NOTES
Scroll down for readings and tasks, which will usually post on Fridays. It is best to work along with us each week. To comment on home page posts, please click on Comments at the end of each post. To comment on posts on any other page or on Weekly Work posts, scroll down to the bottom of the page to the comments box. Please reference what post you are commenting on by date or topic. All comments are monitored and not published immediately. You may write to me through the comments boxes with any general or personal questions or comments or make a personal request to speak with me privately by telephone or in person.
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For those who are just joining us or have not kept up, read previous material and tasks to bring yourselves up to date and read some of the material on the suggested reading lists. Most are available online in PDF form.
If you have trouble remembering the tasks for the week, print them out and keep them with you. Read them at 3-4 times a day - perhaps when you stop for meals or take short breaks.
To those who have made a commitment to the Work with or without a group or face to face teacher.
Read ISOM : Ch 16, page 324, near the top of the page: "Our meetings continued. During the last months of 1916 G. did not come to Petersburg but some of the members of our group … “
Through to page 333 near the bottom of the page: “We were particularly surprised by G.'s "French novel." Either A. invented it, adding it to his own impressio …”
1) Choose a specific time now, to re-read the material above every day at the same time while sensing the body’s tensions. If you can, relax those tensions as you read.
2) Every hour on the hour, without stopping what you are doing, bring your attention to your spine and your breath at the same time. Next, sense the body from head to toe while remaining aware of the spine and breathing.
3) As often as you remember, sense yourself in movement in time and space. Inhabit your body.
3) WITHOUT FAIL – write down your observations WITHOUT speculation, judgment or analysis. As you write watch and see how the formatory tries to take over this task of writing objectively.
4) Sit for 15 - 30 minutes before going to bed
5) Lying down in bed, sense the body from head to toe as you go to sleep-relaxing any tensions you find. If you reach your toes and are still awake begin at the scalp and work your way down to the toes again until you are asleep.
6) After your morning ablutions, sit every morning for 30 – 45 minutes. If you fail to sit for at least 30 minutes, write the reasons why in your work journal.
7) Sit for 15 minutes 4 times during the day – i.e.: morning break time, lunch time, afternoon break time and before dinner. Turn off your phone, sit quietly, alone in a place where you will not be disturbed, interrupted or seen.
8) Print this week’s tasks out and carry them with you to remind you of what they are this week.
Remember, leaving out any part of any week's tasks is avoidance of the work. Try, make efforts. No small effort goes unrewarded. The aim is to awaken, to BE.
To those who have made a commitment to the Work with or without a group or face to face teacher.
Remember, leaving out any part of your weekly tasks is avoidance of the work. Refusing work given for any reason is avoidance. Not speaking sincerely about habitual avoidance is dishonest; you are being insincere with yourself, with your group and with your teacher. This affects the work of everyone and including your group manager or teacher.
If you disagree with the work given to you or to the group, or believe you know better what you need in your personal work, it is better to leave the group than to continue to hold group work back. It is better to leave and spend your life at the movies.
Try, make efforts. No small effort goes unrewarded. The aim is to awaken, to be present to your life – to live it, not to dream it.
Every 2 hours sense your face and spine, and bring to mind the faces of, Father, Mother, Sister, Brother.
Every day sit quietly and return to yourself for 5, 10, or 15 minutes three times during the day (i.e.: morning break time, lunch time, afternoon break time and before dinner). Turn off your phone, sit quietly, alone in a place where you will not be disturbed, interrupted or seen.
Every evening just before going to bed:
Sit for 15 - 30 minutes
Journal work:
The first evening after you have begun this week's tasks, before going to bed, write the reason why you came to the Work.
For the rest of the winter break write at the top of the page - one short sentence with very few words why you came to the Work.
Then write, without analysis or speculation, about your experiences with the tasks during the day
Try, make efforts. No small effort goes unrewarded. The aim is to awaken, to be present to your life – to live it, not to dream it.
~ ~*~ ~
16 December 2011
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| "Evolution Series" ~ #12 ©2008 ~ L. Lopez |
"Remember that the whole question lies in changing our relationship to things, in taking things in a new way and so in thinking in a new way about everything." ~ Maurice Nicoll
Every 2 hours sense your face and spine, and bring to mind the faces of, Father, Mother, Sister, Brother.
Every day:
Sit every morning after bathing. Make it your aim to sit every morning for the next 30 days for the full 30 – 45 minutes. Try, make super efforts.
Again if you fail to sit for at least 30 minutes, write the reasons why you did not in your work journal as soon as possible. Be honest and sincere with yourself - as if you were speaking to God.
Again if you fail to sit for at least 30 minutes, write the reasons why you did not in your work journal as soon as possible. Be honest and sincere with yourself - as if you were speaking to God.
Every day sit quietly and return to yourself for 5, 10, or 15 minutes three times during the day (i.e.: morning break time, lunch time, afternoon break time and before dinner). Turn off your phone, sit quietly, alone in a place where you will not be disturbed, interrupted or seen.
Sit for 15 - 30 minutes
Journal work:
The first evening after you have begun this week's tasks, before going to bed, write the reason why you came to the Work.
For the rest of the winter break write at the top of the page - one short sentence with very few words why you came to the Work.
Then write, without analysis or speculation, about your experiences with the tasks during the day
When you go to bed to sleep sense your body from head to toe, part by part, relaxing any tensions you find. If you reach your toes and are still awake begin at the scalp and work your way down to the toes again including more specific parts of the body, repeat until you are asleep.
Print this week’s tasks and reading. Carry them with you. Look at them often to remind you of what they are this week.
The next task will be given after the winter break on 20 January 2012. I wish you a wondrous holiday filled with Love. Be of good cheer and be good to one another.
The next task will be given after the winter break on 20 January 2012. I wish you a wondrous holiday filled with Love. Be of good cheer and be good to one another.
Laura
~ ~*~ ~
9 December 2011
Sit for 10-15 minutes 3 times during the day – i.e.: morning break time, lunch time, afternoon break time and before dinner. Turn off your phone, sit quietly, alone in a place where you will not be disturbed, interrupted or seen.
Write before going to bed.
Sit for 15 - 30 minutes before going to bed
~ ~*~ ~
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| "Evolution Series" ~ #11 ©2008 ~ L. Lopez |
1) Print or hand copy and read the reading each day while sensing and then relaxing bodily and emotional tensions as you read.
2) Every hour on the hour, without being obvious, stop and sense your physical posture, chest and stomach. Straighten your spine. Become aware of your feet on the ground. At the same time, look around you 360 degrees (if possible without being noticed). Listen to the sounds around you. Notice what the space smells like and any other scents or odors are present. Be aware of your breathing. Bring to mind images of those in our world who have no safe place or homes to live in.
3) Eat very slowly and sparingly this week while thinking of those with no food. Chew your food slowly and deliberately being sure to taste every morsel. Sense the inside of your mouth as you chew and the sensations of swallowing the food. Remain aware of the air going in and out of your mouth and nostrils at the same time.
3) Eat very slowly and sparingly this week while thinking of those with no food. Chew your food slowly and deliberately being sure to taste every morsel. Sense the inside of your mouth as you chew and the sensations of swallowing the food. Remain aware of the air going in and out of your mouth and nostrils at the same time.
4) Throughout the day, when you remember, sense yourself in movement. Inhabit your body. Do not rely on automatic remembering to remind you. Make it your intention to remember yourself always and everywhere. If you fail- and you will, begin again by setting intention. Do whatever is necessary to remember yourself. Keep very good notes of this task.
