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Different ways Quote by Jiddu Krishnamurti

“Because, after all, what we deeply want is pleasure and all our values are based on it. Pleasure is the constant factor for which we are willing to sacrifice, which we defend, for which we are willing to be violent and so on. But, if we watch pleasure, we will soon see that it, too, becomes a…” quote by Jiddu Krishnamurti
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““Because, after all, what we deeply want is pleasure and all our values are based on it. Pleasure is the constant factor for which we are willing to sacrifice, which we defend, for which we are willing to be violent and so on. But, if we watch pleasure, we will soon see that it, too, becomes a habit, and when that habit of pleasure is denied there is discomfort, pain and sorrow. And to avoid this we fall into another trap of pleasure. So this is the way of life we have accepted. It is what is happening to us from morning to night, and throughout the night. So the whole of consciousness is mechanical in the sense that it is a constant movement, activity, within the borders of pleasure and pain. To go beyond these borders man has tried many different ways. But everything is soon reduced to the monotony of habit and pleasure; and if you have the energy you become very active, outwardly. Now the whole point of this is to see—actually, non-verbally—what is really taking place. To see non-verbally means to see without the observer, for the observer is the essence of habit and contradiction, which is memory. So seeing is never habitual because the seeing is non-accumulative. When you see from the accumulation you see through habits. So, seeing is action without habit.””

Jiddu Krishnamurti

About This Quote

Source Lecture: Talks on the Nature of Mind, 1960s

Human experience is driven by the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain, turning both into habitual patterns that trap consciousness in a mechanical cycle. Observing without the observer—seeing beyond habit—breaks this cycle.

In simple terms: We chase pleasure, avoid pain, and become stuck in habits; true seeing transcends them.

Key Takeaway

Observe without judgment to escape habitual cycles.

Themes

psychology consciousness habit pleasure pain

Mood

reflective calm inquisitive

Type

philosophical spiritual insightful

When to use this quote

  • daily stress
  • addiction recovery
  • meditation practice
  • relationship conflicts

Key Concepts

mindfulness non‑dual awareness observer effect

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you notice the observer within yourself?
  • What practices help you see without habit?
A Different Perspective

Habitual observation can still be influenced by subconscious bias.

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