As One Is

What's "As One Is: To Free the Mind from All Conditioning" about?

• Core Theme: The book explores the concept of freeing the mind from all forms of conditioning, including religious, societal, and personal beliefs.
• Krishnamurti's Approach: It emphasizes the importance of understanding oneself and the conditioning that shapes our thoughts and actions.
• Talks and Discussions: The content is based on a series of talks given by J. Krishnamurti in 1955, focusing on self-awareness and the nature of the mind.
• Ultimate Goal: The aim is to achieve a state of mind that is free, unconditioned, and capable of experiencing truth and reality without distortion.

Why should I read "As One Is: To Free the Mind from All Conditioning"?

• Self-Discovery: The book encourages readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-awareness.
• Freedom from Conditioning: It offers insights into how one can liberate themselves from societal and personal conditioning.
• Philosophical Depth: Krishnamurti provides a deep philosophical perspective on the nature of thought and consciousness.
• Practical Wisdom: The teachings are not just theoretical but offer practical wisdom for living a life of freedom and creativity.

What are the key takeaways of "As One Is: To Free the Mind from All Conditioning"?

• Understanding Conditioning: Recognize that our thoughts and actions are often conditioned by external influences and internal beliefs.
• Self-Knowledge: True understanding and freedom come from knowing oneself deeply, beyond societal labels and roles.
• Attention and Awareness: Cultivate a state of attention where the mind is free from distractions and preconceptions.
• Living in the Present: Emphasize the importance of living in the present moment without the burden of past experiences or future expectations.

How does J. Krishnamurti define conditioning in "As One Is"?

• Influence of Society: Conditioning is the influence of societal norms, traditions, and beliefs on an individual's mind.
• Internal and External: It includes both external influences like culture and religion, and internal ones like personal desires and fears.
• Barrier to Truth: Conditioning acts as a barrier to perceiving truth and reality as it is, without distortion.
• Freedom from Conditioning: Achieving freedom from conditioning involves understanding and observing one's own mind without judgment.

What is the significance of self-knowledge in "As One Is"?

• Foundation of Freedom: Self-knowledge is the foundation for freeing the mind from conditioning and achieving true freedom.
• Continuous Process: It is a continuous process of observing and understanding one's thoughts, emotions, and actions.
• Beyond Accumulation: Self-knowledge is not about accumulating information but about direct perception and understanding.
• Path to Transformation: It leads to a fundamental transformation in how one perceives and interacts with the world.

What role does attention play in "As One Is"?

• State of Mind: Attention is a state of mind where one is fully present and aware without distraction or judgment.
• Beyond Concentration: It differs from concentration, which involves effort and focus on a specific object or thought.
• Facilitates Understanding: Attention allows for a deeper understanding of oneself and the world, free from preconceived notions.
• Key to Freedom: It is essential for freeing the mind from conditioning and experiencing reality directly.

How does Krishnamurti address the concept of violence in "As One Is"?

• Rooted in Conditioning: Violence is seen as a result of conditioning, including societal pressures and personal ambitions.
• Understanding Violence: To address violence, one must understand its roots in the desire for power, security, and identity.
• Nonviolence as a State: True nonviolence is not a practice but a state of mind that arises from understanding and freedom.
• Beyond Ideals: The book suggests moving beyond ideals of nonviolence to address the underlying causes of violence.

What are the best quotes from "As One Is" and what do they mean?

• "If one wishes to find that which is truth, one must be totally free from all religions, from all conditioning..." This quote emphasizes the need for complete freedom from external influences to discover truth.
• "To stand alone is to be uncorrupted, innocent, free of all tradition..." It highlights the importance of independence from societal norms for true understanding.
• "When the mind is free from all conditioning, then you will find that there comes the creativity of reality..." This suggests that true creativity and understanding arise from a mind free of conditioning.
• "Self-improvement is progress in sorrow, not the cessation of sorrow." It critiques the idea of self-improvement as merely refining one's conditioning rather than achieving true freedom.

How does Krishnamurti view the relationship between the individual and society in "As One Is"?

• Interconnectedness: The individual is deeply interconnected with society, and societal conditioning shapes personal identity.
• Freedom from Society: True individuality arises from freeing oneself from societal conditioning and expectations.
• Role of Society: Society often perpetuates conditioning through norms, traditions, and institutions.
• Path to Change: Change in society begins with the transformation of the individual through self-awareness and understanding.

What is the process of self-observation in "As One Is"?

• Non-Judgmental Awareness: Self-observation involves watching one's thoughts and actions without judgment or condemnation.
• Continuous Inquiry: It is a continuous process of inquiry into one's motives, desires, and fears.
• Revealing Conditioning: Through self-observation, one can uncover the layers of conditioning that influence behavior.
• Facilitates Transformation: It facilitates personal transformation by bringing unconscious patterns to light.

How does "As One Is" address the concept of death and continuity?

• Understanding Death: The book encourages understanding death as a natural part of life, not something to be feared.
• Living with Awareness: By living with awareness and understanding, one can approach death without fear or attachment.
• Beyond Continuity: It challenges the notion of continuity and permanence, suggesting that true freedom lies in embracing impermanence.
• Death as Transformation: Death is seen as a transformation, an opportunity to let go of the past and live fully in the present.

What is the ultimate goal of "As One Is: To Free the Mind from All Conditioning"?

• Freedom from Conditioning: The ultimate goal is to achieve a state of mind that is free from all forms of conditioning.
• Direct Experience of Truth: It aims for the direct experience of truth and reality without distortion or preconceived notions.
• State of Creativity: The book seeks to cultivate a state of creativity and understanding that arises from a free mind.
• Living in the Present: It emphasizes living fully in the present moment, free from the burdens of the past and future.