The tao of Gurdjieff
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj from "I Am That"
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NOTE: This blog is offered up as a 3rd party comparative analysis of Gurdjieff for seekers who are looking to make connections between Gurdjieff and other teachings. It is not meant to be an authoritative review of his principles or his ideas. That can be found by contacting the Gurdjieff Foundation. The author makes no claims of any 'spiritual attainments'... just as a writer and researcher interested in these areas. It was primarily written between 2012 and early 2017 and has been shortened in order to accommodate modern attention spans. More links to the original extended content may be added later, although the latest posts have continued through November of 2024 which includes a new list (near the end of the blog) of points raised more indirectly in the blog which can be used as a somewhat unique study guide to Ouspensky's 'In Search of the Miraculous' as well as other Gurdjieff works. It also sheds light on the difference between the blogs use of the word 'cynic' and that used by Roger Lipsey in his interesting 2019 book titled 'Gurdjieff Reconsidered', both of which work... but in unique ways.
Also, readers often make the mistake in thinking that this blog is about Gurdjieff when it is not. Gurdjieff was simply the vehicle for bringing all the pieces together.
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"Tao is the way of doing something"... Bruce Kumar Frantzis
Gurdjieff's relevance in today's world
Gurdjieff is particularly compelling in today's world because although he taught in the first half of the 20th century, in retrospect he appears to have been speaking directly to those of us in the 21st century... and about all that we are dealing with. That's because many of the topics he was speaking about back then are still relevant in our world. So that tends to get your 'attention'. In particular, Gurdjieff gets your attention when you start to see the subtle, 'covert' overlaps with the Gnostics and Gurdjieff... with Buddhism and Gurdjieff... with Vedanta or Hinduism and Gurdjieff, (and yes, taoism as well) which usually gets overlooked by the casual first time reader as it's typically presented in an almost subliminal fashion. This also tends to get overlooked by most critics of Gurdjieff who usually fixate on one or two of his ideas by turning them into 'talking points' to debate, while ignoring what he is trying to tell us from the more profound, paradoxical standpoint of his own impersonal awareness or conscience.
Gurdjieff was all about the individual and all about waking up... and that takes attention.
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Gurdjieff was all about the individual and all about waking up... and that takes attention.
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Authors Update: 11/19/15
A word on the 'proper' application of Crazy Wisdom as a communication tool
"He might say one thing today and something altogether different tomorrow, and yet, somehow he could never be accused of contradictions; one had to understand and connect everything together"
from Ouspensky's 'In Search of the Miraculous'
Cognitive dissonance, as crazy wisdom, operates on multiple levels simultaneously. Thus its aim (when done correctly and with the proper motivation) is to 'speak' to individuals on multiple levels... simultaneously... but with different messages and different goals, depending on the level of perception of each individual.
Because of the seemingly contradictory nature of cognitive dissonance, for an individual with a flexible linear mindset, if they are open to whats being transmitted, they can reach a point where they can no longer figure out whats being said at which point they are 'given' the opportunity to have a 'light bulb moment' in which they 'give up' trying to figure it out and just let go... thereby creating an opening in the form of a breakthrough which arrives as a sudden intuitive insight that they might not otherwise have had.
So for these individuals, cognitive dissonance as 'crazy wisdom'... is a 'koan'.
For those with a rigid and inflexible linear mindset, they may experience confusion as they will not be able to resolve the apparent contradiction in their minds. The frustration with this confusion will 'send them away', if you will, as they will have no patience with what's being said, thus leaving them 'free' to find a more compatible message elsewhere.
For the individual operating on multiple levels simultaneously, cognitive dissonance will deliver multiple messages simultaneously... one to the 'person'... and one to the 'individual. And because of its multidimensional nature it also serves as a sort of 'non verbal handshake' with the individual that simultaneously validates their multidimensional view by informing them on multiple levels... simultaneously.
So for one individual its a teaching tool in the form of an 'opening'. For another its an 'invitation' to find satisfaction elsewhere and for another it's a form of multidimensional validation.
Thus it has multiple meanings on multiple levels for multiple individuals... simultaneously. As such, it acts as a 'filter' and a time saver for the individual transmitting the message as they don't have to spend their time and attention on those that are not open to what they have to say while allowing them to focus on those that are open to their message... IE: those that have 'the ears to hear'.
Thus cognitive dissonance... is a paradox.
Thus, when 'crazy wisdom' teachers speak... their words have 'double' meanings.
The Buddha had a term for those that wish to distract and manipulate us... he referred to them as 'Mara's daughters'. Gurdjieff had an equally descriptive term... he called them 'machines'.
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A word on the 'proper' application of Crazy Wisdom as a communication tool
"He might say one thing today and something altogether different tomorrow, and yet, somehow he could never be accused of contradictions; one had to understand and connect everything together"
from Ouspensky's 'In Search of the Miraculous'
Cognitive dissonance, as crazy wisdom, operates on multiple levels simultaneously. Thus its aim (when done correctly and with the proper motivation) is to 'speak' to individuals on multiple levels... simultaneously... but with different messages and different goals, depending on the level of perception of each individual.
Because of the seemingly contradictory nature of cognitive dissonance, for an individual with a flexible linear mindset, if they are open to whats being transmitted, they can reach a point where they can no longer figure out whats being said at which point they are 'given' the opportunity to have a 'light bulb moment' in which they 'give up' trying to figure it out and just let go... thereby creating an opening in the form of a breakthrough which arrives as a sudden intuitive insight that they might not otherwise have had.
So for these individuals, cognitive dissonance as 'crazy wisdom'... is a 'koan'.
For those with a rigid and inflexible linear mindset, they may experience confusion as they will not be able to resolve the apparent contradiction in their minds. The frustration with this confusion will 'send them away', if you will, as they will have no patience with what's being said, thus leaving them 'free' to find a more compatible message elsewhere.
For the individual operating on multiple levels simultaneously, cognitive dissonance will deliver multiple messages simultaneously... one to the 'person'... and one to the 'individual. And because of its multidimensional nature it also serves as a sort of 'non verbal handshake' with the individual that simultaneously validates their multidimensional view by informing them on multiple levels... simultaneously.
So for one individual its a teaching tool in the form of an 'opening'. For another its an 'invitation' to find satisfaction elsewhere and for another it's a form of multidimensional validation.
Thus it has multiple meanings on multiple levels for multiple individuals... simultaneously. As such, it acts as a 'filter' and a time saver for the individual transmitting the message as they don't have to spend their time and attention on those that are not open to what they have to say while allowing them to focus on those that are open to their message... IE: those that have 'the ears to hear'.
Thus cognitive dissonance... is a paradox.
Thus, when 'crazy wisdom' teachers speak... their words have 'double' meanings.
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The 3 levels of paradox
There are 3 levels of paradox. The individual primarily identified as a separate 'person' is operating on a single level of perception. Thus they only perceive contradictions... and thus 'problems'.
The individual operating on multiple levels simultaneously perceives contradictions as a paradox... because their awareness enables them to 'understand' both sides simultaneously. Thus for them, so called 'problems' brought on by contradictions are 'workable' paradoxical situations.
For the enlightened non-local individual, they are both sides of the 'paradox'... thus they see no contradictions... or paradox. Thus they have no 'problems'.
One is a knee jerk 'mechanical' reaction... the other an intuitive 'response'... an intuitive 'understanding'.
Big Difference.
Awareness makes us 'nobody's fool'... thus they're no longer 'fooled' by 'contradictions'... because they 'know better'.
Thus 'crazy wisdom' teachers are not 'considering' your 'personal' opinion of them... or what they say. They are only interested in communicating with other 'individuals'... or those that are intuitively savvy enough to aspire to being 'individuals'.
The Seekers job
The seekers job is to discern between the crazy... and the wisdom... and to avoid the former while gaining from the latter. That takes awareness... as in the awareness to discern what's in ones highest 'Self' interest. Thus if the teaching leaves out the importance of discernment... or of looking after ones 'Self' interest... then ones 'interest' in the teaching may soon be waning.
It also helps if the seeker 'understands' that it's not their job to become enlightened... because the 'person' which is seeking is not what gets enlightened. The seekers job is to find the correct path for them and to commit to the work that's required... until they 'understand'.
IE: until they 'know better'.
You'll know you 'know better' when you no longer fall for that which is clearly not in your 'Self' interest... and you're no longer trying to enlighten that which doesn't exist. Trying to enlighten that which doesn't exist is a 'fools' errand. Thus you're no longer 'fooled' by paths that 'make' you crazy... at the expense of your own 'Self' interest.
Only an individual being can reliably discern for its 'Self' that which is always in it's highest 'Self' interest. 'Persons'... are prone to craziness... because they are torn in opposite directions... simultaneously. The individual see's through the craziness in the 'person' and the 'personal'... to that which 'knows better'.
Once you 'know better' you're no longer on a 'path'... so much as you're on a 'road'. The 'road' that leads you directly to your destination. Intuitively informed impersonal awareness is the road. How you 'get' there is your business.
Once you're reliably 'on' the 'road'... you're 'good to go'.
When you're 'good to go' you no longer 'need' a teacher... 'crazy' or otherwise... because you'll 'understand' what's going on now.
NOTE: The perception of detached impersonal awareness, distinct from consciousness, is what makes the perception of paradox possible... and what makes Gurdjieff... 'understandable'.
IE: detached impersonal awareness... is what 'looks after' consciousness.
Detached impersonal awareness can 'look after' consciousness because it's intuitively informed... thus it 'knows better'.
Being 'on the road'
Everything makes sense at the level of 'understanding'.
'Understanding' takes place when the individual is 'operating' on multiple levels simultaneously. The individual is 'operating' on multiple levels simultaneously when they are 'operating on the 'impersonal' (and the 'personal') level... simultaneously.
Thus 'the' level of understanding is actually two levels of understanding... simultaneously.
'Operating' on two levels of understanding simultaneously... is a paradox.
One is impulsive... one 'knows better'. Thus the impersonal becomes the 'adult' supervision of the 'person' and the 'personal'.
IE: it 'looks after' them.
It 'looks after' them because it see's that which the 'person' can't 'see'... and it 'knows' that which the 'person' can't know.
Thus the impersonal individual 'understands'... because it see's more than the 'person'... because it 'sees' through it. Thus the impersonal individual is the 'nexus' between the impersonal being and the 'person'.
So when the individual 'understands'... everything 'makes sense'... including the 'person'.
When everything 'makes sense'... you can go about your business (on the road)... it's just that you 'know better' now about what's 'going on'... with 'you'... and 'others'.
(and the world)
IE: you're not 'fooled' by it anymore.
When you're not 'fooled' by it anymore... 'crazy wisdom' will make perfect sense.
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NOTE: Gurdjieff divided the path between the 'stairway' and the 'way'... (Paul Brunton referred to this division as the 'long path' and the 'short path'). Intuitively informed impersonal awareness is what Gurdjieff referred to, in the language of his times, as... 'self consciousness' or 'objective consciousness' or... at times, just 'Consciousness'.... all of which require detached awareness. Thus, in today's terminology, they're seen as more than just 'consciousness'... or as having something other than just 'consciousness'.
Consciousness is informed by the senses. Only awareness is informed by intuition. Awareness is the antenna for intuition... so the more continuous the awareness the more one is continuously informed by intuition.
The Gnostics recognized three mental archetypes... the 'Psychics' (those with an open minded flexible mindset)... the Hylics (or closed minded cynics)... and the 'Pneumatics' (those operating on multiple levels simultaneously).
Thus the paradoxical 'crazy wisdom' teacher Gurdjieff knew exactly who he was speaking to... and what he was up against.
==============================The 3 levels of paradox
There are 3 levels of paradox. The individual primarily identified as a separate 'person' is operating on a single level of perception. Thus they only perceive contradictions... and thus 'problems'.
The individual operating on multiple levels simultaneously perceives contradictions as a paradox... because their awareness enables them to 'understand' both sides simultaneously. Thus for them, so called 'problems' brought on by contradictions are 'workable' paradoxical situations.
For the enlightened non-local individual, they are both sides of the 'paradox'... thus they see no contradictions... or paradox. Thus they have no 'problems'.
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The 'mechanics' of 'crazy wisdom'
The mechanics of crazy wisdom - IE that which makes it work - is that the individual that is primarily identified as a separate 'person' reacts to the contradiction... whereas the individual that is primarily identified as impersonal being or awareness 'responds' to the paradox... with 'understanding'.
One is a knee jerk 'mechanical' reaction... the other an intuitive 'response'... an intuitive 'understanding'.
Big Difference.
They can 'do' that because they 'see' through the contradiction... to the paradox... via awareness.
Thus 'crazy wisdom' teachers are not 'considering' your 'personal' opinion of them... or what they say. They are only interested in communicating with other 'individuals'... or those that are intuitively savvy enough to aspire to being 'individuals'.
The Seekers job
The seekers job is to discern between the crazy... and the wisdom... and to avoid the former while gaining from the latter. That takes awareness... as in the awareness to discern what's in ones highest 'Self' interest. Thus if the teaching leaves out the importance of discernment... or of looking after ones 'Self' interest... then ones 'interest' in the teaching may soon be waning.
It also helps if the seeker 'understands' that it's not their job to become enlightened... because the 'person' which is seeking is not what gets enlightened. The seekers job is to find the correct path for them and to commit to the work that's required... until they 'understand'.
IE: until they 'know better'.
