"Insight" and "The Religious Mind" in the Teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti

Abstract

<p>In this thesis I attempt to show that in the teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986), it is the event of "total insight into what-is" that brings about a liberating transformation of the mind which has been conditioned by thought. The unconditioned mind is the religious mind. As a result, the thesis is also an exploration of the meaning of religion in his teachings.</p> <p>After a discussion of his unusual approach to teaching, analysis reveals that the conditioned mind is dominated by thought, which prevents direct perception of what-is. It further reveals that, according to Krishnamurti, sensitive observation, accompanied by the cessation of divisive thought produces "total insight," which liberates the mind completely from the psychological suffering that accompanies conditioning. I then examine the nature of the religious or unconditioned mind showing how, in Krishnamurti's teachings, it is a unified whole that is beyond conceptualization. It may be called Truth or God and is the only reality.</p> <p>The analysis reveals a structure in Krishnamurti's teachings that is logically consistent, coherent, and within its own criteria, complete. It thus provides a basis from which criticisms that have been raised by others concerning his teachings are addressed. Comparison with other schools of thought reveal strong similarities to the tathata or Suchness philosophy of Mahayana Buddhism.</p>