This book explores dialogue as a transformative form of philosophical practice by unveiling the method behind the unique dialogue developed by mystic and thinker Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895–1986). While Krishnamurti himself generally rejected the cultivation of systems and techniques, Shai Tubali argues that there are easily identifiable patterns through which Krishnamurti strove to realize his dialogical aims. For this reason, he refers to this method, whose existence has evaded Krishnamurti’s followers and scholars alike, as the Krishnamurti dialogue. He suggests that these discursive patterns serve to broaden our understanding of the possibilities of philosophical and religious dialogues and further illuminate established forms of dynamic discourse, such as the Socratic method.   

Inspired by Pierre Hadot’s revolutionary reading of the classical Greco-Roman texts, the author centers his attention on Plato’s Socratic dialogues and the guru–disciple conversations inthe Hindu Upanishads, which fall within the scope of what may be termed ‘the transformative dialogue’: dialogues that have been written with the intention of bringing about a transformation in the mind of the interlocutor and reader and reorienting their way of life. This text appeals to students as well as researchers and suggests that the Krishnamurti dialogue is not only a continuation and development of the transformative dialogue, but that it also amalgamates ingredients of classical Western philosophy and South Asian mysticism. Moreover, this type of dialogue encourages readers to revisit the lost practice of transformative philosophy, in that it reveals new pathways of philosophical and religious inquiry that bear thought-provoking practical implications. 

“Tubali’s erudite study contributes significantly to our understanding of “multicultural” philosophy. He illustrates that Pierre Hadot’s hermeneutic approach, which has been applied persuasively to Greco-Roman philosophical texts, is a viable methodology for reading Eastern religio-philosophical texts, such as the Upaniṣads. Moreover, when directed to the teachings of the contemporary mystical philosopher, Krishnamurti, Tubali breaks rank with previous analyses that emphasize Krishnamurti’s dismissal of techniques and methods. He argues that Krishnamurti indeed has a method in his dialogues, namely, using a type of negation to bring about a pivotal transformation in the minds of his interlocutors. This book will surely stimulate lively discussions in circles interested in Krishnamurti’s teachings, and Eastern philosophies, as well as those seeking to broaden the rationalistic constraints of contemporary Western philosophy.” (Hillary P. Rodrigues, Professor of Religious Studies atthe University of Lethbridge, Canada, author of Introduction to the Study of Religion (Routledge 2009) and Introducing Hinduism (Routledge 2023))