Jiddu Krishnamurti

Jiddu KrishnamurtiÊ(/_d__du_Ê_kr__n__m__rti/ÊorÊ/-_m__rti/; 12 May 1895ÊÐ 17 February 1986) was an Indian philosopher, speaker and writer. In his early life he was groomed to be the newÊWorld TeacherÊbut later rejected this mantle and withdrew from theÊTheosophyÊorganization behind it. His subject matter included psychological revolution, the nature of mind,Êmeditation, inquiry, human relationships, and bringing aboutÊradical changeÊin society. He constantly stressed the need for a revolution in theÊpsycheÊof every human being and emphasised that such revolution cannot be brought about by any external entity, be it religious, political, or social.↵↵Krishnamurti was born inÊBritish India. In early adolescence he had a chance encounter with prominentÊoccultistÊandÊtheosophistÊCharles Webster LeadbeaterÊin the grounds of theÊTheosophical SocietyÊheadquarters atÊAdyarÊinÊMadras. He was subsequently raised under the tutelage ofÊAnnie BesantÊand Leadbeater, leaders of the Society at the time, who believed him to be a 'vehicle' for an expected World Teacher. As a young man, he disavowed this idea and dissolved theÊOrder of the Star in the East, an organisation that had been established to support it.↵↵He said he had no allegiance to any nationality, caste, religion, or philosophy, and spent the rest of his life travelling the world, speaking to large and small groups and individuals. Many of his talks and discussions were published as transcripts; among themÊThe First and Last Freedom, andÊThe Only Revolution, and also several diaries were published, includingÊKrishnamurti's Notebook. His last public talk was in Madras, India, in January 1986, a month before his death at his home inÊOjai, California.↵↵Krishnamurti's teachings have had an influence on the thoughts of several notable public figures, includingÊKahlil Gibran,ÊAldous Huxley,ÊHenry Miller,ÊBruce Lee,ÊJackson Pollock,ÊPhilip Guston,ÊDavid Bohm,ÊJoseph Campbell,ÊBeatrice Wood,ÊDeepak Chopra,ÊIndira Gandhi,ÊBarry Long, andÊEckhart Tolle.