Choiceless awareness

Choiceless awareness is posited in philosophy, psychology, and spirituality to be the state of unpremeditated, complete awareness of the present without preference, effort, or compulsion. The term was popularized in mid-20th-century by Jiddu Krishnamurti, in whose philosophy it signifies a main theme. Similar or related concepts had been previously developed in several religious or spiritual traditions; the term or others like it has also been used to describe traditional and contemporary secular and religious meditation practices. However, Krishnamurti's approach to choiceless awareness was unique and differs from both prior and later notions.

Jiddu Krishnamurti

Choiceless awareness is a major concept in the exposition of Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986). Beginning in the 1930s, he often commented on the subject, which became a recurring theme in his work. He is considered to have been mainly responsible for the subsequent interest in both the term and the concept.

Krishnamurti held that outside of strictly practical, technical matters, the presence and action of choice indicates confusion and subtle bias: an individual who perceives a given situation in an unbiased manner, without distortion, and therefore with complete awareness, will immediately, naturally, act according to this awareness – the action will be the manifestation and result of this awareness, rather than the result of choice. Such action (and quality of mind) is inherently without conflict.

He did not offer any method, gradual or sudden, to achieve such awareness; acceptance of any method is considered a choice, and its practice a series of further choices; such constant application of choice cannot possibly evolve into, or result in, true choicelessness – just as unceasing application of effort leads to illusory effortlessness, in reality the action of habit; additionally, in his opinion all methods introduce potential or actual conflict, generated by the practitioner's efforts to comply. According to this analysis, all practices towards achieving choiceless awareness have the opposite effect: they inhibit its action in the present by treating it as a future, premeditated result, and moreover one that is conditioned by the practitioner's implied or expressed expectations. For true choicelessness to be realized, choice – implicit or explicit – has to simply, irrevocably, stop; however, the ceasing of choice is not the result of decision (another choice), but implies the ceasing of the functioning of the chooser or self as a psychological entity; therefore Krishnamurti asserted that choiceless awareness is a natural attribute of non-self-centered perception, which he called "observation without the observer".

Accordingly, Krishnamurti advised against following any doctrine, discipline, teacher, guru, or authority, including himself. He also advised against following one's own psychological knowledge and experience, which he considered integral parts of the observer. He denied the usefulness of all meditation techniques or methods, but not of meditation itself, which he called "perhaps the greatest" art in life.

Krishnamurti's ideas on choiceless awareness were discussed by among others, influential Hindu spiritual teacher Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950) . Retrieved 2016-01-06 – via Google Books (limited preview) and they attracted the attention of psychologists and psychoanalysts in the 1950s;  in the following decades Krishnamurti held a number of discussions on this and related subjects with practicing psychotherapists and with researchers in the field.

In late 1980, almost half a century after he started discussing it, Krishnamurti included the concept in The Core of Krishnamurti's Teaching, a pivotal statement of his philosophy: "Freedom is found in the choiceless awareness of our daily existence and activity."

Other representations

In contrast with Krishnamurti's approach, other articulations commonly include choiceless awareness (or related ideas and terms) as part, or as the hoped-for result, of specific methodologies and meditation techniques. Similar concepts and terms appeared or developed in various traditional  and contemporary religious or spiritual doctrines and texts, and also within secular disciplines such as psychotherapy, rehabilitation medicine, and counseling.}}

One term that is often used as a near-synonym is "mindfulness", which as a concept has similarities to or may include choiceless awareness. Initially part of Buddhist meditation practice, it has been adapted and utilized for contemporary psychological treatment.

Kindred themes can be found in the doctrine and meditation practices (such as Vipassanā) associated with the Theravada school of Buddhism; and also in 20th-century offshoots such as the Thai Forest Tradition and the Vipassana movement. Within these and similar fields, for example the Shikantaza practice in Zen Buddhism, choiceless (or effortless) awareness is considered to frequently be the result of a mature progression of practice.