5) In the evening before bed, by hand, write down your observations of the day WITHOUT speculation, judgment or analysis. As you write sense you hand in movement. Maintain a good posture while writing. Think of this as a higher spiritual obligation.
Every day:
Every day:
Sit every morning after bathing. Sit for 30 – 45 minutes. If you fail to sit for at least 30 minutes, write the reasons why you did not in your work journal as soon as possible. Be honest and sincere with yourself - as if you were speaking to God.
Sit for 10-15 minutes 3 times during the day – i.e.: morning break time, lunch time, afternoon break time and before dinner. Turn off your phone, sit quietly, alone in a place where you will not be disturbed, interrupted or seen.
Sit for 15 - 30 minutes before going to bed
When you go to bed to sleep sense your body from head to toe, part by part, relaxing any tensions you find. If you reach your toes and are still awake begin at the scalp and work your way down to the toes again including more specific parts of the body, repeat until you are asleep.
Print this week’s tasks and reading. Carry them with you. Look at them often to remind you of what they are this week.
Remember why you came to the Work.
Remember why you came to the Work.
~ ~*~ ~
2 December 2011
~ ~*~ ~ |
| "Evolution Series" ~ #10 ©2008 ~ L. Lopez |
1) Choose a specific time now, to review the weekly reading daily while sensing the body’s tensions. Practice relaxing tensions in the body as you read.
2) Every time you eat food, bring your attention to the act of eating and to the sensations of eating. Be aware of your breathing. Bring to mind images of those in our world who have no food to eat, here in the United States and all over the world - especially the children.
Chew your food slowly and deliberately being sure to taste every morsel. Sense the inside of your mouth as you chew and the sensations of swallowing the food. Remain aware of the air going in and out of your mouth and nostrils at the same time.
Chew your food slowly and deliberately being sure to taste every morsel. Sense the inside of your mouth as you chew and the sensations of swallowing the food. Remain aware of the air going in and out of your mouth and nostrils at the same time.
3) Throughout the day, sense yourself in movement. Inhabit your body. Do not rely on automatic remembering to remind you. Make it your intention to remember yourself always and everywhere. If you fail- and you will, begin again by setting intention. Do whatever is necessary to remember yourself. Keep very good notes of this task.
3) Write down your observations WITHOUT speculation, judgment or analysis. As you write watch and see how the formatory tries to take over this task of writing objectively.
4) Sit for 15 - 30 minutes before going to bed
5) When you go to bed to sleep sense your body from head to toe, part by part, relaxing any tensions you find. If you reach your toes and are still awake begin at the scalp and work your way down to the toes again including more specific parts of the body, repeat until you are asleep.
6) After your morning ablutions, sit every morning for 30 – 45 minutes. If you fail to sit for at least 30 minutes, write the reasons why you did not in your work journal. Be sincere.
7) Sit for 15 minutes 3 times during the day – i.e.: morning break time, lunch time, afternoon break time and before dinner. Turn off your phone, sit quietly, alone in a place where you will not be disturbed, interrupted or seen.
8) Print this week’s tasks and carry them with you. Look at them often to remind you of what they are this week.
Remember, leaving out any part of your weekly tasks is avoidance of the work. Refusing work given for any reason is avoidance. Not speaking sincerely about habitual avoidance is dishonest; you are being insincere with yourself, with your group and with your teacher. This affects the work of everyone and including your group manager or teacher.
If you disagree with the work given to you or to the group, or believe you know better what you need in your personal work, it is better to leave the group than to continue to hold group work back. It is better to leave and spend your life at the movies.
Try, make efforts. No small effort goes unrewarded. The aim is to awaken, to be present to your life – to live it, not to dream it.
Try, make efforts. No small effort goes unrewarded. The aim is to awaken, to be present to your life – to live it, not to dream it.
25 November 2011
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| "Evolution Series" ~ #9 ©2008 ~ L. Lopez |
Through to page 333 near the bottom of the page: “We were particularly surprised by G.'s "French novel." Either A. invented it, adding it to his own impressio …”
1) Choose a specific time now, to re-read the material above every day at the same time while sensing the body’s tensions. If you can, relax those tensions as you read.
2) Every hour on the hour, without stopping what you are doing, bring your attention to your spine and your breath at the same time. Next, sense the body from head to toe while remaining aware of the spine and breathing.
3) As often as you remember, sense yourself in movement in time and space. Inhabit your body.
3) WITHOUT FAIL – write down your observations WITHOUT speculation, judgment or analysis. As you write watch and see how the formatory tries to take over this task of writing objectively.
4) Sit for 15 - 30 minutes before going to bed
5) Lying down in bed, sense the body from head to toe as you go to sleep-relaxing any tensions you find. If you reach your toes and are still awake begin at the scalp and work your way down to the toes again until you are asleep.
6) After your morning ablutions, sit every morning for 30 – 45 minutes. If you fail to sit for at least 30 minutes, write the reasons why in your work journal.
7) Sit for 15 minutes 4 times during the day – i.e.: morning break time, lunch time, afternoon break time and before dinner. Turn off your phone, sit quietly, alone in a place where you will not be disturbed, interrupted or seen.
8) Print this week’s tasks out and carry them with you to remind you of what they are this week.
Remember, leaving out any part of any week's tasks is avoidance of the work. Try, make efforts. No small effort goes unrewarded. The aim is to awaken, to BE.
~ ~*~ ~
18 November 2011
~ ~*~ ~
18 November 2011
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| "Evolution Series" ~ #8 ©2008 ~ L. Lopez |
Read ISOM : Ch 16, page 350, toward the bottom of the page... "There remains in my memory one..." through to Ch 17, Page 357, the paragraph beginning with : "In speaking of the work of the factory in general... "
1) Choose a specific time now, to re-read the assignment above. Read it every day at the same time while sensing the body, look for tensions and relax them as you read.
2) Every hour on the hour, without stopping what you are doing, bring your attention to your body. Sense the body from head to toe, relaxing tensions as you discover them.
3) Keep good notes of your observations without speculation, judgment or analysis.
4) Sit for 15 - 30 minutes before going to bed.
5) Sense the body from head to toe as you go to sleep relaxing any tensions you find
6) Sit every morning for 30 minutes.
6) Sit every morning for 30 minutes.
~ ~*~ ~
11 November 2011
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| "Evolution Series" ~ #7 ©2008 ~ L. Lopez |
We continue last week’s tasks with a few changes:
1) Choose a specific time now, to listen to rather than watch this video. Listen to it every day at the same time.
Video by Ted Nottingham
2) Sit every morning for 30 minutes. Make the time, no matter what. Keep a record in your work journal of when you miss sitting for a full 30 minutes and the 'reasons' why, and how 'you' feel about sitting.
I repeat:
Every day from the moment we rise from bed to the moment we close our eyes to go to sleep we are in movement ~ and we are in movement in our sleep ~ internally and externally. Do we know this every moment of every day ~ are we as aware of ourselves as cats are?
3) This week, continue to observe internal and external considering in yourself in light of the 4 November material you have read. Make notes in your journal. Do not analyze, speculate or judge.
4) All day, every day and night, sense your feet and slow your movements down enough to become aware of your body in movement, but not so much that you draw attention to yourself. Try to catch glimpses of every gesture, every facial expression, every blink of an eye, every step ~ sitting, standing, reaching, bending, speaking, thinking... The silent inner questions are: "How do I move, how do I walk, how do I gesture, what are my facial expressions when I speak and think, what muscles are being used, etc.?" See how much you can see about how your body moves. Is it free movement, is it restricted by 'thoughts' or habit, is careless, accidental or intentional, etc?
