Why Do Social Work?

I am not an expert on J.Krishnamurti but I wish to draw the attention to the fact that this great teacher gives unexpected meaning to words which have become somewhat too familiar with us. Thus some foreseeable reactions on this forum.  
For instance, the author would rather use the term 'self- knowing' to indicate that learning about oneself is not an accumulative process. The term Self Knowledge implies one has accumulated knowledge about oneself and tends to act from that  psychologically acquired knowledge, from something past. To be self-knowing is an ongoing process where one is learning about oneself, in the present, through the mirror of  relationships. The stress is on instant attention, perceptiveness. Contrary to analysis it does not involve psychological remembrance, time. Action, then, is not being dictated by memory alone. To be self-knowing is to be passively aware of the interference of the past so that one's response to the situation at hand can be new, fresh and truly adequate.
In a similar way,J.K.often gives a fresh connotation to some rather 'worn  out' good old words. When using the expression 'religious mind' he refers to a mind intimately and limitlessly connected with all life, knowing no division of any sort. Quite the opposite of what we associate with the word 'religious'. When using the word 'compassion' the stress is on passion while the meaning is: passion for all. 'Right action' is one of those expressions whose meaning one may have to re-discover. 
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I totally dislike the tone of this piece. Who is he to say that the person with the question was doing it with the "wrong" intention, without self-knowledge? And why would social work become empty from having schools who teach it? I praise this development, the institutionalization symbolizes the appreciation (although it's still under-appreciated in my opinion) of social work and professionalizes it. Is there really social work that creates misery? I don't believe so! Where did he get this idea? I have never seen any one doing a social job just because others told him/her so or to escape... There are easier ways to escape. That I haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't happen at all, but must be very rare, so why to focus on this?? What kind of answer is that to the question? He could have left out the negativity of this speech and simply say the he/she should first inquire what his/her intentions are and that self-knowledge will contribute to her social work. Also, I don't like it at all that you should be "religious" what ever broad interpretation he may have for it. As an atheist I'm also a good social worker...has nothing to do with religion! Hide full comment

 Beautiful article ! Brings up 2 very  important questions which we often forget to reflect on deeply when we embark on any mission::
1) What is my motivation for doing this activity ?
Is the desire to serve driven by external factors to somehow in some capacity please the world or escape my troubles OR is it driven by a deeper understanding that service allows me to lay less importance on my 'individual perceived  self' (my body, my intellect etc..) and more on the 'collective macro self'  (making up the society). It thereby, cultivates in me dispassion, ability to discriminate between right/wrong-real/ephemeral, firms up my conviction in the real/right, quietens and internalizes the mind, aligns perception and action, enhances ability to endure without lamenting.
 
2) What will be my ongoing relationship with the activity?

Will it be transaction based? ("what do I give and what do I get?" kind..) or will it be of complete surrender? ( "I give all of me at that moment and the very act of giving is the reward in itself").  

When the answer is latter to both the questions, it moves us internally in un-quantifiable yet  very enriching ways..

Thank you for sharing this article !! Hide full comment

I agree with Krishnamurti that without knowing (at a very deep level) why you're doing what you're doing, you will either become ever more frustrated at a lack of results in terms of your desire to change society or not really produce as big an impact as you would otherwise.

In a sense he's reflecting on the idea that if we were all more aware of our inner egotistical desires and fears we would automatically be more open to change, open to alternative viewpoints and therefore more tolerant and loving human beings. We would be "socially working" automatically. As Lao Tzu says "When the Tao is lost, there is goodness, When goodness is lost, there is morality".

Yet one who isn't naturally self-aware or introspective and has no intention of cultivating such qualities would still benefit, I think, from being exposed to social work and the very idea of approaching the external world with a more caring attitude, however little one feels such an attitude within oneself. Because you must plant a seed in order to grow a plant.
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This resonated with me. I work in sustainable community development which I became drawn to after a wide range of experience in different areas including media and teaching. In my first project manager role I burnt out. During the long healing time recovering I realised so many people in NFPs and that do "idealistic" work in a way that is self-abusive and unsustainable.
How can we encourage or "be the change" when we don't treat ourselves as precious? So I somewhere came to this realisation that who we are colours the work we do. This has been an evolving 13 year work in progress so far, and I've not long come out of 18mths of virtual retreat, living in extreme rural isolation, to try and do my inner work and clean out all that does not align with my deepest values.  I find all these processes are ongoing works, and understanding deepens with each revisit. Perhaps that is where the action cultivates self knowledge. My personal take The full heart giving to the world overflows, the empty heart sucks back fills with the misery of others.
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