O RAGES COM M ENTARY O N G U R D JIEFFS

BEELZEBUBS TALES TO HIS G R A N D SO N

A . R . Orage

N ew York Talks 1 9 2 6 -1 9 3 0

A. R. Orage
Lawrence Morris
Sherman Manchester

 Book Studio 2013

All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-9572481-0-6
Front cover:
Bursting with Stars and Black Holes, courtesy nasa.
Acknowledgement is gratefully made to Frank Brck for preparing and revising the
text, and to Matthias Buck-Gramcko for reworking the illustrations.
deicatolruSks

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data.

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CONTENTS
F O R E W O R D .................................................................................. i i i
2 9 M ARCH 1 9 2 6 .....................................................................

1 2 APRIL 1 9 2 6 .........................................................................

10 JANUARY
10 JANUARY
10 JANUARY

1 9 2 7 ....................................................................

10

I 9 2 7 .................................................................... 15
1 9 2 7 .................................................................... 18

1 1 JANUARY I 9 2 7 ....................................................................23

17 JANUARY
17 JANUARY

I 9 2 7 ....................................................................3 7
I 9 2 7 ................................................................... 4 4

18 JANUARY I 9 2 7 ....................................................................5 0

20 JANUARY 19 2 7 ....................................................................5 1
2 4 JANUARY I 9 2 7 ....................................................................5 2
2 4 JANUARY 1 9 2 7 ....................................................................5 7
2 5 JANUARY 1 9 2 7 ................................................................... 6 4

31 JANUARY
31 JANUARY
2 FEBRUARY

1 9 2 7 ................................................................... 6 6
I 9 2 7 ....................................................................7 1
1 9 2 7 ................................................................... 7 9

7 FEBRUARY 1 9 2 7 ................................................................... 80
1 4 FEBRUARY 1 9 2 7 ................................................................ 8 7
1 4 FEBRUARY 1 9 2 7 ................................................................ 93
2 1 FEBRUARY 1 9 2 7 ................................................................ 98

21

FEBRUARY I 9 2 7 .............................................................. 103

2 7 FEBRUARY I 9 2 7 ..............................................................10 8
2 8 FEBRUARY 1 9 2 7 .............................................................. I I 4

28 FEBRUARY 19 2 7 ...............................................................I l8
7 MARCH I 9 2 7 ........................................................................ 121
7 MARCH I 9 2 7 ........................................................................ 128
1 4 MARCH 1 9 2 7 .....................................................................133
1 4 M ARCH I 9 2 7 ..................................................................... 1 5 1

21

M ARCH 1 9 2 7 .....................................................................1 5 7

28 MARCH 1 9 2 7 .....................................................................1 6 4
2 8 MARCH 1 9 2 7 .....................................................................I 7 2

4 APRIL

I 9 2 7 ............................................................................I 7 7

I I APRIL I 9 2 7 ........................................................................ 18 4
18 APRIL I 9 2 7 ........................................................................ I 9 7

202

2 5 APRIL I 9 2 7 ........................................................................

CONTENTS

221
226
1 9 2 7 ............................................................................232

M AY I 9 2 7 ...............................................................................

l 6 M AY 1 9 2 7 ...........................................................................
1 6 M AY

17 M AY I 9 2 7 ............................................................................2 3 6
23 M AY I 9 2 7 ........................................................................ 2 4 I
23 M AY I 9 2 7 ........................................................................... 2 4 6
30 M AY I 9 2 7 ........................................................................... 250
31 M AY I 9 2 7 ........................................................................... 255
1 7 OCTOBER 1 9 2 7 .................................................................2 5 9
2 4 OCTOBER I 9 2 7 .................................................................2 6 4
3 1 OCTOBER 1 9 2 7 ................................................................. 266
7 NOVEMBER I 9 2 7 .................................................................2 6 7
5 DECEMBER I 9 2 7 ................................................................. 2 7 I
14 DECEMBER 1 9 2 7 ............................................................. 2 7 4
2 7 DECEMBER I 9 2 7 ............................................................. 2 7 8
1 9 M ARCH 1 9 2 8 .................................................................... 2 8 4
2 6 M ARCH 1 9 2 8 .................................................................... 288
2

APRIL 1 9 2 8 ....................................................................... 2 9 2

2 APRIL

1 9 2 8 ........................................................................... 2 9 4

3 APRIL 1 9 2 8 ........................................................................... 2 9 6
9 APRIL 1 9 2 8 ........................................................................... 2 98

15 APRIL

1 9 2 8 ........................................................................

305

2 1 APRIL 1 9 2 8 ........................................................................ 3 0 7

23

APRIL 1 9 2 8 .........................................................................

314

3 0 APRIL 1 9 2 8 .........................................................................3 16
7 M AY 1 9 2 8 ............................................................................... 321
7 M AY 1 9 2 8 ............................................................................... 3 2 6

14 M AY

1 9 2 8 ............................................................................

332

2 1 M AY 1 9 2 8 ............................................................................336
2 1 M AY 1 9 2 8 ............................................................................3 4 I

4 DECEMBER 1 9 2 8 ................................................................. 345

14 JANUARY 1 9 2 9 ................................................................. 3 4 6
4 FEBRUARY I 9 3 O ................................................................. 348

20 JA N U A R Y ............................................................................... 3 J 2
353

2 5 M A R C H ..................................................................................

CHAPTER 1 7 THE A R C H -A B S U R D ...............................3 5 6

357

CHAPTER 1 8 THE AR C H -P R E PO STE R O U S.................

L. S. M . ON B E E L Z E B U B ....................................................... 361
SELECTED B IB LIO G R A PH Y ................................................... 365
I N D E X ......................................................................................... 3 6 7

ii

FO R EW O R D
A . R . O r a g e s c o m m e n ta rie s o n Beelzebubs Tales to H is Grandson are an
e ssen tial part o f th e F o u r t h W a y lite r a tu re . T h e y d e m o n s tr a te a w a y
o f a p p ro a c h in g a n d u n d e rs ta n d in g a w o r k that O r a g e c o n s id e re d to
b e lite ra tu re o f th e h ig h e s t k in d . A s m o s t o f us have n o e x p e r ie n c e in
re a d in g and u n d e rs ta n d in g this f o r m o f lite ra tu re , O r a g e s c o m m e n
taries are o f in v a lu a b le h e lp . H e re , w e ca n fin d h in ts o n w h e r e to lo o k
fo r th e keys to u n d e rs ta n d in g Beelzebub w h ic h , as G u r d j ie f f o n c e said,
are a ll in th e b o o k , b u t n o t near th e ir lo c k s . F o llo w in g th e se h in ts w e
c a n a v o id th e fa lla c y o f l o o k in g f o r th e k e y s , lik e M u lla h N a s ru d d in ,
o n l y in places w h e r e th e re is m o re l i g h t .
O r a g e saw in th e in te n d e d d iffic u lt y o f rea d in g Beelzebub, n o t a
d ir t y tr ic k to c o n fu s e an d b e little th e re a d e r, b u t a c o n s c io u s m easure
to s h o c k th e in te lle c t w h e r e b y e m o t io n is aro u sed , so th a t p e rc e p
tio n is s u ffic ie n tly e x p a n d e d to assim ila te a th o u g h t o r id e a . G u r d jie ff
u n d e rs to o d p e r fe c t ly th e in a d e q u a c y o f d ire ct fo r m u la tio n . H e n ce ,
O r a g e tries in his c o m m e n ta rie s to illu m in a t e Beelzebub f r o m d ifferen t
a n g le s, so that w e m a y a p p ro a ch it, n o t as a flat p la n e b u t as m u lti
d im e n s io n a l space. A fin e illu s tra tio n o f th is can be see n in th e film
C o n t a c t w it h J o d ie F o ste r, w h e r e a m essag e fr o m b e in g s in o u te r
sp ace is d ec ip h e re d b y th e h u m a n r e c ip ie n ts o n ly a fter t h e y a d d a fu r
th e r d im e n sio n to th e ir trials.
W h e n O r a g e w e n t t o G u r d jie f f at h is C h a te a u d u P r ie u r in 1922,
t o fin d G o d , as h e said , h e h im s e lf liv e d a lrea d y w it h th e h a lo o f a
w is e m a n . H o w e v e r , G u r d jie f f s h o w e d n o regard to th is a n d O r a g e
h ad to en d u re a se v e re tra in in g o f b o d y , e m o tio n a n d in te lle c t. In
th e b e g in n in g o f 1924, O r a g e w a s sen t t o N e w Y o r k as G u r d j ie f f s
e m issa ry fo r A m e r ic a . T h a t su m m er, G u r d j ie f f su ffe red a n a u to m o
b ile a cc id e n t w h ic h a lm o s t co st h im h is life , and as a re s u lt, his fin a n
c ia l situ a tio n b e c a m e d ra stic. D u r in g h is r e c o v e ry , G u r d jie f f th o u g h t
a b o u t h is situ a tio n a n d re a lize d th a t th e d issem in a tio n o f h is m essage
w a s n o lo n g e r p o ssib le in th e w a y s h e h a d p la n n ed , so h e d e c id e d to
p u t h is w h o le b o d y o f id ea s in to a series o f b o o k s , th e first o f w h ic h
h e e n title d Beelzebubs Tales to H is Grandson. W as it o n ly c h a n c e that
his d e p u t y in N e w Y o r k , A . R . O r a g e , w a s o n e o f th e b e st E n glish
lite r a r y critics o f h is tim e ? G u r d j ie f f s first d raft o f Beelzebub, h o w
e v e r , w a s rejected b y O r a g e as c o m p le t e ly u n in te llig ib le , b u t it w as
n o t lo n g b e fo re a r e v is e d v e rsio n a rr iv e d . T h is is e n tir e ly d iffe r e n t,
O r a g e said, N o w I b e g in to sm ell s o m e th in g v e r y in te r e s tin g . . . .
iii

FOREWORD

T h e b o o k w i l l take shape. It is fu ll o f ideas. A s I see it, it is r e a lly an

o b je c tiv e w o r k o f art, o f lite r a tu re o f th e h ig h e s t k in d ; it is in th e
c a t e g o r y o f scrip tu re . It is c o n s c io u s ly d e s ig n e d to have a d e fin ite e f
fe ct o n e v e r y o n e w h o fee ls d ra w n to re a d in g it. A n y o n e w h o tr ie d to
r e w rite it w o u ld d isto rt i t . *
In th e f o l l o w in g y ea rs, O r a g e ren d ered o n e ch a p te r a fte r a n o th e r
in to a r tic u la te E n glish . S p e n d in g several w e e k s o r m o n th s o f each
y ea r at th e C h te a u du P r ie u r , O r a g e h ad th e o p p o r tu n ity t o discuss
th e b o o k in te n s iv e ly w it h G u r d jie ff. O f t e n th e y ta lked a ll th r o u g h
th e n ig h t. O r a g e w a s a lw a y s e a g e r to lea rn m o r e a b o u t th e secrets he
su p p o se d w e r e h id d en b y G u r d jie f f in th e b o o k . G u r d jie f f e n jo y e d
O r a g e s c o m p a n y and w a s fo n d o f his c o n g e n ia l a b ility t o fin d th e
rig h t E n g lis h fo r m u la tio n s t o ex p ress e x a c t ly w h a t he in te n d e d . It is
n o e x a g g e r a tio n to say th a t n o n e o f G u r d j i e f f s o th e r p u p ils w e r e so
d e e p ly in v o lv e d in th e c re a tio n o f Beelzebub a n d so n ear in s p irit t o th e
a u th o r as O r a g e .
B a c k in N e w Y o r k , O r a g e u se d each n e w c h a p te r o f Beelzebub as
te a c h in g m a te ria l fo r his g r o u p s , m a s te r fu lly p r o v o k in g in s ig h ts and
q u e stio n s f r o m his p u p ils. F o r h im , th e b o o k w a s , at th e least, a d e v ic e
to a cq u ire a n im p a rtia l p e r s p e c tiv e o f o n e s life , w h ic h is a sine qua non
fo r all f u r t h e r steps in p e rs o n a l e v o lu tio n .
O r a g e s sp le n d id c o m m e n ta rie s o n Beelzebub w o u ld p r o b a b ly n e v e r
h ave b e e n k n o w n i f his N e w Y o r k p u p ils, e s p e c ia lly L a w r e n c e M o r
ris and S h e rm a n M a n ch e s te r, h a d n o t ta k en n o te s . A sm all p o r t io n o f
these n o te s w e r e e d ite d a n d p u b lish e d b y C . S. N o t t . t T h is p rese n t
v o lu m e is c o m p le t e and u n a b rid g e d .
T h e n o te s h ave b een e d ite d w it h an e m p h a sis o n re a d a b ility . Il
le g ib le w o r d s , m issin g o r w r o n g p u n c tu a tio n a n d g ra m m a tic a l e rro rs
h ave b e e n c o r r e c te d . M is s in g le tte rs and w o r d s h a v e b een r e c o n s t r u c t
ed u sin g th e c o n t e x t w h e r e p o ssib le . In cases w h e r e n o m e a n in g c o u ld
be d e d u c e d , n o ch an ges h a v e b e e n m ade.
F ra n k B r c k

Weyhe near Bremen, J u n e 2013

* C. S. Nott, Teach in gs o f G u r d jie ff, P92-3

f Ibid, Chapter III

lv

29 M A R C H

1926

T h e first fo r m o f rea so n is b ased e n tir e ly o n e x a m p le s f r o m o u r e x p e

rie n c e . S im ila rity o f c o n c e p ts a c c id e n ta lly a cq u ire d .
T h e seco n d p re s u p p o s e d an a b ility to see an id ea o r fo r m apart
fr o m its co n te n ts.
T h e th ird fo r m , o b je c tiv e reason, is o n l y p o ssib le to I a n d has to
d o w it h th e n atu re o f th in g s . T h e e p ito m e o f this is th e en n e a g ra m .
T h e tria n g le is I a n d th e s u r ro u n d in g c ir c le is i t . I is u n d e r th e
la w o f th r e e w h ile th e o r g a n is m is u n d e r th e la w o f sev en . O n l y w h e n
I can b e g in to th in k o f th e w h o le o r g a n is m u n d e r th e la w o f seven.
In th e la w o f seven th e re are th ree p o in ts : b e g in at d o th e n b e tw e e n
m i an d fa, th en fr o m si t o d o .
T r y to th in k o f th e tr ia n g le as th e m a in sp rin g o f th e w h o le . W it h
o u t its a c t iv it y n o th in g w i l l h a p p en . T h e r e are th ree h a n d s o n e
has c o m p le te d its c irc le as fa r as it can g o (th at is to si) o n e has g o n e
d o , re, m i and th e th ir d has o n ly ju s t sta rte d at d o . I f w e a re a le rt at
th e n o te m i, w e shall k n o w w h e n to in te r v e n e .
N e v e r t r y to cre a te a rt o r to o b s e rv e a rt w it h fe e lin g . (T h is is o n e
o f th e th in g s o n th e w a ll o f th e in s titu te in a scrip t n o t to b e read
w it h o u t th e key.)
T h e s to r y o f th e b e e s m e r e ly m e c h a n ic a l fa ile d , t h e y g o t no
c o sm ic -c o n sc io u sn e ss, th e re fo re , th e y w e r e red u ce d in s iz e a n d lived
h a p p ily after.
A lo n g tim e fo r us w i l l b e req u ired t o le a rn to k n o w , m u c h lo n g e r
th a n to lea rn to b e, m u c h lo n g e r to le a rn to d o . T h is m e a n s fr o m an
o b je c tiv e sta n d p o in t.

[O rage said regarding writing that he no longer dared at all to write objec
tively, but has now a glimpse o f what objective writing would be.]
In th e m a tte r o f w r it in g , it is p o ssib le t o w r it e sen te n ces su ch that
th e y w i l l h ave, i f read, a d e fin ite fo re s e e n e ffe ct n o m a tte r w h a t th e
state o f th e reader h a p p e n s to be. T h e s e are ca lle d m a tric e s o r m a g ic
sen ten ces. I f read w i t h th e ear, th e r h y t h m a ffects y o u ; i f read w it h
th e e y e , th e a rra n g e m e n t o f th e le tte rs a ffe c t y o u ; i f rea d w i t h the
u n d e rs ta n d in g , th e m e a n in g w ill a ffe ct y o u .
T h e r e is e x p e c te d o f e a ch o f y o u , a c e r ta in w o r k . T h a t w o r k w e do
n o t y e t u n d e rsta n d , an d o f co u rs e , still less are w e a ble t o u n d e rta k e
this w o r k at this stage. E v e r y I that has s o m e p o s s ib ility to se lf-re a l
iz a tio n has as its d u t y to c a r r y th e o r g a n ic k in g d o m s o v e r th e n o te si,

29 M A R C H 19 2 6
i.e. 2,000 m illio n o rg a n ism s w a it in g th r o u g h n u m b erless re cu rre n ce s
fo r a s h o c k to c a r ry th e m o v e r th e m issin g h a lf-step s.
W h e n y o u h ave e sta b lish e d th e s e p a ra b ility o f I so th a t y o u can
n o n - id e n t if y at w ill a d iffe r e n t sort o f in s tr u c tio n w ill b e ava ila b le .
W h e n I is b o rn , th e n th e re w ill b e s o m e o n e to care f o r i t ju s t
a n y n e w fo r m . It is n o t b e st to m ake th e w a y to th e p re n a ta l g r o w t h
s m o o th a n d t o o easy, le st I shall b e b o r n a w e a k lin g . D e s p a ir is a
d iv in e fire th a t p u rifie s b u rn s u p im p u r itie s . N o b o d y w h o b rin g s to
b ir th I w ill b e left.
A s i f y o u w e r e a re a s o n a b le p e rso n d e p u te d to act as a rea so n a b le
p e rso n w o u l d act. S itu a tio n s in w h ic h w e fin d o u rselv es f r o m w h ic h
w e c a n n o t escape. T a k e it as i f y o u w e r e p la c e d in th at s itu a tio n to
fin d o u t w h a t a rea so n a b le p e rso n w o u ld d o in th at s itu a tio n . T h e n ,
as i f y o u had to p r o s c r ib e w h a t is b est t o b e d o n e e v e r y c h a n g in g
m o m e n t. T h e n th e a sp e ct to o n e s state is rea l. W e are o n ly g h o s ts , re
a lly . T h e s e illu s io n s are c a u se d b y sense im a g in a tio n s . T r y t o see w h a t
y o u r o r g a n is m has b een f r o m c o n c e p tio n t o th e p resen t, a n d th e n see
th e w h o l e o f y o u r life . Im a g in a tio n based o n sense im p re ssio n s p r o
d u ces n e g a tiv e e m o tio n s . In th is state, it is n o t p o ssib le to a ct rea so n
a b ly , b u t real p e rc e p tio n w i l l en a b le y o u t o th in k and act re a so n a b ly .
A m o t h e r c r y in g o v e r (to us) a r e p u ls iv e crim in a l is en sla v e d b y
an e a rlie r a c tu a liz a tio n . B u t w e are e n sla v e d w it h th e p re se n t a c tu
a liz a tio n . C e a s in g to h a te a p e rso n w h o a ro u ses n e g a tiv e e m o tio n s is
o n e s te p le a rn in g to lo v e s u ch a p erso n w o u ld b e a n o th er. G e n e r a lly
s p e a k in g a n y n eg a tiv e sta te ca n b e used fo r s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , th e n p ar
tic ip a tio n , th e n e x p e r im e n t. T h e s e are e x e rc is e s fo r I .
C e a s in g t o hate m ean s n o lo n g e r w a s tin g e n e r g y . L e a rn in g to lo v e
is d e v e lo p in g p o sitiv e e m o t io n . B u t to d o th is w e m u st h a v e a p o s itiv e
reason f o r so d o in g i.e . a n e u tr a liz in g fo r c e . (W h a t w o u ld o n e be?)
I f y o u w o u ld say to y o u r s e lf: I h ave a b o d y and re a liz e it, y o u
w o u ld h a v e a rriv ed at o u r o b je c t o f se lf-c o n scio u sn e ss, s e lf-r e a liz a
tio n w i t h n o n -id e n tific a tio n , b y th e d ire c t m e th o d .
W e m u s t d isco v e r th a t h e r e is fin a lly a n d fo r e v e r I a n d i t . W e
w ill th e n b e at d o o f th e in te lle c tu a l. S o l o n g as m y relatio n s w i t h O r age are v e r y fr ie n d ly so l o n g w il l I b e id e n tifie d w it h i t .
T h e case o f th e R u s s ia n c liff, b o u ld e r, r o p e = d o , i.e. s e lf-r e a liz a
tio n ( e a s y w a y ).
O n e lo se s all fear o f d e a th . Fear is m e r e ly an e le m e n ta r y c ru d e
fo r m o f c la irv o y a n c e .

29

MARCH

1926

A r e y o u d esp erate? I a m a d esp erate m a n (in a c e r ta in to n e o f

v o ic e th e m an m ean s it , essen ce is a lw a y s calm ).
A s I u n d e rsta n d it o n e can o n ly b e o r d o rea so n a b ly b y d o in g .

Recite dialogue with regard to objective morality maintenance

and improvement with regard to experiment, and being indifferent
to results.
Common sense is always king.
W h e n th e in te lle c tu a l is a fu n c tio n o f th e e m o tio n a l, th is is ratio
n a liz in g . W h e n th e e m o tio n a l is a fu n c t io n o f th e in te lle c tu a l this is
reason . In this w o r k w e sacrifice th e lesser fo r th e b e tte r. E m o tio n s:
d o - r e - m i e q u a n im ity b u t n o la, so l, si a ctiv e .
I f y o u g o to sleep o b s e r v in g y o u r s e l f w it h n o n -id e n tific a tio n y o u
w ill fin d th at y o u re su m e u p o n a w a k e n in g H e llo , it is w a k in g u p !
E ach o f th e cen ters is d re a m in g a ll th e tim e . D r e a m in g is an abso
lu t e ly c o n tin u o u s p ro c e ss. (R e v e r ie is e m o tio n a l ce n te r.) In R o g e t s
th esau ru s y o u can ta k e a ll th e states b e t w e e n th in k in g a n d fe e lin g and
cla ssify th e m a c c o r d in g to cen ter.
It is p ro b a b le th a t n e v e r b e fo re has a n y o n e o f us o b s e r v e d o u r
selves, th e re fo re w e p r o b a b ly w ill n e v e r r e c u r to th is id e n tic a l recu r
ren ce. W e w ill lea ve a sh e ll to w h ic h p e rh a p s so m e o n e m a y b e p r o
m o te d fr o m a lo w e r n o te in th e scale. I f w e d isco v e r th e p a ttern w e
h a ve d isc o v e re d a n e w lin e , and it w i l l b e easier in s u b se q u e n t n e x t
re c u rre n ce to step o u t o f th e p rese n t lin e . T o th e e x te n t o f o u r p o w e r
to o b s e r v e w it h n o n -id e n tific a tio n w e h a v e th e p o w e r t o ste p o u t o f
o u r p re se n t lin e.
T h r e e D e g re e s o f d e v e lo p m e n t o f I :
1. In d iv id u a lity .
2. C o n scio u s n e s s.
3- W ill.

Ahoutn w id e s t p o s s ib le to clo se d lip s n o t a c o n s o n a n t, m u st be

t h o u g h t p o s itiv e a b s o lu te and n e g a tiv e a b so lu te . A t o M . T h e c o n
so n a n ts are p o in ts o n th e circle.
I is, o r can b e ra th e r, etern a l. T h e e m o tio n a l c e n te r o f I is a
c e rta in p a rt o f th e h e a rt.
W h e n th e m e th o d is re a lly c o m m e n c e d a ch a n g e in th e m a g n e tic
c u rre n ts w ill p r o b a b ly ta k e p la ce. T r y t o stan d it, i f it is d isa greea b le .
It is n o th in g serio u s. I f y o u w ill to c o n t in u e to o b s e r v e th e sy m p
to m s , n o th in g else m a tte rs. Y o u r fe e lin g s d o n t m atter.
T h e m y t h o f th e M e d u s a , th e h e ro c o u ld l o o k at h e r o n l y in a m ir-

29 M A R C H 19 2 6
r o r so y o u can o n ly l o o k u p o n e m o tio n s in th e p h ysica l s y m p to m s .
T r y to c o m p r e h e n d th a t th is m e th o d is o n l y to o b serve a n d to u n d e r
stand th e m e ch a n ism o f b e h a v io rs , c o n t in u o u s ly and s im u lta n e o u s ly .
N o t h in g else m a tters. L it e r a lly and a b s o lu t e ly n o th in g else m a t
ters. A c o m p le te k n o w le d g e and a cc e p ta n c e o f th e t h e o r y w o u ld be
o f a b s o lu t e ly n o v a lu e . O n l y p r o v in g it c o u n ts . P r o v in g fa cts o n a
state o f b e in g . A n d th a t sta te o f b e in g rests o n a n e w a n d p e cu lia r
d o in g th is m e th o d . A n e w fa c u lty w ill b e d e v e lo p e d to b e a w are o f
o n e s e lf c o n t in u o u s ly a n d s im u lta n e o u s ly .
O n e m ig h t ask as th e o ld la d y did in a le c tu r e she a tte n d e d in L o n
d o n W h a t is this E in s te in th e o r y o f m a th e m a tic s? O f co u rs e ,
sin ce sh e k n e w h a rd ly a n y e le m e n ta r y m a th e m a tic s it w a s im p o s sib le
to e x p la in it to her.
O n e s h o u ld have a p r o fe s s io n a l a ttitu d e to w a r d this w o r k .

[Edna Kenton asked Orage: Do you mean as if? N o," he roared.

But an attitude comparable to that held toward your writings. ]
S p h in x :
L io n n o fear.
B u ll stren g th .
W o m a n lo v e .
W in g s asp iratio n .
M r . G u r d jie f f said th a t w e are fu ll o f fe a rs o f th in gs th a t are absurd
to fe a r a n d o f n o fears o f th e th in g s w e s h o u ld fear.
In te lle c tu a l state.
E m o tio n a l attitu d e.
In s tin c tiv e b e h a v io r.
T h e e m o tio n a l c e n te r is th e n atural e n g in e fo r c o n t r o llin g b e h a v
io r. E m o tio n a l a ttitu d e is d e te rm in e d b y im a g e s h eld in th e in t e lle c
tu a l c e n te r . T h e e m o tio n s sit in a d a rk c a v e . B u t th r o u g h th e im ag es
w e see, a n d th r o u g h th e u n c o n s c io u s im a g e s w h ic h th e e m o tio n s see
and w e d o n t, th e e m o tio n s are d icta ted . I d o n o t lik e th e e D r . F ell,
th e re a so n w h y I c a n n o t t e ll . T h e e m o tio n s see far m o r e th a n w e
c o n s c io u s ly see.

[Orage said that in the institute he said often to himself M y God, I

awake in a lunatic asylum! I must get out!]
A n d so w h e n I h ad f o u n d th is h a p p e n in g a g a in and a g a in I w r o te
a d e c la r a tio n . I h ave b e e n lo g ic a lly c o n v in c e d th at s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n
and n o n -id e n tific a tio n are th e m e th o d s, th e r e fo r e lose n o tim e in this
a ttitu d e b u t g e t to w o r k . S o p erh ap s at th r e e o c lo c k that d a y I w o u ld
be w h o l l y b a c k to th e ta sk .

29 M A R C H 19 2 6

Sinrem o rse.
F o rg iv e n e ss restitu tio n .

S in is: T h a t w e still id e n tify p u r e ly w it h th e m e c h a n ism .

C h i e f fea tu re is in I s re la tio n t o th e b o d y . Its d is c o v e r y w ill in
d u c e sham e. C h i e f fe a tu re has n o r e la tio n to h ig h e r e m o tio n s .
T h e lo w e s t f o r m o f a n im al life liv e s fo r , say, th r e e secon d s. B u t
in his o w n sigh t it has liv e d w h a t to us m ig h t b e s ix t y y e a rs b een
y o u n g , a d o le sce n t, m a tu re , o ld a g e d .
W e h ave n e v e r liv e d b e fo r e y e t , w e h ave liv e d m a n y , m a n y
tim e s fo u r th d im e n s io n .
T h e r e are w h o le scales, p s y c h ic a lly , b e tw e e n e a ch c e n te r. (T h is is
y o u r e x p e rie n c e ( Z a z a s) o f le a v in g th e b o d y .)
O b s e r v a tio n th a t d o e s n o t c a r ry w i t h it th e id ea th a t a ll o f b e h a v io r
is th e b e h a v io r o f i t (th e o rg a n ism ) w i l l tie us e v e n m o r e c lo s e ly to
>

it.

K e e p sa yin g it, it, it , it. I a m n o t it. I a m n o t O r a g e . I w ill o b se rv e

th e b e h a v io r o f i t O r a g e .
B u t se lf-id e n tific a tio n w it h o u t n o n -id e n tific a tio n is n o t fu tile . It is
a step. T h e n e x t ste p w il l b e n o n -id e n tific a tio n .
Y o u c o u ld c o m p le t e ly re a lize th a t I a m n o t i t , in t e lle c tu a lly , b u t
y o u h a ve n o t le t g o e m o tio n a lly .
I k n o w th at I a m n o t fa m ilia r w i t h m y se lf. I d o n o t e v e n k n o w
in th e sense o f b e in g a w are e v e n o f m y b o d y s a c t iv itie s m u scu la r
m o v e m e n ts ev e n . I a m ig n o ra n t o f it an d its b e h a v io r . I c e r ta in ly w is h
to k n o w a b o u t it. T h e r e f o r e
M o o n d o , re, m i g o in g d o w n .
S u n sol, la, si u p .
T w o stream s, u p a n d d o w n th e re is a b r id g e e ffo r t w it h in th e
m e th o d .
A l l e m o tio n a l a ttitu d e s o n e h e ld to w a r d th is w o r k are o f n o a c
c o u n t.
T h e G o sp e ls te ll us n o th in g o f w h a t h a p p e n e d to J esu s b e tw e e n th e
ages o f tw e lv e an d th ir ty . A n d th e n , a fte r a b la n k o f e ig h te e n years, he
rea p p ears, and in th e r o le o f a te a ch e r, liv e s th ree y ea rs. D u r in g these
e ig h te e n years he w a s p u t in s c h o o l, th a t is, he w e n t o u t in to , and
b e c a m e a m an o f th e w o r ld . T h e c la im w a s th at h e sta rte d lik e a n y o n e
f u s; th a t he b ro k e d o w n th e m id d le w a ll, th at h e th e n r e c o v e re d th e
c o n scio u sn ess o f h is m issio n and p e r fo r m e d it.
T h e p ro d ig a l so n w e n t in to a fa r c o u n t r y . H e fo u n d h im s e lf l i v
in g o n h u sk s (passive im p ressio n s) a n d fe e d in g s w in e (m o o n s!) th en

29

m a r c h

1926

he went back to his father and received the robe o f loveliness i.e.
mental body.
TESTS

Can one say I have a body = observation? I do not care what its activi
ties or experiences may happen to be. I w ill observe them scientifi
cally, i.e. without either approval or disapproval.

12 A P R I L 1926
The interval between mi and fa requires an outside aid or shock, but
between si and do, a shock is required, but this can be supplied by
oneself from inside.
There are in nature only three notes: do, re, mi, for sol sounds like
a new do when fa is struck.
This formula was originally a physical and chemical formula, but
later it was adopted as the musical scale.
At six, we now have passive impressions, but these may become
active impressions.
Ordinary food = 768. A ir = 192. Passive impressions = 24.
These would be, i f air were fully digested, a double 24 and a double
12 relatively higher and lower emotions and high and low sex. And
then, eventually a third 24 and a third 12. In the case o f sex, there may
or can be positive and negative and neutralizing. When do begins to
be active, the first experience is higher emotions.
Sex power o f the three times sort is creative, not procreative.
All drugs (hashish) tend to throw out the magnetic currents. Gurd
jieff said no one should be allowed to commence work in these groups
who had taken drugs. They apparently become insane during a re
arrangement o f magnetic currents, they w ill be out o f balance.
Insanity is complete identification w ith fantasy, perhaps a role.
Perhaps half criminal, half monstrous.
[Note: Jessie talked a great deal, chiejiy about insanity.]

Movement is circular from top to bottom, and the reverse.

Our desires determine our movement, i.e. up or down.
Try to play a role superior to ourselves up playing a role superior
ourselves = down consciously playing any role = up.
Some people develop an unusual amount o f magnetism (animal
magnetism). Powers o f sexual attraction. Powers o f persuasion. Pow
ers o f getting things over.
Gurdjieff, when over here, offered to produce any phenomena ever
produced before.
[Orage personally made this offer at Harvard. They said that they would
attend, hut would supply neither the materials nor the means.]

Tricks, half-tricks and phenomena. Science has arrived at mi.

In playing roles one w ill find the resistance in oneself (mechanism)
against playing certain roles.

12 A PRIL

1926

Essence in recurrence will act in each in accordance w ith the expe

riences in former recurrences.
P EO P LE ARE SH E LL S
J E S S I E : Is our interest in this work due to an accumulation o f active
impressions?
o r a g e ; Essence depends on what elements following conception
affect us. Mother has a great effect on us because essence is so near
the surface. So, in prenatal, and for a short time afterward, essence is
easily affected. But, soon a layer o f impressions is accumulated and af
terward, because o f the layer o f convention (passive impressions etc.)
it is difficult, almost impossible, to get an impression through them
to essence.
I f w e can observe our behavior, it w ill change from opaque to
transparent and we can then observe essence.
Oriental education is directed to the development o f essence but
only in the emotional. Occidental education is directed toward per
sonalities. In the East they like the development o f types here o f
informity. Even guilds o f robbers. Even at the expense o f the fabric
o f society, they prefer the development o f types.
Watson admits the existence o f many potentialities never yet actu
alized. The idea is to begin to exercise potentialities not brought into
play by our environment.
Jessie re-stated her question. C -science (facts so called) are from
every ordinary thing in life. (Have certain weight.)
B (Moonshine) certain diluted occult knowledge theosophy,
fairy stories, religion etc.
A -impressions are and must be received only from a person who
is capable o f originating B-impressions. A -impressions are o f
pure and direct esoteric nature.
N o one who has not had B can contact successfully w ith A .
Easterners have B but not C .

[Shertn has no C ( Shertn said this him self).]

In science, there is no interest in significance only in mechanics.

The Oriental tries to satisfy his emotions, the Occidental tries to sat
isfy his mind.
A recognizes other A s and Bs, and C s.
B recognizes other Bs and C s. Always thinks A s are Bs

12

A P R IL

1926

and perhaps thinks another B is an A . C recognizes only other

T 11 the story o f Geomancy to a B person o f the Order o f the
Iden Dawn. I asked; Which degree? I am number seven.
Oh I said, Ive passed that long ago. Tell me then one thing
1 e- what does Pee Bee Pee mean? O h , I said, straight o ff the
b a r that really means a very high degree. Yes, he said, but what

does it really mean?

Pro Bono Publico, I whispered. O h , he said, that puts me on
the scent - B perceiving another B .
An A only occasionally comes into the world. His hshing, so to
speak, is always among Bs. It is accident i f we are B and again ac
cident i f w e contact with an A . A always comes into the world for
some specific reason chivalry, a new religion, science, an institute or
the like. (Gothic Cathedral.) Bs who are really helping As will
become A s.
Motives;
C individual advantage, spiritual, psychological etc.
B something related to the welfare o f the group he is related
with.
A the idea for w hich the whole thing exists. In this case the
establishment exists. In this case, it is the establishment o f an insti
tute the prospect o f which only exists at present, and will never be
actualized unless there are enough Bs to accomplish this.

10 J A N U A R Y
PREFACE

1927

OF B E E L Z E B U B

T h is p r e fa c e is to th e b o o k w h a t an o v e r tu r e is to th e o p era . T h e ideas
to b e d e v e lo p e d are in d ic a te d lig h tly . T h e e x p re s s io n is n o t b y d ire ct
sta te m e n t b u t e n tir e ly b y p a rab le. C o m p a r e S w if t s T a le o f a T u b . T h e
p refa ce is ca lle d a W a rn in g .
W h e n c o m m e n c in g a n e w v e n tu re , it is c u s to m a ry e v e r y w h e r e
and a lw a y s to recite in th e n a m e o f th e F a th e r, th e S o n , an d also in th e
n am e o f th a t H o ly G h o s t, said to be k n o w n o n ly to th e p r ie s t and a
f e w o f th e lea rn ed b e in g s .
F a th e r is th e in te lle c tu a l c e n te r.
S o n is th e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r .
H o l y G h o s t is th e e m o tio n a l cen ter.
T h e h ig h e r e m o tio n a l c en ter, i.e . th e h e a r t, i.e. th e c a p a c ity
fo r e m o tio n a l u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th in g s as th e y are: r e v e re n c e , aw e,
real lo v e e tc . is th e H o ly G h o s t.
T h e b o o k th u s o p e n s w it h an in v o c a t io n to all th re e cen ters.
W h o le n e s s b u t w it h sp e c ia l a tte n tio n to th e H o ly G h o s t. T h a t is,
this b o o k is to b e read f r o m th e real h e a r t. It is tru e th a t it is n o t
c u s to m a r y e v e r y w h e r e a n d a lw a y s to r e c ite su ch w o r d s , at least in
o u r e x p e r ie n c e , b u t G u r d j ie f f w ish e s t o s u g g e s t at th e o u ts e t th a t b e
in g s liv in g n o r m a lly w o u ld u n d e rta k e all v e n tu re s in th is a ttitu d e o f
w h o le n e s s , and th at in a ll th e rest o f th e u n iv e r s e , such in fa c t, is th e
case. B u t in o u r little c o r n e r , d u e to lo c a l c o n d itio n s , w e n e v e r u n d e r
take a n y t h in g in this a ttitu d e .
T h e r e f o r e , p la c in g m y h a n d o n m y h e a r t (b u t in p a ren th esis), he
adds, w h i c h is w e ll k n o w n to b e b e lo w th e s to m a c h , i.e . w e m ista k e
o u r so la r p le x u s fo r o u r h e a r t, w e have n o rea l e m o tio n a l u n d e rs ta n d
in g d e v e lo p e d , n o H o ly G h o s t , n o n e u tr a liz in g fo r c e . H e says, I have
n o w is h t o w r it e this b o o k . H e is c o m p e lle d to w r it e b y w i l l, w h ic h
is in d iffe r e n t to p e rso n a l in c lin a tio n .
T h e a ttitu d e o f th e p r e fa c e is th e a ttitu d e o f B e e lz e b u b a n d th e a tti
tu d e in w h ic h s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n m u st be u n d e rta k e n b y e a ch o n e o f us.
I m p o r ta n t co n s id e ra tio n s lea d h im to w r it e a b o o k . W h a t is a
b o o k ? (See later.) F u rth e r, w i l l b e g in w i t h a p refa ce b e c a u s e o th e r
b o o k s d o , i.e ., w ill f o l l o w c o n v e n tio n a l m e th o d s so lo n g as u se fu l.
B u t th e p r e fa c e w ill b e a w a r n in g . A r t (see later) con sists o f c o n s cio u s
v a ria tio n s f r o m th e u su al. A n d th e art w e k n o w o r d in a rily is as n atu io

10 JANUARY

1927

ral as th e so n g o r th e n est o f a b ird . T h e n est o f th e o r io le seem s to

us m o r e p e rfe ct th a n th e n est o f th e sn ip e , b u t w e a ttr ib u te n o va lu e .
S im ila rly , S h a kesp ea re o r M ic h e la n g e lo . H e w ill n o t b e a cre a tu re o f
c u s to m ; b u t w ill u se c u s to m a r y fo r m a n d ad d s o m e th in g n o t m e r e ly
d iffe r e n t, b u t b e tte r a n d th u s fu lfill t w o p u rp o ses.
H e w i l l address his readers. N o t ic e h is to n e . T h is is th e a ttitu d e and
d ista n ce w e w ill ta k e in a d dressin g o u r o b je c t o f o b s e r v a tio n m y
d ear, h o n o r a b le an d d o u b tle ss v e r y p a tie n t i.e. w il l n o t ta k e it v e r y
s e r io u s ly , n o n -id e n tifie d . A m u s e d , b u t n o t u n k in d . . . w it h G o d s
h e lp a n d o f c o u rs e , w i t h th e p e rm issio n o f th e lo c a l a u th o r itie s . . .
all th e c o n v e n tio n s a n d ru le s o f th is p la n e t, that is th e w o r l d l y b o d y .
T h e w o r d lo c a l in th e b o o k m ea n s o f th is p la n e t. W e are squalid
v illa g e r s in th e c o s m o s . H e w ill n o t u se th e la n g u a g e o f th e in te llig e n
tsia, i.e . o u r lo c a l d ia le c t o f th o u g h t; w i l l n o t w r it e in th e la n g u a g e o f
g ra m m a ria n s, n o t g ra m m a ria n s o f w o r d s b u t o f lo g ic . In sh o rt, ideas
in th is b o o k w ill n o t b e p rese n ted in o u r h a b itu a l t h o u g h t pattern s.
O u r in te lle c tu a l life is based o n c h a n c e a sso ciatio n s. O n l y w h e n
o u r h a b itu a l a sso cia tio n s are b ro k e n u p c a n w e b e g in t o th in k fre e ly .
O u r a sso ciatio n s are m e c h a n ic a l; a w h o l e m o o d can b e d e s tro y e d , fo r
e x a m p le , b y th e u se o f o n e w o r d w i t h a d ifferen t g r o u p o f associa
tio n s . (In m id st o f a serio u s d iscu ssio n , in tr o d u c e a v u lg a r w o r d .)
In w h a t la n g u a g e sh a ll h e w r it e , h e has b e g u n in R u s s ia n b u t can
n o t g o o n b ecau se h e is g o in g to tre a t o f p h ilo s o p h ic a l th e m es? R u s
sian is a m ix tu r e o f essen ce and p e r s o n a lity . R u ssian s w i l l p h ilo s o
p h iz e f o r a sh o rt tim e an d th en d r o p in t o go ssip an d y a rn s . R u ssia n
is e x c e lle n t fo r sto ries in th e steam b a th . (T h is refers n o t r e a lly to th e
R u s s ia n la n g u a g e , b u t to th e R u ss ia n p s y c h o lo g y .)
A ls o E n g lish is u s e fu l f o r p ra ctica l m a tte rs, b u t in a d e q u a te fo r ab
stra ct th in k in g o f th e w h o le . T h is also is o f th e E n g lis h p s y c h o lo g y
an d n o t o f w o r d s . It is o f th e w a y o f th o u g h t . T h e r e is n o la n g u a g e
in E n g lis h fo r sp eech a b o u t self, I a n d y o u are e x c lu d e d . R u ssia n
an d E n g lis h are lik e a so u p w h ic h c o n ta in s e v e r y t h in g e x c e p t y o u
and I . E n g lish c a n n o t co n fe ss. In an E n g lis h o r R u ss ia n p s y c h o lo g i
cal state, w e c a n n o t te ll th e tru th a b o u t o u rselv es.
T h e E n g lish are th e p s y c h o lo g ic a l, th a t is, s o c io lo g ic a l n o t b io lo g i
cal d escen d an ts o f t h e a n c ie n t R o m a n s ; th e G erm a n s o f th e G re e k s.
H e is fa m ilia r w it h t w o la n g u a g e s, R u s s ia n and A r m e n ia n , th e A r
m e n ia n o f t h ir ty o r f o r t y yea rs a g o (i.e. d e v e lo p m e n t o f e v e r y perso n
fr o m essen ce to th e c o v e r in g o f p e rs o n a lity .) E n g lish is p e rs o n a lity ;
R u s s ia n , h a lf-a n d -h a lf; A r m e n ia n is essen ce , p u re. B u t in A r m e n ia n

11

10 J A N U A R Y 1 9 2 7
o n e c a n n o t ex p ress m o d e r n ideas, b ecau se m o d e r n ideas are n o t a b o u t
th e e ss en ce h e w a s fa m ilia r w it h in c h ild h o o d . W e all are A r m e n ia n es
s e n tia lly , b u t as w e g r o w u p , w e lea rn R u s s ia n and E n g lis h , i.e . take
o n s o c io lo g ic a l in flu e n ce s. A r m e n ia n u se d to b e p u re (essen tial), b u t
in t h ir t y o r f o r t y years has a cq u ire d n e ig h b o r in g w o r d s , i.e . p s y c h o
lo g ic a lly has g r o w n im p u r e t o b e in te r p re te d as th e h is to r y o f m an .
N a t iv e G r e e k w as his first fo r m o f s p e e c h , in fa n tile (p o stu re , ges
tu re e tc .), b u t u n fo r t u n a te ly h e c a n n o t u se G r e e k . In case o f a c o n
sciou s p e rs o n , b e h a v io r is a la n g u a g e . J esu s said, W a tc h w h a t I d o ,
b ecau se s o m e b o d y w o u ld h a v e to tran slate, i.e . e x p la in h is b e h a v io r.
H o w t o g e t o u t o f th is la n g u a g e m ess? H e ig h h o ! W ill g e t o v e r the
d iffic u lty .
G u r d j ie f f n eve r uses th e w o r d life in th e b o o k . H e m e r e ly asserts
that w e e x is t, b u t says w e can liv e . L ife co n s is ts in v o lu n t a r ily g e ttin g
o v e r v o lu n t a r ily im p o s e d d ifficu ltie s. A r r a n g e m e n t o f id ea s e tc . w ill
be b e h a v io r : n ativ e G r e e k .
E v e r y s ty le in d icates th e p s y c h o lo g y f r o m w h ic h it is w r it te n .
T h e r e a re tu b e rcu la r, c a n c e ro u s , s y p h ilitic s ty le s. T h e la tte r is d isin
te g ra te d , g litt e r in g s h o rt sen ten ces, e p ig r a m s e tc. It is v e r y se ld o m
w e fin d a b o o k o r w o r k o f art w h ic h is n o t s y m p to m a tic o f p a th o
lo g ic d is tu rb a n c e . B u t in th is b o o k , G u r d j ie f f is n o t w r it i n g fr o m
im p u ls e , w is h , etc. H e is c o n s tr u c tin g th is b o o k as an im p le m e n t to
b r in g a b o u t a g iv e n e ffe c t. H e has d islik e d th e la n g u a g e o f th e in te l
lig e n ts ia sin ce c h ild h o o d b e c a u se he is a b la c k sh eep . S u p p o s e th e re is
o n e sh e e p in a flo c k w h o rea lize s th e t w o th in g s w h ic h w e c o n s id e r
esp ecial t o sh e ep : m u tto n a n d w o o l. I f h e c o n tin u e s to d e v e lo p this
r e a liz a tio n , it w ill a lter h is a ttitu d e fr o m o t h e r sh eep ; he w i l l b e c o m e
th e b la c k sh eep .
H e su s p e c te d that o u r b o d ie s are m u tto n and w o o l, i.e . th a t o u r
b o d ies are statio n s fo r tr a n s fe r r in g e n e r g y u p an d d o w n rega rd le ss o f
o u r o w n p u rp o se s; an d w e fa il to re a lize th a t o u r in t e lle c tio n is m e
ch a n ica l re a ctio n .
W h ile a te ach er o f d a n c in g , (that is o f m o v e m e n ts , t e a c h in g o u r
b o d ie s t o m a k e n o n -h a b itu a l m o v e m e n ts) h e lea rn ed th a t m a n has
tw o m o d e s o f sp eech ( t h o u g h t ) :
1. W o r d s .
2. F o r m .
W h e n s p e a k in g o r w r it in g y o u o fte n u se w o r d s fo r w h ic h y o u have
n o p e rs o n a l e x p e rie n c e . I f y o u ask y o u r s e lf, H a v e I a p e rs o n a l c o n 12

10 J A N U A R Y 1 9 2 7
t e x t fo r th is? y o u w i l l re a lize th e d iffe re n ce . T h e r e is o ft e n n o th
in g b u t lite r a r y a sso cia tio n s. V eteran s s p e a k in g o f fr o n t tre n ch e s and
jo u r n a lis ts w h o sta y ed at h o m e sp eak o f fr o n t tren ch es o n t w o d iffer
e n t p la n es o f p s y c h o lo g y .
A n im a ls h ave o n l y rea l e x p e r ie n c e ; h u m a n b e in g s h a v e b o th , can
p r e te n d , and o fte n g e t a w a y w it h it.
C a n y o u , as a lit e r a r y c ritic te ll th e d iffe re n ce b e t w e e n a style
w h ic h is o n ly w o r d s a n d s ty le w h ic h is w o r d s p lu s c o n te n t? (S o n g o f
D e b o r a h in th e O ld T e s ta m e n t.) It still is n o t art e v e n i f w r it t e n o u t
o f th e fu lln e ss o f a h e a r t b ecau se its c o n t e n t d ep en d s o n a cc id e n ta l as
so cia tio n s . T h is b o o k d e stro y s e x is tin g v a lu e s in art a n d is d e v a sta tin g
to a sin ce re p e rso n .
H e w i l l w r it e in a m a n n e r b e fittin g a te a c h e r o f d a n c in g , i.e . a p e r
son w h o is d ire c tin g his m o v e m e n ts . H e w a rn s y o u ; y o u m a y find
c a c o p h o n ie s w h ic h w i l l b e d isa g re e a b le a n d w ill m a k e y o u n o t w a n t
y o u r d a ily m eal, i.e . y o u r h a b itu a l a sso ciatio n s.
Y o u m a y th in k I m y o u n g . I m n o t y o u n g . I h ave liv e d l o n g e n o u g h
to h a v e eaten d o g , i.e ., s w a llo w e d m y p r id e , e n d u re d d isa g reea b le
sen sa tio n s; fa tig u e ; m a d e an e ffo rt; s w a llo w e d n e g a tiv e e m o tio n s .
I stan d o n m y o w n f e e t . B e e lz e b u b has h o o fs (in d iv id u a lity ).
B o o ts are s o c io lo g ic a l aids.
T h e c o m p u ls io n f o r w r it in g th e b o o k is a re a liz a tio n o f lo g ic a l
n eed . I p ro p o se to a llo c a te ce rta in su m s to th o se w h o re tu rn th e
b o o k a fte r b e g in n in g i.e ., i f y o u liste n t o th ese ideas a little y o u p ic k
u p an in creased p s y c h o lo g ic a l a g ility , v e r y u se fu l in o r d in a r y p u r
suits . . . b u t i f y o u g o o n ! . . .
F a b le o f th e R e s o lu t e K u rd w h o b o u g h t a fr e s h ly g a th e re d , i.e.
(fro m s o m e o n e p r a c tic in g th e m e th o d ) red p e p p er, w h ic h lo o k e d
b e a u tifu l b u t m a d e th e tears p o u r f r o m h is eyes an d h is fa ce b u rn .
T h e w i l y b o o k s e lle r w i l l u r g e y o u n o t to re tu r n (A . R . O r a g e ) ; b u t i f
th e b o o k is d ig e ste d it w i l l b e fo r y o u r h e a lth and th e h e a lth o f th o se
n ear y o u .
T h e b o o k w ill b e lik e th e red p e p p e r, d isa g reea b le t o o u r m en ta l
and e m o tio n a l a sso c ia tio n and to o u r in e rtia .
B e e lz e b u b has:
H o o fs : in d iv id u a lity , a b ility to stan d o n his o w n fe e t.
T a il: c o n scio u sn ess w h ic h can b e fu r le d an d u n fu rle d .
H o r n s : w ill. E x p la n a tio n o f use o f th is s y m b o l c o m e s later.
B e e lz e b u b is an I w h o has d e v e lo p e d in d iv id u a lity , c o n s c io u s
ness a n d w ill. H e is s p e a k in g to H a sse in , w h o is a n y lit t le I , w h o

13

IO JA N U A R Y

1927

has b e g u n s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n an d is b y w a y o f d e v e lo p in g th e se th ree

fu n c tio n s .
W e h a v e B e e lz e b u b in u s, u n d e v e lo p e d . T h e b o o k m a y h e lp us d e
v e lo p h im . W is h is a lw a y s fo r o r again st, i.e . p o la riz e d . W h e n freed
fr o m p o la r iz a tio n it b e c o m e s w ill. It still c o n ta in s its d o u b le p o te n
tia lit y b u t co n tain s th e t w o in o n e an d is d ire c te d b y rea so n . H e n c e
th e s y m b o l o f th e t w o h o r n s s p ro u tin g f r o m th e head w h ic h is th e
seat o f th e m in d o r rea so n . F in a lly h e is a te a ch e r o f d a n c in g o f
th e m o v e m e n ts , also o n e w h o directs th e th r e e stream s o f m o v e m e n t,
in s tin c tiv e , e m o tio n a l, a n d in te lle c tu a l. A l l is n o n sen se b u t is r ig h t so
lo n g as th in g s that d o n t e x is t, e x ist. T h is is a d ig at th o s e w h o c o n
sole th e m s e lv e s o v e r th e re a liz a tio n o f th e n o n -e x is te n c e o f th in g s , b y
fa llin g b a c k o n o n e o f th e m .
I h a v e sp en t th e n ig h t w r it in g this. N o w I shall sleep a n d y o u g o
a b o u t p r e p a r in g a m ea l o f first f o o d . H e has p rep ared us a m e a l o f
th ird f o o d . G o o n s tir rin g t o m ake it th ic k w i t h w a te r. (A n o u ris h in g
s o u p w a te r , o u r u su al a sso ciatio n s.)
T e r r if y in g s u g g e s tio n th a t all o u r t h o u g h t d ep en d s o n c h a n c e asso
c ia tio n s ; f o r I rea lize th a t I h a v e b een u s in g th ese ideas f o r t w o years,
h o p in g t o assim ilate th e m in t o m y o ld set o f v a lu es and e n r ic h these
la tte r w it h o u t g iv in g th e m u p . T h o u g h t th e n e w ideas w o u l d w id e n
th e s c o p e , e x te n d th e p e rs p e c tiv e and g iv e v a r ie ty to th e c o n te n t.
N o w , I fe e l th e a ctu al fr a m e w o r k b e c o m in g valu eless. W il l I g o far
e n o u g h t o lo se th e o ld v a lu e s w h ic h g a v e in c e n tiv e s and th e n p erh ap s
n o t b e a b le to g o o n to n e w o n es o f a d iffe r e n t o rd er?