5) Keep good notes of your observations. How often did you remember to try to remember yourself as compared to last week?
6) Each night, re-read the 4 November material on internal and external considering. Print it out and keep it by your bed.
5) Sit for 15 - 30 minutes before going to bed.
6) Each night make a mental list of people, places and things you are grateful for as you go to sleep while sensing the body from head to toe.
7) As you awaken each morning, sensing the body from head to toe, make mental note of the people places and things you are grateful for and looking forward to in the day such as, your bed, car, home, wife, children, family, pets, job, place of work, co-workers, etc. Mentally thank each one for Being.
If you have trouble remembering the tasks for the week, print them out and keep them with you. Try to remember to look at hem at least 3 times a day, perhaps when you stop for meals or take short breaks from work.
If you have trouble remembering the tasks for the week, print them out and keep them with you. Try to remember to look at hem at least 3 times a day, perhaps when you stop for meals or take short breaks from work.
~*~
4 November 2011
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| "Evolution Series" ~ #6 ©2008 ~ L. Lopez |
Read this week's (4 November 2011) material.
It was often noted and touted that Gurdjieff moved like a cat. What was the significance of this "observation"? Can we know it in ourselves?
Every day from the moment we rise from bed to the moment we close our eyes to go to sleep we are in movement ~ and we are in movement in our sleep ~ internally and externally. Do we know this every moment of every day ~ are we aware of ourselves like cats are?
It was often noted and touted that Gurdjieff moved like a cat. What was the significance of this "observation"? Can we know it in ourselves?
Every day from the moment we rise from bed to the moment we close our eyes to go to sleep we are in movement ~ and we are in movement in our sleep ~ internally and externally. Do we know this every moment of every day ~ are we aware of ourselves like cats are?
Sit every morning for 30 minutes. Make the time.
This week, observe internal and external considering in yourself in light of the material you have read. Make notes in your journal. Do not analyze, speculate or judge.
All day, every day and night, slow your movements down enough to become aware of your body in movement, but not so much that you draw attention to yourself. Try to catch glimpses of every gesture, every facial expression, every blink of an eye, every step ~ sitting, standing, reaching, bending, speaking, thinking... The silent inner questions are: "How do I move, how do I walk, how do I gesture, what are my facial expressions when I speak and think, what muscles are being used, etc.?" See how much you can see about how your body moves. Is it free movement, is it restricted by 'thoughts' or habit, is is careless, accidental or intentional, etc?
Keep good notes of your observations.
Each night, reread the material on internal and external considering. Print it out and keep it by your bed.
Sit for 15 - 30 minutes before going to bed.
Sense the body from head to toe as you go to sleep.
~*~
29 October 2011
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| "Evolution Series" ~ #5 ©2008 ~ L. Lopez |
Sit every morning after you bathe and every evening before bed.
Every day, find at least one reading that relates to your questions from last week.
Sense the soles of your feet and your spine as you pass from one space to another as you cross each threshold.
Pay attention to the change in atmosphere as you cross thresholds.
Before bed write clinical notes in your journals about your day's work (without analysis, speculation or judgment).
~*~
14 October 2011
Before bedtime: Sit for 10 – 15 minutes. Relax the body from head to toe while remaining aware of your breath.
~*~
7 October 2011
~*~
30 September 2011
"A very important moment in the work on oneself is when a man begins to distinguish between his personality and his essence. A man's real I, his individuality, can grow only from his essence. It can be said that a man's individuality is his essence, grown up, mature. But in order to enable essence to grow up, it is first of all necessary to weaken the constant pressure of personality upon it, because the obstacles to the growth of essence are contained in personality." G.I. Gurdjieff
Before bedtime:
~*~
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| "Evolution Series" ~ #4 ©2008 ~ L. Lopez |
Read the next excerpt from ISOM twice this week – today and Thursday evening.
Print this week's exercises and carry them with you. Read them every morning after sitting.
Print this week's exercises and carry them with you. Read them every morning after sitting.
Each day this week, every time you are about to pass over a threshold, bring your attention to your body; be aware of your posture, walk with a good natural posture, and sense your nose and your arms. At the same time ask yourself the following questions silently. Do not answer with the head brain. Listen to the whole body for a wordless response. Real response comes through sensation not the head.:
“Who am I now, in this moment?"
“What am I doing?”
The questions must remain in the body not the head. Try to deepen awareness of sensation in the body and remain connected to sense of self as long as possible while you are in movement from one place to another. Do not force anything. This should be as easy as slipping into an old silk shirt. If it feels forced, let it go. Move on to something else. Try again at the next threshold you will pass over.
During every meal or snack, as you chew your food and breathe, reflect on the day's experiences of walking over thresholds so far and ponder the question:
"What do I know about how my body moves from one place to another?"
Again, do not answer with the head, listen to the whole body for a wordless response.
Take 'snapshots' while sensing/remembering yourself. Change nothing, observe what you can. Just see how you are. If you see that you are being taken by the mind commenting on or analyzing what you are experiencing, bring your attention back to your breath and the body in movement or the act of chewing and breathing. Pose the question again.
In the evenings, after 6 PM, rest, just let go of the tasks and exercises. Take a little vacation from the work.
In the evenings, after 6 PM, rest, just let go of the tasks and exercises. Take a little vacation from the work.
Before bedtime: Sit for 10 – 15 minutes. Relax the body from head to toe while remaining aware of your breath.
After sitting, briefly note your observations of the day in your journal without judgment, analysis or speculation. If you notice you are writing a story, STOP. Move to the next line and jot down clinical notes about anything that stood out from the day's experiences with the task.
As you go to sleep say: "Good night___(say your name)___. I Love you." (aloud). Sense your body starting with the top of your head, moving down the body to the toes and soles of the feet. Continue until you fall asleep.
When you wake in the morning say: "Good morning ___ (say your name)___ . Happy (day of the week - Monday etc.) ” (aloud) Lie there for a few minutes as you 'watch' your body, mind and emotions wake up.
Note what direction the body mind and emotions want to go in automatically.
Briefly jot down anything new you learn from this act of observation without speculation, judgment or analysis, under the heading "MORNING WORK".
Perform morning ablutions.
When you wake in the morning say: "Good morning ___ (say your name)___ . Happy (day of the week - Monday etc.) ” (aloud) Lie there for a few minutes as you 'watch' your body, mind and emotions wake up.
Note what direction the body mind and emotions want to go in automatically.
Briefly jot down anything new you learn from this act of observation without speculation, judgment or analysis, under the heading "MORNING WORK".
Perform morning ablutions.
Continue to sit every morning as always.
7 October 2011
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| "Evolution Series" ~ #3 ©2008 ~ L. Lopez |
This week:
Read the next excerpt from ISOM at the same time every day .without fail. For those who are just joining us or have not kept up – read from the beginning of chapter 8 to the present assignment. Review all previous tasks (listed below) for the preceding weeks. Try to bring yourselves up to date.
Choose a time for each week’s reading and stick to it - i.e.: morning, before bed, lunchtime - whenever you know you will be uninterrupted for as long as it takes to read the material.
Continue to sit every morning.
Each day this week, predetermine 3 specific times during the day to silently ask yourself and ponder the question: "What do I know about the material I have read in chapter 8 so far on the experiential level?"
When you have the impulse to eat - try to see where it comes from - i.e.: back of the throat, mind, stomach, hunger pangs, etc. Every time you eat or drink something, bring your attention to awareness of your breath, sensations of soles of the feet and the act of eating. Observe how you eat and what states you are in mentally, emotionally and physically when you eat or drink anything.
