Ritið : tímarit Hugvísindastofnunar - 01.05.2020, Page 77

ÁLfDÍS ÞORLEIfSDóTTIR
76
a B S T R a C T
Krishnamurti and Þórbergur
– on the illusion and liberation in Íslenzkur aðall –
In interviews, correspondences, lectures and articles, Þórbergur Þórðarson often
brings to the forefront his esoteric perspective. Several scholars have addressed the
importance of esotericism in Þórbergur’s world view and some have even pointed
out that if thoroughly studied, this might be a way to achieve a better understanding
of his work. However not much has been done in order to study his books in this
context. In this article, parallels are drawn between Íslenzkur aðall, Þórbergur’s first
full length autobiographical novel, and the teachings of Krishnamurti, whom Þór-
bergur had studied closely in the years prior, was greatly influenced by his writings
and had even met him personally to discuss his ideas. a few strands are especially
highlighted, esoteric ideas of the illusion of personality or maya and the liberation
from it, the function of love in that process, and the symbiosis with the universe
which the permanent state of liberation is meant to entail.
Keywords: Þórbergur Þórðarson, Íslenzkur aðall, ideology, illusion, maya, liberation,
love, Krishnamurti, modern esotericism
Álfdís Þorleifsdóttir
Íslenskufræðingur og kennari við
Southbank International School í London.
alfdis.thorleifsdottir@gmail.com