New Releases by J. KRISHNAMURTI

Biography of Louis Armstrong, African-American jazz trumpeter who took jazz into new and exciting realms.

Many have considered Buddhism to be the religion closest in spirit to J. Krishnamurti''s spiritual teaching—even though the great teacher was famous for urging students to seek truth outside organized religion. This record of a historic encounter between Krishnamurti and a group of Buddhist scholars provides a unique opportunity to see what the great teacher had to say himself about Buddhist teachings. The conversations, which took place in London in the late 1970s, focused on human consciousness and its potential for transformation. Participants include Walpola Rahula, the renowned Sri Lankan Buddhist monk and scholar, author of the classic introductory text What the Buddha Taught.

The Limits of Thought is a series of penetrating dialogues between the great spiritual leader, J. Krishnamurti and the renowned physicist, David Bohm. The starting point of their engaging exchange is the question: If truth is something different than reality, then what place has action in daily life in relation to truth and reality? We see Bohm and Krishnamurti explore the nature of consciousness and the condition of humanity. These enlightening dialogues address issues of truth, desire awareness, tradition, and love. Limits of Thought is an important book by two very respected and important thinkers. Anyone interested to see how Krishnamurti and Bohm probe some of the most essential questions of our very existence will be drawn to this great work.

A classic collection of excerpts from one of the great spiritual leaders of the twentieth century--now in the newly designed Shambhala Pocket Library series. Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895–1986) went from his origins in a small south Indian village to become one of the great spiritual teachers of the twentieth century. He taught that the only way to create peace on earth is to transform the human psyche—but that there is no path to this transformation, no method for achieving it, and no gurus nor spiritual authorities who can help. Rather, the transformation is a truth that each of us must discover within ourselves. This classic collection of brief excerpts from Krishnamurti’s books and talks presents the essence of his teaching on meditation—a state of attention, beyond thought, which brings total freedom from authority and ambition, fears and separateness.

In Freedom, Love, and Action, Krishnamurti points to a state of total awareness beyond mental processes. With his characteristic engaging, candid approach, Krishnamurti discusses such topics as the importance of setting the mind free from its own conditioning; the possibility of finding enlightenment in everyday activities; the inseparability of freedom, love, and action; and why it is best to love without attachment.

In 1968—a time when young Americans were intensely questioning the values of their society—Krishnamurti gave a series of talks to college students in the United States and Puerto Rico, exploring the true meaning of freedom and rebellion. Collected in this book, these lectures are perhaps even more compelling today, when both adults and young people are searching for the key to genuine change in our world.

To Be Human presents Krishnamurti''s radical vision of life in a new way. At the heart of this extraordinary collection are passages from the great teacher''s talks that amplify and clarify the nature of truth and those obstacles that often prevent us from seeing it. Most of these core teachings have not been available in print until now. Besides presenting the core of Krishnamurti''s message, the book alerts the reader to his innovative use of language, the ways in which he would use "old words with new interpretations," then gives practical examples, showing that we can clarify our understanding of life itself—and act on this new understanding. The splendid introduction by David Skitt discusses Krishnamurti''s philosophy as a guide to knowledge and experience, the roles knowledge and experience should play in our lives, and the times when it is best to cast them aside and "look and act anew." The book''s source notes will aid the inquisitive reader who wishes a deeper understanding of this great teacher''s message.

these deal with the problem of truth, the actuality in which we live as perceived by the senses, reality as appears to our consciousness, and the relationship between them. In the main part of the book Krishnamurti considers how man''s consciousness is made up of all sorts of misconceptions about the ''me'', or the ego centre; he also points out how solidly conditioned it is. ''You cannot go through reality to come to truth; you must understand the limitation of reality, which is the whole process of though, '' he says. The book ends with some questions and answers which throw light on certain issues previously touched upon

A leading spiritual teacher of the twentieth century presents meditation as a tool for better understanding not just ourselves but the world around us These selections present the core of Krishnamurti''s teaching on meditation, taken from discussions with small groups, as well as from public talks to large audiences. His main theme is the essential need to look inward, to know ourselves, in order really to understand our own—and the world''s—conflicts. We are the world, says Krishnamurti, and it is our individual chaos that creates social disorder. He offers timeless insights into the source of true freedom and wisdom.

