Reality Is Not a Thing That Is Knowable by the Mind

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Reality is not a thing that is knowable by the mind because the mind is the result of
the known, of the past.

"We approach a problem, which is always new, with the old pattern. The challenge is always the new but our response is always the old. Our difficulty is to meet the challenge adequately, that is, fully. The problem is always a problem of relationship: there is no other problem. And to meet the problem of relationship, with its constantly varying demandsâto meet it rightly, to meet it adequatelyâone has to be aware, passively. And this passivity is not a question of determination, will, or discipline. To be aware that we are not passive is the beginning; to be aware that we want a particular answer to a particular problem, surely that is the beginning: to know ourselves in relationship to the problem and how we deal with the problem. Then, as we begin to know ourselves in relationship to the problemâhow we respond, what are our various prejudices, demands, and pursuitsâin meeting that problem this awareness will reveal the process of our own thinking, of our own inward nature and in that there is a release.
So, life is a matter of relationship, and to understand that relationship, which is not static, there must be an awareness that is pliable, an awareness that is alertly passive, not aggressively active. And, as I said, this passive awareness does not come through any form of discipline or through any practice. It is to be just aware, from moment to moment, of our thinking and feelingâ not only when we are awake, for we will see as we go into it deeper, that we begin to dream, that we begin to throw up all kinds of symbols which we translate as dreams. So, we open the door into the hidden, which becomes the known. But, to find the unknown we must go beyond the door; surely, that is our difficulty. Reality is not a thing that is knowable by the mind, because the mind is the result of the known, of the past; therefore, the mind must understand itself and its functioning, its truth. Only then is it possible for the unknown to be."
Excerpt from Choiceless Awareness
J. Krishnamurti

Dear Friends,
Krishnamurtiâs words expose the underlying issues that trouble humanity even decades after his passing. It is our challenge, then, to see for ourselves if it is possible to âdirectly experience the process of oneâs own thinking and be aware of it integrallyâ so that we can bring about an inward revolutionâa radical change. The self-knowledge he highlights suggests understanding oneâs relationship with the world. The teachings invite the reader to find out if one can discover the total process of the mind, rather than continuing old patterns that can never meet life as a whole.
Krishnamurti points out a type of perception that is beyond condemnation or comparison and suggests that these are indicative of incomplete understanding. It is only when one can see âdispassionatelyâ that something new can take place. He suggests that sensitivity and passive alertness are needed to meet the dynamic nature of relationship. For more on this topic, readers can order the Study Book, Choiceless Awareness, which is also the title of our theme for the upcoming year.
We continue to grow and maintain our online initiatives such as JKrishnamurti.org, where users can access the teachings in audio, video, and text format for free. Visitors of the website can also choose to subscribe to a newsletter that delivers a daily quote right to their inbox. Subscribers of this newsletter also receive a monthly email that includes curated Krishnamurti material in both text and video formats.
Another one of the goals of the Foundation is to present Krishnamurtiâs teachings to new and younger audiences. The Immeasurable is an online magazine that offers this material in a modern format that is more likely to resonate with someone who is unfamiliar with the teachings. It is a resource that explores current themes of our time, creating entry points for new audiences, and capturing the interest of the young-adult audience. For example, this article titled âWhat Is the Self?â asks the reader: Is there a you that is independent of your thoughts, emotions, and reactions? Or is the self just a symbol of ourselves? The article includes original Krishnamurti material on the relationship between thought and consciousness, as well as material from contemporary neuroscience examining the illusion of the self. At the end of each Immeasurable article, there is a comment section, serving as a space to inquire further together.
For those who wish to explore the topic of the self in person, the Krishnamurti Center offers an in-depth study program facilitated by Darcy Gray. When the school was founded, Darcy participated in staff dialogues with Krishnamurti and David Bohm. The program titled âOn Becoming: Explorations on Thought and the Selfâ gives participants an opportunity to inquire together into the nature of the self and our thought processes over the course of five days. Some passages from Krishnamurtiâs teachings will be used as a jumping-off point to explore and inquire. Click here to register now.
Together we are all part of this world that we have created. Krishnamurti did not give any instructions or prescriptions, but rather a compelling invitation to look. One does not need to be an expert to be sensitive enough to be totally aware of the movement of the mind. We express our sincere appreciation for the reliability of our donors who have made it possible for us to continue to provide spaces for stillness and serious inquiry. If you are interested in contributing financially to support the preservation and dissemination of the teachings, please click here to view our Annual Appeal.
Sincerely,

Jaap Sluijter
Executive Director

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Reality Is Not a Thing That Is Knowable by the Mind

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