Mind Is a Myth: Disquieting Conversations with the Man Called U.G.

by U. G. Krishnamurti

Overview

The renowned spiritual thinker presents a provocative challenge to seekers and cynics alike in this collection of fascinating conversations.
 
From an early age, U. G. Krishnamurti sought spiritual enlightenment, until he not only gave up the search, but challenged the very principles it is based on. In so doing, he became one of the most unusual, insightful, and sought-after speakers on the subject. This volume of his conversations with the constant stream of people who go to visit him offers a refreshing, radical, and unconventional appraisal of the entire human enterprise.
 
For seekers of God, happiness, or enlightenment this book will challenge every aspect of the search. For those who have grown weary of the search and have developed a well-tempered skepticism, this little volume may prove invaluable. “Is there actually anything like freedom, enlightenment or liberation behind all the abstractions the religions have thrown at us?” U. G. asks.
 
U.G. bears directly into the heart of matters, presenting his case simply, fearlessly, forcefully, and without corroboration, to any who wishes to listen. He asks “Is there actually anything like freedom, enlightenment or liberation behind all the abstractions the religions have thrown at us?”

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591810933
Publisher:	Sentient Publications
Publication date:	09/23/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	138
Sales rank:	88,803
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

U. G. Krishnamurti was born in India in 1918 to Brahmin parents and was given a rigorous education in classical Hindu literature. He was raised to become a great spiritual teacher, in a manner similar to J. Krishnamurti (to whom U. G. is not related), as his family believed that he had approached enlightenment in a past life. As a young man, U.G. attended the University of Madras and studied widely in psychology, science, and philosophy. He became a popular lecturer for the Theosophical Society, an organization that introduced Eastern spiritual wisdom to the West, founded in 1875 by Madame Blavatsky. At age 25, U. G. married and eventually fathered four children. In the late 1940's, he met J. Krishnamurti, who had been adopted at the age of 14 by the president of the Theosophical Society, Annie Besant. She was convinced that it was J. Krishnamurti's destiny to become a World Teacher, so she directed his education accordingly and formed an organization to support this mission. By the time the two Krishnamurtis were introduced, each had rejected the role of guru for which he had been groomed. For seven years they met daily, struggling to uncover the nature of truth, and parted without resolving their differences in this matter. U. G. continued lecturing throughout the world. Then in 1961 he began to feel that he was no longer in control of his life. He left his family and went to London without means or purpose. As he describes it, "I was a bum practically, living on the charity of some people and not knowing anything. There was no will. I didn't know what I was doing. I was practically insane." This seemingly aimless period of his life lasted for six years, marked by an intense interest in the question, "What is that state?" He was still trying desperately to understand the state described by all the great spiritual teachers, by Shankara, Buddha, and Jesus. Eventually he came to believe that he was in that state, and that became the basis for his radical philosophy. U. G. Krishnamurti died in March, 2007.

Editorial Reviews

U. G. Krishnamurti claims that he cannot help us in our quest for enlightenment. Paradoxically, I find this refreshingly helpful. This work is an expression of U.G.'s exquisite mastery in penetrating the many illusions to be found on the spiritual path. I highly recommend it.

Jeffrey Mishlove

Readers who consider themselves enlightened or on the path to such a state will both connect to and disagree with much of what Krishnamurti has to say. These readers also will be challenged and intellectually stimulated.

New Age Retailer

U.G. Krishnamurti is the Don Rickles of religion. He makes Madalyn Murray O'Hare, the infamous atheist, look pious. What we call religion, U.G. said, began somewhere along the evolutionary process when humans—unlike the rest of the animals—began feeling self-conscious and separate from nature. Humanity, he says, long ago started down the path of total annihilation and absolutely nothing can be done to save it. Have a nice day.

Diplo: Towards more inclusive and effective diplomacy - Don Lattin

Free will—its very existence is debated, but how does this apply to religion? Mind is a Myth: Disquieting Conversations with the Man Called U.G. is a skeptical manual on the debate offering one learned man's ideas on the matter. A true scholar in the field of spirituality who has studied both eastern and western religions heavily, Krishnamurti's ideas are utterly fascinating and inspiring, making Mind is a Myth is a strong pick for nonspecialist general readers with an interest in spirituality.

The Bookwatch