Ep. 15 – The Gods We Have Invented

Outlining the absurdity of religion, J. Krishnamurti and Dr. Allan W. Anderson explore the man-made quality of God across all cultures. 

Just joining the podcast? Be sure to start with Ep. 1: Knowledge & Transformation to get the most out of this 18-part dialogue on consciousness, spirituality, and navigating life with J. Krishnamurti and Dr. Allan W. Anderson.

In this episode, J. Krishnamurti and Dr. Allan W. Anderson explore:

• How religion has lost its substance and become ‘utterly meaningless’ 
• The problem with worshipping man-made concepts of God
• The sense of security that people seek through religion
• Our attachment to religion and the panic experienced when we question it
• Why the mind demands more experiences
• Despair and loneliness: the reasons we accept religion’s authority over our lives
• Freedom, intelligence, and reasoning as central to real spirituality 
• The absurdity of ‘gurus’ and being influenced entirely by another human being 

This talk was originally recorded in 1974 at San Diego State University and curated by the Krishnamurti Foundation of America

About J. Krishnamurti:

For nearly six decades until his passing in 1986 at the age of ninety, Jiddu Krishnamurti traversed the globe, delivering spontaneous and captivating discourses to large audiences. Krishnamurti assumed the role of an investigator rather than an authority figure, encouraging individuals to question assumptions and explore the depths of their consciousness. His extensive body of work, estimated at over 100 million words, spans more than six decades of relentless inquiry and dialogue. His teachings, compiled in numerous books and translated into multiple languages, continue to inspire seekers worldwide, inviting them to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and understanding. J. Krishnamurti’s legacy endures as a guiding light, offering timeless wisdom for those who dare to challenge conventional thinking and explore the complexities of existence.

About Dr. Allan W. Anderson:

Dr. Allan Anderson was a poet, author, Professor Emeritus, beloved teacher, scholar of the Oracular Tradition, and a gifted religious linguist. He helped to form the Department of Religious Studies at San Diego State College in 1969. Dr. Anderson later became chair of that department, specializing in Eastern Religions, until his retirement in 1985.

Photo by Frances McCann Courtesy Krishnamurti Foundations 1977

“It begins there, the desire for human beings to find something more than what thought has put together. Not being able to find anything, they romanticize it, they create symbols, and that's called religion—which has absolutely nothing to do with behavior, with our daily life. So, seeing all of this, both in the West and the East, Islam, Buddhism, it is the same principle of worshipping an image in which they have created. It is the human mind which has created the image. They are worshipping themselves." –J. Krishnamurti

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