Why is pleasure more dominant than love? | J. Krishnamurti

Summary

In this profound discourse, the speaker delves into the nature of love, questioning whether pleasure, desire, or possession equates to love. They challenge the audience to introspect and distinguish between the fleeting joys of pleasure and the depth of true love. The talk explores the role of thought in transforming experiences into pleasurable memories and the pursuit of these at the expense of genuine connection. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the true meaning of love to lead a meaningful life, devoid of the suffering that arises from confusion and superficial attachments. The discussion also touches on the concept of beauty and the absence of the self in the presence of it, suggesting that true beauty is perceived when the ego is not the center of attention.

Takeaways

• 💭 The speaker questions whether pleasure, desire, and possession are equivalent to love, urging individuals to introspect on the true nature of love.
• 🤔 The script challenges the common misuse of the word 'love' in various contexts, suggesting a deeper inquiry into its meaning.
• 🌅 The speaker differentiates between pleasure, enjoyment, and joy, explaining that joy is a spontaneous state that cannot be pursued.
• 🏔 The experience of beauty is described as a moment when the self is absent, highlighting the absence of the ego in the presence of true beauty.
• 🧘‍♂️ The importance of understanding the depth of pleasure, enjoyment, and joy is emphasized for living a meditative life.
• 🤝 The script explores the concept of relationships, questioning whether they are based on true connection or merely on memories and dependencies.
• ⏳ The speaker suggests that without understanding love, one's life may be filled with confusion, misery, and suffering.
• 🧠 The necessity of bringing order to one's consciousness through listening, seeing, and learning without direction or distortion is discussed.
• 🌱 The idea that love, life, and death are interconnected is introduced, hinting at future discussions on these profound topics.
• ⏰ The speaker acknowledges the limits of human attention, suggesting that deep inquiry requires focus and cannot be sustained indefinitely.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the discussion in the transcript?

The main theme of the discussion is the exploration of the nature of love, distinguishing it from pleasure, desire, possession, and other related concepts.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of understanding love?

The speaker emphasizes understanding love because it is crucial for living a meaningful life. Without understanding love, one may lead a confused, miserable, and suffering existence.

What is the relationship between pleasure and love according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that pleasure is not the same as love. Pleasure is a sensation that can be pursued and remembered, whereas love may be a deeper, more profound emotion that is not based on past experiences or the pursuit of personal gratification.

How does the speaker define 'enjoyment' and 'joy' in the context of the discussion?

Enjoyment, according to the speaker, is a direct response to a pleasurable experience, while joy is an uninvited, extraordinary state that arises spontaneously and is not based on the pursuit of pleasure.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'you are not there' when experiencing beauty?

When the speaker says 'you are not there' in the presence of beauty, they mean that the individual's personal problems, idiocies, and absurdities are overshadowed by the beauty, leading to a state where the self is not the center of attention.

Why does the speaker argue that our relationships are often not real relationships?

The speaker argues that our relationships are often based on memories and thoughts of the past, which prevents true connection and understanding. This reliance on past remembrances means that we are not truly present or connected with others.

What is the role of thought in the pursuit of pleasure as described in the transcript?

Thought plays a role in the pursuit of pleasure by remembering and desiring to repeat pleasurable experiences, which can lead to the confusion of the initial experience with the pursuit of pleasure itself.

How does the speaker suggest we can achieve a state of love without conflict?

The speaker suggests that by truly listening, being sensitive, and alert, we can understand the nature of our relationships and put thought in its right place, thus achieving a state of love without conflict.

What does the speaker imply about the relationship between love, life, and death?

The speaker implies that love, life, and death are deeply interconnected. Understanding love involves understanding the full spectrum of life, including the inevitable process of dying.

Why does the speaker encourage the audience to listen attentively?

The speaker encourages attentive listening to facilitate a deeper understanding of the concepts being discussed, which is essential for bringing order to one's consciousness and living a meditative life.

What is the significance of the speaker's mention of 'belief' in the context of love and consciousness?

The mention of 'belief' highlights the distinction between beliefs, which are often based on make-belief and not actuality, and the true nature of love, which is rooted in reality and understanding. Beliefs can cloud our understanding of love and our consciousness.