Purnima Guchhait
Ph.D Research Scholar, Dept. of Philosophy, Raiganj University
E-mail: purnima@raiganjuniversity.ac.in Orcid ID: 0009-0002-6080-0520
Issue: Volume 2 No. 1 (March 2026) Anubodhan
Received: 28 March 2026 / Accepted: 29 March 2026 / Published: 31 March 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n1.2026.046
Abstract
Jiddu Krishnamurti remains one of the most original and transformative thinkers of the twentieth century, whose philosophy centres on the nature of the self and the possibility of radical psychological transformation. Rejecting all forms of religious authority, doctrinal systems, and methodological approaches, Krishnamurti proposes a direct and experiential inquiry into human consciousness. This paper examines his conception of the self as a psychological construct shaped by memory, thought, conditioning, and social influences. It further explores his critique of the illusory nature of identity and the role of thought in sustaining division, conflict, and suffering. The study also analyses Krishnamurti’s unique vision of self-transformation, which he describes not as a gradual process of becoming but as an immediate and profound shift in awareness. Central to this transformation is the practice of choiceless awareness, an attentive, non-judgmental observation of the movement of thought and emotion. Through such awareness, the distinction between the observer and the observed dissolves, leading to the cessation of inner conflict and the emergence of psychological freedom. By situating Krishnamurti’s insights within both Eastern and Western philosophical contexts, this paper highlights the continuing relevance of his teachings in addressing contemporary issues related to identity, consciousness, and human transformation.
Key Words: Awareness, Self-Inquiry, Freedom, Consciousness, Transformation, Choiceless Awareness, Psychological Conditioning
How to cite: Guchhait, P. (2026). Notion of Self and Self-Transformation in J. Krishnamurti’s Philosophy. Anubodhan, 2(1), 489–497. https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n1.2026.046