Theos-Talk Archives (April 1998 Message tt00155)

Lmhem111:
>Bjorn, I agree with your analysis. I don't go away from Krishnamurti's
>writings with a feeling of spiritual fulfillment or joy (ananda). Perhaps it's
>the nihilism of which you speak.

<snip>

>But philosophically, I feel he's
>simply out in left field. His approach is the via negativa which is a "turn
>off" for many. Many pro-K theosophists would excuse his incomprehensibility by
>saying that he was always on the Buddhic level and, therefore, he had
>difficulty bringing his ideas "through" to us morons on the lower planes.

I, unfortunately, never had the opportunity to see K speak in person. He
is now only a legend, just as HPB, GdP, CWL, Besant, and other key figures.
What I know of him is only through books.

However, from what I could read, K's process of nihilism was a way of
clearing the path of falsehoods, of destroying attachments. In that way,
you can get at the truth. His way of tearing down all that one attaches to
offended many people. He tore down attachment to gurus, to rebirth, to
intellectualization, and to memory. These attachments only lead to
separation into I-other, to separation via division and focus, and to
reliance on the fleeting process of time. He stated that we are so
conditioned that we are not aware of the shortcomings of such attachments.
Our want of stability makes us maintain our attachments. All these
attachments, though they appear positive, actually destroy the total
picture of Reality. Hence, to get closer to the whole picture, his process
destroys them. Negating the negative creates a positive.

He replaced these with an awareness of mind. He wants us to be aware of
the conditioning of our mind through focus on the present moment, on seeing
things as they are, without judgment, without preconception, and without
expectation. With this comes direct truth, which is purer than truth
diluted with abstractions passed down through communication and social
conditioning. Firstly, with awareness, we quiet the abstractions of our
mind and thus are more focused on the present moment. Secondly, we are
less prone to conflict because we will not have preconceived notions,
grudges, or false expectations. Lastly, we will abstract less and live
more.

Thoa :o)