When a so-called normal youth does a little self-reflection on bygone years, he inevitably asks questions like ‘where am I from’ , ‘where am I going?’ etc. Should I just follow the demands of the world with all its expectations from peers and family? These questions must have been in my mind when I first glanced at the face of Krishnamurti on the cover page of Pupul Jayakar’s ‘Biography of J Krishnamurti’. Then, when I skimmed through the pages of this book and read the chapter on ‘Nature of God’, I l realized that there is so, so much to explore.
The second lesson that came through was that if the brain is searching for truth as the base and essence of all beings and life, then inevitably there comes about a mutation of the brain cells. This was the second practical experiential learning. What does one do with this reality check, this discovery?
One needs validation and coherence and a degree of consistency in understanding. But when one reads the statement ‘consistency is the virtue of fools’, the world of compartmentalized knowledge structures comes crashing down. For me, the search for the esoteric had inadvertently begun whether in science or in life itself. I moved into the world of Theosophical teachings, books on Hinduism and other religious texts that showed the depth of human inquiry.
I could see that apparently Hinduism, Kriya yoga and so on were to be explored with the help of a guru. The breathing techniques, the erect spine, the food habits, the nature of seeking with a motive. I wondered what place all these have in the so called ‘religious’life? These and more questions kept coming to my mind.
Why do we differentiate between science and religion? How does one reconcile to a state of ‘yoga’ when humanity is suffering from ignorance, poverty, arrogance, conflict and greed. Should one just give up the difficult search and just enjoy the world of dance, drama, sports and cinema, earn and enjoy. Is that the purpose of life? What should one do?
The pursuit of knowledge does provide support but the dangers loom large always. No traditional guru, no religious mumbling of words and mantras provide solutions to the sadness and tortures that a world in conflict and the personal, conditioned self inflict on us. When one realises this, one returns to Krishnamurti and the voice of sanity and truth. When we look and discuss with completely open minds, free of the past, new insights emerge. Seeing without any distortion whatsoever may well be the doorway to right action.
Self introspection, free from all life experiences.
A very Frank expression,that brings out the strength and frailty of the human self. As with the subject no answers or guidance is clear.
It however serves the purpose, if that was the intent, that we need to seek but don’t know where to begin
Learning mind only can see with out distortion.dont bother more about knowledge.