Krishnamurti’s Notebook (Jiddu Krishnamurti)
The Diary of a Kundalini-Challenged Mystic
[My 3-Star Amazon review (May 13, 2013) of “Krishnamurti’s Notebook” by Krishnamurti.]
"Krishnamurti's Notebook" is a diary the great mystic J. Krishnamurti (1895- 1986) kept for a time while travelling. The focus of the diary, kept in 1961, is what he calls "the process," the experience of enlightening, but physically painful, mystical states he experienced on an almost daily basis. In addition to describing his mystical states, Krishnamurti also philosophizes, commentating on the same mystico-philosophical themes he does in all his books.
Krishnamurti (K), a lover of nature, usually describes his mystical states, which he terms "benedictions," in the context of, and sometimes almost coincident with, natural settings, which he also describes in detail. It's as if he were painting a beautiful picture and then seamlessly integrating a "benediction" with it.
If you're a Krishnamurti fan, or just someone who digs the juxtaposition of spirituality and nature, you'll probably love this book--but if you're someone like me, tired of K's endless repetition of virtually the same "psychologized" quasi-spiritual themes in every book, then you'll probably dismiss it as just recycled K in different packaging.
Given my similar history to K's--I suffer from a painful and constant Kundalini energy disorder akin to his and regularly experience "benedictions" just as powerful and enlightening as his--one would think that he'd be my spiritual cup of tea; but he isn't. I much prefer the teachings of Ramana Maharshi, Adi Da, Kashmir Shaivism, Dzogchen, and Christian Hermeticism to his. And I prefer these teachings because they offer much more "verticality" and fullness than K's "flat," one-dimensional, "psychologized" drones.
The first Krishnamurti book I read--"First and Last Freedom" -- remains, by far, the best one I've read (and I've read a number of them). I gave this great book, one of K's earliest, five stars in my Amazon.com review. Unfortunately, none of K's books I've read after "First and Last Freedom" really floats my boat--but that's not to say "Krishnamurti's Notebook" won't float yours.
[My 3-Star Amazon review (May 13, 2013) of “Krishnamurti’s Notebook” by Krishnamurti.]
"Krishnamurti's Notebook" is a diary the great mystic J. Krishnamurti (1895- 1986) kept for a time while travelling. The focus of the diary, kept in 1961, is what he calls "the process," the experience of enlightening, but physically painful, mystical states he experienced on an almost daily basis. In addition to describing his mystical states, Krishnamurti also philosophizes, commentating on the same mystico-philosophical themes he does in all his books.
Krishnamurti (K), a lover of nature, usually describes his mystical states, which he terms "benedictions," in the context of, and sometimes almost coincident with, natural settings, which he also describes in detail. It's as if he were painting a beautiful picture and then seamlessly integrating a "benediction" with it.
If you're a Krishnamurti fan, or just someone who digs the juxtaposition of spirituality and nature, you'll probably love this book--but if you're someone like me, tired of K's endless repetition of virtually the same "psychologized" quasi-spiritual themes in every book, then you'll probably dismiss it as just recycled K in different packaging.
Given my similar history to K's--I suffer from a painful and constant Kundalini energy disorder akin to his and regularly experience "benedictions" just as powerful and enlightening as his--one would think that he'd be my spiritual cup of tea; but he isn't. I much prefer the teachings of Ramana Maharshi, Adi Da, Kashmir Shaivism, Dzogchen, and Christian Hermeticism to his. And I prefer these teachings because they offer much more "verticality" and fullness than K's "flat," one-dimensional, "psychologized" drones.
The first Krishnamurti book I read--"First and Last Freedom" -- remains, by far, the best one I've read (and I've read a number of them). I gave this great book, one of K's earliest, five stars in my Amazon.com review. Unfortunately, none of K's books I've read after "First and Last Freedom" really floats my boat--but that's not to say "Krishnamurti's Notebook" won't float yours.