You'll know you 'know better' when you no longer fall for that which is clearly not in your 'Self' interest... and you're no longer trying to enlighten that which doesn't exist. Trying to enlighten that which doesn't exist is a 'fools' errand. Thus you're no longer 'fooled' by paths that 'make' you crazy... at the expense of your own 'Self' interest.
Only an individual being can reliably discern for its 'Self' that which is always in it's highest 'Self' interest. 'Persons'... are prone to craziness... because they are torn in opposite directions... simultaneously. The individual see's through the craziness in the 'person' and the 'personal'... to that which 'knows better'.
Once you 'know better' you're no longer on a 'path'... so much as you're on a 'road'. The 'road' that leads you directly to your destination. Intuitively informed impersonal awareness is the road. How you 'get' there is your business.
Once you're reliably 'on' the 'road'... you're 'good to go'.
When you're 'good to go' you no longer 'need' a teacher... 'crazy' or otherwise... because you'll 'understand' what's going on now.
NOTE: The perception of detached impersonal awareness, distinct from consciousness, is what makes the perception of paradox possible... and what makes Gurdjieff... 'understandable'.
IE: detached impersonal awareness... is what 'looks after' consciousness.
Detached impersonal awareness can 'look after' consciousness because it's intuitively informed... thus it 'knows better'.
Being 'on the road'
Everything makes sense at the level of 'understanding'.
Thus 'the' level of understanding is actually two levels of understanding... simultaneously.
'Operating' on two levels of understanding simultaneously... is a paradox.
One is impulsive... one 'knows better'. Thus the impersonal becomes the 'adult' supervision of the 'person' and the 'personal'.
IE: it 'looks after' them.
It 'looks after' them because it see's that which the 'person' can't 'see'... and it 'knows' that which the 'person' can't know.
Thus the impersonal individual 'understands'... because it see's more than the 'person'... because it 'sees' through it. Thus the impersonal individual is the 'nexus' between the impersonal being and the 'person'.
So when the individual 'understands'... everything 'makes sense'... including the 'person'.
When everything 'makes sense'... you can go about your business (on the road)... it's just that you 'know better' now about what's 'going on'... with 'you'... and 'others'.
(and the world)
IE: you're not 'fooled' by it anymore.
When you're not 'fooled' by it anymore... 'crazy wisdom' will make perfect sense.
======================================================
NOTE: Gurdjieff divided the path between the 'stairway' and the 'way'... (Paul Brunton referred to this division as the 'long path' and the 'short path'). Intuitively informed impersonal awareness is what Gurdjieff referred to, in the language of his times, as... 'self consciousness' or 'objective consciousness' or... at times, just 'Consciousness'.... all of which require detached awareness. Thus, in today's terminology, they're seen as more than just 'consciousness'... or as having something other than just 'consciousness'.
Consciousness is informed by the senses. Only awareness is informed by intuition. Awareness is the antenna for intuition... so the more continuous the awareness the more one is continuously informed by intuition.
The Gnostics recognized three mental archetypes... the 'Psychics' (those with an open minded flexible mindset)... the Hylics (or closed minded cynics)... and the 'Pneumatics' (those operating on multiple levels simultaneously).
Thus the paradoxical 'crazy wisdom' teacher Gurdjieff knew exactly who he was speaking to... and what he was up against.
The Buddha had a term for those that wish to distract and manipulate us... he referred to them as 'Mara's daughters'. Gurdjieff had an equally descriptive term... he called them 'machines'.
==============================
Separating the 'Essential Gurdjieff' from his ideas
It helps if you don't take Gurdjieff at face value (at times) if you are going to appreciate his being as there is a certain level of 'cognitive dissonance' involved in some of what he say's (and does). Several of his ideas were ahead of their time, to us, such as the Ray of Creation, which is a classic holographic description of the breakdown of the 'waves' of reality, while others are dated (on yogis) or an allegorical tale meant to 'shock' the individual out of their complacency (the moon). Some, like the ones on the astral body and 'centers' are, at times, better expressed elsewhere, as in TCM or Ayurveda. Eventually though, too many moving parts can be a distraction. It's as if his ideas - and particularly the methodical way in which he presents them - were more of a tool for establishing his authoritativeness. But once that is established in the seekers mind they no longer are the main point of his work. So a certain amount of discernment is required with Gurdjieff. In fact you could say that sifting out Gurdjieff's individuality and his being from his ideas is meant to be an exercise in discernment.
A good example of cognitive dissonance in Gurdjieff is in the presentation of his persona. While he goes to great pains to establish his authoritativeness he goes to equal pains to disassemble his personal legacy through clearly and intentionally acting out in an off-putting manner. In a sense this is a tribute to his lack of attachment to his own persona (IE not 'considering' what others think of him) and a tribute to the strength of his individuality as he clearly is doing this as a service to the seeker so that they are discouraged from putting him up on a 'personal' pedestal... and thus worshiping him... instead of actualizing their own self mastery, will and individuality. In other words he's more concerned with the seekers experience then he is with their 'personal' opinion of him. That is rare... and important to note. So 'seeing through' Gurdjieff while 'seeing' what he has to say... is an 'art'.
Gurdjieff was first and foremost interested in if a seeker could work as hard work was an indicator of a focused mind and a focused mind was a mind focused on its own 'business'... as in internal business. Gurdjieff appreciated seekers that could mind their own business as a focused mind is a balanced mind... and a balanced mind is the mind of a 'responsible' individual. So if a seeker could establish that... that would indicate that they had potential. First get a handle on the problem... and then the answers will come. Once you understand the problem... intuition will be the individuals guide... and eventually conscience. Once a seeker had conscience... they no longer needed Gurdjieff. They were 'good to go'.
So getting the most from Gurdjieff is a matter of 'taking what you like and leaving the rest'. The discerning seeker knows what to 'take'... and what to leave behind... and what to interpret in their own way based on their own experience with other teachings and traditions. Thus it takes an open, aware, informed, independent and discerning individual to get the most from Gurdjieff... which is how he wanted it.
An 'open, aware, informed, independent and discerning' individual is the very definition of what Gurdjieff referred to as being... 'intelligent'.
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Gurdjieff's General Laws
'General Laws' are in effect to the extent that we are reacting from a solely 'personal' perspective. IE: from the sole standpoint of our 'Ouspensky'... IE: the separate 'person'. Individual impersonal awareness, being or essence liberates us from 'General Laws'... because we don't take things so... 'personally'... so we're responding more... and not just reacting. Thus we 'rise above' general laws... IE: unconscious mechanical habits of reacting from a solely 'personal' perspective.
Thus Gurdjieff taught 'impersonal awareness' that comes from practicing the 'observer' position... IE: 'self' observation or detachment.
A being that rises above general laws is a being that is a 'law' unto its 'Self'... so to speak... because it is operating from its own 'impersonal' awareness or 'conscience'... instead of being mired in a solely 'personal' perspective.
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NOTE: Overcoming 'general laws' liberates us from the 'general' way of the world... which has the usual consequences.
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Individuals who are reacting solely from mechanical laws (IE 'machine like') are what Gurdjieff referred to as 'machines' (for all intents and purposes). IE: they are 'asleep'. Individual beings, on the other hand, are what he referred to as 'intelligent'... because they are capable of making 'intelligent' choices. IE: they have risen above mechanical laws to an awareness of 'impersonal awareness'... balanced with 'personality'. An individual that is aware of awareness and personality simultaneously operates intelligently in this world... instead of merely being fooled by it.
The difference between a 'machine' and a 'being' is intelligent choices based on awareness. Awareness makes us 'nobody's fool'... so to speak.
In order to make 'intelligent' choices it is necessary to have simultaneous access to something 'other' than the personality. That 'something else'... is impersonal awareness... which is intuitively informed. An intuitively informed individual is operating from 'conscience'... because they 'know better' than their own personality.
An 'intelligent' individual is a paradox as they appear to us as a 'person'... yet they are not solely informed by the 'General laws' of 'persons'... because they are informed by that which is 'above' the 'person', so to speak. IE: impersonal awareness.
Being aware of 'impersonal' awareness and that which is 'personal' (personality) simultaneously is a paradox. 'Intelligent' individuals are a paradox. You can only spot 'intelligent' individuals by what they 'don't do'. IE: they don't merely react to 'General Laws'... because they 'know better' than that. Thus they are 'free' to operate in this world 'intelligently'... which is a pleasure. It's a pleasure to operate 'intelligently' in this world... instead of being 'burdened' by the 'General Laws' of it.
When operating in this world is a pleasure it's easier to 'aim' ones 'Self' in an intended direction... with a specific 'purpose'. Intelligently operating individuals 'operate' on 'purpose'. Operating on 'purpose' is an act of will... that serves a 'purpose'.
Intelligent individuals operate for their highest good as well as the highest good of 'others'. Operating for the highest good of our 'Self' and 'others' is a 'purpose' worth 'aiming' for.
Operating for the highest good of our 'Self' and 'others' simultaneously... is to 'operate' from inside the 'esoteric' circle of humanity.
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Gurdjieff's 'circles' of humanity
Gurdjieff noted three concentric esoteric circles of humanity but all three are based on a common 'understanding'. Thus in essence, once an individual 'understands'... as in an understanding that comes from 'impersonal awareness' or 'conscience', they are operating from inside the esoteric circle of humanity. Those outside the 'esoteric' circle of humanity are still operating from a solely 'personal position'... thus they are subject to 'General Laws'... and thus they lack a common 'understanding'. This outer circle of humanity is what he referred to as the area of the 'confusion of tongues'... as in a lack of a common understanding even if people speak a common 'tongue' or language. Thus mis-understandings are inevitable. True 'understanding' only comes from an 'impersonal awareness' or 'conscience' that is greater than the 'person' and not limited to any language... thus it is available to all, but (in most cases), requires work to achieve.
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A 'mistake' has been made
NOTE: Gurdjieff did not present such circles as some sort of 'elite' for a 'person' to apply to but rather as another example of the less than ideal circumstances that we have to labor under in this world, such as it is. IE: that we have to work for that which is our 'own'... as in our own inherent awareness or being. As such it's a 'Gnostic' view of this world. One where the world is seen as having a 'design flaw'... a 'flaw' that leaves us no choice but to work for that which is our own... rather than just enjoy it as a 'birthright' in this world.
Thus we are presented with... a 'choice'... a choice that requires 'will'. 'Free will' begins with the freedom to make a conscious choice. And in order to make a more productive 'choice' it helps to have an 'intelligent' view of this world.
NOTE: A world with a 'design flaw' indicates that a 'mistake' has been made... in its 'original design'. Perpetuating the 'mistake'... is a 'mistake' on the part of the individual... that is 'correctable'... by the individual... with the will to make a conscious choice.
That choice is made... with inner attention.
Unconscious loyalty to the 'mistake'... is a 'mistake'... on the part of the individual... that can be corrected with will and inner attention.
IE: Loyalty - attachment - to the 'original mistake' (separation)... is a mistake on our part.
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Gurdjieff and 'free' will
One of the most instructive examples of cognitive dissonance in Gurdjieff is his apparently contradictory statements about 'free' will and the lack of self determination. What is happening is that he is speaking from the second level of paradox that recognizes that he may appear to contradict what he says... but in reality he's actually validating it... but that can only be understood from a similar paradoxical view.
So Gurdjieff placed a heavy emphasis on 'will'... the individual will of a fully conscious individual. But he also said that 'everything just happens'... and that there is nothing anyone can 'do' about it.
That's a paradox.
What he was referring to was that on the unconscious mechanical 'personal' level everything is 'just happening'... but on an impersonal level there is a 'choice' to be made. And that ability to 'choose' to be aware requires 'will'... which leads to awareness... which leads to the ability to 'do'.
'Doing' implies that the individual is operating outside the purely mechanical general laws of 'persons'... thus they are 'free' to serve their own highest good as well as the highest good of 'others'. Thus they are free to influence their future... in this life and beyond.
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NOTE: Knowing what you 'do'... is the antithesis of 'knowing not what you do'.
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Dharma and General (karmic) Laws
The reason the 'person' can't apply to the esoteric circle of humanity is because you can only begin to 'enter' it with an 'impersonal' view.
General (karmic) laws are all about the 'person' and the 'personal'. There are no impersonal General (karmic) laws... thus the 'impersonal' individual is a 'law' unto its 'Self'.
So 'dharma'... is just 'doing' what you came here to 'do'... 'outside' the General (karmic) Laws of 'persons'.
When you are 'doing' your 'dharma' outside the General (karmic) Laws of 'persons'... you are 'operating' inside the esoteric circle of humanity... whether you know it or not. That's because the esoteric circle of humanity is not a group of 'persons' but an organic distributed network of individuals whose most important connection (if they have any at all) is a lack of connection to a 'personal' identity.
And alot of what they 'do' will not be obvious... because it will be out of the 'view'... of the 'general' public. That's because alot of what they 'do' is based on what they 'don't do'... (if you will).
When you're 'doing' what you came here to 'do'... you're no longer 'doing' what your 'Ouspensky' would 'have' you 'do'. When you're no longer 'doing' what your 'Ouspensky' would 'have' you 'do'... you understand 'the way of doing something'.
Cause and Effect
Karmic (General) laws are the laws of cause and effect. For every mechanical 'cause'... there's a mechanical 'effect'.
Separation, by its nature, imposes causes. But... the individual 'understands' how to minimize and transmute the 'effects'... into something 'useful'.
Gurdjieff was a master at minimizing and transmuting the 'effects' of burdensome General (karmic) 'causes'... by turning insurmountable problems into workable (profitable) situations.
