Thought is your Enemy – Mind-shattering Conversations with a Man called U.G. by U.G. Krishnamurti. This quote caught my interest:

“Is there any such thing as happiness? I would say, no. So, the quest for happiness is a cultural input, and that is the common desire that we know exists everywhere, in every part of the world. That is what we all want, and that want is the most important want in human beings everywhere. Happiness, if you want to use that word, is like any other sensation. The moment thought separates itself from what is called the sensation of happiness, the demand to keep that sensation going longer than its natural duration also occurs with it. So, any sensation, however extraordinary, however pleasant it may be, is rejected by the body. Keeping that sensation going longer than its duration of life is destroying the sensitivity of the sensory perceptions and sensitivity of this living organism. That is the battle that is going on.”

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U.G. Krishnamurti – Thought is Your Enemy

The main ideas of U.G. Krishnamurti

U.G. Krishnamurti was a philosopher and speaker known for his unorthodox views on spirituality and the nature of human consciousness. He rejected traditional spiritual teachings and emphasized the futility of seeking enlightenment or transformation. Here are some of his key teachings:

Rejection of Spiritual Authority: U.G. Krishnamurti dismissed the value of gurus, religious texts, and spiritual practices. He believed that these were distractions and that true understanding could not be taught or transmitted by others.

• No Path to Enlightenment: He asserted that there is no path to enlightenment or self-realization. According to him, the very pursuit of these states is misguided because they are not attainable goals.
• The Illusion of the Self: U.G. challenged the notion of a permanent, separate self. He claimed that what we consider the self is a construct of thought and that our true nature is beyond conceptual understanding.
• Natural State: He spoke of a “natural state,” a condition in which the body and mind function without the interference of thought and ego. This state is not something to be achieved but is the default state when psychological conditioning falls away.
• Critique of Thought and Language: U.G. believed that thought and language create a false sense of reality. He argued that our reliance on these cognitive tools distances us from experiencing life directly.
• Emphasis on Physical Transformation: Unlike many spiritual teachers who focus on psychological or spiritual transformation, U.G. emphasized a radical physical transformation. He described a profound change in his body that resulted in his natural state, often referring to this as a “calamity.”
• Skepticism of Experiences: He was skeptical of mystical and transcendental experiences, suggesting that they were simply products of the mind and had no ultimate significance.
• Living in the Moment: U.G. encouraged living fully in the present moment without seeking meaning or purpose. He suggested that life should be experienced as it is, free from the pursuit of goals or ideals.
• Critique of Organized Religion and Spiritual Movements: He was highly critical of organized religion and spiritual movements, viewing them as exploitative and perpetuating human suffering by creating false hopes and dependencies.
• Pragmatism: U.G. had a pragmatic approach to life, advocating for a direct engagement with the world without the interference of ideologies or belief systems.

Overall, U.G. Krishnamurti’s teachings focus on the idea that seeking spiritual goals or enlightenment is a misguided endeavor. Instead, he encouraged a direct, unmediated experience of life, free from the constructs of thought and the illusion of a separate self.