“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
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
Personal work. That is where the path starts. But first, we need to know ourselves. Our many selves. I’m going to be looking at that again, through the eyes of someone whom knowingly or not, has taken Gurdjieff’s teaching of “many i’s” and created the Internal Family Systems Model, or IFS. I love that G’s … Read more
Christ was talking about the unseen world when he told Pilot, “My kingdom does not belong to this world.” Bennett was also talking about the unseen world when he gave his talk, The Master Idea of the New Epoch. Unseen in the sense of energies and forces that are beyond our five physical senses, beyond … Read more
Submitted by Jack Chromey: The Sermon on the Mount is full of meaning right from the start. The first word is “And”! This shows that the Sermon is a continuation, whereas we look at it as a whole unto itself. “Seeing.” ‘There is more to seeing than meets the eye.’ In the New Testament there … Read more
The notion of forgiveness was floating around in me during my morning sitting today. This coming after trying to finalize a decision with Jack on a high-price item for our home. The two of us have very different approaches to such things. He likes to spend time analyzing prices, specs, and reviews. I tend to … Read more
This is how I work: For instance, I wish to serve. It’s a growing hunger in me. At the same time, I know that I am self-absorbed. Bennett once told me, “If you aren’t careful, you’re going to grow up to be a selfish old woman.” I’ve been terrified of that eventuality ever since. But … Read more