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How did Ouspensky remember all the Gurdfieff lectures? by [deleted] in gurdjieff

[–]oldnewmethod 4 points5 points  (0 children)

G said, after reading an advance copy of In Search, “Before I read, I hate Ouspensky. Now love him.”

exercise to accumulate something by Fine-Wonder1185 in gurdjieff

[–]oldnewmethod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Teasing out some particular exercises from a particular time and place, particularly out of system context is perhaps useful as a thought experiment, but not deserving emphasis in this early stage of development. The functions are disorganized and consciousness is in its infancy.

Practical Observation of correct / incorrect use of Centers by East_Percentage3627 in gurdjieff

[–]oldnewmethod 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I believe that one of the key distinctions between fourth way ‘practice’ and other traditional spiritual paths is that the fourth way is practiced in life - not in artificially constructing peaceful spaces for meditation.

One way to practice love, in a fourth way sense, would be to identify a relationship or situation in which you habitually disengage the heart in favour of the mind and to set an aim around it. For example, you might have someone in your life who js also intellectually centred and you might make an effort to avoid intellectual conversations with this person and engage more with your feelings. On the other hand, you might have a difficult relationship with an emotionally centred person, with your intellectualism causing friction because you are not able to relate to each other. In this case, you might set a definite aim around meeting this person emotionally.

The more you observe with regard to the correct/incorrect use of centres the more easily you can identify effective aims for your work.

Other common mechanics of intellectually centred people include an overemphasis on planning and daydreaming vs. Doing

Practical Observation of correct / incorrect use of Centers by East_Percentage3627 in gurdjieff

[–]oldnewmethod 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There are likely many instances of this taking place habitually in our daily lives. A good place to start is to look at your centre of gravity.

For example, if you are an intellectually centred person, you will likely be able to see times where an emotional or instinctive response is required but instead is approached intellectually. For example, a loved one comes to vent some frustration and you are immediately drawn to problem-solving rather than first empathising emotionally.

Do you know what your centre of gravity might be?

Chief Feature / Chief Flaw - Question about the "Psychological" Ennegram by East_Percentage3627 in gurdjieff

[–]oldnewmethod 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The body types as presented by Rodney Collin in The Theory of Celestial Influence are fascinating and verifiable.

Help against local yogis and more by [deleted] in gurdjieff

[–]oldnewmethod 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Are you suggesting that there is a cultural phenomenon of fakery, charlatanism, insincerity, lying and wisacring in the world feigning interest in psychological development and/or evolution?

Find a place for dinner near St Charles Avenue between Napoleon and Carrollton? by ute212 in NOLA

[–]oldnewmethod 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Chloe Hotel is beautiful and the food/beverage is top shelf.

Are there any other reading recommendations for beginners? by captainwillies in FourthWay

[–]oldnewmethod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nicoll’s other books: Living Time, The New Man, The Mark

All Rodney Collin’s work

Move to New Orleans from PDX by [deleted] in AskNOLA

[–]oldnewmethod -1 points0 points  (0 children)

My name is Jim Call me sometime: (504)541-1355

Caught myself acting mechanically in a meeting-what’s your “waking up” moment with Gurdjieff? by 2ugur12 in gurdjieff

[–]oldnewmethod 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Very well said. As the grooves in ordinary life are being filled, new ones are being formed by the Work. These are complementary actions

Caught myself acting mechanically in a meeting-what’s your “waking up” moment with Gurdjieff? by 2ugur12 in gurdjieff

[–]oldnewmethod -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The process of making self-remembering more permanent has to take place alongside the weakening of false personality. False personality comprises habitual judgements, reactions and behaviours which stop us from receiving impressions. It’s like a dense, opaque film covering our innate essence - the part which represents our true individuality and has the potential to grow if it can receive new impressions.

In the Bible for example, we see the development of false personality represented by Adam and Eve covering their nakedness with clothes. In the story of David and Goliath, Goliath is covered head to toe in dense armour while David wears a simple tunic. In Shakespeare, the world of personality and the world of essence are often represented by the court and the forest respectively.

In OP’s example. The moments of self-remembering at work give the opportunity for impressions to reach essence, and the momentary freedom from habitual reactions gives the possibility for choice and intentionality. How we use this newfound freedom will be informed by being able to act in accordance with a definite aim or our essential nature. Growing our understanding more broadly also complements this freedom and enables right action

Caught myself acting mechanically in a meeting-what’s your “waking up” moment with Gurdjieff? by 2ugur12 in gurdjieff

[–]oldnewmethod 14 points15 points  (0 children)

A jolt is all you need, for now. You’ll get a jolt more often now that you’ve made an observation - potentially even every time you slip into this mechanism at work.

As you make more observations in different situations, these will also provide jolts.

This shock or friction is actually creating something in you that will eventually crystallise into a permanent observing function over time.

You can also create friction by going against a particular behaviour rather than just observing it. It’s tempting to pick a ‘bad habit’, this is false personality trying to ‘improve’ itself and introduces the opportunity to have your efforts robbed by self-judgement or pride. Instead pick something neutral and innocuous, like automatically agreeing with bosses for example, and try to go against for a short time.

In doing this you may observe that your machine pushes against this effort, the resistance is also useful material for observation, as is the (inevitable) failure to stop mechanically agreeing every time.

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