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At the FeetAt the Feet
of the Masterof the Master
A sharing of thoughtsA sharing of thoughts
TSP HeadquartersTSP Headquarters
Quezon CityQuezon City

J. KrishnamurtiJ. Krishnamurti
““These are not myThese are not my
words; they are thewords; they are the
words of the Masterwords of the Master
who taught me.who taught me.
Without Him I couldWithout Him I could
have done nothing,have done nothing,
but through His help Ibut through His help I
have set my feet uponhave set my feet upon
the Path.” - Alcyonethe Path.” - Alcyone

““When the student is ready, the Master appears.”When the student is ready, the Master appears.”
Not by goodness alone.Not by goodness alone.
Not by knowledge alone.Not by knowledge alone.
Not even a combination of these two.Not even a combination of these two.
But a “spiritual tone,But a “spiritual tone,
an element of wisdom oran element of wisdom or
a true understanding of the purpose of lifea true understanding of the purpose of life
and an acceptance of Elder Brethrenand an acceptance of Elder Brethren
as Guides and Teachers” (Arundale 18-19).as Guides and Teachers” (Arundale 18-19).

At the Feet of the MasterAt the Feet of the Master
serves as a guide to thoseserves as a guide to those
who are willing to take the Path.who are willing to take the Path.
As students, we stand at the feet of the MasterAs students, we stand at the feet of the Master
to gain wisdom, will and cultivate loveto gain wisdom, will and cultivate love
not for ourselves but to be usednot for ourselves but to be used
as “channels” of service (Arundale 205).as “channels” of service (Arundale 205).

At the Feet of the MasterAt the Feet of the Master, which is just a Portal to the, which is just a Portal to the
Temple of Divine Wisdom, outlines four traitsTemple of Divine Wisdom, outlines four traits
or qualifications:or qualifications:
11 DiscriminationDiscrimination
22 DesirelessnessDesirelessness
33 Good conductGood conduct
44 LoveLove

DiscriminationDiscrimination
We must be able to sift theWe must be able to sift the
fine from the gross.fine from the gross.
Let us not be lazy to useLet us not be lazy to use
our faculties andour faculties and
conveniently designateconveniently designate
the act of discerning tothe act of discerning to
any body, and beany body, and be
impatient to the answersimpatient to the answers
to our questioning.to our questioning.
Recognize the real fromRecognize the real from
the unreal, essential fromthe unreal, essential from
the nonessential.the nonessential.

““Ignorance is not a crimeIgnorance is not a crime
but a stage of growth”but a stage of growth”
(Arundale 30).(Arundale 30).
Ignorance is a state of beingIgnorance is a state of being
asleep or blind.asleep or blind.
““All knowledge is relative,All knowledge is relative,
and you must bear inand you must bear in
mind the Master’s words:mind the Master’s words:
‘However wise you may‘However wise you may
be already, on this Pathbe already, on this Path
you have much to learn’”you have much to learn’”
(Arundale 30).(Arundale 30).

““Do not mistake your bodies for yourself—neitherDo not mistake your bodies for yourself—neither
the physical body, nor the astral, nor the mental.the physical body, nor the astral, nor the mental.
Each one of them will pretend to be the Self, inEach one of them will pretend to be the Self, in
order to gain what it wants. But you must knoworder to gain what it wants. But you must know
them all, and know yourself as their master” (them all, and know yourself as their master” (AtAt
the Feet of the Masterthe Feet of the Master).).
Be aware of the trappings, illusions and pretensesBe aware of the trappings, illusions and pretenses
of the personality.of the personality.

Example:Example:
The actor (higher self) in the movies puts on the persona (lowerThe actor (higher self) in the movies puts on the persona (lower
self) of the character he plays, but he knows that he is just aself) of the character he plays, but he knows that he is just a
character. But because the actor is good, he is able to use hischaracter. But because the actor is good, he is able to use his
skills to make the character come alive (self-mastery). The actorskills to make the character come alive (self-mastery). The actor
remains separate from the character.remains separate from the character.

