Page 50 - EducationWorld June 2022_Neat

Cover Story

J. Krishnamurti’s global impact

of 11 (six survived childhood)
children of Narayanaiah, a clerk
One employed by the Theosophical
Society founded by British occultist and theosophist Wil-
liam Webster Leadbeater and Dr. Annie Besant (a founder
of the Congress party) in Madras (latter day Chennai)
in 1875, Jiddu Krishnamurti (JK) was discovered on the
banks of River Adyar when he was an adolescent by
Leadbeater who discerned in him the persona of a World
Teacher who would lead the evolution of humankind. As
such, he was educated and nurtured under the tutelage of
Dr. Besant and members of the society. Brockwood Park, UK. Inset: Antonio Autor
Although he never attended formal school or college,
JK was undoubtedly extraordinarily gifted and reportedly ture of the self in relationships, invites the idea of freedom
learned to read and write fluent English in six months. from conditioning and therefore ultimate liberation, some-
Subsequently, privately tutored in England and widely thing fundamental in understanding the universe. There is
acknowledged as a philosopher-seer, during his lifetime no difference between educators and learners, both are
Krishnamurti delivered lectures on education, philosophy, learning the art of living together as friends” says Antonio
introspection and meditation in Latin America, the US, Autor, a graduate of the Bilbao School of Business (Spain),
UK and Europe detailing his world view and prescription and currently managing-trustee of the Krishnamurti
for developing a peaceful, harmonious global society in a Foundation Trust, UK (estb.1968), which supports the
world recovering from two disastrous World Wars. Brockwood Park and Inwoods Small School (aggregate
During his lecture tours, Krishnamurti’s message of in- enrolment: 70 students mentored by 11 teachers) and
ner self-development and co-existence with nature as the Krishnamurti Study Centre, set on a three-acre campus in
precondition of world peace and harmony between peo- scenic Hampshire in southern England.
ple and nations, attracted great attention, and schools, Krishnamurti’s education philosophy and teachings
study centres and foundations propagating his philosophy are also being kept alive in the US by the Krishnamurti
and teachings were established worldwide. Foundation of America (KFA, estb.1968) in Ojai, California,
“The essence of JK’s message to educators and learn- where this extraordinary philosopher-seer and teacher
ers is that to know oneself in relationships should be a pri- passed away in 1986. The foundation’s Ojai Education
ority of education systems. Relationship with each other, Centre and Oak Grove School sited on a 150-acre oak
with nature, with our bodies, the world, ideas and objects. woodland campus was established in 1975 with the mis-
In other words, with everything that touches our lives. In sion to “honour every student’s innate intelligence with
education, sustained and conscious enquiry into the na- the goal of realising human potential for the individual’s
sake and the sake of humanity”.
Oak Grove School, California's Jodi Grass
“JK’s message which addresses the basic human
experience is as alive and relevant today as it has ever
been. His teachings suggest there is no way or blueprint
to achieve our mission of honouring each student’s innate
intelligence. We approach his intent, therefore, with open-
ness and inquiry, opportunities for self-reflection, silence,
pure observation, physical and psychological space,
exploring our relationship with nature, ourselves, others
and the world. All this could be seen as within the realm of
understanding, as a way to awaken the individual child’s
perfect intelligence,” says Jodi Grass, who brought 33
years’ experience with non-profits and schools when she
came aboard KFA in 2005. Currently, she is the principal
of the Oak Grove School, Ojai, California, which has 240
students and 71 teachers and staff on its muster rolls.

50 EDUCATIONWORLD JUNE 2022