When Things Fall Apart: 5 Key Takeaways from Jiddu Krishnamurti’s Philosophy
Jiddu Krishnamurti was a spiritual teacher and philosopher who founded the international community of members known as the Auroasana Vedanta Order. He was born in 1895 in London, England, and passed away in 1986. His teachings focused on the integration of the inner and outer selves, and the concept of "When Things Fall Apart" is one of his most famous phrases.
What is "When Things Fall Apart"?
When Things Fall Apart is a concept that Krishnamurti introduced in his book of the same name. He believed that in the modern world, people have become so caught up in their individual egos and thoughts that they have lost sight of the true nature of reality. He suggested that people are stuck in their own minds and are unable to access their true selves. This concept is often translated to "When Things Fall Apart, People Fall Apart."
The Inner World
Krishnamurti believed that the most critical stage of human development is the transition from the external world to the internal world. This involves the integration of the "I" and the "not I" – the self and the observer. When we are aware of our individual ego, we are able to transcend our thoughts and emotions, and experience a sense of unity with the universe.
The External World
In contrast, the external world is a realm of conflict, competition, and separateness. It is a world of beings, and individuals are mere parts of it. "When Things Fall Apart, We Fall Apart" suggests that if we are not aware of our own separateness, we will experience separation from others, from ourselves, and from the world.
Key Takeaways
• "When Things Fall Apart, We Fall Apart" – a phrase that conveys the idea that our external world is a reflection of our internal world.
• "The Self is a River" – suggests that the self is a dynamic and ever-changing entity that is reflected in our thoughts and emotions.
• "Thoughts are the Trigger" – implies that our thoughts and emotions are the source of conflict and separation.
• "When Things Fall Apart, We Begin to Fall Apart" – suggests that if we are not aware of our own separateness, we will experience separation from others, from ourselves, and from the world.
• "We Are a Bundle of Interconnected Beings" – suggests that we are not separate individuals, but are part of a larger whole.
Subheadings
Understanding the External World
- Conflict and Separation: Our external world is a realm of conflict and separation. We are constantly interacting with others, and our thoughts and emotions are the source of conflict.
- Separateness and Identity: We are not separate individuals, but are part of a larger whole. We have a sense of self, but it is not separate from others and from the world.
Understanding the Inner World
- The I and the Not I: The most critical stage of human development is the transition from the external world to the internal world. We must become aware of our individual ego and the "not I" – the self and the observer.
- Transcending Thoughts and Emotions: When we are aware of our individual ego, we are able to transcend our thoughts and emotions, and experience a sense of unity with the universe.
Key Concepts
- The "I" is not the Self: The "I" is not the same as the "Self". The "I" is a projection of our thoughts and emotions, while the "Self" is a dynamic and ever-changing entity.
- The Not I is not the Observer: The "Not I" is not the observer, but the self that is aware of its own thoughts and emotions.
Practicing Self-Awareness
- Meditation: Regular meditation practice can help us become more aware of our thoughts and emotions, and experience a sense of unity with the universe.
- Self-Reflection: Regular self-reflection can help us become more aware of our own thoughts and emotions, and experience a sense of self-awareness.
- Embracing the Impermanence of All Things: Recognizing that everything is impermanent, including ourselves, can help us become more aware of our own separateness and the importance of relationships.
Conclusion
"When Things Fall Apart" is a concept that suggests that our external world is a reflection of our internal world. By becoming more aware of our individual ego and the "not I", we can transcend our thoughts and emotions, and experience a sense of unity with the universe. "When Things Fall Apart, We Fall Apart" is a reminder that our external world is a reflection of our internal world, and that our separateness is a fundamental aspect of the human condition.