For the Occultist, there is only choiceless choice. BetweenFor the Occultist, there is only choiceless choice. Between
right and wrong, good and evil, there is no choosing.right and wrong, good and evil, there is no choosing.
He simply does the right and the good.He simply does the right and the good.
““At whatever apparent cost, that which is right you mustAt whatever apparent cost, that which is right you must
do, that which is wrong you must not do, no matterdo, that which is wrong you must not do, no matter
what the ignorant may think or say. You must studywhat the ignorant may think or say. You must study
deeply the hidden laws of Nature, and when you knowdeeply the hidden laws of Nature, and when you know
them arrange your life according to them, using alwaysthem arrange your life according to them, using always
reason and common-sense.”reason and common-sense.”

Discrimination: Practical ApplicationDiscrimination: Practical Application
PhysicalPhysical: stewardship of the body so it will always be: stewardship of the body so it will always be
healthy and ready to carry out duties (e.g., Am I hungryhealthy and ready to carry out duties (e.g., Am I hungry
or just thirsty?)or just thirsty?)
AstralAstral: distinguish want from need, be aware of feelings: distinguish want from need, be aware of feelings
that arise in you and how they can take control of youthat arise in you and how they can take control of you
(e.g., I feel insulted. Why?)(e.g., I feel insulted. Why?)
MentalMental: discern things with the Master and his work in: discern things with the Master and his work in
mind (e.g., What will I tell them? Is this according tomind (e.g., What will I tell them? Is this according to
the Master’s plan? OR, Is this a right choice?)the Master’s plan? OR, Is this a right choice?)

On a spiritual levelOn a spiritual level::
Recognize the God in every one and every thing,Recognize the God in every one and every thing,
regardless of appearances.regardless of appearances.
Appeal and arouse the Divine LifeAppeal and arouse the Divine Life
in every one so you can help your brotherin every one so you can help your brother
and save him from wrong (and save him from wrong (At the Feet of the MasterAt the Feet of the Master).).

DesirelessnessDesirelessness
““[Krishnamurti says] those who think there will be[Krishnamurti says] those who think there will be
no self left if their desires are taken away ‘areno self left if their desires are taken away ‘are
only they who have not seen the Master; in theonly they who have not seen the Master; in the
light of His holy Presence all desire dies, but thelight of His holy Presence all desire dies, but the
desire to be like Him’” (Arundale 114).desire to be like Him’” (Arundale 114).

““Master points out that ‘discrimination has alreadyMaster points out that ‘discrimination has already
shown you that the things which most menshown you that the things which most men
desire, such as wealth and power, are not worthdesire, such as wealth and power, are not worth
having; when this is really felt, not merely said,having; when this is really felt, not merely said,
all desire for them ceases’” (Arundale 115).all desire for them ceases’” (Arundale 115).
In order to come to right desires, strengthen theIn order to come to right desires, strengthen the
power of discrimination (Arundale 117).power of discrimination (Arundale 117).

Be on guard against the following desires:Be on guard against the following desires:
 To see resultsTo see results
 To expect rewardsTo expect rewards
 To have psychic powers (“Better for you to beTo have psychic powers (“Better for you to be
without them.” It is for the Master to decide.)without them.” It is for the Master to decide.)
 To appear clever and wiseTo appear clever and wise
 To meddle in other people’s businessTo meddle in other people’s business

““Do not fall into the error of desiring heaven, orDo not fall into the error of desiring heaven, or
personal liberation from rebirth. ‘If you havepersonal liberation from rebirth. ‘If you have
forgotten self altogether, you cannot be thinkingforgotten self altogether, you cannot be thinking
when that self shall be set free, or what kind ofwhen that self shall be set free, or what kind of
heaven it shall have’” (Arundale 118).heaven it shall have’” (Arundale 118).
““All selfish desire binds, however high may be itsAll selfish desire binds, however high may be its
object, and until you have got rid of it you areobject, and until you have got rid of it you are
not wholly free to devote yourself to the work ofnot wholly free to devote yourself to the work of
the Master” (Arundale 118).the Master” (Arundale 118).

