‘Views from the real world’ part 5 of 7

NEW YORK, MARCH 1, 1924 “GOD IS THE WORD” – NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 20, 1924 “ALWAYS AND EVERYWHERE…” – NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 20, 1924 “IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE IMPARTIAL…” – ESSENTUKI, 1918 “EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD IS MATERIAL…” – FEBRUARY 27, 1924 “SELFWORK…”

This chapter is mainly based on the subject of materials, its different degrees of materiality, and on how each one of the “three levels” that works in the human machine need different types of materials that become more subtle the more you advance towards the mental center. This subject is frequently addressed in Gurdjieff’s writings and is summarized in other books written by P.D. Ouspensky.

Once again we summarize in this chapter quotes by Gurdjieff that were collected by his student:
Gurdjieff says, “All of this teaching that is given in fragments should be reassembled and the observations and actions must be connected to it. If there is no glue, nothing will stick together.” (Prieuré, July 17, 1922 and March 2, 1923)
“All of our emotions are basic parts of “something much higher”; for example, fear can be an element of a future vision, anger can be part of a real strength, etc.” (Prieuré, July 29, 1922).

“The secret to being able to absorb the non-evolutionary part of the air is to try to realize the true meaning of ourselves and the true meaning of those around us… By looking at your neighbor and realizing his true meaning and knowing that he will one day die; empathy and compassion for him will emerge and eventually you will come to love him.” (New York, February 8, 1931).

“If you help others, you in turn will be helped; perhaps tomorrow, perhaps in one hundred years, but you will be helped. Nature must pay its debt. It is a mathematical law and everything in life is mathematics.” (Prieuré, August 12, 1924).

“Looking back, we only remember the difficult times in our lives, and never the quiet times; the latter are dreams, the former are struggles and therefore, life.” (Prieuré, August 12, 1924).

• Author: G.I. Gurdjieff
• Chapter 4