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98 Amazing Quotes By Jiddu Krishnamurti That Will Change Your Thinking

Famous As: Public Speaker & Philosopher
Born On: May 12, 1895
Died On: February 17, 1986
Born In: Madanapalle
Founder / Co Founder: Krishnamurti Foundation
Died At Age: 90

Jiddu Krishnamurti was a motivational speaker whose teachings have helped millions. The promulgator of the concept of embracing the good and bad around us and thus rising to a higher level of consciousness, Krishnamurti was a revered speaker with the Theosophical Society. However, he ended his long time association with the community over a disagreement. He was the President of Theosophical Society but an incident which filled him with spiritual awakening caused him to renounce the post. The World Teacher insisted that religion will take humans nowhere near the truth. Here's a firsthand account of the incident which changed Krishnamurti's life radically.

The evangelist says, "Ever since I left Australia I have been thinking and deliberating about the message which the Master K.H. gave me while I was there. I naturally wanted to achieve those orders as soon as I could, and I was to a certain extent uncertain as to the best method of attaining the ideals which were put before me. I do not think a day passed without spending some thought over it, but I am ashamed to say all this was done most casually and rather carelessly. But at the back of my mind the message of the Master ever dwelt.

Well, since August 3rd, I meditated regularly for about thirty minutes every morning. I could, to my astonishment, concentrate with considerable ease, and within a few days I began to see clearly where I had failed and where I was failing. Immediately I set about, consciously, to annihilate the wrong accumulations of the past years. With the same deliberation I set about to find out ways and means to achieve my aim.

During that period of less than three weeks, I connected to keep in mind the image of the Lord Maitreya throughout the entire day, and I found no difficulty in doing this. I found that I was getting calmer and more serene. My whole outlook on life was changed.

Then, on the 17th August, I felt acute pain at the nape of my neck and I had to cut down my meditation to fifteen minutes. The pain instead of getting better as I had hoped grew worse. The climax was reached on the 19th. I could not think, nor was I able to do anything, and I was forced by friends here to retire to bed. Then I became almost unconscious, though I was well aware of what was happening around me. I came to myself at about noon each day. On the first day while I was in that state and more conscious of the things around me, I had the first most extraordinary experience. There was a man mending the road; that man was myself; the pickaxe he held was myself; they very stone which he was breaking up was a part of me; the tender blade of grass was my very being, and the tree beside the man was myself. I almost could feel and think like the roadmender, and I could feel the wind passing through the tree, and the little ant on the blade of grass I could feel. The birds, the dust, and the very noise were a part of me. Just then there was a car passing by at some distance; I was the driver, the engine, and the tyres; as the car went further away from me, I was going away from myself. I was in everything, or rather everything was in me, inanimate and animate, the mountain, the worm, and all breathing things. All day long I remained in this happy condition. I could not eat anything, and again at about six I began to lose my physical body, and naturally the physical elemental did what it liked; I was semi-conscious.

I have seen the Light. I have touched compassion which heals all sorrow and suffering; it is not for myself, but for the world. I have stood on the mountain top and gazed at the mighty Beings. Never can I be in utter darkness; I have seen the glorious and healing Light. The fountain of Truth has been revealed to me and the darkness has been dispersed. Love in all its glory has intoxicated my heart; my heart can never be closed. I have drunk at the fountain of Joy and eternal Beauty. I am God-intoxicated."

Here is a collection of inspirational quotes by the famous Indian Philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti.

The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence.

The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.

It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
It is truth that liberates, not your effort to be free.

It is truth that liberates, not your effort to be free.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Tell your friend that in his death, a part of you dies and goes with him. Wherever he goes, you also go. He will not be alone.

Tell your friend that in his death, a part of you dies and goes with him. Wherever he goes, you also go. He will not be alone.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
One is never afraid of the unknown; one is afraid of the known coming to an end.

One is never afraid of the unknown; one is afraid of the known coming to an end.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Real learning comes about when the competitive spirit has ceased.

