The Awakening of Intelligence by Jiddu Krishnamurti
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Book Reviews of The Awakening of Intelligence
Book Review: Are you ready?
Summary: 5 Stars
"Some of you believe in the idea of reincarnation. You come and ask me what I believe, whether reincarnation is a fact or not, whether I remember my past lives, and so on. Now, why do you ask me? Why do you want to know what I think about it? You want a further confirmation of your own belief, which you call a fact, a law, because it gives you a hope, a purpose in life. Thus, belief becomes to you a fact, a law, and you go about seeking confirmation of your hope. Even though I may confirm it, it cannot be of vital importance to you. Whatever it may be to me, real or false, what is important for you is that you should discern for yourself these conceptions through action, through living, and not accept any assertions." - krishnamurti
I cannot recommend this book high enough. This book is one of the most comprehensive and accessible of Krishnamurti's work. It is a collection of talks given at various parts of the world. In each series of talk Krishnamurti leads the listener to look into serious topics like Operation of thought, conflict , The art of seeing, freedom, the energy needed for freedom, do we need a teacher, etc. There is a huge difference between looking into an issue and "thinking" about an issue. Thinking involves thought, and simply looking is mere observation. And krishnamurti says that if this observation, the seeing is done with total attention without the interference of thought, then the intelligence operates.
Many a times while reading this book, my mind will come to a complete stop and I would be taken to deep and spontaneous meditation. Krishnamurti is highly skillful in sparking our insights and allows us to see what he sees. He never says "This is right or this is wrong", he doesn't even want us to agree or disagree to what is being said, because he doesn't offer any theories. He just tells us to look without judment, prejudice or opinions. He asks us to listen "completely". He says that people ask questions for two reasons, one is to confirm what they already beleive in, and the other is to "really" find out the truth. The first way of asking will never lead to an answer, because we are unwilling to listen to the "truth"; We only want a confirmation for the false, and only the false needs confirmations. This book is for sincere seekers of truth who really want to know the truth. He says that when we look at the false as false, what remains is truth. Health is the absence of diseases, and so it truth the total negation of false. The ability to discern the true from the false is what intelligence is. I have observed that reading one talk per session in regular periods helps tremondously in awakening "intellingence", not "my" intelligence but just intelligence.
"As I was saying, the importance in asking a question is not to find the answer but to understand the problem because there is only the problem and not the answer. To ask a question is easy; but to go into the problem is extremely difficult because once you know what the problem is, the very seeing of the problem is the understanding of the problem. The moment I can state the problem very clearly, simply, the answer is there, I do not have to look beyond. But most of us do not know what the problem is. We are confused about the problem and so naturally we look, in our confusion, for answers; and that will only produce further confusion. " -krishnamurti
Book Review: Refer to writer from Yokohama, Japan
Summary: 5 Stars
I did carefully read your comment ,and humble think that I really understood how you felt. Actually, before anyone starts reading Krishnamurti's work, I recommend he should have some experience in observing his own thought and mind.It is no wonder for me that most people do not understand what Krishnamurti said. Because what he said could not be understood intellectually, rather it must be experienced by one ownself.
He has his mind, you have your mind. But all of us experience love, anger, hatred, etc. which are the same for all human being. He observed his mind and nature, then expressed his experience in his own word, Could you do what is called non-self observation UNINTENTIONALLY carefully on your mind , and express them in your own language? If you could, then you will understand Krishnamurti by your own heart..This takes long long time to practice. So don't give up.
Men cannot search the meaning of life in books, . Human being cannot determine his own position in this world by looking at where he is standing alone. Imagine you were flying in the space and everywhere you look was nothing but darkness. Can you tell where you were? This also applies to our life.
Finally,Krishnamurti also said that ' we must also renounce him too in order to reach true freedom'. So if one want to study his work, just go ahead but remember to forget what he said, then return to one 's own mind and experience by oneself.
Book Review: Refer to writer from Yokohama, Japan
Summary: 5 Stars
I did carefully read your comment ,and humble think that I really understood how you felt. Actually, before anyone starts reading Krishnamurti's work, I recommend he should have some experience in observing his own thought and mind.It is no wonder for me that most people do not understand what Krishnamurti said. Because what he said could not be understood intellectually, rather it must be experienced by one ownself.
He has his mind, you have your mind. But all of us experience love, anger, hatred, etc. which are the same for all human being. He observed his mind and nature, then expressed his experience in his own word, Could you do what is called non-self observation UNINTENTIONALLY carefully on your mind , and express them in your own language? If you could, then you will understand Krishnamurti by your own heart..This takes long long time to practice. So don't give up.
Men cannot search the meaning of life in books, . Human being cannot determine his own position in this world by looking at where he is standing alone. Imagine you were flying in the space and everywhere you look was nothing but darkness. Can you tell where you were? This also applies to our life.
Finally,Krishnamurti also said that ' we must also renounce him too in order to reach true freedom'. So if one want to study his work, just go ahead but remember to forget what he said, then return to one 's own mind and experience by oneself.
Book Review: Marvellous
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a book which can easily change the way you see (observe) world. It is a book which requires meditation.
Krishnamurti's talks on various topic and his insight to know yourself is life changing.
While reading it, I used to go deep into thought and observed myself. During this period you realize and know a lot about yourself. One of the biggest thing which I learned was that you know the truth when you know what is not true. Making yourself aware of yourself (including anger, jealousy, prejudice) and not forcing it to go away is the the true observation. Just watch yourself as you watch the the sky and the birds without trying to do any change. This is just a small part of things which changed my life. It is not a book that will change your life but definitely one can change his own life after reading his book. At some points in the book you will be lost as there is nothing wrong or right but constant meditation on the topic will help one out.
If you are ready to challenge your believes and habits, this is a must read book.
Book Review: One of the best spirtual books out there.
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered another spiritual book and this came up as something I might like also like. I really was not prepared for how deep J Krishnamurti goes into the different spiritual matters in this book. There have been times so far that I have just wanted to put it down because it has been hard for me to grasp onto some of his simple concepts such as you and your thoughts and everything else involved with yourself create the world around you. Im twenty nine years old have four years of college under my belt but this has not been an easy read, I am about 160 pages in and am just starting to grasp onto his concepts, but this is my first time reading any of his work. I am not trying to say that this is graduate level stuff or you need a Ph D just be aware that this is some very intense rewarding reading,
Darin T.