Freedom from the Known by Jiddu Krishnamurti Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Freedom from the Known
Book Review: Best single K book
Summary: 5 Stars
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 . . .Book Review: revolution inside
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Book Review: A Fatally Narrow Mind
Summary: 5 Stars
Mr. Bankard is obviously one of those individuals with a seriously narrow mind, It seems to be pretty well cluttered up with DOGMA, not allowing much room for dialog. Lighten Up!!! All K. says is follow no man, know your own heart, for you are the world...Book Review: the only essential thing in life
Summary: 5 Stars
This book and all other Krishnamurti's books are great. Thebooks cover everything deep down in the human psyche and life.
However, the teachings from Krishnamurti's books are very far away from what one can see actually happening in one's life.
That means Krishnamurti's teachings are extremely serious, so profound that one has to apply all one's energy and life to learn, to investigate, to observe infinitely without even knowing
where one is because the moment one knows one is back to the old.
It is not a book to read and rate but to read and apply to one's own life right to the end if one is really serious to find out if there is anything beyond the deeply sorrowful existence. One can say by reading Krishnamurti that one has got the right tool at hand, and the rest of one's life is to use that tool to find out
for oneself what is the truth in life.
Book Review: Stay with the known if you wish, but there is another place
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is about how it is possible to stop thinking about your problems, about your worries, about your concerns and about your preoccupations and start living. Therefore it is a totally radical kind of thing. It is something so new, so foreign, so alien to what has been offered to you previously in life that it demenda an entirely different kind of approach. To approach the new with something old is never to come upon the new, so to approach this book with any old preconceptions, any belief, any trace of established authority within oneself is to instantaneously turn away from it. Yes he dismisses the past. Yes he dismisses Plato and Socrates and Christ and even Buddha. Not because of who they were but simply because they are in the past. Our lives are now. And our lives are our own. No-one can tell you who you are and what you are, no-one can describe your own life and explain what its significance is or is not. Not Plato, not Krishnamurti. To be completely alone with that fact is where he starts from and where he ends. But can we start from there also or do we need a friend to come with us?