Krishnamurti (1895-1986) whose life and teachings spanned the greater part of the 20th Century, is regarded by many as one who has had the most profound impact on human consciousness in modern times.
Sage, philosopher and thinker, he illumined the lives of millions the world over – intellectuals and laymen, young and old. Breaking away from all organized religions and denying his role as a Guru, he spelt out his mission: to set man absolutely and unconditionally free.
He travelled round the world till the age of 90 giving talks, writing, holding discussions.
He talked of the things that concern all of us in our everyday life; the problems of living in modern society, the individual’s search for security, and the need for human beings to free themselves from from their inner burdens of violence, fear and sorrow.
Born on 11th May 1895 as the eighth child of a pious couple in the small town of Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh, Krishnamurti was adopted at the age of 14 by Annie Besant, the President of the Theosophical Society, and was brought up and groomed to be the World Teacher.
In 1929, however, he renounced that role and dissolved The Order of the Star – a large world-wide organization that had been built up around him to fulfill that mission. This action was the culmination of the deep spiritual awakening undergone by him and his insight that religious organizations cannot lead human beings to truth.