What is the ego? | Krishnamurti

Summary

The speaker, J. Krishnamurti, argues that ego (“me”) is not a separate spiritual entity, but a creation of thought. He suggests that society and education have strongly emphasized the ideas of “me” and “you,” thereby producing an ego-centered self and reinforcing division between people.

He claims that the ego is essentially the product of thought, and that thought is limited because it is rooted in past knowledge and memory. Since thought continually modifies itself but remains based on the past, it can never be whole. As a result, thought inevitably generates conflict and separation, such as:

• “me vs. not me”
• “I vs. you”
• “we vs. they”
• broader divisions shaped by ideology and technology

Krishnamurti challenges the assumption that understanding can only happen through thought. When someone claims that thought is the only available instrument, he replies that this is a misunderstanding. The key point is that the instrument (thought) is limited, and therefore cannot fully investigate the roots of conflict.

To illustrate this, he uses an analogy: if a drill cannot dig a hole, insisting “I only have this instrument” blocks progress. The solution is to understand the instrument’s limitations rather than cling to it.

Finally, he suggests that the observer should look at the “me” created by thought—without letting the movement of thought enter into the observation. In his view, clear perception requires stepping beyond thought’s automatic involvement.

Presenters / Contributors

• J. Krishnamurti (K)