Book conversations: The First and Last Freedom

There are many philosophical tenets, but perhaps none as unique as Jiddu Krishnamurti's.  It is just simple, and radical.  It is radically simple.  This is typified by his response as recorded by Aldous Huxley - who does the foreword in this book - when asked about what is to be done about the vexing issues of existence: do nothing.  On the face of it, it seems a stupefying response.  But what Krishnamurti actually means is to not do anything in terms of rituals, religiosity, dogmatic belief, and yes, even following a guru.  

Instead, he advocates looking at yourself.  As in the physical, and more importantly the mental self.  That is, as he puts it, if you know the one that can be known, then perhaps the unknown would reveal itself to you.  That is to say, it is futile to hanker after god-realisation and give up on phenomenal existence in favour of an ascetic lifestyle.  He even suggests that staying with and adhering to a guru's advice - something that many faiths insist upon as a prerequisite to spiritual life - as being redundant in the pursuit of equanimity.  Quite simply because the guru cannot do it for you; you have to bring about the internal changes yourself.  

By internal changes, he suggests that each one of us observe and understand the workings of the mind in its totality: its good moments, its ugly leanings, its prejudices, its emotional upheavals; the works.  It helps if you are totally honest with your every feeling, thought and inclination, and not repress anything.  Because, as he says, forcing the active mind to become still, or stopping your thoughts will not cut it.  On the other hand, a state of 'alert passivity or 'choiceless awareness', wherein you are quietly observing the mind and its changes in a pliable manner, is what is going to create a state in which god/truth/love manifests itself.  

The book is divided into two main parts.  In the first part he provides his insight on issues such as belief, action, fear, simplicity, awareness, desire and function of the mind.  In the second part, he answers question asked him by the curious members of the public.  In all, these chapters together provide a amazing overview of Krishnamurti's philosophy. 

If you have pored over life's never ending adversities, if you want to know how our internal state affects the society around us, if you want to find out how awareness is god-realisation, and how the future is nothing but the past, then read this revealing account by one of the most unique thinkers of our age.  

And yes, putting Krishnamurti's advice into practice can be immediately undertaken, as you do not need to seek anything or anybody, you do not need to go on a pilgrimage, and you do not need to indulge in a ritual of any kind.    


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