Crisis in Consciousness 

  This work follows logically upon Powell’s previous book Zen and Reality, in which he explained how Reality can only be discovered through self-knowledge, but how certain pointers to this Truth are to be found in the essence of Zen Buddhism, and in the Talks of J. Krishnamurti.  The author particularly favors the latter’s approach because it is clear, simple and unambiguous, and admirably suited to the needs of modern man.  In the present work he explores certain aspects of the spiritual life more fully and, leaving all teachings and external signposts behind, takes readers on a journey of meditation—probing ever deeper into the Unknown.   In the course of this inquiry, he makes some significant and far reaching discoveries about the nature of Thought, Love, Life and Death.

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“Why do we attach such enormous importance to ideas, to beliefs, to conclusions? . . . We see that ideas, beliefs, divide people . . . bring about catastrophes, miseries and confusion . . . There can be collective action only when there is freedom from all desire to take refuge in any ideology, in any belief, in any system, in any group, in any person, in any particular teaching or teacher . . . As long as we repeat, read books, quote authorities, pursue ideals, conform to formulae, follow religions, practice cults, seek out masters, hoping to make ourselves happy, there can obviously be no freedom.”

-- J. KRISHNAMURTI

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