Breaking Free of Habit: A Deconstruction of Conditioning
Krishnamurti’s discourse on habits we include here unveils the intricate mechanisms of the human mind and its propensity to create and sustain patterns. At its core, this talk is a profound exploration of how habits—both physical and psychological—arise and persist due to conditioning, and how awareness can liberate one from their grip. Some OSHO sannyasins where also attending the discourse….
This chapter examines Krishnamurti’s insights through the lens of Tibetan Mahamudra teachings, highlighting the shared emphasis on mindfulness, direct perception, and the dissolution of the ego’s habitual patterns.
Understanding Habit and Conditioning
Krishnamurti begins by asking, “What is habit?” He describes it as the repetition of actions or thoughts, solidified into patterns by the mind. Habits, such as chattering, smoking, or repetitive thinking, are not merely mechanical behaviors but are deeply tied to the brain’s conditioning over generations.
Conditioning, as Krishnamurti explains, arises from societal, cultural, and personal influences. It forms the foundation of our habitual actions, often making the brain less alive, alert, and free. For example, generations of human behavior have ingrained the belief that the self—the “me”—is of paramount importance. This conditioning drives division, conflict, and wasteful patterns, such as endlessly chasing pleasure or resisting change.
In Mahamudra, habits are seen as manifestations of ignorance—an inability to perceive the true nature of mind. Both Krishnamurti and Mahamudra teachings stress that breaking free from these patterns requires not willpower but awareness.
The Art of Awareness
Krishnamurti emphasizes that habits cannot be broken through effort or will, as these create conflict and perpetuate the same energy that sustains the habit. Instead, he advocates complete attention, which he describes as a state of observing without judgment, reaction, or the intrusion of past memories.
- Awareness Without Reaction
Krishnamurti explains that to become free of habits, one must observe them with clarity and without interference from the conditioned mind. This process involves:- Watching the habit arise without condemnation or justification.
- Avoiding the use of will, reward, or punishment to suppress the habit.
- Simply being present with the habit as it unfolds.
- Attention as a Flame
When one gives full attention to a habit, it dissolves, if only temporarily. Krishnamurti notes that repeated attempts to “pay attention” can themselves become mechanical. True attention, however, is timeless and free from the constraints of thought or effort. This echoes Mahamudra’s teaching that the mind’s true nature—Rigpa or pure awareness—spontaneously arises when one ceases to grasp or reject.
The Role of Energy
Krishnamurti’s discussion transitions to the idea of energy and its relationship to habits. He argues that habits represent a misuse or wastage of energy. By examining how energy is dissipated—through conflict, distraction, or mechanical repetition—one can redirect it toward awareness.
Mahamudra teachings similarly emphasize the conservation of energy by recognizing and dissolving habitual clinging and aversion. When the mind is free of habitual turbulence, it becomes clear, spacious, and luminous, like a still lake reflecting its surroundings.
The Watcher and the Watched
One of Krishnamurti’s key points is the realization that the observer and the observed are not separate. When one watches a habit, the act of watching is often influenced by the conditioned “me,” perpetuating division and conflict. However, when the watcher realizes that it is not separate from the habit itself, a fundamental shift occurs. This non-dual perspective aligns with Mahamudra’s teaching that the mind’s essence is indivisible from its manifestations.
Moving Beyond Mechanism
Krishnamurti warns against turning the process of attention into a mechanical practice. If one repeatedly reminds themselves to “be attentive,” it becomes another habit. Instead, he advocates for an alert, dynamic state of mind that is constantly learning and discovering.
This resonates with Mahamudra’s emphasis on spontaneity and naturalness. Rather than imposing structured practices, Mahamudra guides practitioners to rest in the ever-present awareness, allowing insight and transformation to arise organically.
Breaking Free Without Conflict
Krishnamurti concludes with the possibility of breaking habits instantly, not through gradual effort but through profound awareness. This requires seeing the habit as a tremendous danger—not intellectually but with the immediacy and clarity one would feel when encountering a snake. In Mahamudra, this is likened to the sudden recognition of Rigpa, the mind’s natural state, which cuts through delusion and habitual patterns in an instant.
Integration and Application
Krishnamurti’s teaching offers a practical pathway to liberation from habits:
- Self-Awareness: Begin by observing habits without judgment or interference.
- Complete Attention: Cultivate a state of full presence, free from the influence of past conditioning.
- Energy Conservation: Recognize and eliminate patterns that waste energy.
- Non-Dual Realization: Understand that the watcher and the watched are one, dissolving the illusion of separation.
- Spontaneity: Avoid turning awareness into a rigid practice; allow insights to arise naturally.
Just Watch and melt into watching!
Krishnamurti’s profound exploration of habits and conditioning aligns seamlessly with Mahamudra teachings, both pointing to the transformative power of awareness. By breaking free of habits, one does not merely gain freedom from repetition but steps into a life of clarity, presence, and creativity. The journey is not one of effort but of effortless being—the eternal message of all masters and the masters before….. Shunyam Adhibhu
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