Krishnamurti & the Art of Awakening

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Krishnamurti Quote of the Day

Early Writings, Volume VII | Talks at the Ojai Camp 1932

Question: Please explain the difference between self-analysis and self-recollectedness.

Krishnamurti: What is self-analysis? You desire a car, and at the same time your mind tells you it is not necessary. There is a battle, and you begin to analyze, why and why not. So, the basis of self-analysis is craving. When you do not want, you do not analyze; but if you want something, you will find innumerable reasons to possess it. So, what you call introspection is brought about through the division of the mind is craving.

Now, self-recollectedness in the true sense is to be alert, to become aware; and to become aware is to know the cause of division which is craving. Awareness is the fullness of perception. You can perceive completely when you have no craving, and so you are free of self-analysis. To become fully aware is not to yield to the layer after layer of craving, thinking you must go through all experience, which is but another sensation. Alertness of mind is not self-centredness. The mind is alert only when it is trying to free itself from the cause of limitation, which is craving. If watchfulness is not to discover the cause, then that watchfulness becomes self-centredness, self-consciousness. When you search out the cause, you do not become self-centred, you are not self-conscious, you are alert, watchful, pliable; you go to the very root of the cause.

Question: How do you follow the chain of events, of cause and effect, without analysis?

Krishnamurti: In the full movement of living you find out the cause, without self-analysis.

Tags: awareness

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