The concept was included in the discourse of independent Indian spiritual teacher Osho (Rajneesh) (1931–90)  while Tibetan Buddhism teacher Chögyam Trungpa (1939–87), who engaged in dialogue with Krishnamurti, used the term to describe the experience of shunyata (Śūnyatā) – in Sanskrit, "emptiness", or "ego-less perception".

Among other fields, the term has appeared in dispute resolution theory and practice, and has found application in artistic endeavors. In dramatic theory, theater criticism, and acting, it has been used to denote spontaneous creativity and related practices or attempts; it has additionally appeared in music works.

Contrary to press reports published in mid-20th-century, later interest in practices related to, or influenced by, choiceless awareness, has resulted in unambiguously favorable mentions by the popular press.

See also

• Anapanasati
• Mindfulness
• Nonviolent Communication

References

• Ashtavakra (1993) [original in Sanskrit, date unknown]. Ashtavakra gita. Charlton Classics. Vol. 2. Translated by Richards, John H. UK: Pembroke. p. Translator's Notes. OCLC 729544550 – via Wikisource. Nothing seems to be known about the author, though tradition ascribes it to the Sage Ashtavakra {{citation}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
• Carlson, Linda E.; Speca, Michael (2011). Mindfulness-based cancer recovery: a step-by-step MBSR approach to help you cope with treatment and reclaim your life. Oakland, California: New Harbinger Publications. ISBN 978-1-57224-887-8. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Trungpa, Chögyam (1994). Sherab Chödzin (ed.). Illusion's game: the life and teaching of Naropa. Boston: Shambhala Publications. ISBN 978-0-87773-857-2. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Cohen-Posey, Kate (2010). More brief therapy client handouts. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-470-49985-6. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Cortright, Brant (1997). Psychotherapy and spirit: theory and practice in transpersonal psychotherapy. SUNY Series in the philosophy of psychology. Albany, New York: SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-3466-6. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Eastin, Steve (10 February 2010). "Something To Not Think About". Backstage. (National ed.). Vol. 51, no. 7. New York: Prometheus Global Media. p. 11. ISSN 1946-5440. Retrieved 29 December 2015. {{cite magazine}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Germer, Christopher K.; Siegel, Ronald D.; Fulton, Paul R., eds. (2005). Mindfulness and psychotherapy. New York: Guilford Press. ISBN 978-1-59385-139-2. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |last-author-amp= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
• Jiddu, Krishnamurti (6 July 1933). Third Talk at Alpino ("Verbatim Report" transcript). Talks and Answers to Questions, Italy and Norway 1933. J. Krishnamurti Online. JKO document no. 330706. Retrieved 6 January 2016. {{cite speech}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• —— (1975) [originally published 1969]. Lutyens, Mary (ed.). Freedom from the known (1st US ed.). San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco. ISBN 978-0-06-064808-4 – via Krishnamurti Online. {{cite book}}: External link in |via= (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• —— (24 July 1977). Seventh public talk (transcript). Talks at Saanen 1977. J. Krishnamurti Online. Retrieved 27 December 2015 – via Krishnamurti Online document no. SA77T7. {{cite speech}}: External link in |via= (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• —— (3 September 1978). The art of meditation: fourth public talk (flv) (Webcast). Talks at Brockwood Park School 1978. J. Krishnamurti Online. JKO Various clips: The Art of Meditation. Retrieved 29 December 2015. {{cite speech}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• —— (1980). "The Core of the Teachings". J. Krishnamurti Online. Krishnamurti Foundations (published 2010). Archived from the original on 29 July 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015. {{cite web}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
