energy and light, not the bone-muscle structure
that we assume to be the body. As Klein taught
asanas and yoga, he always gave the energy body
priority, stressing that all postures could be done
independently of the physical body. After he had
lived intensely with this understanding, one day
the teaching became a lively reality, a bright and
integrated truth.
Klein’s teaching sprang from his insight into
the nature of being and existence. He is regarded
as a prominent teacher of advaita in the 20th
century and an embodiment of the non-dual
awareness he taught. His teaching is “direct,”
cutting through all experiences, states, and paths
of purification that depend upon progressive or
sequential methods. He encourages students to
experience existence directly. According to Klein,
the progressive way may produce many delight-
ful experiences, but all these are support for the
ego, which is thus kept alive in a more and more
subtle way. Klein’s direct approach says that our
real nature cannot be known or experienced as
an object. When this is clearly understood there
is a letting go, a giving up of trying to achieve, to
become, to find, or to understand. This letting go
is the beginning of real maturity and openness to
our true nature.
For 40 years, Dr. Klein responded to invita-
tions from all over the world to share his knowl-
edge. He lived in Europe and the United States
and died in February 1998 in Santa Barbara,
California. He is the author of several books in
English and other languages.
Klein created the nonprofit Jean Klein Foun-
dation in 1989 to help in the process of dissemi-
nating his teaching. Based in Santa Barbara, the
foundation holds meetings that are open to the
public and continues to publish newsletters. It has
published Klein’s journal Listening and plans to
publish several books and dialogues of Klein’s.
Further reading: Jean Klein, Be Who You Are (Long-
mead, England: Element, 1989); ———, The Ease of
Being (Durham, N.C.: Acorn Press, 1984); ———,
Transmission of the Flame (Santa Barbara, Calif.: Third
Millenium, 1990).Klemp, Harold See ECKANKAR.
Konarak
Konarak in the state of Orissa is the site of the
largest temple to the sun god in India. It was built
around the 13th century C.E. The main building
represents the sun god’s chariot, which in mythol-
ogy was pulled across the sky each day by fiery-
maned horses. The chariot has 24 massive wheels.
Pulling the chariot are seven carved horses. TheTemple to the sun god, with the god’s chariot, in
Konarak, Orissa (Constance A. Jones)K 236 Klemp, Harold