Take 'snapshots' while sensing/remembering yourself. Change nothing, observe what you can. Just see how you are. If you see that you are being taken by the mind commenting on or analyzing what you are experiencing, bring your attention back to your breath and the sensations and the act of eating or drinking.
Before bedtime: Sit for 10 – 15 minutes
When you have the impulse to eat - try to see where it comes from - i.e.: back of the throat, mind, stomach, hunger pangs, etc. Every time you eat or drink something, bring your attention to awareness of your breath, sensations of soles of the feet and the act of eating. Observe how you eat and what states you are in mentally, emotionally and physically when you eat or drink anything.
Take 'snapshots' while sensing/remembering yourself. Change nothing, observe what you can. Just see how you are. If you see that you are being taken by the mind commenting on or analyzing what you are experiencing, bring your attention back to your breath and the sensations and the act of eating or drinking.
Before bedtime: Sit for 10 – 15 minutes
2) Each evening, after sitting, briefly note your observations of the day in your journal without judgment, analysis or speculation. Note anything new you have learned at the experiential level in relation to this week’s reading.
As you go to sleep say: "Good night___(say your name)___" (aloud). Sense your body starting with the top of your head, moving down the body to the toes and soles of the feet. Continue until you fall asleep.
When you wake in the morning say: "Good morning ___ (say your name)___ .” (aloud) Lie there for a few minutes as you 'watch' your body, mind and emotions wake up. Note what direction the body mind and emotions want to go in automatically.
Briefly jot down (in your work journal) anything new you learn from this waking observation without speculation, judgment or analysis, under the heading "MORNING WORK".
At the end of this week write a letter to me telling me how you feel about your inner work and whether this blog has been of any help to you. Send or deliver it before next Friday the 14th of October.
When you wake in the morning say: "Good morning ___ (say your name)___ .” (aloud) Lie there for a few minutes as you 'watch' your body, mind and emotions wake up. Note what direction the body mind and emotions want to go in automatically.
Briefly jot down (in your work journal) anything new you learn from this waking observation without speculation, judgment or analysis, under the heading "MORNING WORK".
At the end of this week write a letter to me telling me how you feel about your inner work and whether this blog has been of any help to you. Send or deliver it before next Friday the 14th of October.
Continue to sit every morning as always.
30 September 2011
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| "Evolution Series" ~ #2 ©2008 ~ L. Lopez |
"A very important moment in the work on oneself is when a man begins to distinguish between his personality and his essence. A man's real I, his individuality, can grow only from his essence. It can be said that a man's individuality is his essence, grown up, mature. But in order to enable essence to grow up, it is first of all necessary to weaken the constant pressure of personality upon it, because the obstacles to the growth of essence are contained in personality." G.I. Gurdjieff
Bring your full attention to reading the material and practicing the tasks. BE present. Bring your Wish to Be a living breathing human being to every single item of business having to do with your tasks and readings – and to your life. Do not read or practice the tasks any old way. Be precise with your efforts.
This week:
Read the next excerpt from chapter 8 at the same time every day without fail. For those who have not kept up – read from the beginning of chapter 8 to the present assignment. Review all previous tasks (listed below) for the preceding weeks. Try to bring yourselves up to date.
Choose a time for each week’s reading and stick to it: i.e.: morning, before bed, lunchtime - whenever you know you will be uninterrupted for as long as it takes to read the material.
Continue to sit every morning.
Each day this week, predetermine 3 times during the day to silently ask yourself and ponder the question: "What do I know about the material I have read in chapter 8 so far on the experiential level?"
Every time you get up or sit down bring your attention to awareness of your breathing, the ears, and your back muscles.
Change nothing, observe what is there and what is happening objectively; notice how you are. Take 'snapshots'. If you see that you are being taken by the head brain commenting on or analyzing what you are experiencing, bring your attention back to your breath and sensation.
If you have your journal jot down any observations of note briefly; if you don't have it with you use a piece of paper.
Every time you get up or sit down bring your attention to awareness of your breathing, the ears, and your back muscles.
Change nothing, observe what is there and what is happening objectively; notice how you are. Take 'snapshots'. If you see that you are being taken by the head brain commenting on or analyzing what you are experiencing, bring your attention back to your breath and sensation.
If you have your journal jot down any observations of note briefly; if you don't have it with you use a piece of paper.
Before bedtime:
1) Sit for 10 – 15 minutes
2) Briefly (and objectively) note your observations of the day in your journal without judgment, analysis or speculation. Note anything new you have learned at the experiential level in relation to this week’s reading especially those related to your essence and personality as you understand them.
As you go to sleep say "Good night___(say your name)___" aloud. Sense your body starting with the top of your head, moving down the body to the toes and soles of the feet. Continue until you fall asleep.
When you wake in the morning say: "Good morning ___ (say your name)___ .” (aloud) Lie there for a few minutes as you 'watch' your body, mind and emotions wake up. Note what direction the body mind and emotions want to go in automatically.
Briefly jot down (in your work journal) anything new you learn from this waking observation without speculation, judgment or analysis, under the heading "MORNING WORK".
When you wake in the morning say: "Good morning ___ (say your name)___ .” (aloud) Lie there for a few minutes as you 'watch' your body, mind and emotions wake up. Note what direction the body mind and emotions want to go in automatically.
Briefly jot down (in your work journal) anything new you learn from this waking observation without speculation, judgment or analysis, under the heading "MORNING WORK".
Continue to sit every morning as always.
~*~
23 September 2011
"Permanent truth and permanent falsehood can exist only for a permanent man"
"Permanent truth and permanent falsehood can exist only for a permanent man"
 |
| "Evolution Series" ~ #1 ©2008 ~ L. Lopez |
Read instructions and tasks carefully as they change each week – ie: for the week of 16 September the timing for the task was every two hours not the usual 1 hour. This week it is every 1/2 hour.
Bring your full attention to reading the material and tasks. BE present. Bring your Wish to Be a living breathing human being to every single item of business having to do with your tasks and readings – and to your life. Do not read or practice the tasks any old way. Be precise with your efforts.
This week:
Read the next excerpt from chapter 8 at the same time every day without fail. For those who have not kept up – read from the beginning of chapter 8 to the present assignment. Review all previous tasks (listed below) for the preceding weeks. Try to bring yourselves up to date.
Choose a time for this week’s reading and stick to it: i.e.: morning, before bed, lunchtime - whenever you know you will be uninterrupted for as long as it takes to read the material.
Continue to sit every morning as before.
During the day, every ½ hour (beginning at 8am), silently ask and ponder the question:
"What do I know about the material I have read in chapter 8 so far on the experiential level?"
At the same time, for five minutes or as long as you can, Remember yourself; bring your attention to awareness of your breathing, the sensations of your spine and back, and soles of the feet.
Change nothing, observe what is there and what is happening objectively; notice how you are, taking "snapshots".
If you see that you are being taken by the head brain commenting on or analyzing what you are experiencing, bring your attention back to your breath and sensation.
If you have your journal jot down any observations of note briefly.
"What do I know about the material I have read in chapter 8 so far on the experiential level?"
At the same time, for five minutes or as long as you can, Remember yourself; bring your attention to awareness of your breathing, the sensations of your spine and back, and soles of the feet.
Change nothing, observe what is there and what is happening objectively; notice how you are, taking "snapshots".
If you see that you are being taken by the head brain commenting on or analyzing what you are experiencing, bring your attention back to your breath and sensation.
If you have your journal jot down any observations of note briefly.