14

10 J A N U A R Y 1 9 2 7
T h e p ro cess o f t h o u g h t is an a tte m p t to estab lish a r e la tio n b e tw e e n
th in g s.
W e w is h to c u t o f f th e tail o f o u r o b s e r v a tio n w e w is h to m ake
o u r o b s e r v a tio n m a n x .
N o w , w e w o n t q u a r re l o v e r th e m ix in g up o f a w aren ess and
th o u g h t f o r w e are j u d g i n g th e n , n o t r e p o r tin g .
W e h y p n o tiz e o u r s e lv e s in to all so rts o f diseases fo r e x a m p le th e
air is c o m in g in th r o u g h th e w in d o w at an u n u su al ra te th e su g g e s
tio n is to say: I fe e l a c o ld d ra ft e t c ., a n d so assign to it a m a licio u s
c o n t e n t an d us h y p n o t iz in g o u rse lv e s in t o alm o st a n y th in g .
W e h a v e th ree fo r m s o f c o n scio u sn ess in us n o w : m e n ta l- t h o u g h t,
e m o tio n a l-fe e lin g a n d in s tin c tiv e -s e n s in g .
B u t w e w is h to d is c o v e r i f th ere is a n o t h e r p ro cess o f real e x p e rie n c e a b le c o n scio u sn ess. A w a ren ess is a n o th e r , in c lu siv e , a n o th e r sort
o f co n s cio u s n e s s. I a m a w a re o f p h y sica l s y m p to m s n o t o f e m o tio n s
etc. O u r fe e lin g s d o n t m a tte r and o u r th o u g h ts ev en less. W h a t does
m a tte r is w h a t o u r m ise ra b le carcass d o e s . I f w e b e c o m e a w a re o f this
last, h o w e v e r , w e w i l l th e n in d ir e c tly (P erseus and th e M e d u sa ) b e
c o m e a w a re o f o u r g e n u in e th o u g h ts a n d fe e lin g s .
E v e r y fr u it fu l d is c u s s io n p ro ce e d s a c c o r d in g to th e la w o f th e
scale b u t at a c e rta in p o in t w h e n it has g o n e d o , re, m i
[So now M is s ------ asks about her appendix .]
C o n s c io u s n e s s is e x a c t ly co m p a ra b le to e le c tr ic ity :
In te lle c tu a l lig h t.
E m o tio n a l heat.
In s tin c tiv e p o w e r .
( T h e th re e brains.)
T h e first p rim e an d p o s s ib ly th e o n l y e le m e n t o f c o n s cio u s n e s s is
aw aren ess. S o w e b e g in t o t r y to b e a w a re , o b je c tiv e ly , im p a rtia lly ,
n o n - c r itic a lly o f o u r b o d ie s , r e s p e c tiv e ly e a ch o f u s. W e p ro p o se
to g e t b a c k to th is b a c k g r o u n d o f o r ig in a l o r p rim al co n s cio u s n e s s,
aw aren ess w ith in w h ic h is n o w o n ly su c c e s s iv e ly a p p re h e n d e d in o n e
o f th r e e system s.
W e estab lish a se p a ra tio n b e tw e e n I a n d th e b o d y a n d w h e n the
b o d y fa lls o f f I w i l l re m a in . T r y t o d is tin g u is h b e t w e e n th e p o
te n tia l a n d th e a ctu a l. C o m p a r e a seed o f a ca b b a g e b y e v id e n c e .
W e k n o w th a t o n ly a c a b b a g e w ill g r o w f r o m it, i f a n y t h in g n o t a
rab b it. It has d e fin ite ly ch a ra cte ristic p o te n tia litie s w h ic h m a y b e o r
15

10 J A N U A R Y 1 9 2 7
n o t b e a c tu a liz e d . W e ea ch o f u s h ave b r o u g h t in to this r o o m d e fin ite
c h a ra cte ristic p o te n tia litie s . I a m s p e a k in g in a v o ic e w h ic h is w it h in
th e p o te n tia litie s o f O r a g e . I f I say I can lis te n to m y v o ic e b u t th a t I
d o n o t I d e s ig n a te a p o te n tia lity .
I c a n n o t t h in k th e b o d y d o e s
I c a n n o t fe e l th e b o d y d o e s
I c a n n o t m o v e th e b o d y d o e s
So I c a n o n l y lo o k o r b e a w a re o f t h e m a n d o n ly at first s h o u ld it
b e p o ssib le t o b e a c c u r a te ly a w a re o f th e b o d y as a p h ysica l m a ch in e ,
r e g iste rin g .
I have a b o d y
and
I a m a so u l
I f I, as a p e rs o n , am c o n d itio n e d to b e lie v e b e h a v io r is m o r sp iri
tu a lism o r w h a t n o t I w i l l b e lie v e o n th e flim siest p r e t e x t o f e v i
d en ce . C o m m u n it y o f co n s cio u s n e s s is n o t p o ssib le , i.e. a w aren ess o f
a n o th e r s in n e r state. A m a n v e r y in fla m m a b le p o lit ic a lly w a s taken
in to a fu r io u s p o litic a l m e e tin g , seated ap art w it h his eyes c o m p le t e ly
b lin d fo ld e d a n d h e a rin g c o m p le t e ly m u ffle d . H e w a s n o t a ffe c te d b u t
th en h e w a s released as to s ig h t an d h e a rin g a n d in five m in u te s h e w as
a ra v in g lu n a tic a lo n g w it h th e rest o f th e p o lit ic a l m e e tin g .
A s to im m o r t a lit y w e s h o u ld b e lie v e n o th in g . It is n o t a fo o lis h
q u e stio n t o p r o p o s e b u t at th e p rese n t m o m e n t w e c a n n o t re a ch a n y
th in g o th e r th a n a fo o lis h a n sw e r. W e h a v e n o t th e e q u ip m e n t. B u t
w e can b e c o m e aw are o f g e stu re s, p o stu res, to n e s o f v o ic e a n d fa cial
e g re ssio n s th is is n e w th e re is th e seed. W e o u g h t to k n o w o u r
selves as w e l l as o u r n e ig h b o r s , o u g h tn t w e ?
O n e sa id : B u t w e k n o w o u r o w n th o u g h ts ? N o ! said O r a g e .
W e im a g in e w e are C h ris tia n s o r in tereste d in art o r w h a t n o t b u t
su d d e n ly w e fin d th at th is is n o t t r u e .
T h e n u m b e r o f p e rc e p tio n s th a t w e are r e c e iv in g is 30,000 p e r sec
o n d . T e n in te lle c tu a l, te n e m o tio n a l, ten in s tin c tiv e . T h e s e d e te rm in e
o u r c o n te n t in o u r th ree c e n te rs , b u t fr o m b ir th w e h ave b e e n aw are
o f o n ly a fr a c tio n o f o n e p e rc e n t.
O f w h a t are w e c e r ta in ly u s u a lly u n c o n s c io u s o u r p h y sic a l m o v e
m en ts, so o u r first e ffo rt w i l l b e to b rin g u p fr o m th e su b co n s c io u s and
m ake c o n s c io u s th is b it o f u n u s e d area in o u r p o te n tia l co n s cio u s n e s s.
B e rtra n d R u s s e ll w ill ta k e o n e d a y o f o u r liv e s a n y o r d in a r y
16

10 JAN UARY

19 2 7

d a y a n d fr o m this w i l l in te r p re t us in e x a c t ly th e sam e w a y that

F re u d w i l l in te rp re t us f r o m a slee p in g d re a m .
B u t sin ce th e re is n o s ig n ifica n ce in m e c h a n ic a l b e h a v io r e ith e r in
a d re a m o r in this e x is te n c e , th e re w ill b e n o sig n ifica n ce in th e in te r
p re ta tio n . I f y o u tu m b le o u t o n to th e flo o r a b o x o f le tte r b lo c k s and
it sp ells th e w o r d p ig , is it sign ifican t?
W e d e p e n d o n th re e fo r c e s o f fo o d f o r o u r life : fo o d , a ir an d im
p ressio n s. S to p o n e o f th e m and o u r p s y c h ic life stops. I f y o u ch a n g e
any o n e o f th e m fe e d m e d ifferen t f o o d f o r a m o n th an d I w i l l b e a
d iffe re n t p e rso n , o r air, o r im p ressio n s a ll w it h in th e p o te n tia litie s
o f O rage.
T h e p e ris ta ltic m o v e m e n t o f th e p h y s ic a l a n d viscera l sy ste m s p r o
duces d re am s. L a u g h te r is a m o v e m e n t o f m u s c le s a v is c e r a l m o v e
m en t. In m y solar p le x u s w h ic h has n o sen ses an d w h ic h d e r iv e im
pressio n s o n ly in d ir e c tly i.e . th r o u g h th e sp in a l and ce re b ra l syste m
w h ic h s h o w th e solar p le x u s an im a g e a n d it rea cts m e c h a n ic a lly , th u s
la u g h te r o r sobs o r w h a t e v e r y o u r p o s s ib ilitie s o f r e a ctio n n ecessi
tates.
E n u m e r a tin g th e s y m p to m s o f a n e g a tiv e e m o tio n a l state w i l l far
to o q u ic k l y fo r a c o m p le t e r e p o rt d issip a te th e e m o tio n a n d th en
th e s y m p to m s , o f c o u rs e .
A t th e p rese n t m o m e n t m o s t o f o u r e n e r g y is p o u re d o u t in th e
sink o f o u r e m o tio n a l i.e . v isce ra l sy ste m . It s h o u ld g o t o o u r c e r e
bral a n d sp in a l system s a n d i f w e e m p lo y th is m e th o d it is sta te d that
less a n d less o f this e n e r g y w i l l be so w a s te d (p o u re d in to th e sin k) and
m o re a n d m o r e w ill b e p r o p e r ly e m p lo y e d .
S p a ce a n d tim e m a k e it im p o s sib le f o r a n y t w o in d iv id u a ls to be
alike. Y o u fo r in stan ce are n o w in a n o th e r p a r t o f th e r o o m a n d y o u r
im p ressio n s w il l in e v it a b ly b e d iffe re n t. T h e n tim e fo r u s is d iffe r e n t,
fo o d , e tc.
(M y , S h e rm a n s, in t e lle c tu a l cen ter w a k e s firs t th at is w h y I d o
n o t g e t u p . T h e n I m u st u se th is as a lev er.)
I f y o u h a v e a d e cisio n t o m a k e that w o r r ie s y o u , c o m m e n c e t o o b
serve y o u r p h ysica l m a n ife s ta tio n s and b y th e tim e y o u h a v e fin ish ed
this, y o u w i l l have d e c id e d th e q u e s tio n w h y in th e w o r ld w e r e y o u
w o r r y in g ?

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10 J A N U A R Y 1 9 2 7
It g o es w it h o u t sa yin g a fte r th e discu ssio n s y o u h ave h ea rd last y e a r
that th e sp o n s o r o f these id ea s is, in E u ro p e a n te r m in o lo g y , n o t n aive .
So in th is b o o k th e re is n o t h in g n aive. B u t it is a d e v ic e to in d u c e a
sort o f t h in k in g that is a lit t le u n u su al.
P la to w e n t fr o m d ia le c tic a l to m y th . B u t th e m y th w a s o b sc u re .
I m a g in a t iv e ly lo g ic a l, i.e . th e b o o k .
T h e r e is in e x is te n c e in th e h u m a n m in d a p o te n tia l lo g ic th a t is as
d iffe re n t f r o m o r d in a ry lo g ic as m e m o r y is f r o m m a th em a tics.
T h e p r o p e r rea d in g o f th is b o o k re q u ire s a k in d o f r e a d in g o f
w h ic h n o n e o f us is at p r e s e n t at all ca p a b le, fo r w e la c k th e f o r m o f
lo g ic n e ce ssa ry . T h e e x a c t seq u en ce o f id ea s, e v e n w o r d s , is n eces
sa ry as t h e y ap p ear in th e b o o k .
T h e p r e fa c e is to th e b o o k w h a t th e o v e r tu r e is to an o p era . T h o u g h
fr a n k ly I d id n o t and y o u p r o b a b ly w ill n o t u n d e rsta n d th is at a ll, y e t
y o u c a n n o t a ffo rd to m iss it.
T h e e n tir e b o o k is a p a ra b le , and a series o f parables. T h e s o w e r ,
etc. in th e B ib le o b v io u s ly d o e s n o t refer to a g r ic u ltu r e .
I ask f o r a d je ctiv es at th e e n d o f th e r e a d in g w h a t w i l l y o u say?
S atirical? P la in ? O r w h a t? W e la te r discuss th e a u th o r, th a t is to say,
B e e lz e b u b . F o r w e h ave in e a c h o f us a B e e lz e b u b .
T it le : W a r n in g . ( W h y n o t p re fa ce ?) It m a y strike y o u as a p ie ce
o f im p e r tin e n c e it is th a t, b u t n o t o n ly th a t.
It s h o u ld p u t y o u o n y o u r g u a rd th at it is n o t ea sily to b e u n d e r
sto o d . Y o u m u s t be p re p a re d to read w it h e m o tio n s and in t e lle c t. Y o u
m u st t r y t o u n d e rsta n d a n d at th e sam e tim e t o fee l.
W h e n b e g in n in g a n e w v e n t u r e , it is u su a l a lw a y s and e v e r y w h e r e
to c o m m e n c e w it h th ese w o r d s : In th e n a m e o f th e F a th e r a n d th e
S o n a n d th e H o ly G h o s t, k n o w n o n ly to p rie sts an d to s o m e sch o la rs.
T h is is as i f w e w e n t in to a sq u a lid v illa g e a n d sa y: B e fo r e d in n e r , it
is c u s to m a r y to say g r a c e . B u t th e y w o u ld sa y: N o , w e d o n t k n o w
such a c u s t o m ! B u t h e re w e are in tr o d u c e d to a c u s to m f r o m th e
grea t w o r l d n o t o n ea rth . W e liv e in a s q u a lid v illa g e e a rth . T h is
b o o k is w r it t e n in th e n a m e o f th e H o ly G h o s t.
E v e r y e n te rp ris e o f th e n a tu re o f th e b o o k m u st be b e g u n in this
sp irit. ( O b v io u s ly this is n o t c u s to m a r y h e re .)
A n d h a v in g p r o n o u n c e d th e se w o r d s , I h a v e b e g u n a c c o r d in g to
all th e ru le s , and p r o b a b ly m y n e w b u sin ess w i l l n o w p r o c e e d w it h
g o o d fo r t u n e . I p la ce m y h a n d o n m y h ea rt. (H e re is a d ia g ra m h a n d
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on solar p le x u s . A n in d ic a t io n to th e re a d e r th a t w e m u s t l o o k som e
o th e r p la c e f o r o u r h ea rts.)
I can say c a n d id ly I h a v e n o w is h to w r it e . (H e re w e m u s t d istin
gu ish b e tw e e n w is h = so la r p le x u s a n d w i l l = h ea rt. O n e can d o
a n u m b e r o f tim es as m u c h b y w i l l as b y w is h . T h a t is, b y b e in g
c o n c e r n e d o n ly w it h th e p ro cess.)
G o d , th e F a th e r in te lle c tu a l cen ter.
G o d , th e S o n in s tin c tiv e cen ter.
G o d , th e H o ly G h o s t e m o tio n a l c e n te r.
W e h a v e n o H o ly G h o s t, o n ly a so la r p le x u s . It is o b v io u s ly p r o
p o sed to w r it e this b o o k f r o m th e h ea rt. H e a v o w s in th is in v o c a tio n :
I h a ve n o w is h b u t p r o p o s e to w r it e f r o m th e h e a rt f r o m w ill.
V e r y im p o r ta n t c o n s id e ra tio n im p e ls m e to w r it e . A b o o k , b u t
w h a t a b o o k it is w e w i l l c o m e to later.
It m a y b e a d e fin ite t h o u g h t - fo r m a n d m a y c o n tin u e to e x is t ev en
th o u g h th e p r in tin g o r w r it in g m a y b e d e s tro y e d . It m a y b e o n ly a
talism an b y m ean s o f w h ic h w e can see w h a t G u r d jie f f s t h o u g h t is.
H e has sp en t m a n y h o u r s o v e r each p a rt o f th is b o o k .
M a n y p a th o lo g ic a l w r it in g s are r e a lly o n l y w r it in g s o f b o o k s that
e x ist as th o u g h t fo rm s.
I f it is reg a rd e d as a so rt o f te le sco p e th e b o o k w ill b e u n d e rs to o d .
G u r d jie ff p ro p o se s as fa r as p o ssib le to u se th e c o n v e n tio n a l fo rm s.
B u t h e s a y s : A s I h a ve a lw a y s all m y life d o n e n o th in g as o th e r s it shall
b eg in w i t h a W a r n in g .
A r t co n sists o f c o n s c io u s v a ria tio n s f r o m o r d in a ry ru le s. A l l th e
art w e see o r d in a rily in th e w o r ld is ju s t r e p r o d u c tio n o f n a tu re as w e
see it. T h e n ig h tin g a le e tc . M ic h e la n g e lo a n d S h a kesp ea re are o n ly
n ig h tin g a le s.
U n iq u e n e s s is n o m e r it. C o n s c io u s ly u n iq u e is u n iq u e n e ss a c c o r d
in g to a r t n o t a c c o r d in g to n atu re. W e m u s t m a k e in a rt s o m e th in g
m o re b e a u tifu l th an n a tu re . C o n s c io u s u n iq u e n e ss w il l e v o k e c o n
scious u n iq u en ess.
I w il l so b e g in m y m is s io n h ere b u t w i t h a v e r y grea t p o lite n e s s . M y
dear h o n o r e d and d o u b tle s s v e r y p a tie n t Sirs. (So y o u s h o u ld address
y o u rs e lv e s to y o u r p e r s o n a lity M y d e a r h o n o r a b le a n d d o u b tle ss
p atien t O r a g e , y o u are . S o i f y o u can p it c h th e to n e o f y o u r o b se r
v a tio n th u s , y o u w ill h a v e th e sp irit th a t is n e ce ssa ry an d p r o p e r .) A n d
my d ear, a d o ra b le , k in d a n d im p a rtia l lad ie s. N o t I m a l a d y b u t as
a bo ve, a w o m a n sh o u ld p it c h h er a ttitu d e ! S o , i f y o u c a n p it c h y o u r
W n o b s e r v a tio n in th e k e y v e r y g o o d .

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W ith Gods help and o f course with the permission o f the local
planetary authorities. (Whenever the word local appears it means
conventional earth.)
Although I have been taught the language o f intelligentsia (mode
o f thought) I have always refused to use it.
I shall not write this book in the language o f the grammarians.
(Not ordinary grammar but he means modes o f thought in use on this
planet. Mechanical thought we have an intellectual life based on ac
cidental associations and on chance impressions.)
He w ill use words that (may will, but should not) destroy the
mood or meaning. Rude words but we must definitely break up our
present associations.
W hat is the aim o f this book? I asked Gurdjieff.
To make free thought possible, he said, i.e. thought without
planetary accidental associations. If this were done, further breaking
or freeing would still be necessary.
It seems that I have not decided in what language to write. I cannot
write very long in Russian. (A mixture o f personality and essence.)
I have begun in the Russian language but as I intend to write upon
philosophical subjects I cannot go very far with Russian. (This book
is also a history o f the institute or o f this group.)
Russian, (Gurdjieff says in effect) is an excellent language but only
for smoking room anecdotes. Russian in this respect is like English.
It is good for discussing Australian mutton, the Indian question and
smoking room anecdotes.
What is the English attitude? If he is drunk he is religious for a
moment i f angry he becomes philosophical for a moment or two.
H ow shall he, the English, enter into the Kingdom o f a higher un
derstanding?
Italians are biological descendants o f the Ancient Romans. The
English are psychological descendants o f the Romans.
The Greeks are biological descendants o f the Ancient Greeks. The
Germans are psychological descendants o f the Ancient Greeks.
The English and Russian languages are like Solianka Russian
soup into which everything goes but you and me. (I.e. neither Eng
lish nor Russian ever questions themselves.)
m o r r i s f r a n k : Dont the English say it is immodest?
orage : Yes, a defense.
frank : Well what do the Russians think?
orage : Oh, (in disgust) they dont think.
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E n g lish p e rs o n a lity .
R u ss ia n h a l f p e rs o n a lity , h a l f essence.
A r m e n ia n essen ce.

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A new gro up
Certain statements I made in last weeks meeting no doubt rankled.
What have you to say or ask? What effect have these statements had?
[No answer .]
T h e r e is n o o n e w h o e v e r th in k s o r d o e s o r says o r feels a n y th in g
e x ce p t m e c h a n ic a lly . H o w w e r e these s ta te m e n ts d ig e sted ? W h a t
w o u ld y o u say i f y o u h a d th e co u ra g e?

[No answ er /]
W e b e g in b y sa y in g all th e th in g s w e a lr e a d y k n o w b u t n e v e r rea l
iz e fo r in s ta n c e in o n e h u n d r e d years e v e r y o n e h ere w ill b e d e a d .
In m y e a r ly y o u t h I u se d to b e v e r y fo n d o f A r m e n ia n f o r it h ad
n o th in g in c o m m o n w i t h th e n e ig h b o rs, i.e . it h a d a p s y c h o lo g y o f its
o w n . (A s c h ild r e n w e s p o k e essen tially .)
I o b s e r v e th a t d u rin g th e past th ir ty o r f o r t y years th is la n g u a g e
has b e c o m e j u s t an a d m ix tu r e o f n e ig h b o r in g to n g u e s . ( G u r d jie f f is
G reek .) W e m u st re tu rn t o G r e e k a first f o r m o f sp e e ch g e stu re ,
p o stu re, fa cia l e x p re s sio n , e t c . th e la n g u a g e o f in fa n cy .
T h e b e h a v io r o f a c o n s c io u s b e in g is as m u c h a la n g u a g e as an y
o th e r c a n b e.
It is a ll (i.e. b e h a v io r) G r e e k to us, an d w i l l rem ain so u n til w e re
call th e la n g u a g e o f a n c ie n t G re e c e . A n a tiv e la n g u a g e , i.e . b e h a v io r .
G u r d jie ff refers to his o w n n a tiv e la n g u a g e , i.e . G re e k .
B u t su p p o se y o u s h o u ld ta k e m o d e rn b e h a v io r to an a n c ie n t G r e e k
w h o u n d e r s to o d th e la n g u a g e o f b e h a v io r , h e w o u ld n o t u n d e rsta n d
a lin e o r w o r d o f it.

A s like a requiem as a nail.

I h a v e g o tte n o v e r so m a n y d ifficu ltie s th a t it has b e c o m e q u ite a
habit w it h m e and I re m a in fu ll o f h o p e .
orage: H e n eve r uses th e w o r d life o n l y e x is te n c e . V o lu n ta r ily

o v e r c o m in g d ifficu ltie s c re a te d in life.

Somehow I will find a way out o f these difficulties.

(If m y h a n d aches I q u it f o r a tim e fo r fe a r it w ill g o o u t o f c o m m is
sion. I o n l y q u it fo r t h ir t y seco n d s th o u g h .)
In lite r a tu re th e re are q u it e sp e c ific a lly c o n s e rv a tiv e s t y le s , c a n
cer s ty le s , s y p h ilitic s t y le s , (etc. sty les). T h e last n a m e d , b rillia n t,
d isin te g ra te d , etc. E v e r y f o r m o f art is in d ic a tiv e o f a s ta te u s u a lly
p a th o lo g ic a l.

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In th e case o f th is b o o k th e re is n o su c h in d ic a tiv e i t is fr o m
w i l l n o t w is h . T h is b o o k c a n n o t b e p s y c h o a n a ly z e d . W h e n I say
p a th o lo g ic a l I m ean in d ic a tiv e o f a c e rta in sta te, b u t n o t n e c e ssa rily
a bad state.
I d o n o t k n o w w h y I h a v e a lw a y s d islik e d th e la n g u a g e o f th e in
te llig e n ts ia b u t I h ave. P erh a p s b ecau se f r o m c h ild h o o d I h a v e a lw a y s
been a b la c k sh eep . ( W h ic h y o u are w h e n e v e r y o u start s e lf-o b s e r
v a tio n a n d n o n -id e n tific a tio n .) T h a t is, e a c h o f us is fr o m th a t m o
m en t (to c o m m e n c in g s e lf- o b s e r v in g and n o n -id e n tific a tio n ) a b la c k
sh e e p . T h a t is th e sheep th a t k n o w s o r su sp ects m u tto n a n d w o o l .
W e tra n sfer u p and d o w n , c h e m ic a l su b stan ces.
F ro m th e v e r y b o n e an d s in e w to m y r ig h t side and little b y little
in m y m in d I h a ted th e la n g u a g e o f th e in te llig e n ts ia an d b e g a n to
d isco v e r th e la w o f a sso c ia tio n , i.e . m e c h a n ic a l in te lle c tio n . S in c e th e
tim e w h e n I w a s a te a ch e r o f d a n c in g , i.e . f r o m th e tim e w h e n I b e g a n
to tr y t o c h a n g e m y h a b its o f w a lk in g e t c . e x p e r im e n tin g . I v e r y
c le a r ly r e a liz e d th at h u m a n b e in g s h ave t w o m o d e s o f th o u g h t:
1. W o rd s
2. P e rs o n a l e x p e rie n c e . ( C o m m o n to h u m a n b e in g s and a n im a ls.)
S u b lim ity , a w e, etc. m e a n n o th in g to m e e x c e p t so u n d . F ro n t
tre n ch e s m e a n s to a m a n w h o has b een t h r o u g h s o m e th in g v e r y d if
feren t f r o m th a t w h ic h m e a n s to th e m an w h o sta y ed h o m e a n d w r o t e
a b o u t it.
E v e r y tim e y o u use a w o r d d e n o tin g an a c tu a l e x p e r ie n c e y o u re
tu rn an d in s o m e m easu re g o th r o u g h th a t e x p e r ie n c e again .
H o w c a n y o u d isc rim in a te b e tw e e n a w r it e r w h o s e w o r d s are fu ll
fr o m th o s e w h o s e w o r d s a re e m p ty ?
B u t G u r d j ie f f says he is n o t g o in g to w r it e in e ith e r (1) o r (2). S in ce
all art is f r o m a ccid en tal p e rs o n a l e x p e rie n c e , w e c a n n o t p r o d u c e art.
A n o b je c tiv e c ritic is m o f th e life o f m a n as it e x is ts is th e su b
title o f t h e b o o k .
Y o u r w r it i n g w ill b e f r o m y o u r p e rso n a l e x p e r ie n c e s c h a n c e a c
cid e n ta l.
N a m e ly , t o w r it e , in a m a n n e r a p p ro p ria te to a sm all te a c h e r o f
d a n cin g . I w a r n y o u , i.e . t o say th e w a r n in g , th at th e c a c o p h o n o u s
ch ara cte r o f th is b o o k m a y p u t y o u o f f y o u r a p p e tite . I.e. th e y o u n g
in this w o r k a lw a y s a v o i d ------ and b itte rn e ss o f fa ilu re, i.e . e a tin g
n e g a tiv e e m o tio n s , b u t n o t t o a v o id n o r e n d u re th e m b u t t o ea t th e m .

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H e says in e ffe c t th at h e is n o t y o u n g in th is w o r k fo r he has e a te n d o g ,

a n d th e y o u n g a lw ays a v o id th a t in this w o r k .

W ish e s to o b ta in o r to a v o id are s im p ly a p e t t y fo r m o f n e ce ssity .

G u r d j i e f f says th at n o t b e c a u s e o f this is h e w r it in g this b o o k .

G u r d jie f f w a rn s th at a n y o n e re a lly r e a d in g th is is w a r n e d th a t he
m ay g e t sh o ck s. A w r it e r , f o r e x a m p le , m a y r e a liz e that h e m a y (shall)
n ever b e c o m e th e g re a t w r it e r . T h e u ltim a te c o n c lu s io n is th a t n o th
in g I can d o is a n y g o o d a n d th e re fo re I w i l l d o m y b est.
T h e r e are certain m e m b e r s o f th e L o n d o n g ro u p s w h o a tte n d e d
tw o o r th r e e m e e tin g s , w h o p ic k e d u p e n o u g h n e w id eas ( b y - p r o d
ucts) v e r y v a lu a b le to b e an e n te r ta in in g d in n e r g u e st, a m o r e su c
cessful p s y c h o lo g is t, p la y w r it e r s , e tc. B u t i f y o u g o fu r th e r , y o u w ill
p erh ap s. . .
B u t i f y o u g o o n ly a lit t le w a y y o u w i l l g e t y o u r m o n e y b a c k .
I r e m e m b e r th e s to r y o f th e m an fr o m a little v illa g e w h o w e n t to
to w n , sa w a b e a u tifu l f r u it , b it in to it a n d fo u n d it w a s a p e p p e r ! all
th e sam e h e c o n tin u e d to e a t it. A m an c a m e a lo n g and said W h a t are
y o u d o in g ? ! S to p th a t! (S o y o u r frie n d s say sto p , y o u f o o l, b a d ! )
T h e m a n said: H a v e n t I sp e n t m y last g r o a t? I shall c o n t in u e to eat
th o u g h m y so u l sh o u ld d e p a r t fr o m m y b o d y .
(P eo p le taste this m e t h o d fin d p e p p e r say p t o u ! a n d g o g e t
th eir m o n e y back .)
A g o o d a p p e tite an d w i t h m y w h o le s o u l I h o p e that y o u m a y d i
gest all th a t y o u read, n o t o n l y fo r y o u r o w n h e a lth b u t fo r th a t o f all
those n ear y o u . It w ill b e h o t lik e that p e p p e r. (I.e. to o u r in e rtia s.)
A w h o le h o g in c lu d in g th e p o sta g e (y o u k n o w th e s to ry ). T h e r e
m ay b e p u r e ly e x tr a n e o u s d ifficu ltie s in c o n n e c tio n w it h s e lf-o b s e r
va tio n
pay.)

w h ic h m a y b e r e g a rd e d as p o s ta g e . ( I f y o u are d r u n k y o u ll

M y g r a n d m o th e r said: N e v e r d o as o th e r s d o g o to s c h o o l o r
ju s t d o n o th in g , b u t n o t th e sa m e . G r a n d m o th e r is c h ie f fe a tu r e , I
su ggest. I.e . h a ve a rea so n f o r d o in g a n y t h in g n o t d o in g a n y th in g
ju s t b eca u se o th e rs d o it.
I take fo r th e th e m e o f m y b o o k e v e n ts th a t o c c u r o n e a r th b u t I
0 n o t p r o p o s e to cra m p m y s e lf o n ly to th is p la n e ta ry e x is te n c e . (I.e.
to m a n s p la n e ta ry e x is te n c e o r it ; i.e . A d a m K a d m o n s b o d y o f

2,000 m illio n cells. T h e m e c h a n ic a l p art o f us w i l l c e r ta in ly b e w r it

ten a b o u t o n l y in that p r o p o r t io n th at i t r e a lly deserves.)

The mood attitude o f I when observing it is the Beelzebub

attitu d e.

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I (consciousness) Beelzebub (individuality) have developed (will).

Beelzebub, a developed I, is speaking to a little I (Hassein),
attempting to grow. The book may be a mediator between I devel
oped and I undeveloped.
You must not joke i f you undertake a vow otherwise you will pay
a years rent for a house only occupied three months.
Seriously I was called in youth Black Greek, in middle age Ti
ger o f Turkestan ; later Monsieur Gurdjieff, finally simply Teacher
o f Dancing. I.e. teacher o f motion i.e. how to manage the three
streams o f forces running through us. We cannot dance so we can
not make it dance. H ow to get control o f oneself.
All the world is nonsense always provided that Mullah Nasruddin
the cross-eyed bobtailed dog o f the President to the u s a and Prince
are all right. (But they dont exist therefore cannot be alright.)
There are three forms o f foods: food, air and impressions. Impres
sions are the form o f food that alone will make possible further devel
opment o f the second food- air.
Stir water until it is thick stir it until you make o f hope a thick
and nourishing soup.
Divine reason, impartial intellection, objective reason; Gurdjieff
uses various terms for the same thing.
Try to sell these ideas to a hundred people you will find a psycho
logical problem. And for very shame you could not talk about these
ideas unless you used them.
This preface is to create i f only for a moment or two the attitude
to the observer I.
The next chapter is called Why Beelzebub was on this solar sys
tem.
[E n d o f meeting midnight .]

If anyone realized this, every moment o f his time would be oc

cupied. N ot one o f us can guarantee that he will be alive tomorrow.
We know it but we never realize. But the realization o f this we can
not achieve by ourselves. We are taking part in events about which
we know but cannot realize, we behave mechanically i.e. without
realizing what we know. Although we exist somnambulistically we
cannot wake ourselves up and there is unfortunately no one to wake
us up. I f you continue to attend these groups you will not only be
told how to wake up but you will receive an occasional shake. What
we know about ourselves, or rather about others, for w e do not or
rarely apply this knowledge to ourselves is that we are the result o f
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heredity and environment. How can we realize this? O n ly by doing

something o f which we are not ordinarily accustomed. But there is a
shorter way, i.e. the beginning o f this method. Just watch yourself.
When you get up in the morning watch the habitual way o f your
behavior.
The way o f catching rabbits, those o f you who have lived in the
country know, they always run in a field in the same runs place a
trap there. . . We invite you to prove that all our external behavior is
determined by outward circumstances and cannot be changed. You
think perhaps that you can think at w ill what you choose you can
not, any more than you can change your physical habits and behavior.
Observe yourselves watch your own behavior and if you cannot
perceive anything else than automatic behavior, as I am sure you will,
then you will realize what you know.
It is possible to induce a change by another means than by any o f
our habitual means. He constantly reasserts that he has repeated or as
I said last time or as I think I have told you.
Convicts familiar in convict settlements in Australia through gen
erations concealed from themselves and their descendants that they
were convicts. In the same way over a period o f thousands o f years,
we have become mechanical. If you realize your state, you will at
once say I must have a way out o f this terrible state.
We are not even higher animals we are only more complicated
animals. We are in this state because our forefathers concealed the fact
that they were deteriorating. By the time o f the Greeks, people were
almost mechanical. They only had myths o f real life but once, men
in Egypt or Atlantis were free men. If this realization comes, then this
method will carry you fast and far. But just a wish to improve will
accomplish little. However, if done from a sense o f shame then much
will be accomplished.
I cannot have told you things that are disgraceful you are only a
tree, a vegetable without you having been insulted.
[Sherm said this to Shertn I have within me a cell corresponding to each
man being on earth observe them and m yself simultaneously .]

(For instance six puppies, one is given to a hunter, another to a

circus.)
So, a business man can talk intelligently to an artist. We are an ab
normal sort o f monster, developed into something so disgraceful that
a realization would shame us into doing something about it.
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But asked a lady w hy should we be ashamed o f something

over which have no control?
orage : If my father died a disgraceful drunken death, I am ashamed,
though I have no control over this.
But you should not be, she said.
orage : I am not saying that you should be, only that we are so con
stituted that we are ashamed o f certain things over which we have no
control. We propose to utilize the only means that exists in us. We act
only from our feelings and there is a certain element in our feelings

We are capable o f sensation and movement. We can feel pleasure

and pain. Generally speaking we wish from these states to do cer
tain things. Where in your body do you feel disgust, fear, anger? You
say: It made you sick to your stomach solar plexus. W hich center
makes us move?

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M y hand has no likes or dislikes it has only sensations. But I like

and dislike this I dont know why and my body must do what I
like.
o r a g e :
I thought and I came to only the conclusions to do
this But my dear fellow we say, You would have done that with
out thinking for you were already disposed to do it by your likes and
dislikes.

If we can take a wish not to be as we are plus a will to be something

else and attach it to a proper method we w ill have the strongest pos
sible arrangement for growth. Then the program will go:

Abnormal:
3
2
1
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T h e w h o l e m e th o d is t o d e v e lo p (4, 5, 6) a n d at th e sam e tim e to

m ake n o r m a l (1, 2, 3).
T h e r e is at th e b a ck o f t h e h ea d an area th a t is n e v e r u sed . A c t u a lly
it is th e re n o w . So at th e b a c k o f o u r tr u n k th e re is an o r g a n a b o u t
w h ic h w e k n o w , ev en ta lk a b o u t. W e say: I fe e l w it h m y h e a r t , b u t
it is n o t so .
C e r t a in p o e ts h ave h a d re a l e m o tio n s h as a n y o f th e m o d e r n p o
ets h ad an e x p e r ie n c e o f a w e M ilto n d id w h e n h e h ad a v is io n o f
paradise.

[Sherm s interjection I jin d in myself a certain smugness o f attitude, dear

fellow. ]
A t th e base o f th e sp in e at s ix is sex. T h e rea l fu n c tio n o f s e x is n o t
p r o c re a tio n b u t s o m e th in g asso ciated w it h th e h ig h est c o n c e p t y o u
can a tta ch to th e w o r d w i l l . T h is m e th o d is a tru e use o f se x . It can
o n ly b e b r o u g h t a b o u t t h r o u g h in d iv id u a lity , co n s cio u s n es s, a n d w ill.
It is th e fin a le o f th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f a c o m p le t e h u m a n b e in g .
W e ll I c o u ld g o in to it. In te r e s tin g f r o m o u r p o in t o f v i e w , as d e
tails as t o w h y e v o lu tio n g o e s o n in this w a y :
W h y first in stin ctiv e ?
W h y s e c o n d e m o tio n ?
W h y th ir d th o u g h ts?
W h y n a tu re takes th e se step s so far an d c a n n o t take us fu r th e r ?
W h y c a n w e b y th is m e t h o d ta k e o u rs e lv e s fu rth e r?
Y o u a re a w a lk in g fig u r e , an in c a rn a tio n o f th e fig u re .
Y o u s h o u ld b e g in to fe e l as y o u w a lk a b o u t th is w o r ld :
Is a life t im e e n o u g h ? W e say a w e e k is l o n g e n o u g h a d a y.
I say, q u it e tr u th fu lly , th a t y o u can d e v e lo p th u s in a w e e k . I f y o u
can fo r o n e w e e k be c o n t in u o u s ly aw are o f y o u r p h ysica l m o v e m e n ts
o f y o u r b o d y , y o u w ill b e th e n an individual w i t h co n s cio u s n e s s and
w ill.
It is n o t c o n c e n tr a tio n w e c a n n o t u se a n y w o r d w e h a v e n e v e r
used b e f o r e at a n y rate in its p rese n t m e a n in g . S o , i f y o u in t r o d u c e
th e w o r d c o n c e n tr a te y o u in t r o d u c e its a sso c ia tio n . W h a t d o e s a c a m
era d o w h e n it registers lig h t w a ves? C o n c e n tr a te ? No, w e sa y it sim
p ly re g iste rs. T h is is s im p ly a p s y c h o lo g ic a l re g is tra tio n w e ca ll this

awareness.
B e a w a r e o f y o u r s e lf s p e a k in g , m o v in g , t o n e o f y o u r v o ic e , etc.
Y o u see m e w a lk in g n o w , b u t I am a w a re th a t I a m n o t o r d in a r ily
aw are o f w h a t m y b o d y is d o in g .

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B u t i f f o r o n e w e e k y o u can b e aw are o f th is y o u w il l h a v e c o m
pleted th is d e v e lo p m e n t.

Hetero-consciousness is what we ordinarily call self-conscious

ness. B u t this method w ill entirely cure self-consciousness, as we
ordinarily use that term.
N o t h in g w e h ave e v e r d o n e w ill h a v e th e sligh test e ffe c t u p o n
o u r a b ility to d o this w o r k . F o r i f it d id , o b v io u s ly , it c o u ld n o t b e a
n e w fu n c tio n . T a k e a p la n e w e m ig h t sa y i f w e e x te n d th e p la n e far
e n o u g h w e w ill reach a n o t h e r d im e n s io n b u t it w o n t, w i l l it?
question:

H ow does this differ from observing others?

it.
questioner: I h a v e n o d iffe re n ce .
orage: B u t th e re is t r y lis te n in g to th e to n e s o f y o u r v o ic e , etc.
orage: T r y

T h e d iffe r e n c e is as g re a t p s y c h o lo g ic a lly as th e d iffe re n ce b e tw e e n

a ctu a lly r u n n in g and s ittin g . I f I listen to th e to n e o f y o u r v o ic e it is
as easy as sittin g . B u t I h a v e to ru n to k e e p u p w it h h e a r in g th e to n e
o f m y o w n v o ic e . T h e r e is r e a lly as g re a t a p s y c h o lo g ic a l d iffe re n ce .
N o w th e re is an iro n filin g fa llin g b e tw e e n m a g n e ts etc.
H e is th in k in g o f a b s o lu te fr e e d o m (i.e. o f so m e th in g th a t c a n
not be t h o u g h t o f ) . T h e r e is n o such th in g . T h e r e is o n ly p o s s ib le a
greater c h o ic e o f p o te n tia litie s .

