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I've read Krishnamurthy and frankly it is hard to tell how much of his output is genuine spiritual insight instead of Theosophic hand-me-down. One thing is for

I've read Krishnamurthy and frankly it is hard to tell how much of his output is genuine spiritual insight instead of Theosophic hand-me-down. One thing is for sure, his images in old age (at least to me) convey a melancholic doubt as opposed to the expected beatific enlightened soul. YMMV.

orasis 10y ago
The mind of a motivated seeker tends to be tormented. Perhaps melancholic doubt is a significant brain chemistry upgrade.
- eternalban 10y ago
  Seeker, sure. Guru, no. [p.s.] The Sufi master Attar [1] wrote an entire book [2] -- using the symbol of "flyers" or "birds" -- describing the stages of seekers' path to enlightenment. The mataphor used was 'seven valleys of love' [3] encountered on the way to the 'King of the Birds', each with their own distinct psyho-spiritual state and requirements. The journey has stages but for some there is a 'successful' end. "If he who sets out on this way will not engage himself wholly and completely he will never be free from the sadness and melancholy which weigh him down." [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attar_of_Nishapur https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attar_of_Nishapur [2]: "Expression-Logic of the Birds" aka "Conference of the Birds" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conference_of_the_Birds https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conference_of_the_Birds [3]: http://chippit.tripod.com/seven_valleys.html http://chippit.tripod.com/seven_valleys.html
  - orasis 10y ago
    An alternative perspective is that "meta-okayness" might be a goal to aim for. Can I be fundamentally OK even when I don't feel OK? Could I be OK with depression? Could I be OK with sadness? Could I be OK with being human? Maybe instead of needing to be more enlightened, I just need a nap?
    - eternalban 10y ago
      On a personal level "to thine own self be true". Definitely. But if you are "depressed", "sad", and "don't feel OK" and rather take a "nap" instead of striving for enlightenment, you shouldn't go around giving talks on spiritual matters as a "teacher".
MonkeyIsNull 10y ago
Little of what he taught came from the Theosophical Society, he broke with them relatively early in his life.

orasis 10y ago

The mind of a motivated seeker tends to be tormented. Perhaps melancholic doubt is a significant brain chemistry upgrade.

eternalban 10y ago
Seeker, sure. Guru, no. [p.s.] The Sufi master Attar [1] wrote an entire book [2] -- using the symbol of "flyers" or "birds" -- describing the stages of seekers' path to enlightenment. The mataphor used was 'seven valleys of love' [3] encountered on the way to the 'King of the Birds', each with their own distinct psyho-spiritual state and requirements. The journey has stages but for some there is a 'successful' end. "If he who sets out on this way will not engage himself wholly and completely he will never be free from the sadness and melancholy which weigh him down." [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attar_of_Nishapur https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attar_of_Nishapur [2]: "Expression-Logic of the Birds" aka "Conference of the Birds" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conference_of_the_Birds https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conference_of_the_Birds [3]: http://chippit.tripod.com/seven_valleys.html http://chippit.tripod.com/seven_valleys.html
- orasis 10y ago
  An alternative perspective is that "meta-okayness" might be a goal to aim for. Can I be fundamentally OK even when I don't feel OK? Could I be OK with depression? Could I be OK with sadness? Could I be OK with being human? Maybe instead of needing to be more enlightened, I just need a nap?
  - eternalban 10y ago
    On a personal level "to thine own self be true". Definitely. But if you are "depressed", "sad", and "don't feel OK" and rather take a "nap" instead of striving for enlightenment, you shouldn't go around giving talks on spiritual matters as a "teacher".

MonkeyIsNull 10y ago

Little of what he taught came from the Theosophical Society, he broke with them relatively early in his life.