---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Learning in the true sense of the word is…"
description: "\"Learning in the true sense of the word is possible only in that state of attention, in which there is no outer or inner compulsion. Right thinking can ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/201/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_attention_learning-in-the-true-sense-of-the-word-i_1878487.jpg"
---

#  Learning in the true sense of the word is possible only in…

![“Learning in the true sense of the word is possible only in that state of attention, in which there is no outer or inner compulsion. Right thinking can come about only when the mind is not enslaved by tradition and memory.” quote by Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/201/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_attention_learning-in-the-true-sense-of-the-word-i_1878487.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/201/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_attention_learning-in-the-true-sense-of-the-word-i_1878487.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/201/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_attention_learning-in-the-true-sense-of-the-word-i_1878487.jpg)

> “Learning in the true sense of the word is possible only in that state of attention, in which there is no outer or inner compulsion. Right thinking can come about only when the mind is not enslaved by tradition and memory.”

[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.

True learning arises when attention is free from external pressures and internal conditioning, allowing authentic thought to emerge.

**In simple terms:** Learning requires unforced, clear attention.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate mindful, non‑judgmental focus.

Themes

learning attention freedom mindfulness

Mood

calm inquisitive

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- education
- creative work
- meditation
- problem solving

Key Concepts

consciousness tradition memory

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you notice hidden conditioning?
- What practices free the mind from compulsion?

A Different Perspective

Rigid traditions can still subtly influence perception.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Compulsion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compulsion/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/)

## Related quotes

> [There are three things we have to let go of. The first is the compulsion to be successful. Second, is the compulsion to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/there-are-three-things-we-have-to-let-go-of-the-first-is-the/)

[Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/)

> [After all, without understanding yourself, what basis have you for right thinking?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/after-all-without-understanding-yourself-what-basis-have-you-for/)

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

> [“The most important thing in your life is learning how to be your true self.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shiva-negi/the-most-important-thing-in-your-life-is-learning-how-to-be-your-true/)

[Shiva Negi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shiva-negi/)

> [The Rosary is a school for learning true Christian perfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxiii/the-rosary-is-a-school-for-learning-true-christian-perfection/)

[Pope John XXIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxiii/)

> [I've had some struggles, some times with difficulty and people saying this, people saying that. I've done some things I shouldn't have, but it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryson-dechambeau/i-ve-had-some-struggles-some-times-with-difficulty-and-people-saying/)

[Bryson DeChambeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryson-dechambeau/)

> [I have made my limitations tools of learning and true joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/i-have-made-my-limitations-tools-of-learning-and-true-joy/)

[Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/)

> [As is true for most people I know, I've always loved learning. As is also true for most people I know, I always hated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/as-is-true-for-most-people-i-know-i-ve-always-loved-learning-as-is/)

[Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/)

> [You can be creative only when there is abandonment-which means, really, there is no sense of compulsion, no fear of not being, of not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/you-can-be-creative-only-when-there-is-abandonment-which-means-really/)

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

> [Freethinkers are those who are willing to use their minds without prejudice and without fearing to understand things that clash with their own customs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/freethinkers-are-those-who-are-willing-to-use-their-minds-without-2/)

[Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/)

> [“What do you need in the New Year? You need a dream; your dream needs an action; and your action needs right thinking! Without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/what-do-you-need-in-the-new-year-you-need-a-dream-your-dream-needs-an/)

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

> [Not out of right practice comes right thinking, but out of right thinking comes right practice. It matters enormously what you think. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/not-out-of-right-practice-comes-right-thinking-but-out-of-right/)

[Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/)

> [May God prevent us from becoming "right-thinking men"-that is to say men who agree perfectly with their own police.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/may-god-prevent-us-from-becoming-right-thinking-men-that-is-to-say/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [“Right thinking is necessarily an open process, and the only science and history of full value to men consist of what is generally and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells-2/right-thinking-is-necessarily-an-open-process-and-the-only-science/)

[H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/)

> [“You can’t think your way into right action, but you can act your way into right thinking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-wilson/you-can-t-think-your-way-into-right-action-but-you-can-act-your-way/)

[Bill Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-wilson/)

> [You will listen now. my Master Yoshi's first rule was "Possess the right thinking." Only then can one recieve the gifts of strength, knowledge,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/master-splinter/you-will-listen-now-my-master-yoshi-s-first-rule-was-possess-the/)

[Master Splinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/master-splinter/)

## 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 Attention quotes

> [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/)

[David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/)

> [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/)

[Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/)

> [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/)

[Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/)

> [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/)

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

> [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/)

[Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/)

> [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/)

[Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/)

> [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/)

[Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/)

> [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/)

[Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/)

> [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/)

[Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/)

> [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/)

[Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/)

> [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/)

[Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/)

> [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/)

[Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/)

[Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Learning in the true sense of the word is possible only in that state of attention, in which there is no outer or inner compulsion. Right thinking can come about only when the mind is not enslaved by tradition and memory.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jiddu Krishnamurti"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/learning-in-the-true-sense-of-the-word-is-possible-only-in-that-state/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Attention"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/learning-in-the-true-sense-of-the-word-is-possible-only-in-that-state/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/201/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_attention_learning-in-the-true-sense-of-the-word-i_1878487.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/201/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_attention_learning-in-the-true-sense-of-the-word-i_1878487.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/201/jiddu-krishnamurti-249_attention_learning-in-the-true-sense-of-the-word-i_1878487.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Learning in the true sense of the word is possible only in that state of attention, in which there is no…” — 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": "Learning in the true sense of...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/learning-in-the-true-sense-of-the-word-is-possible-only-in-that-state/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/learning-in-the-true-sense-of-the-word-is-possible-only-in-that-state/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
