Krishnamurti, The Book Of Life.

Today has been very quiet. I didn’t get up till 10.00 to discover the garden covered in about six inches of snow. I felt sorrow for the birds so I swept some snow off a step and put down some food. I watched the birds for about an hour from my warm vantage point of the kitchen while listening to music. I couldn’t be bothered doing anything this afternoon, so I went back to bed. This evening I had a look at a book that I bought yesterday in a charity shop. 

The Book Of Life by Jiddu Krishnamurti. I have liked Krishnamurti since the early 1980’s. A friend of mine had some books by him which I used to read. We went to see him give a talk at a place called Brockwood Park near Winchester. I was really impressed with him and was pleased that I saw him while he was still alive. We saw him in 83 and he died in 1986 aged 90. I must admit that I forgot about 80% of what he said within an hour. What I liked about him though is that he wasn’t a sect or a religion. I don’t like organised religions because they tell you what to think. They have no right to say what people should think or believe. Krishnamurti said it is up to the individual to think for themselves in order to discover truth. I was really pleased when in 1986 I discovered that Van Morrison was also influenced by Krishnamurti. The title of his album No Guru, No Method, No Teacher was taken directly from a talk given by Krishnamurti.  Van said this in an interview.

‘I heard him speak once, at Masonic Hall in San Francisco. As far back as I can remember I have been influenced by religious and philosophical works and I had a big change in my state of mind just prior to discovering Krishnamurti's books. His philosophy corresponded to what I myself was going through on an inward level. I feel the meaning of Krishnamurti for our time is that one has to think for oneself and not be swayed by any outside religions or spiritual authorities’.

I haven’t read any of Krishnamurti’s words for years. What I like about this book is that it a collection of 365 meditations by Krishnamurti. One for every day of the year. You can read a little bit every day which should make it easier to understand. I read the thought for February 1st today. I will have to venture out tomorrow snow or no snow to get some provisions, but I don’t think I’ll be going far.

No Guru, no method, no teacher

Just you and I and nature 

And the Father in the garden