Jiddu Krishnamurti – The Freedom Fighter
“If we can really understand the problem, the answer will come out of it, because the answer is not separate from the problem”
~ Jiddu Krishnamurti
The Beginning
Jiddu Krishnamurti (“Krishnamurti”) was born in Madanapalle, a small town in Madras Presidency, British India on 11 May 1895 to a Hindu-Brahmin family. His father, Jiddu Narayaniah, was employed as an official at British Colonial administration. When he was young, he contracted malaria, which had rendered him weak and sickly for many years. His unfortunate health condition made him a soft target for mistreatments from people around him, including his father and teachers, who thought of him as a frail and intellectually challenged boy. His mother, Sanjeevamma, was his only source of comfort during the difficult period. However, that too was taken away from him when he was 10 years old when his mother departed from this world.
In 1907, his father retired from his post in British Colonial administration, after which he found a new employment as a clerk at Theosophical Society headquarter in Adyar in 1909. The new occupation had given him and his family a new home in a small cottage located just outside the Society’s compound. This decision would later be proven to be important in Krishnamurti’s life.
Recognition
In 1909, a life-changing event occurred in the young Krishnamurti’s life. As he was playing on the Society’s beach on the side of Adyar river, the great and clairvoyant leader of the Society, Charles Webster Leadbeater, had taken a great interest in him. Leadbeater recognized that Krishnamurti possessed “the most wonderful aura he had ever seen, without a particle of selfishness in it.” His discovery had led him to believe that in his later life, Krishnamurti would become a great spiritual leader and orator. Most importantly, Leadbeater predicted that he would be the “vehicle for the Lord Maitreya,” an advanced spiritual entity who appears on Earth as the World Teacher to guide the evolution of humankind.
Krishnamurti in 1911
Krishnamurti and Charles Leadbeater
After the discovery, Krishnamurti enjoyed the protection of the Society. He was educated, groomed and polished to fulfill what was believed to be his destiny. This unknown young man had become the center of attention in the Society. However, he had also caused a great stir within the organization as some people were not convinced by his validity as the vessel of Lord Maitreya. Those who disagreed broke off from the Society and created a new allegiance called the Anthroposophical Society in 1913, headed by Rudolf Steiner, the former General Secretary of the German/ Austrian division of the Theosophical Society.
Throughout the early years of his involvement in Theosophical Society, Krishnamurti was very subservient to the rules and orders of the leaders. For the first time, he believed that his life was meant for something great. Krishnamurti and his younger brother, Nityananda (“Nitya”) were privately tutored at the Theosophical compound in Madras and later overseas.
Krishnamurti and Nitya in Europe in the early 1920s
During this period, he had come to think of the second President of The Theosophical Society, Annie Besant, as his surrogate mother. However, his father, Jiddu Narayaniyah, who had initially agreed to transfer the guardianship of his sons to Annie Besant, tried to annul the agreement due to the realization of his sons’ potential fame and fortune. Ms. Besant fought Jiddu Narayaniah in court and finally won the custody of Krishnamurti and Nitya in 1912.
Annie Besant and Krishnamurti
The Theosophical Society established the Order of the Star in the East (“OSE”) in 1911 to prepare the world for the expected appearance of the World Teacher and named Krishnamurti as its head. The membership of the organization was open to everyone who believed in “the Coming of the World Teacher.” Such formation had erupted great controversy amongst the inner working of Theosophical Society, Hindu circles and the Indian Press.
Since OSE formation, Krishnamurti had truly become the vehicle for the Theosophical Society. Leadbeater and his associates imposed rigorous exercise and sports, as well as various educational subjects to prepare him for the big role. In addition, the team gave Krishnamurti in depth teachings in Theosophical and religions, yoga, meditation, and proper hygiene in accordance with British society and culture. Leadbeater took on the role of the spiritual teacher for Krishnamurti. They had a high expectation for him to become a well-rounded World Teacher.
When he reached adolescence, he became rebellious and tired of the constant effort of the Society to create the perfect image of the World Teacher. Within his inner circle, he occasionally voiced his doubt about his destiny. However, he continued to be compliant by giving speeches and writings in accordance with the work of the Order to prepare for the Coming of the World Teacher. As he gave more talks, he became more proficient in sending the Theosophical messages across to his audience. His popularity grew and opened up the access to wealthy benefactors to support his mission.