IE... 'we always make a profit'.
Thus Gurdjieff operated outside the General (karmic) laws of 'persons' that state that for every mechanical 'cause'... there's a mechanical 'effect'.
Thus Gurdjieff was 'doing' his Dharma... inside the esoteric circle of humanity.
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Free will and Original Mind
'Free' will does not mean you can just do anything you want. That's called willfulness.
'Free' will is intuitively informed individual will that is 'free' to serve the highest good of the individual... now that it is no longer completely 'distracted' by the 'personality'.
'Original mind' (IE: intuitively informed impersonal awareness) is the primary mode of perception when you are 'doing' your 'dharma'... inside the esoteric circle of humanity.
Thus 'free' will is only available to those who are 'doing' their 'dharma'... outside the General (karmic) Laws of 'persons'.
IE: 'Free' will gains its 'independence'... from its independence from willfulness.
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Objective consciousness
Distinguishing our 'Original mind' from our 'Ouspensky' is a form of 'detachment'.
IE: 'Objective' consciousness is not just 'consciousness'... it's consciousness and detached awareness... simultaneously. Thus you 'see' the world (and the personality)... 'objectively'.
Thus objective 'consciousness' is 'seeing the world 'as it is'... not how we'd like it to be.
Some would call that 'mindfulness'... as in paying attention... as in minding your own business.
When you're minding your own business... you may appear to be doing 'nothing'... but in fact, you're 'doing' plenty... just not what 'others' would 'have' you 'do'.
When you're no longer 'doing' what 'others' would have you 'do'... you're no longer 'doing' what 'Mara's daughters' would have you 'do'.
When you're no longer 'doing' what 'Mara's daughters' would 'have' you 'do'... you're no longer 'nobody's fool'... if you will.
Awareness makes us 'nobody's fool'. If ever there was an individual who was 'nobody's fool'... it was Gurdjieff.
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Our 'proper' mind
'Objective' consciousness is a paradoxical perspective... because you are 'in' the personality... but not 'of' it... simultaneously... so to speak.
IE: 'Objective' consciousness... is a paradox.
When you are operating from the point of view of 'objective' consciousness ... you 'understand' the 'proper' use of the entire mind... as in your 'proper' mind.
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Impersonal does not mean inhuman
NOTE: 'Impersonal' does not mean inhuman. 'Impersonal' means we haven't completely 'personalized' our humanity.
(humanity is required for a human experience)
Being is fully compatible with a human experience... but it can be obscured by a completely 'personal' experience.
The impersonal is not devoid of personality. Impersonal means the 'person' is in its 'proper place'... in relation to the impersonal... in our minds.
If you think the 'impersonal' is 'inhuman'... try contemplating 'mans inhumanity to man'.
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The Gnostic Conscience
Of all the concepts related to Gurdjieff the idea of Conscience is perhaps the most obscure in terms of its origin. The quotes below shed some light on that...
The following contrasts Gurdjieff and what Tobias Churton might call a 'hard core' Gnostic view on balancing temporal morality and spiritual conscience... from Gnosis.org On the Gnostic World View. Gurdjieff didn't teach 'subjective' morality as he saw it as changing from culture to culture, but he did teach 'objective' morality or 'conscience', because it is innate to all individuals and thus universal. Gurdjieff did have his own 'subjective' morality based on his upbringing and other sources but he didn't 'moralize' people because he knew better than to do that... but... he didn't have a problem with using 'rules' to achieve his 'aim', as he saw them as a tool for developing 'responsible individuals'.
The following contrasts Gurdjieff and what Tobias Churton might call a 'hard core' Gnostic view on balancing temporal morality and spiritual conscience... from Gnosis.org On the Gnostic World View. Gurdjieff didn't teach 'subjective' morality as he saw it as changing from culture to culture, but he did teach 'objective' morality or 'conscience', because it is innate to all individuals and thus universal. Gurdjieff did have his own 'subjective' morality based on his upbringing and other sources but he didn't 'moralize' people because he knew better than to do that... but... he didn't have a problem with using 'rules' to achieve his 'aim', as he saw them as a tool for developing 'responsible individuals'.
"If the words “ethics” or “morality” are taken to mean a system of rules, then Gnosticism is opposed to them both. Such systems usually originate with the Demiurge and are covertly designed to serve his purposes. If, on the other hand, morality is said to consist of an inner integrity arising from the illumination of the indwelling spark, then the Gnostic will embrace this spiritually informed existential ethic as ideal."
"To the Gnostic, commandments and rules are not salvific; they are not substantially conducive to salvation. Rules of conduct may serve numerous ends, including the structuring of an ordered and peaceful society, and the maintenance of harmonious relations within social groups. Rules, however, are not relevant to salvation; that is brought about only by Gnosis. Morality therefore needs to be viewed primarily in temporal and secular terms; it is ever subject to changes and modifications in accordance with the spiritual development of the individual."
Further on it states...
"Gnosticism embraces numerous general attitudes toward life: it encourages non-attachment and non-conformity to the world, a “being in the world, but not of the world”; a lack of egotism; and a respect for the freedom and dignity of other beings. Nonetheless, it appertains to the intuition and wisdom of every individual “Gnostic” to distill from these principles individual guidelines for their personal application."
In the end both 'subjective' morality and 'objective' morality or 'conscience' work together and are important, in this life and beyond... one for the sake of ones own 'personal destiny' (in this life and beyond) and by extension, the destiny of others... and one for the sake of the individual... and by extension 'other' individuals. Thus neither 'operate' in a vacuum.
But... one can get hung up on the horns of dilemma... one 'knows better' than that. Thus one works well in an 'Age of Reason'... but one operates well... no matter what the 'season'.
One is a necessary adhering to an 'others' rules for the sake of ones 'self' and 'others'... the other is ones 'rules'. One is borrowed... one is ones own. Thus one is an aide and a precursor to the other... but one is not the other.
Learning to adhere to another's rules, at the proper time, has its place... particularly when it comes to becoming an adult, by putting the 'self' in its 'proper place'. But internalizing ones own rules is operating on another level altogether and that can only come from impersonal awareness that is informed by intuition.
Gurdjieff used 'rules' as a tool for exposing the 'personal' willfulness of the seeker so that they could 'see' it for what it is... which helped them to 'sacrifice' it... thus building their individual will in the process. Thus they were a 'favor' to the individual.
So 'persons' need rules (at times) in order to put them in their proper place. Individuals are a 'law unto themselves'... as they know how to 'rule' themselves in such a way that they are 'Self' regulating... thus they are not necessarily in need of outer rules... but they are not disrespectful of them either... in their 'proper place'... as they understand their 'proper place' in the bigger scheme of 'things'... such as we are.
But... one can get hung up on the horns of dilemma... one 'knows better' than that. Thus one works well in an 'Age of Reason'... but one operates well... no matter what the 'season'.
One is a necessary adhering to an 'others' rules for the sake of ones 'self' and 'others'... the other is ones 'rules'. One is borrowed... one is ones own. Thus one is an aide and a precursor to the other... but one is not the other.
Learning to adhere to another's rules, at the proper time, has its place... particularly when it comes to becoming an adult, by putting the 'self' in its 'proper place'. But internalizing ones own rules is operating on another level altogether and that can only come from impersonal awareness that is informed by intuition.
Gurdjieff used 'rules' as a tool for exposing the 'personal' willfulness of the seeker so that they could 'see' it for what it is... which helped them to 'sacrifice' it... thus building their individual will in the process. Thus they were a 'favor' to the individual.
So 'persons' need rules (at times) in order to put them in their proper place. Individuals are a 'law unto themselves'... as they know how to 'rule' themselves in such a way that they are 'Self' regulating... thus they are not necessarily in need of outer rules... but they are not disrespectful of them either... in their 'proper place'... as they understand their 'proper place' in the bigger scheme of 'things'... such as we are.
So it would appear that Gurdjieff had the "conscience" of a Gnostic... but he understood rules as a teaching tool. IE: rules are 'salvific' in helping to 'save' the individual from their 'Ouspensky'... as in 'saving' the 'Self'... from ones 'self'.
You can only 'spot' Gurdjieff by what he didn't 'do'... IE he didn't just react from the 'General (karmic) Laws' of 'persons'.
So Gurdjieff was, 'essentially', a Gnostic because he was a 'law' unto his 'Self'... but... he wasn't 'just' a 'Gnostic'.
You can only 'spot' Gurdjieff by what he didn't 'do'... IE he didn't just react from the 'General (karmic) Laws' of 'persons'.
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A curious footnote to Gurdjieff's Gnostic connection comes from Gurdjieff and the Gnostic Gospel of Judas by Ralph Metzner...
"In 2006, there appeared the first English translation of a Gnostic text known as the Gospel of Judas, that had been lost for 1600 years, and was discovered in the 1970s in a cave in Egypt. It was traded and moved across through continents and suffered major damage that reduced it to fragments. This fragmented text was finally translated by scholars, from the Coptic into English, in 2001. The appearance of the text, and an article about it in the National Geographic magazine, caused a sensation, because it turned the traditional Christian conception of Judas as the prototypal traitor, on its head. In this version of the story, Judas is portrayed as one of Jesus’s closest disciples and friends, who carries out the so-called betrayal at the request of Jesus, and is rewarded by being given some secret, very high teachings that the other disciples did not get.Students and readers of Gurdjieff’s All and Everything no doubt recalled, as I did, that Gurdjieff had himself declared a very similar perspective on the story of Judas, calling him “not only the most faithful and devoted of all the near followers of Jesus Christ, but also, only thanks to his Reason and presence of mind, all the acts of this Sacred Individual (Jesus) could form that result…which was, during twenty centuries the source of nourishment and inspiration for the majority of them in their desolate existence and made it at least a little endurable.” (p. 740). Since Gurdjieff wrote his book in the 1940s, long before this Gospel of Judas, or any other of the by now extensive Gnostic texts had been re-discovered, this synchronicity confirms the notion that Gurdjieff was aware of and could draw on secret initiatory teachings and revelations that had not seen the light of day in almost two millennia."
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'Self'-ishness vs willfulness
Being 'Self'-ish is not the same as being 'self'-ish.
'Self'-ishness is operating for the sake of ones 'Self'... and 'others'... simultaneously.
Willfulness is operating for the sake of ones 'self'... and the hell with 'others'.
Big Difference.
'Machines' are willful because they 'know not what they 'do'.
The 'person' (our Ouspensky) is bound by willfulness... individuals are 'free' to 'do their dharma'.
Being 'Self'-ish is knowing that what's good for the 'Self' is, by default, good for 'others' because anytime you act for your highest good... it's for the highest good of 'all' involved.
Rules are a 'favor' to the individual (in their proper place) because consciously sacrificing willfulness is an act of will that transfers power from the willful 'person' (our Ouspensky) to the 'impersonal individual'. Why? Because they intuitively understand it serves their highest 'good' now.. as well as the highest good of 'others'.
Thus they learn to become 'responsible'... as in 'Self' regulating.
Gurdjieff was not afraid to be 'Self'-ish as 'machines' can be willful in the extreme... at the expense of 'all' involved. Thus Gurdjieff did not come across as either 'stupid'... or a 'saint'.
(his words)
Sacrificing willfulness is a path to becoming an 'adult'. Gurdjieff was the ultimate 'adult' in the room.
Deconstruction
Buddhism can't be 'constructed' as in piling one concept on top of another until we come to a 'conclusion'. It can only 'dawn' on the individual as the result of a 'deconstruction' of fundamental assumptions.
So Buddhism is not a construction site... it's more of a 'hole' in the foundation.
The 'hole' in the foundation in Buddhism is where the 'personal' me (our 'Ouspensky') used to go.
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If this page is helpful to individuals who are interested in the connection between Gurdjieff, Gnostics, Buddhism and Vedic thought systems it is because it 'takes' what's 'common' to all of them... which is what all of them have in 'common' from the standpoint of impersonal awareness (balanced with personality)... and 'leaves' (deconstructs) the rest... IE: that which is unique to all of them... or that which could potentially create unnecessary mental conflicts or 'barriers' in the mind to 'understanding'.
So when you 'deconstruct' all that is around each of them and just 'leave' the rest... that which they have in common from the standpoint of impersonal awareness, then you are 'down' to the 'essentials'... as in the 'essential Gurdjieff'.
When Gurdjieff 'dawns' on you... as in his impersonal being or 'essence', there's no more need to turn him into a 'construction site'... because you 'understand' him now.
IE: Deconstructing Gurdjieff (the 'Essential' Gurdjieff) from his ideas is just... 'taking what you like and leaving the rest'.
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Gurdjieff was all about the 'way'... and all about 'doing something'.
'Original mind'... (intuitively informed impersonal awareness) is the 'road' and the road is the 'way'... the 'way' that shows us the way to 'do' something... consciously... IE: intentionally.
When you are intentionally 'doing' something for your highest good, as well as the highest good of 'others'... you have the 'tao' right where you want it.
'Original mind' (intuitively informed impersonal awareness) is what Gurdjieff referred to as 'the Master'... as in the 'adult in the room'... which 'knows better'.
You 'follow the Master'... with inner attention.
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Authors NOTE 7-13-17
Being Responsible (IE: 'Self' regulating)
In Gurdjieff's view the world is not divided between 'left or right' and 'this or that' but between those that are 'responsible'... and those that are 'not responsible'.
