The Mystique of Enlightenment: The
Radical Ideas of U.G. Krishnamurti by
U. G. Krishnamurti
Good
A scathing critique of contemporary spirituality by one of its most unusual
figures. In the well-known history of J. Krishnamurti (no relation), few
names have been so strongly associated as U. G., with whom he shared a
close but contentious relationship over many years. In a world in which
spiritual techniques, teachers, concepts, and organizations are legion, U.
G. Krishnamurti stands nearly alone in his rejection of it all: I am only
interested in describing this state, in clearing away the occultation and
mystification in which those people in the holy business have shrouded the
whole thing. Maybe I can convince you not to waste a lot of time and
energy looking for a state that does not exist except in your
imaginztion...The natural state is acausal; it just happens. Krishnamurti
does not equate the natural state with enlightenement, which he describes
as an illusion created by our culture. He says emphatically that one can do

nothing to attain the natural state. In fact, any movement towards it
separates one from it. Since his own experience of coming into the
natural state at age 49, he has spent his time traveling thoughout the
world, staying with friends or in rented apartments for a few months at a
time. He gives no public talks, but meets with people who come to see
him. References to U. G. Krishnamurti are often found in other spiritual
books, but until now there has been no N. American edition of his work.
The Mystique of Enlightenment is considered by his closest associates to
be the best summary of his ideas. This edition has further edited the
informal talks (in one of which he relates his life story) and has a new two-
page foreword by the publisher.
Personal Review: The Mystique of Enlightenment: The Radical
Ideas of U.G. Krishnamurti by U. G. Krishnamurti
Although I rate this book with five stars, I should add the rider that this
book and other similar books by UG lack universal appeal and are not for
everyone.
UG is not an author as he does not write books. He does talk a lot
however, and some of his close associates have recorded his talks and
these recordings are edited into several books. UG was associated with
the Theosophical society during the days of J Krishnamurti, whom he knew
personally. Over time, UG disagreed with J Krishnamurti's ideas and
eventually broke away from the society which forms the basis for most of
UG's philosophy.
UG takes the extreme path of denying spirituality and everything
associated with spirituality such as God, spirit, soul, Gurus, Enlightenment/
Liberation, reincarnation and anything else one might think of, on the
grounds of credibility. UG is not the first person to take this position nor will
he be the last. Non-conformists have been around in this world since time
immemorial. UG's logic is, there is no way one can understand what the
other person is saying as these concepts are beyond the realms of thought
and experience. The Gurus (sometimes referred to as jokers) are either
bogus, unscrupulous cheats who are accomplished actors, expert in
fooling the general public or else they are deluded themselves, simply
repeating what they heard from somewhere else.
UG says this situation is inevitable as this is what people want. People
want to believe in something fantastic, which promises permanence
beyond death, something that takes them away from the boring tedium of
daily life. People want to believe; people need Gurus/religion to offer
promises of a better and permanent world. Since UG does not offer such
promises and denies permanent existence, he is not an appealing product
to the masses. UG is mostly liked by people who have invested
considerable time and effort into spiritual activities and have reached a cul-
de-sac where they realize things are not what they seem and something is
wrong with what they are looking for. Such people - who are willing to face
reality, however it may turn out to be - have a good chance of benefiting by

reading UG. For the rest, who have belief in souls, heaven/ reincarnation
and permanent existence, it is best they avoid UG.
As a final note, as UG himself says, it is important that the reader does not
believe in what UG says. Once belief comes in, then UG is being seen as
a Guru which takes away the whole point. The idea is to ask basic
questions, not to be satisfied with empty promises, refuse to accept
dubious answers and to objectively see things as they are, without bringing
in sentiments.
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