8. Organisation of Chapters

Chapter one is Introduction. The chapter therefore, includes the research problem, conceptual definition, description on the languages of Krishnamurti and literatures review. Besides, the Introduction chapter also constitutes the objective of the study and its significance. Finally, the chapter ends with the details discussion on the research methodology adopted for carrying out the study.

Chapter two discusses on ‘The Self’ from the perspective of Krishnamurti. The interpretation of self according to Krishnamurti is quite different from the common parlance. The chapter therefore, makes an attempt to analyse Krishmaurti’s projection on self, by which he means idea, memory, conclusion, experience and the various forms of nameable and unnamable intentions. That is, all kinds of conscious endeavor to be or not to be, the accumulated memory of the unconscious, the racial, the groups, the individual, the clan and the whole of it are for Krishnamurti a projection of self. To further make clear the interpretation of self by Krishnamurti, the chapter makes a comparative analysis of his philosophy on ‘self’ with some other religious philosophy like Buddhism and also with some philosopher like David Hume. An attempt has been made to find out the difference and similarity on the views of self by Krishnamurti and other studies. The chapter also discusses ‘self-knowledge’ and its importance according to Krishnamurti. At the end of the chapter, discussion has been made on the importance of time so as to understand self-knowledge, which Krishnamurti called psychological time rather than chronological time.

Chapter three discusses on ‘Of bondage and knowledge’ according to Krishnamurti. Man has been under the direction of some one or the other right from childhood which he calls conditioning. So, the chapter thoroughly analyzed various forms of conditioning in life and its implication to the society at large. It therefore, examines the different factors like dependence, authority, fear, attachment etc., which lead to human bondages. To come out from those bondages Krishnamurti stresses the necessity of internal and external freedom. However, Krishnamurti basically talks about freedom that is inner freedom. The inner freedom gets reflected in outside human action–for Krishnamurti does not really make a distinction between inner and outer freedom. The chapter therefore, illustrates freedom as pointed by Krishnmaurti. It clearly examines the illusory thought process which creates human bondages and accordingly discusses the importance of ending thought in order to free one’s mind from all kinds of bondages.

Chapter four discusses on ‘Freedom and peace’ according to Krishnamurti. To him freedom could not be achieved from something else or could be given by somebody else. Freedom is freedom in itself. Thus, discussion has been made on how one could ultimately be free from all sorts of external and internal conditioning. To Krishnamurti, the process of ending of thought and to die to thought is freedom and this has been discussed in details. In the process, discussions are made on various forms of barriers which prevent an individual to attain freedom and peace in life. One is therefore, in constant conflict with one’s own life and would not understand or find out the solution. To Krishnamurti, there are various causes of conflict like contradiction, relationship, division and desire and ambition. The chapter makes a thorough illustration on those causes of conflict and its implication in one’s life. The chapter ends with the discussion on understanding of conflict in order to end conflict.

Chapter five is conclusion. The chapter examines the core teachings of Krishnamurti in the context of understanding self-knowledge. It points out how the ‘self’ which is the creation of the thought itself is the source of conflict in one’s life. Besides, the concluding chapter makes an analysis on the relevance of Krishnamurti as a philosopher. Finally, the chapter recapitulates on the significance of Krishnamurti’s philosophy on self-knowledge in mitigating world disorder.