Customer Reviews

Freedom from the Known

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In book after book, the central message is the same, and yet new appearing. Krishnamurti's challenge is to find yourself rather than follow someone else's path.

This may seem rather scary. There's no shortage of churches and groups that will willingly take you in and instruct you in your thinking and doing. And you will emerge thinking another person's thoughts, doing as another thinks you should do.

J. Krishnamurti is unique in his writings. Sure, you will find a little inconsistency, and he will even admit to this. He does not claim to know it all. But he does know how to inspire one to search for that which is within and to do so indepently.

You will not find immediate answers in Krishnamurti's writing. The answers are to be found in yourself. But this book along with his others will give you the impetus.

And this is probably the best "first" book of his to read.

I've read (and re-read) about 15 of K's books. This is the single best, most concise, most thorough of the them all, in my humble opinion. I bought 20 copies of it and gave them all to friends, family, co-workers, and some of my students (I teach at a college). I probably will buy 20 more (at least) of this book to give to others. I would also highly recommend "The First and Last Freedom" and "Total Freedom" for good, more in-depth and relatively thorough overviews of K's teachings; as well as "On God" (for those seeking "god"); "On Relationship" (for those looking for relationship advice); "On Right Livelihood" (for those considering career choices) "On Education" (for teachers and students) and "Think on These Things" or "Life Ahead" as two simply-worded introductions that even children can read and undertand (K was speaking to schoolchildren and their parents). "Krishnamurti's Journal", "Commentaries on Living, First Series", "Krishnamurti's Notebook" and "Krishnamurti to Himself" all offer beautifully poetic descriptions of nature and people, as well as answers to questions, all of which are fabulous for meditation. "Freedom, Love and Action" is a relatively short read compared to most of K's books, but I've found it to be particularly touching. But then, I would *strongly* recommend *all* of K's books for those so inclined! But if I had to pick ONE K book to share with the world (as I have done) THIS is that book. And every time I read it (about half a dozen times now) it speaks volumes every time. But as other reviewers have warned, don't read anything by K unless you are ready and willing to have your entire current belief system cut to shreds, as all your most "sacred" beliefs and values are exposed for the false, conditioned ideas that they are . . .

I have read several Krishnamurti books, all of them great. After reading them I lend them out and usually don't get them back. But that's good because those people will probably lend them to other people, and so on.

One need only read a single Krishnamurti book because they all contain the same themes, most important of which is the idea that "truth is a pathless land." He states that if one wants peace in the world, TRULY wants peace, he/she must abandon the following: organized religion, nationalism, sociological ideology (capitalism, communism, socialism, etc.), leaders, teachers, the past, and more. That doesn't sound possible, does it?

As well, he claims that true meditation is not sitting in the lotus position and pushing away thoughts or chanting mantras. Rather, true meditation is "choiceless awarness," meaning simply observing life without judgment. Don't ever judge at all? That doesn't sound possible either, does it?

He says that love is all important, and we must learn to be more sensitive and compassionate. Often, he talks about sitting and looking at a beautiful sunset, or a tree, or a bird in flight. These are simple things that are full of meaning if we just take the time to admire them. They are so beautiful that just for a moment you forget about yourself, and your "self" is the cause of all your suffering.

Though he rejects all organized religion, it just so happens that his remarks are quite similar to what a Buddhist would say. He's big on compassion, "meditation," and living in the present. But what is refreshing about Krishnamurti is his bluntness. He doesn't hesitate to call all religions "stupid" or "foolish" because they separate people, and that separation causes conflict.

The most profound thing that I have read by Krishnamurti is about forgiveness. He said that feeling insult and then trying to forgive the offender is USELESS! If you are hurt it is already too late. Instead, let go of your own precious self- image and such attacks lose their effect. No one has ever put it like that before! It is such wisdom that makes reading Krishnmurti so enjoyable.

The trouble is that his advice works beautifully in one's own mind, but not so well in action. One still feels angry, jealous, and afraid. There is still war, starvation, and malice in the world. And just when you think you've stopped following leaders or gurus, you realize you have not. Your guru is in fact Krishnamurti.

This book summarizes the teachings of J. Krishnamurti. If any human being could read one book in their lives this should be the one. After reading the book one can get the sense of immense potential in terms of freedom, love, and joy.

