The Revolution from Within

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The Revolution from within is the second in the series titled 'Selections from the Decades' and consists of twenty-three public talks that Krishnamurti gave between 1952 and 1959.

Whereas in the 1940s, Krishnamurti had to address a variety of contemporary social and political issues, here his focus is primarily, if not solely, on a radical change in the mind and heart of every human being. What brings about such a change is not knowledge or reason, not new ideas or ideals, or the pursuit of some religious goals; nor does it come about through effort and will. It is only in understands ourselves completely that this. Transformation takes place.

However, throughout these talks, Krishnamurti seems to be suggesting that this attempt to change oneself is not a mere psychological exercise but a religious act; it is not just a matter of digging into oneself endlessly, but also remaining open to that which he calls Truth or Reality. 'Transformation is not brought about by the mind.
Transformation ... is in the hands of Reality, not within the sphere of the mind,' he says.

This book is one of a series titled 'Selections from the Decades'. The series aims at presenting a representative sample of public talks that Krishnamurti gave between the 1940s and the 1980s. Each volume focuses on the talks given during a decade or a part of it in different parts of the world. The series begins with Krishnamurti's talks in India in 1947, a year that marked a milestone both in India's destiny and in the unfoldment of Krishnarnurti's teachings.

The intention behind putting together such a series is to give the reader an overview of how the teachings expressed themselves over a period of time and in a particular context and in a particular idiom. The series also shows how Krishnamurti responded to the different challenges posed by a rapidly changing society. Krishnamurti (1895-1986) lived through the most tumultuous part of a century that saw two world wars, the splitting of the atom, the break-down of ideologies, the savage destruction of the earth, and the degeneration of every aspect of human life. It was also a century that could claim phenomenal progress in various technological fields. Krishnamurti's prophetic vision warned us of coming events far ahead of time. Decades before we became aware of the peril to the planet, he was already exhorting children at school to take care of the earth, to tread lightly on it. By the 1970s he was to ask: 'What would happen to the human being when the computer takes over all the functions of the brain?'

Again we notice in the talks that the concerns expressed and questions put to him in the 1980s were quite different from those of the 1940s and 1950s. What is striking about Krishnamurti's approach, however, is that even while addressing the social, political and economic issues of the period, his answers are rooted in a timeless vision of life and truth. He shows how behind any problem lies the creator of the problem and how the source of fragmentation lies within the mind of man. He offers no readymade solutions to contemporary issues, for he sees clearly that they are but symptoms of a deeper malaise that lies embedded in the mind and the heart of each human being.

Krishnamurti's statements are those of a seer, not of a social reformer. As such they are completely free of stereotype or cliche. Krishnamurti displays a remarkable resilience in adapting his approach and idiom to the state of the mind of the questioner so that his answers are always fresh and original. Each talk is a new experience for the audience or the reader as it takes one through an inward journey of self-discovery.

Questioned as to whether his teachings have changed over the decades, Krishnamurti was to say: 'No. There have been changes in expression, changes in vocabulary changes in language and gesture-you know all that-but there has been no fundamental change from the beginning till now.' (Fire in the Mind p.16). Krishnamurti Foundation India feels happy to offer these series of powerful talks to its readers, many of whom might be coming upon them for the first time.