---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is only the dull, sleepy mind that…"
description: "\"It is only the dull, sleepy mind that creates and clings to habit. A mind that is attentive from moment to moment - attentive to what it is saying, att..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_dull_it-is-only-the-dull-sleepy-mind-that-cre_1516266.jpg"
---

#  It is only the dull, sleepy mind that creates and clings…

![“It is only the dull, sleepy mind that creates and clings to habit. A mind that is attentive from moment to moment - attentive to what it is saying, attentive to the movement of its hands, of its thoughts, of its feelings - will discover that the formation of further habits has come to an end.” quote by Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_dull_it-is-only-the-dull-sleepy-mind-that-cre_1516266.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_dull_it-is-only-the-dull-sleepy-mind-that-cre_1516266.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_dull_it-is-only-the-dull-sleepy-mind-that-cre_1516266.jpg)

> “It is only the dull, sleepy mind that creates and clings to habit. A mind that is attentive from moment to moment - attentive to what it is saying, attentive to the movement of its hands, of its thoughts, of its feelings - will discover that the formation of further habits has come to an end.”

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A constantly aware mind breaks old habits, while a sleepy mind clings to them.

**In simple terms:** Awareness dissolves habitual patterns.

Key Takeaway

Practice present‑moment attention.

Themes

mindfulness habit change consciousness

Mood

contemplative calm

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- meditation
- daily reflection
- creative work

Key Concepts

psychology spiritual practice

Questions to Reflect On

- How does sustained attention affect habit formation?
- What practices deepen moment‑to‑moment awareness?

A Different Perspective

Awareness alone may not guarantee lasting change.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movement/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [If you're an athlete and you completely focus on the body, you're missing other components. Similarly, if you're trying to broaden your mind but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-mullins/if-you-re-an-athlete-and-you-completely-focus-on-the-body-you-re/)

[Aimee Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-mullins/)

> [When an oath is taken ... the mind is more attentive; for it guards against two things, the reproach of friends and offence against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/when-an-oath-is-taken-the-mind-is-more-attentive-for-it-guards/)

[Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/)

> [“And it is this very disruption, the breakdown of old habits and the rebuilding of new ones, that constitutes our feeling of being alive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eduardo-kohn/and-it-is-this-very-disruption-the-breakdown-of-old-habits-and-the/)

Eduardo Kohn

> [“We have negative mental habits that come up over and over again. One of the most significant negative habits we should be aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/we-have-negative-mental-habits-that-come-up-over-and-over-again-one/)

[Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/)

> [Inherited aptitudes and traits of temperament count for quite as much as length of habituation in deciding what range of habits will come to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorstein-veblen/inherited-aptitudes-and-traits-of-temperament-count-for-quite-as-much/)

[Thorstein Veblen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorstein-veblen/)

> [Our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/our-happiness-depends-on-the-habit-of-mind-we-cultivate/)

[Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/)

> [“With the same habit of mind, even if you live thousands of lives, all will be the same! Get a different habit of mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/with-the-same-habit-of-mind-even-if-you-live-thousands-of-lives-all/)

[Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

> [“Americans need to develop a “habit of mind” that includes reading books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-souter/americans-need-to-develop-a-habit-of-mind-that-includes-reading-books/)

[David Souter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-souter/)

> [Get the habit of analysis - analysis will in time enable synthesis to become your habit of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/get-the-habit-of-analysis-analysis-will-in-time-enable-synthesis-to/)

[Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/)

> [Our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate. So practice happy thinking every day. Cultivate the merry heart, develop the happiness habit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/our-happiness-depends-on-the-habit-of-mind-we-cultivate-so-practice/)

[Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/)

> [“Through practice we can strengthen our capacity to incorporate mindfulness into our daily lives until it becomes a habit of mind (Roeser &amp; Zelazo, 2012). Mindful”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-a-jennings/through-practice-we-can-strengthen-our-capacity-to-incorporate/)