Krishnamurti and OSE
The Spiritual Awakening
In 1922, Krishnamurti and Nitya traveled together to California where they stayed at a cottage in Ojai Valley. Nitya had previously contracted Tuberculosis, and they hoped that the change in climate and air would be good for Nitya’s health. Seeing how much Krishnamurti liked the property, the Order set up a trust to buy the cottage and the surrounding properties for him This cottage would later become his private residence.
During his stay in Ojai Valley, Krishnamurti had undergone a profound spiritual awakening, a psychological transformation and a physical reconditioning. This experience started after a-three-week meditation to connect with Lord Maitreya. The meditation was filled with great physical discomfort and pain especially on his neck, this condition lasted from 17 to 20 August 1922 at its peak, leaving him almost unconscious while still realizing what was happening around him. On 19 August 1922, as he fell nearly unconscious, he had a vision of him being anything and anywhere, and there was no limitation for him. He was one with anything and everything. On the following day, he felt very weak and started to hallucinate, until the leader asked him to meditate on Lord Maitreya. As he was meditating, he could feel that his spirit was leaving his body and was accompanied by Lord Maitreya the entire time. He found profound peace and calmness. He felt that the Lord had always been beside him and protecting him the entire time. The experience assured him to not be afraid of pain and suffering because he had been freed by the supreme being. At that time he knew that he was never alone. This whole experience was later known as “the process.”
He later recalled the experience as written in a book by Mary Lutyens, Krishnamurti: The Years of Awakening :
“The Presence of the mighty Beings was with me for some time and then They were gone. I was supremely happy, for I had seen… I have seen the Light. I have touched compassion, which heals all sorrow and suffering; it is not for myself, but for the world… The fountain of Truth has been revealed to me and the darkness has been dispersed. Love in all its glory has intoxicated my heart… I am God-intoxicated!”
The news about his awakening reached Leadbeater and the other Theosophists. They were surprised by this development and became more assured that Krishnamurti had finally fulfilled the prophecy and become “the vehicle.” Prominent Theosophists tried to take credit for this development that “the Coming of the World Teacher” was indeed happening. Krishnamurti’s personal development had become the marketing pawn for the Society.
Krishnamurti was practicing and promoting meditation until his death
Meanwhile as his spiritual awakening news reached its peak in 1925, Krishnamurti experienced the most tragic loss of his life. He lost his beloved younger brother and his best friend, Nitya, to the complications of Influenza and Tuberculosis on 13 November 1925. He did not expect this to happen because the leaders of the Society had promised him that Nitya would not be allowed to die since he was a crucial aspect in Krishnamurti’s destiny to become the World Teacher. This shook his core belief on the Society and most importantly, his true destiny.
The Freedom Warrior
After the death of his brother, without the knowledge of the Society, Krishnamurti had started to develop his own individuality. Over the following years he had had given talks and writings that were outside the teachings of the Society. Finally, he openly rejected Leadbeater’s and Besant’s decision to continue OSE, and on 3 August 1929 he dissolved the Order during their annual Star Camp at Ommen, Netherlands. He gave a profound reason as to why he decided to exit the Theosophical Society.
“I maintain that truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect. That is my point of view, and I adhere to that absolutely and unconditionally. Truth, being limitless, unconditioned, unapproachable by any path whatsoever, cannot be organized; nor should any organization be formed to lead or to coerce people along any particular path… This is no magnificent deed, because I do not want followers, and I mean this. The moment you follow someone you cease to follow truth. I am not concerned whether you pay attention to what I say or not. I want to do a certain thing in the world, and I am going to do it with unwavering concentration. I am concerning myself with only one essential thing: to set man free. I desire to free him from all cages, from all fears, and not to found religions, new sects, nor to establish new theories and new philosophies.”
Desikacharya and Rosalind Rajagopal when they were still married
Krishnamurti did the honorable thing by resigning from the various trusts and other organizations that were affiliated with the OSE, including the Theosophical Society. He returned the money and properties donated to the Order, including a castle in Netherlands and 5,000 acres (20 km2) of land, to their donors.
He continued to persevere in his mission to free and revolutionize people’s life through the realization of inner self until the day he passed away. From 1930 until 1944, he went on speaking tours under Star Publishing Trust (“SPT”) with his friend and close associate, Desikacharya Rajagopal and Rajagopal’s wife at that time, Rosalind Williams. During this period, he stayed in Ojai with Rajagopal and Williams, in the house called Arya Vihara (i.e. righteousness in Sanskrit). The marriage of Rajagopal and Williams was not a happy one, and over time they became physically estranged.
