That Pathless Land: Essays on the Beauty and Uniqueness of J. Krishnamurti's Teachings

In the course of this book's Foreword written by Dr Robert Powell, a scientist from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California, he stated: Although no such formal division exists, That Pathless Land, the way I see it, consists really of two parts. In the first, the author reveals his experiments with self-inquiry, which is in the spirit of J. Krishnamurti's teaching, yet authentically his won. In the second part, he deals with various important aspects of the 'phenomenon' that is J. Krishnamurti-a topic of everlasting fascination to many people all over the globe.

Like Krishnamurti's writings, which the author in the subtitle to this book characterizes as 'unique', we find some refreshing uniqueness in his own work and it is evident that he has drunk deep from the well. He states some obvious truths that yet have been either ignored or neglected by other writers.

The entire area of this book is of absorbing interest, and not mainly to newcomers to teaching as the author suggests.

SUSUNAGA WEERAPERUMA, the compiler of Sayings of J. Krishnamurti is internationally known as the compiler of the only existent bibliography of Krishnamurti, entitled A Bibliography of the Life and Teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti, now published as Jiddu Krishnamurti: A Bibliographical Guide Weeraperuma is extremely well acquainted with all the writings of J. Krishnamurti as well as the corpus of literature, in different languages, on Krishnamurti.

I am very happy to accept the invitation to write a Foreword to this latest volume in the now-famous Krishnamurti Library series from Chetana. Its editor, Mr S. Dikshit, ought to be commended for publishing this challenging work by Mr Weeraperuma, especially at this time when gathering storm clouds all over the world obscure our spiritual vision and spell even more ominous possibilities. This new book points to where sanity lies, and we better learn from it while we yet may.

Although no such formal division exists, That Pathless Land, the way I see it, consists really of two parts. In the first, the author reveals his experiments with self-inquiry, which is in the spirit of J. Krishnamurti's teaching, yet authentically his own. In the second part, he deals with various important aspects of the 'phenomenon' that is J. Krishnamurti - a topic of everlasting fascination to many people all over the globe.

Like Krishnamurti's writings, which the author in the subtitle to this book characterizes as 'unique,' we find some refreshing uniqueness in his own work, and it is evident that he has drunk deep from the well. He states some obvious truths that yet have been either ignored or neglected by other writers in this field. For example, right in his first chapter, he eloquently debunks the Hindu shibboleth that there exist many paths to God. But I would like to assure the author that this is not exclusively a Hindu invention; one finds it, too, amongst Christians. In this connection, I am reminded of that other stupid utterance: all religions teach essentially the same thing. Both statements, of course, by means of their rationalization, supply a cloak of respectability to the lazy, sloppy mind that affects a spiritual search.

Then also, the book reflects something else that is very basic to our understanding of these matters. There is one thing that I have learned from my training as a scientist which is applicable to the spiritual area (but not much else, contrary to the impression created in a spate of recent books by scientists, that it is mandatory to study science before we can really understand spirituality). This lesson is that nature (reality) operates strictly on the basis of what I call the `either/or principle,' which means it is totally uncompromising, speaking to us in terms of 'yes' and 'no' - never as 'yes, but...'.For example, like matter, electromagnetic energy is discontinuous and occurs as a multiple of a definite elemental unit or "quantum." The latter is either that or nothing! Electrons in the atom are found only in orbits at predetermined distances from the nucleus, representing discrete energy levels. They are never observed in between these predetermined orbits. Any electron is either there or nowhere! Biological evolution takes place essentially through "mutations," which are sudden changes or quantum leaps: there is no gradualism. It is either now or never! Translated into the spiritual sphere, which is that of the Whole or sum total of the physical and mental worlds (plus that something extra over and above the summation of parts), this means one is either free or in bondage: one cannot be just a little free! Either one is caught within the prison of thought, which is always based on memory and so of the past, or one functions in the here and now, when each moment is totally fresh, unprecedented - representing a dying to the old and a rebirth. There can be no in-between state, like living simultaneously a little in the present and a little in the past: Similarly, death is a fact with which one does not argue. It is final: one cannot be just a little dead. Thus, one learns to accept hard facts, and to move ever from fact to fact, staying totally clear from opinion and fantasy. And all learning that does not depend on memory but on insight takes place in steps, and mutations. Understanding of deep issues comes in flashes, and there is nothing gradual (i.e., time-bound) about it.

The same crisp and uncompromising spirit permeates That Pathless Land, which proves to me that its author, although not a scientist, is very much in tune with reality. At the same time, he is honest enough to admit the limits of his understanding.

One of the best and most interesting chapters in the book I found 'Imprisoning Cage of the Self,' which is a minute account of the various ways in which the self seeks to defend its continuity, and thereby assures it will never go from bondage to bondage. By closely following this process, at once Krishnamurti's thesis of 'the thinker is the thought' - which is central to his teaching, yet confounds so many students -becomes crystal clear, and there is an end to the psyche's insidious duality. Mr. Weeraperuma explores not only Krishnamurti's teaching, but also his own mind, and, through the lucid manner in which he reports his observations, gives us the incentive to do likewise.

The entire subject area of this book is of absorbing interest, and not mainly to newcomers to teaching as the author suggests. I predict that his book will prove equally rewarding to those who have long been familiar with Krishnamurti's work.

These essays are a new investigation of the teachings of Krishnamurti. This book is not intended in any way to be an interpretation of his teachings: it is purely an inquiry into them and nothing else. I hope this work stimulates readers to study Krishnamurti's own books of which there are fortunately a great many. For therein they will surely discover priceless spiritual treasures. There are millions in our world, alas, who have never heard of Krishnamurti, not to speak of those who have never had the good fortune of either listening to his numerous discourses or reading his voluminous writings.

This volume is primarily addressed to such persons. Even if it enables just one such person to become acquainted with the teachings, its writing will have been worthwhile. This publication can best be described as the personal testament of someone who for a long time has been seriously and sincerely trying to understand the message of this great seer of our times.

I have written these essays in the hope that the readers of this book will somehow share with me the experience of journeying inwardly into the hidden depths of the psyche. It is truly a voyage without a destination because self-knowledge is so vast and seemingly endless. In a sense, this book may be regarded as a sequel to my Living and Dying from moment to Moment which was published by Chetana in 1978.

Some readers of the latter work urged me to write yet another book in which I was asked to discuss, among other subjects, the following question: Why are the teachings so silent on political, social and economic problems? I responded to this challenge by writing two chapters which are included in the present publication: 'Within Me is the Whole World' and `Wars Begin in the Minds of Men'. All the chapters are new in the sense that they have never been published before, except for that on Krishnamurti's visit to Sri Lanka' which was originally published in Krishnamurti Activities - Australia of January 1981. The chapter 'Random reflections' consists of jottings from a notebook.

Finally, I must express my deep gratitude to two dear friends: Mr V. Thanabalasingham of Sri Lanka, who very painstakingly revised the manuscript and Mr Sudhakar S. Dikshit, Editor of Chetana's Krishnamurti Library who has always encouraged me to write on Krishnamurti. His inspiring words have been a source of great strength to me.