Before bedtime:
1) Sit for 10 – 15 minutes
2) Briefly (and objectively) note your observations of the day in your journal without judgment, analysis or speculation. Note anything new you have learned at the experiential level in relation to this week’s reading especially those related to your states of consciousness as you understand them.
As you go to sleep say "Good night___(say your name)___" aloud. Sense your body starting with the top of your head, moving down the body to the toes and soles of the feet. Continue until you fall asleep.
When you wake in the morning say: "Good morning ___ (say your name)___ .” (aloud) Lie there for a few minutes as you 'watch' your body, mind and emotions wake up. Note what direction the body mind and emotions want to go in automatically.
Briefly jot down (in your work journal) anything new you learn from this waking observation without speculation, judgment or analysis, under the heading "MORNING WORK".
When you wake in the morning say: "Good morning ___ (say your name)___ .” (aloud) Lie there for a few minutes as you 'watch' your body, mind and emotions wake up. Note what direction the body mind and emotions want to go in automatically.
Briefly jot down (in your work journal) anything new you learn from this waking observation without speculation, judgment or analysis, under the heading "MORNING WORK".
Continue to sit every morning as before.
~*~
Different States of Consciousness
 |
| from the "Evolution" series 2008 |
This week's reading is from: IN SEARCH OF THE MIRACULOUS by P.D. Ouspensky, Chapter Eight.
This week:
Read the new excerpt from chapter 8 at the same time every day without fail. Choose a time and stick to it: morning, before bed, lunchtime - whenever you know you will be uninterrupted for five minutes.
Read the new excerpt from chapter 8 at the same time every day without fail. Choose a time and stick to it: morning, before bed, lunchtime - whenever you know you will be uninterrupted for five minutes.
Continue to sit every morning as before.
During the day, every 2 hours, (beginning at 10am), silently ask and ponder the question:
"What do I know about automatic "buffers" in relation to what I have read in this week's reading and my own states of consciousness on the experiential level?"
At the same time, for five minutes or as long as you can Remember yourself, bring your attention to your breathing and to the sensations of the palms of your hands, fingers and feet.
Change nothing, objectively observe what is there and what is happening. Notice how you are, taking "snapshots".
If you see that you are being taken by the head brain commenting on or analyzing what you are experiencing, bring your attention back to your breathing and sensation.
Before bedtime briefly note your observations of the day in your journal without judgment, analysis or speculation.
Note anything new you have learned experientially about automatic buffers in you and your own 'states of consciousness'.
"What do I know about automatic "buffers" in relation to what I have read in this week's reading and my own states of consciousness on the experiential level?"
At the same time, for five minutes or as long as you can Remember yourself, bring your attention to your breathing and to the sensations of the palms of your hands, fingers and feet.
Change nothing, objectively observe what is there and what is happening. Notice how you are, taking "snapshots".
If you see that you are being taken by the head brain commenting on or analyzing what you are experiencing, bring your attention back to your breathing and sensation.
Before bedtime briefly note your observations of the day in your journal without judgment, analysis or speculation.
Note anything new you have learned experientially about automatic buffers in you and your own 'states of consciousness'.
As you go to sleep, , say "Good night___(say your name)___". Sense your body starting with the top of your head, moving down the body to the toes and soles of the feet. Continue until you fall asleep.
When you wake in the morning say: "Good morning ___ (say your name)___ . Lie there for a few minutes as you 'watch' your body, mind and emotions wake up. Note what direction the body mind and emotions want to go in automatically.
Briefly jot down (in your work journal) anything new you learn from this waking observation without speculation, judgment or analysis, under the heading "MORNING WORK".
When you wake in the morning say: "Good morning ___ (say your name)___ . Lie there for a few minutes as you 'watch' your body, mind and emotions wake up. Note what direction the body mind and emotions want to go in automatically.
Briefly jot down (in your work journal) anything new you learn from this waking observation without speculation, judgment or analysis, under the heading "MORNING WORK".
Continue to sit every morning as before.
~*~
9 September 2011
DIFFERENT STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
This week's reading is from: IN SEARCH OF THE MIRACULOUS by P.D. Ouspensky, Chapter Eight.
Since it is a rather lengthy reading I've created a page for it and future lengthy readings.
Since it is a rather lengthy reading I've created a page for it and future lengthy readings.
This week:
Read the excerpt at the same time every day without fail. Choose a time and stick to it: morning, before bed, lunchtime - whenever you know you will be uninterrupted for five minutes.
Read the excerpt at the same time every day without fail. Choose a time and stick to it: morning, before bed, lunchtime - whenever you know you will be uninterrupted for five minutes.
Continue to sit every morning as before.
Every hour on the hour, silently ask the question: "What do I know about my states of consciousness on the experiential level?" Bring your attention to your breathing and to the sensations in the palms of your hands and your facial muscles. Change nothing. Just observe what is there and what is happening. Just notice how you are, taking "snapshots". Do not allow your mind to comment or analyze what you are experiencing. Focus on breathing and sensation while you 'watch'.
Before bedtime, briefly, note your observations of the day in your journal without judgment, analysis or speculation. Note anything new you have learned about your own 'states of consciousness'.
As you go to sleep, , say "Good night___(say your name)___". Sense your body starting with the top of your head, moving down the body to the toes and soles of the feet. Continue doing this until you fall asleep.
When you wake in the morning say: "Good morning ___ (say your name)___ . Lie there for a few minutes as you 'watch' your body, mind and emotions wake up.
Briefly jot down (in your work journal) anything new you learn from this process, without speculation, judgment or analysis, under the heading "MORNING WORK".
When you wake in the morning say: "Good morning ___ (say your name)___ . Lie there for a few minutes as you 'watch' your body, mind and emotions wake up.
Briefly jot down (in your work journal) anything new you learn from this process, without speculation, judgment or analysis, under the heading "MORNING WORK".
Continue to sit every morning as before.
~~~
2 September 2011
TALKING
Research and read all subjects that relate to your experiences with last week's task, find material that relates to new questions you have. Be prepared to discuss with me when we speak again. For those who cannot see me in person, write to schedule a telephone meeting.
Gurdjieff often spoke about talking, both inner chatter and outer talking.
The exercise of observing of ourselves while we speak to and with others can yield a great deal of information about who and what we really are apart from imagination and illusion.
As always, please do not do this task in such an obvious way that others see that you are being "different' or "odd", especially at your place of work. If you "see" something about yourself that startles you while you are with others, excuse yourself and go to another room to regain your composure. Needing to use the loo is always a good excuse to leave a conversation quickly. ;-)
This week, continue to sit every morning as before.
Every hour on the hour check in with yourself by bringing your attention to your breathing, and the sensations of the soles of your feet, your facial muscles, and your spine. Do not change your breathing, just notice how you are breathing.
All throughout the day take mental pictures of yourself while speaking with others. Can you catch glimpses of your sleep? Your automatism? Can you see the automatic processes of your machine when it is engaged in speaking with others? What are the physical postures and facial expressions? Do you use your hands a lot? Does your body sway? Are any emotions present? Are they real or imagined spurred on by 'the stories in the head'? Are you holding your breath?
Just notice how you are as you speak without changing anything. Just notice what subjects "you" like ( or dislike) to chat about. Change nothing. Listen closely to yourself sensing yourself as you speak. Sense the vibration of your voice in your body, notice where it 'falls' Maintain a connection with awareness of sensation of the body.
