I’ve been reading The Book of Life by J. Krishnamurti, and this is actually the fourth time I’ve picked it up. In the past, the words didn’t quite speak to me. But this time, something shifted. The reading began to flow.
The book touches on many topics, but two in particular struck me deeply so far: listening and love.
Krishnamurti writes that listening is powerful. He urges us to listen not to correct, defend, or advise—but to truly understand. He says when someone is speaking, we must listen not only the words, but try to understand without judging or reacting. Instead, looking into their eyes with gentleness, rest your hand over theirs—and whatever you do next will be right.
He also speaks about love in a way that feels strikingly clear and very hard to find: Where there is no dependency, no fear, and no control—that is where true love exists. Though these seem to be just spiritual ideals. They feel like living advice deep down — for parenting, for partnership, for simply being in the world.
In my opinion, If we could listen this way, and love this freely, I think we’d all live more fully
Reading Reference: The Book of Life by J. Krishnamurti. HarperOne, 2001.