Being 'responsible' is being responsible for one's inner life... which makes it simpler to mind your own business. Thus the individual is no longer unconsciously mind projecting their inner turmoil onto 'others'.
Those who are 'not responsible' are not paying 'proper inner attention' and thus liable to mechanically and unconsciously do anything and project anything onto others... thereby creating chaos in the world. Thus they bear keeping a watchful eye on... but... without projecting blame onto them... because they are 'not responsible'... but merely mechanically 'reacting' to outer forces and influences... some very far away.
This 'watchful' but 'un-foolish' view from 'understanding' (or bare attention) is the actual view of detached compassion and discernment as the individual 'understands' what's going on in the world (and 'others') without 'beating them up' in their minds.
Thus the individual is no longer 'considering' them (others)... but... they are more likely to be considerate of them as they 'understand' them now... because they're no longer taking them personally. Thus the term... 'they know not what they do' takes on a literal and even practical meaning.
Those that adopt such a view find themselves 'waking up'... at which point everything starts to make sense.
There are 2 levels of awakening... mental and spiritual. Mental awakening is a function of our view of our 'self' and the world. Spiritual awakening is the view from the individual operating on multiple levels simultaneously... where awareness is aware of its 'Self'... distinct from consciousness. Gurdjieff - at his 'best' (IMHO) was primarily operating from either one or the other - or both, simultaneously.
Enigmatic is a word used by those that only understand contradictions. Thus Gurdjieff was an 'enigma' to those who didn't 'understand' him... and a 'paradox' to those that did.
The correct view of the world is important to the individual because anything less than that and the mind begins to rebel... with the 'usual consequences'. But with the correct view, the mind becomes an ally instead of an adversary. Thus it becomes 'useful' to the individual who is then free'd up to 'do their dharma'.
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Authors NOTE 11/29/17
When does tao become the way?
So when does primordial awareness or 'tao' become the 'way'. When it's intuitively informed.
If there be such a thing as the tao of Gurdjieff then it was on full display when he and his followers made their 'inconspicuous' escape from the matrix of insanity that was the revolution and civil war in Russia circa 1917.
In 'The Matrix'... the 'machines' are portrayed as... 'Agents'.
IE: those that 'do not understand'.
IE: those that 'do not understand'.
If you are looking for a spiritual analog of 'The Matrix'... then the Gurdjieff (and Ouspensky) in 'In Search of the Miraculous' is a good place to start... because it was Ouspensky who was 'the One' who delivered his message... in the end.
The 'Matrix' of mind projections... is the 'Matrix' we're in.
Inconspicuous 'doing in plain sight' is what Gurdjieff might refer to as... 'the way of the sly man'.
Thus the 'taoist'... is 'nobody's fool'.
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The three levels of 'doing'
There are actually 3 levels of 'doing'.
!) The 'person' as 'doer' - where the individual that is primarily identified as a separate 'person' is convinced they are doing when in fact they are unconsciously and mechanically reacting to outside forces and influences.
2) The individual is 'doing' - where the individual is capable of conscious (intelligent) choices - thus they are intuitively informed and consciously responding to outside stimulus... IE: 'intelligently'.
3) Doing gets 'done' (or 'non-doing') - there are 3 versions of this view... one is that 'doing gets done' yet one is not necessarily the 'doer' thereof (IE: the witness) - one where 'doing gets done' and it all appears to occur within ones 'Self' (IE: the view from the extended 'all-seeing eye' of non-local awareness) and one where 'doing gets done' and it all is somehow ones 'Self' doing.
One is asleep... one is awake... and one is either an aspect of an enlightened perspective or the non-dual view from the enlightened Jnani.
Thus one is 'willful'... one has 'free will'... one is a 'surrendered free agent'.
Gurdjieff was primarily concerned with the transition between the first two... as in 'first things first'... because one has to learn to 'walk' before one can 'run'... and... it's also where most of the work gets 'done'... thus it's the 'hard part'. The second two levels are more about effort or effortless 'efforting'. Thus there are three major levels of perception of... or experience of... the manifestations of original awareness... or 'tao' ... behind all that is.
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The 'tao' may be undefined... but it is informed. Thus the 'tao' may be unchanging... but the 'way' is 'informative'.
When the tao is informed... it serves a 'purpose'.
That purpose is to show us the 'way'.
'Machines' have lost their 'way'... individuals have found their 'way'... and the enlightened are the 'way'.
Big difference... same awareness.
=========================================
NOTE: If you don't believe that cognitive dissonance is a communication tool, try contemplating the message behind the words... 'Apple Computer'. The term 'Apple Computer'... is a koan. 'Apple' is known... for 'operating' on intuitive insights... which attracted individuals who were intuitively 'savvy'.
Changing the name from 'Apple Computer' to 'Apple'... was a 'mistake'.
================================================
Being and Essence
====================================================
The ancients, like the Vedic's etc., would agree with Gurdjieff that on an unconscious personal level everything was 'just happening'... and as such, even predictable.
But... they would also agree that the way 'out' was to learn to operate on multiple levels simultaneously - IE: raising impersonal awareness, which is 'outside' of that which 'just happens'... thus giving the individual 'conscious input' as to how their future unfolds... in this life and beyond.
From a Vedic-yogic standpoint there are primarily three words that apply to Gurdjieff and that is Maya (the collective delusion)... Avidya (or our individual delusion - the one we're 'responsible' for) and Pratyahara
(or how we work with inner attention in order to see through our Avidya) IE: how we do our part to help alleviate this Maya by understanding the part we play in it.
by minding our own 'business'... as in learning to distinguish between the Self and the self... IE: to 'divide oneself' as Gurdjieff would put it, between the Self and the self in our minds.
================================
If Gurdjieff himself said that he got the basis for his system from an ancient tradition, but not from India, then there is a good case to be made that a significant part of it he found in China (in the mountains east and northeast of Tibet) as their traditions are truly ancient and align in several key ways with what he says.
A no-nonsense view of taoism can be found in the life of Bruce Frantzis and his legendary teachers in China, including the immortal Liu Hung Chieh... much of which can be found in his book on The Internal Martial Arts. Liu Hung Chieh was 'the master' of inconspicuous 'doing in plain sight' (in the middle of Beijing) so as not to attract the attention of those that 'do not understand'. For Liu, being responsible or 'doing' was integral to an objective taoist morality... as in a taoist objective conscience.
'Liu kept his own counsel'*... he minded his own business.
He was a 'Law unto his own Self'.
Liu knew how to hide his light when necessary (in the middle of Beijing) and he knew when to put it on full display, for instructional purposes, with carefully selected students only... IE: those that were prepared to accept what he had to offer.
IE: he was a 'Master'... in every sense of the word.
He and Gurdjeiff would have seen 'eye to eye'... as in... they would have 'seen through' each other... with a smile.
One could safely say that Liu Hung Chieh earned a 'Lifetime Membership' in the highest echelons of the esoteric circle of humanity.
It's been said that one should never stop learning till you leave this world... and then you get a real education.
May we all be so fortunate.
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"Unceasing, continuous, it cannot be defined...
It is the origin of Heaven and Earth...
When named it is the mother of all things...
An image of what existed before God
One is 'fooled'... one is a 'conscious actor'.
When the ancient Vedic's said that our duty - our responsibility - was to 'act'... they meant just that.
IE... to be a 'conscious actor'.
'Seeing through' someone is 'seeing through' their 'act'... to that which they are... while simultaneously dealing with whatever they are - or are not - 'putting out'.
The "person' has 'fallen' for their act... the individual 'see's through' their act, to that which 'knows better'... as in that which they are.
Big difference
When the witness 'withdraws' its attention (from our 'Ouspensky') into its 'Self'... as in "when the turtle withdraws into its shell"... that's called pratyahara.
When the 'witness' withdraws its attention (from our 'Ouspensky') into its 'Self'... the individual 'understands' what's going on... with themselves... with 'others'... and the world.
May we all be so fortunate.
!) The 'person' as 'doer' - where the individual that is primarily identified as a separate 'person' is convinced they are doing when in fact they are unconsciously and mechanically reacting to outside forces and influences.
2) The individual is 'doing' - where the individual is capable of conscious (intelligent) choices - thus they are intuitively informed and consciously responding to outside stimulus... IE: 'intelligently'.
3) Doing gets 'done' (or 'non-doing') - there are 3 versions of this view... one is that 'doing gets done' yet one is not necessarily the 'doer' thereof (IE: the witness) - one where 'doing gets done' and it all appears to occur within ones 'Self' (IE: the view from the extended 'all-seeing eye' of non-local awareness) and one where 'doing gets done' and it all is somehow ones 'Self' doing.
One is asleep... one is awake... and one is either an aspect of an enlightened perspective or the non-dual view from the enlightened Jnani.
Thus one is 'willful'... one has 'free will'... one is a 'surrendered free agent'.
Gurdjieff was primarily concerned with the transition between the first two... as in 'first things first'... because one has to learn to 'walk' before one can 'run'... and... it's also where most of the work gets 'done'... thus it's the 'hard part'. The second two levels are more about effort or effortless 'efforting'. Thus there are three major levels of perception of... or experience of... the manifestations of original awareness... or 'tao' ... behind all that is.
---------------------------------------------------
The 'tao' may be undefined... but it is informed. Thus the 'tao' may be unchanging... but the 'way' is 'informative'.
When the tao is informed... it serves a 'purpose'.
That purpose is to show us the 'way'.
'Machines' have lost their 'way'... individuals have found their 'way'... and the enlightened are the 'way'.
Big difference... same awareness.
=========================================
For individuals in the 21st century, learning to turn insurmountable problems into 'workable' situations will make all the difference... in the world.
================================================
NOTE: If you don't believe that cognitive dissonance is a communication tool, try contemplating the message behind the words... 'Apple Computer'. The term 'Apple Computer'... is a koan. 'Apple' is known... for 'operating' on intuitive insights... which attracted individuals who were intuitively 'savvy'.
Changing the name from 'Apple Computer' to 'Apple'... was a 'mistake'.
================================================
Authors NOTE 8-30-19
Being and Essence
The difference between 'being' and 'essence' in Gurdjieff is that...
being is recognizable essence.
Thus the level of being in each individual varies... while their essence is identical.
Thus 'self remembering' in Gurdjieff... is 'Self recognition'.
====================================================
"They reckon ill who leave me out;
When me they fly, I am the wings;
I am the doubter and the doubt,
and I the hymn the Brahmin sings."
From Emerson's "Brahma"
The ancients, like the Vedic's etc., would agree with Gurdjieff that on an unconscious personal level everything was 'just happening'... and as such, even predictable.
But... they would also agree that the way 'out' was to learn to operate on multiple levels simultaneously - IE: raising impersonal awareness, which is 'outside' of that which 'just happens'... thus giving the individual 'conscious input' as to how their future unfolds... in this life and beyond.
From a Vedic-yogic standpoint there are primarily three words that apply to Gurdjieff and that is Maya (the collective delusion)... Avidya (or our individual delusion - the one we're 'responsible' for) and Pratyahara
(or how we work with inner attention in order to see through our Avidya) IE: how we do our part to help alleviate this Maya by understanding the part we play in it.
by minding our own 'business'... as in learning to distinguish between the Self and the self... IE: to 'divide oneself' as Gurdjieff would put it, between the Self and the self in our minds.
================================
Authors NOTE 2-6-19
For a classic firsthand description of how this Maya, and Avidya works and how one individual was shocked into seeing through it all see John Maxwell Taylor's book The Power of I AM - pages 78-83. Its also a firsthand report about a trio of 'Mara's daughters' (almost) and how we can put ourselves to sleep, if we're not paying attention, through 'mindless chatter'.
Gurdjieff didn't engage in 'mindless chatter'. When he spoke... it was for a reason.
NOTE: Even Eckhart Tolle gets 'worn down'... from talking too much. IE: even he would rather just... 'mind his own business'.
Identification is the 'flaw' in the design which led to the 'original mistake'.
Responsibility for the 'original mistake'... lies with the 'original designer'.
The individual is not responsible for the 'original mistake'... only for 'correcting' the part they 'play' in it.
You 'correct' the part you 'play' in it... by becoming a 'conscious actor'.
Being 'fooled' into the 'personal position' is the Narcissistic trance.
Identification is what happens when we are 'fooled' into the 'personal position'. The individual knows how to 'play the fool'.
It takes a conscious 'actor'... to 'play the fool'.
Gurdjieff knew how to 'play the fool'... as well as anyone.
For a classic firsthand description of how this Maya, and Avidya works and how one individual was shocked into seeing through it all see John Maxwell Taylor's book The Power of I AM - pages 78-83. Its also a firsthand report about a trio of 'Mara's daughters' (almost) and how we can put ourselves to sleep, if we're not paying attention, through 'mindless chatter'.
Gurdjieff didn't engage in 'mindless chatter'. When he spoke... it was for a reason.
NOTE: Even Eckhart Tolle gets 'worn down'... from talking too much. IE: even he would rather just... 'mind his own business'.
Identification is the 'flaw' in the design which led to the 'original mistake'.
Responsibility for the 'original mistake'... lies with the 'original designer'.
The individual is not responsible for the 'original mistake'... only for 'correcting' the part they 'play' in it.
You 'correct' the part you 'play' in it... by becoming a 'conscious actor'.
Being 'fooled' into the 'personal position' is the Narcissistic trance.
Identification is what happens when we are 'fooled' into the 'personal position'. The individual knows how to 'play the fool'.
It takes a conscious 'actor'... to 'play the fool'.
