Freedom from the Known

Freedom from the Known

Summary

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.

Reviews

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

About the author

J Krishnamurti

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.
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