We are really inquiring into the whole human being

I would like now, if I may, to go into the problem of observing ourselves. When we observe ourselves we are not isolating ourselves, limiting ourselves, becoming self-centred, because, as we explained, we are the world and the world is us. This is a fact. And when we, as human beings, examine the whole content of our consciousness, of ourselves, we are really inquiring into the whole human being—whether he lives in Asia, Europe, or America. So it is not a self-centred activity. When we are observing ourselves, we are not  becoming selfish, self-centred, becoming more and more neurotic, lopsided; on the contrary, we are examining, when we look at ourselves, the whole human problem of misery, conflict and the appalling things that man has made for himself and for others. So it is very important to understand this fact that we are the world and the world is us. You may have superficial mannerisms, superficial tendencies, but basically all human beings throughout this unfortunate world go through misery, confusion, turmoil, violence, despair, agony. So there is a common ground upon which we all meet. So when we observe ourselves, we are observing human beings.

J. Krishnamurti/On Mind and Thought, pp 62-63