J. (Jiddu) Krishnamurti

Born in Madanapalle, India, in 1895, Jiddu Krishnamurti became widely known after leaders in the Theosophical Society identified him in childhood as a future spiritual teacher. That early role brought him international attention, but it did not define the rest of his life.

In 1929, he broke decisively with that movement and rejected the idea that truth could be reached through any organization, guru, or belief system. He went on to spend the following decades speaking and writing around the world about self-knowledge, conditioning, fear, meditation, education, and the possibility of deep inner change.

Krishnamurti died in Ojai, California, in 1986. His work continues through published talks, dialogues, journals, and schools founded to support serious inquiry rather than doctrine.