Personal Stories
At the KFA we have been privileged to read many stories about how people came to the teachings of Krishnamurti and reflections on the effects these teachings on the lives of his readers, which have been communicated to us via e-mail.
Share how you came to know about Krishnamurti. Tell us the who, what, where and, if you wish, the effect that his work has had on your life. Click here to send your story to us. Your shared story will have meaning and impact in ways you cannot know. Below are some stories that have been sent to us.
It was at a dinner party in 1982 (I was in my early 20's) that I first heard of the name Krishnamurti from one of the guests (he was in his 40's). I am not sure how Krishnamurti's name came up in the conversation but I think he mentioned his name in passing -- asked if I have heard of the man (He said he was going to attend one of his lectures). Of course I said no and that was the end of it. It wouldn't be until twenty years later that Krishnamurti's name and his teachings would be of any significance in my life.
Let's fast forward my journey to 2002 (or somewhere around this time). Now in my mid 40's and somewhat weathered but physically and mentally still in good health, I was feeling increasingly uncertain about my life -- what I've accomplished, acquired and lost, etc. through the years. Although I was neck deep in Bhuddist meditation, philosophy and teachings, I couldn't get over this feeling of my dissatisfaction with life. Up until this time, I was so sure about who I was and where I was going. Now, only utter confusion, and sinking deeper and deeper into depression. But somehow, the name, teachings and writings of Krisnamurti and I crossed paths again - I just happen to pick up one of his books at a local book seller.
I found his writings and teachings similar but yet different to Buddhism. I had a hard time at first digesting what Krishnamurti was saying in his books (who wouldn't). One has to admit, including myself, that his writings and approach to life's problems were unique and revolutionary. I hadn't seen or heard anyone talk in a manner that he does --alive or dead. He speaks with complete clarity -- something I couldn't get from my readings with Buddhism. I think it was the Buddhist authors -- they always left me hanging, wondering, and a little bit more confused at times.
Now in my early 50's, and after 30 years of searching, I've discovered the road to freedom is "knowing who and what your are." But this isn't something that someone can give you or make you understand. You've got to go through the process yourself (self knowledge) No one can do it for us. Not Jesus, not Bhudda, or Allah, not even Krishnamurti or the many ways we delude ourselves.
Where am I now in life? - assimilating Krishnamurti's teachings daily.
- Oscar
It was in the year 1970, when I was only 21, an elderly colleage of mine posed me the following question: "Whether one can move to attention from inattention without any effort, without the medium of time as a becoming process." I couldn't understand the full import of the question, but answered by way of telling him that one should eschew the thought which obstructed the attention, and gradually inattention would be wiped off. I didn't know any other answer. He told me that it involved time, and didn't answer his question. Finally, he told me, " The awareness of inattention is attention.' I stood stockstill on receving the answer. Even though, intellectually it was somewhat obfuscating, intuitively it struck some responsive chord in my heart. My friend told me that it was the message of one J.Krishnamurthy whom he portrayed only in the colour of a non-conformist. Another of my elderly friend clarified everything, telling me that Krishnamurthy was a holy being, but unconventional. I was given the book, " Meditations 1969," the very first line of which created explosion in my mind. Then it was reported in the papers that Krishnamurthy was coming to Madras and delivering talks. I didn't know the venue, but reached a place 3 km away from that, asking the way for that place. Nobody had known that such a person like him existed. They mistook the name to be that of some politician. Like a dog tracing its master through the scent of him, I went through many bylanes, and landed up in a posh locality alonside a slum. As I was walking searching for the place, I heard in the air the etherial voice of K, talking on the subject, " you are the world and the world is you." The voice gave me the direction. I went to his place in Greenways Road, and was transfixed to see a man, who was in total stillness, like the Rishis described in the scriptures. I thought that it shoud be some samadhi state from which he was speaking, as till then I had never heard anybody speaking like that, compared with which the lectures of chinmayananda and Dayananda seemed to be very insipid. I have been exploring the teachings of K from that day, rather exploring my own mind. It is like a boundless ocean. One gets new and new insights. But for meeting him, I would have ended up in this meaningless and arid life.
- G. Sankarraman
I am a veterinarian by profession I went to a house to treat a sick pet where I met this Spanish couple. They lent me one of JK'S book called Freedom From the Known. At that time I was confused with my life. That book had changed my life completely. Since then I watched some of his videos, audio tapes and some of his other books. JK'S teaching had transformed me at the root of my being.
