Am I being asked? Or is my Being asked? How do I “open to what is being asked?” And what does that mean? Last week, one of the Daily Tasks on Claymont’s Course of Study program had to do with allowing yourself to be inconvenienced. Could you catch yourself in one of those moments and … Read more
There’s an undertow of resistance in me lately. Up to now, I’ve been cruising along feeling good in myself and balanced. The demands of Claymont’s Course of Study once again falling into a doable pattern that has become part of life. So why this amorphous sense of disquiet? I find myself asking questions. Am I … Read more
Something in me has been forming over the years. This “something” might be called real “I” or real Will. But like a child, it needs nurturing to help it grow strong and healthy. I have a responsibility towards it. Which is to learn how to prepare and serve meals from air and impressions. But this … Read more
“I want to come from a place of abundance rather than negativity.” This was the answer someone gave about why they weren’t drawn to the Gurdjieff work. The emphasis was on “Man cannot Do.” “Struggle with likes and dislikes.” “Man is asleep.” “Stand in front of your Lack.” In short—struggle, effort, intentional suffering, etc. Familiar … Read more
“Oh Goody!” is a phrase I learned to appreciate from Mrs. Popoff. It signifies delight when an opportunity to work on oneself suddenly arises. It is the unexpected moments when Life hands one an opportunity, sometimes in the least assuming way. I find these instances can provide a chance to work on a deeper level. … Read more
That still, quiet place in the center of our being is the place I experience with Bennett’s Collected State exercise. He also called this a “non-emanating” state. The work of the exercise is to “let nothing enter, let nothing leave.” He also said it is one of the most difficult of all the exercises. In … Read more
Provenance, the place of origin, or earliest known history of something. When it comes to Gurdjieff’s (or JGB’s) transmission of an inner exercise, I have become aware of the importance of provenance. As younger students become the next teachers in what is called the Fourth Way, I believe provenance matters even more. History My most … Read more
Having a practice has become part of my lifestyle. But does that make me more conscious? I’m not sure it does, but then, I’m not sure it doesn’t. I found myself contemplating this the other day. What I mean is, does having a practice become an excuse for not really “working” at other times during … Read more
Who is my Work for? I found myself brought up short when that question confronted me this morning. Working in my Garden Having arisen before dawn, I went out to the garden to attend to a specific task. A bed on the side of the house that does not usually need much work, was becoming … Read more
Making room for others opens us to receive each other’s gifts. Yet this is hard work for me. Especially in transmitting the Work. I am so full of my own understanding and experiencing. For instance, it took me years of leading morning exercise to realize others did not necessarily experience it in the same way … Read more