Have you ever heard the song "Imagine" by John Lennon? In it, he imagines a world with no countries, no borders, no religions, nothing to fight and kill for. That is exactly the kind of world Jiddu Krishnamurthi envisioned. A speaker and a writer par excellence, he was not an advocate of a particular philosophy as much as he was a dispeller of blind beliefs. There is much to learn from him and his teachings!
His birthplace was the small town of Madanapalle in Madras Presidency (modern-day Chittoor). He came from a pious Brahmin family. As a boy, Krishnamurthi was "vague and dreamy" and did poorly in school, both because of disinterest and because classes were taught in Tamil and English, whereas he spoke only Telugu.
He longed to be out-of-doors, was considered to be mentally retarded, and was beaten at school as well as at home. Nevertheless, he was very sensitive to nature, standing for long stretches to look at trees and clouds or squatting to gaze at plants and insects.
In his early life he was groomed to be the new World Teacher in the Theosophical Society under the guidance of Annie Besant. In 1929, however, Krishnamurti renounced the role that he was expected to play, dissolved the Order with its huge following, and returned all the money and property that had been donated for this work.
From then, for nearly sixty years until his death on 17 February 1986, he traveled throughout the world talking to large audiences, giving speeches and writing books.
His subject matter included psychological revolution, the nature of mind, meditation, inquiry, human relationships, and bringing about radical change in society.
He constantly stressed the need for a revolution in the psyche of every human being and emphasized that such revolution cannot be brought about by any external entity, be it religious, political, or social.
In his private interviews, he was a compassionate teacher, listening attentively to the man or woman who came to him in sorrow, and encouraging them to heal themselves through their own understanding.
Krishnamurti attracted the interest of the mainstream religious establishment in India. He engaged in discussions with several well known Hindu and Buddhist scholars and leaders, including the Dalai Lama. Those influenced by Krishnamurti include Toni Packer, Achyut Patwardhan, Dada Dharmadhikari, Bruce Lee, and not to mention our very own Pawan Kalyan!
In 1926, Krishnamurthi founded the Rishi Valley School, close to the town of Madanapalle, his birthplace. The school is reputed for its holistic approach to education in the spirit of Krishnamurti's pedagogical vision. With a spectacular setting - some 375 acres of an independent valley, surrounded by ancient hills, and tiny villages, it is a school that promotes a well-rounded style of learning among students. It stands as a reminder of all the values that K. stood by!
He longed to be out-of-doors, was considered to be mentally retarded, and was beaten at school as well as at home. Nevertheless, he was very sensitive to nature, standing for long stretches to look at trees and clouds or squatting to gaze at plants and insects.
In his early life he was groomed to be the new World Teacher in the Theosophical Society under the guidance of Annie Besant. In 1929, however, Krishnamurti renounced the role that he was expected to play, dissolved the Order with its huge following, and returned all the money and property that had been donated for this work.
From then, for nearly sixty years until his death on 17 February 1986, he traveled throughout the world talking to large audiences, giving speeches and writing books.
His subject matter included psychological revolution, the nature of mind, meditation, inquiry, human relationships, and bringing about radical change in society.
He constantly stressed the need for a revolution in the psyche of every human being and emphasized that such revolution cannot be brought about by any external entity, be it religious, political, or social.
In his private interviews, he was a compassionate teacher, listening attentively to the man or woman who came to him in sorrow, and encouraging them to heal themselves through their own understanding.
Krishnamurti attracted the interest of the mainstream religious establishment in India. He engaged in discussions with several well known Hindu and Buddhist scholars and leaders, including the Dalai Lama. Those influenced by Krishnamurti include Toni Packer, Achyut Patwardhan, Dada Dharmadhikari, Bruce Lee, and not to mention our very own Pawan Kalyan!
In 1926, Krishnamurthi founded the Rishi Valley School, close to the town of Madanapalle, his birthplace. The school is reputed for its holistic approach to education in the spirit of Krishnamurti's pedagogical vision. With a spectacular setting - some 375 acres of an independent valley, surrounded by ancient hills, and tiny villages, it is a school that promotes a well-rounded style of learning among students. It stands as a reminder of all the values that K. stood by!