One can see for oneself the influence of culture and tradition on our thought process at a fundamental level. One can see how this influence conditions our mind and distorts the perception of facts. At the same time the human mind has an inner demand to be free from this influence.

Our desire to be free is pacified by organized religions, gurus, psychologists, and propaganda by the politicians. However, it does not die until an answer is found.

So, if the desire to be free is present even the minutest of forms then this book can be a true beginning in life of freedom and happiness.

Krisnamurti urges us to follow a path that runs entirely contrary to modern conditioning. The paradox of modern man lies in the fact that for the first time in human history he has the luxury of time and wealth to find himself, but the certainty that he automatically knows everything that needs knowing. Modern man hides in the forest of the known, secure and out of reach of meaning for his existence.

This book is not to be taken lightly, to be read and tossed aside for the next mystery or adventure story. It is not about escape from, but rather about escape to a reality most of humanity hasn't the courage to acknowledge, much less enter to find a different foundation for continuing.

It's tempting not to recommend this book at all without a certified statement from prospective buyers to read the words carefully, to examine the phrases and the meaning behind the phrases. If you are unwilling to do so your money will be wasted.

A friend turned me on to this book and it changed my whole perspective on life in general and my life personally.

I think that this is the kind of book that will change you and open up your mind if you are ready for it, open to new ideas, and not too attached to your ego and your "self". If you're not at the point spiritually, then from my experience you will dismiss it as hogwash and/or be threatened by and hate the ideas that the book presents.

I say this after discussions with a few friends at various levels of spiriual awareness. Some of my friends who are more "average -thinking" or into particular religious dogmas hated the book and said that it was simply BS. They violently opposed many of the ideas presented in the book. And they couldn't get past some of the contradictory ideas that Krishnamurti presents. (Yes he does contradict himself in places. He is human after all.) I understand (but am saddened by) their reaction because I know where they are spiritually. I think some of this comes from these people's need for absolute "rules" and "answers".

On the other hand, those friends of mine who are more spiritually driven absolutely loved the book and said it really opened their minds and hearts and allowed them to free themselves of some of the baggage and rules and perceptions that we humans are want to acquire. That was my reaction too.

So I think if you are a spiritual seeker and open to new and sometimes challenging ideas then you will love this book. If you're not then don't buy it.

"The world accepts and follows the traditional approach. The primary cause of disorder in ourselves is the seeking of reality promised by another; we mechanically follow somebody who will assure us a comfortable spiritual life." To understand ones self, Krishnamurti believed, is the beginning of wisdom. Understanding is not accepting a description of the view of the world mapped by another no matter how lofty the map maker. Krisnamurti encouraged making your own map:).This book should create a revolution within you. It is the start of a fantastic journey.

Krishnamurti states with clarity and deep insight the truth that is sought so earnestly by many folowing the paths of various meditative practices, Buddhism, Zen, and the like. He does this without doctrine, without myth and mysticism, and with an uncanny directness. In these pages, and throughout his works, Krishnamurti reveals the essence of spirittuality as found within oneself, and clues to finding the truth you may be seeking, as long as you can detach yourself from the desire to seek. You can read Tich Nact Hahn, the Dalai Lama, Alan Watts, and the works of a dozen excellent and wise teachers, or you can read Krishnamurti and obtain direct access to the same wisdom with 20/20 vision. This book is a good introduction to Krishnamurti... you can find may more here on Amazon.com.

I started to read Krishnamurti's "Freedom from the Known" some time ago. The book was very difficult to understand. K 's statement "thought is time " I could not comprehend. Now, I fully understand what that statement means. My whole vocabulary and thinking process has been transformed. There has been a shift, a transformation, and "Freedom from the known "has been instrumental in this process. If you love Truth, then read this book. But dont expect to be enlightened overnight. If anybody wants to be challenged and be radically changed I highly recommend this book.

One of the few books I've read that I recommend time and time again to my students - an excellent but brutal analysis of the human condition.

It is certainly not light reading and I found it to be quite pessimistic in terms of its overall outlook. The analysis however is clinical and cuts to the bone. This book would probably bode better with intellectuals than those inclined to read the standard self-help motivational pulp.. definitely a book to stimulate thought and reflection.