T h is d o t is, le t us say, a b e in g , call it w h a t y o u lik e . W h e n y o u reach

a crisis y o u are in fa ct in a c e r ta in c h e m ic a l sta te w e call it a state o f
d o u b t.
Say y o u c a n g o to E u r o p e y o u h ave th e m o n e y etc. B u t y o u h ave
an in v ita tio n to g o to C a lifo r n ia . A n d y o u r business is in a c e rta in
state. Y o u r fa m ily is lik e w is e . Y o u r b r o t h e r n eed s a v a c a tio n b u t i f
y o u g o h e c a n n o t, e tc.

T h e p u lls v a rie d , b u t n o t d e te rm in in g . F in a lly s o m e th in g h a p p en s

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and you say that decided me indeed it did; chemically. But sooner
or later you find yourself in Paris.

And again a number a definitely limited number not an infinite

number o f potentialities appear until you reach death.
But suppose you had developed individuality, consciousness and
w ill, i.e. you were free then the line would be:

Though it might involve exactly the same movements New

York Paris Italy N ew York etc. Yet they would all bear on
your ultimate objective, and so you would be free.
A conscious man he will go through all the same exterior behav
ior as the businessman, for example, yet he will be undiscoverable.
Yet he is not doing it as a businessman w ill for money power etc.
Suppose when you are dead you find yourself exactly as you are but
without a body you w ill know exactly what to have observed.
Facial expressions only a limited number.
Tone o f voice limited number.
Postures we fall into mechanically and habitually.
Movements walking, running etc.
Gestures we have certain number.
Sensations heat, cold, touch.
H ow to produce a substantial and permanent change in the charac
ter o f the human species? He prepared himself to be able to be impar
tial. He then set about formulating the existing conditions. The hu
man race had gone too far in subjectivity to be able to appeal by any

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g e n u in e fe e lin g o f e ith e r fa ith , h o p e o r lo v e . So h e c h o s e so m e th in g

e ith e r d ee p er o r m o r e a ccessib le o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e . T h e rep re
sen ta tiv e o f G o d in th e essen ce. N o t d e a d , o n ly d o r m a n t.
O b je c t iv e c o n s c ie n c e w o u ld s e r v e an in d iv id u a l as an in fa llib le
g u id e fo r h im se lf so th a t he w ill v o lu n t a r ily p a rticip a te in th e fu n c
tio n o f th e u n iv e rse p r o p e r to h im . S la v e t o Son .
H e gave th e m te a c h in g ex ercises th e th r e e fo ld f o r m o f s e lf-o b
s e rv a tio n to r e a liz e o n e s p la ce in th e u n iv e rs e an d w h a t is n ecessary
fo r o n e to d o .
O b je c t iv e m o r a lity :
1. T h e sa tisfa ctio n o f th e p la n e ta ry b o d y . S atisfy, n o t g r a tify . F u l
fill th e n eeds o f th e p la n e ta r y b o d y j u s t as o n e w o u ld h a v e to d o fo r a
d o g o n e w a s tr a in in g . N o t o v e r -e a tin g o r u n d e r -e a tin g o v e r -d r in k
in g o r u n d e r -d r in k in g . A m a x im u m o f fitn ess i.e . h e a lth .
2. T o im p ro v e o n e s b e in g .
A d o g has b e in g it c a n n o t be d e fin e d in term s o f u n d e rs ta n d in g
o r o f a b ility o r o f p la n e ta r y b o d y . E ssen tial b e in g is th e k e r n e l o f th e
n u t i.e . w h a t w e are. H a v e y o u a n y fe a r o f b e in g a lo n e ? W o u ld y o u
fear to g o to C h in a o n a secret m issio n ? H a v e y o u a n y g u t ? A r e y o u
m a n ly o r w o m a n ly e n o u g h ? N o o n e w h o shirks o r lo se s h is head? A
g o o d p e rso n to g o t ig e r s h o o in g w it h ? T h is state o f b e in g is th e o n ly
p a rt o f us th at n e v e r ch a n g e s. O n e s in s id e is in d e p e n d e n t o f th e o r
g a n ism . A ll that St. P a u l a ffirm ed o f lo v e can be e q u a lly a ffirm ed o f
b e in g . W h a t so rt o f b e in g have I? P ig e o n -h e a r te d o r s tre n g th ?
B e in g e ffo rt is th e o n l y m e th o d o f d e v e lo p in g . Y o u are aw are w h e n
y o u h a ve m ade e f f o r t w h e n y o u h a v e d o n e s o m e th in g th a t y o u are
a w are req u ired e ffo r t.
E v e r y su ccessfu l e ffo r t ad ds e v e r y fa ilu r e subtracts. A n e ffo rt that
in v o lv e s a m p le r e w a r d is n o g o o d . It m u s t b e g r a tu ito u s . S t. P au l said
a lw a y s to be r u n n in g in th e g rea t race. G u r d jie ff says a lw a y s be in
a h u ff. E v e r y e ffo r t creates e n e r g y a n d at th e sam e t im e in trin sic
stren g th .

1 Attainment o f health.
2. Attainment o f strength.
3 T h e aim a lw a y s t o k n o w m o r e a n d m o re o f th e w o r l d and th e
aw s o f its cre a tio n a n d m a in te n a n ce .

This is th e
is o n e o f

tns

fo r m a l a im o f p h ilo s o p h y th e u n d e rs ta n d in g o f life,
th e fu n c tio n s o f a n o rm a l h u m a n b e in g . T h e d ig n ity o f

m a n d o es n o t re q u ire th a t he a rriv e at c o n c lu s io n s b u t j u s t that he

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b e so o c c u p ie d . C u r io u s ly q u e s tio n in g o n e s e x p e rie n c e s . T h e atta in
m en t o f u n d e rs ta n d in g a n d w is d o m . E v e r y t h in g d e v e lo p e d b y e x e r
cise. P o n d e r in g ex ercises th e w h o le m in d .
T h e r e a re m a n y areas o f k n o w le d g e th a t m u st be e lim in a te d fr o m
th e fie ld o f w is d o m . B y p o n d e r in g o n G o d c re a te d th e u n iv e r s e as
a d e fe n se a gain st tim e y o u m a y n e v e r u n d e rsta n d th is, y e t b y so
p o n d e r in g y o u m a y u n d e rs ta n d m a n y o th e r th in g s.
Y o u w o r k p h y s ic a lly u n til y o u d ro p th e n b e y o n d this y o u are u s
in g b e in g e ffo r t. E v e r y o n e liv e s o n his first w in d c re a te o r find
th e c o n d itio n s w h e r e in y o u v o lu n ta r ily p r o c e e d to y o u r s e c o n d w in d ,
(G e r tr u d e first w in d o n ly , e x c e p t in th e M o v e m e n ts ), t r y t o d isco v e r
w h e n y o u h a v e reach ed th e se co n d w in d , th e n w it h in th e rea lm s o f
c o m m o n sen se repeat th is.
4. T o p a y o n e s d eb t in o r d e r to be fre e to serve.
T h e W e s te r n c o n c e p tio n o f th e w o r d d u t y th e ste rn sister o f
th e v o ic e o f G o d th e r e c o g n itio n o r p e rfo rm a n c e o f ju s t ic e . W e
m u st p a y f o r o u r b ir th r ig h t a n d o u r fa v o r a b le e n v ir o n m e n t, b u t m o st
o f us a re c o n te n t to c h ild is h ly e n jo y it, i.e . e a r n in g y o u r liv in g can be
d o n e b y g r a c io u s e ffo r t. O r b y th e o b lig a tio n t o sp end $1,000 w it h
s t r ic t e s t ------ . F ro m th e sta n d p o in t o f n a tu r e s b o o k k e e p in g m e n are
d eb its n o b e in g n o rea l a cc o m p lis h m e n ts re s u ltin g fr o m th e ir o w n
effo rts.
5. T h e a tta in m e n t o f, a n d p e rfo rm a n c e o f d u ty .
6. H e lp in g o th ers to a tta in in d iv id u a lity .
B y g r a t if y in g in stead o f s a tisfy in g , p le a s in g in stead o f s e r v in g w e
serve o n l y k u n d a b u ffe r.
O u s p e n s k y n eve r g a v e an ex ercise w h ic h h e d id n o t p e r f o r m o r
d o s o m e th in g m o re d iffic u lt.
W h a t is in s tru m e n ta l to th e en d o f th e first fo u r is s e r v ic e that
w h ic h is n o t in s tru m e n ta l is e ith e r n o th in g o r a d isservice.
T h e s e fiv e fu n ctio n s c o m p r is e th e rea so n o f a n o rm a l m a n . H u f f
is a p a ssio n a te w is h w it h o u t h eat.
Y o u ca n reach a p o in t w h e r e I (an yon e) c a n n o t let y o u d o w n and
I (a n y o n e) w h e r e I (an y o n e) w o u ld n o t.
A l e a f su rren d ers b a c k to th e tree sap life , r e c u rre n ce b u t seed
takes lif e w i t h it. T h e l e a f is r e c o a te d re cu rre n ce . S eed s d o n o t
r e c u r m e n b e c o m e m e n a n d go d s. E x t r a c t fr o m th e u n iv e r s e this
su b sta n ce p ran a and c r y s ta lliz e w it h in th e n can rein ca rn ate.
W e are re c u rre n t le a v e s b u t can b e c o m e re c u rre n t seed. D e ta c h e d .
P la n e tre e , w e le a v e s etc.

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SUFFERING

W h e n a b e in g m akes h im s e lf able to e n d u re th e m a n ife s ta tio n s o f

o th er b e in g s w h e n th e se are d isa greea b le . B u t B u d d h a s d is c ip le s soo n
fo r s o o k th is p r o c e d u r e , b y r e tir in g to r e m o te places o u t o f t o u c h w it h
o th er b e in g s m o n a ste rie s e tc . T h e fo u n d a t io n o f th e a ll e m b ra c in g is
to b e fo u n d in v a rio u s c o a tin g s fo r d iffe r e n t b e in g s o n v a r io u s p lan ets.
T h r e e -c e n te r e d b e in g s a re a b le to o b ta in fo r th e m se lv e s, b y m ea n s o f
the h o l y p ran a, th e c o n s c io u s use in th e m s e lv e s o f th e la w s o f th ree
and sev en . B u t u n less, at th e tim e w h e n c ry s ta lliz a tio n s o f th e m o st
sacred p ran a b e g in s, a b e in g b y v o lu n t a r y su ffe rin g an d c o n s c io u s la
b o r c o n tin u e s to p e r fe c t in h im s e lf th e la w s o f th ree a n d s e v e n to th e
sacred d e g re e r e q u ire d . It w i l l a p p ear a n d re -a p p e a r in g r e a t trav ail in
su ccessive c o a tin g s a n d ------ .
A u t o m a t ic e la b o ra tio n o f e n e r g y p r o c e e d e d in j u n g le a n im a ls d u r
in g th e n ig h t and n o t as in th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g s d u r in g th e d ay. W e
k ep t fires b u rn in g o f w h ic h these j u n g le b e in g s are a fra id . T h e r e fo r e
w e tra v e le d d u rin g th e d a y and c a m p e d an d g u a rd e d o u rs e lv e s at
n ig h t, w h e n th ese a n im a ls w e r e abro ad a n d fe ro c io u s .
T h e s e m o n k s in u r e d in b o x e s c o u ld n o t h a v e secu red p ra n a because
it w a s v e r y far fr o m w h e r e th e y liv e d a n d th e pass to th is sp o t w as
a lre a d y a lm o st im p o s s ib le t o m a n ip u la te .
( H is C o n f o r m it y th e a rch a n g el L o o is o s .) T h e sh ip (B e e lz e b u b s)
O c c a s io n . B ein g s o n th e p la n e t M a rs u se fo r th e ir first f o o d o n ly
v e g e ta b le s. (O n e b ra in is in th e sp in al c o lu m n .)
the

d e s c e n t

of

m a n

T h e cau se o f e v e r y a n o m a ly can b e f o u n d in w o m a n .

1. Science of studying astronomy

2. Mathematics and algebra
3 A l l m a n ife sta tio n s o f th re e -c e n te re d b e in g s
4 - A l l m a n ife sta tio n s o f th r e e -c e n te re d an d o th e r b e in g s o n th e
p la n et ea rth .
THE ILL S T A R R E D P L A N E T

EARTH

Conscience allegorical and symbolic figures at Atlantis.

! Head virgin breasts o f female (pure love) attached with amer non-identification.
35

I I JANUARY 1 9 2 7
2. T r u n k o f a b u ll in d e fa tig a b le la b o r.
3. L e g s o f a lio n w it h o u t fear.

4. W in g s o f an e a g le m u s t c o n te m p la te o n ly th o se m a tte rs that
d o n o t in c lu d e b e in g w o r k .
F o r a relea se o f th e p r o p e r tie s o f k u n d a b u ffe r y o u m u s t possess
these q u a litie s . O n M a rs w e r e e re cte d tu b e s o u ts id e th e o b s e r v a to r y
in stead o f a te le sc o p e in th e c e n te r o f th e p y r a m id . (P y r a m id = th ree c e n te re d o rg a n ism .)

36

17 J A N U A R Y 1 9 2 7
WHY BEELZEBUB

WAS ON T H I S

SOLAR SYSTEM

I w o n t cross e x a m in e y o u o n last w e e k b u t say th at th e p u r p o s e o f th e

p reface w a s to d escrib e th e a ttitu d e w h ic h in th e n e w fo r m o f th o u g h t
w o u l d b e p o ssible. T w o m o d e s o f th o u g h t. T w o m o d es o f c o n s c io u s

ness. S o G u r d jie f f h in ts b y w a y o f p refa ce to a th ird m o d e o f th o u g h t

and co n scio u sn ess.
T h r e e fo r m s o f fo o d .
T h r e e fo r m s o f b o d ie s.
1 . In s tin c tiv e b o d y .
2. S p ir ite d b o d y (rath er th a n th e h a c k n e y e d sp iritu al b o d y ).
3. M e n ta l b o d y .
T h u s y o u see o u r p h y s ic a l b o d y is c o m p le t e . A n d th e re is a b e g in
n in g o f a sp irite d (sp iritu a l, b u t I p refe r t o a v o id th e o ld te rm ) b o d y .
I f th e a ir w e take in w e r e c o m p le t e ly d ig e s te d , w e s h o u ld h a v e a
second b o d y w h ic h w e w o u l d h a ve th e r ig h t t o call o u r astral b o d y .
T h e r e are n ecessary s h o c k s in th e c o u r s e o f fo o d d ig e s tio n . O n e
can be g iv e n fr o m o u ts id e , b u t th e o th e r so rt can o n ly b e g iv e n b y
o u rselv es b y an act o f w i l l. T h e p a rticu la r a ct is th e p o s itiv e ta k in g
in o f im p ressio n s. So th a t e v e r y tim e y o u o b s e r v e y o u r s e lf y o u are
ta k in g o n e little s p o o n fu l o f fo o d th at w i l l e n a b le y o u to g r o w .
O b s e r v a tio n is m e n ta l f o o d . A c o m p le te a ir b o d y m ea n s s e lf- c o n
sciousness an d th is m ean s a p o s s ib ility o f c o s m ic -c o n s c io u s n e s s .
Last y e a r n o e x a ct e x e r c is e s w e r e im p o s e d . W h e n y o u o b s e rv e d ,
y o u o b s e r v e d w it h s o m e th in g n o t y e t I .
1. O b s e r v a tio n .
2. E x e rcise s, as i f .

3 - R e a l e x p e r im e n t p la y in g roles.
Y o u p r o b a b ly th in k y o u can d o m o r e w i t h these th a n y o u have
n e , b u t y o u ca n n o t. Y o u h a v e d o n e a ll y o u c a n w it h o u t a n o th e r
shock w h ic h is p r e c is e ly th is: A n e ffo rt at a n e w k in d o f t h o u g h t .
For e x a m p le :
1 T r y to set d o w n in b la c k and w h ite w h a t y o u r e a lly t h in k o th e rs
w u ld w r it e a b o u t y o u .
2 -

Pondering the book.

3 - Pondering L a d y I n to F o x .
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JANUARY

192 7

[M orris Frank talks all the time.]

frank : I s n o t h u m ilit y n ecessary?
orage : N o
frank : B u t . . .
orage : N o ! N e ith e r h u m ilit y n o r p r id e . T h is n e w k in d o f t h o u g h t

is n o t v e rb a l.
T h e a b ility to th in k in f o r m say o f a p la y is th e h ig h e s t fo r m o f
t h o u g h t n o w p o ssib le . B u t w e c a n n o t n o w d efin e th e n e x t fo r m o f
t h o u g h t f o r it has n o t h in g to d o w it h w o r d s o r fo rm .
H o w d o y o u im a g in e y o u r s e lf in a n o t h e r fo r m c a t, c a m e l, etc.?
D e fin e th is. H o w d o y o u d efin e y o u r a ttitu d e w h e n s o m e o n e else is
s p e a k in g o f y o u ? T h is f o r m o f th o u g h t req u ires a p ro ce ss w h ic h w e
c a n n o t d escrib e.
daly king : H o w d o e s th is d iffe r fr o m o r d in a r y im a g in a tio n ?
orage :

H ow do es o r d in a r y im a g in a tio n d iffe r fr o m th e a tte m p t to

im a g in e h o w s o m e o n e else feels a b o u t y o u ?
[M . Frank blurbs again P fa he is drunk again ]
W h e n y o u fin d th at y o u can g o n o fu r th e r in th e m e t h o d th e re re
m a in s th e p o s s ib ility o f a s h o c k . In th is case it is p r e c is e ly an a ttem p t
to u n d e rs ta n d th e re a s o n a b ility o f a ll th in g s in life.
1. T h e w o r ld is an in t e llig ib le p h e n o m e n o n .
2. H u m a n b e in g s h a v e a certain p la c e in th e grea t g a m e o f life that
is b e in g p la y ed .
3. T r y in g to u n d e rsta n d th e m in d o f a cre ato r.
I f th e in d iv id u a l w i l l u n d e rta k e to b e c o m e rea so n a b le , he w ill
c o m e in t o c o n ta c t w it h th e reason o f th e u n iv erse.
W H Y B E E L Z E B U B WAS O N O U R S O L A R S Y S T E M

It w a s in th e y e a r 223 o b je c tiv e tim e a fte r th e c re a tio n o f t h e w o r ld .

W h a t d o w e m ean b y o b je c tiv e tim e? O u r tim e is m e a su re d b y o u r
r o ta tio n a ro u n d th e su n . B u t o n o u r su n a y e a r w o u ld b e m ea su red b y
th e d u r a tio n o f its r o ta tio n a ro u n d a n o th e r sun . S u ch a r o ta tio n m ig h t
c o n c e iv a b ly be ca lle d a y e a r . Say it ta k es fo u r m illio n o f o u r years
fo r o n e r o ta tio n s p rin g w o u ld be a m illio n years lo n g , e tc . O n the
m o o n a y e a r is a m o n th h ere, so e v e r y w e e k is fo r th e m a season.
S o as e v e r y ep ic o p e n s w i t h a sta te m e n t o f ------.
T h r o u g h th e space o f th e solar sy ste m fle w th e ship K a r n a k . S o m e
w h e r e in sp ace th is is th e sp o t fr o m w h ic h an im p a rtia l o b se rv a tio n

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I927

can b e m a d e. H o w r e m o te are y o u w h e n y o u o b serve ? In th e case o f

B e e lz e b u b w h o is d o in g fo r th e u n iv e r s e w h a t w e m u s t d o fo r o u r
selves, h e is in sp ace a sh ip w it h an o b s e r v e r o n b o ard .
T h e sh ip w as f ly in g f r o m K aratas to w a r d th e p o le star so la r system .
B e e lz e b u b w it h his k in s m e n o n his w a y t o a p la n e t fo r a c o n fe r e n c e at
th e req u e st o f so m e o ld frie n d s. F o r a ll I k n o w B e e lz e b u b m a y be o n e
o f y o u r u n re a lize d I s .
M a n has th e p o t e n t ia lit y o f d e v e lo p in g in to a b e in g th a t w o u ld
c o o p e ra te w it h th e rea so n o f th e g re a t w o r l d o f d e v e lo p in g fro m
m u tto n and w o o l to sh e p h e rd s to B u d d h a to r e g u la to r s o f fo o d
m a terial.
R e lu c t a n t ly fr o m th e fa c t that he h a d re tu rn e d to h is o w n p la n e t
K aratas (an o ld b ein g ) f r o m w h ic h h e h a d sp ru n g . ( G u r d jie ff is an o ld
b e in g n o w . T h e b o o k is p erh ap s th e last g rea t w o r k h e c a n d o o n
ea rth . I f he c o u ld h a v e n o w his y o u t h w h a t c o u ld h e d o ? ) L u cife r
is o u r p rese n t p o w e r o f rea so n c a n n o t, e x c e p t b y e n o r m o u s e ffo rt,
re co v e r its o rig in a l state. H e (G u r d jie ff) p ro p o se s in th e b o o k t o s h o w
th e steps b y w h ic h h e has reco v e red his o w n reason. E x p e r ie n c e s had
m a d e h im d ifferen t. H e h ad in his y o u t h b e e n taken in t o th e service
o f th e L o rd G o d o n th e S u n A b s o lu te . (R e m e m b e r h o w th e se ideas
first s tr u c k you ?) I f w e h a d b een able t o re m a in in th a t s ta te b u t w e
im m e d ia te ly r e -id e n tifie d o u rse lv e s w it h e m o tio n a l c e n te r , in s tin c
tive c e n te r, e t c . b u t w e h a d b een o n S u n A b s o lu te b u t c o u ld n t stay
there.
O w i n g to his y o u t h f u l in te lle c tio n , B e e lz e b u b fo u n d w h a t seem ed
to b e so m e irra tio n a l asp ects and in te r fe r e d w it h w h a t w a s n o t fo r
th e m o m e n t his b u sin ess. (So w e o b s e r v e a n d th en a tte m p t to in te r
fere

to c o rr e c t s o m e th in g w e th in k w r o n g .) S o H is E n d lessn ess had

to b an ish h im to a r e m o te solar sy ste m . S o w e are id e n tifie d w it h o u r

solar p le x u s . C a n an E n g lish m a n d o w it h o u t his head? C e r t a in ly . B u t
the o n e p art n o n e o f us c o u ld d o w it h o u t is th e so la r p le x u s . T h e
w h o le m a n is I b u t w e id e n tify o u r s e lv e s w it h th e s o la r p le x u s.
T h e a rra n g e m e n t o f n e rv e s in th e so la r p le x u s w o u ld c o rr e s p o n d in
an in te re s tin g w a y to th e p la n e ts, sun , e tc . in o u r solar s y ste m .
B e e lz e b u b w as th e r e fo r e e x ile d an d a ssig n e d to p la n e t M a rs. E ach
f t ^le p la n e ts is an e m o tio n a l m o o d . In us o u r n o rm a l m o o d is th at o f
ea rth

an d d e te rm in e d b y ea rth c o n s id e ra tio n s . B e e lz e b u b w a s h o w

l e r id e n tifie d c h ie fly w i t h th e m o o d o f M a r s w il l t o o v e r c o m e .
th ers m a y have th e m o o d o f V en u s, M e r c u r y , etc.

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192 7

Am ong the people w ho were exiled along with Beelzebub were

associates and all their goods and chattels.
Last year I spoke o f magnetic center mechanically imposed by
fairy-tales, by occult knowledge, etc. it is isolated, it formed a little
tract where these ideas could more easily be received. (So in us.)
Chemical composition o f Mars is different than that o f earth. Mars
is the agent o f wars but not the author. Certain rays from the sun pass
more readily through Mars than through earth.
Although this solar system was totally neglected and in a remote
corner o f the universe (who are we to think that our solar system
is either totally neglected or the center o f the universe?) during the
following year either voluntarily or in response to needs o f a general
public character, they adapted themselves on Mars and some came
to the planet earth. (Why was the continent o f America populated?
Partly voluntarily and partly needs o f a general public character.)
Beelzebub remained on Mars and amused himself w ith an obser
vatory which afterwards became always and everywhere famous so
that all points o f the universe became, through this, visible. Although
this solar system had been hitherto neglected. (Our solar system is
body.)

[Hugh: Do you see how we were last year at Lindsays hearing the book?
Just deaf, dumb and blind, thats all.\

It was o f one o f these planets, earth, which Jesus Christ was as

signed and Beelzebub performed a necessary part o f his work. (The
assumed trained Jesus Christ in Egypt.) Beelzebub furnished a
method for Christianity this method is not anti-Christian. Take
no thought for yourself (love), but Beelzebub says: Take thought
for yourself (knowledge), so he is called diabolical.
W hen Jesus Christ had completed his mission and realized the ser
vice Beelzebub had rendered him, he pleaded with His Endlessness
for the forgiveness o f Beelzebub. (He begged for the readmission o f
Beelzebub into reason.) Taking into account Jesus Christs request
and the modes and conascent life (a coined word meaning living for
understanding.) His Endlessness pardoned Beelzebub.
Christ = love. Beelzebub = understanding (and wisdom is
both) hence it is that Beelzebub once more finds himself in the cen
ter o f the universe (i.e. center o f gravity). Whatever mistakes you
make in the pursuit o f the method, i f you continue to pursue the
method further you w ill be found to be very valuable. So he (Beel40

17
zebub)

returns enriched

JANUARY

by

1 92 7

the experiences he has had on the solar

system Ors.
It w a s in c o n s e q u e n c e o f this th at h is frie n d s had in v it e d h im to the

conference. There is a v e r y -----chapter later that shows how much

further he might have gotten if only he could have found an observa
tory already constructed.
He (Gurdjieff) went to monasteries, endured untold hardships and
labor, etc., etc. He checked up on Madam Blavatsky went to all
sorts o f countries and found there was nothing in it. She wrote many
things (sleep writing) that were true, but also many untrue things. He
later became an assistant o f the great Lama; later, lecturer on Buddha
(i.e. o f priests) etc. and came to the conclusion that the method itself
has never been adequately set down. Gurdjieff said: I would gladly
spare any human being the fruitless efforts that I have gone through.
The passengers on ship, Beelzebubs kinsmen, crew, etc., all were
engaged in various being activities. ( Being activities are the sum o f
what we can simultaneously think, feel and do.) All the people on the
ship were true beings. Among all those passengers on the ship Karnak
(Armenian word meaning our body as it is put into the grave) a
very handsome boy stood out Hassein, son o f Beelzebubs favorite
son, Tooloof.
(Hassein is that part o f you that is open to the suggestions o f an
other part o f you, not yet actualized.)
The stop exercise shows one cannot oneself stop oneself in an
unusual posture for one would inevitably stop oneself in an habit
ual posture. But Gurdjieff could not stop you. You hear and transmit
yourself the command. The whole book is composed o f words that
can be appropriated to oneself and by that magnetic center (Hassein)
given to oneself so as to enable one to become reasonable.
Hassein More radiant than the sun, purer than the snow, subtler
than the ether is the self, the spirit within the heart. I am that self.
That self am I.

[Hugh: Oragegave this as a sort of mantra for repeating to oneself. Thats

beauty.}

So Beelzebub undertook the education o f Hassein, i.e. I undertake

the education o f that part o f myself that is worthy and eager and Has
sein on his side was always with him and eagerly devoured everything
that he was told. So when you were a child constant interest, search
on the part o f whatever is interested in this work is Hassein.

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1927

Psychological interest is also a chemical process that brings about a

change in what we call our understanding.
Hassein is always on hand accumulating material and heating it in
a crucible, i.e. pondering.
Beelzebub with Hassein and Ahoon, an old servant who accompa
nies him everywhere (that is, Ahoon was his body) spoke o f Tooloof,
father o f Hassein.
[Tooloof, Beelzebubs favorite son, was G u rd jieff in the case o f O rage, and it
follows, o f course, Orage is Tooloof to you and me.]

They were seated on the topmost deck underneath the dome

(name denoting through which can be seen the heavens i.e. the
intellectual center.) From there they could survey the boundless cos
mic panorama (i.e. never forget that you can survey the great cosmic
plan . . . through yourself.)
He was speaking o f the planet Venus. Very characteristic o f us.
(The word philosophy means either love o f wisdom or wis
dom o f love.)
The captain came in to ask for Beelzebubs advice and said: I fore
see that in the line o f our progress a comet has passed. If we pursue
our line o f progress we will run into its path and into the gas left there
which is always injurious to our bodies. That is, the captain (always
common sense) says if this discussion goes on (about Venus) it will
injure Hassein. So Beelzebub says we can either stop or detour. But if
we take the detour it will mean wear on the ship. So we will stop and
think and instruct Hassein. You go and give the necessary orders and
come back. I wish to know from you about ships that means a com
munication between centers, methods and vehicles for psychological
changes. There is a third sort o f ship between solar systems i.e. be
tween self- and cosmic-consciousness.
I might say for instance that trans-solar ships, in my youth, spent
nearly half their energy in carrying supplies and fuel. (I.e. monks etc.
in Gurdjieffs youth spent their energy in locomotion. The type of
ship that Buddha designed was immediately superseded by an inferior
ship.) Whereas this ship is so simple that we might think w e were on
one o f the planets (i.e. behaviorism, for example, might appear to be
similar to this method, it might be mistaken for a planetary method,
a mood, religion or what have you.)
Beelzebub says to Hassein ask me anything you like (what would
you ask?) Hassein says: You have told me so much about that solar
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I927

stem upon which you once were, that I am very curious. Tell me,
there beings there?
Beelzebub says: Yes, there are beings w ho have the potentiality
possessing or becoming souls. O f course the external form differs
0n the various planets. I.e. evolution has determined our particular
form there is a certain chemistry on this planet as on no other planet
and therefore we differ. I f you were on a different planet you might
find yourself in a really different form. I mean planet quite realisti
Zc

of

cally.
Hassein is looking at a map o f himself but Beelzebub is looking at a
cosmic map. So when Beelzebub says solar system and planets Has
sein thinks o f solar plexus and moods. For instance, on Mars beings
are coated (note) in the form o f a corona, i.e. large trunk, two large
wings, two legs, eyes so bright that they can light up the dark and
wings so strong that they can take them even beyond the atmosphere
of their own planet. Wings; imagination, eyes; to see understand
ing.
To incarnate a neutralizing form supplied by a mother is coated
on a three-centered essence.
There is also a small planet in this solar system called moon o f
second order. I watched it from my observatory. (What is moon in
yourself?) The beings there have very strong spirit and very weak
bodies. The air is so cold that breath is immediately congealed and
the next day so hot that you can cook eggs on a rock. Immediately
behind it is a planet called earth. On this planet there are also beings
called men closely resembling our own selves only their skin is a little
slimier. They have no tail, no horns, no hooves, they have invented
boots but they are no good (i.e. horns = w ill, tail = consciousness,
hooves = individuality). But we invented shoes, boots = personality.
Our individuality is touchy, shows tenderness. If their exterior is so
unattractive you can imagine their psychological condition. This is
due to external conditions existing only there. Nowhere else in the
whole universe are the conditions as miserable as on this planet earth.
[N ext meeting 24 E . 40th, secondfloor.]

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17 J A N U A R Y 1 9 2 7
T h e p r e fa c e d efin ed th e a ttitu d e . A ls o m e n tio n e d a f o r m o f th o u g h t
c o r r e s p o n d in g to t w o fo r m s o f co n s cio u s n e s s. W ill n o w discuss the
th ird fo r m .
T h e r e are th ree k in d s o f fo o d . T o d ig e s t, w e n eed t w o sh o ck s, o n e
at m i o f air d ig e s tio n . T h is s h o ck m u s t b e c o n s cio u s a n d fr o m w it h
in . It is g iv e n b y c o n s c io u s im p ressio n s, ta k en b y s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n .
E a c h s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n is a s p o o n fu l o f f o o d to b u ild th e astral b o d y .
B o d ie s and c o r r e s p o n d in g states o f c o n scio u sn ess:
1. F o o d b o d y w a k in g and s le e p in g co n scio u sn ess.
2. A i r sp irit o r astral b o d y se lf-co n scio u sn e ss.
3. M e n t a l fo r c o s m ic -c o n s c io u s n e s s . W e h a ve n o fa c t o f this y e t
an d h a v e n o m en ta l b o d y at all.
T h e th re e stages o f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n :
1. S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n .
2. P a rtic ip a tio n .
3. E x p e r im e n ta tio n .
A t first it is n o t I w h o o b serve s. T h e a b o v e th ree ta k es us to m i
o f th e a ir ex ercise. T h e n w e m u st h a v e ex ercises fo r t h o u g h t .
F o r e x a m p le :
1. Im a g in e o u rs e lv e s in a d ifferen t b o d y . (L ad y in to F o x .)
2. W r it e d o w n w h a t s o m e b o d y r e a lly th in k s o f y o u ; an d y o u w ill
fin d it req u ires u n u su a l processes.
In th e b o o k w e w i l l fin d gra d ed ex e rcise s in th is k in d o f th o u g h t.
It is n o t v e rb a l th o u g h t n o r th o u g h t in fo r m s (i.e. so m u c h o f astral
m e c h a n ic a l th o u g h t as w e possess) b u t is a d iffe re n t so rt.
O r d in a r y im a g in a tio n con sists in a ssem b lin g k n o w n im a g e s in to
n e w p a ttern s.
O b je c t iv e th o u g h t is an a tte m p t to u n d e rsta n d th e n a tu re o f th in gs
as r e a s o n a b ly e x h ib ite d . T o u n d e rsta n d th e reason in th e m in d o f the
c re a to r. S ta rt o n th e a ssu m p tio n th a t th e w h o le is in t e llig ib le , a p r o
cess b e in g p la y ed th r o u g h ; m an w it h a fu n c tio n ; b u t n o t y e t in te l
lig ib le in term s o f o u r rea so n as so fa r d e v e lo p e d .

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W e can u n d e rstan d o n l y w h a t w e h a v e ch em ica ls fo r . N u m b e r 1

is o n ly a w o r d , n u m b e r 2 e m o tio n o n l y th re e -s e v e n th s u n d e rs to o d
(such w o r d s as sin, s a crifice , p u r g a to ry ). I f an in d iv id u a l c a n d e v e lo p
reason h e w ill c o m e in c o n ta c t w it h n u m b e r 1 and w il l p u t co n te n t
in to th e w o r d he n o w k n o w s .
W H Y B E E L Z E B U B WAS O N O U R S O L AR S Y S T E M

It w a s th e y e a r 223 in o b je c tiv e tim e , a fte r th e cre a tio n o f th e w o r ld

(1923). It w a s o n th e sh ip K a rn a k in sp ace, b e tw e e n th e so la r system s.
T h is m ea n s in c o m p le te d e ta c h m e n t; f r o m h ere im p a rtia l o b s e r v a tio n
m ay b e m ade. T h e sh ip w a s passin g f r o m th e m ilk y w a y t o th e p o le
star. H e w a s o n his w a y t o a c o n fe re n c e . T h e im p lic a tio n b e in g that
the u n iv e rse is r e a s o n a b ly and in t e llig e n t ly c o n d u c te d a n d th a t th ere
are m a n y d etails to b e ta k e n care o f. T h e r e is a s u g g e s tio n th at b e
in gs m a y d e v e lo p f r o m u n co n s c io u s a g e n ts , m u tto n a n d w o o l , to
reaso n ab le agen ts.
B e e lz e b u b w as r e lu c ta n t to g o o n th is jo u r n e y , b eca u se h e h ad ju s t
re tu rn e d , an o ld b e in g , t o his p la n e t C ara tas, after lo n g e x ile . W h a t
has b e e n e x ile d ? T h e I , o b je c tiv e re a s o n in g . B e e lz e b u b has retu rn e d
b y g re a t e ffo rt, later w i l l s h o w h o w . H e is m a rk ed b y his e x p e rie n c e s
and has aged .
In y o u t h he h ad b e e n ta k en in to s e r v ic e o n th e S u n A b s o lu te , in
atten d an ce o n H is E n d lessn ess; th at is, h e h a d o b ta in e d a m o m e n t o f
aon-identified o b s e r v a tio n . A ft e r th e firs t m o m e n t o f o b s e r v a tio n ; he
o d ro p p e d b ack t o th e e m o tio n a l o r in s tin c tiv e c en ter. T h is is c o m
parable to h a v in g b e e n o n th e Sun A b s o lu t e and th en e x ile d .
B e e lz e b u b th e n , w a s y o u n g and t h o u g h t he d e te c te d so m e th in g

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irrational and he interfered, that is in a moment o f illuminated self

observation, he tried to correct something he saw wrong. He was
banished to a remote corner o f the universe, solar system Ors. We try
to correct Ors from solar plexus. We are all identified w ith the solar
plexus. But our solar plexus is a disconnected and disorganized cen
ter. O ne result o f continued self-observation would be the knitting
up o f the solar plexus with one emotion toward a situation instead o f
struggle.
Beelzebub was sent to Mars (planets are emotional moods). Our
moods are determined by earth, the instinctive center. We live on the
earth. But Mars mood is the mood o f overcoming. More frequent in
some people than others there is a Venus mood, Mercurial mood, etc.
Beelzebub was with his associates (early ideas o f fairy tales, occult
ideas put in different cells than scientific ideas, forming a magnetic
center.) These are the associates o f Beelzebub. The magnetic center
makes reception o f these ideas easier. Ors had been neglected; solar
plexus Beelzebub and his associates were sent to Mars. Some o f his
associates migrated to other planets either voluntarily or because o f
general needs. Beelzebub stayed on Mars and organized an observa
tory to observe remote corners o f the universe. This is the first refer
ence to the method. Afterward this observatory became famous but
not until after many improvements had been made.
General application: Must practice self-observation a long time and
make many discoveries before developing reason.
Personal: Gurdjieff worked thirty years before he was able to pub
lish the method.
Ors was neglected but occasionally messengers were sent. Jesus
Christ trained among the Essenes, an Egyptian sect. Beelzebub played
a necessary part. This does not refer to the temptation on the moun
tain. His observatory was also Egyptian, that is he added a practical
method to Christs message addressed to the solar plexus.
The first objection often made to the method is that it is selfish.
Christ says: take no thought for yourself and Beelzebub says: take
thought only for yourself because only then will it be possible to take
thought for others. The Gnostics introduced the method into Chris
tianity. But the early Christians expelled the Gnostics.
Jesus recognized the value o f the method and pleaded with His
Endlessness to restore Beelzebub. Although Jesus own followers de
nied the method. His Endlessness pardoned Beelzebub on account o f
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i.e. his living for understanding l i f e . We livefor un

derstanding.

So Beelzebub is back in the center o f the megalocosmos, that is,

he was identified with his true center, his real I. His prestige was
not spoiled by his errors and identification, for mistaken identifica
tions enrich the final one with the true center. So Beelzebub and his
attendants were w ith the crew on the ship Karnak. Each was busy
with his duties or his being-intellection. Most o f what w e do is done
mechanically; but when we do something, putting into it all o f our
three actualized functions, thinking, feeling, doing, this is a being act,
although still mechanical.
Karnak is an Armenian word, meaning our body as put into the
grave. The ship is our body, travels on the planet, the planets and the
systems.
Beelzebub has his grandson Hassein. W ho is Hassein? Hassein is
capable o f listening to Beelzebub or the magnetic center. Open to
suggestion from the undeveloped I. (Compare the stop exercises,
where the suggestion is given from without and must be reissued
from within.)
Hassein listens and what he takes in he will apply. The book is o f
words uttered by I, what is understood will be acted on. Nothing I
have not known and yet nothing which I ordinarily realize. The book
is to provoke my own understanding.
More radiant than the sun, purer than the snow, subtler than the
ether, is the self, the spirit within my heart. I am that self, that self am
I. Hassein is representative o f the self in us.
Beelzebub undertakes the education o f Hassein; and Hassein was
always with him and eagerly devoured all that he heard. Interest is
a chemical process, heating the crucible. (Light, heat, weight, psycho
logical attitude must precede qualities we attribute to objects.)
Hassein is stirred emotionally by being with Beelzebub and accu
mulating raw material o f thought, combining the two, he actively
ponders.
Ahoon, Beelzebubs faithful servant, is his body, which he always
takes with him.
He is seated in the topmost cabin under a dome (the head) survey
ing the universe (mind). Beelzebub is speaking o f the solar system Ors
)jlar plexus), o f experiences we all have. He was talking o f Venus
(discussing love).

Interrupted by the captain (captain is common sense) o f the ship

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who asks Beelzebubs advice: If we continue, we will run into gas

(if we keep on with this discussion o f love we will come into an aspect
o f the situation which w ill be poisonous to young Hassein). Beelze
bub says either we detour (hedge, finesse, evade the issue) or stop and
think (Venus, love, Christianity). The line o f love will end in distaste,
causes and provides a neutralizing force.
We will stop and talk about ships (ships are means o f communica
tion between centers i.e. methods method o f self-observation is a
ship). Ships, when he began the method, were very clumsy, that is,
Gurdjieff spent years o f effort and travel searching for a method. All
those he found were wasteful o f most o f their energy in clumsy ap
proximations.
Beelzebub finds this present ship so simple that one might think
himself on a planet, i.e. this method seems to be a natural and logical
conclusion o f behaviorism, yet is not contained in it. He sends the
captain o ff and offers to talk to Hassein about anything he wants to
hear. Hassein asks the right questions, showing a real desire to know,
without which Beelzebub would not talk.
Are there beings on the planets o f that system with which you
were identified? Yes, except on planets too young or too far from the
sun, w ith potentiality o f becoming souls. Their external forms vary
according to physical constituents (form determined by biology). An
element is present on this planet which is not on the others. Try to
imagine the same three centers in different physical forms. Creatures
on Mars, large trunks, little legs, large shining eyes, which light up
the darkness, wings (imagination); eyes (power to see meaning in dark
places). O n a planet, a little lower, they are coated with fur. Threecentered essences dipped into chemical elements o f any given planet
and assume a form. This is not incarnation. This is like galvanizing, if
one can assume the object was invisible.
There are also beings on a planet o f the second order, the moon,
which Beelzebub observed. (What is the moon in us?) Frail bodies and
strong spirits, figures like ants. Swarm results visible. Hassein should
find results visible in him. The climate is variable from extreme cold
to extreme heat.
Behind the moon, earth beings have a form like that o f Beelzebub
except their skins are a little slimier and they have no tail conscious
ness; no horns will; no hoofs individuality. They have invented
boots or personality, pretence that we have true individuality but not
real defenses as shown by the fact that we are touchy, open to wounds
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o f vanity, self-pride, etc. The psyche also is imperfect due to abnor

mal conditions, established after physical birth, leading us to develop
abortive, monstrous reason, unlike reason on any other planet.

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18 J A N U A R Y 1 9 2 7
E v e r y o n e o f us uses th e w o r d I . I f a p r iz e w e r e o ffe re d t o ascribe to
th at w o r d I som e q u a lit y th a t c a n n o t b e fo u n d in a n y o th e r , c o u ld
y o u w i n th a t p rize? W h e n w e say I w e m e a n i t . A n d w e can talk
about it .
A l l ta lk a b o u t o n e s e lf fa lls in to t w o classes, o n e a b o u t I and o n e
a b o u t i t . B u t ta lk a b o u t I is n o th in g f o r it c a n n o t b e c h e c k e d . B u t
i f y o u say I am ten fe e t ta ll, w e say, O h , w e ll, n o w y o u are ta lk in g .
W e c a n c h e c k th a t.
I is a p o te n tia lity re sid e n t in us, th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f w h ic h w ill
e n title u s to say I.
E a ch o f us is in an o r g a n is m w it h a p a r tic u la r fo r m , s p e e c h , th o u g h t,
w a y o f w a lk in g , e t c . a n d all have b o th so c ia l and b io lo g ic a l h is to ry .
(D e fin itio n o f an a d u lt is an in d iv id u a l I w h o w is h e s to b e c o m e
d is tin g u is h a b le fr o m i t . )
T h is b o d y y ie ld s us sen satio n s.
W im w a s w r o n g in s a y in g th at w e o u g h t n e v e r to r e g r e t n o t h a v in g
o b s e r v e d d u r in g a d ay. I f y o u d o n t trea t y o u r s e lf r o u g h ly y o u w o n t
g e t a n y w h e r e . I f y o u say at th e en d o f th e d a y in w h ic h y o u h a ve d e
c id e d t o o b s e rv e y o u r to n e s o f v o ic e : O r a g e , d ear m e , I d id n o t o b
serve to d a y . H i, h o . N o ! I f y o u fail in a v o w , stay u p a ll n ig h t d o n t
g iv e y o u r s e l f that trea t y o u h a d p la n n ed . F in e y o u r s e lf. S e t u p a b o x at
h o m e a n d o n th o se days w h e n y o u fa il in y o u r v o w , p u t in a d o lla r o r
a n ic k e l o r a h u n d re d d o lla rs . A t th e en d o f th e m o n th g iv e th e m o n e y
to th e in s titu te . W e sh a ll a n ticip a te r e c e iv in g so m e m o n e y , b u t w it h
all o u r h ea rts h o p e th a t y o u a d o p t th is s u g g e s tio n and th a t w e receive
n o m o n e y at all fr o m th is.

[A ll the boys and girls squirm ed.]

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[He carried on an imaginary conversation with an egg. |

o rage : I f y o u w ill s u b m it to a p ro ce ss o f in c u b a tio n a n d m a k e an

e ffo rt, i.e . p e c k y o u r sh e ll, y o u can b e c o m e a ch ick e n .

eg g : O h , I v e h ea rd o f c h ick e n s b u t I d o n t b e lie v e in th e m .

orage: W e ll, p e c k at y o u r shell (that is, o b se rv e , etc.)

egg : S h o w m e

a c h ic k e n first.

orage : I can t u n til y o u g e t o u t o f th a t e g g .

eg g : W e ll,

w hat p r o o f can you g iv e ?

orage: P e c k at it!
egg :

H ow do I know it isnt too thick?

orage: P eck at it. I ts v e r y easy.

egg : S h o w m e s o m e o n e w h o has su c c e e d e d th en .
orage: I can t. N o t u n til y o u c o m e o u t o f th at e g g .
egg : B u t I v e n e v e r seen a ch ick en .
orage : W e ll, p e c k at

your shell and you can .

egg : B u t h o w d o I k n o w I ll n o t b e w o r s e o ff? J u m p in t o a fr y in g

pan o r s o m e th in g a n d b e c o m e a p o a c h e d e g g ?