All throughout the day take mental pictures of yourself while speaking with others. Can you catch glimpses of your sleep? Your automatism? Can you see the automatic processes of your machine when it is engaged in speaking with others? What are the physical postures and facial expressions? Do you use your hands a lot? Does your body sway? Are any emotions present? Are they real or imagined spurred on by 'the stories in the head'? Are you holding your breath?
Just notice how you are as you speak without changing anything. Just notice what subjects "you" like ( or dislike) to chat about. Change nothing. Listen closely to yourself sensing yourself as you speak. Sense the vibration of your voice in your body, notice where it 'falls' Maintain a connection with awareness of sensation of the body.
Before bedtime, briefly, note your day's observations in your journal without judgment, analysis or speculation. Note what "you" talk about during the day. Jot down favorite topics, redundant automatic stories, lies, truths, habitual postures and posturing, were you present or on automatic pilot? Note any outstanding "shocks". Just note what you observe as a clinical scientist would.
As you go to sleep, , say "good night ____(say your name)". Sense your body starting with the top of your head, moving down the body to the toes and soles of the feet. Continue doing this until you fall asleep.
When you wake in the morning say "good morning ____ (say your name). Lay there for a few moments as you 'watch' your body wake up physically.
Continue to sit every morning as before.
When you wake in the morning say "good morning ____ (say your name). Lay there for a few moments as you 'watch' your body wake up physically.
Continue to sit every morning as before.
~~~
26 August 2011
Imagination & Disappointment
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| Horsehead Girls ~ Photographer:Polixeni Papapetrou |
People, places, things are not what we imagine them to be. We are disappointed when we discover this fact. What is imagination? What is disappointment?
Research and read what you can find about imagination in the Gurdjieff work material written by Gurdjieff himself, Ouspensky, Nicoll, Vayse - i.e.: In Search of the Miraculous, Nicoll’s Commentaries, Vayse’s Toward Awakening, or BTTHG.
(All of these books can be purchased online, used, at Half.com for very small sums)
This week, continue to sit every morning as before.
Every hour on the hour check in with yourself by bringing your attention to your breathing, emotional state, what the head brain is talking about and sensations in the body. Just notice how you are without changing anything.
Observe yourself as objectively as possible to see if reality matches up with your imagination’s expectations and observe the process of disappointment when it doesn't. Just notice what happens in you when you are disappointed in someone or something.Change nothing. Listen closely to the chatter in the head, observe emotions and physical reactions. Maintain a connection with awareness of sensation of the body.
Journal briefly about your observations before bedtime in the evenings without judgment, analysis or speculation.
As you go to sleep, sense your body starting with the top of your head, moving down the body to the toes and soles of the feet. Continue doing this until you fall asleep.
19 August 2011 there will be no task given.
During the week, observe how you are. What do you do in the absence of "homework"?
Sit every morning and evening and journal in the evenings about your experiences.
**************************
12 August 2011
“Where am I on my path?”
Reading:
“There are three forces – of the body, mind, and feeling. Unless these are together, equally developed and harmonized, a steady connection cannot be made with a higher force. Everything in the (Gurdjieff) Work is a preparation for that connection. That is the aim of the Work. The higher energy wishes to but cannot come down to the level of the body unless one works. Only by working you can fulfill your purpose and participate in the life of the cosmos. That is what can give meaning and significance to your life. Otherwise you exist only for yourself, egoistically, and there is no meaning to your life,”
~ from: The Reality of Being, The Fourth Way of Gudjieff, by Madam Jeanne De Salzmann
Task:
Morning sitting 30 minutes:
Begin by bringing your attention to and sensing, in clockwise rotation: face, throat, limbs, front of torso and back of torso, spine. At the beginning of each new rotation, add another more specific body part such as face nose mouth etc., arm shoulder elbow, hand, fingers, etc. from the parts in the previous rotation.
Begin by bringing your attention to and sensing, in clockwise rotation: face, throat, limbs, front of torso and back of torso, spine. At the beginning of each new rotation, add another more specific body part such as face nose mouth etc., arm shoulder elbow, hand, fingers, etc. from the parts in the previous rotation.
At the end of 30 minutes say: “I am” sensing the whole body at once and making note of where in your body the vibrations of the words resonate.
Then state your intention to do the task of, every hour on the hour, sensing your body: face, limbs, spine, soles of the feet and awareness of breathing without changing anything and to ponder the following question during the day.:
“Where am I on my path in the Work and in my life?”
Every evening, after sitting, re-membering (sensing) yourself, write your observations of the day in your journal. Do not judge, speculate, analyze or change anything.
Everything we see that is “not right” in ourselves rights itself in the seeing eventually – usually sooner than later.
As you go to sleep re-member yourself in the same rotation as in the morning sitting.
When you wake in the morning say: “Good morning____” say your name.
Perform your morning washing up and sit.
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29 July 2011
Choose a reading from any work book that relates to your experiences with this past week's exercise.
Continue to sit every morning and evening.
Often throughout the day say: "I wish to BE. I Am"
Notice where the words resonate in you while bringing your attention to your body, sensing what you can.
Notice where the words resonate in you while bringing your attention to your body, sensing what you can.
Every evening before going to bed, make non judgmental, non speculative, non analytical notes in your journal about your experiences: What stood out? What strikes you? Was there anything new you've not seen about your automatism before.
Have a lovely week,
Be well
Be Happy
BE
Be well
Be Happy
BE
***************************
 |
| Link to the story of blind monks examining an elephant |
New people are joining us this summer. Each has been searching earnestly for meaning in their lives for a very long time; some have never heard of Gurdjieff or the work, yet each one's search has brought him or her here just as our own early searches brought each of us to wherever it was we met the work. So, for them, ourselves and the work, we continue to work - simply, quietly, mindfully, care-fully - each of us making efforts from exactly where we are - honestly and sincerely.
*****************************************
22 July 2011
Print a copy of this week's reading and task and keep it with you during the day.
Reading:
"The Awareness of Being Here"
"There is in me something very real, the self, but I am always closed to it, demanding that everything outside prove it to me. I am always on the surface, turned toward the outside in order to take something or to defend myself. Yet there is perhaps another attitude, another disposition in which I have nothing to take, I only have to receive. I need to receive an impression that nothing outside can give me - an impression of being, of myself having a sense, a meaning. The movement of knowing is a movement of abandon. It is necessary to open one's hands."
"In a moment of greater attention, I have an awareness of "being here" - a look, a light, a consciousness that knows. Consciousness is here. I cannot doubt it. And yet I do not trust it, I do not feel it as "I", as my essential nature. I believe I can look for consciousness, see consciousness, I know it. We take consciousness as an object of observation. But we cannot see consciousness. It is consciousness that sees and that knows. I realize this if I experience it as coming from behind my body or from above. There is no observer, there is a knowing. Yet if I experience consciousness as in my body, it seems that the "I" is the body and consciousness is an attribute of the body."
~ Madam Jeane deSalzmann,
The Reality of Being: The Fourth Way of Gurdjieff
Chapter: An Experience of Presence, 17. The awareness of "being here".
Task:
Arrange your life this week so that you are able to sit, without fail, for a minimum of 30 minutes every morning after your morning ablutions and before breakfast. If you are able, sit for up to 45 minutes.
2) After you are done sitting, read the excerpt above from Madam's book, The Reality of Being. Print it out and keep it near where you sit in the morning and on your person during the day. Ponder its meaning. Strive to understand it with your whole being - not just your mind. Feel the meaning, experience it. In the AM, before you get up from where you have been sitting, to set your intention for the daily inner work, read it out loud to yourself (if you can).
3) Every day, every hour on the hour bring your attention to the sensations in the soles of your feet, your face and your spine as you say - "I wish to Be. I Am". Notice where the words fall in you.