Good ConductGood Conduct
1.1. Self-control as to the MindSelf-control as to the Mind
2.2. Self-control in ActionSelf-control in Action
3.3. ToleranceTolerance
4.4. CheerfulnessCheerfulness
5.5. One-pointednessOne-pointedness
6.6. ConfidenceConfidence

Self-control as to the MindSelf-control as to the Mind
Control of temper and of nerves,Control of temper and of nerves,
and calmness of mindand calmness of mind
““An agitated thought inevitably reacts on the astralAn agitated thought inevitably reacts on the astral
body, and, since the mental body is morebody, and, since the mental body is more
powerful than the astral, the effect of a disturbedpowerful than the astral, the effect of a disturbed
mental body is largely to increase themental body is largely to increase the
disturbance of the astral” (Arundale 135).disturbance of the astral” (Arundale 135).

““The world is in a whirl of excitement, [despair,The world is in a whirl of excitement, [despair,
anxiety] and unless one has sufficient power toanxiety] and unless one has sufficient power to
steady oneself against the whirling forces, onesteady oneself against the whirling forces, one
hardly knows whether [these are] from within orhardly knows whether [these are] from within or
from without” (Arundale 136).from without” (Arundale 136).
That is why we are advised to meditate: to quietThat is why we are advised to meditate: to quiet
and calm the mental and the astral bodies.and calm the mental and the astral bodies.

Calmness also means courage and steadiness.Calmness also means courage and steadiness.
Pay little attention to worries and troubles for theyPay little attention to worries and troubles for they
are the result of our past and we cannot doare the result of our past and we cannot do
anything about them, but bear them withanything about them, but bear them with
cheerfulness.cheerfulness.
Do not let your mind be idle and to wander. KeepDo not let your mind be idle and to wander. Keep
to good thoughts.to good thoughts.

Practical ApplicationPractical Application
 Think of someone in trouble and send lovingThink of someone in trouble and send loving
thoughts to that person.thoughts to that person.
 Plan your day and follow your schedule.Plan your day and follow your schedule.
 Engage yourself fully to a task at hand.Engage yourself fully to a task at hand.
 Raise your thoughts to the highest you can thinkRaise your thoughts to the highest you can think
of, you may think about a saint or a Master or aof, you may think about a saint or a Master or a
virtue. And make this thought a habit.virtue. And make this thought a habit.

Self-control in ActionSelf-control in Action
““To be useful to mankind, thought must result inTo be useful to mankind, thought must result in
action. There must be no laziness, but constantaction. There must be no laziness, but constant
activity in good work.”activity in good work.”
Let us take up our own work with much eagernessLet us take up our own work with much eagerness
and cheerfulness because we are at the service ofand cheerfulness because we are at the service of
the Master.the Master.

Even if we are engaged in ‘higher work’, we mustEven if we are engaged in ‘higher work’, we must
not neglect our ordinary duties every daynot neglect our ordinary duties every day
through which we will progress in the Path.through which we will progress in the Path.
““Until the ordinary duties of life are done, we areUntil the ordinary duties of life are done, we are
not free for other service. Notice that He usesnot free for other service. Notice that He uses
the word ‘other’ and not ‘higher’” (Arundalethe word ‘other’ and not ‘higher’” (Arundale
148)148)

Do little things extraordinarily well.Do little things extraordinarily well.
Give your best effort even in little things.Give your best effort even in little things.
It is not so much what is being done,It is not so much what is being done,
but more of how and the spiritbut more of how and the spirit
with which it is being done.with which it is being done.