Rosalind Williams, the love of Krishnamurti’s life and the former wife of Rajagopal
Later, Rajagopal and Williams divorced, after which Krishnamurti and Williams developed a discreet relationship that lasted for 25 years. His love affair with Williams turned sour when Krishnamurti was involved in the legal proceedings against her former husband, Rajagopal, to recover donated properties, funds, publication rights of Krishnamurti’s works including manuscripts and personal correspondences that were kept by Rajagopal. This legal battle continued until shortly after his death.
Since then, for nearly sixty years until his death on 17 February 1986, he traveled the world and gave talks to large audiences to promote the freedom of the mind from inner burdens of fear, anger, hurt and sorrow by enhancing consciousness. He was very outspoken on the subject of independence. He believed, human beings are responsible for attaining freedom for themselves, instead of using external factors such as religions, sects or political affiliations to define them. According to Krishnamurti, being affiliated with an organized entity will only hinder the growth of the mind, if not completely taking away the mind’s true destiny to be free. He believed that people can only be free if the initiation and effort came from themselves. He applied his principle in his actions. He liked to present himself as an independent speaker instead of being a part of organization. This mind revolution is the only way for human beings to eradicate sufferings in this world.
Krishnamurti gave a talk to a large audience
In addition to mind revolution, he had a profound interest in nature and education. He promoted ideas for his audiences to care for themselves and the nature. His commitment to promote these ideas was shown through his extensive work in the form of numerous books, speech recordings and countless quotes. He and his associates also had built several schools to promote his holistic educational philosophy. One of the famous schools was Brockwood Park School, an international educational center in the United Kingdom.
Brockwood Park School in session
He delivered his “farewell” talk in India on 4 January 1986 in Madras, prior to his death. Krishnamurti died of pancreatic cancer on 17 February 1986 at the age of 90. Not wanting to let his teachings be misused by individuals or organizations, he made a strong statement that he did not want anybody to pose as an interpreter of the teachings or to represent his teachings.
Krishnamurti’s strong commitment to promote sound consciousness and independence materialized in the form of publications of more than 75 books, 700 audio cassettes and 1,200 video cassettes. Many of the books written on Krishnamurti were originated from his talks during his lifetime, such as “Freedom from the Known”, “The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti”, “The First and Last Freedom”, “The Awakening of Intelligence”, “Total Freedom: The Essential Krishnamurti”, “Think on These Things”, and many other publication that further reinstated his belief.
Krishnamurti’s popular books
Krishnamurti’s popular books
Krishnamurti’s popular books
Krishnamurti’s popular books
Since he first started to realize about the power of his mind through meditation in 1922, he had become one of the greatest supporters of meditation. As he wrote in the book titled “Total Freedom: The Essential Krishnamurti”:
“One has to know what it is to be alone, what it is to meditate, what it is to die; and the implications of solitude, of meditation, of death, can be known only by seeking them out. These implications cannot be taught, they must be learned.”
He put much emphasis on meditation because only through meditative state our mind can be still, and thus the path to clarity could be built. When our mind is clear, we can start seeing our problems from divine perspective that is independent from the races, religions, sects and organizations we may associate ourselves with. We can finally think as ourselves, human beings who had been given the ability to think independently. That very concept was the main fuel in Krishnamurti’s life.
Throughout his lifetime, Krishnamurti was against joining organized groups such as religions, political parties and sects. He was famous for saying: “When you call yourself an Indian or a Muslim or a Christian or a European, or anything else, you are being violent. Do you see why it is violent? Because you are separating yourself from the rest of mankind. When you separate yourself by belief, by nationality, by tradition, it breeds violence. So a man who is seeking to understand violence does not belong to any country, to any religion, to any political party or partial system; he is concerned with the total understanding of mankind.”
In his other book, titled “The Book of Life” he stated that “The very first thing to do, if I may suggest it, is to find out why you are thinking in a certain way, and why you are feeling in a certain manner. Don’t try to alter it, don’t try to analyze your thoughts and your emotions; but become conscious of why you are thinking in a particular groove and from what motive you act… It will be real only when you are intensely aware at the moment of the functioning of your thought and emotion; then you will see their extraordinary subtlety, their fine delicacy… Then, as a flower blossoms forth of a morning, so intelligence happens, is there, functioning, creating comprehension.”
He wants people to realize that they may not have reached their full potential, but it is within their reach at their own effort and time. His words and books have touched many people and helped them to reach their full potential. Krishnamurti will forever be remembered as a man who dared to let go of his messiah status in order to dedicate his life to free people’s mind. That in itself is a definition of a warrior.