[Patricia A. Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-a-jennings/)

> [People complain that the religious ground is unsure who have never compelled themselves to examine it with a tithe of the care spent on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-forsyth/people-complain-that-the-religious-ground-is-unsure-who-have-never/)

[Peter Forsyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-forsyth/)

> [Mathematics may, like poetry or music, "promote and sustain a lofty habit of mind."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-h-hardy/mathematics-may-like-poetry-or-music-promote-and-sustain-a-lofty/)

[G. H. Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-h-hardy/)

> [Persistence is the direct result of habit. The mind absorbs and becomes a part of the daily experiences upon which it feeds. Fear, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/persistence-is-the-direct-result-of-habit-the-mind-absorbs-and/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [I think that at the end of the day correcting misinformation and questioning what we think we know as a habit of mind is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-conover/i-think-that-at-the-end-of-the-day-correcting-misinformation-and/)

[Adam Conover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-conover/)

## More by Jiddu Krishnamurti

> [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [I have only one purpose: to make people free, to urge them towards freedom, to help them to break away from all limitations, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/i-have-only-one-purpose-to-make-people-free-to-urge-them-towards/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [Its beautiful to be alone. To be alone does not mean to be lonely. it means the mind is not influenced and contaminated by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/its-beautiful-to-be-alone-to-be-alone-does-not-mean-to-be-lonely-it/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [Knowing the cause of something is not going to help you to be free of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/knowing-the-cause-of-something-is-not-going-to-help-you-to-be-free-of/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [Whatever discipline you exercise should be based on the goal your child is eventually to reach, namely, freedom and happiness. I would show him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/whatever-discipline-you-exercise-should-be-based-on-the-goal-your/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [Begin where you are. Read every word, every phrase, every paragraph of the mind, as it operates through thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/begin-where-you-are-read-every-word-every-phrase-every-paragraph-of/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [Without discontentment, without revolt, you can never attain harmony. It is a necessary stage, which must be gone through by everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/without-discontentment-without-revolt-you-can-never-attain-harmony-it/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [Meditation is a state of mind which looks at everything with complete attention, totally, not just parts of it. And no one can teach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/meditation-is-a-state-of-mind-which-looks-at-everything-with-complete/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [Learning is the very essence of humility . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/learning-is-the-very-essence-of-humility/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [We need tremendous energy to bring about a psychological change in ourselves as human beings, because we have lived far too long in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/we-need-tremendous-energy-to-bring-about-a-psychological-change-in/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [“Life is a movement, a constant movement in relationship; and thought, trying to capture that movement in terms of the past, as memory, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/life-is-a-movement-a-constant-movement-in-relationship-and-thought/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [“Meditation is like going to a well, the waters of which are inexhaustible, with a pitcher that is always empty. The pitcher can never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/meditation-is-like-going-to-a-well-the-waters-of-which-are/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [The observer is the observed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/the-observer-is-the-observed/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [When we stop fighting with ourselves, we aren't creating anymore conflict in our mind. Then our mind can for the first time relax and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/when-we-stop-fighting-with-ourselves-we-aren-t-creating-anymore/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [A lily or a rose never pretends, and its beauty is that it is what it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-lily-or-a-rose-never-pretends-and-its-beauty-is-that-it-is-what-it/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

[Explore all 807 Jiddu Krishnamurti quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

## More Dull quotes

> [The word 'mundane' has come to mean 'boring' and 'dull', and it really shouldn't - it should mean the opposite. Because it comes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-word-mundane-has-come-to-mean-boring-and-dull-and-it-really/)

[Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/)

> [My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram, or the most intricate analysis, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/my-mind-rebels-at-stagnation-give-me-problems-give-me-work-give-me/)

[Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/)

> [To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/to-divide-one-s-life-by-years-is-of-course-to-tumble-into-a-trap-set/)

[Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/)