[I have written it badly but write your own dialogue. Very am using, j

5i

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1927

B e e lz e b u b is th e p r o t o t y p e o f a c o m p le te in d iv id u a l; H a sse in th e n u
cleu s o f th e m a g n e tic c e n te r ; th e c o m p a n io n s and k in s m e n are o th e r
cells. B e e lz e b u b b e g in s a series o f sto ries in r e p ly to d e fin ite q u es
tio n s f r o m H assein . H a sse in is in te re ste d lik e e v e r y m a g n e tic c e n te r in
q u e stio n s as to th e n a tu re an d p u rp o se o f life ; w h a t resp o n se to such
w o r d s as im m o r ta lity o th e r states o f c o n s cio u s n e s s, etc.
H a sse in asks, W h a t are so u ls? a n d A r e th e re so u ls o n all th e
p la n e ts? P la n ets are e m o tio n a l states o r p o stu re s. T h e b o d y passes
t h r o u g h m o v e m e n t f r o m p o s tu r e to p o s tu r e , e m o tio n s as o f b o d y .
C a n w e pass fr o m m o o d t o m o o d ?
T h e u se o f th e te rm sh ip w il l b e fa m ilia r to th o se w h o k n o w the
t w o s c h o o ls o f B u d d h is m , e so te ric an d e x o t e r ic , g re a te r a n d lesser
v e h icle s . T h e y refer to t w o p s y c h o lo g ic a l m e th o d s .
T r a n s itio n fr o m o n e e m o tio n a l state to a n o th e r at w il l; f o r e x a m
ple f r o m a n g e r to re v e re n c e ; th is is m o v e m e n t fr o m o n e p la n e t to
a n o th e r. T h is p resu p p o ses an o r g a n iz a tio n a sh ip a v e h ic le , fo u n d
w it h in o u rs e lv e s . T h e b o d y k esd jan resu lts fr o m th e first th r e e stages
o f th e m e t h o d : s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , p a r tic ip a tio n , and E x p e r im e n ta tio n .
T h o s e w h o h ave p ra ctic e d th e se th ree can th u s pass f r o m p la n e t to
p la n e t, b y th e te c h n iq u e o f ch a n g e o f im a g e s. T h e g r e a te r passage
fr o m su n t o sun requ ires th e th ird b o d y , a c h a n g e o f in te lle c tu a l states
e .g . c o n t e m p la tio n to m e d ita tio n , to ecsta sy , to lo g ic . W e h a v e astral
m a tte r; b u t n o astral b o d y ; m e n ta l d itto . T h e m e th o d w i l l d o w h a t
o th e r m e th o d s have b e e n d e v e lo p e d fo r , t o fo r m astral a n d m en ta l
b o d ie s so u ls, self- and c o s m ic -c o n s c io u s n e s s i.e . a co n s cio u s n e s s o f
c o s m ic p h e n o m e n a .
T h e s e sh ip s th e c a p ta in m e n tio n s h ere in c lu d e r e lig io u s in s titu tio n s
w h ic h p r o m is e d to c a r r y th e ir d e v o te e s f r o m ea rth to h e a v e n .
T h r e e ty p e s o f ship s; th r e e p s y c h o lo g ic a l stages o f r e lig io n s d e v e l
opm ent :
1. E v e r y t h in g is d o n e p h y s ic a lly . S a crifice s , e tc; fu m e s p r o d u c e d
w h ic h ca u se d p a th o lo g ic a l resu lts. I n tr o d u c e d to astral p h e n o m e n a
th e ir a p p e a l to p h ysica l senses is a c lu m s y flig h t fr o m p la n e t to p la n et.
B rie f, u n c e rta in . A s tra l-p la n e , p h y s ic a lly d e m o n stra te d .
2. S y m b o ls . A stra l p la n e s y m b o lic a lly rep rese n te d .
3. P e r fe c t m e th o d w i t h a ll e x tra n e o u s m a c h in e r y le ft o ff. C f . th ree
fo r m s o f rea so n ; w o r d s , fo r m s and o b je c tiv e . P s y c h o lo g ic a l processes
re q u ire a m e th o d .

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T h e ca p ta in is re sp o n sib le fo r c o n d u c t o f th e m e t h o d . (O ra g e , a
ju n io r a p p re n tice .) T h e cap ta in sta rted y o u n g and e a r n e d his ran k.
H is fa th e r h ad b een m a d e g o v e r n o r o f a sy ste m (n ot a ll th o s e cap able
o f b e in g cap tain s are ca p ta in s th ere are o th e r jo b s b e sid e th o s e o f c o n
d u c tin g gro u p s). T h is c a p ta in had in te n d e d fr o m th e b e g in n in g o f his
in terest t o b e a ca p ta in .
E a rlie r ships w e r e c u m b e rs o m e an d e m p lo y e d su b stan ces s u rro u n d
in g a ll p la n e ts; n o t p s y c h ic , n o t p s y c h o lo g ic a l. F o r e x a m p le , in sance
astral p h e n o m e n a m a te r ia liz e d in fu m e s o f fr e s h ly sp ille d b lo o d .
Im p ro v e m e n ts w e r e m a d e b y St. V e n o m a , w h o fo r h is g o o d w o r k
w as a llo w e d to g o to P u r g a to r y . It see m s o d d that P u r g a t o r y sh o u ld
be a r e w a r d ; b u t c e r ta in id ea s can b e r e a liz e d o n ly in c e r ta in e m o tio n
al states. Ideas in th e b o o k can o n ly b e r e a liz e d in P u r g a t o r y , w h ic h is
that m o o d re su ltin g f r o m an e m o tio n a l u n d e rs ta n d in g o f w h a t ones
o b je c tiv e d u t y is, a n d at th e sam e tim e r e a liz in g th a t w e are n o t y e t
p re p a re d to c a r ry it o u t . M e n ta l a n g u is h is th e e n e r g y su p p lie d fo r
c e r ta in rea liza tio n s. I f w e c o n tin u e s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n th r o u g h th e th ree
steps, w e w il l c e r ta in ly g o to P u r g a to r y .
In p u r g a to r y St. V e n o m a im p r o v e d th e m e th o d b y th e d is c o v e ry
o f th e la w o f fa llin g . T h is is d ifficu lt t o u n d e rsta n d a n d s u g g e s ts tw o
lin es o f th in k in g p s y c h o lo g ic a l g r a v ity .
1. C o n s id e r th e illu s io n o f space in a d re a m , a p s y c h o lo g ic a l space
in w h ic h th in g s fa ll. W h a t is th e o r ig in o f space, fall, g r a v it y , in o u r
selves?
2. W h a t is m ea n t b y fa ll o f to n e? F r o m o n e rate o f v ib r a tio n to
a n o th e r. A n o te s tr u c k d ie s d o w n th e scale . E ach p la n e t a n d ea ch solar
sy ste m is a n o te in th e o c ta v e ; o n e rate o f v ib ra tio n . T r a n s itio n is a
c h a n g e fr o m o n e rate o f v ib r a tio n to a n o th e r .
T h e p ra ctic e o f th e m e t h o d p r o d u c e s a ch a n g e in th e o rg a n ism .
S trik e o n e n o te an d p e rh a p s th e fa llin g n o t e w ill p r o d u c e effe cts o n
l o w n o te s . T h e c h a n g e is in d ire c t. T h e m e t h o d w a s in v e n te d b y St.
V e n o m a (associated w i t h th e th e ra p e u tics ). L in k th is w i t h th e three
p s y c h o lo g ic a l stages o f r e lig io n :
1 . A n c ie n t H e b ra ic.
2. S t. V e n o m a , th e ra p y . Jesus sp ra n g f r o m o rg a n iz a tio n s , in clu d e d
b y th e th erap ists an d w a s at first h a ile d as a h ealer, w h ic h w a s o n ly a
m in o r p a rt o f his w o r k .

3 - M e t h o d o f J esu s. N o m a c h in e r y . A b o lis h e d a ll th e c lu m s y

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m ech a n ism s o f th e sc h o o ls b y w h ic h he h a d b e e n train ed , w i t h at least
m a c h in e r y u se d in o r d in a r y liv in g .
L a w o f fa llin g . E v e r y th in g falls to th e b o t t o m , stable p o in ts , c o n
v e rg e n t lin e s to th e b o t t o m o f e a ch m o o d fr o m th e o th e rs . N o m o o d
is c u t o f f f r o m all o th e rs. (A t th e m o m e n t o f c o n c e p tio n , a ll p lan ets
c o n s p ire ; a c c o r d in g to d ista n c e , in rate f r o m rate o f g e r m as h e re d ita r
il y d e te rm in e d .) T h e r e are sev en m a in m o o d s ; b u t also a d is o r g a n iz e d
c lo u d o f a stero id s b y w h ic h w e are o r d in a r ily g o v e rn e d . W e v e r y sel
d o m e x p e r ie n c e p u r e ly o n e o f th e seven m a in m o o d s.
E a rlie r sh ip s w e r e c u m b e rs o m e , hard to ste er fr o m p la n e t to p la n e t,
m o o d to m o o d . S lo w sp ace is an e x te r n a liz a tio n o f d iffe r e n c e o f rate
o f v ib r a tio n . H o w fast c a n y o u m o v e f r o m m o o d to m o o d b y self
o b se rv a tio n ?
St. V e n o m a s syste m h a d a d isa d v a n ta g e . It fe lt a p u ll w h e n tr y in g
to n a v ig a te past o th e r p la n e ts (te m p ta tio n to fa ll in to b y -p ro d u c ts ).
P la n ets o n th e le ft are n e g a tiv e states: d e p re ssio n , d e s p o n d e n c y , b it
tern ess, d esp air. O n th e r ig h t are p la n e ts w h e r e y o u fe e l y o u can d o
s o m e th in g o th e r th an th e th in g y o u sta rted o u t to d o (te m p ta tio n to
tu rn e n e r g y in to a p a rticu la r a rt, scien ce , e tc . instead).
q u e s t io n

: W h y so la r a n d p la n e ta ry im ag es?

M a jo r e m o tio n a l states are related to im a g e s in th e in t e lle c t, d e p e n

d en t p la n e ta r y im ag es fo r e m o tio n a l c e n te r . S o la r im a g e s f o r in te l
le c tu a l c e n te r.
A n a n g e l is a f u lly d e v e lo p e d th re e -c e n te re d b e in g . T h e r u m o r o f
this n e w m e t h o d so o n sp rea d in te rso la r a n d in te r p la n e ta r y . S o o n after
th e re w e r e e x p e rim e n ts o p e n to all. A p p l y th is to G u r d j i e f f s last
d e g re e o f o c c u ltis m is c o m m o n sen se!
Jesus e x e m p lifie d p u b lic ly th e p s y c h o lo g ic a l stages o f th e rise o f
th e s o u l f r o m th e d ea th o f th e b o d y . H e v o lu n ta r ily a b a n d o n e d his
b o d y . T h is e n d e d c lo se d in s tr u c tio n , fo r th e w h o le w o r ld is th e o c c u lt
s c h o o l o f Jesus.
T h is sh ip is p s y c h o lo g ic a l e ffo r t w h ic h rep la ce s th e o ld e r m e th o d
o f fa ith , h o p e and lo v e . T h e cap ta in d e scrib e s this ship (th e m eth o d )
th e y are n o w o n . T h e c y lin d e r is th e to r s o . J u x ta p o s itio n . G e n e r a to r
is e ffo rt. ( A t first o f se lf-o b s e r v a tio n .) T h e m e th o d aim s to p r o d u c e
a c o n s cio u s n e s s o f s e lf a n d th e co sm ic p la n , h ere, n o w , in th is b o d y .
T h e c y lin d e r in th e b arrel is h e r m e tic a lly sea led , and its e n e r g y ceases
to esca p e b y w a s te (w ith th e seal o f H e rm e s , w h o ta u g h t th e m e th o d ).
G as, f o g , p la n e ta ry e m issio n s (n ega tiv e states) are a u to m a tic a lly dis-

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persed a n d th e ship passes f r o m p la n e t t o p la n e t o r fr o m su n t o sun,
v e r y r a p id ly because th e r e are n o c o n flic tin g states. T h e d e n s e r th e
su bstan ces to b e d isp e rse d , th e m o re e ffic ie n t th e g e n e ra to r w o r k s .
T h e p a ssa ge is m o re ra p id (tran sitio n f r o m l o w to h igh ), m o r e rapid
w h e re th e re is resistance in e x te rn a l c irc u m sta n c e s.
T h e s e n e w ships c o n t r o l th e ir o w n c o u rs e s . E arlier r e lig io n s re
q u ired d e v o te e s to stay. T h e r e w e r e c e r ta in e a r ly c o n c e p tio n s o f th e
ch u rch as an ark , stay in it and be safe, b e ca rrie d m e c h a n ic a lly to
paradise. C o n tr a s t this w i t h se lf-d ire c tio n . T h e d iffic u lty a h e r e t ic had
in g e t t in g h im s e lf o u t o f t h e a rk . T h e s e sh ip s w e r e n o t o n ly c u m b e r
som e b u t h a d w ith in th e m s e lv e s n o p o s s ib ility o f s e lf-in itia tio n .
C H A P T E R VI

T h is p a ra b le is in m e c h a n ic a l (p s y c h o lo g ica l) term s. P e rp e tu a l m o
tio n ; th e n o tio n that s o m e h o w o r o th e r w e a ch ie v e im m o r ta lity . A n
im m o r ta l b o d y is a m a c h in e cap ab le o f p e r p e tu a l m o tio n , p o w e r , etc.
T h is is a sa tire, o n th ese n o tio n s m a n y w e n t in san e. E v e r y o n e tr ie d to
set u p a r e lig io n , w h e t h e r h e w a s q u a lifie d f o r th e j o b o r n o t. S o m e
tru sted t o k n o w le d g e , s o m e to lu c k ; a n d s o m e becau se t h e y w e r e
crazy.
A ll t h e system s o r c u lts , a ll th e p a th o lo g ic a l states p r o d u c e d b y r it u
als, m o n a s te rie s , system s o f b re a th in g and d ie ts w e r e such. B u t e v e n at
th eir b e s t th e ir va lu es a n d m o r a ls p h y s io lo g ic a l and e m o t io n a l are
based o n s u p e rs titio n . A m a t e u r re lig io n s are a so u rc e o f d e g e n e ra tio n .
A ll r e lig io n s w it h o u t m e t h o d are su p e rs titio n s.
H o w w o u l d all this h a v e en d ed i f s o m e o n e had n o t p r o v e d b y
m eans k n o w n o n ly to h im s e l f that p e rp e tu a l m o tio n w a s im p o s s ib le ,
i.e. th a t a n era o f r a tio n a lis m is n eg a tiv e. T h e y h a d th o u g h t o f e v e r y
th in g b u t a ir (air o cta ve ), e .g ., w e ig h t; a sce tic is m . M a c h in e m a d e o f
astral b o d y , p o o r ly o r g a n iz e d m a y c o n tin u e as an a n im a l h e n c e th e
B irth S to r ie s o f B u d d h a . T h e le n g th o f life o f th e p h y sica l b o d y is
cra m p e d b y a w a ste o f e n e r g y . U n d e r id e a l c o n d itio n s , th a t o f l iv in g
fro m b ir t h in a s o cie ty , n o t m e r e ly a sm all c o m m u n ity , w h e r e e v e r y
o n e w a s e n g a g e d in w o r k i n g fo r d e v e lo p m e n t o f co n s cio u s n e s s w it h
th e e ffe cts o f th is o n in s titu tio n s , th e b o d y m ig h t su rv iv e f o r f o u r o r
five h u n d r e d y ea rs; th e a stral b o d y several th o u s a n d tim es as l o n g ; and
the m e n ta l b o d y as lo n g as th e u n iv erse. D u e t o th e w r e t c h e d ly sh o rt
e x is te n c e o f th e b o d y , th e re is n o t e n o u g h t im e to o r g a n iz e th e astral
b o d y , u n le ss o n e w o r k s p r o fe s s io n a lly w i t h th e in te n s ity o f a fa n a tic.

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V a lu e o f r e v ie w in g p ic to r ia lly .
A n in itia te is o n e w h o in itia te s.

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B e e lz e b u b s service to C h r is t w as n e g a tiv e b u t rea lly n e c e s s a ry i.e.

a m e t h o d . H is life h a v in g b e e n spent in a sea rch o f k n o w le d g e , u n
d e rs ta n d in g , etc. he w a s re -a d m itte d to co n s cio u s n e s s, to o b je c tiv e
reason. A n a c tu a lity is a p o te n tia lity w it h a c o a tin g . A n in d iv id u a l
is a m ic r o c o s m b u t th e o n l y d iffe re n ce b e t w e e n it and th e M e g a lo c o s m os is th a t th e M e g a lo c o s m o s is v e r y m u c h m o r e a c tu a liz e d th a n w e
(sm all f r y ) are. T h e id ea o f th is b o o k is th a t B e e lz e b u b is s p e a k in g as
o n e o f us w i t h p o te n tia litie s , c o m p le t e ly id e n tifie d w it h th e h ig h e st
part o f th e in te lle c tu a l c e n te r ; a ctu a liz e d B e e lz e b u b is m e a n t to be
here, th e p r o to ty p e o f o u r c o m p le te selves.
B e e lz e b u b and H a sse in w e r e o n th e sh ip K a rn a k u n d e r th e glass
d o m e (u p p e rm o st b rain ). B e e lz e b u b id e n tifie s h im s e lf w it h a ll h e is
and H a sse in is r e la tiv e ly h is m a g n e tic c e n te r . B e e lz e b u b is I o n th e
Sun A b s o lu t e . H e w as e x ile d and p e r m itte d t o retu rn b e c a u s e o f his
co n a s c e n t an d m o d est life sp e n t in th e p u r s u it o f th e c o n a s c e n t p u r
suit o f k n o w le d g e an d u n d e rs ta n d in g w h ic h is w h a t c o n a s c e n t
m eans.
In d iv id u a ls w h o are r e a d y to learn are a ll his k in sm e n o n th e ship
w it h h im . A n d H assein is o n e ev en m o r e e a g e r and r e a d y th a n th e
o th e rs. A ls o H assein is in te r e s te d in th e sa m e q u estio n s th a t w e are,
e .g . im m o r ta lity , th e s o u l a n d th e fu tu r e life , sin , su p e r-co n scio u sn e ss
etc. Y o u c a n test p e o p le b y th e ir d e g re e o f in te re s t th at th e y h a v e in
regard t o th e se w o rd s . S o H a ssein (i.e. m a g n e tic cen ter) asks: W h a t
are s o u ls ?
(P la n ets are p e rm a n e n t m o o d s , and c o r r e s p o n d , in a c o s m ic sense,
to e m o tio n a l states i.e . c o rr e s p o n d to p o s tu r e s fr o m w h ic h w e pass
th r o u g h m o v e m e n t to o t h e r p o stures.)
So H a sse in asks: C a n s o u ls pass fr o m p la n e t to p la n e t?
T o b e a b le to pass at w i l l fr o m a n g e r to , say, re v e re n ce is to be
able to pass fr o m o n e p la n e t to a n o th er. T h is a b ility p re su p p o se s th e
o r g a n iz a tio n o f th e b o d y k esd jan , o r astral b o d y in o n e s e lf th is is a
result f r o m th e c a r r y in g o f th e m e th o d t h r o u g h th e th re e sta ges o f
s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , p a r tic ip a tio n , e x p e rim e n t.
S o th o s e o f y o u w h o h a v e b een able to d o th is sh o u ld b e a b le to
travel f r o m o n e e m o tio n a l sta te to a n o th e r n o t at w ill p e rh a p s , b u t
c e r ta in ly o n som e o c c a s io n s . T h e m en ta l b o d y is a ship o f th e solar
syste m o n w h ic h w e tra v e l fr o m c o n te m p la tio n , to m e d ita tio n , t o e c
stasy, t o lo g ic etc.

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N o w w h a t h ave b e e n th e m e th o d s in o th e r tim es to a tta in an astral
b o d y ? W e k n o w th at th e re h a ve e x is te d in h is to r y c e rta in in s titu tio n s
fo r th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f th e s o u l w h a t are th e y called ? R e lig io n s .
T h e y d iffe r fr o m scien ces o r p h ilo s o p h y s im p ly in th at t h e y p ro p o se
to g iv e th e a b ility to trav el f r o m p la n e t t o p la n e t and sun t o su n , i.e . as
th e y say f r o m ea rth to h ea v en .
T h e sta ges o f th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f th e sh ip c o rre s p o n d to th e three
d e fin ite sta ges o f th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f re lig io n s . S o in th e first stages
re lig io u s c e re m o n ie s w e r e c o n d u c te d in a ctu a l p o o ls o f b lo o d . T h u s
p e o p le w e r e in tro d u c e d to astral b o d y in a v e r y c u rio u s w a y , v ia the
p h y sica l senses. S o , t h o u g h f o r a f e w it m a y h ave b e e n g o o d , m ost
p e o p le fo u n d it v e r y a w k w a r d .
R e a s o n fo r m s :

R e lig io u s fo rm s:

1st W o r d s .

1st A c t u a l figu res.

2nd F o r m s .

2n d S y m b o lic figu res.

3rd O b je c t iv e reason.

3rd M e t h o d w it h a ll e x tra n e o u s
th in g s elim in a te d .

S o th e th re e ty p e s o f ships c o rr e s p o n d to th e th ree fo r m s o f re li
g io n .
A c a p ta in o f a sh ip is o n e w h o is re sp o n sib le fo r th e c o n d u c t o f a
m e th o d . F o r in stan ce I (i.e. O r a g e ) a m a h u m b le cap ta in e t c ., etc.
T h e C a p ta in sp o k e: I h a v e b een in th is se rv ice sin ce a c h ild I
b e g a n at th e lo w e s t r u n g . I h a ve b een C a p ta in fo r e ig h t y e a rs. I to o k
o ffice o f C a p ta in a fter m y fa th e r w h o h a d b e c o m e a M a s te r (y o u w ill
p e rh a p s le a rn th at h ere are m a n y o th e r fo r m s o f b e h a v io r o p e n to a
c o n s c ie n tio u s b e in g th a n p u b lic in s tr u c tio n e q u a lly to s e rv ic e ). S h o rt
ly a fte r m y a p p re n tice sh ip I b e ca m e re g is te r e d as a sh ip m a ster. (A n
a g e n c y f o r th e tr a n s p o rtin g o f souls.) (W h a t w o u ld y o u d o i f y o u
b e c a m e a s e lf-c o n s cio u s b ein g ?)
A t th e tim e y o u r R e v e r e n c e d e p a rte d I w a s o n ly a b o y o n a ship.
( B o d y a n d b y th e w a y th is b o o k can b e re g a rd e d as a sh ip .) Y o u w e r e
g o o d e n o u g h to say th a t in y o u r d a y th e sh ip s w e r e v e r y c u m b e rs o m e
(so r e lig io n s ). In y o u r d a y th e ships w e r e ru n o n fa m ilia r e th e r ic sub
stan ces in th e a tm o sp h e re in th o se p la n ets.
I h a v e b e e n p rese n t at seances h e ld in th e p rese n ce o f fresh
b lo o d n o m e d iu m is n ecessa ry . B u t to o b ta in this (eth eric) substan ce
m u c h m a te ria l w as n ecessa ry . T h is t y p e o f sh ip w a s a fte r w a r d s dis-

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p la ce d b y th e in v e n tio n o f an in d iv id u u m (a te ch n ica l te r m d e scrib
in g a b e in g w h o has, b y h is o w n e ffo rts , re a ch e d a c e rta in d e g r e e o f
tru e in d iv id u a lity ). A n d th is b e in g w a s a fte r w a r d taken t o th e p la n e t
P u r g a t o r y . (So e v e r y o n e o f y o u w ill g o t o P u r g a to r y . A n d re m e m b e r
that c e r ta in ideas can o n l y b e u n d e rs to o d in ce rta in e m o tio n a l states,
i.e. o n c e rta in p lan ets say P u rg a to ry .)
S t. V e n o m a in v e n te d

a n e w m e t h o d fr o m

a c e rta in

co sm ic

la w th e la w o f f a llin g .
H e r e I a m in a c e rta in d iffic u lty . H o w c a n I d escrib e p s y c h o lo g ic a l
g r a v ity ? S a y y o u d re a m th e re is in y o u r d r e a m a g rea t sp ace th o u g h
y o u are o n ly in a sm all r o o m . W h a t is th e o r ig in o f space a n d fa llin g
and w e ig h t in o u rselv es? S in c e w e can d r e a m th e m p e rh a p s th e ir p o
te n tia litie s m a y e x ist in o u rs e lv e s . N o w w e sa y: A fa ll in t o n e h o w
far is it a c t u a lly fr o m si to th e n e x t lo w e r d o ? W h a t a ctu a l d ista n ce?
S o w e m a y say th at th e p la n e ts are e a c h o cta v e s (that is to say lik e
w is e n o te s ), i.e. d iffe re n ce s shall w e say in th e rate o f v ib r a tio n . D i f
fe re n t n o te s in th e scale so in th e p r a c tic e o f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , self
p a r tic ip a tio n , and s e lf- e x p e r im e n t th e se p ro cesse s w ill e ffe c t e a ch o f
us d iffe r e n tly .
(S o th is m e th o d o f S t. V e n o m a b r o u g h t a b o u t ch an ge s in th e p e r
so n a litie s o f b ein gs.)
T h r e e stages to C h r is t ia n ity .
F ir s t P h ysica l d e m o n s tr a tio n . T h e r a p y w a s th e m a in o b je c t, so Je
sus w a s first hailed as a h e a le r. B u t he b e c a m e a teach er s e c o n d . S o his
first v e h ic le w as th e ra p e u tics . S e co n d G n o s t ic (teacher).
T h e n th ird the m e t h o d fr o m w h ic h a ll c u m b e rs o m e m a c h in e r y
w as e lim in a te d . S o St. V e n o m a d is c o v e re d th e la w o f fa llin g (th in k
o f th e f o o d scale). E v e r y t h in g in th e u n iv e r s e falls to th e b o t t o m . So
w h e r e v e r th e lin e o f f o r c e s co n v e rg e s th e re is th e b o tto m . S o at c o n
c e p t io n th e g e rm re c e iv e s a certain essen ce , d e p e n d e n t u p o n th e d is
ta n ce fr o m , and size o f th e v a rio u s states, i.e . p lan ets at th is in stan t.
B u t a ste ro id s are d e fin it e ly n o t p la n e ts, t h e y are u n o r g a n iz e d p la n
e ta r y m a tte r. O u r m o o d s are n o t cle ar states o f e m o tio n b u t are like
th ese a stero id s in this m e t h o d . W e can n a v ig a te sa fely t h r o u g h to th e
p la n e ts, i.e . o n th e sh ip O c c a s io n .
T h e sh ip K a rn a k passes fr o m o n e so la r sy s te m to a n o t h e r b u t to
travel t o th e nearest so la r sy s te m o f o u r s V e g a , w o u ld ta k e 250 lig h t
y ea rs. A n d i f th e ship O c c a s io n cam e to th e e a r th fr o m M a r s in tw e n
t y - f o u r h o u r s it w o u ld b e as fast as lig h t . (It takes tim e a n d e ffo r t to
c h a n g e m o o d s o r m o d e s o f reason.) A l l th a t w e call space in th e w o r ld

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is just changes o f vibrational rates in ourselves. The degree o f speed

o f transition from one state o f emotion (mood, planet) to another is
a test o f your ship. H ow long does it take you to pass from one state
(say negative) to another by self-observation?
Although this system was good it had its drawbacks when near
ing a sun or a planet, their navigation became a torture.
So, on approaching a mood or planet, which we intend to pass, the
tendency is to fall into that mood planet. So when we commence
to attempt to observe without approval or disapproval or other feel
ings w e almost irresistibly fall into the influences o f certain feel
ings or planets. Everything in our sense perceptions is ourselves
projected. There is, o f course, the difficulty o f steering past by
products. Negative bitterness wormwood; despondency; depres
sion or despair. All these are negative planets (or moods) but it is
possible to go to the positive planets by means o f self-observation.
What is the origin o f the evocation o f emotional states? Ship Oc
casion images. There are seven major emotional states; these are
related to seven major mental states. What image is to emotion, the
sun is to a planet.
(An angel is a fully developed three-centered being)
It is rumored that an improved type o f ship had been invented.
So in London we met the objection o f a famous Christian gentle
man that we were conducting these meetings only in small groups
by the truth that there was shown by Jesus many things but that the
mysteries were explained to only a few.
And so here the meetings are, so to speak, open to anyone, but no
pledge is exacted and no secrecy. Yet w ith possibility o f experiment
open to all. The implicit action is in the practice o f all groups to per
mit practically anyone to come to them or to the institute and see an
experiment being carried on. So except for medical reasons anyone
can come, and see what he can see.
Tricks = first phenomena
Half-tricks = second phenomena and necessitated a great deal o f
preparation, say, the remembering o f a hundred strange words. Dur
ing the hearing o f the words, two centers were actually occupied and
so the words were recorded clearly and remembered.
The third phenomena the real Phenomena is a form o f phe
nomena which cannot be produced by anyone not especially trained.
So in the Neighborhood Playhouse performances what was unique?
This question will interest Dorothy?
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orage

: In m e th ere is n o m y ste ry . I f th e re is, it is d u e to m y o w n

in a b ility t o exp ress m y s e lf o r in y o u t o g o f r o m state to state.

T h e n e w system w a s a c k n o w le d g e d t o b e su p e rio r to S t. V e n o m a
and w a s v e r y soo n a d o p te d o n all th e m a in lin e s b e tw e e n th e p lan ets
and sun s.
S o I w o u ld say th a t i f th e re sh o u ld b e a n o th e r a n g e l lik e C h r is t
o r B u d d h a he w ill p r o c e e d o n th e d e s ig n o f th e m e t h o d th is n e w
m a ch in e .
It is n o t v e r y c o m p lic a te d . Its p r in c ip a l p a rt consists o f c y lin d e r
sh ap ed , ra th e r lik e a b a rre l (o r tru n k ) an d a g e n e ra to r w h ic h is p la ce d
s o m e w h e r e w ith in it, i.e t o m a k e c o n s c io u s e ffo r t here in th is b o d y .
T h e c y lin d e r o r b a r re l; is h e r m e tic a lly se a le d i.e . th e e n e r g y is
n o lo n g e r lo s t le a k a g e is sto p p e d b y o b s e r v a tio n . (Seal o f H e rm e s.)
W h e n th is ty p e o f sh ip is sto p p e d b y a n y su bstan ce su c h as fo g ,
it is im m e d ia t e ly d isp la ce d an d d isb u rsed b y th e c o n tin u a n c e o f th e
g e n e ra to r , i.e . e m o tio n a l states. (F o g n e b u la .) M o r e o v e r it is in te r
e stin g t o re m a rk th at th e d e n se r th e su b sta n ces th e b e tte r th e g e n e ra
to r w o r k s i.e . in th e p r e s e n c e o f resista n ce o b s e r v a tio n w o r k s m u c h
b e tte r a n d m o re r a p id ly . I f n o resista n ce th e re is a te n d e n c y t o g o
s lo w ly .
C o n t e m p o r a r y ships po ssess in th e m se lv e s p o w e r , th e fu ll a b ilit y to
c o n tr o l th e ir o w n d e stin y .
F o r m e r ly re lig io n s r e q u ir e d that th e ir m e m b e r s rem ain w it h in its
arm s a n d y o u w o u ld b e c a r rie d to h e a v e n . B u t an in d iv id u a l m ig h t
w a n t t o g o s o m e w h e re e ls e and c o u ld . H e w o u ld b e c o m e n o t a cell
b u t an in d iv id u a l. O ld sh ip s c o n ta in e d n o p o s s ib ility o f s e lf-in itia tio n .
perpetual

m o t i o n

P e rp e tu a l m o t io n , B e e lz e b u b in te rru p ts th e cap ta in , s u r e ly w h a t
y o u h a v e j u s t d escrib ed m u s t b e that w h ic h an u n fo rtu n a te b e in g o f a
certain p la n e t called e a r th u se d to call p e r p e tu a l m o tio n . M a n y b e in g s
p e rish e d in th is p u rsu it. T h is id ea so t o o k th e b ein g s o f th is p la n e t
that t h e y b e g a n to th in k a n d d re am a b o u t (i.e . th e a tta in m e n t o f p e r
p e tu a l l if e an im m o r ta l b o d y cap ab le o f r e sistin g tim e).
W h a t h ea p s w e n t in s a n e o v e r it! (R e tir e d to m o n a ste rie s d iet,
b reath c o n t r o l all fo r th e p u rp o s e o f c r e a tin g a soul.)
M a n y p u t in to this e x p e r im e n t all th e v a lu e s th e y h ad h a d b e fo r e .
I f c irc u m s ta n c e s p e r m itte d , m a n y b e in g s o c c u p ie d th e m s e lv e s , ev en
th o u g h t h e y w e r e n o t n a t iv e ly q u a lifie d w i t h a tte m p tin g t o in v e n t
61

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a m a c h in e . (M a n y p e o p le d h ere in N Y n o w set u p su c h ideas. O n e
h ere I h e a rd o f to d a y te a ch es c o n te m p la tio n o f a flam e in an actual
b ra z ie r and th e le a d e r rep eats fo r th e m w h a t he calls m a n tra s.)
A l l th e se p a n ta lo o n s e x p e c t th e ir frie n d s to be in te r e s te d in th eir
m a ch in e s an d so h ad t o b e sh u t u p in lu n a tic a sy lu m s, m o n asterie s,
etc. (T h is is an in d ic tm e n t o f r e lig io n o r s u p e rs titio n fo r th e d eg ra d a
tio n o f m a n . F o r m a n y o f th e g o o d h a b its w e have h ad a re th u s c o r
r u p te d , m a k in g it im p o s s ib le fo r us t o le a d a h e a lth y life .)
B u t I d o n o t k n o w w h a t w o u ld h a v e h a p p e n e d i f s o m e c r a z y o ld
f e llo w h a d n o t p r o v e d to h im s e lf and o th e r s th at th e id e a w a s im p ra c
tic a b le a n d it o c c u rr e d to n o o n e to u se th e sim p le a d d itio n o f air in
o n e o f th e ir cities. I sa w h u n d re d s o f s u c h ap p lia n ces (relig io n s).
N a m e ly , in p a rticu la r a m a ch in e fo r u se b y w e ig h ts (i.e. ascetics.).
W e are n o w t r y in g to r e v ie w th e p s y c h o lo g ic a l h is t o r y o f the
w o r ld . S o w e see th a t th e in t r o d u c tio n o f a re lig io n ta k es an e ffo rt
o n th e p a rt o f A d a m K a d m o n ju s t as it takes an e ffo rt o n o u r part.
B e e lz e b u b asks o f w h a t m a teria l w e r e th e y b u ilt. T h e c a p ta in an
sw e re d th e re are p a rts w in g s , etc. w h ic h w il l last a l o n g tim e and
th e re are p arts w h ic h w i l l last fo re v e r. S o w e h a ve m a te ria l n o w in us
o f a ll th r e e states b u t t h o u g h w e h a v e astral m a tter p r e s e n t in us, it
is n o t o r g a n iz e d in to an astral b o d y . S o w e h a v e m en ta l su b sta n ces b u t
w e h a v e o n l y m e n ta l fu n c tio n s , n o m e n ta l b o d y . T h e p h y s ic a l b o d y
w ill la st f o u r o r five h u n d re d o f o u r y e a rs astral b o d y w i l l last a bo u t
30,000 tim e s th a t an d th e m e n ta l b o d y b eca u se o f its p o w e r o f self
in itia tio n m a y pass f r o m m a tte r to m a tte r an d last fo r e v e r .
F o r in s ta n c e p e o p le h a v e dream s o f past liv e s b u t t h e y are n o t o f
th e ir past lives. O u r p h y sic a l lives are, lite r a lly s p e a k in g , so b r ie f and
sh o rt th a t th e p o s s ib ility o f d e v e lo p in g an astral b o d y is r e m o te . B u t
th e u se o f o n e s life c o n sists in liv in g it so fu lly th at in o n e m o m e n t
y o u liv e as m u c h as a m o n k in m e d ia tio n d o e s in a m o n th .
T r y to re m e m b e r th is b o o k b y r e v ie w in g v is u a lly . T r y t o p u t y o u r
s e lf in th e p la ce o f th e ch a ra cte rs o n th e sh ip and to o v e r h e a r fr o m the
v a r io u s a n g le s w h a t w a s said b y B e e lz e b u b , H assein, A h o o n , and the
C a p ta in . R e g a r d th e b o o k as a m a sq u e o n th e stage to g iv e a k e y to
stu d e n ts.
B e e lz e b u b w it h A h o o n an d H a sse in o n a ship in sp ace. T h e C a p
tain c o m e s in , and g o e s o u t . H assein asks first a q u e s tio n B e e lz e b u b
recalls his e x p e rie n c e s h e h ad fr e e d o m o f th e p la n e ts, th e n earned
th r o u g h a c o n a sce n t life an d m o d e s ty h o w to re tu rn to th e S u n A b s o
lu te , a n d to stay. T h e n th e C a p ta in re tu rn s an d d escrib es th r e e ships:
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1.

2. O p e r a te d w it h air.
3. O p e r a te d w it h a g e n e r a to r i.e . e ffo r t at b e in g a w a re o f th e
body.
B e e lz e b u b recalls p e r p e tu a l m o tio n .
T h is m e t h o d is lia b le t o fa ll in to th e sa m e e r ro rs fa ll in t o an illu
sion o f th e m e th o d .
O u r o b je c t is to d e v e lo p a v e h ic le e n a b lin g us to travel f r o m p la n e t
to p la n e t a n d e v e n tu a lly f r o m sun to sun.
It is n e c e ssa ry n o t o n l y t o co m e h e re b u t to m u ll o v e r, to p o n d e r
o ver, u n t il n e x t tim e y o u see th ese a b o v e id ea s in re la tio n t o y o u r s e lf.

["']

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T r y t o resist n o rm a l r e a c tio n , i.e . tu rn th e o th e r c h e e k . N o r m a l rea ct
in g is to re tu rn th e b lo w o r g e t o u t o f t h e w a y o f th e n e x t b lo w . N o t
e v e n th e h a b it o f n o n -re sista n ce is p e r m itte d . It is m o st d iffic u lt to re
tu rn a n u n e x p e c te d e x p re s s io n . W h e re a s in o u r p rese n t state an yo n e
can , i f h e p u lls th e r ig h t le v e r, m ake us d o a n y th in g he w a n ts us to d o.
G e n e r a lly sp e a k in g o u r first d iffic u lty is th a t w e react in a m ech a n ical
w a y . I f it is a m iserab le d a y , say W h a t a b e a u tifu l d a y o r v ic e versa.
S o l o n g as a m an reacts in a m e c h a n ic a l w a y , so lo n g h e w i l l rem ain
a slave o f circu m sta n ce s. T h e r e is n o fu n d a m e n ta l d iffe r e n c e in o u r
m e c h a n ic a lity o n ly a d iffe r e n t g e a rsh ift.
F irs t h e r e s y o f B u d d h is m an d o f P y th a g o r e a n s is H o w can I o b
serv e m y m o o d s ? S e c o n d h e re s y is c ritic is m and an a tte m p t at in
te rfe re n c e w it h m o o d s e v e n a fter o b s e r v in g p h ysica l m a n ife sta tio n s.
B u t a ll th e se e x tr a n e o u s h e re tica l fo r m s o f b e h a v io r c a n b e c u t o ff.
H o w ? B y tu r n in g y o u r a tte n tio n w it h re d o u b le d e ffo rt to o th e r p h ys
ical fo r m s o f b e h a v io r.
john riordan: B u t y o u are a tte m p tin g to o b se rv e m e m o r y i.e.

ta b u la tin g y o u r v a r io u s g e stu res, m o v e m e n ts , etc.

orage : N o . B ecau se w e d o n t care w h a t y o u r p a r tic u la r gestu res

m a y b e . T h e ta b u la tio n is so th at y o u c a n d e te rm in e a fte r w a r d i f y o u
h a ve b e e n p u r e ly o b s e r v in g .
someone else: B u t i f I

observe my walk, it slows down.

orage : N o . B u t it seem s to d o so. A n d y o u at th at p o in t are rea d y

fo r th e se c o n d step. N o t th a t this m ea n s all o th e rs p re se n t are ready,

h o w e v e r it w i l l d o y o u n o h a rm to le a rn th e se co n d step in th is m e th
od.
i st self-a w aren ess.
2 n d p a r ticip a tio n .
I c a n h o ld this p ie c e o f c h a lk . I c a n o b s e rv e m y s e lf h o ld in g this
p ie ce o f c h a lk . B u t I c a n also p s y c h o lo g ic a lly h o ld th e c h a lk w it h
m y s e l f as i f I w e r e in p o ssessio n o f th e o rg a n is m t h o u g h I am
n o t. A n d th e th ird step is e x p e r im e n t fo r th e sake o f o b s e r v a tio n . In
w a lk in g I w il l v a r y m y u su al g a it n o t w i t h a v ie w o f im p r o v in g m y
m a n n e r o f w a lk in g , b u t o n ly v a r y m y u su a l p ro c e d u re in o r d e r to o b
serv e it m o r e c a r e fu lly . T r y th is in a ll s ix fo r m s o f o b s e r v a b le b e h a v
io r. T r y lo o k in g , fo r e x a m p le , fie rce i f th a t is n o t h a b itu a l w it h y o u .

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steinberg: I m s o r r y , b u t I d o n t see w h y th e s e c o n d step is n o t

im p lie d o r a c tu a lly im p lic it in th e first ste p .

orage : T h e se c o n d ste p has an e n t ir e ly d iffe re n t p s y c h o lo g ic a l

sen se o r to u c h o r ta s te w h e n y o u re a ct as i f y o u w e r e a c t in g p u r
p o s iv e rea ctio n .
someone else: O n a p le asa n t d a y I fe e l as i f I w e r e e n t ir e ly c o n

s c io u s ly p a rticip a tin g in a ll m y p h y sica l m o v e m e n ts.

orage : W e ll, b u t b e fo r e th at y o u w e r e a w are. It is n o t th a t y o u o b

serv e fr o m a p o in t o u t s id e , b u t as i f y o u w e r e o u tsid e y o u r s e lf. T h a n k

G o d I v e n eve r b een , o r fe lt that I v e b e e n o u ts id e m y se lf. T h a t w o u ld
be s im p ly p a th o lo g ic a l.
A t o n e tim e w e d isc u sse d i f it w o u ld n o t b e b e tte r t o u se a n o th e r
w o r d th a n aw aren ess so a h u n te r in a w o o d hears a r u s tle , h e tries
b y a n e ffo r t to a s ce rta in w h a t it is. S o th is e ffo rt o f aw aren ess fo r
th e p u r p o s e o f a s c e rta in in g w h a t y o u h a v e o b se rv e d . C o m e to grip s
w it h i t . N o t , A h ! th is is a c o m fo r ta b le p o s tu r e ! B u t, J u st w h a t
is th is p o s tu r e w it h r e g a r d to m u scle s l o n g o r s h o rt b re a th , h eart
is b e a tin g , fo o t is b e in g m o v e d e v e r y t h in g sen satio n s, w e ig h t,
to u c h , ta u t o r re la x e d m u scles.
I c a n n o t em p h a s ize t o o m u c h th e n e c e s s ity fo r m a k in g e v e r y e ffo rt
to m a k e e v e r y fo r m o f o b s e r v a tio n vivid!
A m a n w h o h ad a h a b it o f g e ttin g h im s e lf in to v io le n t ra g e s af
te r w a r d h e w a s so e x h a u s te d , o u t o f so rts w h a tn o t, th a t h e h a d to
g o h o m e and g o to sle e p . I su g gested th a t h e o b se rv e th e s y m p to m s .
So h e tr ie d to c a tch h im s e lf, b u t it w a s e lu s iv e . F in a lly , h o w e v e r , it
o c c u r r e d and he fo u n d h im s e lf in a t a x i o n th e w a y h o m e . H e im m e
d ia t e ly set a b o u t p u t t in g d o w n s y m p to m s . H e b eca m e so in tereste d
and d e ta c h e d that h is ra g e d isap p eared a n d h e had th e t a x i m a n tu rn
a ro u n d a n d take h im b a c k to his o ffic e . Y o u w il l d is c o v e r e v e n tu a lly
th at e v e r y b o d y s I is d iffe re n t, so in o b s e r v in g v o ic e s o m e fin d it
ea sier th a n o th ers. T h e r e are n o t t w o in d iv id u a ls th e sam e.

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B e c o m in g a w a re o f g e n u in e d u t y . T h is has n o th in g to d o w i t h usual
m o r a lity . D u t y is in th e sen se o f o b v io u s fu n c tio n . W e are a c c u s to m e d
to th in k o f th e b o d y as a m a c h in e , and e v e r y m a ch in e has its p ro p e r
use as d e te r m in e d b y its s tr u c tu re . T h is is so w i t h th e b o d y . M o r a lit y
w o u ld c o n s is t o f its u se in a c c o r d w it h its s tru c tu re . C o n c e iv e o f the
a r c h -e n g in e e r o f th e u n iv e r s e ju d g in g u s b y th is stan dard. B u t th e
b o d y has n o t o n ly an im m e d ia te use, it h as o th e r p o te n tia litie s . B y
a n a lo g y , c o n s id e r a g r o u p o f savages w h o fin d an a u to an d u se it o n ly
as a h u t. S p e a k in g te c h n ic a lly th is is im m o r a l. O u r p s y c h e is tre a tin g
o u r b o d y in th is w a y . T h is is th e m o r a lity o f w h ic h H a ssein b e c o m e s
aw are. D u t y is n o t to a n o th e r o r g a n is m b u t th e d u ty o f u t iliz in g
th e b o d y in f u ll sco p e o f its fu n c tio n s . T h is b e c o m e s a c o n c e p t o u tsid e
o f th e u su a l m o r a lity e .g ., i f w e assum e f o r th e m o m e n t th a t w e have
th ree b ra in s an d are in th e h a b it o f u sin g o n l y o n e , w e are t w o th ird s
sh o rt o f d u t y th at is g e n u in e . H assein w a s p o n d e r in g : W h a t is th e
m a tte r? asked B e e lz e b u b .
H a sse in a d m its h a v in g n e w th o u g h ts ; h e n o w u n d e rsta n d s th a t e v
e r y th in g h e has and uses c a m e to its p rese n t state th r o u g h th e la b o r
and s u ffe r in g o f m a n y b e in g s , an d m u c h u n n e c e s s a ry (g ra tu ito u s) su f
fe r in g . W e d o n o t th a n k th o s e b e in g s, w e ta k e e v e r y t h in g fo r g ra n te d .
H assein says: F ro m y o u r ta lk w it h th e C a p ta in , I h ave b e c o m e aw are
w it h a ll m y b e in g ; an d t h in k w it h re m o rse as to w h a t a n d w h y all
these b le ssin g s. W h a t are th e d u tie s la id u p o n m e b y m y e x iste n c e ?
W h a t m u s t I d o in re tu r n fo r a ll th is? T h is q u e s tio n is th e basis o f
a n y m o r a lity . T h e b o d y is n o t a m a ch in e w i t h a fu n c tio n , th is has no
m e a n in g i f it has a fu n c tio n , it is an o b lig a tio n . H a ssein s q u e s tio n is
th e q u e s tio n o f e v e r y th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g at a ce rta in sta g e : W h a t is
th e m e a n in g o f m y life? A n d w h a t d o I o w e ? I m u st m a k e a d is tin c tio n
b e tw e e n , I a m a b o d y and I h a v e a b o d y . I is p o te n tia l. D u t y ap p lies
to I . M u s t h a ve had a r e a liz a tio n o f I as d is tin g u is h e d f r o m i t .
I, H a sse in , re a lize I h a v e a b o d y . P re s u m a b ly it has a d e s ig n e d use;
b u t I d o n o t y e t k n o w w h a t its p o te n tia litie s are. H o w can I u se it?
T h e fin a l c h a p te r o f t h e b o o k su m m a rize s th e a n sw e r as d e v e lo p e d
th r o u g h th e b o o k : g o o d a n d e v il. W e are m a ch in e s w it h p o te n tia litie s
b u t th e d is c o v e r y o f th e se p o te n tia litie s is n o t in o u r p e rs o n a l p o w e r.
B e e lz e b u b a n sw ers: Y o u m u st n o t t h in k o r w o r r y a b o u t all this
ju s t n o w . W h e n th e tim e c o m e s y o u w ill u n d e rsta n d an d k n o w w h a t
y o u m u s t d o . Y o u are still y o u n g .