Real learning comes about when the competitive spirit has ceased.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The more you know yourself, the more clarity there is. Self-knowledge has no end - you don't come to an achievement, you don't come to a conclusion. It is an endless river.

The more you know yourself, the more clarity there is. Self-knowledge has no end - you don't come to an achievement, you don't come to a conclusion. It is an endless river.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure it is in decay.

Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure it is in decay.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
You can only be afraid of what you think you know.

You can only be afraid of what you think you know.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
To understand the immeasurable, the mind must be extraordinarily quiet, still.

To understand the immeasurable, the mind must be extraordinarily quiet, still.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Do not repeat after me words that you do not understand. Do not merely put on a mask of my ideas, for it will be an illusion and you will thereby deceive yourself.

Do not repeat after me words that you do not understand. Do not merely put on a mask of my ideas, for it will be an illusion and you will thereby deceive yourself.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Happiness is strange; it comes when you are not seeking it. When you are not making an effort to be happy, then unexpectedly, mysteriously, happiness is there, born of purity, of a loveliness of being.

Happiness is strange; it comes when you are not seeking it. When you are not making an effort to be happy, then unexpectedly, mysteriously, happiness is there, born of purity, of a loveliness of being.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
If you begin to understand what you are without trying to change it, then what you are undergoes a transformation.

If you begin to understand what you are without trying to change it, then what you are undergoes a transformation.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Do it or don't do it but get on with it...

Do it or don't do it but get on with it...

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The constant assertion of belief is an indication of fear.

The constant assertion of belief is an indication of fear.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
It is only when the mind is free from the old that it meets everything anew, and in that there is joy.

It is only when the mind is free from the old that it meets everything anew, and in that there is joy.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
If we can really understand the problem, the answer will come out of it, because the answer is not separate from the problem.

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
I maintain that Truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect. ... The moment you follow someone you cease to follow Truth.

I maintain that Truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect. ... The moment you follow someone you cease to follow Truth.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
When you once see something as false which you have accepted as true, as natural, as human, then you can never go back to it.

When you once see something as false which you have accepted as true, as natural, as human, then you can never go back to it.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Thought is so cunning, so clever, that it distorts everything for its own convenience.

Thought is so cunning, so clever, that it distorts everything for its own convenience.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
It is love alone that leads to right action. What brings order in the world is to love and let love do what it will.

It is love alone that leads to right action. What brings order in the world is to love and let love do what it will.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
[on the secret to a happy, content life]

Do you want to know what my secret is? I don’t mind what happens.

[on the secret to a happy, content life] Do you want to know what my secret is? I don’t mind what happens.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Acquiring knowledge is a form of imitation.

Acquiring knowledge is a form of imitation.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Be a light unto oneself

Be a light unto oneself

Jiddu Krishnamurti
There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.

There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
All ideologies are idiotic, whether religious or political, for it is conceptual thinking, the conceptual word, which has so unfortunately divided man.

All ideologies are idiotic, whether religious or political, for it is conceptual thinking, the conceptual word, which has so unfortunately divided man.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
We are very defensive, and therefore aggressive, when we hold on to a particular belief, a dogmas, or when we worship our particular nationality, with the rag that is called the flag.

We are very defensive, and therefore aggressive, when we hold on to a particular belief, a dogmas, or when we worship our particular nationality, with the rag that is called the flag.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
To ask the 'right' question is far more important than to receive the answer. The solution of a problem lies in the understanding of the problem; the answer is not outside the problem, it is in the problem.

To ask the 'right' question is far more important than to receive the answer. The solution of a problem lies in the understanding of the problem; the answer is not outside the problem, it is in the problem.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The primary cause of disorder in ourselves is the seeking of reality promised by another.

The primary cause of disorder in ourselves is the seeking of reality promised by another.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Analysis does not transform consciousness.

Analysis does not transform consciousness.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Passion is a rather frightening thing because if you have passion you don't know where it will take you.

Passion is a rather frightening thing because if you have passion you don't know where it will take you.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
When one loses the deep intimate relationship with nature, then temples, mosques and churches become important.

