Customer Reviews

To Be Human

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Editor Skitt has written a seventeen-page Introduction to this volume of Krishnamurti's writings and talks that addresses many issues you may have wanted to raise but had no one to ask. Except perhaps for Aldous Huxley's Introduction to THE FIRST AND LAST FREEDOM, there is no other introduction to a Krishnamurti book that so completely shows his relevance for the modern mind. It makes Krishnamurti the true philosopher for the 21st Century.

The CORE OF THE TEACHINGS, a short prose outline written by Krishnamurti to describe his teachings, is used as the structure for this new book. Skitt has taken each major aspect of the teachings and given extensive quotations from Krishnamurti to give a fuller insight into such themes as, "Is there such a thing as truth apart from personal opinion?"; "In observation one begins to discover the lack of freedom"; "This division between the observer and the observed is an illusion"; among others. Of particular note is the section on Words and Meanings where Skitt has Krishnamurti explain in his own words how he used "old" words in new ways in order to convey what he has to say-where Krishnamurti's usage departs significantly from the dictionary definitions.

TO BE HUMAN is a fresh, scholarly, but lively compilation of Krishnamurti's most important teachings. It penetrates and elucidates the truth in life and where it can be found.

To Be Human is an outstanding collection of previously unpublished writings and talks by J. Krishnamurti's (1895-1986) . One of the 20th century's most important and influential spiritual teachers, Krishnamurti's core message is showcased in a gifted and innovative use of language. An informative 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 re-examine life and ourselves with a fresh perspective. To Be Human is extraordinary and highly recommended reading for students of Eastern Philosophy as well as multicultural and metaphysical spirituality.

How does one rate a philosophy book. What one can find stupid and repelling, some other can find interesting and thought provoking. And after all, for which philosophical doctrine can be said that it is irrevocably false. So, my rating of five stars doesen't really mean a thing. Rather to say something about book. Though I'm a 'fan' of western philosophy, lead by JS Mill, Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Schopenhauer, Schelling, I find Krishnamurti's thoughts rather interesting. By neglecting possibility of freedom while conditioned by past, Krishnamurti is very close to orthodox nihilists of western philosophy. Originated from Greeks, it was widely ackonwledged, that there is no life posible outside of the community, thus the laws, ethics and such, Krishnamurti tries to deconstruct (though this sounds rather harsh) such 'trivialness' of thought, saying that ones life is lead in oneself. You may find his thoughts repelling, or you may like it, there is no easy guideline here...

I've read many books on philosophy, religion, and spirituality. For me, Krishnamurti stands out as one of the most penetrating and lucid thinkers of all. He doesn't ask for any religious buy-in or adherence to any doctrine. Instead, he invites the reader to inquire into the nature of things along with him.

Most of Krishnamurti's books are transcripts from talks that he offered to the public over the years. I came to appreciate this as it includes questions from real listeners -- there's a sort of honesty and groundedness that results.

The book is not that long (less than 200 p.), but be prepared to take your time to really process these pages!

This book was life-changing for me -- highly recommended.

I briefly wanted to point out that the editor of this book, David Skitt, has done an excellent job of organizing and sequencing these superb talks, so that K's challenges to us unfold in a logical, and even step-by-step way, more so than any other book by K that I'm aware of. And that's why I would recommend this book first to anyone interested in exploring Krishnamurti's views.

Our book club is studying this book together. Kritschnatmuri is such a inspiration.
His book To be Human is a true treasure. Thank you.