The Mystique of Enlightenment: The Radical Ideas of U. G. Krishnamurti

A scathing critique of contemporary spirituality by one of its most unusual figures. In the well-known history of J Krishnamurti (no relation), few names have been so strongly associated as U G, with whom he shared a close but contentious relationship over many years. In a world in which spiritual techniques, teachers, concepts, and organisations are legion, U G Krishnamurti stands nearly alone in his rejection of it all: "I am only interested in describing this state, in clearing away the occultation and mystification in which those people in the 'holy business' have shrouded the whole thing. Maybe I can convince you not to waste a lot of time and energy looking for a state that does not exist except in your imagination... The natural state is causal; it just happens.' Krishnamurti does not equate the natural state with enlightenment, which he describes as an illusion created by our culture. He says emphatically that one can do nothing to attain the natural state. In fact, any movement towards it separates one from it. Since his own experience of coming into the natural state at age 49, he has spent his time travelling throughout the world, staying with friends or in rented apartments for a few months at a time. He gives no public talks, but meets with people who come to see him. References to U G Krishnamurti are often found in other spiritual books, but until now there has been no N American edition of his work. The Mystique of Enlightenment is considered by his closest associates to be the best summary of his ideas. This edition has further edited the informal talks (in one of which he relates his life story) and has a new two-page foreword by the publisher.… (more)