When one loses the deep intimate relationship with nature, then temples, mosques and churches become important.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
To understand life is to understand ourselves, and that is both the beginning and the end of education.

To understand life is to understand ourselves, and that is both the beginning and the end of education.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The significance of life is living.

The significance of life is living.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
From innumerable complexities we must grow to simplicity; we must become simple in our inward life and in our outward needs.

From innumerable complexities we must grow to simplicity; we must become simple in our inward life and in our outward needs.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Intelligence is the capacity to perceive the essential, the what is; and to awaken this capacity, in oneself and in others, is education.

Intelligence is the capacity to perceive the essential, the what is; and to awaken this capacity, in oneself and in others, is education.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The word 'innocence' means a mind that is incapable of being hurt.

The word 'innocence' means a mind that is incapable of being hurt.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
And the idea of ourselves is our escape from the fact of what we really are.

And the idea of ourselves is our escape from the fact of what we really are.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Observation without evaluation is the highest form of intelligence.

Observation without evaluation is the highest form of intelligence.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The very desire to be certain,to be secure,is the beginning of bondage.It's only when the mind is not caught in the net of certainty,and is not seeking certainty, that it is in a state of discovery.

The very desire to be certain,to be secure,is the beginning of bondage.It's only when the mind is not caught in the net of certainty,and is not seeking certainty, that it is in a state of discovery.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
What you are the world is. And without your transformation, there can be no transformation of the world.

What you are the world is. And without your transformation, there can be no transformation of the world.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Order cannot possibly be brought about through conformity to a pattern, under any circumstances.

Order cannot possibly be brought about through conformity to a pattern, under any circumstances.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
But if one observes, one will see that the body has its own intelligence; it requires a great deal of intelligence to observe the intelligence of the body.

But if one observes, one will see that the body has its own intelligence; it requires a great deal of intelligence to observe the intelligence of the body.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
When we suffer we have made it into a personal affair. We shut out all the suffering of mankind.

When we suffer we have made it into a personal affair. We shut out all the suffering of mankind.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Peace is not something petty, created by the mind; it is enormously great, infinitely extensive, and it can be understood only when the heart is full.

Peace is not something petty, created by the mind; it is enormously great, infinitely extensive, and it can be understood only when the heart is full.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Truth is a pathless land.

Truth is a pathless land.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Freedom and love go together. Love is not a reaction. To love is not to ask anything in return, not even to feel that you are giving something, and it is only such love that can know freedom.

Freedom and love go together. Love is not a reaction. To love is not to ask anything in return, not even to feel that you are giving something, and it is only such love that can know freedom.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The ending is the beginning, and the beginning is the first step, and the first step is the only step.

The ending is the beginning, and the beginning is the first step, and the first step is the only step.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
To understand yourself is the beginning of wisdom.

To understand yourself is the beginning of wisdom.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
All outward forms of change brought about by wars, revolutions, reformations, laws and ideologies have failed completely to change the basic nature of man and therefore of society.

All outward forms of change brought about by wars, revolutions, reformations, laws and ideologies have failed completely to change the basic nature of man and therefore of society.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The only freedom is the freedom from the known.

The only freedom is the freedom from the known.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Happy is the man who is nothing.

Happy is the man who is nothing.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
But if you have no relationship with the living things on this earth, you may lose whatever relationship you have with humanity.

But if you have no relationship with the living things on this earth, you may lose whatever relationship you have with humanity.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Fear is the destructive energy in man. It withers the mind, it distorts thought, it leads to all kinds of extraordinarily clever and subtle theories, absurd superstitions, dogmas, and beliefs.

Fear is the destructive energy in man. It withers the mind, it distorts thought, it leads to all kinds of extraordinarily clever and subtle theories, absurd superstitions, dogmas, and beliefs.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
You must look most intimately and discover for yourself; then it is your own, not somebody else’s, not something that you have been told, because there is no teacher and no follower.

You must look most intimately and discover for yourself; then it is your own, not somebody else’s, not something that you have been told, because there is no teacher and no follower.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Life is a movement, a constant movement in relationship; and thought, trying to capture that movement in terms of the past, as memory, is afraid of life.

