Krishnamurti is one of the greatest philosophers of the age. —Dalai Lama

We are accustomed to Krishnamurti giving guidance on meditation, on inner states and qualities of the mind, but not so much on the world, on how we might live and on how to act in a world torn by conflict and by perceived decline and degradation. What can we do? How should we act? These extracts from talks, speeches and other books can help when we feel overwhelmed and encourage us to do what is within our power as individuals. Audiences are desperate for some constructive good news in these confusing and troubling times; there are no simple answers and Krishnamurti would never offer these anyway.  As always he points us to look at and investigate who we are, and our responsibility and contribution to the state of the world.

As long as we use technological knowledge for the advancement and glorification of the individual or of the group, the needs of humanity can never be sanely and effectively organized. It is this desire for psychological security through technological advancement that is destroying the physical security of humanity. There is sufficient scientific knowledge to feed, clothe and shelter us all, but the proper use of this knowledge is denied as long as there are separative nationalities with their sovereign governments and frontiers—which in turn give rise to class and racial strife. So, you are responsible for the continuance of this conflict. As long as you, the individual, are nationalistic and patriotic, as long as you hold to political and social ideologies, you are responsible for war because your relationship with another can only breed confusion and antagonism. Seeing the false as the false is the beginning of wisdom, and it is this truth alone that can bring happiness to you and so to the world. As you are responsible for war, you must be responsible for peace. Those who creatively feel this responsibility must first free themselves psychologically from the causes of war and not merely plunge into organizing political peace groups—which will only breed further division and opposition.