What is beauty? | Krishnamurti

Summary

The speaker meditates on the nature of beauty, exploring its presence in art, nature, and human form. While most people appreciate beauty superficially, true perception arises only when the ego and self are absent. Moments of quiet observation—witnessing a mountain, the moon, or a masterpiece—allow one to experience beauty fully, free from thought or personal concerns. Beauty is not merely knowledge or cultural familiarity; it is an immediate, unselfconscious recognition of the extraordinary. The transcript encourages a deep, reflective awareness, revealing that the profound sense of beauty emerges when the mind is utterly still and the self steps aside.

Takeaways

• 😀 Beauty can be found in art, nature, and human form, from poems and paintings to mountains and seas.
• 😀 True beauty often leaves the observer breathless and deeply moved.
• 😀 Many people recognize beauty superficially, acknowledging it briefly before moving on.
• 😀 The experience of beauty is not dependent solely on knowledge or cultural familiarity.
• 😀 Observing beauty can make one temporarily forget personal problems, sorrows, and confusion.
• 😀 Profound perception of beauty requires the quieting of the mind and the absence of ego.
• 😀 Beauty is not fully appreciated when filtered through constant thought, words, or self-centered awareness.
• 😀 Experiencing beauty involves a moment of complete presence and attentiveness.
• 😀 Nature's grandeur, such as mountains and seas, can evoke a sense of immensity and dignity.
• 😀 True beauty transcends intellectual analysis and is realized through direct, selfless observation.
• 😀 The ego or 'self' must disappear to fully perceive and be affected by beauty.
• 😀 The quiet, still moments—like a sliver of the moon or a peaceful evening—can reveal subtle beauty.

Q & A

What examples of beauty does the speaker provide at the beginning of the transcript?

The speaker mentions a beautiful poem, a beautiful picture, a beautiful tree in a solitary field, the beauty of a wave, the quiet beauty of a blue sea, and the beauty of great mountains.

How does the speaker describe the experience of seeing the Parthenon in Greece for the first time?

The speaker explains that seeing the Parthenon can be so overwhelming that one almost goes down on their knees in awe of the structure's beauty.

Does the speaker suggest that knowledge of art alone is enough to perceive beauty?

No, the speaker questions whether being well-informed about paintings, artists, and art history is sufficient, implying that true perception of beauty goes beyond intellectual understanding.

According to the transcript, when do we truly perceive beauty?

True perception of beauty occurs when the mind is quiet and the self, ego, or 'me' is absent, allowing one to fully experience the world without distraction.

What role does the ego or self play in perceiving beauty, according to the speaker?

The ego or self can prevent us from experiencing true beauty. When the self is not present, one can fully appreciate the immensity, dignity, and majesty of the world.

How does the speaker describe the effect of witnessing a great mountain?

The speaker describes that seeing a great mountain with deep valleys and snow against the blue sky can temporarily make a person forget their problems, misery, and confusion, evoking a sense of immensity and majesty.

What distinction does the speaker make between ordinary admiration and true perception of beauty?

Ordinary admiration often involves quickly appreciating something and moving on, such as saying 'How beautiful it is' and then returning to daily activities. True perception requires complete attention and absence of self.

What does the speaker suggest about the relationship between quietness and beauty?

The speaker emphasizes that quietness of mind and the absence of mental chatter are essential for experiencing beauty in its fullest sense.

Does the speaker think beauty is subjective, objective, or both?

The speaker suggests that beauty is not merely subjective or based on instruction; it is experienced when one transcends the self, implying that it exists as an objective quality that can be perceived directly in moments of complete awareness.

Why does the speaker repeatedly reference nature, art, and human faces in the transcript?

These references serve as tangible examples of beauty that people commonly recognize, which then lead into the deeper philosophical exploration of how beauty is truly perceived beyond superficial or learned appreciation.

What is the key philosophical insight the speaker conveys about beauty?

The key insight is that 'Beauty can only exist when the self is not.' True beauty transcends personal ego, intellectual knowledge, and ordinary perception, requiring complete presence and inner stillness.