- Tama
Jiddu Krishnamurti's teachings have had a profound effect on my life. I first became aware of Krishnamurti in the 1960's because his books were everywhere. To someone who prowled the bookstores in search of my own life's meaning, it was impossible not to pick up one of K's books, read a bit, and then… And then what? Well, in my case, in that time period…to put them right back on the shelf! I didn't really connect with Krishnamurti until at least five years later when a dear friend introduced the teachings to me in a very personal manner in the early 1970's.
William D. Quinn was a man twenty years older than myself. Bill had become a personal friend to Krishnamurti in the 1940's, during World War II, when Krishnamurti was confined to Ojai, California and unable to travel because of the war. As a young man, Bill visited Krishnamurti when the latter was in Ojai, both during and after the war. The deep basis of K's being must have awakened the same in Bill. So by the early 1970's when Bill and I were both living in Mt. Shasta, California, K's teachings, and more than that, his presence, were a guiding light in my friend's own life. It is through my friendship with Bill Quinn that I came not only to the Krishnamurti teachings, but much later to the inexpressible deep source that birthed those teachings.
- Richard
When I was in my teen, I was looking around thinking there must me more to life than the eye can see. People weren't too happy, there was a certain routine about them and on the end there was death waiting. I wanted to find out what it really means to live sanely.
How to do that, I had no idea. Until much later in my Philosophy class at the College I found a chapter by Krishnamurti. It impacted me and I looked for more books in the Library which I was able to find. It changed my life. Even though I couldn't understand much he was saying. How can one understand it anyhow, but something rang true. I kept on reading any book I could find. And little by little, what he was saying was realized. Today I go every year to Switzerland to meet with the Krishnamurti Group, to feel his spirit and be with friend to talk about his teaching.
- Doris
I am a teacher at Oak Grove School and have been here for 20 years. I first discovered K when I was in high school in Santa Barbara soul searching and I ordered a book called The Only Revolution. I was deeply touched by his beautiful descriptions of nature in this book. A year later in college I got my hands on Think On These Things and soon there after I decided that I would quit since my deeper questions did not seem to be answered in a college. Little did I know after having my daughter and moving to Ojai a few years later that I would be fortunate to become a teachers aid at a very unique school in 1981 in Ojai. It was Oak Grove and initially I was deeply drawn to it for my daughter's education of life. Little did I know that I would stay and learn here for so long.
- Carole
The summer after I graduated from college, which was '73. I took a trip to Europe. When I was going to get back, I was going to go to theology school. But one night, I was in a bar in Paris, and a guy sitting next to me gave me a book by Krishnamurthi, I took it back to my hotel room that night and read it. And I was blown away. However, when I got back to the States. I still went to theology school, for one semester and then I dropped out, I flew out to Ojai to hear K talk.
Krishnamurthi has changed my life. There's no other teacher like him. I mean, I have a few other teachers that I admire, but they all come out of traditions; this is where Krishnamurthi parts way, with all other teachers.
- Ralph
I have always been interested in philosophy and self discovery, and had read many books on these subjects. Nothing had satiated my desire for a proper answer to my questions until I read Krishnamurti. I bought and read every Krishnamurti book in print, watched all video footage that has been recorded, and listened to most of his recorded material.
Krishnamurti's words have permanently changed my life for the better. I do not read books on philosophy, spirituality, religion...anymore, ever. I will never read Krishnamurti again, and that is how he would have wanted it. If I need guidance, or answers to questions about my life I must find the answers inside myself.
When I meet people who are seeking for meaning in life I love to give them one of my Krishnamurti books to "borrow"( I rarely get the books back) with the hope that his words can help.
One day a very old man that I talk to from time to time suggested that I read a book by a man named Krishnamurti. He told me that I would be interested because "Krishnamurti specialized in logic", the rest is my history.
- Roger
My movement towards the K material actually began many years ago when I purchased a copy of "On God." I opened it randomly and the first words I read were, "We create God in our image and then worship it." I slammed the book shut, not ready to hear that and did not pick up a K book for many years, all the while continuing to "seek." A few years ago I was wanting some stimulation for my spiritual needs and again went out and purchased, "On God." Again I opened it at random and read the same words as I had so many years before. However this time my reaction was "Right On." I have been studying the material ever since.
Nothing I have ever studied in life has taken me as far as K's words. My life now is the work in awareness that K describes. Nothing else I do has much meaning except as it leads to new awareness.
- Laura
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