up:: Philosophy, Psychology, The Self
Jiddu Krishnamurti
Some common criticisms of J. Krishnamurti’s philosophical ideas:
- Contradictory and unclear teachings: Some critics argue that Krishnamurti’s talks and writings were often contradictory, rambling, and difficult to understand. His ideas were sometimes seen as deliberately obtuse or incomprehensible.
- Overemphasis on transcending thought: Krishnamurti frequently concluded that thought or cognition was the problem for humanity and that people needed to transcend thought altogether. This idea was seen as confusing and incorrect by some critics.
- Lack of practical solutions: Critics argue that Krishnamurti focused too much on abstract concepts like greed, violence, and education without offering concrete solutions to these problems.
- Dismissal of established traditions: Krishnamurti attacked all belief systems and religions, which some viewed as an overly radical approach.
- Questionable “enlightenment” experiences: Some skeptics, including Radha Rajagopal Sloss (daughter of Krishnamurti’s close associates), questioned the authenticity of Krishnamurti’s reported spiritual experiences, suggesting they might have been psychological phenomena or even manipulations.
- Hypocrisy: There are allegations that Krishnamurti’s personal life did not always align with his teachings, particularly regarding his relationships with women.
- Oversimplification: Some critics argue that Krishnamurti’s approach of rejecting all spiritual authority and traditions was an oversimplification of complex philosophical and spiritual matters.
- Lack of acknowledgment of sources: Despite similarities to Buddhist and Advaita Vedanta concepts, Krishnamurti rarely acknowledged these influences, leading some to criticize him for a lack of intellectual honesty.
- Emotional approach to nature: Some critics found Krishnamurti’s emotional and sentimental approach to the beauty of nature problematic or excessive.
- Limited intellectual depth: Some argue that Krishnamurti lacked a great intellect, which contributed to the perceived contradictions and lack of clarity in his talks.
It’s important to note that many of these criticisms are subjective and debated among scholars and followers of Krishnamurti’s teachings. Some view his approach as revolutionary and insightful, while others find it problematic or insufficient.
— #genAI/perplexity
Quotes
- “When I understand myself then there is quietness, then there is stillness of the mind. In that stillness, reality can come to me. That stillness is not stagnation, it is not a denial of action. On the contrary, it is the highest form of action. In that stillness there is creation - not the mere expression of a particular creative activity, but the feeling of creation itself.” ― Jiddu Krishnamurti
- Action has meaning only in relationship and without understanding relationship, action on any level will only breed conflict. The understanding of relationship is infinitely more important than the search for any plan of action. — J. Krishnamurti
- I do not know if you have noticed that the moment you cease to be active, there is immediately a feeling of nervous apprehension; you feel as though you are not alive, not alert, so you must keep going. And there is fear of being alone, of going for a walk alone, of being by yourself, without a book, without a radio, without talking; the fear of sitting quietly without doing something all the time with your hands or with your mind or with your heart. – J. KRISHNAMURTI
- The world is me and I am the world. The observer is the observed. -J Krishamurthy