This is a story about J. Krishnamurti, the great Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher. For over 50 years he travelled all over the world, speaking, teaching trying to explain in words concepts and ideas that are beyond words. I read a story about him once surprising his audience by saying he was going to reveal his secret “Do you want to know my secret?”
So, as you can imagine, everyone was listening attentively. Everyone wanted to hear the secret of his wisdom. J. Krishnamurti would finally reveal the key to what he did to live mindfully and fully, and find constant calm and balance in his life.
So he said: “This is my secret. I don’t mind what happens.” He just said that, and did not elaborate. Eckhart Tolle reflects on Krishnamurti’s words saying that while what he said appears to be very simple, it is very profound.
When I don’t mind what happens, Tolle says, what does that imply? It implies that internally, I am in alignment with what happens.
It does not matter what this moment brings, however pleasant or unpleasant it is. To be in alignment with what is means to be in a relationship of inner nonresistance with what happens. It means not to label it mentally as good or bad, but to let it be.
Does this mean you can no longer take action to bring about change in your life? On the contrary. When the basis for your actions is inner alignment with the present moment, your actions become empowered by the intelligence of Life itself.
When we are in alignment with the present moment, whatever it might be, without any resistance or avoidance, fear and anxiety dissolve and we feel profound peace deep inside as we are playing the role of observer.
This is of course very challenging to implement, but it is like all the other pearls of wisdom we learn from contemplative traditions, like beginner’s mind, the isness of the moment, be here now……
What Krishnamurti is actually speaking about is acceptance 
of what is happening as if we have chosen it. It doesn’t mean we like it or approve of it. It means we know it is already here and it is futile to resist it.
Does it mean we are not going to try to resolve the problem? No, of course not. We will change whatever is within our power. But we can also see what is happening as a seed for our own growth. The important thing is that we are not adding to the conflict. Instead of adding self-created clouds that clog our brains, we are clearing up the sky in our minds, so we can see whatever is happening with more clarity.
And sometimes, it is difficult not to mind what is happening, right? So when we cannot do that, we can compassionately forgive ourselves and count our blessings without dwelling on our burdens. This is part of the art of living. It is just such an ongoing amazing journey.
Powerful…Thank you for sharing your thoughts, experiences, and faith of living on earth 🌎……I will also read 📚 and share your inspiration 😀
Thank you so much for your comment which inspires me to keep exploring, discovering and sharing wisdom with you all. Much love to you.
Actually, there is more to this Krishnamurti’s teaching than Eckhart reported. The full quote, which, for me, is even more powerful is:
“Do you want to know my secret?
I don’t mind what happens. This is the essence of inner freedom.
It is a timeless spiritual truth: release attachment to outcomes,
and deep inside yourself, you’ll feel good no matter what.”
Peace in the Tao
Right!! Thank you for sharing your clarification. I actually talked about exactly that in the video below. I invite you to check it out here https://www.instagram.com/p/Cki0jsDJpaa/
Or here https://youtu.be/PaeFpBCtzME?si=lnqiVgE2nd-I9LWm
This is so true and profound. Start with small challenges (lining up somewhere, traffic and so on), experience the comments of your mind (which you are not). Disentangle the situation and your talking mind about the situation. Then you will realize that concepts and labeling from your mind, fogs the world. You dont see the world as is, you see it as you are.
Therefore this profound advice: I dont mind what happens. Try it with small challenges..this is the way of spirituality. Observe your mind.
Lovely reflection, Franck. “You do not see the world as it is. You see it as you are.” It’s so important to remember that!!
Let’s be honest: we worry all the time about everything. I think he was born with little resistance and already had little worries. Most people just have to live their lives and gradually find their way. Therapy will help people in most cases. And if you’re up to it, adopting a spiritual attitude that suits you can be beneficial. Achieving the peace he describes might be the result of a lot of soul searching, and his words might contribute to this at a certain moment in your life.
Thank you for your comment, Frans. Yes, you are right, many of us worry all the time about everything. However, there are many of us who don’t. Perhaps it is the result of a temperament inclined to be more present in the now, or the fruit of a lot of spiritual work. We also need to remember that a suboptimal serotonin regulation leads to a tendency to worry too much. Self awareness can come to our rescue though, and eventually we can work on changing our habits of mind.
Very well put…Changing our habits of mind.
I think it’s not thinking that is our problem, it’s our habit of thinking that can be the problem.