Words, Words, Words

Having visited the Theosophical Society's grounds  in Adyar, Chennai this weekend, I was moved to reflect upon  Krishnamurti's reluctancy with regards to “established religion.” What I believe that is often most misunderstood about his decision to leave any organization behind is that he was not saying that they were wrong in the message, but wrong in saying that Truth can be communicated by scripture alone. I am curious how many in the quest for spiritual fulfillment have indeed been fulfilled by words alone.

Can mere words bring us to a state of spiritual liberation, or is there rather a divine spark, much like Plato said is the only true transference of knowledge from a master to a student?

The paradox, of course, is that such ideas are inevitably written down, and some become the so-called “gospel truth.” Cecil, whom I met this past week, and who is a believing Christian, said that he “hated all religions” but is a follower of Christ. Paraphrasing St. Francis, he said he believes in “preaching the Gospels, but also using words every now and then” to communicate his belief. I found this to be an intriguing take on Christianity as Cecil is very well versed in many religions as was apparent in our two and a half hour conversation coming back to Madurai from Tirunelveli last week.

Krishnamurti, like others before him, was against the idea of “followers” for his words, but rather exhorted one to search for him or herself if something was Truth and not to take it for granted upon the pronouncement of an expert. And, like many such requests, there have been Krishnamurti Institutions set up to do just the opposite of what he asked.

In a similar vein, Shankara’s treatise on Advaita Vedanta, the Vivekashudamani ultimately declares that the path to liberation is not via the Vedas, but through the individual’s personal reconciliation and recognition of his or her communion with the Universal Soul, or Atman.

Reminiscent of the “Nameless Name” of Taoist thought, Shankara dismisses the Vedas and other scriptures as the path to enlightenment, though, yet again, he does so in words, words that have themselves become the scriptures for Advaita Vedanta. And, the vicious paradox continues...

Like a shower of mere sound, vulgar words, adeptness in reciting the scriptures and such knowledge is good merely for the enjoyment of scholars, but is not for liberation.

The study of the scriptures is useless so long as the ultimate Truth is unknown, and likewise as useless when the ultimate Truth is known.