• —— (1996). Questioning Krishnamurti: J. Krishnamurti in dialogue. London: Thorsons. ISBN 978-0-7225-3284-3. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• —— (2001) [originally published 1992]. Patterson, Albion W. (ed.). Choiceless awareness: a selection of passages for the study of the teachings of J. Krishnamurti. Foreword by the editor (revised ed.). Ojai, California: Krishnamurti Foundation of America. ISBN 978-1-888004-04-5. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Kelman, Harold (January 1956). "Life history as therapy: Part II; On being aware". The American Journal of Psychoanalysis. 16 (1). New York: Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis: 68–78. doi:10.1007/bf01873714. ISSN 0002-9548. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Lamont, Rosette C. (1970). "Beckett's Metaphysics of Choiceless Awareness". In Friedman, Melvin J (ed.). Samuel Beckett now: critical approaches to his novels, poetry and plays. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 199–218. ISBN 978-0-226-26346-5. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Lutyens, Mary (2003) [originally published 1983. London: John Murray]. Krishnamurti: the years of fulfilment. Bramdean: Krishnamurti Foundation Trust. ISBN 978-0-900506-20-8. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Magida, Arthur J. (19 August 1981). "Tuning the mind". The Boston Globe. Affiliated Publications. pp. C10–C11, C45, C48, C50, C54. ISSN 0743-1791 – via ProQuest Historical Newspapers. {{cite news}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
• Marshall, Steve (Producer, performer) (1978). Do what you will (LP record). San Francisco: Reynolds Records. PR-716. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
• Maslow, Abraham H. (January 1959). "Cognition of being in the peak experiences". The Journal of Genetic Psychology. 94 (1). Provincetown, Massachusetts: Heldref Publications: 43–66. ISSN 0022-1325 – via ProQuest Periodicals Archive Online. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
• Needham, Richard J. (30 July 1968). "A writer's notebook (XLVII)". The Globe and Mail. Toronto: FP Publications. p. 6. ISSN 0319-0714 – via ProQuest Historical Newspapers. {{cite news}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
• Osborne, Arthur, ed. (1996). "Preface". The teachings of Ramana Maharshi (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Weiser Books. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-87728-897-8. [Selections previously] published as The Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi. (limited preview).
• Osho (Rajneesh) (n.d.). Choiceless Awareness (flv) (online video). New Delhi: Osho World. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
• Riskin, Leonard L. (2006). "[Chapter] 27: Knowing Yourself: Mindfulness". In Kupfer Schneider, Andrea; Honeyman, Christopher (eds.). The negotiator's fieldbook. Washington D.C.: American Bar Association. pp. 239–250. ISBN 978-1-59031-545-3. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |last-author-amp= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
• Risom, Jens-Erik (2010) [originally self-published 2006 in Danish]. Presence meditation: the practice of life awareness. Translated by Bentze, Marianne. Foreword by Levine, Peter A. Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books. ISBN 978-1-55643-912-4. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Soeng, Mu (2004). Trust in mind: the rebellion of Chinese Zen. Foreword by Jan Chozen Bays. Somerville, Massachusetts: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 978-0-86171-391-2. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• "The First and Last Freedom by Krishnamurthi". Book Reviews. The Times of India. Mumbai: Bennett, Coleman & Co. 22 August 1954. p. 6. OCLC 23379369 – via ProQuest Historical Newspapers. [Variable spelling:] Krishnamurthi {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help).
• Wardy, Joseph (3 July 2005). "Key factor to success: The journey to consciousness". Daily Record. Morristown, New Jersey: Gannett Company. p. E3. OCLC 12777527 – via ProQuest NewsStand. {{cite news}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)

Further reading

• Jiddu, Krishnamurti (1991). Choiceless awareness. Collected Works. Vol. 5 (1948–1949). Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt. ISBN 978-0-8403-6238-4.
• Mathur, Dinesh Chandra (1 January 1984). "J. Krishnamurti on Choiceless Awareness, Creative Emptiness and Ultimate Freedom". Diogenes. 32 (126). Paris & New York: SAGE Publications; International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies: 91–103. doi:10.1177/039219218403212606. ISSN 0392-1921 – via SAGE Journals. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
• Sabzevary, Amir (2010). Choiceless awareness: psychological freedom in the philosophy of Krishnamurti. Saarbrücken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing. ISBN 978-3-8383-0385-7. This work provides readers an insightful and timely commentary on Krisnamurti's most fundamental ideas [publisher annotation ]

External links

• "J. Krishnamurti Online" (flash). Retrieved 27 December 2015. Official Jiddu Krishnamurti archival website. Contains large number of his works in text and other media. Includes search facility. Content provided in several languages.