What is my relationship with “unknowing” in Forth Way work? Especially since there is so much to learn and know about. Gurdjieff’s body of ideas encompass philosophy, psychology, cosmology, physiology, history, religion, metaphysics, musicology, science, math, dance, as well as practices. I’m sure I’m leaving something out. Starting with a handful of texts in the … Read more
What is this longing desire I sometimes feel? Where does it come from and what is it yearning for? When I was a young girl, I remember deciding I would become a nun. The notion of living a cloistered life of prayer and inner contemplation spoke to something in me. Later, at Sherborne House with … Read more
What makes an impression? Besides what comes in from the five senses, I mean. I’m getting a few clues, partly due to COVID, thank you very much. Background story: By day eight post COVID symptoms starting, even though I showed a faint pink line on the test, I figured I was no longer contagious. But … Read more
How Impressions Come In How do impressions come into us? Here are some recent experiences. Last week was my husband Jack’s birthday. I was concerned that it wouldn’t have that special “birthday” feeling for him since I’d tested positive for COVID the day before. That put a pall over the day which I’d worried might … Read more
Digesting impressions to grow something higher in myself, leads me to think in terms of conscious breathing. Done with intention, as opposed to mechanically. There needs to be an action, a receptivity, and a separation. Sure, I can appreciate the scenery and whip out my phone to snap a beautiful picture. I can do the … Read more
Impressions as food, in the way that Gurdjieff talks about it, has become a focus for me. I was especially struck by a story in the last chapter of Meetings With Remarkable Men. In this chapter, Gurdjieff recounts his on-going struggles with financing his enterprise. The strain he puts himself under to do this results … Read more
The Work is like an isometric exercise. At least that is how I’ve come to experience it. After periods of ongoing efforts, both internally and externally, I’ve come to see that it is during the interval of letting go and relaxing, that my “work” muscle grows. This is a phenomenon I’ve come to appreciate. Take … Read more
I Attended a Real Life Hogwarts is the tile of an interview Rebekah Berndt had with me for her new podcast, The Unfolding, Faith Without Borders. The interview centers around Gurdjieff, Bennett, and my experience at Sherborne. It also includes an overview of Claymont. There is an extended part of the interview which is accessible … Read more
Here’s a real-life experience of bridging an interval. Just as there are two intervals in the musical scale, there are intervals in a process. These intervals are key to staying on track. In my case, the intervals involve two seemingly unrelated events. The first is the period following the writing of my memoir, Real People. … Read more
The author grapples with the desire to do good deeds but feels inadequate compared to grand gestures. They advocate for small, achievable acts of kindness like calling a relative or being punctual. The post emphasizes the importance of intentionality and putting thoughts into action, as these small deeds carry more value than inaction fueled by overwhelming aspirations.