El aclamado maestro nos enseña que sólo librándonos del pensamiento condicionado es posible alcanzar la libertad y la realización personal. Sólo a través de esa transformación individual podrán mitigarse los conflictos vitales en las relaciones y la sociedad.

In this volume, Krishnamurti takes great care to elucidate this necessity of a revolution within our consciousness where the problem lies before we expect any kind of revolutionary change outside of ourselves. Krishnamurti posits that if the politicians and scientists wanted to end starvation in the world it could be done." It could be done, but they are not going to do it as long as their thinking is based on nationalism, on motives of their own personal profit. And even if this far-reaching outward change were brought about, it seems to me that the problem is much deeper." "The problem is not merely starvation, war, the brutality of man to man; it is the crisis in our own consciousness. Fundamentally the problem lies within." (p. 295)

On Fear is one of a series of theme books compiled from the talks, writings, and dialogues of J Krishnamurti, Some of the other titles in this series are On God, On Relationship, On Freedom, On Love and Loneliness, and On Living and Dying. ''Can a human being totally eradicate fear? Can we do anything, or nothing? The nothing does not mean that we accept fear, rationalize it and live with it; that''s not the inaction of which we are talking. We have done everything we can with regard to fear. We have analysed it, gone into it, tried to face it, come into direct contact with it, resisted it, done everything possible, and the thing remains. Is it possible to be aware of it totally, not merely intellectually, emotionally, but be completely aware of it, and yet not do something about it?''

‘To me, freedom is absolutely necessary – freedom at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end – and that freedom is denied when I carry a problem over to the next day. This means that I have not only to discover how the problem arises, but also how to end it completely, surgically, so that there is no repetition, no carrying over of the problem, no feeling that I will think about it and find the answer tomorrow. If I carry the problem over to the next day, I have provided the soil in which the problem takes root, and then the pruning of that problem becomes still another problem.’ On Freedom is one of a series of theme books compiled from the talks, writings and dialogues of J Krishnamurti. Some of the other titles in this series are On God, On Relationship, On Love and Loneliness and On Living and Dying.

''Is it possible to live a life without conflict in the modern world, with all the strain, struggle, pressure, and influences in the social structure? That is really living, the essence of a mind that is inquiring seriously. The question whether there is God, whether there is truth whether there is beauty can come only when this is established, when the mind is no longer in conflict'' says Krishnamurti in this book, which brings together the most significant excerpts on a theme that he dwelt upon frequently in his talks, writings, and dialogues.

On Relationship is one of a series of theme books put together from the talks and writings of J. Krishnamurti. In 1950, Krishnamurti said : ''If we are concerned with our own lives, if we understand our relationship with others, we will have created a new society; other wise we will but perpetuate the present chaotic mess and confusion. '' Providing a far-reaching basis for solving many of the world''s crises, this book brings together Krishnamurti''s most essential teachings on the individual''s relationship to other people, to society, and to life itself. The renowned teacher makes it clear that the way we handle personal crises and relationships links us to the problems of all people and has a larger, global meaning. Ending the causes of war, for instance, cannot start without our seeing the need for real respect within the family and for all others.

On God, is one of a series of theme books put together from the talks and writings of J. Krishnamurti. The book contemplates our search for the sacred. ''Sometimes you think life is mechanical, and at other times when there is sorrow and confusion, you revert to faith, looking to a supreme being for guidance and help.'' Krishnamurti explores fully the futility of seeking knowledge of the ‘unknowable’ and shows that it is only when we have ceased seeking with our intellects that we may be ‘radically free’ to experience Reality, Truth, or bliss. He presents the ‘religious mind’ as one that directly perceives the sacred rather than adhering to religious dogma.