Gurdjieff knew how to 'play the fool'... as well as anyone.
===================================
For more on our Avidya, being a conscious 'actor' and how everything is, on an unconscious personal level, electro (mechanically) 'just happening' as well as 'that' which is 'outside' of all that see this authors 2011 article on... Where is Time?
Three years after that article was written there were echo's of it in a scientific study about the relationship between free will and the noise recorded in the brain... see a brief piece on that at... Does 'free will' arise from Brain Noise?
This noise in the brain is thought by some to be an 'effect' of the amplification in the brain of Huxley's 'Mind at Large'.
Three years after that article was written there were echo's of it in a scientific study about the relationship between free will and the noise recorded in the brain... see a brief piece on that at... Does 'free will' arise from Brain Noise?
This noise in the brain is thought by some to be an 'effect' of the amplification in the brain of Huxley's 'Mind at Large'.
For an excellent look at the origins of the scientific investigations into free will see Michael Talbot's classic (and very readable) book on... The Holographic Universe
Gurdjieff's view of 'free will' was validated recently by Deepak Chopra and a recently revived scientific theory of Richard Feynman's about how the brain interacts with this 'Mind at Large' in a July 14, 2017 television episode, linked here and titled... The Akashic Record
In addition the view of technology described in that episode echos the view described in this blogs Home Page section called 'On Technology' in the Footnotes near the bottom of the page. See this blogs... Home Page
It's just another example of how the longer Gurdjieff is around, the more his views are validated by recent discoveries.
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Authors Note 10-11-18
Gurdjieff's view of 'free will' was validated recently by Deepak Chopra and a recently revived scientific theory of Richard Feynman's about how the brain interacts with this 'Mind at Large' in a July 14, 2017 television episode, linked here and titled... The Akashic Record
In addition the view of technology described in that episode echos the view described in this blogs Home Page section called 'On Technology' in the Footnotes near the bottom of the page. See this blogs... Home Page
It's just another example of how the longer Gurdjieff is around, the more his views are validated by recent discoveries.
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Authors Note 10-11-18
Gurdjieff once said that 'knowledge, like everything else in the world, is materiel' and like any finite materiel, the more widely it is disseminated the shallower its impact is on the general public. One has to dig deep to find it, even if its hiding in plain sight... which it is.
That's a paradox.
Three decades later, in the 1940's Claude Shannon echoed Gurdjieff when he created Information Theory - the basis for all information dissemination on the internet and around the world today that states that... "information can be treated very much like a physical quantity, such as mass or energy"... IE: as a materiel. But... he failed to anticipate the paradoxical effect of its dissemination... on the general public.
IE: when Great knowledge becomes common knowledge you can forget about it... because its just 'common' knowledge.
IE: 'knowledge' (information or waves) operate in 'time'... thus it is susceptible to the limitations and properties of time. Intuitive knowing is something else altogether.
So thirty years before Claude Shannon's breakthrough insight that launched the information age, Gurdjieff understood its 'nature'.
See Ouspensky's 'Search' (pages 36-39)... as well as 'Chapter Seven' in the book on the history of Bell Labs titled... The Idea Factory
Paul Brunton on the paradox of 'free will' and how everything is... 'just happening'...
"...both these are partly wrong and partly right. Neither is the theory that the two forces exist side by side correct. The right view is that one is inside the other, like two concentric circles, a smaller lying inside a larger one."
From Chapter One ('The Illumination') of 'Paul Brunton - A personal View' by his son Kenneth Thurston Hurst.
The Self is not a memory
The 'Self' can't be 'remembered' because it's not a memory.
But... the individual remembers how to 'recall' it from hiding... with inner attention.
You look for it by remembering that it is hiding in plain sight... and not lost.
That's a paradox.
Three decades later, in the 1940's Claude Shannon echoed Gurdjieff when he created Information Theory - the basis for all information dissemination on the internet and around the world today that states that... "information can be treated very much like a physical quantity, such as mass or energy"... IE: as a materiel. But... he failed to anticipate the paradoxical effect of its dissemination... on the general public.
IE: when Great knowledge becomes common knowledge you can forget about it... because its just 'common' knowledge.
IE: 'knowledge' (information or waves) operate in 'time'... thus it is susceptible to the limitations and properties of time. Intuitive knowing is something else altogether.
So thirty years before Claude Shannon's breakthrough insight that launched the information age, Gurdjieff understood its 'nature'.
See Ouspensky's 'Search' (pages 36-39)... as well as 'Chapter Seven' in the book on the history of Bell Labs titled... The Idea Factory
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Authors NOTE: 11-2-19
Paul Brunton on the paradox of 'free will' and how everything is... 'just happening'...
"...both these are partly wrong and partly right. Neither is the theory that the two forces exist side by side correct. The right view is that one is inside the other, like two concentric circles, a smaller lying inside a larger one."
From Chapter One ('The Illumination') of 'Paul Brunton - A personal View' by his son Kenneth Thurston Hurst.
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Authors Note 1-6-20
The Self is not a memory
The 'Self' can't be 'remembered' because it's not a memory.
But... the individual remembers how to 'recall' it from hiding... with inner attention.
but... the individual has to remember to 'look' for it.
You look for it by remembering that it is hiding in plain sight... and not lost.
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Daniel Pinchbeck on Rudolph Steiner
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'As we transform the astral body through painstaking conscious labor, we slowly create a fifth body which Steiner calls the spirit self. "The spirit self constitutes a higher element of our human makeup, one that is present in it in embryonic form, as it were, and emerges more and more in the course of working on ourselves".'
Daniel Pinchbeck on Rudolph Steiner
Authors NOTE 12-15-17
The Case for Gurdjieff in (western) China
NOTE: The Taoists have a term for what Gurdjieff calls 'intentional suffering'. It's called... 'eating bitter'. In the beginning, all spiritual practice could be said to be... 'intentional suffering'.
If Gurdjieff himself said that he got the basis for his system from an ancient tradition, but not from India, then there is a good case to be made that a significant part of it he found in China (in the mountains east and northeast of Tibet) as their traditions are truly ancient and align in several key ways with what he says.
For one, his '3 brained beings' are in alignment with the 3 tantiens (or dantiens) or 'centers' of mind in Traditional Chinese Medicine (head, heart and gut). TCM is taoist medicine... it came from the original taoists... perhaps even the original taoist. Thus his 'centers' have a familiar ring to them. Also in taoism they speak of 'making a soul'... as what we take to be a solid personality is actually seen as a collection of parts (as in the parts we play) that will be discarded for another set of parts in the next lifetime... unless... one makes (or 'completes') a soul... otherwise known as the 'seventh body of individuality'... that is capable of surviving death, as Gurdjieff would say. Thus this seventh body of individuality allows one to reincarnate 'intact' - as in to truly reincarnate - as opposed to starting all over again with a new set of 'parts' IE a new personality or personal identity. Thus Gurdjieff's view's that 'man is
plural' (parts) and that we would not truly reincarnate unless we 'make a soul'... do have their precedence... in China.
Thus in taoism only the individual can truly reincarnate and thus build on what they have (Buddhism refers to these individuals as Bodhisattva's) as opposed to being recreated anew and starting over from scratch. A very tedious and time consuming project to say the least... and perhaps even 'foolish'... unless one 'knows better'. The immortal and ever-present Self is there the whole time but it doesn't appear to have a say in the matter... unless one realizes it or works for it. The taoists call this being 'one with the tao' - as in primordial awareness itself. Being aware of awareness itself is what they call 'Heart Mind'.
One is awareness of awareness... one is recognition of itself. One is awake... one is 'realized'.
NOTE: The Bon-Buddhist tradition in Tibet calls this primordial awareness or 'tao' from which all arises... Rigpa
One is awareness of awareness... one is recognition of itself. One is awake... one is 'realized'.
NOTE: The Bon-Buddhist tradition in Tibet calls this primordial awareness or 'tao' from which all arises... Rigpa
According to Tobias Churton, Gurdjieff himself say's he was studying in Chinese Monasteries (see footnotes at the bottom of pages 96-97). So one doesn't have to look far to connect the dots. Thus there was the Gnostic Gurdjieff... the Buddhist Gurdjieff... the Vedic Gurdjieff... the Esoteric Christian Gurdjieff and the tao of Gurdjieff. He was all of those and more.
IE: he was a man of many 'parts'... in more ways than one.
IE: he was a man of many 'parts'... in more ways than one.
A no-nonsense view of taoism can be found in the life of Bruce Frantzis and his legendary teachers in China, including the immortal Liu Hung Chieh... much of which can be found in his book on The Internal Martial Arts. Liu Hung Chieh was 'the master' of inconspicuous 'doing in plain sight' (in the middle of Beijing) so as not to attract the attention of those that 'do not understand'. For Liu, being responsible or 'doing' was integral to an objective taoist morality... as in a taoist objective conscience.
'Liu kept his own counsel'*... he minded his own business.
He was a 'Law unto his own Self'.
Liu knew how to hide his light when necessary (in the middle of Beijing) and he knew when to put it on full display, for instructional purposes, with carefully selected students only... IE: those that were prepared to accept what he had to offer.
IE: he was a 'Master'... in every sense of the word.
He and Gurdjeiff would have seen 'eye to eye'... as in... they would have 'seen through' each other... with a smile.
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It's been said that one should never stop learning till you leave this world... and then you get a real education.
May we all be so fortunate.
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Authors NOTE (3-1-18)
From the Tao Te Ching by Lau Tzu **
"Unceasing, continuous, it cannot be defined...
It is the origin of Heaven and Earth...
When named it is the mother of all things...
An image of what existed before God
...Continuously, continuously... it seems to remain.
Draw upon it and it serves you with ease..
Draw upon it and it serves you with ease..
Meet it and you will not see its face.
Follow it and you will not see its back.
The image of nothingness, that is why it can't be defined...
He who holds fast to the quality of old is able to know the primeval beginnings...
He who holds fast to the quality of old is able to know the primeval beginnings...
which are the continuity of quality."
Inconspicuous indeed...
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Authors NOTE: 4-4-19
On 'The Fall'
The 'person' is convinced it is fully engaged... the individual 'understands' it is detached and engaged.
One is 'fooled'... one is a 'conscious actor'.
When the ancient Vedic's said that our duty - our responsibility - was to 'act'... they meant just that.
IE... to be a 'conscious actor'.
Gurdjieff was notorious... for 'acting'.
'Seeing through' someone is 'seeing through' their 'act'... to that which they are... while simultaneously dealing with whatever they are - or are not - 'putting out'.
That only happens when the individual is operating on multiple levels simultaneously.
The "person' has 'fallen' for their act... the individual 'see's through' their act, to that which 'knows better'... as in that which they are.
Big difference
IE: When the 'witness' falls for our "Ouspensky'... that's called 'separation'.
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Because inner attention can extend... it can retract.
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Because inner attention can extend... it can retract.
When the witness 'withdraws' its attention (from our 'Ouspensky') into its 'Self'... as in "when the turtle withdraws into its shell"... that's called pratyahara.
When the 'witness' withdraws its attention (from our 'Ouspensky') into its 'Self'... the individual 'understands' what's going on... with themselves... with 'others'... and the world.
May we all be so fortunate.
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"In the nineteenth century the greatest threat to humanity was pneumonia." he continued. "In the twentieth century it was cancer. The illness that will mark our era, and particularly the start of the twenty-first century, is insanity".
If ever there was a time for common sense - and Gurdjieff... it's now.
The bottom line
"In the nineteenth century the greatest threat to humanity was pneumonia." he continued. "In the twentieth century it was cancer. The illness that will mark our era, and particularly the start of the twenty-first century, is insanity".
Ch'an Master Nan (1918-2012)
from 'The Seventh Sense' by Joshua Cooper Ramo
Gurdjieff was all about common sense. The common sense that 'see's through' human folly.
If ever there was a time for common sense - and Gurdjieff... it's now.
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See also this authors article on the Law of Three, Octaves and Tesla, which was originally published in 2010 as 'Who Needs the Higgs' but has since been re-published in Britain as Spirals and Energy in Nature
NOTE: The article above is particularly helpful in that it also explains where the 'implicate order' (described in 'The Holographic Universe') comes from... and where it goes to. Or as Walter Russell said... "in the wave lies the secret of creation'.
There is more to be said on... The Three Levels of Paradox
There is a difference between what Gurdjieff referred to as Objective Art... and subjective art. One raises questions... one raises consciousness - see... Objective Art and Quality
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** As found in Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. When Robert Pirsig solved the koan of Objective quality vs Subjective quality by a sudden intuitive insight he did so by introducing a third viewpoint... the viewpoint from impersonal awareness or 'Tao'... (the origin of all qualities) which overrode the differences between the two in his mind. NOTE: In terms of the Grail Quest this is known as 'the reconciliation of opposites'... where the seeker turns the 'lead' of contradictions into the 'gold' of understanding.
* As per Bai Hua
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Authors Note 12-27-20
"95% of what he taught can be found elsewhere" J.G. Bennett on Gurdjieff
The following points are raised somewhat indirectly in the blog (which is its style) but for study purposes the list below can be helpful in both clarifying and gaining new insights into Ouspensky's 'In Search of the Miraculous' as well as other Gurdjieff works.
1) G's 'understanding' is clarified and defined more 'clearly'... so to speak... as a function of operating on multiple levels simultaneously.
2) G's use of paradoxical language is clarified as a technique of a 'crazy wisdom' teacher and demonstrated in the Ouspensky quote.