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A ll w e c a n e x p e c t f r o m th e m a g n e tic c e n te r n o w is a m o m e n t o f
re a liz a tio n . W e are still y o u n g . N o d u t y n o w , b u t w ill u n d e rsta n d
and k n o w w h a t y o u m u s t d o , at p resen t c a n h a v e o n ly th e m o r a lity
o f th e p u p il, th e m o r a lity o f effo rt. O u r o n l y d u t y is to t r y t o lea rn
o u r d u t y , an d prep are o u r s e lv e s . L ater, w h e n w e b e c o m e a w a re o f
w h a t o u r j o b is, w e w i l l d o it. L e t th e e n e r g ie s in y o u m o v e a m o n g
the e n e r g ie s in it.
H e w h o is to o la z y e v e r y d a y to le a rn e v e r y t h in g he c a n w i l l be
u n ab le la te r , w h e n he re a liz e s his d u ty , to p r a c tic e it.
P u r g a t o r y : w h e n o n e re a liz e s w h a t o n e s h o u ld d o and has n o t th e
n ecessa ry te ch n iq u e . N o n e e d fo r u n d u e h a ste . P repare. P erh a p s w e
k n e w b e fo r e w e cam e . C f . ce rta in m y th s : P ro d ig a l S o n , o r ig in a te d
w ith th e G n o s tic s , H y m n o f th e R o b e o f G l o r y . T h e so n w e n t o ff,
n o t in a h u f f b u t in sea rch o f a ro b e w h ic h h a d b een sto le n . F e ll in to
a d v e n tu re a n d fo r g o t h is m issio n . W h e n e a tin g w it h s w in e i.e . m e
ch an ica l life , h e r e m e m b e re d his m ission a n d r e tu rn e d to his fa th e r.
B e e lz e b u b : I am g la d f o r y o u r fu tu r e th a t y o u h ave a sk e d this
q u e stio n .

T h is w o r d g la d B e e lz e b u b m ig h t n e v e r h a ve u se d i f he

had sta y ed at h o m e , b u t has liv e d in fo r e ig n s u rro u n d in g s a n d sid e b y

side w i t h his p ro p e r n a tu re , a seco n d b o d y w a s fo r m e d also re a l. H a ssein c o u ld n o t h ave b een o th e r w is e and h is fa th e r c o u ld see o c c a s io n
to re jo ic e . B u t B e e lz e b u b , th a n k s to his m is fo r tu n e s , is g la d . D i f
fe re n tia te b e tw e e n a b e in g w h o s e c o m p le t io n is m e c h a n ic a lly a rriv e d
at and a b e in g that d e v e lo p s b y effo rt. A n g e l m a n .
O n s o m e planes p e rh a p s b e in g s d e v e lo p w it h o u t gap s o f scale,
w it h o u t e ffo r t, h en ce w i t h o u t sin, h en ce w it h o u t re a liz a tio n , h e n c e
w it h o u t glad n ess (as d is tin g u is h e d fr o m h app in ess). I f e v e r y t h in g
w h ic h h a p p e n e d c o u ld n o t b e o th e r w is e , w e c o u ld n o t b e g la d .
T h e r e a re p la n ets w h e r e e v e r y t h in g is n a tu ra l, e v o lu tio n w it h o u t
e ffo rt; n o r e lig io n ; n o ga p s in o ctave.
B e e lz e b u b p o in ts o u t th e a d v a n ta g e o f o u r d isa d v an ta ge s. F u lly
d e v e lo p e d m a n is s u p e rio r in re a liza tio n t o th e an g els; m a n b e c o m e s
the m in d o f G o d . A n g e ls a n d a rch an gels are H is h ig h e r e m o tio n a l
cen ters. G o d th in k s w it h h u m a n en tities. It is p o ssib le to b e u n h a p p y
and g la d .
N o t g o o d and e v il ; b u t h e n c e fo r th g o o d an d b ad N ie tz s c h e .
B a d is a m a te u r, fa ilu re t o c a r r y o u t.
T h e r e is n o p o s itiv e e v il fo r c e , m e r e ly th e d iffic u lty o f th e p r o b
lem!
B e e l z e b u b : A s k m e a q u e s tio n !

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h a s s e i n : Tell me anything you like. I shall be interested because

you tell it. (Flattery; he tries to avoid the effort o f formulating a ques
tion.)
h a s s e i n : Tell me about those eh those slugs!
b e e l z e b u b : What? (He knew damn well.)
h a s s e i n : Those beings like us, but with slimier skin. (Smoother,
hypocrite.)
b e e l z e b u b : I know them well; they are very peculiar. This planet is
in certain respects unique and hence interesting, if only pathological.
It offers psychological behavior not found on normal planets. (Legend
has it that this planet is called the ridiculous planet or the lunatic
asylum o f the universe. G. B. Shaw sometimes uses it in this attitude.
Shaw inherited this from Lucian, who got it from the Greeks, who
got it from the Egyptians and they got it from the ancient Babylo
nians and Sumerians.)
b e e l z e b u b : I saw their rise and watched their development. I almost
saw the creation o f the planet itself. It had not yet cooled when I ar
rived on Mars.
First, he will tell about cosmic troubles, genesis o f the moon. Beel
zebub and his companions were busy adjusting themselves to life on
Mars. Suddenly the whole planet was shaken. A stench arose. When
it cleared off it was found that the earth had split with tw o fragments
thrown off. The cause was a comet o f long path on its first trip. It
bumped into the earth and the planet Konda or Kunda. A violent
shock. The earth so recently formed that the atmosphere which acts
as a buffer had not had a chance to form (effect o f the atmosphere on
meteorites). His Endlessness was hastily informed. System o f nerve
communication informs the brain that a stone has fallen on the foot.
This takes a time interval; from the Sun Absolute (executive brain) a
commission o f specialists in world existence was sent. In certain cases
definite cells dispatched human cells at a certain stage. Emergencies,
when normal methods and instinctive reflexes are not fast enough.
(See later chapter on time.) The commission landed on Mars because it
was near and Beelzebub met them. Beelzebub was on a planet slightly
higher than ours, and therefore knew ahead o f time. The commission
allayed their fears. There was no danger o f catastrophe.
The archangel Algematant, a personified state o f intelligence.
(Alge=algebra, math, mathematics.) A being whose components are
o f a nature to understand algebra and mathematics. (Called in the Bi
ble principalities.) Algematant was an engineer and explained: The

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split o ff fragments lost their momentum, before leaving the spatial

sphere o f the earth and did not pass the edge. According to the law
o f falling, they began to fall back. But the earth was moving and they
came under the law o f catching up. Falling and moving, moving is the
ellipse, they describe. Both movements have psychological parallels in
us. It is desirable that the center o f gravity should be moving faster,
so that one part should be always catching up but not fall in. I must
not fall on it. Perhaps the method striking on it like a comet may
break o ff I. The falling and catching up may operate. G lory be that
harmony is established. This split off o f a moon, happened by acci
dent. Archangel Sakaki thought that these fragments might sometime
get out o f their orbits and cause trouble unless some measures were
taken. Danger o f hearing the method and understanding it. Measures
must be taken about the fragment split off. He decided the earth must
supply the fragment w ith special sacred vibrations, which could be
formed only by certain psychic organic forms o f life. Askokin (the
vibration), conscious labor and voluntary (intentional) suffering. Life
developing on the moon depends on radiations from this earth, as the
earth depends on emanations from the sun. Keep the moon from fall
ing. The effort that subvened the moon is a solar and cosmic purpose.
They ask permission o f His Endlessness to create the necessary
organic life. His Endlessness gives permission. He does not actively
bring about any change in the three centers but oversees them.
The large fragment, Loonderperzo, became the moon and the
smaller fragment is Anulios. The esoteric name o f the moon is still
Loonderperzo. The contemporary beings on the earth do not even
know o f the existence o f Anulios; but the inhabitants o f Atlantis
knew o f it and called Anulios also by a name which meant: He that
never allows one to sleep in peace. Cf. The Shaving o f Shagpat, by
Meredith and The Discourager o f Hesitancy, who carried a scimi
tar.
Later we will learn what these fragments are in us. Contemporary
beings do not know because it is beyond their sight insight.
Prometheus was the Foreseer beyond psychological vision.
Their grandmothers never told them, fairy tales feed the magnetic
center. But none o f our fairy tales tell us that there is a little moon. If
anyone saw it through a telescope he would pay no attention. If any
one w ho was a psychologist or philosopher found in himself an ache
for perfection (remorse, duty) he would pay no attention and think it
an aerolite, not real.
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But w e are not likely to see it for we are in the days o f mechanical
interpretation. Such words as remorse, sin, unfulfilled duty have no
meaning. In us is a potential center technically called Anulios, also a
partly potential center called the moon. Cosmic analogies moon,
food, conscious labor and voluntary suffering. The labors o f Hercu
les, the Golden Fleece, Ulysses. To supply the moon with a lot o f
askokin. To relieve men till they are able to do so Perseus.
The archangel Sakaki saw to it that the laws o f seven and three
operate independently and concurrently on the surface o f the earth,
vegetation and other beings and among the bipeds, the slugs.
H e p ta p a ra p a rs h in o k h = e fta p a ra b a rsh in o ch , seven m a k in g o n e.

Triamazikamno = triamonia, three making one.

Law o f seven is the law o f evolution.
Law o f three is the law o f psychology.
On this planet the two can proceed concurrently and independent
ly. On other planets, they are interdependent.
Sakaki had to produce an organism capable o f conscious labor and
voluntary suffering. Hence the gaps; and hence the psychic life here
is unique.

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P erh ap s I can recall o n e o r t w o o f th e c a r to o n s fr o m th e scre en t o y o u r
im a g in a tio n . E p ic p a rab le is th at B e e lz e b u b an d H assein a n d th eir
k in sm e n are o n th e in te r s te lla r ship K a r n a k . B e e lz e b u b p o sse ss in g fu ll
co n s cio u s n e s s, w ill an d in d iv id u a lity . B e e lz e b u b and H a sse in are e n
g a g e d in a d iscu ssio n o f th e m ech a n ics o f th e u n iv e rse (ships) an d all
he says is a p p lica b le o n a sm a lle r scale to o u r s e lv e s . T r y to d is c o v e r th e
re la tio n o f m a cro c o s m o s t o m ic r o c o s m o s . . . b e g in s b y a d e s c r ip tio n
o f th e m a n n e r in w h ic h b e in g s o n v a r io u s p la n e ts co a t th e m se lv e s.
T r y to a c c u s to m y o u r s e lv e s to a p s y ch e in a d iffe re n t fo r m f r o m that
o n th is p la n e t. I f y o u s u c c e e d y o u w ill fin d y o u r s e lf w it h a g e n u in e
p s y c h o lo g y .
B e e lz e b u b is d iscu ssin g also th e d iffe r e n c e in p s y c h e o n p la n
ets says h e re o n ea rth in th e ir v e r y p s y c h e th e b ein g s are o d d . N o t
o n ly d iffe r e n t fr o m o t h e r p la n e ts in th e ir so la r system b u t d iffe re n t
fr o m a ll o th e r p lan ets in u n iv e rse . So H a sse in b e in g p iq u e d b y this
assertio n w i l l in e v ita b ly a sk a b o u t ea rth b e in g s .
T h e n th e C a p ta in c o m e s in and an in t e r r u p tio n o c c u r s d u rin g
w h ic h sh ip s say r e lig io n s are discu ssed . T h is d iscu ssio n is a b o v e
H a sse in s h ea d b u t it g iv e s h im a n e w id e a . It is as i f a c h ild a w o k e
to h ea r h is p aren ts ta lk in g o f m ean s to p r o c u r e to y s and f o o d a n d so
fo r th a ssu m in g that th e c h ild had a sp a rk o f so m e th in g , h e w o u ld
h ave s o m e th in g s to th in k a b o u t b e fo re g o in g b ack to sle e p . S o m e
th in g o f th e a d u lt w o r ld in t o w h ic h he h a d b e e n fo r a m o m e n t a d m it
te d t h o u g h n o t an a d u lt.
T it le o f th e ch a p te r B e c o m in g A w a re o f G e n u in e D u t y , i.e . th e
m o r a lity o f o b v io u s fu n c t io n . W e are a c c u s to m e d to th e id e a o f th e
o r g a n is m b e in g m e c h a n ic a l i.e . ch e m ic a ls b io lo g ic a lly assem b led .
Its use s h o u ld b e d e te r m in e d b y its c o n s tr u c tio n (as an a u to , b o a t or
p lo w ). T h e ir m o r a lity co n s is ts in th e ir b e in g u sed fo r th e fu n c tio n s
fo r w h ic h th e y are o b v io u s ly c o n s tru c te d a n d in ten d e d .
In c o n tra s t to an im als, v e g e ta b le s , m in e ra ls an d m etals, it ap pears
that o u r m a c h in e has a u se th a t is n o t o n l y o f im m e d ia te v a lu e b u t is
also fo r p o te n tia l fu tu r e u se . S o a savage m ig h t use a lim o u s in e fo r a
h u t b u t it w o u ld b e im m o r a l b y n e g le c tin g is o b v io u s fu n c t io n fo r
w h ic h it w a s c o n s tru c te d . S o th e m an in e a c h m a ch in e c a llin g h im s e lf
I has a fu r th e r d u ty n o t t o b e paid to h im s e lf n o r d u e to a n o th e r
p erso n .
T h e u se o f su ch a m a c h in e w i l l b e c o m e th e crite ria f o r j u d g i n g th e

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o b je c tiv e m o r a lity o f a m a n . S o th e w o r d g e n u in e w a s se le cte d to

in d ic a te o b je c tiv e .
S u p p o s e w e h ave th re e b ra in s b u t u se o n l y o n e all th r e e m u st be
used a n d a ll th re e m u st b e fe d o r su p p lie d w i t h fu e l.
W h e n th e cap ta in h ad g o n e , B e e lz e b u b asked H assein w h a t he w as
th in k in g o f so se rio u sly . L o o k in g sa d ly at B e e lz e b u b , h e sa id Y o u r
ta lk w i t h th e ca p ta in has g iv e n m e so m e v e r y serio u s t h o u g h ts fo r
I h ad n e v e r im a g in e d th a t th in g s in th e u n iv e r s e o f H is E ndlessn ess
h ave n o t a lw a y s e x is te d as th e y n o w d o i.e . as I fin d th e m . It seem s
n o w t o m e th a t b e in g s m u s t h a v e su ffe red an d la b o re d an d s o m e ev en
su ffe red m o r e th an th e y n e e d h a ve (v o lu n ta r y su ffe rin g ) th a t th e y
m ig h t g iv e us th e c o n v e n ie n c e s and p o ssessio n s th at w e n o w have.
I, fo r e x a m p le h ave e x is te d fo r a lo n g t im e y e t u n til n o w ; I have
n eve r r e a liz e d th e tr u th th a t th e se th in g s a v a ila b le to m e are n o t g ra
tu ito u s ly p r o v id e d . A n d n o w w it h th e w h o l e o f m y b e in g I d esire to
u n d e rsta n d w h y I h ave d e s e rv e d all th e se lesso n s an d I w is h m u c h to
k n o w w h a t it is that I m u s t d o in retu rn fo r all th is in m y e x is te n c e .
In th e a b se n ce o f th is a ttitu d e th e re can b e n o m e a n in g t o o n e s life
o r m o r a lity . B u t a ssu m in g th a t w e are m a ch in e s cre ate d fo r a sp ecific
o b je c t a n d th a t w e o w e s o m e d u t y o r o b lig a tio n to rep ay, th e n w e can
p ro c e e d .

[M . F ran k talks a lot about fu e l, Orage says why dont we burn all the
fu e l? because we need a greater draft or ashes should be raked out.]
S o e v e r y b e in g has th is q u e s tio n at lea st o n c e o c c u r to h im . S o lo n
says e ith e r w e are a m a ch in e o r w e h ave a m a c h in e . B u t, Israel (Solon )
I h ave ask e d th a t y o u m a k e an e ffo rt to d e te rm in e th a t f o r a lo n g
tim e p a st. E v e r y o n e w h o has m a d e th is e ffo r t and fa ile d e ith e r has
passed th e p o s s ib ility o f r e a liz in g this o r has n o t y e t re a ch e d th e p o s
sib ility .

[Someone else actually asks: Is the duty o f the machine or o f I ?]

T h e b o o k is p r e s u m a b ly w r it te n fo r th o s e w h o h a ve re a ch e d th e
p o in t o f s a y in g : I h a v e a m a c h in e w h a t sh all I d o w i t h it? I am
p rep ared t o p u t m y m a c h in e to its d e s ig n e d u se , b u t in th e a b se n ce o f
k n o w in g th e later, w h a t can I d o ?
W h y are w e alive? W h a t is th e j o b I w o u ld im p o s e u p o n m y m a
ch in e i f I h a d m a d e it m y s e lf? ( H u g h th is w il l please y o u .) T h e b e
in g s o n th is ea rth h ad th e h a rd e st d eal in a ll th e u n iv e rse in th a t th e y
c a n n o t b y th e m se lv e s f o l l o w th e n atu ral c o u r s e o f d e v e lo p m e n t.
B e e lz e b u b y o u m u st n o t th in k o r w o r r y a b o u t th is j u s t at pres
en t. Y o u are still y o u n g . ( T h o u g h th e m a g n e tic c e n te r is at m o m e n ts

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stim u la te d , w e c a n n o t as y e t d o a n y th in g a b o u t it.) A n d th e tim e is

n ot y e t c o m e fo r y o u to p a y fo r y o u r e x is t e n c e th e re is o n l y th e
m o r a lity fo r us o f th e p u p il. T h a t is th e m o r a lit y o f t r y in g , o f e ffo rt,
o f le a rn in g . S o a g o o d p u p il m ig h t be a b a d m a ster. W e h a v e o n l y th e
d u ty o f le a rn in g th e d u t y . Y o u m u st n o t t h in k o f d o in g , fo r as B e e l
zeb u b says: T h e r e s p le n t y o f tim e la te r f o r th a t. In th e m e a n tim e ,
p rep ara tio n o n ly . L e t th e e n e r g y in y o u m o v e a m o n g th e e n e r g y in it.
Im press u p o n y o u r s e lf e v e r y m o r n in g th a t h e w h o is to o l a z y t o learn
e v e r y t h in g w ill n o t b e a b le to p a y fo r his e x is te n c e as h e w i l l w is h to .
Im a g in e y o u r state i f y o u n e e d e d a te c h n iq u e an d c o u ld r e c a ll a tim e
w h e n y o u c o u ld h ave a c q u ire d it, t h o u g h th e n it is t o o la te . T h a t is
the en d o f th a t ph ase o f B e e lz e b u b s r e p ly a n d it sh o u ld rea ssu re y o u
o f th e tr u t h that y o u n e e d n o t hasten to o g r e a tly . It m a y b e th a t each
o f us w i l l so m e tim e re a liz e th a t th ere e x is ts in s o m e part o f o u r b e in g ,
n ot n o w re a lize d , rem ain s o f th e m e m o r y o f th e m ission u p o n w h ic h
w e c o n s c io u s ly e m b a rk e d . S o , th e P r o d ig a l S o n it w a s o n l y w h e n
he fo u n d h im s e lf e a tin g h u s k s that is m e c h a n ic a lly th a t h e th en
re m e m b e re d his in h e rite d m issio n .
B e e lz e b u b says: I a m g la d fo r y o u r fu t u r e fr o m th e fa c t th a t y o u
have said th e se th in g s th a t y o u take it th is w a y .
T h is w o r d g la d m ig h t p e rh a p s n e v e r h a v e b een able to u se had
it e x is te d o n l y o n th e p la n e t K aratas at h o m e b u t I h a ve b y ch a n ce
e x iste d o n v e r y fo r e ig n a n d stran ge p la n e ts a n d so a s e c o n d n atu re
began to b e fo r m e d an d b e c a u s e o f this I a m a b le to be gla d .
F o r b e c a u s e i f o n e o f us w e r e to be re g a r d e d b y his fa th e r, th e fa
ther w o u ld h ave n o rea so n t o b e p ro u d , f o r w e are n o t d iffe r e n t fr o m
o th ers o n th is p la n e t, b u t o n l y m e ch a n ica l. It m a y be th at o n c e rta in
planets e v o lu t io n p r o c e e d s w it h o u t th e g a p th a t o ccu rs h e re o n ea rth
and w it h o u t a n y e ffo rt so th a t such a b e in g c o u ld o n ly b e h a p p y , n o t
glad. F o r i f a state w e r e m e c h a n ic a l o n e c o u ld n o t be glad .
B u t o n th is p la n e t h u n d re d s o f b ein g s (R o u sse a u ) h ave h a d t h e id ea
o f a w o r ld in w h ic h th e e v o lu t io n o f b e in g s w o u ld p ro c e e d m e c h a n i
cally. B u t B e e lz e b u b says h e r e th at th e b e in g s o n th e p la n e t e a r th h ave
a b ette r p o s s ib le e x is te n c e th a n all o th ers. M a n is G o d s m in d . M a n
co m p rises th e th o u g h ts o f G o d . G o d o n ly c o m m e n c e d to t h in k u p o n
the c re a tio n o f m an.
(M an c a n b e b o th u n h a p p y and glad at t h e sam e tim e.)
C h e r u b im , serap h im , a n g e ls and a rc h a n g e ls c o n s titu te h is h ig h e r
em o tio n a l c en ter. M a n (o r M an n as) is th e m in d o f G o d .
H assein is o n ly to p o n d e r these th in g s b u t n o t y e t to a ssu m e th e

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d u ties o f an a d u lt. In fa c t th e w h o le o f th is p la n e t is in an o cta ve

w h e r e e ffo r t is req u ired at m i-fa and at s i-d o . B u t, (h ere I a m passing
o n a b it o f co sm ic g o ssip ) th e re are p la n e ts w h e r e c r u e lt y d o es n o t
e x is t w h e r e in th e o r d in a r y co u rs e o f life th e g r o w t h o f th e b e in g
p ro c e e d s e v e n ly b y n a tu re . B u t here f o r o n e th in g th e life o f b ein g s
is to o s h o rt. I f an o ld m a n , w i t h illu s io n s g o n e , c o u ld th e n b e g in this
w o r k , h e c o u ld g o far, b u t h e has n o t th e s tre n g th .
T r y in th e m e a n tim e n o t to th in k o f th in g s that it is t o o e a r ly to
c o n s id e r. In th e m e a n tim e b e fo r e th e c a p ta in co m e s b a c k I w il l, i f y o u
lik e , te ll y o u so m e o th e r th in g s .
T h e r e is n o re lig io n . T h e r e is o n ly o n e G o d . T h e r e is n o e v il; th ere
is o n l y fa ilu r e to a ch ie v e th e g o o d . G o d w it h o u t m an w o u l d b e p o w
erless. O n e o f th e p u rp o s e s o f th e b o o k is to d e s tro y th e id e a o f e v il.
G o o d is th e use o f m ea n s a n d th e re is o n l y fa ilu re o f use o f m eans.
N ie t z s c h e said, N o a n y lo n g e r g o o d a n d e v il b u t o n ly g o o d and
b a d .
B e e lz e b u b later e x p la in s th e p r o b le m o f c re a tio n . T h e u se o f cer
tain n u m b e r s is th e m a th e m a tic a l p r o b le m w h ic h G o d set h im s e lf in
c re a tio n th re e and sev en . T h e r e is o n ly th e d iffic u lty o f th e p ro b le m .
S o B e e lz e b u b in v ite s H a sse in to fo r m u la te a q u e s tio n . F irst q u es
tio n : H a sse in asks w h a t a m I to do? B e e lz e b u b says g o o d , b u t w a it.
T h e n H a sse in s seco n d q u e stio n s: T e ll m e a n y th in g fo r I w i l l listen
w it h d e lig h t to e v e r y t h in g th a t y o u w il l b e so k in d as to say.
B u t B e e lz e b u b w a s n o t to b e ta k en in b y su ch fla tte r y h e h a d c o n
d u c te d t o o m a n y g r o u p m e e tin g s , so h e says s o m e th in g to th e effect
th at H a sse in m u st fo r m u la te a d e fin ite q u e s tio n .
S o H a sse in asks a b o u t th o se slu gs B e e lz e b u b W h a t slugs? O f
c o u rs e B e e lz e b u b is n o t su rp rised , b u t has k n o w n th a t th is q u estio n
m u st b e asked b y H assein .
h assein :

T h o s e b e in g s o n a p la n e t w h o are rath er lik e us b u t slim ier.

beelzebub:
h a ssein :

A h th e b e in g s o n p la n e t e a r th c a lled m en ?

Y e s, v e r y in te re ste d .

beelzebub:

I c o u ld te ll y o u a great d e a l a b o u t th e m . T h e y are v e r y

v e r y p e c u lia r. M a n y o f th e th in g s a b o u t th e m are u n iq u e in th e u n i
ve rse a n d o n ly to b e fo u n d th ere.
orage:

T h is p la n e t th e n , it appears, is a little d iffe re n t f r o m all the

o th e r p la n e ts in th e u n iv e r s e . T h is p la n e t is ca lle d th e r id ic u lo u s p la n
et o n th e g r o u n d th at th e b e in g s h ere c u t su c h r id ic u lo u s ca p ers. S h a w
in h e rite d a fla v o r o f s u ch an id ea f r o m ------ t o A ris to p h a n e s .

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31 JANUARY 1927
T h e w h o le sectio n o f th e B o o k o f J o b in th e B ib le w h e r e in o c c u rs a
c o n v e rs a tio n b e tw e e n c r e a to r and J o b is a m y s te r y . R e a d it!
I sa w th e ir rise I sa w a lm o st th e fo r m a t io n o f th e p la n e t. I w ill
first te ll y o u o f th e e v e n t w h ic h caused th e tr o u b le th e re . F o r w h e n I
a rriv ed o n M a rs th e re w a s n o t ev en a n y v e g e ta t io n o n e a rth .
B e e lz e b u b s k in s m e n o n M a rs w e r e d e v e lo p e d in o b je c t iv e reason
b u t d e fe c tiv e in e m o tio n .
B e e lz e b u b S o o n a fte r w e arrived o n th e p la n e t M a rs a n d b e g a n to
settle d o w n (i.e. a c c o m m o d a te th e m se lv e s to a n e w m o o d ), o n o n e o f
o u r b u sie st days a g re a t s h a k in g o c c u rr e d a n d a te rrib le o d o r . A n d it
w as o n l y p o ssib le a fte r th is o d o r h ad d isa p p e a re d that w e c o u ld dis
c o v e r w h a t h ad h a p p e n e d . It seem ed th a t a c o m e t had c o llid e d w it h
this sa m e p la n e t e a rth a n d h ad split o f f a p a rt. So b eca u se th e solar
system O r s w a s n e w , th is te n d e d to d is r u p t th e r h y th m a n d m u tu a l
a ttra ctio n s. (T h is is o b v io u s ev en in o u r o r d in a r y ideas o f a s tr o n o m y .
A n d a p la n e t sh o u ld b e re g a rd e d also as a b e in g a m an.)
T h e e a r th cam e in t o c o llis io n w it h th e p la n e t C o n d o r (o r K u n d a)
and t w o p ie ce s split o ff. T h is h a p p en e d b e fo r e it w as p o s s ib le fo r o u r
a tm o sp h e re to a rran ge its fo r m a tio n as a b u ffe r . H is E n d lessn ess soo n
re ce iv e d re p o rts o f it.
solon : O r a g e , d o e s th is m ea n that th e tim e e le m e n t e n te rs in to

G o d s c o g n iz a n c e o f h a p p e n in g s?
orage: Y es.

A c o m m is s io n c o m p o s e d o f sp ecialists w a s im m e d ia te ly d isp a tch ed

to in q u ir e in to th e n a tu re o f th e h a p p e n in g .
So

in

th

body,

n e rv e s

convey

m essag es

to

th e

e x e c u tiv e

b ra in b lo o d cells are im m e d ia t e ly d is p a tc h e d , so th e e le m e n t o f tim e

en ters h e r e . W h e n w e c o m e to tim e s p h e re s b u t p u t it asid e fo r
the m o m e n t and let us c o n s id e r this c o m m is s io n .
T h is c o m m is s io n a r r iv e d o n th e p la n e t M a r s as th e n ea rest p la n e t to
earth a n d c o n d u c te d th e ir in v e stig a tio n s f r o m th ere.
( T h o s e o f y o u w h o h a v e a tte m p te d to re a d th e fu tu re w i l l g e t a h in t
here th a t an ev en t can b e a p p reh e n d e d o n a su p erio r p la n e t (plane)
b e fo re it d escen d s to th e n e x t plane.)
(A lg i = a lgeb ra, m a ta n t = m a th em a tics.)
A r c h a n g e l A lg im a ta n t is th e e n g in e e r o f th e c o rp o re a l stru c tu re
f th e m e g a lo c o s m o s . A r c h a n g e l A lg im a ta n t to ld us th at th e s p lit o f f
parts lo s t th e ir m o m e n tu m b e fo r e th e y c ro s s e d th e lin e o f lim it to at
tra ctio n . (Y o u w ill r e m e m b e r that th e c e n te r o f each p la n e t is th e f o
cus o r in te r s e c tio n o f c e r ta in forces.) W i t h th e result th at t h e y b egan

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to fa ll to w a r d earth . B u t th e p la n e t w a s m o v in g and so th e y fe ll in to
th e " l a w o f c a c h in g u p . ( N o w b o th th e se la w s

o f fa llin g a n d c a tch

in g u p a re p rese n t in us. A n d it is n e ce ssa ry th a t o u r c e n te r o f g r a v ity

sh o u ld a lw a y s m o v e fast e n o u g h to p r e v e n t I

fr o m fa llin g e n tir e ly

u p o n it. B y p o n d e r in g y o u can p erh ap s fin d th is re la tiv ity .)

G l o r y b e th at it has fa lle n o u t so. F o r it w il l a lw a y s b e so th at th e
m o o n w i l l a lw a y s b e b o t h fa llin g and c a c h in g u p , b u t it w i l l n ever
c a tch u p a n d fa ll u p o n it. ( I is sep arated fr o m it b y a ccid e n ta l
c o n ta c t w i t h th is m e th o d .)
T h e a rc h a n g e l c o n c lu d e d th at t h o u g h th e se fra g m e n ts c o u ld fo r
th e p re se n t k e e p th e ir p la ce s, th e re m ig h t la te r e v e n tu a lly o c c u r a ca
ta stro p h e .
( O n e o f t h e d a n g ers o f h e a r in g this m e t h o d and u n d e rs ta n d in g it is
p r e c is e ly th is d an ger.)
A n d it p r o v e d u p o n in v e s tig a tio n th a t th e fu n d a m e n ta l p iece
s h o u ld s u p p ly to th e s m a lle r fra g m e n ts a c e rta in sacred v ib r a tio n and
th e c o m m is s io n d e c id e d t o p e titio n his E ndlessn ess fo r p e rm is s io n to
m a k e c e r ta in a rra n g e m e n ts. (V o lu n ta r y s u ffe rin g and c o n s c io u s labor.)
S o th e m o o n receive s n o t o n ly d ire ct f r o m th e sun b u t also fro m
th e e a r th th r o u g h is o r g a n ic k in g d o m c e r ta in n ecessa ry substances
o r v ib ra tio n s . In o th e r w o r d s a sp ecial k in d o f o r g a n ic k in g d o m is
n ee d e d o n th is p la n e t o n ly . In o rd e r to k e e p th e I fr o m f a llin g b ack
o n ce it is sp lit o f f fr o m i t , ce rta in c o n s c io u s la b o r a n d v o lu n ta r y
s u ffe rin g is n ecessary.
T h e A r c h a n g e l P s y c h a rc h y d e cid e d in v i e w o f th is fo r e s e e n n eces
s ity to set o f f to secu re p e rm issio n fr o m H is E ndlessn ess. H e blessed
it, th e p r o je c t, and g a v e H is p e rm issio n . (So I d o es n o t cre a te b u t
H is o v e r s ig h t, co n s e n t a n d blessin gs are n ecessary.)
O f th e t w o fr a g m e n ts w r e n c h e d f r o m th is p la n e t, o n e o r ig in a lly
w a s c a lle d L u n d e r p e r z o a n d n o w is c a lle d m o o n an d th e se co n d is
called A n u lio s . T h e b e in g s o f A tla n tis k n e w o f th e s e c o n d fra g m e n t
and c a lle d it A n u lio s t h o u g h o c c a s io n a lly th e y c a lled it K im e sp a i,
m e a n in g o n e w h o d o e s n o t a llo w o n e t o slee p in peace.
(I w is h y o u w e r e fa m ilia r w it h a c e rta in w r it in g o f M e r e d it h s in
w h ic h a c o u r t a tten d an t w a s c a lled th e D is c o u ra g e r o f H e s ita n c y . H is
d u ty w a s w h e n h e saw s o m e o n e n o t p e r fo r m in g his d u ty , t o c u t o f f
his h ea d . I in v ite y o u t o re m e m b e r m o m e n ts ju s t b e fo r e y o u have
g o n e t o sleep d u rin g w h ic h fo r an in sta n t y o u w e r e tr o u b le d b y the
th o u g h t o f h o w little y o u h a d d o n e th a t day.)
B u t th e p rin c ip a l rea so n w h y th e s e c o n d m o o n le t is n e v e r seen is
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that th e ir g r a n d m o th e r n e v e r to ld th e m o f s u ch a little m o o n . I f o n e
o f th e m s h o u ld see it t h r o u g h th e te le s c o p e , th e y w o u ld p a y n o at
te n tio n to it, th e y w o u ld say it w as ju s t an a ste ro id . ( I f a n y o n e sh o u ld
find in h im s e lf re m o rse a ch e fo r p e r fe c t io n h e w o u ld r e d u c e it to
s o m e th in g sp ecu la tiv e.)
N o n e o f th e b ein g s a re e v e r lik e ly e v e n t o see it. F o r w e are fallen
u p o n a t im e w h e n r e m o r s e , asp iratio n , e t c . b ecau se o f p s y c h o a n a ly
sis, b e h a v io r is m , e t c . n o lo n g e r g ra n te d m e a n in g . T h e r e is a seco n d
sa tellite o f th e earth , in v is ib le b u t n e v e rth e le s s ex e rc isin g a rea l effe ct
u p o n u s a n d u p o n th e e a r th . S o w h e n th e e c lip se r e c e n tly w a s a f e w
seco n d s la ter, it w as s u g g e s te d that th e o t h e r sid e o f th e m o o n w h ic h
w e n e v e r see m a y b u lg e a n d th r o w o u t in th is w a y th e c a lc u la tio n s o f
the a stro n o m e rs . B u t la b o r an d suffer w e m u s t. T h a t is o u r fa te . B u t
this n e c e s s a ry la b o r a n d su ffe rin g can b e c o m p e n s a te d fo r b y re n d e r
in g a b e in g here a m a n n a s w h ic h is a b e in g grea te r th a n an a n g el.
WHY

m e n ARE N O T M E N .

M o o n in us is n o t p e r s o n a lity . B u t w e a re slaves o f o r f o o d f o r th e
m o o n . Y e t it is p o ssib le t o p red ig est th a t f o o d and e x tr a c t f o r o u r
selves c e r ta in a d v a n ta g e s. In L o n d o n , O u s p e n s k y w as a sk e d : W h a t,
in fa ct, is m a n fo r ? H e c a lm ly re p lie d : T o fe e d th e m o o n . T h is
s o u n d e d so c ra z y to t h e m th a t it h a lted th e ir im a g in a tio n f o r som e
tim e. S o so m e o n e o f u s m a y u n d e rta k e a c o n s cio u s la b o r a n d v o l
u n ta r y s u ffe rin g that w i l l r e lie v e th e b e in g s h ere o f an e n o r m o u s
a m o u n t o f o th e r w is e n e c e s s a ry la b o r a n d s u ffe rin g . S o th e se a rch fo r
the G o ld e n F leece, P erseu s, e tc.
H e r b e r t w o l m e r : Y o u said last y e a r th a t i f a great m a n y p e o p le

p ra ctic e d th is m e th o d f u l l y it m ig h t be d isa stro u s.

orage

: Y e s, i f a g re a t m a n y p e o p le c o m m e n c e d to fe e d th e sun it

m ig h t c a u s e a co sm ic d is a s te r b u t this is n o t p o ssib le p r a c tic a lly . A n

o th e r fu n c t io n o f m a n is t o cease fe e d in g th e m o o n an d o n l y feed
the su n b u t th en a g a in th a t is c o n d itio n e d o n th e q u a n tity o f th e
n ecessa ry su b stan ce a v a ila b le and it is lim it e d . It is n o t p o s s ib le fo r
v e r y m a n y p e o p le to e v e n b e g in to p r a c tic e th e first th ree step s o f this
m e t h o d s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , p a rticip a tio n

a n d E x p e r im e n t a tio n to

say n o t h in g o f c o n s cio u s la b o r and v o lu n t a r y su ffe rin g . S o th e p o s

s ib ility o f th is w o r k is a lw a y s lim ite d sa y as th e q u a n tity o f ra d iu m
is lim ite d . (T h is c e r ta in ly re lie v e s m y e m o tio n s o f w o r r y o v e r m y fe l-

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l o w b e in g s .) B u t, p r a c tic a lly n o o n e n e e d fe a r th at th e re w i l l n o t be
e n o u g h o f th e n ecessa ry c h e m ic a ls a v a ila b le fo r his o w n use.
W e ll, m y b o y , so th e A r c h a n g e l P s y c h a rc h y p rese n ted th e p la n to
H is E n d lessn ess w h o b le ssed it and said B e it S o . T h e n th e w o r k o f
th e o r g a n ic k in g d o m b e g a n . S o th e a rch a n g e ls a rran ge d th e law s o f
th ree a n d sev en so th at th e y c o u ld w o r k in d e p e n d e n tly o n th a t p la n e t.
A m o n g th e b ip e d b e in g s th e re w a s a b e in g c a lle d m an.
E p ta p a ra b a rsh in o k m ea n s o n l y seven m a k in g o n e. T r ia m a s ik a n o k
m ean s th r e e m a k in g o n e . O n th is p la n e t o n l y th e la w o f se v e n , i.e . th e
la w o f e v o lu t io n , p r o c e e d e d in d e p e n d e n tly o f, as w e ll as c o n c u r r e n tly
w it h th e la w o f th ree (la w o f p s y c h o lo g y ) t h o u g h o n o th e r plan ets
these o n l y p r o c e e d in te r d e p e n d e n tly , w h ile h e re in d e p e n d e n tly b u t
c o n c u r r e n tly . B u t p s y c h ic a lly s p e a k in g , d u e to this, w e h a v e a d if
fe re n t e x is te n c e h ere. D o y o u r e m e m b e r a d ia g ra m ca lle d th e en n eagram ? I f y o u take ea ch p o in t o f th at tr ia n g le as d o an d as p la c e fo r
a s h o c k , y o u w il l fin d fa is o k a y b u t si s h o c k is n o t j u s t r ig h t. T h is
in d ica tes th a t w h e n e v e r th e si sh o ck is n e ce ssa ry w e m u s t h u r r y in
o rd e r t o m a k e it c o m e in at th e rig h t p la ce .

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12:30

O N THE T R A I N H O M E

D ear H u g h (Ferries),
I have sp e n t this e v e n in g a ro u n d th e b ig ta b le at tw e n ty - s e v e n W est
S ix t y -s e v e n th S treet w i t h Ilo n k a , W im a n d G e r tr u d e , g o in g o v e r t o
g e th e r o u r n o tes o f th e t w e n t y - f o u r t h m e e t in g (sh o w n a b o v e ). It is,
o f all th in g s , th e m o st s tim u la tin g . T o fin d th r e e a ctiv e m in d s w o r k
ing w it h g r e a t seriou sn ess a n d p u rp o se o n th e se ideas. S e v e ra l tim es
w e w e r e s to p p e d b y a se n te n c e o n e o f u s h a d read. Y o u k n o w w h a t
I m ean? A m in g le d e m o t io n o f j o y , r e v e re n c e , d e lig h t, a w e , e tc .? A n d
shared!?! T h a t s w h a t in cre a se s th e e m o tio n in a m a th e m a tic a l p r o
gression. Y o u are, o f c o u r s e , m issin g a ll th is an d m u st b e t o so m e
e x te n t r e g r e ttin g it. I a m n o t j u s t tr y in g to ru b it in b u t b y th is to
(G od w illin g ) p erh ap s e n a b le y o u to r e d o u b le y o u r e ffo rts t o a c c o m
plish th e firs t th ree stages o f th e m e th o d .
T h e r e are th ree o r fo u r d ru n k s in at th e e n d o f this car G o d bless
us, h o w te r r ib le th e y lo o k . O n e is o b v io u s ly p u g n a c io u s as I a m w h e n
d ru n k t h o u g h o f c o u rs e h e seem s c ru e l a n d d iffe re n t fr o m m y c o n
cep t o f m y s e lf. O n e is v e r y a m ia b le and fr ie n d ly .
H u g h , w h a t d o th e se v e n m a jo r p lan ets d e n o te in m o o d s?
V en u s lo v e ?
S a tu rn ?
N e p tu n e ?
M e r c u r y w il l fo r s e rv ic e ?
E a rth lu st?
J u p ite r w il l to search?
M a rs w i l l to o v e r c o m e .
(S a g itta riu s T h e H u n te r .)
T h is e ffo r t m akes m e r e m e m b e r that I m u s t s tu d y R o g e t s T h e s a u
rus.
I m u st g o fin d Ilse o n th e tra in to g e t h e r n o te s o f th e O r a g e g r o u p
I did n o t a tte n d to n ig h t.

Shertn.

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7 F E B R U A R Y 1927
I tr ie d a n e x p e r im e n t last w e e k in o r d e r to see h o w lo n g it is p o s
sible f o r s o m e o f y o u to re ta in y o u r a tte n tio n o n a su b je c t w h ic h has
n o m a te ria l c o u n te r p a rt. T h o s e w h o lasted th r o u g h o n e h o u r ? tw o
h o u r s g o o d , th ree h o u r s g o o d p u p il, fu r th e r g o o d . In u n d e r
s ta n d in g , as I h ave b e e n a b le w it h th e h e lp o f G u r d jie ff, an o cca sio n a l
se n te n ce in th e b o o k , I la te r fo u n d it d iffic u lt and o fte n im p o s s ib le to
g e t a n y m e a n in g fr o m it. F o r it n e e d e d e x a c t c o n t e x t a n d c o n t in u ity
o f th e id eas in th e b o o k f o r fu ll c o m p r e h e n s io n .
T h e b o o k is an e p ic d ia lo g u e , th e c h a ra cte rs are o f a c e r ta in e le v a
tio n , p e rh a p s a little a b o v e h u m a n s, i.e . th e y are lik e o u r s e lv e s as w e
m a y b e fo r an in stan ce o r lo n g e r b u t th e se b e in g s are a b le t o m a in tain
th e m s e lv e s in su ch a state. B e e lz e b u b is a f u lly a c tu a liz e d h u m a n b e
in g . B e e lz e b u b b e g in s in a p o s itio n o f c o m p le te is o la tio n n o t m e re ly
fr o m h is p h y sica l b o d y b u t h e a tte m p ts t o o b se rv e th e w h o le m a
te ria l u n iv e r s e , i.e . G o d s b o d y . So B e e lz e b u b d isc rim in a te s b e tw e e n
I a n d it as w e ll as b e tw e e n B e e lz e b u b an d th e u n iv e rs e . S o as he
is a b le to pass at w ill th r o u g h th e c o s m o s , w e s h o u ld b e a b le to pass
fr o m p la n e t to p la n e t, e tc . A n d in his re p lie s th e re is a lw a y s im p lie d a
c e rta in a ttitu d e in th e fa c t th at he sp eaks o f th e w h o le u n iv e rse h a v
in g a p u r p o s e and h e m o r e o r less u n d e rsta n d s it. A n d b e in g s are an
a g e n c y . In fa ct, th e w h o le m a teria l u n iv e r s e has a lo g ic a l d esig n fo r
th e p u r p o s e o f fu lfillin g a p e r fe c t ly re a so n a b le o b je c tiv e . T h is p u r
p o se is in te llig ib le a n d n o t irra tio n a l. A n d in so far as th is u n iverse
fu lfills th is p u rp o se , it is th e r e b y g o o d o r b ad , n o t e v il.
A n d w e h a ve a m a te ria l b o d y . T h e first th in g that o n e c a n tr u ly say
is, I h a v e a b o d y , th e n a fte rw a rd , f o r w h a t p u rp o s e d o I h a ve it?
B u t w e d iffe r fr o m B e e lz e b u b in th a t h e can lo o k o v e r th e co sm o s
and say, th ese th in g s h a v e a use fo r m e b u t y o u (w e) d o n o t k n o w
w h y th e cre a tu re b e a rin g y o u r n am e e x ists .
W h a t v a lu e has y o u r b o d y fo r y o u ? W h a t each o f us h as o f va lu e
to e x t r a c t fr o m o u r u n iv e rs e w ill b e c o m e cle a r to us. It h as a p o te n
tial v a lu e o f th e e x tr a c tio n o f a p a r tic u la r v a lu e w h ic h is o b je c tiv e
re a so n d iv in e reason fr o m th e e x p e r ie n c e o f th is (y o u r ) b o d y . So
B e e lz e b u b m akes th is s u r v e y o f th e b o d y fo r H assein f o r th e p u r
p o se o f a id in g h im to estab lish a s c h o o l fo r th e e d u c a tio n o f souls to
u n d e rsta n d w h a t th e g a m e is, w h a t th e o b lig a tio n o f G o d is to keep
th e u n iv e r s e in e x is te n c e . O n l y th o se w h o rea ch an u n d e rs ta n d in g o f
w h a t th e g a m e is can b e c a lle d souls.
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T h e r e are o th e r p la n e ts a n d solar s y s te m s G o d is n o t s ta k in g e v
e r y th in g o n th e resu lts o n th is p la n e t. B u t H a ssein d isc o v e rs th a t p e r
haps th is p la n e t is in s o m e w a y s u n iq u e.
S o th e p la n e t ea rth w a s p r e m a tu r e ly d e liv e r e d o f its s a te llite , m o o n ,
and an u n u s u a l m e th o d o f fe e d in g and c a r in g fo r th e e a rth c h ild had
to b e a rra n g e d . So sun s h a v e plan ets a n d p la n e ts h a v e m o o n s .
S o th e B o o k o f G e n e s is w as n o t w r it t e n b y d u m b f o o ls , b u t it
w as w r it t e n b y so m e p e o p le c o n fr o n te d b y th e sam e facts th a t w e are
c o n fr o n te d w ith . W e k n o w th at e v e r y t im e w e su rv e y o u r b e h a v io r
fo r o n e d a y , w e m u st a d m it that w e h a v e a c te d lik e p o lt r o o n s , c o w
ards, stu p id fo o ls b u t s o m e h o w w e d o n o t a p p ly to o u r s e lv e s such
an im p a rtia l estim ate o r ju d g m e n t . S o w e g o q u ite c o m f o r t a b ly to
sleep e v e r y n ig h t.
W e k n o w that fo r th o u s a n d s o f yea rs m e n h ave b een o n e a rth , in
E g y p t a rt and scien ce , in G r e e c e p h ilo s o p h y , in C h in a p e rso n a l
in te r c o u r s e , i.e. so c ie ty . B u t w h y has n o n e o f th is c o m e d o w n to us?
W h y are w e n o t th e h e irs o f all ages? In ste a d o f as w e are, a p e o p le
w h o h a v e c lim b e d u p f r o m p ra c tic a lly a b la n k . A ft e r ea ch c iv iliz a tio n
a b a rb a ro u s sp o n g e w ip e s cle a n th e slate o n w h ic h th at s o lu tio n ap
p eared . O r ta k in g it th a t w e are h u m a n b e in g s o f at least 6,000 years
o f e x is te n c e , w e s h o u ld b e , so to sp eak, o n th e sh o u ld e rs o f o u r fo rb earers b u t c a n n o t o u r s e lv e s su cceed th a t so m e o n e can ?