4) In the evening before going to bed, re-read the excerpt and sit for 15 minutes sensing soles of feet, face and spine in that order. At the end of each round - say, "I wish to Be. I Am". If you are afraid of being overheard, you may say it silently to yourself.
5) In the evenings, after you read and sit, jot down your experiences of the day with the task, reading and exercise.
Do not talk about the reading or the task with anyone. Let the energy that comes from making these efforts remain contained within yourself so they can build day after day.
Be Well
Be Present
Be Sincere
BE
******************************************************
2 July 2011
TALKING
"A man can keep silence in such a ways that no one will even notice it. The whole point is that we say a good deal too much. If we limited ourselves to what is actually necessary, this alone would be keeping the silence. And it is the same with everything else, with food, with pleasures, with sleep; with everything there is a limit to what is necessary. After this, "sin" begins. This is something that must be grasped, a "sin" is something which is not necessary." G.I. Gurdjieff
Task:
Sit every morning for at least 15 - 30 minutes before leaving the house in the mornings.
Without being outwardly obvious to anyone else, be aware of your posture. Try to maintain good posture and awareness of your spine throughout the day.
When you notice you've lost attention to your posture and spine, just begin again without falling into self criticism or self judgement.
Every time you know you are going to speak, or become aware that you are speaking, in addition to attention to posture and the spine, widen your inner attention to include the sensations of breathing normally, your jaw and the soles of your feet. Change nothing except to straighten your spine if necessary.
Just observe what you can about your machine (body, mind, emotions) and make mental notes throughout the week.
I look forward to your comments.
Be Well
Be Love
BE
:-) Laura
***********************************************************************
***
Hello Everyone:
It's so nice to be back. I hope everyone had a nice little vacation. Feel free to write and tell me how things went for you while we were on break.
L.
***
*************************************************************************
Reading and Task: Vacation Break - Will return in July.
**Continue sitting, remember yourself always and everywhere.
Stay Real, Be Well, Enjoy your summer break!
***
Weekly Work: 27 May 2011 - 2 June 2011
From:
The Reality of Being, by Jeanne DeSalzmann
Chapter: In A Common Direction
Section 25: Beyond our usual consciousness
[All bold emphasis and underlining mine: L.]
“We seek something that is beyond the world of our usual consciousness, our usual thoughts and feelings. We think of truth, of reality, as if it were fixed, a point that we should find a way to approach. But reality is not fixed. It is alive. It cannot be measured by anything we know. It can be approached only by a thought that is entirely free – free of everything, every expectation, every fear – a fear without movement, completely silent, a thought that knows only itself. The thought that knows only itself lives in the present moment. In this moment, here, now, it has nothing to expect, nothing to lose. It is “consciousness of being” – not being like this or that – only of being. It is.”
“Here we discover the source of thinking. We see that the division between the observer and the observed is at the origin of our thought. The observer is grounded in memory, that which knows from past experience. It looks, thinks and acts from memory. This separation into observer and observed does not touch reality, it consolidates the ego. But when the observer is the observed – when the thinking is the experience – then there is no more thought. There is a state of tranquility in which an impression can be received as new, as with little children. The eyes clearly receive the image from outside, but there is no observer perceiving, no mental processing.”
“In order to experience this unified state without an observer, it is necessary to pass through my usual state and to see that it is not enough. So long as my thought tracks what I am doing and experiencing, judging it in one way or another, I remain in the realm of my limited consciousness. I remain under the influence of my ordinary “I”. What is important to see this division between observer and observed, to see the thought creating the separation. It is in seeing that I become free of its authority and open to another reality.”
“Who am I? The question eludes me because I am separate from it. It is in front of me, but outside. So long as it is separate and I am not completely united with it, the question remains beyond understanding. To see the impossibility of understanding brings a suffering. When this suffering is real, there is no more separation and the thinking subsides. Only silence remains.”
“Yet, the moment of being present is short. As soon as I come back to myself, the impression makes me think, an in thinking I become separate again. I go away from myself and no longer live in the present. Then, if I see it, the impression of being lost brings me back to myself. This coming back and going away is a normal movement that I need to accept. The feeling of living, of existing, depends on it. My thoughts never stop. When one has passed, another is here, followed by another. I am attached to all of them. But if for a moment a space appears in the thinking, then there is nothing for me to be attached to. I am free. In the silence, the mind can become conscious of each movement of the thinking. This perception is free from reaction, the energy that results is not mechanical, not the product of thought. It is the energy that spiritual seekers have been looking for throughout the ages.”
Morning and evening preparation:
This is an essential necessity for inner work. You must do this every day for the rest of your life (or for as long as you are interested in Being)
Sit for 45 minutes (or as long as time allows) between morning ablutions and breakfast, (at the very least sit for 5 minutes before leaving the house.)
When you are free to, add:
Sit for 45 minutes before going to sleep.
Every evening
Task:
This week
A: Bring your attention your thoughts, as often as you remember, to your Wish to Be during the day.
B: Keep returning to awareness of your body in movement. Keep returning to awareness of your breathing, posture, attitude, state. Keep returning to sensing your face, hands, soles of the feet and spine for as long as possible. Try to see what takes your attention away from sensing yourself. Change nothing. Try to see as much of and about this as possible. BE objective and do not judge what you see. Take snapshots.
B: Sitting in sitting position and attitude. Read the above reading every:
Morning
Noon (or lunch time)
Evening before going to bed
As always take snapshots,
BE Love
BE Peace
BE
Blessings to All,
With Love,
Laura, :-)***
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20 May 2011
A FREE THOUGHT
25.1 The functioning of the mind
From: The Reality of Being ~ Mme Jeanne De Salzmann
“What does it mean to be present, to be here now? I have the sensation that I am present. I think it, I feel it. The three centers are present with the same degree of activity. I feel an energy that circulates more freely between them, which is not held more in one place than another. This energy is nourished voluntarily by the three parts. There is a common direction, bringing the possibility of a conscious action in which the impulse comes from three centers at the same time. I wish to know with all parts of myself.”
“In order to be present, I must understand the working of my thinking mind, that its function is to situate and explain, but not to experience. Thought is made up of accumulated knowledge in the form of images and associations, and it seizes an experience only to make it fit into the categories of the known. Although it can entertain the new when it is quiet, the thinking immediately transforms it into something old with an image that has already been the object of an experience. The image awakens an immediate reaction. This always repeats so that there is never anything new.” [Emphasis mine L.]
Can I say today that I know what I am? Does the attitude of my mind allow me to truly confront this question? This is more important than I think. Am I convinced of my ignorance and the uselessness of everything I believe I know? I may say so, but do not really feel it. I value my knowledge, and I always want to bring an answer or reach a conclusion. I am conditioned by this. Everything I know limits my perception and opens my mind. All I know is a mass of memories that impel me to accumulate, repeating the same kind of experiences.”
Morning preparation:
Sit for 45 minutes (or as long as time allows) between morning ablutions and breakfast, (at the very least sit for 5 minutes before leaving the house.)
Sit for 45 minutes before going to sleep.
Task:
This week
A: Be aware of your entire body in movement. Every time you move from one spot to another bring your attention to your breath, face, hands, soles of the feet and spine. Change nothing. Try to see as much of and about your body in movement as possible.
B: Bring your attention your thoughts. What are you thinking? What is the attitude? Are there any feelings present? What triggered them? Have they already degenerated into automatic associative thoughts?
