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August 31, 2024
I was a student of Anderson's back in the 1980s, and while I was never one of his inner circle--partly because I worked MWF and he often had seminars on Wednesdays--I was nevertheless greatly affected by him. Anderson introduced Laozi to me, among other things. Anyway, I'm writing today just to let you know that I published a translation of the Laozi last year (The Annotated Laozi; SUNY Press), in which I thank Prof. Anderson. I don't know to what degree anyone talks about him anymore, but I googled his name and came upon your website. I just thought you might want to know that his influence is still reverberating in academia, however faintly, these many years after his passing.
Sincerely,
Paul Fischer
December 19, 2016
As it has been nearly 50 years since I was his student, one would think these tears would stop...
Being dyslexic, I could not officially attend higher education. That said, I would sneak into his classes. After a while he asked me if I didn't think it a bit parasitic to attend classes without paying for them. He never beat around the bush when a student might be in error.
I told him why I couldn't attend as I wished to, like other students did, as I could not do math nor could I spell for beans. I told him that I was working nights and paid my taxes. I assured him that I knew I wasn't going anywhere in academia; that I simply needed to know the right way to live - and that the I-Ching was all I was interested in anyway. I was scared and bit breathless... I just couldn't lose this chance!
He simply nodded and then welcomed me to attend his classes.
A Man who lived the letter of the law put the law aside on that day to help me on my journey. In all the years since, there has been but one face I have to answer to...His.
I learned today from a search engine that my teacher passed away in 2013.
But I also learned that his students are everywhere and feel as I do. They are organizing a memorial commemorating his life's work. I was likely among the least of his students; many gained far more from him than I did, but I was surely among those who needed him most!
While he was undoubtedly a scholar, I have only ever thought of him as my Guru. While many of us from time to time, "Live by the faith of other men," it was by his faith that I found the courage to believe that giving my life over to following an oracle wasn't a completely insane thing to do.
In the end I found that the I-Ching was telling me what I thought it was telling me. That was extremely important, as there will always be a cause to doubt when a man sets himself apart from his fellows. Not to mention the doubts a life in seclusion gives rise to.
For decades afterwards, I hid from the demon of external validation in my memories of his encouragement. As a marooned man clings to the memory of those once known to him, I talk to him to this day. The I-Ching fills in his side of the conversation.
Dr. Anderson (or the "D.A.")
(The District Attorney!)
as we called him when he wasn't about. Told me once that each person should find and isolate within themselves a "Sacred memory from childhood." Now, as an old man myself, I can say that the Great Man has become, for me, that much needed memory.
-- Daniel Edgar
Mr. Anderson,
I'm a 30 year old man in Portland Maine with a BA in political science, a minor in economics, and a pretty troubling bout of anxiety/depression. By chance I stumbled across the entire series of your conversations with J. Krishnamurti in 1974, and it's difficult to even find the words to describe how grateful I am for having had the opportunity to watch and re-watch them.
It felt, in some ways, that for the first time in my life I was watching two people having an honest conversation, if that makes any sense. I hesitate to paint in broad strokes and say that seeing your conversation has "changed my life," but I was, and still am, very deeply affected by this work. It's a hidden jewel that far too many people will sadly never see, or contemplate.
I can see how easy it is to fall into a trap of thinking you have it "all figured out," but many of the things that would keep me up at night, well, it's not that they don't keep me up anymore, it's that they no longer even exist. It's difficult to write about my experience, to find the words to put on paper, so I'll simply say again, thank you - thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of this wonderful conversation, and for making it available to the world. I can't thank you enough.
Much love, Alex Stevens
As an ex-student of Brockwood Park School, I can truly say that Professor Anderson's deep understanding and embodiment of the teaching has touched my life in unimaginable ways. In fact, he took up where K. left off and has brought the whole teaching vibrantly into the realm of possibility for me. It is doubtful whether any other living person received Krishnamurti's spiritual legacy so fully. - Chanda Siddoo-Atwal, Ph.D.
The Mifflinger Sea [page], ... the silliness, the cats and Bear, are an intrinsic part of the loving portrait of this website. Just look at that first photo of him, just waiting to quote The Owl and the Pussycat to his Philosophy 1A class and try to say it's not so. Without the Mifflinger Sea aspect of his soul, all those amazing insightful discussions of the deeper parts of the soul would not have been possible. - Leslie Rhea LewisTo his students
He seems so very tall
Teaching the Doctrine of TAO
Like thunder
He insisting
"Right action!"
Above bare feet
Among long hair and beards
Or cleanly shaven faces
Young and old eyes
Enlightened
Listened with awed respect.
Under frosty long brows
With penetrating vision
Persuaded he:
"Pushing upwards!2
In order to attain modesty;3 Practicing modesty!
You will push upwards."
Peace
Kindness
Order
He is modeling his name.
Written by Catherine Yiyu Cho Woo, 1968
1Master Anderson
2Hexagram #46 in the I Ching
3Hexagram #15 in the I Ching
I Ching Book of Changes reflects the basic patterns of changes which Shape the world.
Dear Dr. Anderson, Your J. Krishnamurti Dialogues changed my life. Thank you. Love, Eileen Balint
External Links
A memorial page for Professor Anderson has been set up here.
There is a SDSU Alumni Association article here.