Product Description

Counted among his admirers are Jonas Salk, Aldous Huxley, David Hockney, and Van Morrison, along with countless other philosophers, artist, writers and students of the spiritual path. Now the trustees of Krishnamurti’s work have gathered his very best and most illuminating writings and talks to present in one volume the truly essential ideas of this great spiritual thinker. Total Freedom includes selections from Krishnamurti’s early works, his ‘Commentaries on Living’, and his discourses on life, the self, meditation, sex and love. These writings reveal Krishnamuri’s core teachings in their full eloquence and power: the nature of personal freedom; the mysteries of life and death; and the ‘pathless land’, the personal search for truth and peace. Warning readers away from blind obedience to creeds or teachers – including himself – Krishnamurti celebrated the individual quest for truth, and thus became on of the most influential guides for independent-minded seekers of the twentieth century – and beyond.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30193 in Books
• Published on: 1996-10-04
• Released on: 1996-08-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .39" h x .39" w x .39" l, 1.32 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780060648800
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From the Publisher
Described by the Dalai Lama as one of the greatest thinkers of the age, J. Krishnamurti has influenced millions throughout the 20th century, and his thoughts continue to resonate even a decade after his death. His words have influenced such notables as Dr. Jonas Salk, Aldous Huxley, Joseph Campbell, Van Morrison, Bruce Lee and countless other students of the spiritual path, ranging from scientists to philosophers to artists of all kinds. Practical, profound and timeless, Krishnamurti's ideas -- rejecting the prejudices of traditional learning, celebrating personal, spiritual freedom, and the individual's search for Truth -- are inspiring now more than ever. Collected in this comprehensive volume are the most illuminating and essential of his writings and talks: words that are of vital relevance to today's spiritual environment, and catalytic in guiding us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves, our place in the universe, and the mysteries of the human condition.

Total Freedom is both an introduction to Krishnamurti and an essential, extensive collection. It includes selections from his early work to his later, Krishnamurti to Himself: His Last Journal, and his valuable insight into the nature of the self, meditation, sex, love, and the mysteries of life and death. Revealing his core teachings in all their eloquence and power, these writings incite us to recognize that Truth is a pathless land, to accept no spiritual authority -- not even himself -- and to think critically, that we may free our minds and see clearly on our own personal journey.

As revolutionary now as ever, Krishnamurti remains, for independent minds, one of the most influential guides in the quest for spiritual understanding and enrichment.

"[Krishnamurti's] language is naked, revelatory and inspiring. It pierces the clouds of philosophy which confound our thought and restores the springs of action... He initiated no new faith or dogma, questioned everything, cultivated doubt and perseverance, freed himself of illusion and enchantment of pride, vanity, and every subtle form of dominion over others... I know of no other living man whose thought is more inspiring." --Henry Miller

"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." --Deepak Chopra, M.D.

About the Author
Total Freedom is both an introduction to Krishnamurti and an essential, extensive collection. It includes selections from his early work to his later Krishnamurti to Himself: His Last Journal, and his valuable insight into the nature of the self, meditation, sex, love, and the mysteries of life and death. Revealing his core teachings in all their eloquence and power, these writings incite us to recognize the "Truth is a pathless land," to accept no spiritual authority--not even himself--and to think critically, that we may free our minds and see clearly on our own personal journey.

Customer Reviews

Essential Reading for those in search of truth
This presentation of Krishnamurti is the most complete to date. It contains four parts that are entitled:Early Works, Insights into Everyday Life, Life's Questions, and You are the World. The most important insight that the reader will gain is... a person does not have to become a member of any religious sect in order to gain peace of mind. J.K. asks us why we have certain fears, why are some of us so depended upon others for fulfillment?The insights presented within the book are not "teachings" in the sense of providing a system for the reader to follow. Instead, Krishnamurti asks us to question tradition and certain forms of dogmatism. I think the best analogy that could be used in describing this book would be to compare it to a mirror in which a person has to take a good hard look at his or her life, thoughts, fears, traditions, and habits. The reader is directed to look for the truth within, through observation, without any rigorous vows or monastic practices. Essential reading indeed.

Difficult to read but Impossible to stay away from.
I have been reading this book for almost 7 years many times over. It has been one of the most difficult books I have read. But why don't I just stop reading? Because I can't.

K challenges every bit of our thinking about the truth. After quite a while, I realised why he does not provide answers but just swirls our heads around with questions. He keeps telling us what one is NOT instead of what one IS. He is trying to help us know the "unknowable". He is trying to help us conceive the "inconceivable". He is trying to make us understand why any attempt at organizing the truth only produces an effect to the contrary. How would one explain that in words? I could never do that. But K does that brilliantly. It just takes some effort on the reader's part to follow his words and give them their due moment.

This was my first of a few Krishnamurti books... and I cherish it. What one gains from the book depends on where the reader is on the path of understanding. My experience with this book has proven that the book (it's effect on me) evolves as I evolve. I can only guess what his words will bring me when I read it 10 years from now.

this collection includes YOU ARE THE WORLD....
...and would be worthwhile for that alone, but there's lots of good stuff here. I've found there are (in general) three mistakes to avoid when reading K: 1. expecting him to provide all the answers rather than taking him at his word and seeking them within; 2. trying to "get" him through a purely intellectual approach ("You want to live in a world of concepts, Sir?" he once asked a heckler; "Then live there"); and 3. rating the book poorly at amazon.com because you haven't exercized the awareness required to master the ordering instructions....