““The man who manages the affairs of State lazilyThe man who manages the affairs of State lazily
and carelessly has much to learn from theand carelessly has much to learn from the
crossing-sweeper who is careful to keep in thecrossing-sweeper who is careful to keep in the
utmost cleanliness the crossing upon whoseutmost cleanliness the crossing upon whose
cleanliness his attention is concentrated”cleanliness his attention is concentrated”
(Arundale 151)(Arundale 151)

ToleranceTolerance
“’“’When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as aWhen I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a
child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man Ichild, I thought as a child; but when I became a man I
put away childish things.’put away childish things.’
Yet he who has forgotten his childhood andYet he who has forgotten his childhood and
lost sympathy with the children is not the man who canlost sympathy with the children is not the man who can
teach them or help them.teach them or help them.
So look kindly, gently, tolerantly upon all; but upon allSo look kindly, gently, tolerantly upon all; but upon all
alike, Buddhist or Hindu, Jain or Jew, Christian oralike, Buddhist or Hindu, Jain or Jew, Christian or
Muhammadan.”Muhammadan.”

Be adaptable to the changing of times.Be adaptable to the changing of times.
This means that we should be well-informed aboutThis means that we should be well-informed about
things happening around us and be able to adaptthings happening around us and be able to adapt
to the situation, and that we can recognize theto the situation, and that we can recognize the
signs of the times.signs of the times.
We must not be quick to judge other beliefs,We must not be quick to judge other beliefs,
other’s experiences, other religions, otherother’s experiences, other religions, other
persons.persons.

CheerfulnessCheerfulness
Let us bear our karma cheerfully and do our tasksLet us bear our karma cheerfully and do our tasks
gladly.gladly.
There should be no feeling of possession orThere should be no feeling of possession or
attachment. If there is, be ready to part andattachment. If there is, be ready to part and
stand on your own, and be a lamp unto thinestand on your own, and be a lamp unto thine
own self.own self.

““The apparent drudgery of selfless service is dueThe apparent drudgery of selfless service is due
to ignorance. The great principle of life is thatto ignorance. The great principle of life is that
nothing which is needed to be done has in it thenothing which is needed to be done has in it the
essence of drudgery” (Arundale 149).essence of drudgery” (Arundale 149).
The fear of selfless service comes from the lowerThe fear of selfless service comes from the lower
self reacting to the awakened higher self.self reacting to the awakened higher self.

One-pointednessOne-pointedness
This means being focused on what you have setThis means being focused on what you have set
out for yourself to do.out for yourself to do.
This also means that once you have decided to setThis also means that once you have decided to set
your feet on the Path, nothing should have youyour feet on the Path, nothing should have you
turn away from it. “To break away from it wouldturn away from it. “To break away from it would
be to break away from yourself because you, thebe to break away from yourself because you, the
Monad, have decided to enter the Path” (Monad, have decided to enter the Path” (At theAt the
FeetFeet).).

The Path is everywhere. The path is the life withThe Path is everywhere. The path is the life with
and for the Master so that anywhere you are atand for the Master so that anywhere you are at
anytime, every activity must link you to theanytime, every activity must link you to the
Master (Arundale 161-162).Master (Arundale 161-162).
Karma is always on our side, whether bad or good,Karma is always on our side, whether bad or good,
because every action is an opportunity to step tobecause every action is an opportunity to step to
the ladder of perfection (Arundale 161-162).the ladder of perfection (Arundale 161-162).

ConfidenceConfidence
If you have seen and recognized the Master, yourIf you have seen and recognized the Master, your
confidence will be as a rock (Arundale 165).confidence will be as a rock (Arundale 165).
Trust yourself and trust the Master so that perfect loveTrust yourself and trust the Master so that perfect love
and power can flow (and power can flow (At the FeetAt the Feet).).
Confidence here is used as will and determination. “’WhatConfidence here is used as will and determination. “’What
man has done, man can do. I am a man, yet also God inman has done, man can do. I am a man, yet also God in
man; I can do this thing, and I will.’ For your will mustman; I can do this thing, and I will.’ For your will must
be like tempered steel, if you would tread the Path” (be like tempered steel, if you would tread the Path” (AtAt
the Feetthe Feet).).