As always take snapshots, try to be objective and do not judge what you see. I look forward to your reports
Be well,
Laura
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28 April 2011
In Search of the Miraculous
Page 196 (1977 soft cover edition)
“A great deal of energy is spent on work which is completely unnecessary and harmful in every respect, such as the activity of unpleasant emotions, on the expression of unpleasant sensations, on worry, on restlessness, on haste, and on a whole series of automatic actions which are completely useless. As many examples as you like can be found of such unnecessary activity. First of all there is the constantly moving flow of thoughts in your mind, which we can neither stop nor control, and which takes up an enormous amount of our energy. Secondly there is the quite unnecessary tension of the muscles of our organism. The muscles are tense even when we are doing nothing. As soon as we start to do even a small and insignificant piece of work, a whole system of muscles necessary for the hardest and most strenuous work is immediately set in motion. We pick up a needle from the floor and we spend on this action as much energy as is needed to lift up a man of our own weight. We write a short letter and use as much muscular energy upon it as it would suffice to write a bulky volume. But the chief point is that if we spend muscular energy continually and at all times, even when we are doing nothing. When we walk the muscles of our shoulders and arms are tensed unnecessarily; when we sit the muscles of our, legs, neck, back and stomach are tensed in an unnecessary way. We even sleep with the muscles of our arms, of our legs, of our face, of the whole of our body tensed, and we do not realize that we spend much more energy on this continual readiness for work we shall never do than on all the real, useful work we do during our lifetime.
Still further we can point to the habit of continually talking with anybody about anything, or if there is no one else, with ourselves; the habit of indulging in fantasies, , in daydreaming; the continual change of mood, feelings and emotions and an enormous number of quite useless things which a man considers himself obliged to feel, think, do or say.
In order to regulate and balance the work of the three centers whose functions constitute our life, it is necessary to learn to economize the energy produced by our organism, not to waste this energy on unnecessary functions, and to save it for that activity which will gradually connect the lower centers with the higher."
Morning Preparation:
(Simple guide is posted below for those who asked for more help. A recording is in the works that will be posted when it is available.)
Every morning before leaving the house, sit in a place where you will not be disturbed, even if it is just for 5 - 10 minutes before walking out of the door.
It is best to sit after the morning shower and before breakfast.
To sit for 30 to 45 minutes is best (or longer if you already practice sitting).
*Do not use music or candles or any other aids. Do not alter your natural breathing rhythm. Set an alarm if you are afraid of falling asleep or being late for work.
(For those who asked: Sit in chair, spine straight, head straight and relaxed on top of spinal column, body relaxed, hands on thighs, palms down, feet flat on the floor spine straight, head straight and relaxed on top of spinal column, body relaxed, hands on thighs, palms down, feet flat on the floor breath going in and out breathing normally, changing nothing. Sense the entire body in this position and remain aware of this sense of self sitting in chair at all times. Be aware of breath going in and out of the body, breathing normally. Your “mind” will wander, when you notice it just bring it back to center focusing on the sensations of self sitting in chair, spine straight, head straight and relaxed on top of spinal column, body relaxed, hands on thighs, palms down, feet flat on the floor breath going in and out breathing normally, changing nothing. Just ‘look’ at/survey the interior ‘landscape’ noticing sensations, remain aware of the sensations of the air coming in and going out, aware of the body sitting straight in the chair, etc., becoming aware of the different sensations in the body, hot cold, warm, pain, tension, discomfort - just taking snapshots)
Task:
A: Read this week's reading (above) every evening before going to sleep.
B. Speak only when necessary.
C. Practice remembering yourself "always and everywhere".
*Note: Do not draw attention to yourself. This may mean that there are times when you need to speak (seemingly unnecessarily) to not appear odd or doing anything out of the ordinary.
Post your experiences with the exercise and any questions you have if you like. Let me know if you do not want your comments to be posted publicly. If would like a private response, please send me your email address.
Thank you for your participation,
Laura
Page 196 (1977 soft cover edition)
“A great deal of energy is spent on work which is completely unnecessary and harmful in every respect, such as the activity of unpleasant emotions, on the expression of unpleasant sensations, on worry, on restlessness, on haste, and on a whole series of automatic actions which are completely useless. As many examples as you like can be found of such unnecessary activity. First of all there is the constantly moving flow of thoughts in your mind, which we can neither stop nor control, and which takes up an enormous amount of our energy. Secondly there is the quite unnecessary tension of the muscles of our organism. The muscles are tense even when we are doing nothing. As soon as we start to do even a small and insignificant piece of work, a whole system of muscles necessary for the hardest and most strenuous work is immediately set in motion. We pick up a needle from the floor and we spend on this action as much energy as is needed to lift up a man of our own weight. We write a short letter and use as much muscular energy upon it as it would suffice to write a bulky volume. But the chief point is that if we spend muscular energy continually and at all times, even when we are doing nothing. When we walk the muscles of our shoulders and arms are tensed unnecessarily; when we sit the muscles of our, legs, neck, back and stomach are tensed in an unnecessary way. We even sleep with the muscles of our arms, of our legs, of our face, of the whole of our body tensed, and we do not realize that we spend much more energy on this continual readiness for work we shall never do than on all the real, useful work we do during our lifetime.
Still further we can point to the habit of continually talking with anybody about anything, or if there is no one else, with ourselves; the habit of indulging in fantasies, , in daydreaming; the continual change of mood, feelings and emotions and an enormous number of quite useless things which a man considers himself obliged to feel, think, do or say.
In order to regulate and balance the work of the three centers whose functions constitute our life, it is necessary to learn to economize the energy produced by our organism, not to waste this energy on unnecessary functions, and to save it for that activity which will gradually connect the lower centers with the higher."
Morning Preparation:
(Simple guide is posted below for those who asked for more help. A recording is in the works that will be posted when it is available.)
Every morning before leaving the house, sit in a place where you will not be disturbed, even if it is just for 5 - 10 minutes before walking out of the door.
It is best to sit after the morning shower and before breakfast.
To sit for 30 to 45 minutes is best (or longer if you already practice sitting).
*Do not use music or candles or any other aids. Do not alter your natural breathing rhythm. Set an alarm if you are afraid of falling asleep or being late for work.
(For those who asked: Sit in chair, spine straight, head straight and relaxed on top of spinal column, body relaxed, hands on thighs, palms down, feet flat on the floor spine straight, head straight and relaxed on top of spinal column, body relaxed, hands on thighs, palms down, feet flat on the floor breath going in and out breathing normally, changing nothing. Sense the entire body in this position and remain aware of this sense of self sitting in chair at all times. Be aware of breath going in and out of the body, breathing normally. Your “mind” will wander, when you notice it just bring it back to center focusing on the sensations of self sitting in chair, spine straight, head straight and relaxed on top of spinal column, body relaxed, hands on thighs, palms down, feet flat on the floor breath going in and out breathing normally, changing nothing. Just ‘look’ at/survey the interior ‘landscape’ noticing sensations, remain aware of the sensations of the air coming in and going out, aware of the body sitting straight in the chair, etc., becoming aware of the different sensations in the body, hot cold, warm, pain, tension, discomfort - just taking snapshots)
Task:
A: Read this week's reading (above) every evening before going to sleep.
B. Speak only when necessary.
C. Practice remembering yourself "always and everywhere".
*Note: Do not draw attention to yourself. This may mean that there are times when you need to speak (seemingly unnecessarily) to not appear odd or doing anything out of the ordinary.
Post your experiences with the exercise and any questions you have if you like. Let me know if you do not want your comments to be posted publicly. If would like a private response, please send me your email address.
Thank you for your participation,
Laura
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