(see also John Maxwell Taylor's musical about Gurdjieff, titled... 'Crazy Wisdom')
3) Ouspensky's double arrow of attention is explained more thoroughly and its connection to Self Remembering is clarified once one understands that the Self is hiding - and not lost. This insight alone frees up inner attention through an inner letting go which allows one to search for the Self internally in a way that ordinary 'looking for it' does not. This might surprise some.
4) G's path is explained as primarily a way to 'the way'... as opposed to a path to enlightenment. Lipsey's book touches on this as well.
5) G's use of language is updated to a more contemporary form as an aide to understanding what he was trying to get across, as it can be confusing at times to more modern readers.
(IE: a certain amount of 'reading between the lines' or even word substitution in the mind is required, at times, with Gurdjieff... as is always the case with those that are attempting to obfuscate)
Gurdjieff wanted individuals to think for themselves... rather than allow thinking to 'just happen'.
So his use of language was one way of encouraging this critical thinking.
6) The importance of separating G's being or essence from his ideas is clarified as a way of better understanding his nature... as well as our own.
7) The understanding of paradox as key for navigating Ouspensky's 'labyrinth of contradictions' is explained and clarified.
8) G's movement from internal considering to external considering is seen as a consequence of a 'paradoxical understanding' of ourselves and 'others'.
9) The difference between ones level of 'being' (which is a variable) in Gurdjieff and 'essence' (which is ever present and immortal but enmeshed with personality) is clarified and explained.
10) The similarity between the Buddhas Maras daughters and G's more contemporary machines is implied while his expanded the meaning to include all mechanical behavior - including our own.
(the ancient Gnostics were even more stark in their language as they referred to those that were illumined as 'the living'... and everyone else as 'the dead')
11) The connection between G's use of the word intelligent and its connection to discernment etc. is clarified and explained.
12) G's 'General Laws' and karmic laws (and how to connect them) is clarified... as well as how to get around them.
13) G's emphasis on the importance of being able to consciously choose between two influences (inner and outer) as an aide to Self remembering is clarified as a use of inner attention.
(or what Gurdjieff referred to as Conscious inner 'C' influence... as opposed to worldly outer 'A' and 'B' influences)
With the goal of 'seeing' for one's self which is more 'profitable'.
14) G's circles of humanity is simplified and clarified by showing that 'understanding' is the key to understanding all three inner circles simultaneously... as well as understanding their relationship to the outer circle.
15) G's Gnostic mistake is seen as a way to get around the concept of 'original sin'... which is a major barrier for many.
16) G's take on free will as opposed to the lack of self determination is clarified and compared to Paul Bruntons enlightened explanation (in his sons biography).
17) The connection between G's 'way' and dharma is clarified.
18) Why G was a member of the esoteric circle of humanity is explained and clarified.
19) G's connection between original mind, free will (and dharma) is clarified and explained.
20) G's objective consciousness and its connection to detached awareness is clarified and explained.
21) G's 'proper mind' is clarified and explained... as in operating on the 'impersonal' (and the 'personal') levels simultaneously.
(this has been traditionally represented by the 'circle and the square', as in 'squaring the circle')
22) G being 'nobody's fool' as a consequence of his impersonal awareness is clarified and explained.
23) The connection between a Gnostic and Taoist objective conscience and G's conscience is clarified and explained.
24) The relationship between G's subjective and objective morality and conscience is clarified and explained.
25) The connection between G's machines and willfulness is clarified and explained. The connection between G's machines and The Matrix film (also known as the dharma movie) is also implied... not to mention his 'energy economy'.
26) G's emphasis on sacrifice and its relationship to sacrificing willfulness is explained as a path to self mastery and will.
27) The connection between inner attention and G's 'listening for the Masters voice' (IE: intuition) is clarified and explained.
28) The implication that yoga and Chi Gung are legitimate ancient 'fourth ways', as they both work with the body, mind and emotions... simultaneously is implied and explored as a source of G's own unique and original 'fourth way'.
29) The connection between G's being responsible and the ancient Vedic's take on Duty is clarified and explained.
(the Taoists in particular put an emphasis on the need for this 'inner responsibility')
30) The connection between 'the way' or Tao and 'doing' is clarified and explained.
31) The implication that there are actually 3 levels of doing is clarified and explained (as well as its obvious connection to the Law of Three).
32) G's profitable (workable) situations are clarified and explained... as well as seen as a tool for overcoming obstacles (see 'The Materiel Question').
Ouspensky did not quite grasp this here but 'Tales' tells the 'tale'. IE: Wars, Revolutions, it did not matter... everything was 'Grist' for Gurdjieff's 'Mill'.
(and the closer we move towards that 'ideal'... the smoother our journey will be)
33) The connection between G's planetary influences and astrology is implied via the link to James Kelleher's Vedic astrology website (under the word 'predictable') above (which is a yoga path all its own). Although history has chosen to focus on G's 'Toasts to the Idiots' Gurdjieff was perfectly capable of speaking intelligently and at length about the astrological influences that help shape the 'parts' that each individual 'plays'.
34) The connection between pratyahara and Gurdjieff is explained and clarified as a function of inner attention... as well as its connection to Self remembering.
35) G's enigmatic nature is explained as a function of the view from the second level of paradox.
36) G's 'dividing ones-self ' as a prerequisite to Self remembering and pratyahara is explained and clarified.
37) G's 'inner vibrations' - as in... "within vibrations other vibrations proceed" - (IE: waves within waves or 'fractal waves') are explained in the 'Spirals and Energy in Nature' article (linked above) and are key to understanding how David Bohm's implicate order manifests... and thus how the Holographic Universe operates. Its also key to understanding the holographic nature of his Ray of Creation... without having to necessarily agree with the planetary sequence of events he portrays. Thus G was quite a bit ahead of his time here.
Also, G's spiraling octaves are seen here as having their origin in a nonlinear direction or source - 'at right angles to time' (G's fifth dimension) while manifesting in linear form - IE: 'as above... so below'. Or as the Heart Sutra says "emptiness becomes form... form becomes emptiness..."
("beginninglessly and endlessly")
All this has been hiding in plain sight in the form of the ubiquitous icon of the East
known as the Yin-Yang symbol.
38) G's Self remembering as a form of ancient inner 'Guru yoga' is implied and explained clearly in the Brunton bio book.
(in this case, 'remembering' - G's "reminding factor" - is what's known as a self-initiated Dharma bell, or reminder to practice - or what Gurdjieff referred to as... an 'artificial shock')
39) The connection between G's conscious (intentional) suffering and the Taoist 'eating bitter' is made.
(otherwise known as... 'transmuting the lower energies into impersonal awareness while sitting in the fires of transformation")
(G's 'Food Diagrams' were simply an elaborate analogy for this inner transformational process)
Gurdjieff knew how to 'suffer'... consciously.
IE: he knew how to 'eat the bitter'... as well as anyone.
40) The connection between the hard work of G's making a soul (as in making something of ones soul) and the Taoist internal martial artists 'fighting for ones soul' is implied and explained in the China section as well as in the Bruce Frantzis book link. Also, G's 'coating' of the soul' could be seen here as the development of the Taoist 'Seventh body of Individuality'. Thus G's implication (at times) of having no soul - a major sticking point for many - is seen as a shock technique on his part... to motivate individuals to 'go for it' in this lifetime instead of putting it off until some future lifetime. Why? Because, as he saw it... there was no time to waste. Thus his 'Haida yoga' or 'Hurry-up' yoga.
IE: There are no 'Esoteric Christians' that did not believe in an immortal soul. That's why they built Temples.
41) The obvious link between G's 'three brained beings' and the Taoist Dantiens or centers is clarified (while G covers all his bases with his expanded 'seven centers' and their obvious connection to the Vedic chakra system).
42) G's reincarnation take is clarified and explained.
43) G's possible connection with many selves and the Taoist 'parts' is implied, clarified and explained.
44) The connection between G's nothingness and Taoist nothingness, or impersonal awareness, is implied.
45) G and the 'Fall' or separation is explained as a function of misdirected inner attention. (see G's Tales as well).
46) G's acting and its connection to the ancient Vedics is clarified and explained.
47) G's common sense as an antidote to 21st century insanity is implied. The first chapter alone in 'The Seventh Sense' is worth the price of the book.
48) G's connection to Quality ('what a man does well') is explained via the Tao Te Ching quote, the Objective art link as well as the Pirsig book.
49) G's rules clarified and explained as a tool for exposing willfulness and developing will.
50 G's connection to 'Information Theory'. Again, ahead of his time.
And finally, the use of the word cynic here implies the more contemporary use of the word as a Gnostic doubter as opposed to Roger Lipsey's innovative use of the word in its Classic form as in 'one who see's through others' - and isn't afraid to let them know it. It's a tribute to Gurdjieff's paradoxical nature that both versions work in this context.
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Authors NOTE 9-17-21
"It is this distraction of attention inwardly that is the secret of yoga"
Paul Brunton - author of A Search in Secret India and early pioneer of yoga in the West (from page 88 of his sons bio)
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There is a reverse gear in the mind
but it has nothing to do with thoughts...
and everything to do with attention.
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Authors NOTE: 2-25-21
Mme Ouspensky on pratyahara (going within) and inner attention...
(emphasis mine)
"Where one's attention is caught, one becomes that thing and of the level of that thing. If one loses one's attention in this table one becomes this table. Collecting attention is bringing it back and bringing it back into a definite place in oneself."
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NOTE: If you substitute 'the mind' for 'this table'... it starts to hit home.
IE: 'this table'... is a metaphor for 'the mind'.
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One could safely say that Sophie Grigorievna Ouspensky... knew exactly what was going on.
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Authors Update 4-2-22
Recommended Reading
See... Gurdjieff - Anatomy of a Myth by James Moore
Still the best combination of biography and explanation of Gurdjieff's ideas and worldview in one book by an intelligent and discerning author, written in a lucid and even literary manner. It works well as either a companion read or a follow-up read to Ouspensky's 'Search'.
It's also an excellent snapshot of the first 40 years of post-G memoirs while it simultaneously (some would say paradoxically) set the table for the next 30 years of Gurdjieff literature.
The term... 'history doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes' comes alive when you study Gurdjieff. Particularly in Part II of this book.
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Authors Update 3-24-22
"The lesson of the Pyramid is that man must turn inward, must venture to the unknown centre of his being to find his soul..."
From A Search in Secret Egypt by Paul Brunton
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Three spiritual tools
"Personality hides behind essence" he said "and essence hides behind personality and they mutually screen each other."
From page 248 of Ouspensky's In Search of the Miraculous
There is something simple in the book linked below that slows down the momentum of (and even 'quiets') the mind to where it is possible to begin to consciously choose to work with inner attention, and thus practice Self remembering as a form of 'inner Guru yoga' or 'going within' on a frequent and even daily basis (which begins with an inner renunciation of 'out-ward' mind projections and then deepens from there). When this is accomplished it unveils a synthesis between Gurdjieff and Paul Brunton that may not have been obvious to even faithful readers of both. Paul Brunton was 'the master' of interiorized inner attention (IE: 'inwardness' or 'within-ness') and he refers to it frequently in his writing, describing it as... like arriving on an 'uncharted continent'. Kathryn Hulme referred to it as an 'Undiscovered Country'... the perfect description, as most individuals are unaware that this 'hidden inner country' or 'inner alternative' to the mind even exists.
(his son was equally eloquent about how this 'inner refuge' and 'inner reset' of the mind works)
Also, if you substitute the word 'Self' for 'essence' in your mind it lays the ground for contemplating the insight spoken about above - in the third study guide point... that states that 'the Self is hiding - and not lost'...
which reveals (as the old saying goes) that... "that which is looking... is that which you are looking for"...
which might leave you with a rather large smile on your face if not outright laughter. Some refer to it as 'the Great Cosmic Joke'.
Gurdjieff certainly 'got' that joke at some point... which would account for his ironic sense of humor about this world.
Gurdjieff knew how to 'hide' - consciously.
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When faced with an overwhelmingly complex problem individuals often find that the only way 'out' is a radically simple solution, as it cuts through multiple levels of complexity - simultaneously. Otherwise, the alternative is just more complexity... which is an endless bog in the mind.
That certainly applies here... which explains why this insight is so 'sudden'.
The reason this practice works is because if you are looking for something that is lost then you are looking for it in all the places you've 'been'. IE: all the usual places. But if you look for something as if it's hiding, then suddenly that opens up a whole new range of possibilities... places you hadn't considered before... places you've never 'been'.
This inner letting go of inner attention in the mind - this willingness to 'look' in places you've never 'been' is why this practice works.
But... the individual has to be willing to 'look' for it... where it actually is.
Prediction: In the 21st century, more and more individuals will learn how to 'hide themselves'.
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There are two symptoms that can appear when the individual is successful with these complimentary yoga's and that is either 'uncaused peace' or 'uncaused happiness'... depending on how you approach it.
This is the 'tipoff' that inner contact has been made with the Self.
That's because neither of these can be imagined or 'manufactured' in the mind... they can only arise into ones awareness as a result of direct contact with ones own nature (or Self).
Then Paul Brunton will make perfect sense, Gurdjieff will make perfect sense, Buddhism will make perfect sense, Hinduism will make perfect sense, Taoism will make perfect sense, the Ancient Gnostics will make perfect sense, and even the Ancient Egyptians will make perfect sense.
It will all make perfect sense... even amidst all the madness in the world.
