The Unconditioned Mind: J. Krishnamurti and the Oak Grove School - Softcover

David Edmund Moody was born and raised in southern California, and attended undergraduate school at UC Berkeley during the 1960s. He received his Master's Degree in Political Science at UCLA in 1970 and completed much of the coursework for a doctoral degree in Political Theory. In 1975, Moody was the first teacher hired at the newly opened Oak Grove School in Ojai, California. He subsequently served as Educational Director from 1980-1984, and from 1984-1987 he served as Director of the school. During his time as Director, the school experienced the death of its founder, J. Krishnamurti. After he left Oak Grove, Moody returned to graduate study at UCLA. He received his Ph.D. in Education in 1991. His dissertation research focused upon cognitive obstacles students encounter in their efforts to understand the theory of evolution. Portions of Moody's research have been published in the journal Science Education and in a book he co-authored, Mapping Biology Knowledge (Kluwer, 2000). Moody is currently Director of the private tutorial service Mind Over Math, with offices in southern California. He continues to pursue research in science education and related subjects, including the Gaia hypothesis. He also remains vitally interested in the teachings of J. Krishnamurti.

"In this thought-provoking account of the formative years of one of Jiddu Krishnamurti's final pet projects; Oak Grove School, an alternative school in Ojai, Calif.; David Moody offers a unique perspective on the psychology behind Krishnamurti's teachings as well as an intimate portrait of one of the most influential spiritual leaders of the twentieth century. The Unconditioned Mind is the first book to openly discuss the dramatic events that occurred during the early years of Oak Grove, and Moody's experience as the first director of the school and a member of Krishnamurti's inner circle presents readers with a vivid history of a school whose main intent is to "uncondition" the minds of its students and teachers.
" --www.jiddu-krishnamurti.net

"The Unconditioned Mind is a fascinating story about the first years of Oak Grove School and how J. Krishnamurti, David Moody and others dealt with its numerous challenges. It reads like a roman policier with a philosophical touch. Intriguing, brilliant and profound." --Ulrich Brugger, Director of The Ojai Retreat

"David Moody has given us an intimate and engaging account of a grand experiment in education. The reader is treated to many vivid glimpses of the personal presence and core teachings of one of the last century's most fascinating spiritual figures. At the same time, we are alerted to some of the inevitable challenges--in the form of power struggles, personality clashes, and conflicting goals--facing those committed to actualizing Krishnamurti's dream of a new kind of school guided by the ideal of the unconditioned mind." --Sean Kelly is Professor of Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at the California Institute of Integral Studies. He is the author of Coming Home: The Birth and Transformation of the Planetary Era

"The Unconditioned Mind is a sensitive account of the founding of a Krishnamurti school and the relationships central to it. David Moody's recollections of Krishnamurti are beautifully written and make this a fascinating read. I was especially touched by the passage where he gazed into Krishnamurti's eyes and felt it was "...like looking through a clear window, with only open space on the other side."
" --Friedrich Grohe, former industrialist, trustee of the Krishnamurti Foundations, and author of The Beauty of the Mountain: Memories of J. Krishnamurti


"The Unconditioned Mind represents a unique contribution to the growing literature about J. Krishnamurti, one of the greatest teachers of the twentieth century. I grew up in Ojai, California and attended Krishnamurti's annual talks under the oak groves from an early age. I highly recommend The Unconditioned Mind to anyone interested in the work of Krishnamurti. I found the story line riveting and could not wait to find out what happens next. David Moody handles controversial material with eloquence and sensitivity. As the former mayor of Ojai, I can attest to the authenticity of Dr. Moody's narrative description of our most distinguished resident.
" --Suza Francina, author of The New Yoga for Healthy Aging and other books, and former mayor of Ojai, California