If I am a politician, w hy do I think, knowing that I cannot in the

smallest respect reform myself, that I can by a League o f Nations re
form the world?
I h a v e b e g g e d y o u to m a k e a su rv e y o f m e n o n this p la n e t as th e y
rea lly a re , fo r e x a m p le , h e r e are five m a in races, five m a in c o n tin e n ts ,
150 n a tio n s , 2,000 d iffe r e n t la n g u a g es o n th e earth . N o w ta k e these
sorts o f t h in g s m ake a s u r v e y call th e m b e in g s , n o t m e n , b u t c a m
els o r k a n g a r o o s o r a n y t h in g . N o te th a t a ll o f th e m are m e c h a n ic a l
and p e rh a p s b e c o m in g m o r e so. (M o re so , i f p o ssible.) I f y o u d o this
and d o it su cce ssfu lly y o u w i l l b e g in to u n d e rs ta n d th e p o in t o f v ie w
o f B e e lz e b u b . It is n e c e s s a ry to u n d e rsta n d th is w h y m e n are n o t
m en . In o n l y o n e resp e ct d o w e d iffer f r o m a n im a ls th a t w e possess
reason in c lu d in g th e u se o f w o rd s . B u t a m a n sh o u ld b e o n e w h o u n
d erstan d s w h y h e is a liv e .

So sheep do not understand that they live for mutton and wool.
Suppose I say to a sheep: You exist to provide mutton and w ool.
But the sheep says: I dont understand. So Beelzebub says: You are
food for the sun and the m oon. But you reply, I dont understand.
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O n e has t o p la y th e g a m e o f life in t e llig ib ly . W h a t w o u ld y o u th in k

o f a m a n w h o sat d o w n to p la y chess an d p la y e d a c c o r d in g t o th e rules
o f b r id g e o r p in g - p o n g ? S o at b ir th w e r e c e iv e a set o f card s and w e
say p la y . B u t n o o n e o f us k n o w s h o w t o p la y th e m . W e d o n t k n o w
th e g a m e . S h e e p , a lea st, see th e sh e p h erd b u t w e d o n o t see e v e n any
s u p e rio r b e in g s n e v e r h a v e seen an a rc h a n g e l o r ------at lea st I n ever
h ave. W e h a v e n o s u p e rio rs b u t w e are n o t o u rse lv e s s u p e rio r.
S o in th e B o o k o f G e n e s is th e y trie d to e x p la in th e fa ll o f m a n . B u t
w e d o n t e v e n t r y to e x p la in it f o r n o w it n e v e r o c c u rs t o us th a t any
e x p la n a tio n is n ecessa ry . B u t in th e B o o k o f G en esis it says th a t m en
su c c u m b e d to th e ir in s tin c tiv e b o d ie s th a t th e y d e c id e d t h e y c o u ld
gain k n o w le d g e and u n d e rs ta n d in g w it h o u t e ffo rt. S o t h e y ceased e f
fo r t an d s o o n fo u n d th e m se lv e s o u tsid e p arad ise. W e are n o t d isc h a rg
in g h u m a n fu n ctio n s .
B u t h o w to m a k e s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n im p o r ta n t? O n l y b y m a k in g th e
n e c e s s ity f o r e ffo rt to g e t o u t o f a m o st u n d e sira b le and p o ig n a n t situ
a tio n , m o s t o b v io u s an d a p p a ren t. So th e b o o k w a s w r it t e n .
T h e m y t h says th a t b u t fo r th e a cc id e n t o f th e c o m e t K o n d o o r c o l
lid in g w i t h th is p la n e t w e s h o u ld n o t b e d iffe re n t. A n d in b re a k in g it
in to th r e e p ie ce s, t w o w e r e sp lit o f f so e x tr a e ffo rt is n e c e s s a ry n o w
o f th is p la n e t. W h y d id s u ch a c a ta stro p h e o c c u r? B e ca u se th is p lan et
is o f s u c h a n atu re th a t th is cata stro p h e w il l alw a y s r e c u r a n d e v e ry
b e in g o n th is p la n e t w il l a lw a y s b e a ffe c te d b y it and in j u s t th is w a y .
T h e y w i l l rep e at th e sam e cata stro p h e th a t o c c u rr e d to th is earliest
p r o g e n it o r earth .
So t w o p arts w e r e s tr u c k o f f fr o m u s se lf-c o n scio u sn e ss and co s
m ic -c o n s c io u s n e s s i.e . c o n scio u sn ess o f o u r b o d ie s a n d o f t h e w o r ld
w e liv e in . S o a so rt o f fe e d in g is n e c e ssa ry o f th e m o o n (s e lf-c o n
sciousn ess) an d A n u lio s (c o sm ic -c o n sc io u s).
W h e t h e r th e m y th is tr u e o f E a rth M o o n A n u lio s , it is appar
e n tly a n d o b v io u s ly tru e o f I b o d y se lf-c o n scio u sn e ss a n d c o s m ic
c o n scio u sn ess.
S o B e e lz e b u b has b y e ffo r t a tta in ed a co n s cio u s n e s s th a t e v e n angels
w h o h a v e n e v e r h ad to g o th r o u g h su ch an e x p e rie n c e n e v e r can p o s
sess a d u a l b e in g . S o w e can b e c o m e n o t ju s t a n g e l-b e in g s b u t v e r y
so p h istic a te d b e in g s. B e e lz e b u b k n o w s th e fe e lin g o f g la d n e ss n o t
o n ly h a p p in ess.
T h o s e o f y o u w h o k n o w a n y th in g o f p s y ch o a n a ly sis w i l l h ere see
an a n a lo g y in regard to h e r e d ity i.e. in p s y ch o a n a ly sis y o u start w ith
th e p r e m is e th a t th e re is a c o n s cio u s an d a su b co n scio u s.
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w h y m e n are n o t m e n . . . w e are th e p la n e t e a r th w it h t w o satellites

u n a c tu a liz e d . ( W h y m e n a re b ein g s w i t h t w o p o te n tia litie s w h ic h
have n a m e s b u t n o a c tu a lity .)
T h e fa c t is that a m o n g th o se b ip ed b e in g s w h o m y o u c a ll slugs
(w h y s lu g s ? b ecau se o n l y in s tin c tiv e c e n te r is d e v e lo p e d ) a n d since
th e y h a d th re e brains a n d d u e to fa v o ra b le circu m sta n ce s th e re b ega n
to b e f o r m e d in th e m m e c h a n ic a l reaso n . (F o r in stan ce it is p o ssib le
to u n d e rs ta n d that w e a re a u to m a tic. B e h a v io r is m is a v e r y a n cie n t
k n o w le d g e .)
W h e n th e c o m m is s io n u n d e r A r c h a n g e l P sy c h a rc h y d e s c e n d e d to
earth a g a in to m ake c e r ta in m e a su rem en ts, th e y n o tic e d th e fo r m a
tio n o f th is m e ch a n ica l rea so n and d e c id e d t o ta k e steps. S o i f m en
w ill n o t b y v o lu n ta r y la b o r and v o lu n t a r y su ffe rin g t r y to g a in fo r
th e m se lv e s o b je c tiv e re a so n an d g e n u in e w i l l , th e n th e y m u s t b e m ade
to su ffe r in v o lu n ta r ily .
S o th e s e b ein g s m ig h t b y m ec h a n ic a l re a so n d isc o v e r th e ir state and
also th e p o s s ib ility o f h ig h e r states o f c o n s cio u s n e s s an d t h e y w o u ld
th en r e v o lt and cause us (th e arch an gels), a g r e a t d eal o f tr o u b le . S o i f
w e c o u ld r e a lly feel w h a t w e n o w k n o w th a t w e are in e v e r y p o ssib le
w a y th e re su lt o f in h e r ita n c e and e n v ir o n m e n t w e s h o u ld at o n ce
c o m m it su ic id e o r g o m a d o r b e c o m e ------ .
S o b e h a v io r is m w ill u n d o u b t e d ly s o o n a ffe c t th e y o u n g m e n o f
this c o u n t r y so that th e y w i l l in in c re a sin g n u m b e rs c o m m it su icid e
and m u r d e r and e n g a g e in ru th less w a rfa re .
S o i f th e se b ein g s r e a liz e d (i.e. e m o tio n a lly ) th e ir state. B u t th e
c o m m is s io n a ttach ed an o r g a n w h ic h re v e rs e d e v e r y t h in g in th e ir es
tim a tio n a n d also m a d e t h e m e n g a g e in c e r ta in fo rm s o f illu s o r y p u r
suit o f p le a su re . It so u n d s r id ic u lo u s to say th a t th ere w a s p u t at o n e
tim e in t o th e a tm o sp h ere o f th is p la n e t a c e r ta in c h e m ica l th a t w o u ld
so a ffe c t th e b ein g s o n th is p la n e t. W e ll, it is j u s t th at w h ic h h a p p e n e d .
S u p p o se w e created o n th is ea rth m o re r a d iu m , w h a t w o u ld b e th e
effect?
E le c t r ic it y is m a tter a n d j u s t as th e air m ig h t b e d e n u d e d o f its v a lu
able n it r o g e n b y a c e rta in a c tio n o f p la n t -life , it is p o ssib le to d e n u d e
the e a r th o f e le c tr ic ity , a n d e v e r y o n e o f o u r m o v e m e n ts req u ires
e le c tr ic ity , a m o n g o th e r e n e rg ie s .

[C a rl Zigrosser says that G u rd jieff said the ancient Greeks knew o f electric
ity hut chose not to use it.]
W e p a y f o r all o f o u r m e c h a n ic a l c o n tr iv a n c e s (so -ca lled im p r o v e tnents.) S o i f th e re be u se d t o o m u c h e le c t r ic it y o n th e su rfa c e o f th e

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ea rth , it w i l l e ffe ct u s, f o r e v e r y o n e o f o u r p rese n t m o v e m e n ts o f

b o d y is e le c tr ic .
S o th e A r c h a n g e l P s y c h a rc h y used his c h e m ic a l k n o w le d g e to a c
c o m p lis h s o m e th in g th a t w e are n o w u n c o n s c io u s ly a c c o m p lis h in g
b y th e r id ic u lo u s m isu se o f e le c tr ic ity .
Y o u h a v e h ea rd o f th e sep a ra tio n o f c e n te rs b y eth er, b e in g k n o c k e d
in sen sib le, e tc . and y o u can in an e x tr e m e sta te o f in t o x ic a tio n b e d o
in g s o m e th in g o f w h ic h y o u are u tt e r ly u n a w a re . W h y th e n d o e s this
state see m in c o m p re h e n s ib le to us? A ll o u r ce n te rs are at p re s e n t sepa
rated, v e r y , v e r y c a r e fu lly sep arated, h e n c e t w o cen ters d o n t fu lfill
th e ir fu n c t io n th e e m o tio n a l c e n te r s r e a liz a tio n o f th in g s w e k n o w
an d th e se c o n d is th e u n d e rs ta n d in g o f w h y w e are alive.
W e a ll k n o w w e are g o in g t o d ie. W h y d o w e n o t e m o t io n a lly rea l
iz e it? S u p p o s e y o u w e r e in c h a rg e o f th e a n im a l k in g d o m a n d had
to d e c id e w h e t h e r o r n o t th e y w e r e to h a v e th e k n o w le d g e th a t th e y
m u st d ie. W h a t w o u ld y o u d o a b o u t it? N o o n e c o u ld p o s s ib ly d e c id e
to g iv e it t o th e m .
So L o o is o s d e c id e d to p u t o u r re a liz a tio n , i.e . e m o tio n a lly , in t o an
a irtig h t c o m p a r tm e n t an d c o n s e q u e n tly w e can n eve r r e a liz e o u r
state.
So t o o w e e n g a g e in illu s o r y p leasu res, b eca u se w e d o n o t u n d e r
stand w h y w e liv e . W e k n o w o u r b o d ie s m u s t p e rish b u t w e liv e
fo r th e m at least 99 p e rc e n t o f th e tim e . B u t w e have a h o p e th a t th e
rea so n a b le p a rt o f o u r b e in g m a y p e rh a p s c o n t in u e to e x is t, th e re fo re
c o m m o n sen se sh o u ld te ll us t o liv e fo r th is p a rt o f o u rse lv e s. B u t w e
d o n t liv e th a t w a y , d o w e ? N e v e r!!
W h e n w e o v e rh e a r m e n ta lk in g , im a g in e an im a ls m e e tin g a n d c o n
v e rsin g : " J o lly g o o d h u n tin g o v e r th e re , th e d e e r h ere are e x c e lle n t,
su ch taste I n e v e r b e fo r e e n c o u n te re d . A n d as fo r m y b e d , y o u sh o u ld
see it o h , it s grea t. A lw a y s d r y and w a r m . H a v e y o u tr ie d th is n e w
fo o d th a ts c o m e o u t? R a b b its , I b e lie v e t h e y ca ll it. B y th e w a y , have
y o u e v e r seen m y w h e lp s ? S w e e t and m y o ld lad y ? S h e s as y o u n g
lo o k in g as th e d a y e t c .
So L o o is o s co rre sp o n d s t o th e p la n e t S a tu rn w h ic h is th e m y s te r y
p la n e t th a t is b o th g o o d a n d bad. So L o o is o s is also b o th g o o d and
bad. S o w i t h th e h e lp o f th e A r c h a n g e l L o o is o s th e re w a s m a d e to
g r o w in th e h u m a n sp ecies th e o rg a n k u n d a b u ffe r (w e are p e r fe c t ly
sane b e in g s b u t d o p ed ) at th e base o f th e sp in e w h ic h in v e r te d th eir
sense o f v a lu e s.
T h a t is, w e ta k e fo r o u r h ig h e r v a lu e s o n l y in s tin c tiv e v a lu e s , etc.
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A n d th e n A r c h a n g e l L o o is o s t o o k his d e p a rtu re satisfied th a t th e o r

gan w o u ld d o its w o r k w e ll. (R e m e m b e r th a t H a sse in has n o t b een

yet in v ite d t o m a k e a s u r v e y o f m a n , an d so B e e lz e b u b te lls h im o f

these th in g s.)
So o n M a r s h e set u p an o b s e r v a to r y . W e are o fte n asked i f th is is
true, h o w is it th a t y o u can b e a r t o le t th e w o r ld g o o n as it is? A n d th e
rep ly m u st b e : W h a t, c o n s id e r in g th e state o f th e b e in g s h e r e , can
w e do? M u c h b e tte r to re tire t o an e m o tio n a l a ttitu d e o u ts id e ea rth
since w e c a n d o n o th in g , i.e . to an o b s e r v a to r y o b s e r v a tio n p ar
ticip a tio n e x p e r im e n t, e tc.
(T h o s e o f u s w h o are o n S a tu rn are th e rare o n es w h o u n d e rsta n d
the first la w o f lif e L o v e a ll th a t b reath es i.e . a ll w h o share G o d s
em o tio n s a n d so B e e lz e b u b says o n S atu rn . T h e b e in g s u n d e rs to o d
this.)
T o ls to y B e e lz e b u b w a s o n th is p la n e t u n til 1921. A n d h e w a s
struck w i t h th is, th at T o ls to y , w i t h n o m o re k n o w le d g e th a n y o u and
I, n e ve rth eless g o t h im s e lf passed o f f as o n e o f th e w r ite r s o f c o n t e m
p o ra ry r e lig io n . H e w as, so G u r d jie f f says, w h o k n e w h im , a p e r fe c t ly
silly m an. W h y d o w e g iv e o u r c re d e n c e to su c h o r an y p e o p le w h e n
w e have n o t h in g b y w h ic h t o j u d g e th em ?
T h o u g h o n th is p la n e t th e y h a ve c rite ria , th e y n e v e r th in k o f a p
p ly in g th e m to a n y th in g o f a n y im p o r ta n c e . ( W h y d o w e sen d o u r
children to s c h o o l c o n d u c te d as w e k n o w b y fo o ls? ) W h y , sin ce w a r
has a lw a y s b e e n , d o w e e x p e c t i t to van ish ? W e are rea so n a b le b e in g s
under in san e su g g e s tio n s. T h o s e o f us w h o h a v e m e t a n u m b e r o f l it
erary g e n iu se s k n o w w h a t a lo t o f u tte r d u m b fo o ls th e y are. F o r e x
am ple, I h e a r d an in te llig e n t C h in a m a n w it h in th e past t w e n t y - f o u r
hours say: Y o u k n o w th a t b o o k o f H . G . W e lls o n C h in a is s o m e
th in g to b e c o n s id e re d ! W h y , e v e n W ells k n o w s b e tte r th a n th a t.
W h y h a ve I w r it t e n b o o k s n o t b ecau se I can d e lu d e m y s e lf th a t I can
affect m o r e th a n a sm all e n to u r a g e . H o w ? B e c a u s e b e in g s th e m s e lv e s ,
th o u g h th e y k n o w a ce rta in d e g r e e o f a ctu al r e a lity , n eve r a p p ly th e ir
actual k n o w le d g e to c irc u m sta n c e s in w h ic h t h e y m a y fin d th e m
selves. W e ll, th e se b ein g s c a lle d m e n n o w b re e d a lm o st e v e r y w h e r e
on that p la n e t, d iffe r in c o lo r an d fo r m o f b o d y , race and t y p e races
are n o t s u p e rio r and in fe rio r .
(T h ere are sev en m ain c o n d itio n s b y w h ic h th e seven fe a tu re s o f
ne s fa ce a re d e te rm in e d .)
A t th e sa m e tim e th e ir p s y c h e is th e sam e e v e r y w h e r e a n d in par-

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tic u la r, n a m e ly , th e y are all possessed in a h ig h d e g re e o f su g g e s t

ib ility , e v e r y w h e r e illu s tra te d b y a u n iv e rs a l p h e n o m e n a c a lle d w a r.
S o , e v e r y c iv iliz a tio n has su ffered d e a th at th e h an d s o f m a n . A n d
th at is w h y w e d o n o t in h e rit th e b e n e fits o f p r e c e d in g c iv iliz a tio n s .
B e ca u se o f th is s u g g e s tib ility . A n d y o u c a n d o w h a t y o u lik e m ech a n
ic a lly , f o r m as m a n y L e a g u e s o f N a t io n s as y o u lik e o r a n y th in g
else b u t it is n o t c e rta in th a t th e v e r y h ard est w o r k e r s f o r such a
th in g as th e L e a g u e o f N a tio n s , w il l n o t b e a ffected b y th e w a r fever
and te a r d o w n a ll th e y h a v e a tte m p te d to b u ild up.
A s y o u k n o w , a m o n g s t us a h ero is o n e w h o v o lu n t a r ily u n d e rtak es
so m e la b o r fo r th e a d v a n ta g e o f all c re a tio n . (So G u r d jie f f w e n t to the
East a n d su ffe red e v e r y f o r m o f y o g i- t r a in in g and d is c ip lin e and diet,
e tc., a n d h e is in a w a y a h ero .)
B u t o n th a t p la n e t th e w o r d h e r o e x is ts and th o se are c a lle d h ero
w h o d u r in g o n e o f th o s e stages ca lle d w a r , q u ick est a n d m o s t v ig o r
o u s ly e n g a g e in th is w a r. H o w can th is b e? W h y fr o m c h ild h o o d have
th e y b e e n to ld th at h e w h o k ills an e n e m y (i.e. o n e w h o h as b e e n du e
to th e ir s u g g e s tib ility d e n o te d as an e n e m y ) is a h ero .
S o b y c a tc h in g b e in g s y o u n g , th e y are so fille d u p b y w a y o f su g
g e s tib ility th at th is a p p a r e n tly b e c o m e s th e ir c u s to m a ry state.
N e x t c h a p te r B e e lz e b u b s F irst D e s c e n t.
It is in A tla n tis w h e t h e r it e v e r e x is te d o r n o t is t o m e a m atter
o f a b s o lu t e ly n o c o n s e q u e n c e . T o th o s e w h o are in te r e s te d in such
su b jects, e t h n o lo g y , e tc ., an d to su ch o th e r s as m a y b e in te r e s te d w e
w il l rea d th is ch a p te r n e x t w e e k .

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W e tr ie d last w e e k to e sta b lish a p o in t o f v i e w a b o u t th e h u m a n race.
D id th is state o f m in d last? A little o n T u e s d a y , less o n W e d n e sd a y ,
g o n e o n T h u r s d a y o r o n l y a n in te lle c tu a l m e m o r y w it h o u t e m o tio n .
G reat d iffic u lt y in m a in ta in in g an e le v a te d in te lle c tu a l-e m o tio n a l
state. It is a grea t d eal to h a v e e x p e r ie n c e d it fo r a m o m e n t. P arallel
the e ffo r t t o n o n - id e n tify w i t h this c re a tu re w h o is y o u r s e l f an d th e
e ffo rt t o o b s e rv e and n o n - id e n t ify w it h th e species. S am e q u a litie s
and p h e n o m e n a .
In th e b o o k is a h is t o r y o f th e o r ig in o f m a n and an o b je c tiv e d e
s c rip tio n o f h im . T h e s e fa cts are n o t n e w ; b u t are c h a o tic a n d d is o rg a
n ize d w it h in us; th e y are n o t in o u r co n s cio u s n e s s. S u r v e y y o u r o w n
k n o w le d g e o f th e sp ecie s, u s in g o n ly in fo r m a tio n , a lr e a d y o b ta in e d
w ith a v i e w to fo r m u la tin g an d g e n e ra liz in g . C o n s id e r th e fiv e m ain
races. T r y to im a g in e in o n e g e n e ra liz a tio n y o u r a ctu a l k n o w le d g e o f
these fiv e m a in races as t h e y at p resen t in h a b it th e g lo b e , e a c h has h ad
a h is to r y . C a n y o u state th e g e n e ra l c h a ra cte ristics, c o m m o n t o a ll th e
m e m b e rs o f th e h u m a n sp ecies?
S p e c ify in d etail th e d e fe c ts u n d e r w h ic h th e y la b o r n o t lim ite d to
certain races o r c o lo rs , b u t c o m m o n to a ll h u m a n b e in g s. T h e results
o f th e in t r o d u c tio n o f k u n d a b u ffe r. A c a ta s tro p h e sp lit th e p la n e t;
c o n s e q u e n tly e v e r y b e in g o n th e p la n e t rep e a ts its h is to ry . T h e r e re
m ains in u s a certain o b je c t iv e stan dard b y w h ic h w e fin d th e se ch ar
a cteristics d e p lo ra b le :
1. S e lf- lo v e : fr o m t h in k in g o n e s e lf e n title d to th in g s o n e has n o t
earn ed b y c o n s cio u s e f f o r t in e x tr e m e f o r m n arcissism .
2. V a n it y : a b e lie f th a t th e re are e le m e n ts in o u r o r g a n is m o f w h ic h
w e m a y b e p ro u d . N o m a tte r w h a t t h e o r y w e m a y h a ve a b o u t th e ac
cid e n ta l c h a ra cte r o f o u r q u a litie s , w e c a n n o t h e lp b e in g p r o u d .
3. T o u c h in e s s , sen sitiv en e ss. W h e th e r a fa c t is tru e o r n o t.
4. H a tr e d , to w a rd th o s e w h o s e ra d ia tio n s a ffect us u n p le a s a n tly
th o u g h w e r e c o g n iz e it as a w ea k n e ss.

5 - E g o is m , in th e f o r m o f b e lie v in g th a t an o r g a n iz a tio n t o w h ic h I
h ap p en t o b e a ttach ed is s u p e rio r to o th e rs . O f t e n e s p e c ia lly d isp la ye d
in im p u d e n c e in w h ic h w e th in k th at w e , w it h o u t th e q u a lifica tio n s
are b e tte r fitte d to re n d e r s e r v ic e than o th e rs .

These are universal faults. How does it happen we have these traits?
The myth answers: because we are biological products o f an abnor-

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m a l p la n e t. W e are n o r m a lly a b n o rm a l. W e start as a b n o r m a l because

th e se traits are a b n o r m a l to real essen ce.
T h e r e are t w o k in d s o f r e fo rm :

L ocal

U n iv e r s a l

A n y r e fo r m w h ic h m ig h t be b r o u g h t a b o u t in c o n d itio n s o f c iv i
liz a t io n , say in th e

usa

at p resen t w o u l d b e lo c a l and th e e ffe c t o n the

sp ecie s m ic r o s c o p ic . T h e grea t r e lig io u s re fo rm e rs h a v e n o t tried to

c h a n g e a n y g iv e n c u lt u r e ; b u t to c h a n g e th e c h e m is tr y o f th e h u m an
p s y c h e , fo r th e w h o l e sp ecies. T h e le v e l si-d o b e tw e e n m ech a n ical
an d s e lf-c o n s cio u s is th e le v e l o f th is t y p e o f re fo rm . T h e establish
m e n t o f se lf-c o n scio u sn e ss as an in d iv id u a l aim is th e b e g in n in g o f
th e te c h n iq u e o f e v e r y r e lig io u s r e fo r m e r . A l l re fo rm s ta k e th e ir place
in th e o cta v e .
In th e f o llo w in g c h a p te rs w ill be a c r itiq u e o f th e t e c h n iq u e o f reli
g io u s re fo rm s. T h e rest o f th e b o o k w i l l a tte m p t to e v a lu a te m eth o d s
o f a ll r e lig io u s r e fo r m e r s , in c lu d in g J esu s C h r is t fr o m th e p o in t o f
v i e w o f t h e tr a n s fo r m a tio n o f h u m a n e ffo rt.
W h y d o all r e fo r m s d ie o u t? W h y are all results te m p o r a r y ? T h e
p s y c h o lo g y m u st c h a n g e . G iv e n th is m e t h o d and th e m e t h o d o f each
r e lig io u s re fo r m e r , w e can in s titu te a c r ite r io n o f c r itic is m .
T h e first d escen t w a s in h e lp o f a C a r ita s ia n w h o h a d c o m e to this
p la n e t, se e in g th e b ad c o n d itio n s a n d h ad u n d e rta k e n a re fo rm . A
C a r ita s ia n is su ch b e in g as w e w o u ld b e i f w e w e r e n o r m a l. M a n y o f
us m a y b e c o m e C a rita sia n s.
T h is C a rita s ia n fin d s p e o p le s u ffe r in g in ju stice, s w e a tin g to pay
ta x es an d c a r ry o u t p u rp o se s w h ic h h a v e n o th in g t o d o w it h th eir
o w n n eed s. H e u n d e rta k e s refo rm s a n d fails. H e u n d e r t o o k fr o m a
sense o f p i t y to r e fo r m th e w o r ld b y in s titu tin g w h a t h e co n sid e re d
w o u ld b e a h u m a n e f o r m o f g o v e r n m e n t. N o tic e B e e lz e b u b s in d u l
g e n t ly c o n te m p tu o u s a ttitu d e to w a r d s th e fu t ilit y o f th is t y p e o f re
fo r m e r . B e e lz e b u b p u ts H assein o n g u a r d against c e rta in sen tim en ta l
n o tio n s a b o u t th e h u m a n race. T h o s e slu g s h ave d o u b le n a tu res. T h e y
ta lk as i f b u tte r w o u ld n t m e lt in th e ir m o u th s ; b u t w h e n th e y act
th e y are a b n o rm a l a n d m o n stro u s. H a sse in is d estin ed s o m e d a y to a f
fe c t a c h a n g e in th e h u m a n p s y ch e . T h e d e sce n t is a series o f lessons
in w a y s n o t to a p p ro a c h h u m a n b e in g s.
[Orage reads the story.]
B e e lz e b u b is a p p e a le d to fo r th e C a r ita s ia n s fa ilu re w h i c h is tro u -

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b le s o m e to h im s e lf a n d m ig h t b e c a m e so to all. A fa ilu r e o f a reli

g io u s r e fo r m e r has a v e r y b ad e ffe ct. T h e fa ilu re o f C h r is t ia n it y h ad
d o n e m u c h to d isc re d it th e p r in c ip le o f lo v e as a basis o f r e lig io n . It
s h o u ld h a v e su cce ed ed . T h e p r in c ip le o f lo v e in p u rs u it o f k n o w le d g e
is in d isp e n sa b le , y e t c o n s id e r h o w re p e lle n t it is to m a n y in te llig e n t
p e o p le o f c u ltu re b e c a u s e o f its a sso cia tio n .
B e e lz e b u b d escen d s to ea rth , a p a ra lle l w it h H in d u lite ra tu re (cf.
M a h a b h a rata), K r is h n a , th e I , o c c a s io n a lly in te rv e n e s . A ls o th e re is
a p a ra llel w it h th e steps w e m u st ta k e in o b s e r v in g , p a r tic ip a tin g and
e x p e r im e n t.
B e e lz e b u b fle w t o e a r th o n th e sh ip O c c a s io n , th e a p p ro p ria te
m o m e n t, w h e n th e m a x im u m o f m ea n s is p rese n t. W e are seize d b y
o c c a s io n s ; a se lf-c o n s c io u s b e in g seizes o n e . T h e h o m e p o r t o f this
ship w a s M a rs, w h ic h is th e m o o d o f o v e r c o m in g , o f b e c o m in g selfc o n s cio u s . H e la n d ed o n th e c o n tin e n t A tla n tis , w h ic h a fte r w a r d d is
a p p eared .
I f w e re p r o d u c e p s y c h o lo g ic a lly th e h is to r y o f th e p la n e t, w h a t is
A tla n tis in us and w h a t co m p a re s in us t o its e n g u lfin g ? (M a e te rlin ck .)
T h e b u rie d c o n tin e n t in us. E ssen ce is w h a t w e k n o w t o b e tr u ly
us. W e h a v e o n ly a f e w m o m e n ts in o u r life w h e n w e a ct f r o m essence,
m o s t ly w e are a rtificia l. S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n an d p a r ticip a tio n b e g in s to
d isin te r, to b r in g to th e su rfa ce th at b u r ie d p s y c h o lo g y in us.
H is to r ic a l a cc u r a c y not guaranteed.
T h e ca p ita l o f A tla n tis w a s S am n io s. T h is w a s d o m in a n t j u s t as t o
d ay th e in te lle c tu a l s u b -c e n te r o f th e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r. T h is ch ara c
te riz e s o u r c iv iliz a tio n at p rese n t. W e ca n ch a rt a c iv iliz a t io n a cco rd
in g t o its c e n te r o f g r a v it y . C a p ita l in th e b o o k refers to th e ce n te r
o f g r a v it y o f th e d o m in a n t classes.
B e e lz e b u b s y o u n g a n d in e x p e r ie n c e d k in sm a n (o n e w h o had
b e g u n t o o b se rv e his o rg a n ism ), b e c a m e fr ie n d ly w it h K in g A p p o lis
( I h a d b e c o m e fr ie n d ly w i t h i t . ) T h e h u m a n sp ecies in th e ir c h ie f
ce n te r at S am n io s, h a d ta k e n o ffe n se a n d g o t h im s e lf b o u n d (id en ti
fied) w i t h K in g A p p o lis . T h e k in g n e e d e d lo ts o f ta x es. T h in k o f a
w e ll e n d o w e d p e r s o n a lity c o m m itte d to th e n e c e ssity o f m a in ta in in g
fo r its o r g a n iz a tio n th e statu s to w h ic h it is a cc u s to m e d .
PERSONAL APPLICATION?

S u p p o se s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n s h o u ld th re a te n y o u r a b ility to d o y o u r

ch o se n w o r k and k e e p u p o th e r m e c h a n ic a l status, as in te lle c tu a ls ,
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p h ilo s o p h e rs , artists, e tc . T o m a in ta in th is o n e has to p u t o u t a great

e ffo rt, rea d b o o k s , g o p la ce s, see p e o p le e tc . T h is is c o m p a ra b le to th e
la b o r K in g A p p o lis has to e x a c t fr o m his su b jects.
In g e n e ra l h u m a n b e in g s d o n o th in g in rega rd to o b lig a tio n s , v o l
u n ta r ily u n d e rta k e n u n le ss s o m e fear is in d u c e d o f in c u r r in g d islike,
d isfa vo r e tc . o f o th ers. In th e absen ce o f th e p o s s ib ility o f d isa g re e
able co n s e q u e n c e s , w e are te m p te d to a b a n d o n a n y v o lu n t a r y reso lu
tio n , w h e n it b e c o m e s irk s o m e .
W e are w it h o u t m u s c le o f o u r o w n . W e a rtific ia lly c re a te th e se dis
a g re e a b le c o n s e q u e n c e s a n d a ttrib u te th e m to e x te rn a l a g e n c ie s.
K in g A p p o lis spared n o th in g , n o t e v e n h im se lf, n o r h is su b jects
c o m p o n e n t ce lls, lik e a m a n w it h a p a ssio n fo r fa m e in a rt, lite ra tu re ,
o r a n y th in g else. H e h a d a p assio n fo r h is o b je c tiv e . H e u se d threats
and m ea su res. W h a t th rea ts d o y o u use to y o u r s e lf? Y o u m u s t d o this
o r th a t, a p assio n fo r s e lf-d is c ip lin e . W e m a y c a ll o u rs e lv e s th e a rch
d o d g e r. H a s a n y o n e w it h th is passion e v e r a d m itte d in m o m e n ts o f
c a n d o r th e tr ic k s he has e m p lo y e d fo r k e e p in g his o r g a n is m at w o r k
w h e n it w a n te d to sto p ? H o w O r a g e p e rsu a d e d his o r g a n is m fo r fif
te en y e a rs to k eep o n e d itin g th e N e w A g e .
T h is se e m e d u n ju st to th e C a rita s ia n , w h o g r e w in d ig n a n t at th e
k in g a n d to ld h im so. T h e y ta lk e d it o v e r an d m a d e a w a g e r . B y this
th e k in g w a s to e m p lo y o n l y su ch m e th o d s as w e r e a p p r o v e d b y the
C a rita s ia n . T h e n , i f th e c itiz e n s fa ile d t o p a y , th e C a r ita s ia n u n d e r
to o k to m a k e th is g o o d .
(B y -p r o d u c ts w ill c o m e ; b u t I c a n n o t g u a ra n te e a n y im m e d ia te
a d v a n c e m e n t o f v a lu e s o f p e rs o n a lity . T h e r e m a y ev e n b e a te m p o
ra ry d e c lin e .)
question : W ill th e m e t h o d im p r o v e m y e ffic ie n c y in w r it in g , etc?
answer

: Y e s.

question: A t

once?

answer : C a n n o t te ll; m a y b e at o n c e , c e r ta in ly e v e n tu a lly .

question: B u t su p p o se I c a n n o t a ffo rd a n y te m p o r a r y d im in u tio n ?
answer : T h e n d o n o t sta rt th e m e th o d .

T h e C a r ita s ia n p ro m is e d im m e d ia te im p r o v e m e n t. K i n g A p p o lis
a c c e p te d ; h is su b jects s to p p e d p a y in g a n d b e g a n to sn ea k b a c k . (O r
g a n ism g iv e s u p e ffo rt.) B u t th e C a r ita s ia n s v o w w a s v o lu n t a r y . I f
o n e fin d s in an in v o lu n t a r y v o w , a m e c h a n ic a l r e a ctio n , a n d i f in a
v o lu n t a r y v o w a c o n s c io u s re a ctio n , th e la tte r is th ir ty th o u s a n d tim es
stro n g e r.
T h e C a r ita s ia n p a id in a ll h e had (e ffo rt at s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n etc.)
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T h e n h is k in s m e n s o u g h t s tim u la tio n (a tte n d e d gro u p s). H e a p p e a le d

to M a rs. (H is k in sm e n are c e lls in th e m a g n e tic cen ter.) H e w a s a n x
ious a n d a p p e a le d to rea so n . A c o n fe re n c e w a s h e ld . T h is c a n n o t h elp
I . T h e m a c h in e r y b e in g w o u n d u p c a n n o t re tu rn to its o r ig in a l
state. T h e lite ra l a p p lic a tio n o f this seem s t o b e th e e ffe ct o n th e o r
gan ism o f a n y p re m a tu re r e fo r m , an a tte m p t to ch a n g e f o r e x p e r i
m en tal re a so n an y o n e t h in g , f o r a m o ra l re a so n m a y h ave in c a lc u la b le
effects. A n y lo c a l c h a n g e m a y b rin g serio u s c o n s e q u e n c e s w h ic h are
not r e c o g n iz e d as c o n s e q u e n c e s .
K in g A p p o lis is th e c o m m o n sense o f th e w o r ld ; and m u s t n o t su b
m it to a n e m b r y o lo g ic a l, u n d e v e lo p e d I . W e m u s t n o t m a k e e x p e r i
m ents c o n t r a r y to c o m m o n sen se a lth o u g h I is a b e in g o f a h ig h e r
reason. S u c h an e x p e r im e n t is against th e h e a lth o f th e o rg a n is m .
H e lp m e retu rn !!!!!
K in g A p p o lis retired . T h e r e w as a c o n fe r e n c e o f Is, d iscu ssin g
the esca p a d e o f o n e o f th e ir n u m b e r. T h e y a d v is e d K in g A p p o lis to
restore a n in fe r io r fo r m o f g o v e rn m e n t. T h e C a rita sia n t h o u g h t th e
subjects w o u l d m ake an e ffo r t o u t o f lo v e . (S e n tim e n ta lity o f m o d e r n
lib e ra lism , id e a listic a n a rc h ism , K r o p o tk in .) T h e y la b o re d u n d e r th e
illu sio n th a t h u m a n b e in g s are n a tu ra lly j u s t . T h e y are so b y t h e o r y in
o u r m in d s b u t are n o t so in a c tio n . T h e I s a d v is e a re tu r n f r o m an
id ealistic f o r m o f g o v e r n m e n t to o n e ty r a n n ic a l an d rea listic, p e o p le
b ein g w h a t th e y are.
W h y d o e s th e p r o s p e c t, th e p o s itiv e h o p e , o f in cre a sin g o u r c o n
scious p o w e r s act less p o w e r f u ll y as a le v e r o f e ffo r t th an th e fe a r p r o
duced b y d e s c r ip tio n o f o u r d iseased and a b n o r m a l state? L o g ic a lo n e
w o u ld m a k e th e sm all e ffo r t n e e d e d v e r y d esirab le. B u t n o t f r o m a
m ere h o p e can w e g e t th e e n e r g y ; b u t f r o m an e m o tio n a lly u n d e r
stood r e a liz a tio n o f d e c a d e n c e , o f a p p r o a c h in g d ea th , e tc. A sy ste m
o f rew a rd s a lo n e is n o t e n o u g h it is n e c e s s a ry to h ave p u n is h m e n ts
also, e .g . a th rea t o f s ta y in g a w a k e till th e film o f th e d a y is fin ish e d ,
or g e t u p a n d read o r g o w it h o u t breakfast!
A g r e a te r e ffo rt is n e e d e d n o w to re sto re ; a fte r a lap se o f s e lf- o b
serva tio n a m u c h g re a te r e f f o r t is n eed ed . E v e r y o r g a n iz a tio n h as its
o w n c lo c k . T h e d e v e lo p m e n t o f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n is lik e th e g r o w t h o f
a seed; it c a n n o t be static a n d m u st pass t h r o u g h phases in its a llo tte d
tim e o r it w i l l die. W a te r n e e d n o t be g iv e n e v e r y h o u r ; b u t, say, o n ce
a d ay a lib e r a l a m o u n t o f t im e b u t n o t in d e fin ite . I m u st r e c e iv e f o o d
a p p ro p ria te t o each ph ase o r it w ill be im p o s s ib le to g o o n t o th e n e x t,
w ith o u t g o i n g b ack to th e o r ig in a l state.
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W h e n b e g in n in g s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n d e v e lo p m e n t takes p la c e in a pat

te rn a n d w it h a tim e -s c h e d u le ; and w it h in th is tim e p h a se , th e fo o d
o f e ffo r t m u s t b e g iv e n ; else th e n e x t t im e w il l re sp o n d a n e w o r n o t
at a ll. N o o n e k n o w s h o w m a n y seeds th e re are in th e m a g n e tic c e n
te r t w o , th re e , and fo u r ? L im ite d and in g e n e ra l n o t m o r e th a n tw o .
T h is is w h y it is d a n g e ro u s to p r o p o u n d th e m e th o d to s o m e o n e w h o
m a y h e a r it and n o t b e a b le to k eep in th e s e e d -p lo t, t o k e e p a ctiv e ly
in t o u c h o r m a y c o m m it th e sin a gain st th e H o ly G h o s t w h ic h is th e
o n ly sin w h ic h m a y b e c o m m itte d in v o lu n t a r ily , th at is d e s tr o y in g in
a n y b e in g th e last seed o f p o te n tia lity .
T h is tim e is d e te rm in e d b y each o rg a n is m .
W e g o b a c k to th e s to ry .
T h e r e w a s an a tte m p t t o repair, j u s t in tim e , th e tr o u b le w h ic h
h ad b e e n cau sed . T h e g o v e r n m e n t w a s re sto re d to t y r a n n y . D o e s any
o th e r m e t h o d w o r k ? In q u ire in y o u r s e lf. K in g A p p o lis g o t results
w h ic h th e C a rita s ia n c o u ld n o t. T h e C a r ita s ia n fo u n d th is sp ectacle
so d is ta s te fu l th at h e re tu r n e d to M a rs, an d later o n b e c a m e a g o o d
b a iliff, i.e . h e retired t o a s c h o o l to le a rn m o r e o f h im s e lf. A p p ly this
to s o c io lo g ic a l and p e rs o n a l re fo rm .
T h o s e are e n title d to b e so cia l r e fo r m e r s w h o h a v e e x p e r ie n c e o f
h u m a n b e in g s in all states o f e x is te n c e , a ctio n , e m o tio n , e tc. O n ly
su ch a re e n title d to le g is la te o n b e h a lf o f h u m a n k in d . O th e r w is e
th e ir o p in io n is based o n in s u fficie n t k n o w le d g e o r o n in su fficien t
tim e.
Y o u h a v e to k n o w a p e rso n in a state o f s ta rv a tio n , te rr o r, panic,
w e a lth , d ru n k e n n e s s e tc . H is p rese n t sta te is o n ly a te m p o r a r y c rite
rio n . N a iv e t y o f s ty le rep resen ts n a iv e ty o f I s q u e s tio n . C o m p le x
it y w i l l g iv e c o m p le x it y o f s ty le .
T h e n e x t ch a p te r is T h e R e la tiv e U n d e r s ta n d in g o f T i m e . G u r d
j i e f f says: I h a ve b u r ie d in th is b o o k c e r ta in b o n e s, so th a t certain
d o g s w i t h g rea t c u r io s it y an d stro n g sc e n t m a y d ig d o w n t o th e m and
stra n g e th in g , w h e n th e y h a ve d o n e so , are m e n .
E ffo r t is u se fu l to u n d e rsta n d in g .

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I find it a little d ifficu lt u n til I find w h a t y o u r e x p e rie n c e s h a v e b een
d u rin g th e w e e k . I tr ie d last w e e k to in c u lc a te in y o u an e m o tio n a l
in te lle c tu a l a ttitu d e th a t w o u l d a d m it th e a cc e p ta n c e o f th e se ideas. I
am t r y in g t o co m p a re a s im ila r act in o b s e r v in g and n o n - id e n t ify in g
w ith th e o rg a n is m an d a b e in g w h ic h n o n -id e n tifie s fr o m th e w h o le
h u m a n ra c e b u t can m a in ta in that a ttitu d e . A l l th e p h e n o m e n a that
o c cu r in th e u n iv erse o n a sm aller scale b u t d o o c c u r in th is o r g a n
ism o n e s e lf. T h e d iffic u lt y is that th e k n o w le d g e w e r e a lly a ll h a ve is
n ot o r g a n iz e d . W e c a n n o t g e n e ra liz e o n th e h u m a n sp ecies.
G e n e r a liz e m ake a s u r v e y o f th e fiv e races, g iv e th e ch a ra cte ristics
o f e a ch w it h o u t fu r th e r re a d in g ; each has h a d a h is to ry , rep resen ts
an a n t h o lo g y o f c e rta in ch ara cte ristics. W h a t in y o u r o p in io n are th e
gen eral ch ara cte ristics o f th e n atu re o f th e h u m a n species?
T h e b o o k go es f u r t h e r n o t o n ly s u p p o s in g that w e can d o this,
b u t th a t w e can s p e c ify th e d efe cts u n d e r w h ic h w e a ll la b o r . T h e
b reed o f m a n has c e r ta in d e fe c ts and can b e sp ecifie d b y a n y o r d in a r y
m an.
B e e lz e b u b says in o r d e r t o e x p la in w h y w e are and are n o t th is and
that th a t a c o m e t n a m e d K o n d o o r c o llid e d w it h and sp lit th e earth
and at th e sam e tim e b r o u g h t a b o u t a s p lit in b e in g o f th e b re e d o f
m an.
I ask e v e r y o n e to e x a m in e h im s e lf fo r th e se q u alities:
1. S e lf - lo v e th in k in g o n e s e lf e n title d t o ce rta in th in g s ce rta in
d is c rim in a to r y tre a tm e n t f r o m som e s u p e r io r b e in g .
2. V a n it y w e e n te r ta in th e b e lie f th a t w e h a ve in us c e r ta in e le
m en ts o f w h ic h w e are r ig h t l y p ro u d E v e n in th e face o f b e h a v io r is m
w e th in k this.

3 - T o u c h in e s s o r se n sitiv en e ss w e ta k e o ffe n se i f a sta te m e n t

to u ch e s u s, w h e th e r tr u e o r false.