Life is a movement, a constant movement in relationship; and thought, trying to capture that movement in terms of the past, as memory, is afraid of life.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
If you would listen, sir, in the sense of being aware of your conflicts and contradictions without forcing them into any particular pattern of thought, perhaps they might altogether cease.

If you would listen, sir, in the sense of being aware of your conflicts and contradictions without forcing them into any particular pattern of thought, perhaps they might altogether cease.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The description is not the described; I can describe the mountain, but the description is not the mountain, and if you are caught up in the description, as most people are, then you will never see the mountain

The description is not the described; I can describe the mountain, but the description is not the mountain, and if you are caught up in the description, as most people are, then you will never see the mountain

Jiddu Krishnamurti
It is only in alert silence that truth can be.

It is only in alert silence that truth can be.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The end is the beginning of all things, Suppressed and hidden, Awaiting to be released through the rhythm Of pain and pleasure.

The end is the beginning of all things, Suppressed and hidden, Awaiting to be released through the rhythm Of pain and pleasure.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Happiness comes when you are doing something because you really love to do it, and not because it gives you riches or makes you a prominent person.

Happiness comes when you are doing something because you really love to do it, and not because it gives you riches or makes you a prominent person.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
An idealist is a hypocrite, because he is always trying to become what he is not, instead of being and understanding what he is.

An idealist is a hypocrite, because he is always trying to become what he is not, instead of being and understanding what he is.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Living in the present is the instant perception of beauty and the great delight in it without seeking pleasure from it.

Living in the present is the instant perception of beauty and the great delight in it without seeking pleasure from it.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Teaching is not the mere imparting of knowledge but the cultivation of an inquiring mind.

Teaching is not the mere imparting of knowledge but the cultivation of an inquiring mind.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Thought is the origin of fear.

Thought is the origin of fear.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
What has validity is your living, not what happens tomorrow.

What has validity is your living, not what happens tomorrow.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Only when the brain has cleansed itself of its conditioning, greed, envy, ambition, then only it can comprehend that which is complete. Love is this completeness.

Only when the brain has cleansed itself of its conditioning, greed, envy, ambition, then only it can comprehend that which is complete. Love is this completeness.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either they key or the door to open, except yourself.

In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either they key or the door to open, except yourself.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Self-knowledge is the beginning of wisdom, which is the ending of fear.

Self-knowledge is the beginning of wisdom, which is the ending of fear.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
No one can describe reality. 
You must experience it, see it, feel the whole atmosphere of it

No one can describe reality. You must experience it, see it, feel the whole atmosphere of it

Jiddu Krishnamurti
A man who lives never asks,

A man who lives never asks, "What is living?" and he has no theories about living. It is only the half-alive who talk about the purpose of life.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Do you know what time is? Not by the watch, not chronological time, but psychological time? It is the interval between idea and action.

Do you know what time is? Not by the watch, not chronological time, but psychological time? It is the interval between idea and action.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Peace can come only when there is love.

Peace can come only when there is love.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Peace is the break between two wars.

Peace is the break between two wars.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Freedom from the known is death, and then you are living.

Freedom from the known is death, and then you are living.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Leaders destroy the followers and followers destroy the leaders.

Leaders destroy the followers and followers destroy the leaders.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Most people are afraid to stand alone; they are afraid to think things out for themselves, afraid to feel deeply, to explore and discover the whole meaning of life.

Most people are afraid to stand alone; they are afraid to think things out for themselves, afraid to feel deeply, to explore and discover the whole meaning of life.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
To have intelligence there must be freedom, and you cannot be free if you are constantly being urged to become like some hero, for then the hero is important and not you.

To have intelligence there must be freedom, and you cannot be free if you are constantly being urged to become like some hero, for then the hero is important and not you.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
NONE OF THE agonies of suppression, nor the brutal discipline of conforming to a pattern has led to truth. To come upon truth the mind must be completely free, without a spot of distortion.

