2-1-98 J.R. KRISHNAMURTI

Few persons have had a greater influence on how we view spirituality than this man. At times he could be quite merciless in how he strips away our preconceived ideas and notions relating to God, man and the universe. He was the only spiritual teacher I know of who rejected an already existing organization of disciples (Order of the Star) in order to stay true to his own convictions. He is often criticized for not teaching meditative techniques and merely offering a "pathless path". Of late, he has also been criticized for not practicing what he preached in regards to celibacy and other moral and ethical issues. Even the great thinker and physicist, David Bohm, who interacted with Krishnamurti for many years both publicly and privately, had serious reservations about him in later years (See "Infinite Potential: The Life and Times of David Bohm" by F. David Peat). So what insights does "The Art of Multi-Dimensional Living" offer in regards to this most influential man?

First, Krishnamurti was part of, and taught in the tradition of, Jnana Yoga and if people cannot recognize the existence of meditative techniques in his writings, it is because they do not understand the process of Jnana Yoga. K. offers a great many techniques in his writings to those on the path of Jnana Yoga, especially methods and processes for stripping away inculcations derived from family, friends, and society as a whole.

Second, K. was a member of the outcaste group. Thus, it was easy for him to dissolve the Order of the Star and follow his own unique, independent and iconoclastic approach to teaching. Outcastes are highly skilled in helping people overcome conditioning of all types including spiritual conditioning. They naturally follow "the beat of their own drum" and encourage others to do likewise.

Third, K. was an extremely charismatic figure (especially in his career nature and functioning) and often drew devoted followers to himself despite contrary intentions.

Lastly, K's personal destiny related to his private life with a female companion or companions (the field of marriage). In this arena his mode of functioning was somewhat weak. Thus, it should not surprise us that all was not well in this domain and that the public would eventually hear about it despite his almost fanatical attempts to keep this part of his life private.

Jnana Yoga is one of "The Eight Great Paths to God." It has two aspects: 1) stripping away the unreal through the process of discrimination; 2) inviting and culturing the Real through this same process. For those on this "razor's edge" path of discrimination, J.R. Krishnamurti offers a treasure house of knowledge, technique and the transcendence of technique through pure Knowledge.