlike is plain rude. Krishnamurti's thesis states that we all have our unique way of living -- then who is he to say that somebody's method is wrong?
I too wish we could all think for ourselves without any form of organization at all, but some people simply NEED organization (I am not one of them). I would like to see Krishnamurti talk to a borderline dead addict turned bible thumper and tell him that he is a child for following religion, even though that his previous path was leading him to a quick death. That person's Christianity led him to peace, not war.
I don't know -- I personally really like this book, I swear, but Krishnamurti is too militant in his philosophy (or lack-of). I think that somebody who will finish this book & agree with it doesn't have to read it in the first place, and anybody who this book could "convert" will feel insulted and turned off by Krishnamurti's opinions towards aligning with any established philosophies.
Book is not to fill your selves, its to fill your self.
But this was a really good one, something I keeping in my collection to go back to.
Specially liked the chapter on Pleasure and Joy.