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Authors NOTE 7-10-22
"In real art there is nothing accidental. It is mathematics"
From page 26 of Ouspensky's 'In Search of the Miraculous'
If Gurdjieff and Paul Brunton were alive today (IMO) they would have been fascinated with (and have alot to say about) the phenomenon of Crop Circles - not only for their messaging and content but as a vehicle for developing the discernment needed in order to sift out the 'real' ones from the false. If ever there was a quality that needs to be developed in todays world it's discernment. And the phenomenon of Crop Circles is an excellent vehicle for 'doing' just that.
To keep up with the latest circles see... Temporary Temples
Also, see the film below (which may be available on Netflix etc.) by the Academy Award Nominated Director William Gazecki. Once you view it you'll be convinced that genuine Crop Circles are the foremost example of Objective Art in the modern world. See... Crop Circles - Quest for Truth
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The word 'awe' is an overused one today, but if ever there was a film that leaves one in a state of awe... it's this one.
Awe is natures way of... 'putting us in our proper place'.
And genuine Objective Art... 'does' that for us.
Then we can see that the 'real crop circles' (and their false counterparts) are a metaphor for the relationship of the real 'Self'... to the false 'self'.
(and in both cases we have to adjust our 'sight'... in order to 'see' them)
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There is something much, much bigger than this world going on in this world... and it's staring us right in the face.
IE: it's 'hiding in plain sight'... for those that have 'the eyes to see'.
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Authors NOTE: 3-23-23
The Great Octave of the 21st Century
"The empire that is united will one day fall apart, and what is divided will come back together again. So it has always been."
From the Ming Dynasty novel 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' circa 1368-1645AD
(as found in The Story of China by Michael Wood)
With every day that goes by... with every 'shocking' headline... more and more people are becoming open to what Gurdjieff had to say.
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Also... everything (on a 'personal' level) may be 'just happening'... but it doesn't mean that individuals who are spiritual practitioners and researchers don't have a stake in the future and don't need to arm themselves with the tools to 'see' what's coming on a phenomenal (and spiritual) level. After all, the first of Gurdjieff's five Strivings was to equip ones self with everything one needs on a phenomenal level - so as to minimize unnecessary distractions of our inner attention. So what follows are just some tools that individuals and institutions have been using to help prepare themselves for the 'interesting times' ahead.
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A former Goldman Sachs market timing specialist, Dr Charles Nenner has been a world famous financial cycle predictor for nearly four decades (and since 2001 has been serving individuals and institutions on his own). He first got his interest in the cyclical nature of things after seeing, as a young Medical Doctor (and Psychiatrist) that birth rates were connected to moon cycles and how 'mass upsets' in society were connected to sun spot cycles... and thus how markets track 'madness'. He understands that there are bigger forces at hand and thus clearly is not a conventional thinker. You can find him on podcasts and his website is at... charlesnenner.com
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Vedic Astrology can be highly predictive of the astrological 'weather' ahead (in part) because of its highly sequential and predictable planetary Dasha system, the inclusion of the Sade Sati period's, as well as its unique Yoga's (or combinations of energies) - not to mention its easy to interpret charts which are well organized, with no glyphs - just plain language. Thus these same useful techniques that are applied to an individuals yearly Vedic chart (to get the 'weather' ahead for them) can be applied to the yearly charts for countries - and especially their leaders - as the leaders chart is often reflected in the state of a country.
So in addition to his astrology practice James Kelleher produces his 'World Predictions' (every January) for all the major countries, regions, the EU - and their leaders. You can download his predictions from his website at... jameskelleher.com
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Authors NOTE 4-15-23
Transmuting the Problem into the Solution
It's been said that the world goes 'round and round' because the planets go around in circles. Once you realize that the world's 'going around in circles' (in more ways than one) then what Gurdjieff say's will make more and more sense. IE: that the world that goes 'around in circles' is a reflection of the heavens that 'go around in circles'.
'As above... so below'. And 'so it has always been'.
The good news is that because the world 'goes around in circles' its future is somewhat predictable... because the 'world' has seen it all before... and has seen it coming for ages.
There is a 'built-in' sequence to the world because there is a 'built-in' sequence to the heavens. And because there is a 'built-in' sequence to the heavens there is a 'built-in' sequence to our lives... and the lives of nations as well. But just because there is a 'built-in' sequence to our lives doesn't mean that everything is hopeless... the opposite in fact... as 'free will' is alive in the 'Self'... and 'so it has always been'. But the most difficult thing for most individuals to appreciate is that each individuals option to choose to exercise free will is also 'built-in to the system' - and thus into the outcome of the 'sequence' here on earth.
The reason this is difficult for individuals to understand is because balancing 'automatic-ness' and 'free will' in ones mind is a paradox. The interesting part though is that this isn't just a 'paradox'... its a practice. A practice that gives 'interesting' results. So what was once a 'dilemma'... becomes a way to practice the solution.
Another way to put it is that... 'what once was an 'insurmountable problem'... is now a 'workable situation'.
That's a form of 'transmutation'... in the mind.
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Cheating the System Fair and Square
Historically speaking, one of the most productive ways to exercise 'free will' has been to learn how to 'cheat the system fair and square' (so to speak). And one of the best way's to 'cheat the system fair and square' is to know what's coming our way... individually and collectively... and then to take the appropriate steps based on that 'fore-knowledge'... thereby 'tweaking the trajectory of the system' (and thus the 'future' sequence of our lives) for the better.
Each of us has input on the 'system'... and thus each of us has input on the 'sequence'... here on earth. It's just that most don't appreciate that fact... and thus they don't take advantage of it.
Gurdjieff was a Pre-Cog - he was a 'master' at 'cheating the system fair and square' by mitigating what was coming around the corner. We may not have his Siddhis or 'powers' but we can use his example as inspiration in order to mitigate what is coming... whether we like it or not.
After all, individuals and nations have been doing this forever. It's just common sense.
Now at the highest level, sages like Paul Brunton (and Gurdjieff) might say that even the impression of 'free will' is illusory. Perhaps... but that doesn't relieve us of our obligation, our 'responsibility', our karmic duty to 'act' - as if that were not the case.
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Authors NOTE 4-2-2023
A word on Gurdjieff's birthday
Any divination system by its nature requires a bit of faith and intuitive insight on the part of the one who is using it and that includes the following.
The Card systems below are based on astrological, numerological and Tarot influences (combined with an ordinary deck of playing cards) that are adaptable to various calendars, either Julian or Gregorian etc. as they don't rely on 'years' (either BC or AD etc.) but on the day of the year you were born on. So theoretically they don't even need a 'month'... all they (theoretically) need is the day of the year you were born on - as in the 1st day or the last. So in that sense they are 'calendar neutral' and thus adaptable to whatever calendar is being used at the time, in whatever age. So 'technically speaking', there is no telling how old these systems are. So as always, 'take what you like and leave the rest'... and enjoy it... as enjoyment is a major part of using these intriguing systems.
Robert Camp is the author of Cards of Your Destiny
(originally published as 'Destiny Cards') which is an ancient Maji system of divination that individuals have been using to great effect. I've been using the original 'Destiny Cards' system for over 20 years and it unfolds like clockwork (with one slight modification) although the results are 'usually' (but not always) more subtle than the cards describe. See his website at... 7thunders.com
That slight modification is based on 'The Mystic Quadrant' card system of Thomas Morrell which can be found at... https://magicrown.
(the Card systems also make for an interesting and useful cross correlation with ones yearly Vedic charts)
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As for Gurdjieff's birthday, the Card Systems assign 2 cards to each individual, depending on the month and day they were born... which describe them... and their fate.
Paul Brunton's cards are the Ace of Clubs (the card of 'desire for knowledge' and a 'new mental beginning' - especially if you consider Enlightenment a 'new mental beginning') and the Ten of Spades (the best card for health and career). Both are a close match.
Gurdjieff's cards are the King of Spades (the highest card in the deck and the card of Self Mastery) and the Five of Clubs - the card of 'sudden changes of plans' and 'sudden changes of mind' as well as 'restlessness that leads to travel'.
Both cards fit Gurdjieff... perfectly.
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Both men obscured their birthdays in their lifetimes for various reasons but in Paul Brunton's case his son published his actual birthday in his posthumous biography as Oct 21st.
In Gurdjieff's case there are multiple dates, not only for the day, but for the year in which he was born. Since the Card system disregards the year we will go with the day that Gurdjieff himself celebrated his birthday - January 1st... which appears to have been validated by Jeanne de Salzmann. And it certainly seems to fit the man.
One thing is for sure... once you begin to practice with these card systems (and it is a practice) you will never look at an ordinary deck of playing cards in the same way again.
IE... the old saying that... "it's all in the cards"... will start to hit home.
In fact, you could even say that the 'cards'... have been 'hiding in plain sight'.
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Authors NOTE 8-22-23
Gurdjieff's 'Higher Centers'
"The present teaching differs from many others by the fact that it affirms that the higher centers exist in man and are fully developed.
It is the lower centers that are undeveloped. And it is precisely this lack of development, or the incomplete functioning, of the lower centers that prevents us from making use of the work of the higher centers."
From page 194 of Ouspensky's 'In Search of the Miraculous'
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Authors Note 6-7-23
The Soul or 'Self' and the Enneads
"...even when we are most engrossed, as it were, the highest part of the soul is not demeaned. In 2.9.3 Plotinus reiterates this, saying that the higher part of the soul is always illuminated and continually holds the light."
from page 84 of 'Gurdjieff - Mysticism, Contemplation, & Exercises' by Joseph Azize
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Authors NOTE 5-16-23
Gurdjieff's 'Higher Centers' and Advaita Vedanta
(emphasis mine)
"The similarity between Plotinus and Gurdjieff that I contend for is this: in both systems the higher faculties are eternally in communication with objective reality, although we are rarely conscious of this"
from page 84 of 'Gurdjieff - Mysticism, Contemplation, & Exercises' by Joseph Azize
In essence Gurdjieff said that the 'higher centers' are already 'fully functional' (how could it be otherwise) and it's only the lower centers that are the problem. There is a fascinating interview with David Godman on the website 'Buddha at the Gas Pump' (IE: BATGAP) which boils this down.
See..
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This video works on multiple levels as the interviewer (Rick Archer) does an excellent job of making subtle conscious 'counter-points' to David's unequivocal 'points' as these two great minds discuss some of the most difficult (IE: paradoxical) topics for seekers to wrap their minds around. Which is why this is one of the most watched interviews on his website.
--------------------
What this means is that the 'higher centers' (IE: the Higher Functions or aspects of the 'Self') are already (always) functioning (again... 'how could it be otherwise') and it's only the 'self' that doesn't know how to 'look' for them.
Thus... 'remembering' to contemplate that a part of the soul (or Self) has never gone to sleep - is "always illuminated and continually holds the light"... is a form of 'Self remembering'... that gives 'interesting' results.
It's just 'common sense'.
Thus his daughter named her book... It's Up to Ourselves.
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Authors Note 6-7-23
Gurdjieff ('Crazy' like a fox)
"It was probably because Gurdjieff wanted to be understood by those that were 'serious' in his sense of the word, and to discourage those who were not, that he attempted the strategy of mixing clarity and confusion. I suggest that Gurdjieff attempted to be sufficiently clear for those that were serious to sense that there was something of value in his teaching, but not so clear that this could be appreciated without some personal effort to penetrate to this meaning. Those who were merely dilettantes would move on to the next fad, and leave him in peace."
From page 5 of Joseph Azize's 2020 book 'Gurdjieff - Mysticism, Contemplation, & Exercises'
Every time the world starts to look 'crazier and crazier'... Gurdjieff starts to make more and more sense.
May we all be so fortunate.
================================
================================
Afterwords
Authors Note 6-20-2023
On 'Qualified Guides'
"A man who is not a good philosopher will make a poor astrologer."
From page 213 of 'A Search in Secret India' by Paul Brunton
In my experience astrologers of all stripes are some of the wisest, most intelligent (and helpful) guides on this path. James Kelleher once gave me a reading that literally saved my life - that night. If you've been on the path long enough that sort of story will probably hit home. These things happen. The point is, Spiritual teachers are hard to find but qualified guides are out there in plain sight.
For a Western Astrologer who is quite familiar with all things Vedic, as well as Plotinus and Paul Brunton (not to mention all things esoteric) and who knew Paul Brunton personally (and even helped to edit his posthumous Notebooks) see the link below. His website contains a number of personal anecdotes about Paul Brunton and the spiritual (and magnetic) effect he had on people that you won't find anywhere else. Tim is no longer taking clients but he is working with Cornell Univ. to archive all the many pictures and documents about Paul Brunton, which is a work in progress. However the current on-going work can be found at PBarchives.org
In addition Tim is working on a translation of a book on Paul Brunton by a Czech writer concerning his visits to Prague both pre- and post-WWII. Should be an interesting historical look into the 'silent-quiet' spiritual work and life of PB... who was a classic example of the 'esoteric circle of humanity' in action. He also had published awhile back an updated version of PB's 'Secret Egypt'.
Tim has a wonderful sense of humor and is a teacher in his own right.
(his website will be getting an updated look soon so that will be something to look forward to)
--------------------
Paul Brunton's Guide to 'self' transformation
Although I linked to the following at the very end of the 'Where is Time?' article it's worth reiterating here as it is the best description of the process of 'self transformation' on the path I've ever come across. Paul Cash was one of the co-editors of PB's Notebooks and he's compiled a commentary here on PB's timeless firsthand wisdom on this subject that is worth keeping close at hand and reviewing from time to time as it never gets 'old' (IMHO). See quote and link below...