 Trust in your abilities and skills (e.g., when you areTrust in your abilities and skills (e.g., when you are
assigned a task, trust that your skills can complete it).assigned a task, trust that your skills can complete it).
 Trust your decisions (Whether, in the end, yourTrust your decisions (Whether, in the end, your
decision may prove to be wrong, trust that it will bedecision may prove to be wrong, trust that it will be
right.)right.)
 Trust in the goodness of other people (God is in them.)Trust in the goodness of other people (God is in them.)
 Trust that, in the end, everything will lead to ourTrust that, in the end, everything will lead to our
perfection.perfection.
This trust is shines the most in our independence.This trust is shines the most in our independence.

LoveLove
If the quality of love is strong enough in a man, ‘itIf the quality of love is strong enough in a man, ‘it
forces him to acquire all the rest, and all the restforces him to acquire all the rest, and all the rest
without it would never be sufficient’ (Arundalewithout it would never be sufficient’ (Arundale
171).171).
If we must try to become like the Master, we mustIf we must try to become like the Master, we must
be filled with selfless love as He himself isbe filled with selfless love as He himself is
selfless.selfless.

““Do not hurt.”Do not hurt.”
Three things that hurt:Three things that hurt:
gossip, cruelty, superstition.gossip, cruelty, superstition.

GossipGossip
Gossip are done in the absence of a person.Gossip are done in the absence of a person.
When we gossip, we hurt the person who cannotWhen we gossip, we hurt the person who cannot
save himself from the rumors spread about him.save himself from the rumors spread about him.
1. We fill the thoughts of person with negative1. We fill the thoughts of person with negative
things about another person.things about another person.
2. Your wicked tongue may strengthen the evil in2. Your wicked tongue may strengthen the evil in
him or make him do the wrong you are thinking.him or make him do the wrong you are thinking.
3. You fill your thoughts with negative things.3. You fill your thoughts with negative things.

CrueltyCruelty
Both intentional and nonintentionalBoth intentional and nonintentional
This is why many have become vegetarians. TheyThis is why many have become vegetarians. They
have felt the connection of the human life withhave felt the connection of the human life with
the life of the animals.the life of the animals.
For example: physical punishment, torture, crueltyFor example: physical punishment, torture, cruelty
in speech, thoughtlessness, tactlessnessin speech, thoughtlessness, tactlessness

SuperstitionSuperstition
Those beliefs that lead us to hurt others (e.g., racialThose beliefs that lead us to hurt others (e.g., racial
superiority, religions that claim that they are thesuperiority, religions that claim that they are the
only true religion, beliefs that bring aboutonly true religion, beliefs that bring about
discrimination and division).discrimination and division).

The Masters are our Elder Brothers and we can beThe Masters are our Elder Brothers and we can be
their younger brothers if we share the commontheir younger brothers if we share the common
sentiment of serving humanity (Arundale).sentiment of serving humanity (Arundale).
““That which is the One Life in the Master, is alsoThat which is the One Life in the Master, is also
the One Life in me. Life in Him may be morethe One Life in me. Life in Him may be more
perfectly unfolded, but only because He hasperfectly unfolded, but only because He has
gone further along the path which I amgone further along the path which I am
treading” (Arundale 169).treading” (Arundale 169).

Works CitedWorks Cited
Arundale, George.Arundale, George. Thoughts on ‘At the Feet of theThoughts on ‘At the Feet of the
Master.Master. 1919. Theosophical Publishing House.1919. Theosophical Publishing House.
California. Web.California. Web.
Krishnamurti, Jiddu.Krishnamurti, Jiddu. At the Feet of the Master.At the Feet of the Master. 1910.1910.
Web.Web.

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