NONE OF THE agonies of suppression, nor the brutal discipline of conforming to a pattern has led to truth. To come upon truth the mind must be completely free, without a spot of distortion.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Love is love, not to be defined or described by the mind as exclusive or inclusive. Love is its own eternity: it is the real, the supreme, the immeasurable.

Love is love, not to be defined or described by the mind as exclusive or inclusive. Love is its own eternity: it is the real, the supreme, the immeasurable.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The Observer is the Observed

The Observer is the Observed

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The important thing is first to find out what you are afraid of, to understand it and not run away from it.

The important thing is first to find out what you are afraid of, to understand it and not run away from it.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Love is something totally new every day, but pleasure is not, pleasure has continuity. Love is always new, and therefore it is its own eternity.

Love is something totally new every day, but pleasure is not, pleasure has continuity. Love is always new, and therefore it is its own eternity.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The question is not how to get rid of fear, but how to awaken the intelligence with which to face and to understand and go beyond fear.

The question is not how to get rid of fear, but how to awaken the intelligence with which to face and to understand and go beyond fear.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Authority in its very nature prevents the full awareness of oneself and therefore ultimately destroys freedom; in freedom alone can there be creativeness.

Authority in its very nature prevents the full awareness of oneself and therefore ultimately destroys freedom; in freedom alone can there be creativeness.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The ambitious man has never found his true vocation...

The ambitious man has never found his true vocation...

Jiddu Krishnamurti
To understand the whole operation of one’s own mind requires a great deal of insight, a great deal of inquiry without condemnation.

To understand the whole operation of one’s own mind requires a great deal of insight, a great deal of inquiry without condemnation.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
So, while you are young you must begin to find out what is this strange thing called happiness. That is an essential part of education.

So, while you are young you must begin to find out what is this strange thing called happiness. That is an essential part of education.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
When the individual is in conflict within himself he must inevitably create conflict without, and only he can bring about peace within himself and so in the world, for he is the world.

When the individual is in conflict within himself he must inevitably create conflict without, and only he can bring about peace within himself and so in the world, for he is the world.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
We are so sluggish in our mentality that we think the world's problems are not our business, that they have to be resolved by the United Nations or by substituting new leaders for the old.

We are so sluggish in our mentality that we think the world's problems are not our business, that they have to be resolved by the United Nations or by substituting new leaders for the old.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Peace is of the heart, not of the mind. To know peace you have to find out what beauty is.

Peace is of the heart, not of the mind. To know peace you have to find out what beauty is.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
To compare is the very nature of a mind that is not awake to discover what is true.

To compare is the very nature of a mind that is not awake to discover what is true.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
So as long as the mind is comparing, there is no love, and the mind is always judging, comparing, weighing, looking to find out where the weakness is. So where there is comparison, there is no love.

So as long as the mind is comparing, there is no love, and the mind is always judging, comparing, weighing, looking to find out where the weakness is. So where there is comparison, there is no love.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
There can be freedom from fear only when there is self-knowledge. Self-knowledge is the beginning of wisdom, which is the ending of fear.

There can be freedom from fear only when there is self-knowledge. Self-knowledge is the beginning of wisdom, which is the ending of fear.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
If I follow a particular method of knowing myself, then I shall have the result which that system necessitates; but the result will obviously not be the understanding of myself.

If I follow a particular method of knowing myself, then I shall have the result which that system necessitates; but the result will obviously not be the understanding of myself.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
In understanding what beauty is, we shall know love, for the understanding of beauty is the peace of the heart.

In understanding what beauty is, we shall know love, for the understanding of beauty is the peace of the heart.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
The mind can only gather, accumulate, deny, assert, remember, pursue. Peace is absolutely essential, because without peace we cannot live creatively.

The mind can only gather, accumulate, deny, assert, remember, pursue. Peace is absolutely essential, because without peace we cannot live creatively.

Jiddu Krishnamurti
Through a narrow window we can see only part of the sky, and not the whole vastness, the magnificence of it.

Through a narrow window we can see only part of the sky, and not the whole vastness, the magnificence of it.

Jiddu Krishnamurti