The First and Last Freedom

A modern spiritual and philosophical classic by Krishnamurti, one of the greatest thinkers of our times.

In my own life, Krishnamurti influenced me profoundly and helped me personally break through the confines of my own self-imposed restrictions to my freedom.

Krishnamurti’s words offer the intimate spirit of a truly remarkable presence: poetic, gracious, vast as the sky, and wonderfully wise

I feel the meaning of Krishnamurti for our time is that one has to think for oneself and not be swayed by any outside religions or spiritual authorities.

Born in poverty in India in 1895, Jiddu Krishnamurti rose to become a leading spiritual and philosophical teacher whose ideas continue to inspire millions around the world today.  Whether discussing politics with Indira Gandhi, in dialogue with the physicist David Bohm, or debating with the likes of Rupert Sheldrake and Iris Murdoch, Krishnamurti engaged fully with the human condition. Joseph Campbell, Alan Watts, Eckhart Tolle and Deepak Chopra have all acknowledged their debt to his writings. In later life, Krishnamurti spoke at the United Nations and was awarded the 1984 UN Peace Medal. He died in 1986 at his home in Ojai, California.

If truth can set us free, where do we find it? In The First and Last Freedom, Krishnamurti argues that we will not find truth in formal institutions, nor in organised religions and their dogmas, nor in any guru or outside authority; for, according to Krishnamurti, truth can only be realised through self-understanding. 
 
Controversial and challenging, yet always enlightening, Krishnamurti guides us through society’s common concerns, such as suffering and fear, love and loneliness, sex and death, the meaning of life, the nature of God, and personal transformation - consistently relating these topics to the essential search for pure truth and perfect freedom. This classic philosophical and spiritual study offers wisdom and insights particularly suited to our own uncertain times.

Freedom from the Known

A modern classic by a leading twentieth-century writer and thinker, whose works are enjoying renewed popularity

Krishnamurti influenced me profoundly and helped me personally break through the confines of my own self-imposed restrictions to my freedom

Krishnamurti is one of the most significant human beings of the twentieth century

Jiddu Krishnamurti was born on 12 May, 1895 in Madanapalle, India. In early adolescence he came to the attention of the influential theosophist C W Leadbeater, who educated him, believing him to be a future world leader. Krishnamurti later broke away from the Theosophical Society and travelled internationally as an independent speaker and writer on philosophical subjects. In later life, he addressed the United Nations on the subject of peace and awareness and was awarded the 1984 UN Peace Medal. He died in 1986 at his home in Ojai, California.

Born in poverty in India, Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986) became a leading spiritual and philosophical thinker whose ideas continue to influence us today. George Bernard Shaw declared that he was the most beautiful human being he had ever seen and Aldous Huxley was one of his close friends. Whether debating politics with Nehru, discussing theories with Rupert Sheldrake and Iris Murdoch, or challenging his students not to take his words at face value, Krishnamurti engaged fully with every aspect of life. He is regarded by many modern religious figures as a great teacher, an extraordinary individual with revolutionary insights; Joseph Campbell, Alan Watts, Eckhart Tolle and Deepak Chopra are all indebted to his writings. 
 
Freedom from the Known is one of Krishnamurti's most accessible works. Here, he reveals how we can free ourselves radically and immediately from the tyranny of the expected. By changing ourselves, we can alter the structure of society and our relationships. The vital need for change and the recognition of its very possibility form an essential part of this important book's message.

J Krishnamurti

Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986) rose from humble beginnings to become a leading spiritual and philosophical thinker. His works continue to influence thousands of people around the world; Joseph Campbell, Alan Watts, Eckhart Tolle and Deepak Chopra have all been indebted to him. 
 
And yet he belonged to no religion, sect or country. Nor did he subscribe to any school of political or ideological thought. On the contrary, Krishnamurti maintained that these are the very factors that divide human beings and bring about conflict and war – an approach that makes his teachings particularly appealing in our own times. 
 
The Flight of the Eagle is regarded as one of Krishnamurti’s key works, grappling with themes such as freedom, change, peace, violence and – finally – the transcendental and the unknown.

J Krishnamurti

Praise for The Flight of the Eagle

One of the greatest thinkers of the age.

In my own life, Krishnamurti influenced me profoundly and helped me personally break through the confines of my own self-imposed restrictions to my freedom.

Krishnamurti’s words offer the intimate spirit of a truly remarkable presence: poetic, gracious, vast as the sky, and wonderfully wise

One of the greatest thinkers of the age.

In my own life, Krishnamurti influenced me profoundly and helped me personally break through the confines of my own self-imposed restrictions to my freedom.

Krishnamurti’s words offer the intimate spirit of a truly remarkable presence: poetic, gracious, vast as the sky, and wonderfully wise

One of the greatest thinkers of the age.

In my own life, Krishnamurti influenced me profoundly and helped me personally break through the confines of my own self-imposed restrictions to my freedom.

Krishnamurti’s words offer the intimate spirit of a truly remarkable presence: poetic, gracious, vast as the sky, and wonderfully wise

Books by J Krishnamurti

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