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It seems to me that Krishnamurti, proposed a philosophy of self reliance, to be our own very light as guidance for our own lives. I suppose his non reliance on organized faiths and belief systems is his prerogative and suggests one should investigate and check for oneself. And his teaching encompasses meditation, and when one does meditation one can see the reality for oneself, and more faith can arise from that. Real unshakeable faith in whatever we have conviction.
Thank you Valencia, for bringing to light this article to us. It also seems that one of my heroes Bruce Lee relied on the thoughts of Krishnamurti. ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NMq414HTPA
Thank you for the work and effort.
A very interesting article about J. Krishnamutri, who is the prophesized vehicle of Lord Maitreya, interpreted at that time as the advanced spiritual entity who appeared on Earth as the World Teacher to guide the evolution of humankind. Krishnamurtri’s ideology promoted human beings to be responsibled for attaining freedom for themselves, instead of using external factors such as religions, sects or political affiliations to define them. Personally, I find this ideology rather radical. In my limited understanding, without a Guru (a religion guidance), it is difficult to achieve “awakening” based on our level of spiritual intellectual. It is the function of the Guru and the religion community to provide the support and guidance to ensure the spiritual awakening is on the correct path. Self-awakening may work, but not for everyone.
J. Krishnamutri offered practical advice on dealing with emotions. In his book titled “The Book of Life”, quote here: “The very first thing to do, if I may suggest it, is to find out why you are thinking in a certain way, and why you are feeling in a certain manner. Don’t try to alter it, don’t try to analyze your thoughts and your emotions; but become conscious of why you are thinking in a particular groove and from what motive you act… It will be real only when you are intensely aware at the moment of the functioning of your thought and emotion; then you will see their extraordinary subtlety, their fine delicacy… Then, as a flower blossoms forth of a morning, so intelligence happens, is there, functioning, creating comprehension.” Going along with Krishnamutri’s line of thoughts, we should let the emotion arise, feel it, observe it, develop a sense of understanding of the cause of the feelings, then wisdom will arise to tackle the core of the matter.
Thank you Rinpoche and Valencia for sharing with us article on thinkers like J. Krishnamutri, who gives us radical perspective of spiritual awakening, realization and to a certain extent, attainment.
Humbly, bowing down,
Stella Cheang
I admire Krishnamurti for his all-consuming passion to set man’s minds free of all cages and all fears. For nearly 60 years, he travelled the world to convince people about how to free their minds from “inner burdens of fear anger, hurt and sorrow”. Nonetheless, I disagree with him that any religion being an organised institution will “only hinder the growth of the mind”. As Tsem Rinpoche says, a religion, like Buddhism, gives us “a road map” to guide us on a path that runs through what is totally unchartered territory for us. We also need a guide on this path – someone who has experience. Religion only becomes a cage when it is full of dogma and kindness is not at the heart of it.
This is my first time reading about Krishnamurti. The first time I heard about him is from H.E. Tsem Rinpoche who spoke about schools based on Krishnamurti’s teachings. Thereafter I met a young lady from Kathmandu who studied in one of Krishnamurti’s schools.
I noticed that the way she thinks is very different from an average person. She spoke like she was groomed to be the First Lady of a nation. Her views were broad and far sighted. She is more impressed with a person’s altruism than his wealth. This is one of the results of Krishnamurti’s schools. Simply refreshing and astonishing for a lady in her 20s.
All sages spoke about the truth and our salvation. Krishnamurti leaving the Order, returning all properties given to him via the Order and breaking down all sociological labels were teachings of renunciation and equanimity. His promotion of meditation is a method of confronting the ego and unleashing the Buddha nature in us.
Below is link of his schools’ website.
http://www.jkrishnamurti.org/worldwide-information/schools.php
Thank you Valencia, I really enjoyed and appreciate this article.
I understand that freedom comes from the mind and is free from labels, traditions, religions, sects, divisions, segregations, you vs. I, etc. Freedom is unencumbered.
I did watch a video of Krishnamurti during his last days at home with his extended family. He came across to me as arrogant but now I know he was just being adamant about his views.
I have to admit that I have never read about Krishnamurti before this. What i gather from this article is that what he teaches and expounds sounds very similar to Buddhism.
– that there is suffering
– that these suffering of the mind from inner burdens of fear, anger, hurt and sorrow
– that one has to depend on one’s own initiative and effort to want to be free of Samsara.