4 - H a tr e d w e h ate th o s e w h o s e v ib r a tio n s are o u t o f h a r m o n y

w ith th o s e w e h ap p en to h a v e .
5 - E g o is m w e b e lie v e th a t th e I w e h a p p e n to id e n tity o u rs e lv e s
w ith is a b e tte r o n e th a n o th e r s . So ea ch th in k s h e can b e o f p e cu lia r
service in c e rta in c irc u m s ta n c e s w h ic h n o o n e else c o u ld p e r fo r m .
W e c la im these th in g s ; t h o u g h th e y are u n iv e rsa l a m o n g m e n . W e
see o u r fa u lts b u t can d o n o t h in g to r e m e d y th e m . W h y ? B e c a u s e w e
are th e h u m a n species, p r o d u c t o f an a b n o r m a l p la n e t, i.e . a b n o rm a l

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now even in normal circumstances. In actual fact the whole human

species begins its existence in an abnormal state.
N ow let us suppose that it is possible to hear a messenger from God
or a reformer. There are two kinds o f reform local and universal. If
a reform occurred in America it would be local. A religious teacher
sets out to establish a change in the psyche o f man. Such a change
could be a lasting change. So Beelzebub is not intent on changing any
number less than the full number. All lesser reforms run down the
scale again. The interval at which a religious teacher attempts to bring
about such a change is si-do.
In the first descent he comes on account o f a certain kinsman who
has prematurely undertaken a religious mission critique o f religious
values. W hy are people as they are? W hy are they so hard to move, so
inaccessible to ideas, w hy do reforms so soon disappear? The practi
cal mission o f any religious teacher is to bring about a change in the
whole human psyche. Can we judge from the results what has been
the result o f each religion and without blasphemy what were the mis
takes o f each?
A being from Karatas will see, as you should all eventually see,
the pitiable state into which the men on this earth have fallen. Taxa
tion without representation. So the kinsman o f Beelzebub undertakes
upon seeing this state o f things but fails and has to call upon Beelze
bub, w ho has remained upon Mars, for help.
Beelzebub is still speaking to Hassein perhaps because he expects
one o f these days o f incarnate upon this planet. He would wish to
know something o f the planet before coming here. So Beelzebub tries
to put Hassein on guard against the influences o f these men they
have two natures one external which looks okay but inside they
are abnormal monstrosities.
I descended several times to the planet earth, and I had to descend
there to aid a kinsman who, by associating with one o f the beings on
the planet earth, had gotten himself in a very serious state.
Beelzebub objective reason. When they had told me all, I saw
that it might be disagreeable to all our kinsmen and to the whole of
our tribe.
W hen we come to the chapter on Christ you will see that since it
was founded on love it should have succeeded, but did not for lack
o f a certain subtlety. At any rate it has become discredited, and one
o f the reasons for casting these principles in a rather repellent form is
that a negative reaction is almost always introduced by the attempt to
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relate knowledge and love. Why? Since to understand truth, love is

absolutely necessary.
So you will find that sooner or later you will find that you too must
take these same steps.
So Beelzebub descends after appropriate preparations to the planet
earth on the ship Occasion, after finding that observation would not
do. (He intervenes at an opportune moment, but we are seized by
an occasion Mars permanent moods o f emotional self-conscious
ness.)
So w e landed on Atlantis, a continent which later sank and disap
peared.
Atlantis is essence or that part o f us which knows what w e are. An
essential act is one w hich we would say was exactly what w e should
always do, and say it wholeheartedly. The whole o f the subsequent
parable applies to us from the moment we begin to practice this meth
od. I.e. the essence begins to reappear as does Atlantis in this history.
Today the dominant characteristics or center o f gravity is in the in
tellectual sub-center o f the instinctive center. (When you hear the
word capital it always refers to the center o f gravity o f the time or
locality.)
The young kinsman had gotten himself into trouble through the
king o f that country, Appolis. I learned that this young kinsman had
become friendly with the king and was frequently in his house.
That is, he became friendly and identified with his organism. So if
by this method I had thought it might be that I could no longer write
or maintain a certain pseudo intellectual grandeur, would I have tak
en it up? So it says that the king Appolis needed a great deal o f money
and a great deal o f labor was necessary. So now we need to do all sorts
o f things and be with all sorts o f things that essentially we dont want
by any means really to do.
Is it true that beings do nothing in general with undertakings vol
untarily assumed? Certainly it is true in my own case. I need to have
a spur in the shape o f some disagreeable consequences or I find my
voluntary resolution extremely difficult to carry out.
I make a resolve to view the happenings o f each day. Unless I tell
someone who will snub me in case I fail, I can hardly manage, i f at
all, to carry out my resolve. So it is recommended that you make your
vows public for the present.
So Appolis was very conscientious about his ideas for the public.
We are quite capable o f a similar state, say an ambition to become a
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grea t a rtist. A p p o lis h a d t o e m p lo y a ll so rts o f m ean s t o in d u c e his

su b jects t o d o th e n e c e ssa ry th in g s, ev e n t o m en aces.
T h e su b je cts ad ded t o A p p o lis th e title o f k in g th a t o f th e a rch
d o d g e r . S o e v e r y o n e uses little trick s t o k e e p h im s e lf at a ta sk . I, fo r
e x a m p le , e d ite d a p a p e r f o r fifte e n y e a rs e v e r y w e e k b y p r o m is in g it
v a c a tio n s , trip s a ro u n d th e w o r ld , rich e s, p o s itio n , e tc. I w a s th e n th e
a r c h - d o d g e r .
W e ll, m y b o y , th e m ea su res u sed b y th e K in g A p p o lis , th e y o u n g
k in sm a n fe lt w e r e v e r y u n ju s t, a b o u t th e lim it . A n d h e e x p re s se d his
v ie w s o n e d a y v e r y fr a n k ly . B u t A p p o lis d id n o t b e c o m e a n g r y as it
is th e c u s to m o n e a rth , b u t th e y ta lk e d it o v e r and a g r e e d o n paper
sig n ed b y th e ir b lo o d (essen tial assent) a n d th e re in m y k in s m a n agreed
to fu r n is h a ll th e m o n e y th a t th e su b jects fa ile d to p r o v id e i f th e pres
en t m e th o d s w e r e a b a n d o n e d .
I u n d e r t o o k that th e re w o u ld b e n o im m e d ia te r e d u c t io n in p e r
son al e ffic ie n c y . B u t th is c a n n o t b e g u a r a n te e d t h o u g h it c o u ld be
g u a ra n te e d th at th e re w i l l b e n o t a n y p e rm a n e n t d im in u tio n o f e f
fic ie n c y b u t o n th e c o n tr a r y . T h e o r g a n is m w il l b e n e fit e v e n tu a lly
b u t n o t n e c e ssa rily in e a ch case im m e d ia te ly .
I f y o u fa il in rega rd to an o a th c o n s c io u s ly ta k en th e c o n s e q u e n c e s
w ill b e 30,000 tim es as g re a t as in resp e ct t o a m e c h a n ic a l o a th .
S o w h e n th e k in sm a n fa ile d an d c o u ld n o t c a r ry o u t h is v o w s , even
e x h a u s tin g th e tr e a s u ry o n M a rs; I c o u ld n o t h e lp fr o m M a rs , b u t
d e sc e n d e d to ea rth . A p p o lis says: Im p a rtia l frie n d s, I p e r s o n a lly am
v e r y s o r r y f o r w h a t has b e e n b r o u g h t a b o u t b u t I a m p e rs o n a lly
h elp le ss t o d o a n y th in g a b o u t it. T h e fa c t is th a t th e m a c h in e r y o f m y
g o v e r n m e n t has b een c h a n g e d and n o w c a n n o t b e reassu red w it h o u t
g rea t d isse n sio n and p e rh a p s r e v o lt u p o n . . . (S o an y in te r fe r e n c e w it h
regard to h a b its w ill b r in g a b o u t serio u s p s y c h o lo g ic a l co n s e q u e n ce s .
B u t it c a n n o t b e, o n c e d o n e , ea sily c h a n g e d b ack .)
I b it t e r ly rep e n t in th e p re se n ce o f y o u a ll th at th e se th in g s have
o c c u rr e d . F o r I o u g h t n o t to h a v e m a d e su c h a p a ct w it h a b e in g w h o ,
a lt h o u g h h ig h e r th a n I in reaso n , is n e v e rth e le ss m u c h less e x p e r i
e n c e d th a n I a m p e rs o n a lly .
S o I a d v is e ea ch o n e o f y o u h ere t o reta in c o m m o n sen se as the
k in g u n t il I has r e a lly g r o w n u p . T h e r e are p e o p le h e r e w h o have
d o n e su c h absu rd th in g s o n th e t h e o r y th a t th e y o u n g I w a s ca
p ab le. N e v e r u n d e rta k e e x p e rim e n ts a g a in st c o m m o n sen se. T h o s e o f
us w h o d o u n d e rta k e s o m e m a d e x p e r im e n ts w ill h a ve to a d m it later
that t h e y w e r e m ad.
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O n c e m o r e I b e g y o u a ll a n d y o u r r e v e re n c e in p a rticu la r t o fo r g iv e
m e an d t o h e lp m e to r e tu r n to that f o r m o f g o v e r n m e n t w h ic h fo r
m e rly . t h o u g h m e c h a n ic a l, fu n c tio n e d in m y k in g d o m . W e d e c id e d
that th e k in s m e n s h o u ld d e c id e . A n d w e d e c id e d to r e c o m m e n d that
K in g A p p o lis resu m e th e e a rlie r fo r m o f g o v e r n m e n t.
So t h in k o f th e lib e ra l fo r m s o f g o v e r n m e n t w h e r e in lo v e is to be
subsided f o r fear. T h e y w o n t w o r k . T h o u g h h u m a n b e in g s are esse n tia lly j u s t . B u t essen ce d o e s n o t p re v a il in us. S o B e e lz e b u b a n d his
k in sm e n a d v is e d r e v e r tin g fr o m d e m o c r a c y to ty ra n n y . ( T h in k here
o f s e llin g life in su ran ce. T h e fo o ls w o n t b u y it. T h e y d o n t k n o w and
d o n t r e a liz e th at th e y m a y d ie to m o r r o w .)
N o t f r o m o u rselv es c a n w e e x tra ct th e e n e r g y to in crease o u r rates
o f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n o n th e c o n v ic t io n th a t th is w ill im p r o v e o u r state,
but i f w e h a v e a c o n v ic t io n o f p u n is h m e n t in case o f fa ilu re w e m a y
do so. T r y to im p o se p e n a ltie s n o b re a k fa s t o r to b a cc o o r ------ fo r
failure. E v e r y tim e y o u cea se to e x e rt e ffo r t to w a r d s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n ,
etc., y o u w i l l have to m a k e a tre m e n d o u s e f f o r t to resum e.
E v e r y o r g a n has its o w n c lo c k o r tim e p r o g r a m . So w h e n s e lf- o b
serva tio n is b e g u n it is e x a c t ly c o m p a ra b le t o th e b e g in n in g o f th e
d e v e lo p m e n t o f a seed. T h is d o es n o t m e a n th a t w a te r m u s t b e g iv e n
to th e see d e x a c t ly at a c e r ta in m o m e n t b u t th at w it h in so m a n y
hours i t m u s t have w a te r . S o w it h s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , a n e w p s y c h o lo g i
cal fu n c t io n b egin s an d g o e s th r o u g h a series o f phases, e a c h w i t h a
tim e lim it . S o n o b o d y k n o w s w h a t th e c o n s e q u e n c e s m a y b e o f in t r o
d u cin g s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n .

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T h e r e is an e ffo rt in th e b o o k to see th e h u m a n sp ecies as o n e w o u ld
a n y o th e r species o f a n im a l. A s i f o n e read a b o o k o n th e d o g , its
n a tu re a n d diseases; h is to ric a l, p h y s io lo g ic a l e t c . th e b e g in n in g o f
o b je c tiv e reason. L a te r w i l l sp eak o f d iv in e reason , i.e . a reason c o n
te m p la t in g th e h u m a n sp ecies and o b s e r v in g to w h a t e x t e n t it fu lfills
o r fa ils t o fu lfill its fu n c tio n s , a fu n c tio n o f th e b e in g in te rm s o f use.
It is n e e d fu l to u n d e rsta n d th e p u rp o s e b e fo r e w e can say w h e t h e r th e
b e in g is o r is n o t fu lfillin g its fu n c tio n , th e fu n c tio n o f th e b e in g in
te rm s o f use.
S u r v e y th e sp ecies t o m a k e c e rta in sta tem en ts a p p lic a b le to a ll h u
m a n b e in g s at all tim e s , e ith e r p o s itiv e o r n e g a tiv e . S u c h a su r v e y has
a lw a y s s h o w n traits r e g r e tta b le , ev e n t o h u m a n reason.
T h e s e w o u ld b e in te r p r e te d b y :
1 . A re lig io u s o b s e r v e r as sin.
2. A p h ilo s o p h e r as stu p id ity .
3. A s o c io lo g is t as d u e to an u n fa v o ra b le e n v ir o n m e n t.
W e d o n o t k n o w w h a t c o n d itio n s a cc o m p a n ie d th e e n d o f e x tin c t
sp ecie s e .g ., m a s to d o n . P erh ap s th e p la n e t n o lo n g e r o ffe r e d fa vo ra b le
c o n d itio n s . P erh ap s th is is tru e o f th e h u m a n species.
W e a d d a p e rso n a l s u r v e y : ea ch in d iv id u a l fin d s h e has b eh aved
fo o lis h , stu p id , an d e v e n m a d . T h e p h ilo s o p h e r m e r e ly n o te s th is and
says: M a n is u n c iv iliz e d a n d u n c iv iliz a b le . T h e r e lig io u s te a c h e r is im
p e lle d to d ea l w it h th is an d t r y to e ffe c t a c h a n g e . T h e g r e a t re lig io u s
te a c h e r is c o n v in c e d th a t th e w o r ld is as it is b u t is n o t y e t c o n v in c e d
th a t it c a n n o t b e c h a n g e d . C a n y o u u n d e rsta n d s y m p a th e tic a lly his
a ttitu d e to this p r o b le m ; h is effo rts to fin d p ro p e r m e th o d s , etc.?
question : F o r

what does man exist?

answer : T o a tta in w it h in h im s e lf o b je c tiv e reason . H a l f o n e s tim e

s h o u ld b e sp en t in p o n d e r in g h o w t o liv e in th e lig h t o f th e reason

a tta in ed .
T h e p r e c e d in g c h a p te r d ea lt w it h th e d a n g ers o f a p re m a tu re a t
te m p t at im p r o v e m e n t. U n t il a lo n g p ro cess o f se lf-a sce rta in m e n t
has b e e n g o n e th r o u g h , an a tte m p t to im p r o v e m a y p r o d u c e a c o rr e
s p o n d in g d e fe ct w h ile r e m o v in g th e d e fe c t in q u e s tio n . A n anim al is
w h a t it can be. It has n o o b lig a tio n ; b u t m a n is u n d e r an o b lig a tio n to
d e v e lo p his p o te n tia litie s , w h ic h h a ve n o t y e t b een r e a liz e d .

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S e lf-im p r o v e m e n t is a r e -a r ra n g e m e n t b e tw e e n th e th r e e c e n

ters, an a rra n g e m en t o f w h a t a lre a d y e x ists .

S e lf-p e r fe c tin g is a re a liza tio n o f p o te n tia litie s n o t y e t d e v e l

oped.
B e e lz e b u b s y o u n g k in sm a n w a s n o t th e o n ly o n e o f his trib e in
A tla n tis . T h e o th e rs w e r e n o t in t e r fe r in g b y d ire ct m e a n s ; (perhaps
th e y w e r e te a c h in g th e m e th o d ). T h e y m ig h t have b e e n t r y in g to raise
th e rate o f v ib ra tio n ; f o r th e m a in te n a n c e o f a h ig h e r rate is th e m o st
e ffe c tiv e w a y o f c a u s in g ch an ge.
O u r c iv iliz a tio n is n o t b u ilt o n p r e c e d in g c iv iliz a tio n s . S cie n ce is
r e a lly a re p e titio n a lt h o u g h it th in k s it is fin d in g th in g s f o r th e first
tim e .
Y o u w il l fin d it sta te d several tim e s in th e b o o k (tru e o r n o t) that
in at least t w o c iv iliz a tio n s p re c e d in g h is to r ic tim es, e le c tr ic a l in v e n
tio n s w e r e carried t o as h ig h a p o in t as in o u r o w n tim e s . G u r d jie ff
c la im s to h ave ta k en p a r t in an e x p e d it io n e x p lo r in g th e G o b i. H e re
t w e n t y yard s b e lo w th e su rface th e y c a m e u p o n th e re m a in s o f a c ity ;
b e lo w th a t a n o th e r, th e n a n o th e r still, p re se n t tribes h a v e n o trad i
tio n s o r n am es fo r th e s e ; an d this m a k e s E g y p t seem o f y e ste rd a y .
A tla n tis is taken as th e sta rtin g p o in t o f m a n ; n o t b e c a u s e it w a s th e
sta rtin g p o in t in f o r m ; b u t as a th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g . P r e v io u s b ein gs
had f o r m b u t th e a ir o c ta v e had n o t y e t d e v e lo p e d .
W e can assum e th e sa m e q u a n tity o f in t e llig e n c e in th e G r e e k s and
R o m a n s as in o u r s e lv e s ; b u t th e y a p p lie d it to art, p h ilo s o p h y , m a th
e m a tics, w h erea s w e h a v e a p p lied it to m ech a n ics. It is im p ro b a b le
th at th e P y th a g o r e a n s c h o o l o f m a th e m a tic s w a s in fe r io r t o m o d e rn .
E u c lid w a s a b e g in n e r s m a n u a l.
O u r t w o h a n d ica p s: w e are n o t o n th e sh o u ld e rs o f th e p a st; and
life is t o o sh o rt to a tta in c o n scio u sn ess, e v e n to a ttain th e k in d o f
w h ic h w e can c o n c e iv e . W e start c o m p a r a tiv e ly late; w e c a n estim ate
th at th e j o b w o u ld ta k e several c e n tu rie s . C o n s id e re d in c o ld b lo o d it
r e a lly d o e s n o t seem w o r t h w h ile s ta r tin g ; b u t that it m a y b e w o r t h
w h ile is a d ifferen t m a tte r.
W h y is o u r life so s h o rt? W h y h a ve w e n o t a n o rm a l life o f th ree o r
fo u r c e n tu rie s. T h e a n s w e r dep en ds o n t w o issues.
1. Q u e s tio n o f tim e .
2. Q u e s tio n o f th r e e cen ters.
U n d e r th e last w e are lik e a c lo c k w o u n d up w it h th r e e sp rin gs,

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which vary according to heredity and early environment but all three
are wound up to run for two or three centuries at least. What prevents
them from doing so? The regulator is not operating properly. What
is this regulator? The effort to become self-conscious. This effort be
gun from the age o f responsibility (seventeen or eighteen) automati
cally guarantees that the organism would run that long. Gurdjieff has
described several people whom he had met, who had found this idea
as children and profited by it.
q u e s t i o n : What do we call time?
a n s w e r : The duration o f the unwinding o f the spring.
We are familiar with the differences o f time in dreams and when
awake. And the experience o f the man whose head was dipped in a
bowl o f water. What is the nature o f time in a dream? What is the
relation between intense experience and an absence o f awareness o f
the passage o f time? O r o f the opposite when time seems to go slow?
Intense experience makes time short, absence o f experience, long.
Einstein said: The more that happens, the less time.
Suppose that under your eyes a tree should be presented in succes
sive stages o f its growth, as on the movie screen. H ow would we feel
about time?
O ur period up to responsibility ordinarily passes normally, with
growth which winds the springs, one by one. Infancy, childhood,
adolescence; then man- or woman-hood. A premature adolescence
is considered abnormal because we have this series in mind; but man
hood now presents disordered phases, with no ordered succession.
Gurdjieff says that time is normal up to age o f responsibility; and
after that it plays tricks ; as above. This is because the three centers
act, not under supervision; but accidentally in response to accidents
from without. The natural regulator is removed at the age o f respon
sibility, when this stage is passed a new regulator should be applied by
the individual.
The difference between the waking and sleeping state is that in the
waking state the three centers are magnetically connected. There is a
tendency for each center to imitate the other two, a mutual hypno
tism, e.g. an unnecessary knitting o f brows etc. during thought. This
activity o f motor centers is not needed; and there is much waste o f
energy through this mutual hypnotism. The lack o f this hypnotism
is a partial explanation o f the swift passage o f time during a dream.
U p to and including youth there is a winding up; then comes the
running down. In early childhood the magnetic tie is not formed. It
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approximates our sleeping state. The child begins slowly to wake

up, as this magnetic tie is formed. Then it is impossible to act with
childish impulsiveness, that is from one center alone. It draws in the
other centers.
It is possible to break these ties by drugs etc; but effort in the in
stinctive center is so deleterious that it is often impossible to restore
the tie or the instinctive center may perhaps be destroyed. It is prefer
able to use the psychological drug effort.
Illustration: Should this room and w e in it shrink to a pin point, no
change would be noticed. Gurdjieff takes as an example, life in a drop
o f water. The heading o f this chapter is The Relative Understanding
of time.
Time is the potentiality o f experience. The duration o f time is in
each center wound up; and objective time is the number o f expe
riences potentially contained in the center in question. How many
capacities o f experience does each center contain? These experiences
can be successive or w ith intervals, sequentially or simultaneously.
The time o f our lives will depend on the rate by which these potenti
alities are exhausted by experience, that is, subjectively.
By accident certain difficult experiences with people cause us to
unwind in a few minutes, days, or months, years o f potential unwind
ing. We cannot say our experiences, when they happen to us and
happen too fast for us to be simultaneously aware o f and hence profit
from them; too fast for us to use.
Time is in this sense, personal. This does not mean that i f all beings
had the regulator at w ork that unwinding would take the same time;
but each would get the full benefit from it.
Example o f two men, one spending one hundred and the other one
thousand dollars, each spends purposively. The measure o f time is not
the quantity but the manner o f spending, a difference in the mode o f
experiencing. The flow may be experienced equally and identically
by all beings or cosmoses human being, planet, sun, m ilky way, the
universe o f universes.
Motion is in terms o f space.
Time is positive father.
Space is negative mother.
Motion is life.
O ur visualization o f these three; objects; hence three dimensional
At present we experience abnormally because chance can at any
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in g o r th in k in g . I f w e in c o n tr o l c o u ld c h o o s e , th is w o u l d m ean a
p r o p e r u se o f tim e . In sa y in g w e h a ve v e r y little tim e ,

w e m ean w e

h a ve v e r y f e w p o te n tia litie s le ft u n re a liz e d .

[O rage read a chapterfrom Beelzebubs Tales.]

M e n u se th e u n it o f a y e a r, th e r e v o lu t io n o f th e p la n e t a b o u t th e
sun. T h e a n cien ts t o o k a lo n g e r p e r io d th a n this. W e h a v e ta k en it
b eca u se o f th e seasons. T h e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r attach es i t s e lf to th e sea
sons. B u t th e re are also e m o tio n a l a n d in te lle c tu a l seaso ns. A certain
e m o tio n a l season, e .g ., w h ic h lasts n in e t y - n in e years. A p e r io d o f an
in te lle c tu a l y e a r e x te n d s o v e r an age o f c iv iliz a tio n . In w h a t in te lle c
tu a l sea so n , am I b o rn ? In w h a t e m o tio n a l season a m I? T h e in s tin c
tiv e y e a r is fo r c h ild r e n ; th e e m o tio n a l y e a r fo r a rtists; th e in te lle c tu a l
y e a r fo r real scien tists. C e r ta in a n cie n ts t o o k th e ir seaso ns o f m o re
im p o r ta n c e to th e m th a n th e e x te rn a l o n es.
It is p o ssib le to k n o w tim e o n ly r e la t iv e ly ; it c a n n o t b e u n d e rs to o d
b y rea so n , n o r can it b e sen sed.
In d iffe r e n t co sm o se s, th e re are all o c ta v e s, th e o n ly d iffe r e n c e b e
in g in scale, th e e le m e n t o f tim e is th e sam e, and th e o r d e r o f th e
u n fo ld in g o f e x p e r ie n c e . T h e w a y in w h ic h th e y a ct is th e sam e b u t
th e d u r a tio n is d iffe re n t. T h e r e is n o e n d to th e o cta v e s (in n u m b er).
O n l y tim e stands a lo n e th e u n iq u e su b je c tiv e . T h e su b jectiv e
is th e p o te n tia lity o f e x p e r ie n c e . W h e r e th e re is p ro c e ss, n o m atter
o n w h a t scale, tim e w i l l b le n d it s e lf w i t h it. F o r a c re a tu re in a d ro p
o f w a te r tim e m akes it s e lf m ic r o s c o p ic and giv e s th o s e b e in g s th e
sam e se q u e n c e , th e p ro ce ss o f e x p e r ie n c e , th e f lo w o f tim e , as w e o r
b e in g s o f o th e r co sm o se s. F o r b e in g s in th e d ro p o f w a te r th e re is th e
sam e h a rm o n io u s r e la tio n . T h e y are b o r n , g r o w , m a r r y , g e t sick, d ie,
and are d e stro y e d . T h e y h a v e w in t e r , s p rin g , su m m e r. T im e n ever
c o m e s o b je c tiv e ly in t o e x is te n c e an d c a n n e v e r b e a n o b je c t. It is th e
in fin ite p o te n tia l, s u b je c tiv e , th e p o te n tia l o b je c tiv e , th e re a liza tio n .
T im e is th e a b so lu te p o te n tia l o f all e x p e r ie n c e .
N o n e o f u s liv e o u r n a tu ra l p e rio d , n o r e x p e r ie n c e t im e n o rm a lly .
T h is is b eca u se o u r th r e e c en ters are n o t u n w o u n d n o r m a lly , b ecau se
th e y a re n o t u n d e r a r e g u la to r . H e n c e w e h a ve n o n o rm a l u n d e rsta n d
in g o f tim e o f th o se w h o are fu lly d e v e lo p e d and w h o d o n o t e x p e r i
en ce fa ste r th a n th e y can use it.

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Y o u w i l l re m em b er th e id e a that th e b o o k p ro v id e s at th e sam e tim e
a d e s c r ip tio n and a n e x e r c is e th e m in d in w h ic h y o u a p p r o a c h this
is c a lle d o b je c tiv e r e a s o n th at a ttitu d e o f reason ab le c o n scio u sn ess
w it h w h ic h it is p o s s ib le t o su rv e y m a n k in d , in c lu d in g o n e s e lf, as o n e
m a y lo w e r sp ecies d o g s , e tc. T o th is is a d d e d d iv in e r e a s o n so that
o n e m a y in a d d itio n s u r v e y th e h u m a n sp ecie s w it h d is c rim in a tio n as
to e a ch e n t it y s u se d u t y . A n d so w it h e v e r y stan dard, a s s u m in g that
w e k n o w th e p u rp o se f o r w h ic h a m a n w a s c re a te d w e ca n ju d g e as
to a m a n s b e in g r ig h t o r w r o n g .
M a k in g such a s u r v e y , as e v e r y fo u n d e r o f a r e lig io n a n d e v e r y
p h ilo s o p h ic th in k e r w e sh all d ecid e m a n is:
R e lig io u s sin.
T h in k e r stu p id .
B io lo g ic a l d e fe cts in e n v ir o n m e n t.
It m a y b e that o u r p la n e t has ceased t o p r o v id e th o s e m a x im u m
c o n d itio n s that m a d e u s flo u r is h as a ra ce in ages past.
B y s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n a n d o b je c tiv e ly m a k in g a r e v ie w o f o n e s o w n
past e v e r y o n e o f us is b o u n d to c o n d e m n h im s e lf f o r a series o f
fo o lis h an d fr o m th is p o in t o f v ie w s e m i-c rim in a l acts. B u t i f w e ,
th en c a n w e c e r ta in ly say th e en tire race as w e ll? B u t th e n re a so n c o n
dem n s m a n . A n d th e p h ilo s o p h e r c o m e s t o th e c o n c lu s io n M a n is
u n c iv iliz e d and u n c iv iliz a b le .
L ast w e e k w e r e v ie w e d th e v a rio u s w a y s th at have b e e n e m p lo y e d
b y v a r io u s re lig io n s in th e past fo r r e g e n e ra tin g . So i f y o u c a n see h o w
each fo u n d e r o f a r e lig io n has s u r v e y e d , d ia g n o se d a n d p rescrib ed ,
y o u h a v e reach ed a c e r ta in d e g re e o f o b je c t iv e reason! M a n s first p u r
pose is t o attain o b je c tiv e reason . So e v e r y h u m a n m u st sp e n d m u ch
tim e in p o n d e r in g o n h o w h e shall liv e in g re a te st a cc o rd w i t h reason.
A n d it w i l l be d e cid e d f r o m these c rite ria h o w m u c h w i l l it c o n t r ib
ute to m y re a liz a tio n , a p p re c ia tio n an d u n d e rs ta n d in g o f w h y I and
the w o r ld , e tc., are c re a te d .
L ast w e e k I p o in te d o u t that w e m ig h t b e g in to o e a r ly t o t r y to
c o rre c t o u r d efe cts a n d a n y e ffo rt, b e fo r e a sce rta in in g su fficien t
lk n o w le d g e ] a b o u t o n e s e lf is ju s t as lik e ly to a ffect o n e a d v e r s e ly as
n t . S o e v e r y e ffo rt at s e lf-p e r fe c tin g s h o u ld b e p o s tp o n e d u n til th e
Pro p e r tim e .

Question: D e fin e s e lf-p e rfe c tin g !

orage: M a n stradd les th e ga p b e tw e e n d o , re, m i a n d s o l, la , si.
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S e lf-im p r o v e m e n t is to im p r o v e th e sta tu s a lrea d y e v o lu t io n a r ily o b

ta in e d . S e lf-p e r fe c tio n w o u ld b e to a c tu a liz e th e th ree h ig h e r centers
p o te n tia l in m a n b u t n o t n o w a c tu a liz e d .
B e e lz e b u b s k in s m e n w e r e n o t e n g a g e d in s e lf-im p r o v e m e n t b u t,
p e rh a p s b y o b je c tiv e a rt o r s o m e th in g sim ilar, in a im in g t o raise th e
rate o f v ib ra tio n .
S cie n tists are n o w e n g a g e d in r e p e a tin g th e d is c o v e r y o f su c h th in gs
as e le c tr ic it y . T h e s e th in g s h a ve n o t c o m e d o w n to u s as k n o w le d g e
b u t o n l y as fa iry tales, m y th s , le g e n d s , e tc.
G u r d j ie f f is q u ite e x p lic it th at th e re h a v e b e e n at least t w o c iv iliz a
tio n s th a t fo r m e r ly e x is te d o n this e a r th w h e r e in th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f
su ch th in g s as e le c tr ic it y h a v e b een c a r rie d m u c h fu r th e r th a n w e have
d o n e . B e lo w th e a n c ie n t c it y o f T r o y th e re w e r e fo u n d , b y a rch e o
lo g ic a l in v e s tig a tio n s , several c ity -la y e r s b e n e a th lay e rs. T h i r t y years
a g o a n a rc h e o lo g is t w h o th o u g h t th a t h is to r y m ig h t e x t e n d b a ck o f
E g y p t w o u ld h ave b e e n th o u g h t c ra z y .
M a d a m B la v a ts k y to ld o f b e in g s L e m u ria n s w h o , th o u g h in
h u m a n fo r m , w e r e n o t th re e -c e n te re d b e in g s . T h e e m o tio n a l had n o t
e v e n g o n e d o re m i.
It is im p r o b a b le th a t th e P y th a g o r e a n s c h o o l o f m a th e m a tic s w as
in fe r io r to o u r p re se n t m a th e m a tics, b u t it d id n o t ta k e th e m e ch a n i
cal tu r n . S o w e h a v e n o b ir th r ig h t f r o m h ig h e r c iv iliz a tio n s and yet
o u r liv e s are m u c h s h o rte r th a n tr a d itio n says th e a v e ra g e life tim e o f
m a n w a s in ea rlie r ages.
S o i f y o u h ave m e a su re d y o u r p ro g re ss and d e te rm in e d th at it w ill
ta k e a b o u t a th o u sa n d y e a rs t o atta in th e d e g re e o f o b je c t iv e reason
th a t w e c a n e v e n n o w a p p re h e n d . W e ll th e n , w e h a ve o n l y a f e w years.
W e h a v e fa lle n o n d a ys w h e n th e life o f m a n is v e r y c o n tr a c te d . W h y
is it th a t w e th e p e o p le in th is r o o m h a v e n o t a life o f fo u r o r five
h u n d re d years? W e are a k in d o f c lo c k w o u n d o n th r e e s p rin g s in
s tin c t iv e e m o tio n a l in te lle c tu a l a n d e a ch o f o u r th r e e sp rin gs are
w o u n d u p d iffe r e n tly . B u t e a c h e v e n th e least o f th e se w in d in g s is
s u ffic ie n t fo r a life o f at least 200 y ea rs. W o u n d u p b y n a tu re .
N o w w h a t is it th a t w i l l d e te rm in e h o w lo n g a c lo c k w il l g o o n
a w in d in g ? A re g u la to r . A n d in e x a c t ly th e sam e w a y o u r springs,
w o u n d u p to g o 4 0 0 -50 0 y ea rs, w o u ld d o so o n ly th at th e re g u la to r in
us is lo o s e n e d . A n d th e n e w r e g u la to r is ca lle d T h e e ffo r t to b eco m e
s e lf-c o n s c io u s .
I f at b ir th w e c o m m e n c e d th is e f f o r t w e sh o u ld liv e several cen -

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turies. S o , se lf-c o n scio u sn e ss is th e r e g u la t o r . T im e is th e d u ra tio n

o f th e r u n n in g d o w n o f a n y o n e o f o u r th r e e sp rin gs.
T r y t o recall an a c tu a l o c c u rr e n c e in y o u r o w n life su c h as it w ill
s u g g e s t in o rd e r to a c h ie v e a state w h e r e in y o u can a b so rb th e v e r y

d ifficu lt id eas o f o b je c tiv e tim e in th is c h a p te r .

T h in k o f a d ream y o u m a y have l iv e d in y o u r d re a m h o u rs in
m in u te s. T r y to p o n d e r th e n atu re o f t im e in a dream .
A n o t h e r d ay y o u a re w o r k in g v e r y in t e n s e ly and y o u l o o k up to
find th a t th e days h a v e flo w n . T r y to p o n d e r th e re la tio n b e tw e e n
in ten se e x p e rie n c e a n d tim e . A ls o re c a ll th e five m in u te s y o u have
p erh ap s w a ite d fo r s o m e d o c t o r fu lln e ss o f tim e is s h o rt, e m p tin e ss
o f tim e is lo n g . Y o u g o d o w n th e street a n d th e c lo c k s are a ll d iffe r
e n t y o u are c o n fu se d . S u p p o s e u n d e r y o u r eyes an a co rn b e c o m e s an
o a k tre e f u l l y g r o w n .
T h e p e r io d up to m a t u r it y passes n o r m a lly .
In th e s e p e rio d s o r seaso n s:
1. In fa n c y .
2. C h ild h o o d .
3. A d o le s c e n c e .
4. Y o u t h .
A l l th e se are r e la tiv e ly n o rm a l states. S o w e th in k o f a c h ild rea ch
in g a d o le s c e n ce a little e a r ly as a b it m o n s tr o u s .
B e y o n d th ese stages, in m a n h o o d o r w o m a n h o o d , w e ca n q u ic k ly
pass d o w n fr o m b ack t h r o u g h y o u th to a d o le s c e n ce to c h ild h o o d to
in fa n tilis m . T h e r e is n o n o rm a l stage o f g r o w t h b e y o n d y o u t h . T h e
se q u e n ce o f o u r e x p e r ie n c e s at this p o in t b e c o m e s d is o r d e r ly b e
cause th e g r o w t h o f o u r th r e e cen ters b e g in s to p ro c e e d n o t r e g u
la r ly i.e . b y and a c c o r d in g to a r e g u la to r b u t h a p h a z a rd ly . W e have
a r e g u la to r th at acts o n l y u p to sev en tee n o r e ig h te e n .
THE R E L A T I V E U N D E R S T A N D I N G OF T I M E

M u c h o f o u r w a ste e n e r g y is b ro u g h t a b o u t b y th e u n n e c e s s a ry c o n
ju n c t io n o f e ffo rt in t w o c e n te r s w h e n o n l y o n e is b e in g u se d . F o r e x
a m p le, o n e co n tra cts his b r o w s and o th e r m u scle s, e tc., w h e n th in k ln g- T h e p e rio d o f g r o w t h is th e p e rio d o f w in d in g u p . T h e n co m es
the p e r io d o f ru n n in g d o w n . . .
In c h ild r e n the m a g n e tic tie b e tw e e n th e th re e c en ters is d e v e lo p ln g w i t h th e cen ters. S o w e can n o lo n g e r a fte r y o u t h b e fr e e as w e
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h a v e b e e n . T h e tie b e tw e e n cen ters is n o lo n g e r d e ta c h a b le . B u t it is
p o ssib le to rega in th is p o w e r , i.e . o f d e ta c h in g at w i l l th e cen ters o n e
fr o m th e o th e r.
W e h a v e n o t at p re se n t th e use o f a c e rta in o r g a n o r m u scle w it h
w h ic h w e can c o n t r o l th e u se o f gla n d s. T h e b a c k o f th e h e a d co n tain s
an o r g a n w h ic h is in c o n t r o l o f th e g la n d u la r system . B u t sin ce w e are
n o t in c o n t r o l o f th is o r g a n w e are n o t in c o n tr o l o f a n y th in g . A n d it
is th e e x e rc ise o f th is p a r tic u la r o r g a n th a t is n e ce ssa rily o u r o b je ct.
I f th is r o o m in w h ic h w e are s ittin g w o u ld g e t sm a lle r an d sm aller
an d w e w o u ld in e x a c t p r o p o r tio n s sh r in k w it h it, w e w o u ld n o t be
a w are o f a n y c h a n g e .
hugh :

I dont believe that.

T im e is th e p o te n tia lity o f e x p e r ie n c e . . . d u ra tio n o f tim e is th e

p e r io d o r seq u en ce o f th a t p a rticu la r e x p e rie n c e .
O b je c t iv e tim e is th e n u m b e r o f e x p e rie n c e s p o t e n t ia lly co n ta in e d
w it h in th e c e n te r in q u e s tio n . T h e s e e x p e rie n c e s can b e m a d e succes
sive a n d w it h in te rv a ls th e c en ters can b e ru n d o w n s e q u e n tia lly o r
s im u lta n e o u s ly an d r a p id ly o r s lo w ly .
A t e ig h te e n w e h a v e a c a p a c ity o f say 300-400 y ea rs i f w e liv e u n d e r
a r e g u la to r . B u t w e are cast in to u n fo r tu n a te c irc u m sta n c e s and th e y
are r u n o ff. O b je c t iv e tim e is a p u r e ly in d iv id u a l th in g .
I f I h a v e S100 to sp e n d an d y o u h a ve $1,000, i f I sp en d m y $100 and
y o u y o u r $1,000 p u r p o s iv e ly an d re a s o n a b ly I w ill h a v e h ad as m u c h
as y o u . S o t h o u g h th e y e a rs o f a b e in g m a y b e q u ite d iffe r e n t, e v e r y
b e in g has th e p o te n tia l eq u a l to th a t t o e v e r y o th e r i f c o n s cio u s . M o
tio n is life , space, tim e .
T h e r e is a n o rm a l w a y o f e x p e r ie n c in g b u t th e re is f o r us n o w
o n ly a n a b n o rm a l w a y . I f w e w e r e in c o n t r o l o f o u r th r e e sp rin gs w e
s h o u ld e x p e r ie n c e o n l y w h e n w e c h o o s e . A n d th is is th a t w h ic h is
c a lle d th e p r o p e r u se o f tim e .
S o in o c ta v e s ea ch n o te is an o c ta v e a n d v ic e v e rsa a n d so h ere is n o
en d e ith e r to m a c r o c o s m o s o r m ic r o c o s m o s , so n o lim it t o n u m bers
b u t w e c a n ta lk a b o u t p a rticu la r n u m b e rs. T im e is th e u n iq u e su b jec
tiv e (s u b je c tiv e is th e p o te n tia lity o f e x p e rie n c e ).
T im e w h o s e w o r k s a re w o n d e r fu l m a n ife ste d th is w o r ld and m ay
m a n ife s t m a n y m o re .
T im e is G o d o f G o d s . In s tin ctiv e c e n te r has p o t e n t ia lit y o f m o v e
m e n t. B u t n o t an in fin ite n u m b e r o f m o v e m e n ts . S till, e v e n this is n o t
d e te r m in e d fo r s o m e th in g m a y h a p p e n . B u t it w i l l n o t g o b e y o n d
th e u n w in d in g o f it.
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W e Are cra m m e d w i t h fo o d e a tin g as w e d o , b u t th e sa m e q u a n tity
o f fo o d . . .
T h e n e x t c h a p te r d ea ls w it h lig h t a n d heat. A n d w e , w h o are e n
title d to k n o w w h a t th is g a m e o f life is, are as ig n o r a n t as an im als. A ll
a lo n e .

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L ast w e e k w a s an e x p e r im e n t in su sta in ed a tte n tio n o f im a g in a tiv e
u n d e rs ta n d in g . F r a g m e n ta r y a tte n tio n fails to m a k e u p a w h o le , to
b in d is o la te d th o u g h ts in to a w h o le , a tte n tio n m u st b e sustained.
F lo w s o o n d id I g iv e o u t?
C o n s id e r th e e p ic q u a lit y o f th is s e ttin g an d th e b e in g s . It is a sort
o f d ia lo g u e b e tw e e n a f u l l y re a lize d b e in g an d o n e n o t f u l l y rea lize d .
B e e lz e b u b b e g in s in a d e ta c h e d p o s itio n fr o m w h ic h h e o b serv e s the
b o d y o f th e c o sm o s, as w e w h e n b e g in n in g s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n sh o u ld be
d e ta c h e d an d im p a rtia l. In all th at B e e lz e b u b says to H a sse in it is im
p lie d a lw a y s th a t th e w h o le p h y sica l u n iv e rs e has a p u r p o s e and that
he u n d e rsta n d s it. M a tte r is an a g e n c y . P art o f it is at c e r ta in n otes o f
th e o c ta v e , su ch as p la n e ts, so la r sy ste m s, b e in g s, e tc ., h a v e practical
n o t m y s tic a l, n o t th e o r e tic a l fu n c tio n an d ea ch p a rt e ith e r fu lfills or
d o e s n o t fu lfill th is fu n c tio n .
S im ila r ly w e h a v e a m a te ria l c o s m o s ; th e first tr u th fu l th in g w e can
say is I h a ve a b o d y . F r o m w h ic h p o s itio n are w e to o b s e r v e its use?
W h a t can it do? W h a t u se can I m a k e o f it?
B e e lz e b u b can lo o k at th e p la n e ts a n d say I u n d e rsta n d th e ir u se .
T h e im p lic a tio n is th a t th e u n iv e rse is lo g ic a l and r a tio n a l. F o r w h a t
p u r p o s e a m I (the listen er)? B e e lz e b u b sp eaks as I o r m in d and refers
to th e p h y sica l u n iv e rs e as a m ean s o f a tta in in g s o m e th in g fo r h im
self. I can e x tr a c t f r o m p ra ctic a l e x p e r ie n c e s w it h th is b o d y an a ctive
u n d e rs ta n d in g o f its u se ; an o b je c tiv e reason . T h e u n iv e r s e is to be
u sed f o r th e e d u c a tio n o f so u ls; fo r b e in g s w h o h a v e a tta in e d o b je c
tiv e rea so n . F o r th o se w h o h ave u n d e r s to o d , th e o b lig a tio n is o n G o d
to m a in ta in th e u n iv e rs e . O n l y th o se w h o h a ve u n d e r s t o o d this and
ta k en th e ir part are e n title d to b e c a lle d so u ls, p a rtn e rs o r sons o f
G o d a n d n o t slaves.
H a sse in takes in te re s t in th is p la n e t; b u t it is o n e a m o n g m illio n s,
and n o t th e c e n te r o f life .
T h e s in g u la r life o n th is p la n e t is th e resu lt o f a n a cc id e n t. O u r
m o o n w a s n o t g iv e n o f f n a tu r a lly b u t w a s th e resu lt o f an accid en t.
A l l p la n e ts n a tu r a lly g iv e o f f m o o n s ; b u t th e ea rth w a s p r e m a tu re ly
d e liv e re d o f its m o o n a n d h e n c e a sp ecia l k in d o f life h a d t o b e d e v e l
o p e d t o s u p p ly sp ecia l rad ia tio n s. (See re ce n t s c ie n tific e x p e rim e n ts
o n ra d ia tio n s fr o m p la n e ts.)
H o w d o w e e x p la in th e fa ct th at w e , w h o c o n s id e r o u r s e lv e s in te l
lig e n t, i f w e r e v ie w o u r life at th e e n d o f ea ch d a y, fin d w e have be108

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h a ve d lik e id io ts, c o w a r d s , p o ltro o n s , id le creatu res. W e w o u ld c o n

d e m n s u ch lives i f w e j u d g e d a n o th e r im p a r t ia lly ; y e t w e p re se rv e o u r
e q u a n im ity . W h y s u c h in d u lg e n c e ?
W h y a fter th e e n d o f ea ch c iv iliz a t io n d o w e fa il t o p re se rv e o r
m a k e u se o f its e x c e lle n c e s ? E g y p t s a rt a n d scien ce; In d ia s p h ilo s o
p h y a n d r e lig io n ; C h in a s p e rso n a l r e la tio n s (C o n fu c iu s ). W h y d o n o t
s u c c e e d in g g e n e ra tio n s b u ild o n these? W h y are w e n o t in r e a lity th e
h eirs o f all th e a g e s ? T h e r e has b e e n o n l y a b ro k e n a n d d is c o n tin u
ou s m o v e m e n t. T h e r e seem s to be a n e e d in us fo r d e s tr u c tio n . Instead
o f sta n d in g o n th e s h o u ld e rs o f th e p r e c e d in g c iv iliz a tio n s , w e have
c lim b e d u p fr o m a lm o s t n o th in g to a p la c e still in fe rio r in m a n y sci
en ces a n d arts to th o s e o f th e an cien t c iv iliz a tio n s .
W h y d o w e b e lie v e a n d h o p e in p r o g r e s s w h e n w e h a v e p r o o f
b e fo re o u r eyes th a t th e ra ce has n o t p ro g re sse d ?
O r p e rs o n a lly , w h e n I c a n n o t d o th is (o b serve) n o w , h o w can I e x
p e ct o th e rs to d o so? O r i f I am , say, a r e fo r m e r and o b s e r v e m y o w n
fa ilin g s h o w can I e x p e c t m y effo rt to b e ca rrie d o u t?
M a k e an im p a rtia l s u r v e y o f th e w o r l d , its c o n tin e n ts , its islands,
its races, its h is to ry , its la n g u a g e s. W h a t im p a rtia l ju d g m e n t can w e
m ake? W e are g r o w in g m o r e m ec h a n ic a l e v e r y d ay, i f p o s s ib le . D e
v o te a f e w m in u tes e a c h d a y to su ch a s u r v e y . S u ch e ffo r t m u s t p re
ced e a n y u n d e rsta n d in g o f th e f o llo w in g c h a p te r:

WHY MAN IS NOT MAN

W h a t c la im d o w e m a k e to b e su p e rio r to th e anim als? In rea so n , w e
th in k . W h a t is m an? O n e w h o u n d e rsta n d s w h y he is a liv e . (D o e s a
sheep u n d e rsta n d m u t t o n , and w o o l? D o w e u n d e rsta n d m o o n - fo o d
and su n -fo o d ? )
W h a t is th e b o d y fo r ? W h a t is life fo r ? W h a t to d o w i t h th e b o d y ?
H o w to liv e and w h a t v a lu e s to attain? N o t o n e o f us, in sp ite o f all
p h ilo s o p h y k n o w s w h y h e is alive. W e r e c e iv e b o d y at b ir th to p lay
w ith , a n d n o t o n e o f u s k n o w s w h ic h o r w h a t ga m e h e is p la y in g .
T h e sh e e p can see th e ir sh e p h e rd ; b u t w e c a n see n o b io lo g ic a l species
su p e rio r to us. W h o a re th e y ? N o o n e e m p lo y s p h ysica l fo r c e o v e r us.
W e a re so c o m p la c e n t a n d u n critica l th a t w e take it f o r g r a n te d that
We are fu lfillin g h u m a n fu n ctio n s . T h e p r o b le m o f w h y n o t, n eve r
presen ts it s e lf to us as a rea l p r o b le m (e m o tio n a lly , in t e lle c tu a lly ) as it
id to th e w rite rs o f G e n e s is , fo r e x a m p le . T h e y said m y t h o lo g ic a lly
u t in t e llig e n tly , th a t d e g ra d a tio n c a m e th r o u g h s u c c u m b in g to th e
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te m p ta tio n s o f th e in s tin c tiv e c en ter. W e w e r e p u t in a g a rd e n w h e re
w e w e r e e x p e c te d to care fo r th e g a r d e n ; b u t w e c ea sed to m ake e f
fo r t a n d so o n w e r e o u t o f paradise. T h is is th e p s y c h o lo g y o f G en esis.
G u r d j ie f f giv es a m y t h w h ic h is re la te d to th e m e t h o d , and is d e
s ig n e d to p r o d u c e a p o ig n a n t re a liz a tio n o f o u r s ta te p rem a tu re
d e liv e r y o f th e m o o n cata stro p h e o f th e c o m e t (u n u su a l state o f
e m o tio n ). T w o p ie ce s s tr u c k o ff, le a v in g th e e a rth d e p r iv e d o f tw o
fu n c tio n s fo r n o rm a l d e v e lo p m e n t. T a k e this p e r s o n a lly : W h y have
w e n o t th e a d v a n ta g e o f n o rm a l m e th o d s o f e d u c a tio n a n d d e v e lo p
m e n t?
T h e n atu re o f th is p la n e t is su ch th a t th e c a ta stro p h e w ill a lw ays
b e re p e a te d in th e o r g a n ic life o n it. In d iv id u a ls w i l l pass th r o u g h th e
sam e sta g e th at th e p la n e t passed th r o u g h . T h e in d iv id u a l repeats the
h is t o r y o f th e sp ecie s, b a c k to th e o r ig in a l p aren t, th e p la n e t w h ic h
h a d t w o parts s tru c k o ff.
1. C o n s c io u s n e s s o f m y b o d y .
2. C o n s c io u s n e s s o f th e w o r ld in w h ic h I live.
( B o th are n o r m a lly a cc o m p a n im e n ts o f life , b u t sin ce n o lo n g e r
o r g a n ic p arts, th e y m u s t b e r e -c o n q u e r e d b y fe e d in g , i.e . each o f us
m u st m a k e sp ecial e ffo r t, m u st fe e d th e se p o te n tia litie s , to m a k e th e m
a ctu a litie s.) S u ch w o r d s as G o d , s e r v ic e o f G o d , r e lig io n , etc. have
n o m e a n in g fo r us. O n so m e p la n e ts th e re is p e rh a p s a n atu ral d e
v e lo p m e n t o f e d u c a tio n , scien ce, e tc . O n o u r p la n e t, th e sp o n g e o f
o b liv io n is a lw a y s passed o v e r e v e r y g r e a t system . T h e r e m u st b e al
w a y s e ffo r t. T h a n k s to th is e ffo rt B e e lz e b u b can say I a m g la d , I
u n d e rsta n d disease as w e ll as h e a lth .
B e e lz e b u b ta lk s to H a sse in ; th e se s lu g s h ad th re e b ra in system s; b u t
d u e t o e x te r n a l c o n d itio n s b eg a n to d e v e lo p u n e x p e c t e d ly m e ch a n i
cal rea so n . W it h m e c h a n ic a l reason w e can fo r in s ta n c e u n d erstan d
th e id e a th a t w e are o r g a n ic m ech a n ism s.
W h e n S a k a k i an d h is c o m m is s io n re tu r n e d a little la te r to see h o w
life w a s c o m in g o n , h e fo u n d h ere m e c h a n ic a l rea so n a n d h a d to d e
c id e w h a t m easu res t o ta k e. I f cre a tu res w i l l n o t m a k e v o lu n t a r y e f
fo r t, la b o r o r su ffer p e rh a p s b y v ir t u e o f th e ir m e c h a n ic a l e ffo rt w ill
a v o id in v o lu n t a r y e ffo r t (to attain se lf-c o n scio u sn e ss a n d c o s m ic -c o n
sciou sn ess) re a liz in g b y th e ir m e c h a n ic a l reason th a t th e y w e re m e
c h a n ic a l slaves, u se d fo r a p u rp o s e , th e y d o n o t u n d e rsta n d . It w as
p o s s ib le th e y m ig h t p r e fe r n o t to liv e .
I f w e re a lize d e m o tio n a lly o u r m e c h a n ic a l n a tu re, th a t is w ith o u t
no

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th e p o s s ib ility o f s e lf- o r c o s m ic -c o n s c io u s n e s s as in b e h a v io r is m , su i
c id e w o u l d fo llo w . S a k a k i saw that o u r m e c h a n ic a l rea so n w o u ld o n e
d a y d is c o v e r this a n d a rra n g e d to p r e v e n t th e se effects, i.e . w e w o u ld
refu se t o be such slaves w it h a resu lta n t u p set to th e c o s m ic e q u ilib
riu m . W it h th e a rc h -c h e m is t L o o iso s, a n o r g a n w as d e s ig n e d to tu rn
v a lu e s u p sid e d o w n a n d p r o v id e im a g in a r y pleasures.
T h e p h ysica l a n a lo g y is w it h th e u se , e s p e c ia lly in th e E ast at certain
p e rio d s , o f o p iu m o r co n s id e r th e lim it e d a m o u n t o f e le c t r ic it y in
th e a tm o sp h e re . Its g r e a te r m e ch a n ica l u se has a llo w e d less b io lo g ic a l
use. I f w i l l requ ires e le c t r ic it y , th en as th e u se o f e le c t r ic it y increases,
w ill w i l l d im in ish . L o o is o s m u st h a ve d o n e o n e o f t w o th in g s ; e ith er
released certain e le m e n ts in th e a tm o s p h e re o r d e n u d e d it o f som e.
O u r L u c ife r w a s a c h e m is t. S u p e rs titio u s n o tio n o f a s p e cia l o rga n ,
all r o t. A tm o s p h e re w a s trea ted to p r e v e n t re a liza tio n . W e h a v e heard
o f t h e sep aration o f t h e ce n te rs, e .g ., w h e n ta k in g e th e r, b y d ru g s , o r
b y s u c h fa tig u e as in d u c e s a u to in to x ic a tio n . B u t all o u r c e n te rs are
sep arated fr o m t w o o t h e r cen ters, w i t h w h ic h th e y w o u ld b e c o n
n e c te d i f w e w e r e n o r m a l.

