The Illusion of Temporary Escape: Krishnamurti on Desire and the Self

In the profound quote featured in the image , the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti cuts to the very heart of human desire, psychological dependency, and the nature of the “self.”

“What sex gives you momentarily is the total abandonment of yourself, but then you are back again with your turmoil, so you want a repetition over and over again of that state in which there is no worry, no problem, no self.”

This striking observation goes far beyond a simple commentary on human sexuality; it serves as a powerful lens through which we can understand how we seek escapes from our daily psychological burdens.

The Weight of the “Self”

To understand Krishnamurti’s perspective, one must first understand what he meant by the “self.” To him, the self—the ego, the “I”—is a construct built out of memory, anxiety, ambition, insecurities, and constant internal chatter. This self is the root cause of our psychological turmoil.

Because carrying this baggage is exhausting, the human mind desperately searches for a reprieve. We crave a state where the “I” temporarily ceases to exist.

The Mechanism of Temporary Abandonment

 certain intense physical and emotional experiences offer a momentary bypass of the ego. During these brief intervals, the thinking mind stops. There is:

• No worry about the future.

• No problem rooted in the past.

• No self to defend, polish, or fear for.

For a fleeting second, there is absolute presence. However, because this peace is derived from an external action or dependency, it is inherently unsustainable.

The Trap of Repetition and Routine

The core tragedy of the human condition that Krishnamurti points out is what happens after the escape. The moment the experience ends, the psychological “self” rushes back in, bringing all its original turmoil with it.

Because the mind has tasted a moment of absolute freedom from itself, it immediately establishes a pattern of pursuit:

1. The Memory: The mind logs the pleasure and the absence of worry.

2. The Demand: The mind demands a repetition of that state to escape current misery.

3. The Habit: The pursuit transforms into a routine, a dependency, or an addiction.

When an escape becomes a necessity, it ceases to be a source of freedom and instead becomes a new form of bondage.

Moving Beyond Escape

Krishnamurti’s ultimate teaching was never about suppression or condemnation of physical pleasures. Rather, it was an invitation to look directly at why we are running away.

If we only find peace when we “abandon” ourselves through external means, then we remain prisoners to those means. True freedom, he argued, does not come from a momentary escape from turmoil, but from understanding and resolving the inner turmoil itself, so that the urge to escape naturally dissolves.