"One of Brunton's most frequently repeated themes is that the thinker within us and the mystic within us need each other desperately: both the ability to think deeply with great precision and the ability to withdraw at will from thinking must be cultivated. And most importantly to the philosophic approach, all must be turned in the direction of altruistic service to humanity at large."
From... Beyond the Maps
by Paul Cash
See also Paul Cash's... Reflections on Paul Brunton... on what it's like to be in the company of a Sage.
================================
Jeff Harman is one of the most well known and prolific Vedic (and Naadi) astrologers on the web and his yearly forecasts are a regular feature on Veritas Radio.
In John Maxwell Taylor's book 'The Power of I Am' (pages 78-83) mentioned above, it describes his experience of 'seeing' how everyone was moving as if by 'remote control'. Below is an example from Jeff's YouTube channel where he describes how that 'remote control' is interactive with human consciousness and can be 'interrogated' by an astrologer in order for his clients to make more conscious decisions that will positively influence their own 'sequence' (here on earth). See 'The Signs of the Times in 2024' which goes into... The Power of Interrogation Astrology
Another example of 'cheating' the system fair and square - by simply asking it a question. It's an ancient form of Divination... but with an astronomical and astrological basis to back it up.
A reading with Jeff is an education and his knowledge is so wide ranging that he will inevitably impart an insight you had never thought about... and that will come in quite 'handy' later. See his website at... JeffHarman.com
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Joni Patry is a highly influential Vedic Astrologer in the west and in addition to her Yearly Predictions and her monthly e-mail newsletter Joni has a weekly newsletter on Vedic Astrology which gives real-time examples of the 'mechanical' effects of these planets and combinations on us from one day to the next. You can find Joni's website here
(she also has a new Vedic Astrology phone app that is quite slick)
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With many thanks to Debra Infante... Vedic Astrologer extraordinaire.
Debra is (IMO) the best kept secret in Vedic Astrology. Her yearly readings are an artform which she has 'mastered' and have been a staple on my calendar for almost two decades. I can say with certainty that the intuitively inspired wisdom she imparted to me over the years has had a major influence on the direction of this blog.
James and Debra also have their own unique newsletters as well which, when taken together with Joni's, paint a macro and a micro picture of what's going on within us (and within those around us) on a continuous basis.
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Appendix
Authors Note 9-9-23
Recommended Reading
"the inner being, which, having seen it coming, has hidden itself..."
From page 79 of To Live Within by Lizelle Reymond
Part Two of this book is easily one of the finest (clearest) translations into English about what's going on. It's also a rare story of a teacher in India who directed his Swiss student back to Europe... and the Gurdjieff work.
and...
"The subject of attention had long interested Ethel since her Prieure days"
From page 171 of A Woman's Work by Mary Ellen Korman
This book (about the life of 'Miss Merston' of Prieure fame) gives an expanded context to Lizelle Reymond's story above in addition to making the connection between Gurdjieff's students and their compatibility with the legendary 20th Century Advaitic teachers (and practices) in India.
and...
"What draws people to astrology through the ages, I believe, is the desire to make the right decisions".
From William Levacy's classic intro book to Vedic Astrology titled...
It also brings up the subject of remedial measures in Vedic Astrology (such as Vedic gemstones etc.) which are used to rectify the weaknesses in one's chart.
Just another way to 'work' the system... fair and square.
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Although it would be a mistake to reduce Vedic Astrology to simply a 'Divination system' (because it's much more than that) it is often in times of crisis that individuals are open to alternative modes of information gathering in order to make critical (life changing) decisions. And then the flip side of said 'crisis' (IE: a life changing opportunity) often presents itself on the other side. For many individuals, Vedic Astrology is just such an opportunity.
and...
Authors Note 10-4-23
"At the time, I was incapable of understanding what this man was talking about. Each sentence seemed to contain a paradoxical meaning bordering on the absurd."
From page 7 of Gurdjieff A Master in Life by Tcheslaw Tchekhovitch
Without a doubt, Chapter One of this book ('First Meeting') contains the best example of the 'workings' of Gurdjieff's 'crazy wisdom'
(as it successfully operated on an individual level).
May we all (truly) be so fortunate.
and...
"In common Taoist terminology, used frequently in the present commentary on the I Ching, what Chang San-feng here refers to as the true mind is called the 'mind of Tao'. The mind of Tao is in this text associated with 'celestial' yang, in contrast to the 'human mind', or human mentality, associated with 'mundane' yin. The human mind is regarded as lacking in stability and being subject to acquired conditioning; the mind of Tao, on the other hand, is referred to as primordial real consciousness."
From... The Taoist I Ching
Translated by Thomas Cleary
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Considered one of the finest commentaries on the I Ching this book is a 'Classic'... in the classic sense... and a truly primordial 'way to the Way'.
The Internal Martial art of Ba Gua Chang, as handed down by Liu Hung Chieh (and others) to the West is meant to develop the states of mind, and energies of the
I Ching, as described in this book... easily one of the most sophisticated and challenging multi-dimensional spiritual practices ever devised.
(and its movements are based on spirals)
and...
Gurdjieff's movements incorporate both the spiral and the linear...the asynchronous and more... but one has to hear from those that 'do' them. However if you listen closely to what these individuals state (in the film linked below) they are not the 'doer'... something else is 'doing' the movements for them. Clearly there are deep transpersonal experiences being reported here... even a report of one individual 'seeing' himself from outside himself. This is not surprising as, in addition to the sacred gestures and challenging asynchronous movements, Gurdjieff included overwhelming mental gymnastics in the back of the mind... thus overwhelming the small 'self' and making room for something 'bigger' to come to the foreground.
Wim van Dullemen has produced a beautiful documentary on them that is quite moving...
See... Gurdjieff Movements
Viewing this documentary brings home the power of awareness to come through on film. Just watching (observing) and listening to these individuals is an honor.
The transformative power of movement and attention comes through quite powerfully here and is a living testament to why Gurdjieff came to this earth.
See also.... Videos from Wim's website on the Gurdjieff Movements
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"This is what makes practicing a Morse Code Movement such a difficult task. The living simultaneously 'in two worlds' is analogous to a state of consciousness in which an individual observes themselves and the outside world, without losing sight of either."
By Wim van Dullemen
A must read (IMHO) if one wants to fully appreciate the mechanism behind the power of Gurdjieff's Movements... not to mention the man that introduced them to the West.
(hopefully I will be publishing more on this at a later date)
and...
"The god's did not build temples for the benefit of one culture or creed. They designed these heirlooms to last as a legacy for all races unborn, an insurance policy for times which they foresaw as dangerous to the proper conduct of human life".
From page 14 of The Divine Blueprint by Freddy Silva
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Everything you need to know about the historical 'Esoteric Christianity' (not to mention G's 'pre-sand Egypt') can be found in Freddy Silva's books... and this one is as good a place to start as any because they all fit together like puzzle pieces.
And Freddy Silva is the 'puzzle master'.
and...
"...at birth we are dealt a hand of cards to play. Some people receive a winning hand - born into wealth, blessed with physical or mental resources - yet they squander it all through impatience or ineptitude. Other people are dealt average or less-than-average hands yet manage to play their cards with skill and attract their own lucky breaks to enrich their lives."
In the future we're all going to need a little luck. Randall Fitzgerald has (literally) written the book on it.
See his 2024 release of... The Tao of Intuitive Luck
(you gotta love it)
--------
If you're going to 'beat the system fair and square'... there's no better way than to make your own luck.
and...
One thing we all look for in the beginning is a reliable map of where we're 'going' and how to get there. In this conversation between Jeff Harman and Mary Fahl she talks about how one's Vedic birth chart is just such a map - and how to use it to maximize one's potential on the path. This is the best discussion about Vedic Astrology from a user's standpoint that I've ever seen.
(this link is temporarily down - it should be back soon)
and...
Gurdjieff was fond of assigning people their 'inner animal'. Taoist Astrology is not based on the stars and planets but on our 'natal animal'.
Thus 2024 is the 'Year of the Dragon'
and Dragon's are 'lucky'!
So will humanity be 'lucky' this year? We'll find out come January.
(From Feb 10th, 2024 to Jan 28th, 2025)
Was Gurdjieff inspired here by Taoist Astrology? We will never know for certain. But the similarity is interesting to contemplate.
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The best example of Gurdjieff assigning people their 'inner animals' can be found in Chapter 6 of Kathryn Hulme's Undiscovered Country. And of course, as was typical of Gurdjieff, his 'inner animals' were completely unique... but nonetheless 'on-point'.
and...
Thomas Cleary has translated four books by Chan Master Nan (Nan Huai-Chin). Master Nan collaborated with others as well, such as a book he did with William Bodri titled Spiritual Paths and their Meditation Techniques. More of Master Nan's books can be found here.
and...
Authors NOTE 9-5-24
"PB's answer again was lucid, beautifully simple, yet striking: 'Listen to the silence within yourself. Approach it as if it were something to be heard, and it will instruct you'.
More words than these, he had no need for."
From page 191 of Paul Brunton - A Personal View by his son Kenneth Thurston Hurst
You won't find a better description of how to practice 'inner Guru yoga'.
IE: listening-in is the 'sly' man's way of distracting inner attention 'in'...
which appears to be a variant of the 'sound yoga' he encountered in India but (in this case) it's about being willing to listen to what the 'Self' has to say.
----------------
This book is important not only because it's the only place to find information about PB's early teachers and spiritual life but because it's the only place that describes the depth of his 'final enlightenment', as he called it... as well as the fact that it corroborates Gurdjieff's view's about 'free will vs the lack of self-determination' - with one slight nuance - not to mention John Maxwell Taylor's insights mentioned above.
and...
"Cayce's model of the mind, furthermore, is insightful regarding the source of the information in a given reading. He claimed it came from his own superconscious, that he acted as an open channel so that it could reveal its wisdom through him."
Different voice, different style but there is lots of 'meat on the bone' here for anyone interested in a comparative analysis of Gurdjieff... particularly, as it relates to Gurdjieff's take on the origin of 'conscience' being in the subconscious. In this case 'a picture is worth a thousand words' as it includes a diagram of the three levels of mind that clears up the confusion about this subject nicely.
From Atlantis and Ancient Egypt to 'Esoteric Christianity' there's lots to contemplate here for those with an open minded approach to Gurdjieff.
Considered the 'Ouspensky's Search' of the Cayce genre it's recommended even for those that may feel they've already 'done' Cayce.
and...
"In the process of transferring wisdom from one culture to another, difficulties and common misunderstandings are the rule rather than the exception."
From page 48 of Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body by Bruce Frantzis
Even experienced hatha yogi's have taken their understanding of how to move energy in the body to a new level with his explanation of the difference between neigong and qigong in this book... and the videos on his website on practicing Cloud Hands etc are excellent timesavers, allowing busy practitioners to quickly incorporate these practices into their daily routines.
In addition, his 'Longevity Breathing' compliments the technique used to quiet the mind (in 'The Secret Path' link above) quite nicely while subtly extending the effect of it over the course of the day rather than just for the time of one practice session alone.
Most meditators would prefer not to waste time fighting with the mind... rather they use the breath to quiet the mind down (quickly and safely) to the point where they can either just enjoy a calm and relaxed mind (for a change) or move on to working with inner attention in whatever way they choose... on the heart chakra, the 3rd eye or 'listening-in' etc.
At that point... it's their choice.
Bruce Frantzis' books (and life) have put the puzzle pieces together nicely, and as such he is the modern 'puzzle master' of the Taoist world.
and...
"I contend that Gurdjieff brought a mystic discipline that comprised a comprehensive system, meaning a broad, not a complete, system; that is, a scheme that can be consulted for ideas and clues, not necessarily for complete answers. Gurdjieff stated: "All this teaching is given in fragments-- [and so] must be pieced together [by the student]".
From page 51 of Joseph Azize's highly recommended book... Gurdjieff - Mysticism, Contemplation, Exercises
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IE: 'it's up to ourselves' to figure it out for ourselves.
(and 'others')
=========================
The Paradox of Gurdjieff the Teacher and Gurdjieff the Entrepreneur
Or as he would put it... "I too am businessman".
Most seekers (particularly in the west) are 'householders', as in those having to make their way in the world while attempting to 'make their way' in the spiritual realms. Gurdjieff, in his dual role as both 'Teacher' and 'businessman' epitomized this dichotomy, which is perhaps one reason why people still relate to him all these years later and his perpetual struggle to 'pay the bills'... and 'keep the lights on'.
In Vedic Astrology this is summed up in the struggle between 'Rahu' and 'Ketu', or the struggle between the urgency of this world and the pull of the soul. In Ancient Egypt it was known as the dichotomy between the 'Ka' and the 'Ba'.
Gurdjieff, with all his esoteric teachings and eccentric enterprises embodied this paradoxical conundrum perfectly.
And in the 21st century this struggle still goes on, and why not. It's built into the 'system'.
So (in the end) as Gurdjieff would say - and Paul Brunton would agree...
"Life is the Great Teacher".
Robert McCoy April 6th, 2024
==================================
Robert McCoy is a yoga practitioner who spent several decades in technology primarily as an integrated circuit layout designer for a silicon valley IC manufacturer, working on enterprise and wireless applications
NOTE: This page is a more recent copy of the primordial 2012 version which can be found at its original Home Page at... whoneedsthehiggs.blogspot.com