> [ Music \[is\] the third rail of life. You grabbed it to shock yourself out of the dull drag of hours. To feel something. To… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-hill/music-is-the-third-rail-of-life-you-grabbed-it-to-shock-yourself-out/)

[Joe Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-hill/)

> [Whether one is twenty, forty, or sixty; whether one has succeeded, failed or just muddled along; whether yesterday was full of sun or storm,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-mitchell-hodges/whether-one-is-twenty-forty-or-sixty-whether-one-has-succeeded-failed/)

Leigh Mitchell Hodges

> [I am simply looking for a companion with whom to spend my days, a companion who will cherish as much as I the stupidity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-julavits/i-am-simply-looking-for-a-companion-with-whom-to-spend-my-days-a/)

[Heidi Julavits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-julavits/)

> [The world is a wonderfully weird place, consensual reality is significantly flawed, no institution can be trusted, certainty is a mirage, security a delusion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-world-is-a-wonderfully-weird-place-consensual-reality-is/)

[Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/)

> [Soothing words can become just another drug we swallow to dull our pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/soothing-words-can-become-just-another-drug-we-swallow-to-dull-our/)

[Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/)

> [Perhaps it is this theory of all work and no play that has made the Marxist such a very dull boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-read/perhaps-it-is-this-theory-of-all-work-and-no-play-that-has-made-the/)

[Herbert Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-read/)

> ['You spin in the sky, the world spins under you, and you step from land to land, while we . . .' She turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/you-spin-in-the-sky-the-world-spins-under-you-and-you-step-from-land/)

[Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/)

> [Suppose that we are wise enough to learn and know-and yet not wise enough to control our learning and knowledge, so that we use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/suppose-that-we-are-wise-enough-to-learn-and-know-and-yet-not-wise/)

[Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/)

> [The most fascinating powers don't mean a thing if the guy's poorly motivated or dull, and the most generic powers won't hurt a well-motivated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-busiek/the-most-fascinating-powers-don-t-mean-a-thing-if-the-guy-s-poorly/)

[Kurt Busiek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-busiek/)

> [Silence is the universal refuge, the sequel to all dull discourses and all foolish acts, a balm to our every chagrin, as welcome after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/silence-is-the-universal-refuge-the-sequel-to-all-dull-discourses-and/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [A good movie can take you out of your dull funk and the hopelessness that so often goes with slipping into a theatre; a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauline-kael/a-good-movie-can-take-you-out-of-your-dull-funk-and-the-hopelessness/)

[Pauline Kael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauline-kael/)

> [A thrumming of piano-strings beyond the gardens and through the elms. At length the melody steals into my being. I know not when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/a-thrumming-of-piano-strings-beyond-the-gardens-and-through-the-elms/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

Browse all 1,407 Dull quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It is only the dull, sleepy mind that creates and clings to habit. A mind that is attentive from moment to moment - attentive to what it is saying, attentive to the movement of its hands, of its thoughts, of its feelings - will discover that the formation of further habits has come to an end.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jiddu Krishnamurti"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/it-is-only-the-dull-sleepy-mind-that-creates-and-clings-to-habit-a/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Dull"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/it-is-only-the-dull-sleepy-mind-that-creates-and-clings-to-habit-a/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_dull_it-is-only-the-dull-sleepy-mind-that-cre_1516266.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_dull_it-is-only-the-dull-sleepy-mind-that-cre_1516266.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_dull_it-is-only-the-dull-sleepy-mind-that-cre_1516266.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It is only the dull, sleepy mind that creates and clings to habit. A mind that is attentive from moment to…” — Jiddu Krishnamurti",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jiddu Krishnamurti",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It is only the dull, sleepy...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/it-is-only-the-dull-sleepy-mind-that-creates-and-clings-to-habit-a/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/it-is-only-the-dull-sleepy-mind-that-creates-and-clings-to-habit-a/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
