Krishnamurti to Himself

Krishnamurti to Himself represents the final journal of spiritual philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti, published in 1987. The text originated as spoken diary entries recorded on audio tape at his residence in Ojai, California and at Brockwood Park in Hampshire, UK. The 134-page volume contains twenty-seven dated sections transcribed with minimal editing by Mary Lutyens, Krishnamurti's biographer. Krishnamurti chose to dictate rather than write due to his advanced age, using a portable recorder to capture his solitary reflections. The narrative alternates between second and third-person perspectives, with Krishnamurti sometimes engaging in dialogue with an imagined conversation partner. His observations span from detailed descriptions of nature to examinations of human consciousness and society. The work stands as a concentrated distillation of Krishnamurti's core philosophical ideas about consciousness, suffering, and the pursuit of truth, presented through an intimate personal format that reveals both vulnerability and conviction.

Readers describe this book as Krishnamurti's personal diary entries and meditations, offering intimate insights into his thought process. Several note it feels more accessible than his lecture-based works. Readers appreciated: - Raw, unfiltered observations without formal structure - Descriptions of nature and daily experiences - Clear explanations of complex concepts - Personal tone compared to his other works Common criticisms: - Repetitive themes and ideas - Some passages feel meandering - Limited philosophical depth compared to his other books Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (304 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (31 ratings) Reader quotes: "Like sitting with K in his garden as he thinks aloud" - Goodreads reviewer "More digestible than his dialogues but covers same ground" - Amazon reviewer "Beautiful observations but can feel circular" - Goodreads reviewer Some readers recommend starting with his other books to better understand the context of these personal reflections.

Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre A philosophical examination of consciousness, existence, and freedom through a secular existentialist perspective that echoes Krishnamurti's inquiries into the nature of self.

I Am That by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj The transcribed dialogues between seekers and Nisargadatta Maharaj explore non-dualistic teachings about consciousness and self-knowledge.

The Book of Life by J. Krishnamurti A collection of daily meditations that further develop Krishnamurti's core teachings on freedom, self-understanding, and the nature of mind.

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle An exploration of presence and consciousness that builds on Krishnamurti's teachings about psychological time and the observer-observed relationship.

Freedom from the Known by Jiddu Krishnamurti A foundational text that presents Krishnamurti's essential ideas about meditation, relationships, and the transformation of consciousness through self-observation.

🔸 The recordings for this book were made during Krishnamurti's solitary morning walks in Ojai Valley, where he would speak into a handheld recorder while observing the local wildlife and landscape 🔸 Krishnamurti refused to align himself with any spiritual tradition or religion, famously dissolving the "Order of the Star" organization that had been created to promote him as a world teacher 🔸 Mary Lutyens, who edited this work, wrote a comprehensive three-volume biography of Krishnamurti and was one of the few people he trusted to handle his personal writings 🔸 The Ojai property where these recordings were made became a foundation and retreat center that still operates today, hosting educational programs based on Krishnamurti's teachings 🔸 Despite speaking multiple languages fluently, Krishnamurti chose to record these deeply personal reflections in English, which he learned as his fourth language after Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi