Jiddu Krishnamurti, one of the most profound philosophers and spiritual teachers of the 20th century, often spoke about the nature of the mind, freedom, and the importance of experiencing a silent mind. His teachings focus on the freedom from conditioning, the role of thought in creating conflict, and the deep transformation that comes from experiencing the mind in silence. Let's explore this concept in detail.
The Nature of the Mind:
Krishnamurti emphasized that the mind is constantly filled with thoughts, images, memories, and emotions, all of which are products of our past conditioning. These thoughts and desires create inner conflict and prevent us from experiencing reality as it is.
According to him, the mind is constantly in motion, influenced by external stimuli, internal desires, and the need to seek security. This constant activity and struggle of the mind keep us in a state of psychological fragmentation.
Silence of the Mind:
Silent mind for Krishnamurti does not mean a mind that is merely quiet because it has been disciplined or controlled, but rather a mind that is free from all the past influences, attachments, and psychological conflicts.
True silence, in Krishnamurti's view, is when the mind is free from the noise of thought and desire. It is an empty, undisturbed state where the mind is fully present and aware of the present moment. This silence is not the result of effort or will but comes from an understanding of the nature of thought and the cessation of its continuous flow.
Thought and Conflict:
Krishnamurti often said that thought creates conflict. We think in terms of opposites—right and wrong, good and bad, success and failure—and these opposites create psychological division and turmoil. The silent mind, however, is free of these divisions.
The psychological division that thought creates is the root cause of suffering. By observing the way the mind works—how thoughts arise, how we identify with them, and how we react to them—we can begin to understand their nature. This understanding leads to the cessation of thought, not by force, but naturally.
The Freedom of the Silent Mind:
A mind that is silent is free. It is not burdened by the past, by memories or regrets, nor is it driven by desires for the future. It is free from the influence of the "me" or ego—the individual self that constantly seeks fulfillment and meaning outside of itself.
Freedom, for Krishnamurti, is not an external condition or a state that can be achieved through effort or discipline. It arises when the mind is silent and free from the conditioning that binds it. This freedom is not escapism; it is the freedom to observe life as it is, without interference from the past.
The Silent Mind and Awareness:
The silent mind is deeply aware. Awareness is not something that can be cultivated by focusing the mind or forcing attention. Awareness arises naturally when the mind is silent, for only in silence can the mind observe itself without distortion.
This awareness is choiceless, meaning that the mind is not analyzing or judging but simply observing. In this state, the mind becomes alert, attentive, and deeply sensitive to the present moment. It can perceive reality directly, without the filter of personal desires, fears, or judgments.
The Role of Meditation:
Krishnamurti did not endorse traditional meditation techniques, which he felt were based on control or concentration. Instead, he suggested that true meditation is observing the mind, understanding it, and letting it be. When we observe the movement of thought without interference, the mind naturally becomes still.
Meditation, in this sense, is not a practice but a natural state that arises when the mind is free from all psychological baggage and conditioning.
The Transformation that Comes with Silence:
For Krishnamurti, the experience of a silent mind is transformative. It is in this silence that the true nature of existence can be directly perceived. This perception is not intellectual or conceptual, but direct, non-dual, and profound.
The silent mind allows a person to experience unity with all things because there is no division created by thought. In this state, there is no "observer" and "observed"; everything is part of the same whole, and this oneness can only be directly experienced when the mind is silent.
Freedom from the Known: The silent mind is free from the conditioning of the past, free from the known—ideas, memories, and assumptions that limit our perception. True freedom is to be free from the psychological burden of the past and the future.
Awareness Without Choice: The silent mind is aware without any effort. It is aware without choosing or judging. Awareness is simply a state of being fully present, not filtering reality through past knowledge or experiences.
The End of Psychological Time: Krishnamurti spoke about the importance of psychological time—the time of the mind, which is built upon past experiences and future expectations. The silent mind exists outside of this time; it is in the timeless present.
Being in the Present: When the mind is silent, it is fully in the present moment. There is no interference from the past or the future, and this full immersion in the present is where true peace and clarity arise.
Your cart is currently empty.