– that one can be be free when “One has to know what it is to be alone, what it is to meditate, what it is to die; and the implications of solitude, of meditation, of death, can be known only by seeking them out. These implications cannot be taught, they must be learned.”
These reminds me of all Rinpoche’s teachings exhorting us make the effort to get out of our comfort zone to do Dharma, to do the preliminaries, to meditate, to be the light.
Like Krishnamurti, Rinpoche only wanted to impart the Dharma, for us to realize our full potential, to realize our inner Buddha, to get out of Samsara – to be free.
Great compassionate beings are real freedom fighters – only wanting to free us of suffering.
Maitreya’s consciousness is one that represents a Planetary Buddha and Cosmic Christ to Humanity. Maitreya lived as Krishna, one of the great avatars of Hinduism, who brought forth the Bhagavad-Gita, one of the most profound teachings ever gifted to Earth. The Mahabarata is one of the holiest books of India. It contains the Bhagavad Gita which, again, is the story of Krishna. In this book Vishnu, who is part of the trinity of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu of Eastern religion, foretells of a future age of moral decline which he called the Kali Yuga. He is known as the “Coming Buddha,” and the “Great Initiator.” Jesus also called Lord Maitreya “Father” – since He was both Teacher and Guru, and symbolized God the Father (The Mighty I AM Presence). Also known as “Lord Divine”. The Name “Maitreya” means “Lord of Love” or “Infinite Compassion”. He served as the initiator of Jesus the Christ in which he helped to manifest the God Flame through his physical form. He is the Christ reincarnated.
Dear Love,
Very interesting comment you made that He is Christ reincarnated. May I know from which source are you quoting from and where did you get this information, do share. Perhaps Maitreya is Christ because at the end of the day Bodhisattvas can manifest in many different forms and even spontaneously at different times to benefit beings. So I suppose I would not be surprise Maitreya is as you say. However would be good to know based on what source 🙂 Thank you!
Being an Indian raised in Canada, I’ve embraced Buddhism. Prior to being a Buddhist I have read much on Krishnamurti.
I find his thoughts penetrating, deep and applicable but at the same time abstract. Enlightenment is within us, but we need someone enlightened to show us the way. Not everyone can have ‘sudden enlightenment’ such as Krishnamurti was purported to have. Knowledge is contained within the learned. The learned usually congregate in temples, organizations and organized institutions as well on their own where knowledge is passed down over the centuries. I think there needs to be a balance of institutions that preserve the knowledge and also knowledge preserved within individuals who are not part of an institution. It should be up to the individual and what they like. His bad experience within the Theosophical society should not set the tone for all organized religions or institutions. For example if we all get rid of schools, universities and places of learning and everyone just learns ‘on their own’, some can most cannot. We need that organized place where knowledge is contained to learn.
There are good organizations and bad organizations. There are good people and bad people in organizations but I don’t think exclusively labeling organized religious institutions as not necessary is extreme. After all it seems Krishnamurti had much drama in his life and the people surrounding him created problems even without him having a organized temple. He was in love with Williams which makes you realize he is not enlightened but just wise as he has not risen above the needs of the flesh.
All in all a good write up and I enjoyed stumbling across this post here. It’s my first time visiting this blog and I will return.
Photo: Maitreya Buddha
I assume this is the Maitreya Buddha mentioned in the post?
Hi all,
Thank you for the comments. I would like to add that Krisnamurthi’s personal experience becoming World Teacher led him to believe that the truth is inside each and every one of us. To him, why look somewhere else if the answer is inside our own mind. However, It is nearly impossible for human beings to be detached from outside influences. After all, human beings are social creatures and we have innate desire to belong to something. But I agree with Krisnamurthi. Sometimes we have to resolve our own conflicts without outside interruption. Religions exist to guide us spiritually, but eventually we have to make our own paths.
Cheers,
Valencia
Hi Ragesh,
I like what you have just said about organized religion and how it helps those struggling on the spiritual path. It is true, when there is correct knowledge from those who have some experience traversing the path, it may prove to be most valuable to the intrepid beginner. This is because someone has attained the goal and is able to describe the path for others to follow.
As Rinpoche once said that organized religion provides a step-by-step guide towards a spiritual goal. In the Buddhist sense, it is full enlightenment. It may differ from religion to religion. Anyway, I believe that although Krishnamurti was mostly anti-established religion, there may be some merit to it because most people follow religion blindly and without much internalising of its meaning and practice. Hence, I believe that Kirshnamurti attempts to find true spirituality without dogma.
I believe it is Ragesh.