As I delved through an article by J. Krishnamurti entitled, “Can I Live A Life That’s Not Broken Up,” published in the Times of India a few days ago, I got caught in the challenges of adapting to such a simplistic way of living. Let’s try discussing this issue with the main takeaways from Krishnamurti’s article:
- Questioning Fragmentation: Krishnamurti challenges the conventional separation of life’s facets—political, religious, economic, and personal. He questions why political actions are viewed as distinct from daily living and interpersonal relationships.
- Dependence on External Authorities: He probes the reliance on politicians, gurus, and specialists, suggesting that this dependence stems from a lack of self-confidence and an internal sense of insufficiency.
- Advocacy for Wholeness: Krishnamurti emphasizes treating life as an indivisible whole. He warns that fragmenting life into separate categories leads to contradictions and conflicts, whereas viewing life as a unified movement fosters harmony.
- Self-Reflection as a Starting Point: He asserts that meaningful change begins within oneself. By addressing personal fragmentation and embracing a holistic perspective, individuals can contribute to a more integrated and coherent existence.
Krishnamurti’s insights encourage readers to reflect on their own lives, recognize inherent fragmentations, and strive towards a more unified and harmonious way of living.
The Compulsion of Fragmenting Life
In today’s fast-paced and compartmentalized world, the idea of living an unfragmented life seems almost unattainable. Modern society has conditioned us to divide our existence into neatly defined categories—work, relationships, personal growth, spirituality, and social obligations. There is an internal compulsion to behave differently in the office and at home. In the office, our relationships with colleagues can be cordial, but we are bound by office ethics and rules. Some authors have even advocated that office colleagues should be treated differently from personal friendships and that friendships in the workplace should be avoided to maintain ethical boundaries. However, I differ from this compartmentalized view. One can be friends with a colleague without compromising office ethics or mixing personal favors.
I recall an instance when a former senior colleague left for a job with my company’s competitor. My Managing Director asked me, “Are you still in touch with him?” Without hesitation, I replied, “Yes, I am, and we don’t discuss shop outside office hours!” I don’t know whether he believed me, yet in my heart, I meant it. Why can’t a personal relationship be nurtured while fully realizing our responsibilities? After all, we are human.
Dependence on External Authorities
J. Krishnamurti argues that relying on gurus or spiritual masters for guidance often stems from a lack of self-confidence. In many cases, I see this dependence fueled by people’s worldly desires—seeking a better lifestyle, stronger relationships, business success, or even recovery from illness. Ironically, these are not even spiritual concerns, yet many turn to gurus as if they were ‘remedy shops’ for personal problems rather than guides to true spirituality.
This is why I firmly believe that our real Guru—including that of any spiritual master—is the Bhagavad Gita, which teaches us to accept the consequences of our Karma without being disturbed by them. True wisdom lies in self-awareness and inner strength, not in outsourcing one’s decisions to external figures.
If spiritual leaders can sometimes mislead, politicians are even worse. They are, perhaps, the least dependable in shaping our lives, often driven by self-interest rather than genuine concern for society. To entrust them with personal guidance is a mistake. The key to an unfragmented life is learning to rely on our own judgment, principles, and inner growth rather than external influences.
The notion that this division is essential often leads to internal conflict, stress, and a loss of holistic well-being. The teachings of J. Krishnamurti challenge this fragmented approach and encourage us to embrace life as an inseparable whole.
Advocacy of Wholeness
Krishnamurti highlights the dangers of fragmenting life into compartments and advocates for wholeness in thought and action. It is possible to be wholesome at a macro level—where one’s thoughts and actions are guided by righteousness and justice. Yet, there might be compulsions that require actions that don’t fully align with one’s ethical ideals.
I am reminded of an episode when we were unwillingly called for negotiations by a client who had purportedly committed an assignment to another team. However, their technical evaluation team adjudged our proposal as the best. Just to irritate us, they started discussing the award of another project that wasn’t on the agenda. A purist approach would have demanded an immediate reaction, pointing out that a completely different assignment was on the agenda. However, my wise Managing Director stopped me and passed me a note that read, “We’ll get there. Let’s first bag what they are ready to give!” This moment taught me that strategy is not always straightforward or purely righteous. Yet, from his perspective as the MD, he had to consider the company as a whole, whereas my role was confined to project management. Thus, even wholeness may have shades of grey.
Self-Reflection as the Starting Point
Krishnamurti’s emphasis on self-reflection has guided me both personally and professionally. At home, my wife and I consciously refrained from actions we wouldn’t want our growing children to adopt. This alignment between values and behavior created an environment of trust and integrity.
Similarly, in my professional life, I have always strived to set an example for my juniors through my conduct rather than mere instructions. Leading by example fosters credibility and earns genuine respect. This approach has undoubtedly contributed to a peaceful and contented life, where personal and professional spheres are not in conflict but in harmony.
Challenges of Modern Societal Behavior
- Work-Life Imbalance: The demand for productivity often forces individuals to prioritize career aspirations over personal relationships and mental well-being. This creates a sense of disconnection, as people struggle to be present in either sphere.
- Reliance on External Authorities: In an era dominated by experts, politicians, and social influencers, many have outsourced their decision-making, leading to a fragmented sense of self. People look for guidance in religion, politics, and media without deeply introspecting on their own values and beliefs.
- Compartmentalized Identities: Society encourages different personas for different settings—one at work, another in family life, and yet another on social media. This artificial division breeds inauthenticity and emotional exhaustion.
- Technology and Distraction: With constant connectivity comes fragmented attention. The barrage of notifications, emails, and social media updates pulls individuals in multiple directions, making it harder to engage deeply with any one experience.
Path Towards Wholeness
- Seeing Life as a Unified Movement: Instead of treating work, relationships, and personal growth as separate entities, one must recognize them as interconnected. An ethical approach at work should not be distinct from one’s personal morals.
- Inner Awareness and Reflection: Rather than depending solely on external authorities, developing an intrinsic understanding of oneself allows for genuine decisions, reducing internal contradictions.
- Authenticity in All Spaces: Living with consistency in thoughts, words, and actions fosters a more harmonious existence, removing the stress of managing different identities.
- Intentional Living: Limiting distractions and consciously engaging with people and activities helps cultivate depth and presence in everyday life.
Conclusion
Living an unfragmented life requires a shift in perception—a willingness to dissolve artificial divisions and approach life with an integrated mindset. By fostering awareness, authenticity, and holistic living, individuals can move beyond societal conditioning and experience life in its truest, undivided form.
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