E m o tio n a l r e a liz a tio n o f th in g s as t h e y are (true e m o tio n a l).

U n d e r s ta n d in g o f w h y w e liv e (tru e in te lle ctu a l).

W e k n o w w e w il l d ie ; u n lik e an im a ls w e are aw are o f o u r m o r ta l

ity , y e t w e beh ave lik e a n im als. W e k n o w w e are all t o b e b u tc h e re d
b u t w e d o n o t k n o w w h e n . H o w is it p o s s ib le to lo ve ? O u r e m o tio n a l
c e n te r is separate fr o m o u r m e ch a n ica l k n o w le d g e . T h is w a s th e w o r k
o f L o o is o s im a g in a r y p leasu res. W e h a v e th ree g ro u p s o f o u r a c tiv i
ties; in te lle c tu a l, e m o tio n a l, p h ysica l. W e k n o w th e b o d y is m o rta l;
p e rh a p s th e in te lle c t is n o t. O b v io u s ly w e sh o u ld in t h e o r y liv e fo r
u n d e rs ta n d in g , rea so n , e tc . Y e t 99 p e r c e n t o f o u r e ffo r t, tim e , e m o
tio n , is sp en t o n p le a su re s o f th e b o d y . P arap hrase o r d in a r y ta lk in
te rm s o f anim als.
T h e fo rce s o f h e r e d ity are n o t m e c h a n ic a l (?) S atu rn , L o o is o s , b o th
g o o d a n d e v il, re sp o n sib le fo r d o p in g a n d f o r th e p o s s ib ility o f liv in g
k u n d a b u ffe r . . . San e b e in g s b u t d o p e d a n d th e re fo re b e h a v in g as i f
n o t san e. T h e o rg a n k u n d a b u ffe r tu rn s v a lu e s u p s id e -d o w n , m e n take
in s tin c tiv e valu es as th e h ig h e st in th e fa c e o f p r o o f to th e c o n tra ry .
L o o is o s retu rn s satisfied th a t th e o r g a n w i l l w o r k . M e n w i l l n o t sus
p e ct t h e y are d o p e d a n d w il l liv e in illu s o r y sa tisfactio n s. B e e lz e b u b
w ill la te r p o in t o u t to H a sse in th e resu lts o f this d is lo c a tio n o f cen ters.
B e e lz e b u b and his k in s m e n retu rn t o M a r s and set u p an o b se rv a -

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tory. (Mars is an emotional attitude outside the range o f faith, now

doped.) They visited Saturn, found beings more highly developed.
Saturnians are rare among us. They have understanding o f the first
law o f life: Love all that breathes, which is the first obligation on all
responsible beings. These people were congenial to Beelzebub.
Later on he gives an example o f Tolstoy, though not naming him,
who without any real knowledge o f life or self became regarded as
the author o f a modern gospel. Gurdjieff knew Tolstoy, w ho was na
ive and self-ignorant. W hy do we give credence to his statements,
when we have no way o f checking them up? Suggestibility. Do not
apply reason to ideas presented to us in certain ways. Not suscep
tible to ideas but to forms in which they are presented. W hy will we,
knowing certain authors to be fools, read their books with respect?
We, knowing certain education to be bad, will send children there;
knowing certain bad ideas will act on them. Flying in the face o f our
knowledge. This is fundamental in man. Analyze this. W hy are books
written? W hy do people believe Tolstoys gospel? Because we never
verify by applying personal knowledge and effort. W hy not? It in
volves effort o f self-knowledge and consequent estrangement.
Beings on this planet differ in color according to climate, and race
distinctions are purely a matter o f prejudice. Personal distinctions
vary according to main causes, among which are heredity and con
ditions at conception; but the psyche is always the same, especially
in suggestibility. Mass suggestion especially in relation to war. Why
are we not the heirs o f old civilizations? Every civilization has been
destroyed by man in the madness o f war fever. So long as we are sus
ceptible to war fever, so long can there be no general program. Later
Gurdjieff gives examples o f Leagues o f Nations going back to Baby
lon.
Take as an example the conception o f the word hero. Beelzebub
says to Hassein: A hero is among us one who voluntarily undertakes
some labor for the benefit o f creation, the whole, not some part o f
it. C f. the discovery and promulgation o f the method, involving ef
fort o f which we are utterly incapable. Gurdjieff spent thirty years
in the satisfaction o f a rational curiosity. Gurdjieff is a juvenile hero.
O n the planet earth the word hero exists and is usually applied to
those who most easily fall under the war fever and slay many others.
Admire those who do not fear death, w ho do not fear those whom
under suggestion, they regard as enemies. In this state o f trance, we
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are ready to destroy or be destroyed. N o gods or devils are to blame;

beings induce it in themselves and in each other.
The first descent is the period o f Atlantis.
Whether Atlantis ever existed is here a matter o f no interest; but
that Atlantis exists in us is o f great psychological interest.
BIBLIO G RAPH IC AL NOTES

Iamblichus Life o f Pythagoras, translated by Thomas Taylor.

The Golden Verses o f Pythagoras.
Pythagoras, by Edouard Schure, translated by Fred Rothwell.
M ahabharata.

28 F E B R U A R Y 1927
T h e p r e v io u s c h a p te rs are o n a b n o r m a lity . In this th e re is a certain
s u g g e s tiv e sta te m en t o f th e n atu re o f n o rm a l m a n . W h a t sh o u ld a
n o r m a l h u m a n b e in g d o , b e, k n o w ? F r o m o u r a b n o rm a l u n d e rsta n d
in g o f tim e , e x p e rie n c e s are t o o fast to b e receive d in t o o u r c o n s cio u s
ness. In th is ro o m , d iffe r e n t c o lo rs , so u n d s, e tc., a ffe c t m y c h e m is try ;
b u t I a m u n a w a re o f m o s t o f th e m .
B e e lz e b u b says o u r liv e s are g r o w in g s h o rte r; b y th is h e m eans w e
m a k e c o n s c io u s use o f fe w e r an d fe w e r e x p e rie n c e s . T h e title o f this
c h a p te r : T h e A r c h - A b s u r d .
G u r d j ie f f is a w are th a t w h a t he is a b o u t to say is a lm o s t in cre d ib le .
Its s u b title is: D is c o v e r y . A c c o r d in g t o th e tales o f B e e lz e b u b o u r sun
g iv e s n e ith e r heat n o r lig h t. B e e lz e b u b is in d ig n a n t; h e is cap ab le o f
p it y . H e m akes a s u r v e y o f th e p la n e t h e has le ft, w it h s y m p a th y b u t in
a d e ta c h e d w a y . T h e y liv e in c o n d itio n s cre ate d b y th e m s e lv e s , w h ic h
are n o t b e c o m in g to th re e -c e n te re d b e in g s , b e c o m in g m ean s b o th
fittin g an d th at w h ic h w i l l en a b le th e m to b e c o m e . A n y n o rm a l c o g
n iz a n c e o f th e c o s m o s in w h ic h th e y liv e has d isa p p e a red fr o m th eir
p s y c h e . T h is is th e first in d ic a tio n o f w h a t a n o rm a l, th re e -c e n te re d
b e in g w o u ld be. J u st as w e are a w are o f th e flo ra an d fa u n a o f n atu re
and th e ch a ra cte ristics o f c iv iliz a tio n , so th re e -c e n te re d b e in g s w o u ld
b e a w a re o f th e fu n c tio n s o f th e c o s m o s , th o se o f th e m o o n related to
th e s u n all th e c o s m ic p h e n o m e n a , in th e m id st o f w h i c h w e d w e ll.
T h is m ean s a d ire c t p e rso n a l k n o w le d g e , a b e in g k n o w le d g e or
a p e rs o n a l k n o w le d g e , n o t ju s t h ea rsa y (h a ve w e a n y p e rs o n a l k n o w l
e d g e o f th e s tru c tu re o f th e atom ?) I h a v e a p e rso n a l k n o w le d g e o f
th e d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n th e c it y and th e c o u n tr y . G u r d j ie f f says that
e v e r y th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g s h o u ld n o r m a lly k n o w th e c o s m ic p h e
n o m e n a w h ic h a ffe ct u s w it h o u t o u r n o w b e in g a w a re o f th e m . T h is
is ca u se d , a c c o r d in g t o th e m y th , b y k u n d a b u ffe r. (S o m e H in d u s used
a m e t a p h o r o f m irro rs.) K u n d a b u ffe r w a s in tr o d u c e d t o p re v e n t the
a c q u is itio n o f su ch k n o w le d g e fo r fe a r o f d e s tru c tio n . B u t k u n d a b u f
fer w a s re m o v e d la ter, th a t is o r g a n ic c o n d itio n s w e r e r e m o v e d . T h e
r e s p o n s ib ility is n o w o n h u m a n b e in g s.
P la to said his r e p u b lic c o u ld b e set u p o n ly i f h e c o u ld h a ve n e w ly
b o rn c h ild r e n to start w it h ; b u t sin ce h e w o u ld h ave to e m p lo y adults
fo r th e ir e d u c a tio n , h e reg a rd e d th e p r o b le m as p r a c tic a lly in so lu b le.
F u m e s b e in g n o lo n g e r g e n e ra te d , b y fu m e s, e d u c a tio n b e in g c o n
tin u e d . T h e r e are th o u sa n d s w h o s e in t e llig e n c e is s u p e r io r to th eir

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FEBRUARY I 9 2 7

c o n d u c t; th e y are fr e e d f r o m su p e rs titio n in regard to r e lig io n o r m o r

als, b u t te ach th e ir irr a tio n a l c o n d u c t t o th e ir c h ild re n . H o w m a n y
s u b s c r i b e fo r o th e rs t o th a t w h ic h t h e y w o u ld n o t c o n s id e r p ro p e r

fo r th e m se lv e s.
W h a t d o w e k n o w a b o u t heat, d a rk , lig h t , co ld ? W e k n o w b y p e r
sonal k n o w le d g e . W e assu m e that lig h t a n d heat c o m e d ir e c t ly fr o m
th e su n . W h a t w o u ld h u m a n b ein g s d o i f th e y k n e w (sensed), that
n o th in g so m aterial as l ig h t co m es f r o m th e sun and th a t th e sun is it
s e lf c o ld and ic y . W o u ld it send heat to th e ir m issh ap en p la n e t, w h ic h
is th e sh am e o f th e so la r system b u t w h ic h e v e n tu a lly m a y red eem
th e w h o l e solar sy ste m . ( T h e U g ly D u c k lin g ? ) T h is is in m a n y fa iry
tales, th e d o c trin e is o ft e n en sh rin ed th e r e , w h e r e th e y w o u l d n o t be
su sp e cte d o f p ro p a g a n d a . T h e tr o u b a d o u r s w e r e em issaries o f an o c
c u lt s o c ie ty .
L ig h t and heat are n o t u n iv ersa l. T h e y are p a rticu la r to c e rta in lo
calities an d to ce rta in c o n d itio n s (certain plan ets). T h e v e g e ta b le and
an im a l k in g d o m h a v e d iffe r e n t p e rc e p tio n s th a n w e o f lig h t an d heat.
W e are c o n t r ib u tin g t o th e se p h e n o m e n a .
T h e w h o le o f o u r u n iv e r s e (all o b s e r v a b le p h e n o m e n a ) e x is ts o w
in g to o n e system : t r o g o (I ate) a u to (e g o ) e g o (I) crat (g o v e rn m e n t)
b y I, m y s e lf eat I ea t m y s e lf, and th is is th e n atu re o f m y life . T h e
fo o d I eat is c h a n g e d in t o th e cells o f m y b o d y , I am w h a t I h a v e eaten
and d ig e s te d . T h e u n iv e r s e is a c o m p a ra b le b e in g w h ic h eats to liv e
and liv e s to eat. E v e r y p a rt o f the p h y s ic a l u n iv e rse is th e p r o d u c t o f
ea tin g o f th e I (G o d ). T h is id ea ties u p a n d th ro w s lig h t o n m a n y
m y th s: ce rta in e a rly r ite s o f c an n ib alism ; th e H o ly C o m m u n io n ; th e
tr a d itio n o f th e e a r ly C h ris tia n s th at C h r is t c u t o f f p a rts o f his flesh
and th a t th e d iscip les lit e r a lly dran k his b lo o d .
M y b o d y eats a n d is su b sta n tia te d ; w h e r e is I ?
T h is sy ste m w a s c re a te d b y H is E n d lessn ess, w h e n o n l y th e Sun
A b s o lu te e x iste d and w h e r e H is A ll G r a c io u s E ndlessn ess s till exists.
It is im p o s s ib le to e x p la in c le a r ly at th is p o in t. W e h a ve a b o d y w h o s e
e v e r y c e ll is a c c o u n te d fo r . W h e r e is I ?
W e ca n o ffe r n o e v id e n c e o f th e e x is te n c e o f I , y e t w e ca n b e sure
f it. S im ila r ly w e say G o d is . G u r d jie f f n e v e r says liv e s b u t e x lsts ; e x = o u t , o f; ists = m a n ifests, to b e ; th a t state o f b e in g w h ic h is
cap ab le o f m a n ife s tin g its e lf. T h e p r im a r y fa c t o f b e in g is is te n c e ,
ut th e e x is n e c e ssa ry fo r p r o o f, c o m m u n ic a tio n . T h is d o e s n o t
effect its essence.

Essence existence.

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< tT >>

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FEBRUARY

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It is a lw a y s p assin g u p o r d o w n th e scale; all e le m e n ts are u n d e rg o

in g c h a n g e , a c o n flu x o f c h e m ic a l e le m e n ts , so m e m o v in g u p th e scale
o f th e ir o w n o c ta v e , o th e rs d o w n , in e v o lu tio n and in v o lu tio n . T h e s e
are p r o c e e d in g in a cc o rd a n ce w it h t w o co sm ic la w s (o n e system , tw o
la w s ) :
1. H o l y tr ia m a z ik a m n o (later tria m o n ia ), th ree m a k in g o n e
2. E fta para b a r s h in o c h (later h e p ta e tc.), seven m a k in g o n e.
T h e first is th e la w b y w h ic h c o s m ic substances ca n in te rb le n d and
f o r m th e c o sm o s a c c o r d in g to la w t w o . E v e r y n o te is th r e e fo ld ; and
th e su cce ssio n o f n o te s is se v e n fo ld . T h e e ig h th n o t e is a re p e titio n
o f th e first (see m o d e r n p h ysics). A l l e le m e n ts y e t d is c o v e re d ten d to
fall in t o g r o u p s o f sev en o r e ig h t. W h y is sev en so c o m m o n in n atural
p h e n o m e n a ? In c o m p le t in g a c irc le , b y w h a t im p u ls e d o e s it retu rn to
its s ta r tin g p o in t? N u m b e r is n o t su b je c t to k u n d a b u ffe r.
A n a tte m p t to o b je c t if y w h a t w e h a v e h ith e rto c a lle d I ; to e m p ty
I o f all o b je c ts w h ic h can b e o b je c tifie d . I can n e v e r o b se rv e I.
I t is u n d e r th e la w o f sev en ; I is u n d e r th e la w o f th re e .
I is c o m p o s e d o f c o n s cio u s n e s s, in d iv id u a lity an d w ill. C a n
th e se e v e r b e seen? T h e su b je ctiv e w o r ld is seven ; th e o b je c tiv e th ree.
T h e p h e n o m e n a l is sev en ; th e n o u m e n a l th ree. I is a v a c u u m fro m
w h ic h is e x c re te d p h e n o m e n a . See la te r e x p e r im e n t w h ic h m ig h t be
r e p r o d u c e d o f g e n e ra tin g fo r m s in a v a c u u m .
T o u n d e rsta n d th is ch a p te r, o n e s h o u ld h a ve a m e ta p h y s ic a l b a ck
g r o u n d an d b e fa m ilia r w it h fa ilu re , a n y p re v io u s a n sw e rs w h ic h have
fa ile d . O n e s h o u ld b e cap ab le o f u n d e rs ta n d in g th e d iffe re n ce b e
t w e e n th e p o te n tia l an d th e a ctu al.
T h e p o te n tia l ex ists . R e a d Sau rat o n th is p r o b le m .
B e fo r e th e u n iv e rs e w a s a c tu a liz e d , G o d e x is te d o n th e Sun A b
s o lu te . H e p la n n e d a n d c o n s tru c te d th e u n iv erse o n la w s o f a rch i
te c tu r e , so to sp eak. E v e r y th in g o b je c tiv e w as th r e e fo ld , e v e r y th in g
s u b je c tiv e w as s e v e n fo ld .
S ittin g is th e re su lt o f sev en re c ip ro c a l th ru sts. W h y d o certain
b u ild in g s stand a n d o th e rs fall? T h o s e th a t stand a re s e v e n fo ld . W h y
d o c e r ta in sen ten ces fa il to stan d a lo n e ? T h e y are n o t ap h o rism s and
m u s t h a v e th e b u ttress o f in t r o d u c tio n an d s u b s c rip tio n . T h e y are n o t
u n d e r th e la w o f sev en . C e r ta in w o r k s o f art o f th e a n cien ts w e re
b u ilt o n th e la w o f sev en , so as to sta n d , to b e a th in g . R u s k in s Seven
L a m p s w a s o n th e tra il b u t b e c a m e c o n fu s e d . M a k e a w o r k o f art o n
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th e sa m e law s as th e u n iv e rse . O n l y th o s e w e r e c re a to rs w h o c o u ld
c re a te th in g s w h ic h e x e m p lifie d th e s e v e n fo ld law s o f th e u n iv erse.
H o k u s a i said that w h e n h e d ied , h e h o p e d to j o in th at b o d y o f artists
w h o d r e w in lig h t a n d c re a te d flo w e rs. B la k e s T ig e r , T ig e r e t c . T h e
c o n t e m p o r a r y use o f th e w o r d c r e a to r is rid ic u lo u s.
T h is b o d y w ill w e a r o u t ; w e ta k e th e w r o n g f o o d o r th e r ig h t in
in s u ffic ie n t a m o u n t o r ex cess. S u p p o se o n e t o o k o n ly th e f o o d n e e d
fu l t o repair w o r n tissu e . W e d o n t k n o w h o w to d o th is an d co n s e
q u e n t ly are a lw ays t a k in g in to th e b o d y su bstan ces w h o s e d e c a y leads
to d e a th . W e liv e u n d e r ig n o r a n c e , h e n c e tim e .
W h e n G o d saw h is o w n d em ise a p p r o a c h in g , he m a d e a s u r v e y o f
th e la w o f e x is te n c e a n d saw that i f h e c o u ld estab lish se lf-fe e d in g ,
a b s o rb in g o n ly th e f o o d n e e d fu l to re sto re w e a r, h e c o u ld b e c o m e
e n d less. T h a t is h e c o u ld d e fy tim e . H a v in g assured his e x is te n c e , he
th e n c o u ld say I h a v e t im e fo r s e lf-p e r fe c tin g . W e , as c o m p o n e n t cells
h a ve a ch a n ce to share th is endlessness.
B e e lz e b u b has g re a t g r a titu d e , g r e a te r th a n w e are ca p a b le o f, th at
h e e x is ts in this e n d less b o d y ; b u t re fe rs w it h s lig h t d isre sp e ct to
H is E ndlessn ess f o r b e in g w illin g to r e m a in in this state. B e e lz e b u b
is n o t c o n v in c e d th a t it is w o r th it f o r an in te llig e n t b e in g ; i f that
is t o b e all. T h is c r itic is m is r e a lly d ir e c te d at h u m a n b e in g s w h o ,
w h e n th e y a ch ie ve a c e r ta in state o f c o n t e n t, cease to str iv e to re a lize
th e ir s till u n d e v e lo p e d p o te n tia litie s . O u r w ea k n e sses are th e so u rce
o f o u r striv in g . E n e r g ie s w h ic h s h o u ld b e tu rn e d in to d e v e lo p in g o f
n e w p o w e r s are d iv e r te d in to p r o d u c in g g ra tifica tio n s, fo r th e p la n
e t a r y b o d y . I f h a p p in ess is taken as an e n d , th e fu n d a m e n ta l illu s io n
o f k u n d abu flfer, tr u th , d e v e lo p m e n t, e tc . b e c o m e b y - p r o d u c ts . I f o u r
a im is tr u th and s e lf-p e r fe c t in g , th e n h a p p in e ss m a y b e a b y - p r o d u c t
fr o m th e a c tu a liz in g p o te n tia litie s . C e r t a in stages m a y so m e tim e s be
a c c o m p a n ie d b y h a p p in e ss ; so m e tim e s b y u n h ap p in ess. H a p p in e ss is
n o t a c rite rio n .

28 F E B R U A R Y 1927

the a r c h - a b s u r d
D u r in g th e re a d in g o f th is c h a p te r, I shall m a k e c o m p a r a tiv e ly little
e x p la n a tio n b eca u se th e rea d in g i t s e lf is th e m o st im p o r ta n t y e t to
rea d in m y e s tim a tio n u n til w e rea ch th e ch a p ter P u r g a t o r y . U n less
y o u ca n , fr o m th e p o in t o f m a n k in d , estab lish s o m e g u l f o f o b je c
t iv it y , n o th in g c a n h a v e m o re th a n lite r a r y v a lu e in th is b o o k . T h is
c h a p te r defin es th e n a tu re o f n o rm a l m a n . T h e r e fo r e h e re have been
d e s c r ib e d d iseased an im a ls w h o h a v e fa ile d to strik e th e n o te in te n d
e d o r a least to m a in ta in it.
In c o n tra st to th is w e ask w h a t is th e ty p e o f h u m a n b e in g w h ic h
n o n e o f us has e v e r b e e n able to d e fin e o u ts id e th e te rm s o f o u r usual
e n v ir o n m e n t. W h a t s h o u ld w e d o a n d w h a t sh o u ld w e k n o w ?
E v e n tim e fo r u s flo w s a b n o r m a lly th e sp rin gs are released in an
a b n o r m a l w a y so th a t w e lib e ra lly re a liz e o n ly an u n c e r ta in sm all p e r
c e n ta g e o f o u r e x p e rie n c e s . O u r tim e is d efin ed as a series o f e x p e r i
e n ce s w h ic h can b e fe lt an d u tiliz e d at th e rate at w h i c h th e y pass.
W e are b e c o m in g m o r e m e c h a n ic a l and B e e lz e b u b h e re dep lo res
th is fa ct. H it h e r to B e e lz e b u b has b e e n a v e r y c o ld c r itic b u t h ere
sh o w s p it y .
T h e A r c h - A b s u r d . O u r su n g iv e s n e ith e r lig h t n o r h eat.
L a te r w h e n I relate th e facts r e g a r d in g th e e x is te n c e o f th re e -c e n
te re d b e in g s y o u w i l l u n d e rsta n d th a t, fo r th e causes o f th a t B ab el that
e x is ts o n ea rth are n o t b e c o m in g to th re e -c e n te re d b e in g s .
(W e can m a k e a s u r v e y o f c o n d itio n s as i f w e w e r e d ea d and p e r
h ap s in te n d in g to rein ca rn ate.)
T h e r e has te n d e d to d isap p ear a n y sen sation o f c o s m ic p h e n o m e n a
p r o p e r to a th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g . (W e o u g h t to k n o w th e fu n c tio n o f
th e m o o n , p la n e ts, su n . W e h a ve n o t in h e rite d th e k n o w le d g e o f o u r
w h o l e e n v ir o n m e n t as w e s h o u ld h a v e , b e in g w h a t w e are.)
N o n e o f th e m , i.e . b e in g s o n th e p la n e t earth , h a v e a n y b e in g sen
sa tio n o f th e c o sm o s. ( B e in g as a n a d je ctiv e a lw a y s m ea n s p e rso n
a l as o p p o s e d to h e a rsa y . )
I p e r s o n a lly w o u l d n o t b et a p e n n y o n a n y o f th e a to m ic th eo ries
e x t a n t e v e n w h e n th e y w o r k . D o y o u k n o w th e d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n
th e c it y an d th e c o u n t r y ? O f c o u rs e y o u d o n o o n e c o u ld c o n v in c e
y o u th a t y o u d o n t. S o y o u s h o u ld h a ve ju s t as a c c u r a te ly , k n o w l
e d g e o f th e d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n m o o n , p lan ets a n d su n . S o m e th in g
118

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jias b e e n in te rp o s e d in o u r p s y c h e w h ic h p rev en ts u s f r o m h a v in g a
b e in g sense o f o u r tr u e e n v ir o n m e n t.

Indians mirrors.
T h e m e th o d o f G u r d j ie f f in tro d u c e s th e p o s s ib ility o f a se lf-re
e d u c a tio n . R e tu r n t o essen ce.
M a n y situ a tio n s b e c o m e less in to le r a b le w h e n w e k n o w th at th e
cau se o f th e d ifficu ltie s p rese n t h a ve c ea sed . S o n o w , it is w e ll to b ea r
a lw a y s in m in d th a t th e causes o f o u r c o n d itio n h a ve d isa p p e a red . B u t
w e in h e r it th e re su lts an d w e in tu r n pass th e m o n t o o u r c h ild re n .
D a y lig h t and d a r k , h e a t and c o ld w e u n d e rsta n d h o w h ea t in th is
r o o m is p r o d u c e d o r lig h t . B u t w h a t d o w e k n o w a b o u t it?
T h e s e b ein g s are p e rsu a d e d th a t h e a t an d lig h t a ll c o m e fr o m th e
sun. T h e g e n u in e cau se s o f th ese p h e n o m e n a n e v e r e v e n o c c u r to
th e m .
F a ir y le g e n d s tro u b a d o u r s w e r e th e m essen gers o f a ce rta in o c
c u lt g r o u p and u n d e r t o o k to p u r v e y th e k n o w le d g e t h e y p o ssessed in
sp ite o f law s o f c h u r c h a n d g o v e r n m e n t. S o m a n y o f t h e fa ir y sto ries
still c o n ta in certain to n e s and v ib ra tio n s o f a h ig h e r q u a lity .
L ig h t and heat as w e k n o w th e m a re p e cu lia ritie s o f c e rta in p la n
ets so th e v e g e ta b le a n d an im al k in g d o m p r o b a b ly d o n o t fe e l lig h t
and h e a t as w e fe e l th e m . L aw s o f w o r l d c re a tio n an d m a in te n a n c e are
c h ie f c o s m ic law s.
T h e w h o le o f o u r g r e a t u n iv erse d e p e n d s o n o n e la w ca lle d tr o g o a ft o e g o c r a t.
T r o g o eat o b s e r v e .
A f t o m y s e lf i t .
E g o I I.
C r a t go vern m en t by.
I eat m y s e lf. T h is is tru e, isn t it? E v e r y p a rticle o f o n e s e lf has
b e e n ea ten . So th is u n iv e r s e is a c o m p a ra b le b e in g w h ic h eats to liv e
and liv e s to eat.
N o t e th at G u r d j ie f f n e v e r uses th e w o r d liv e a lw a y s e x is
te n c e th at state o f b e in g that is ca p a b le o f b e in g m a n ife ste d . T h e
p r im a r y fa ct o f e x is te n c e is is te n c e . I d o n o t d e p e n d o n e x is te n c e
b u t O r a g e does. T h a t d o e s n o t m ea n th a t I c a n n o t c o n t in u e in b e in g .
S o in th e b o o k w e are sp ea k in g o f th e c re a tio n o f it s . P rocesses
o f in v o lu tio n an d e v o lu t io n . E v e r y p a r tic le o f y o u r b o d y (in c lu d in g
th e f o o d y o u h a ve r e c e n t ly taken) is in a state o f c o n f lu x m o v in g u p
o r d o w n th e ir o c ta v e s . T h e s e p ro cesse s p r o c e e d in a cc o r d a n c e w it h
t w o fu n d a m e n ta l la w s th e c h ie f la w s o f th e u n iv e r s e tria m a z i-

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k a m n o , m e a n in g th r e e m a k in g o n e a n d E p ta p a ra b a rsh in o k , m ea n in g
sev en m a k in g o n e . T h e s e in te r b le n d a n d g r a d u a lly f o r m ------ .
T h e w h o le o f it falls u n d e r th e la w o f seven b u t I falls u n
d er th e la w o f th r e e b u t n e v e r can th e m a n ife sta tio n s o f I b e o b
s e rv e d y e t a lw a y s w e h a ve th e th r e e (in d iv id u a lity , co n scio u sn ess
an d w ill) o b s e r v in g th e sev en ( I t a n d th e u n iv erse.)
L a w o f th re e m a in ta in s w o r ld o f n o u m e n a .
L a w o f seven m a in ta in s w o r ld o f p h e n o m e n a .
T h is ta b le can o n l y stan d b ecau se o f sev en r e c ip ro ca l th ru sts. I can
o n ly sit o r stan d, b u t n o t b o th s im u lta n e o u s ly , o n a c c o u n t o f th e la w
o f sev en .
E v e r y b e in g has it w it h in his p o w e r to rem ain a liv e f o r e v e r b y
g a in in g th e p o w e r to r e n e w o n e s b o d y .
A c o n s c io u s b e in g c o u ld use th e la w o f seven as it n o w ex ists in
o u r u n iv e r s e to c re a te b o d ie s , flo w e r s , a n y th in g rea l w o r k s o f art.
T h u s w e h a v e th e r e s u r re c tio n an d th e le g e n d o f t h e g re a t resu rrec
t io n o p e n in g o f g ra v es an d w a lk in g , e tc.
A b o a t is s in k in g a s to rm is c o m in g u p a m a n is le a n in g o v er th e
e d g e w i t h a m ic r o s c o p e .
W h a t are y o u d o in g ?
I m e n g a g e d in sc ie n tific in v e s t ig a tio n , h e rep lies.
F o r w h a t p u r p o s e are y o u d o in g th is ? th e o th e r y e lle d .
I a m a d e v o te e o f p u r e sc ie n c e , h e lo f t il y rep lied .
G o d u n d e rsta n d s th e la w s o f sev en a n d th ree so w e l l th a t he can
g u a r a n te e h im s e lf im m o r t a lit y aga in st tim e .
B e e lz e b u b a lw a y s has a little c o n t e m p t fo r H is E n d lessn ess fo r he
w o n d e r s r e lig io u s ly i f o n e can e x is t e te rn a lly c o n t e n te d w ith o u t
c h a n g e . B u t re m e m b e r, h o w e v e r b la s p h e m o u s a n y sta te m e n ts a bo u t
G o d m a y ap pear, th e re is a lw a y s G o d b e h in d a G o d b e h in d a G o d .

[After the meeting I asked Orage i f Beelzebubs criticism o f G o d was that he

had stopped after perfecting himself in consciousness, will and individuality.]
orage:

N o , it is th a t h e has sto p p e d fa r sh o rt o f th a t. H e has n o t

p e r fe c te d h im se lf. H e has estab lish ed h im s e lf s e c u r e ly a gain st tim e

and rests th e re c o n te n te d .
M a n c h e s t e r : Is it as it w o u ld b e w i t h a m an w h o has am assed

e n o u g h m o n e y to m a k e h im s e lf secu re fin a n cia lly a n d th e re a fte r re

lapses in t o c o m p la c e n c y i.e . in h is in s tin c tiv e w o r ld co n scio u sn ess
he is im m o r ta l b e y o n d th e reach o f in s tin c tiv e w a n t?
orage:

Y e s, e x a c t ly . (D e a r m e!!!)

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It seem s p re s u m p tu o u s f o r a n y o n e to p r e te n d to w r it e o n th is su b
j e c t th e u ltim a te m e a n in g o f th e u n iv e r s e . It seem s p r e s u m p tu o u s
n u r p a rt to a tte m p t to u n d e rsta n d a n d y e t it is o ft e n reitera ted
o
th r o u g h o u t th e b o o k , th a t th e n o rm a l sta te o f a h u m a n b e in g is to at
te m p t t o u n d e rstan d th is. R e n a n said th a t n o m e n s h o u ld b e asham ed
to b e u n a b le to a n sw e r u ltim a te q u e stio n s, b u t s h o u ld b e a sh a m ed n o t
to b e in te re ste d in th e m . C f . th e first B o o k o f G en esis w h e r e G o d
b ro o d e d o v e r ch ao s. T h is d e ta c h e d rea so n s h o u ld b e o u r a ttitu d e .
S u p p o s e w e are ask e d at d ea th N ie t z s c h e s q u e s tio n : W e ll, w h a t
has b e e n y o u r e x p e r ie n c e o f b e in g a h u m a n b e in g ? T h e q u e stio n
assum es th a t y o u h a v e e x p e r im e n te d w i t h life and th a t y o u h ave
b ro u g h t h o m e a r e p o r t. T h is is th e a ttitu d e o f a scie n tific o b serve r,
w h o is also an e x p e r im e n te r .
C o n s id e r th e sp ecies; o n e can m ake a series o f o b je c tiv e sta tem en ts
on th e ra ce ; a c ritiq u e o f h u m a n b e in g s . In th e p r e c e d in g ch ap ters
the c o n c lu s io n is re a ch e d th a t h u m a n b e in g s are d e g e n e ra te s; th at is
th r o u g h th o u san d s o f y e a rs th e y h a v e b e c o m e s te a d ily less and less
a ctu al, w i t h less d esire t o r e a liz e th e ir p o te n tia litie s . T h e ra ce is still at
the h e a d o f b io lo g ic a l e v o lu t io n b u t is d e te r io r a tin g . T h e re su lt is that
w e a c c e p t as n o rm a l th in g s w h ic h are a b n o r m a l. L et us su p p o se a race
that in is o la tio n loses in te r e s t in e d u c a tin g its ch ild re n , d e v e lo p in g its
in te lle c tu a l life , etc. I f n o n e w e r e e x e m p t, n o o n e w o u ld b e a w are o f
the d e te rio r a tio n . I f c o n fr o n te d w it h th e w o r k s o f his a n ce sto rs, he
w o u ld b e faced w it h a p r o b le m . W it h o u t a n y o b je c tiv e sta n d a rd w e
have n o w a y o f te llin g w h e t h e r w e are d e g e n e r a tin g a n d i f so, h o w
m uch?
T h is b o o k attem p ts t o set u p a stan dard fo r a n o rm a l b e in g , p erh ap s
n ot e v e n in h isto rica l tim e . B u t th e re a re c e rta in reco rd s, e .g . it w as
said last w e e k that o n e o f th e n o rm a l senses o f a h u m a n b e in g w a s an
aw aren ess o f th e c o s m o s in w h ic h it is liv in g . O u r c o m m o n b ir th
rig h t is t o u n d erstan d th is co sm o s. J u st as a m a n , w h o is b o r n o n o n e
c o n tin e n t, is aw are o f t h e e x is te n c e o f a n o th e r . A s t r o lo g y a n d a n cien t
re lig io n s w e r e o fte n b ased o n p e rso n a l sen satio n s. T h e s e n o w b e c o m e
su p erstitio n s b ecau se th e se sen sation s are n o lo n g e r o u rs. O t h e r s (be
lo w ) w h ic h in clu d e c e r ta in p o w e r s fo r w h ic h at p resen t w e h a v e o n ly
nam es.
B e fo r e c o m in g to th e p e rso n a l, w e m u s t h a v e a c e r ta in a n a lo g y
w ith th e u n iv erse. W e c a n n o t u n d e rsta n d th e u n iv erse u n le ss th e re is
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a certain correspondence with us, whether we are its product or it is

our projection. Otherwise, there is no contact. If w e are, e.g. threecentered, it must be for us to understand. This does not mean that
our knowledge exhausts it; but our knowledge is conditioned by our
means o f coming into contact with it. One o f the frequent exercises
o f imagination in the book is the frequent shift from the personal to
the universal.
Trogo-auto-ego-crat. Have you during the week thought o f the
significance o f this? Man is the result o f his eating; the universe is
the body o f His Endlessness. Was there a Sun Absolute before the
universe came into existence? What does this mean? This is unintel
ligible to one who has not tried to make a distinction between I
and it. If I have experienced this immediacy, I can understand the
statement that God was before the world. The Sun Absolute in us
is the highest o f reason, the brain. If our first being was threefold,
everything subsequently in creation tends to become threefold. This
is called Trinity, or three-in-one, or God, or triamazikamno (triamonia). It means simply that the nature o f man is inherent in creation.
There is a tendency for it to manifest itself progressively in a three
fold manner, hence we have three brains. Each brain corresponds to
one o f the three original forces (We repeat that our knowledge may
never exhaust it). The degree o f our realization is the measure o f our
development.
What are the three brains? What are found in each? W hy do two
alone produce the animal, and not human? It takes three to produce
reflection.
Tw o produce sensation and emotion.
Sensation, emotion, image.
The animal lacks the third brain which combines sensation and
emotion into the image, hence it is incapable o f reflection and imagi
nation. We see things in three. In absence o f the fourth center, we
have no ground for discussing what we see.
Indications in preceding as steps o f evolution. Fully revealed only
in a perfect product. There are no sharp lines. It shades off as in the
octave; but there are notes although this does not destroy continu
ity and the restorials. Continuity and discontinuity. It is impossible
to say where one leaves o ff and the next begins: universal matter, veg
etable, invertebrate, vertebrate and man.
Return to daylight. Following these explanations to be neither ac
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This phenomenon o f daylight manifests itself to human beings by

the presence in the atmosphere surrounding the planets o f a chemical
substance okidanokh, electricity. The three forces o f the world are
assembled as three in only one element okidanokh.
H e n c e , w h e n it e n te r s a n y p la n e ta ry b o d y , th e th re e fo r c e s are th en
d is trib u te d to th e ir r e s p e c tiv e cen ters a n d p ro c e e d to b u ild u p . It is
o fte n said in m o d e r n p h y sic s that w e a re th e p r o d u c t o f e le c tr ic ity .
T h e th r e e fo rces are in th e m selve s:

A ffir m in g p o s it iv e im a g e m a k in g .

D e n y in g n e g a tiv e sen sation .

Neutralizing reconciling emotion.

We will later discuss the misuse o f electricity.
In entering into any being there takes place a process called Aaee-o-u-a. Remorse, or wish to evolve. In practical terms the wish o f
an inferior to be like a superior when in his presence. Any rate o f
vibration when in the presence o f a higher rate, strives to become the
higher. Remorse in the elements. One o f the means by which evolu
tion is brought about, i.e., not merely by inner impulse.
Mechanical progress is aided by shock, which is merely the pres
ence o f a higher rate. Threefold electricity; cf. atom o f hydrogen: one
electron, one proton; the third force is that which holds these two in
relation; cf. man and woman become father and mother only in rela
tion to the child, proton and electron are related so as to produce an
atom.
What is the atom in itself? It is invisible. We are third force blind.
We cannot see the group; we see only the individuals making it up.
Have you ever seen a crowd? Only the individuals.
Proton positive.
Electron negative.
The relation between them is the atom itself.
One atom o f electricity consists o f three forces, yet is one.
W hen Aristotle began his section o f his book on metaphysics, he
rneant to discuss space, time, thought, force, in light o f the doctrine
he had received from Pythagoras; but he never got on with it. Re
fer back to what happens when in the presence o f a higher rate o f
vibration. Just as a given note will go sharp when a higher note is
struck Aa-ee-o-u-a.
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E le c t r ic it y is th e a c tiv e o r g r o w in g e le m e n t in a b e in g . It is this
w h ic h resp o n d s to th e h ig h e r rate o f v ib ra tio n .
q u e s t io n
orage:

: H as th e rate o f v ib ra tio n o f t h o u g h t b e e n m easu red ?

Y e s, w e are c o n s ta n tly m a k in g th is m e a s u re m e n t b u t r o u g h

ly . W h y d o w e say, a w e ig h t y th o u g h t, a lig h t rem ark ?

[H e is interrupted by someone who says: W hat about a sweet g ir l? ]

W h e n w e say th is in a n y p a rticu la r case, it g iv e s a n in d ic a tio n o f a
c e r ta in p h y sic a l c r ite r io n o f taste. E le c t r ic it y is n o t th e o n l y so u rce o f
v ib ra tio n s ; th e w h o le u n iv e rse is th e ir so u rce . O u r b o d ie s are m a teri
a liz e d sets o f v ib ra tio n s . W e co m p a re w i t h th e o u te r w o r ld as a p ia n o
w it h a series o f p la y e rs w h o p la y as p a ssin g. W e can o n l y resp o n d to
th e e x t e n t o f o u r a b ilitie s.
E le c t r ic it y p r o d u c e s th e p o s s ib ility o f b e in g a w are. T h e e x te rn a l
w o r ld d o es n o t c o n s is t o f o b je c ts ; n o r is o u r o w n b o d y an o b ject,
m e r e ly te m p o r a r y c o n g lo m e r a tio n s o f a b ility to re sp o n d in th e p res
e n c e o f v ib ra tio n s . T h e p ro cess o f p h y sic a l e v o lu tio n is o w e d to o n e
g r o w in g e le m e n t o f e le c tr ic it y . B o th D e w e y and W h ite h e a d h ave this
id ea th a t th e re are n o o b je c ts ; that th e re is n o th in g in th e u n iv e rse b u t
fo rce s . B u t h o w can w e c a tch a fo rce ? O n l y in a te m p o r a r y c o n g lo m
era tio n .
B u t e v e r y c o n s titu e n t e le m e n t is a lw a y s c h a n g in g . T h e real th in g is
w h a t W h ite h e a d a n d D e w e y call p ro c e ss, ch an g e . F i x it y is o n ly rela
tiv e a n d r o u g h . C h a n g e o f w h a t? W e say m a tte r ; b u t m a tte r is o n ly
a p r e ju d ic e . T h e u n iv e r s e is r e a lly th e a c tu a liz a tio n o f fo rce s .
m a r y jo h n sto n

: Is th is rem o rse o f th e elem e n ts c o n n e c te d w it h

A n u lio s ?
orage:

Y e s, a h ig h e r rate th a n th e e a rth .

A n u lio s , E arth , M o o n , th re e ce n te rs. T h e E arth is b e t w e e n A n u lio s

and th e M o o n ; b e tw e e n h ig h e r an d lo w e r rates. T h e te n d e n c y o f th e
h ig h e r to g o to w a r d th e lo w e r , th e a b n o r m a l to th e n o rm a l.
O u r e d u c a tio n leaves o f f w h e r e v e r y a n cien t e d u c a tio n b eg a n . B e
tw e e n th e ages o f e ig h te e n and t w e n t y - o n e , th e id e a lis tic p e r io d ,
w h e n w a it in g fo r s o m e th in g to g iv e m o r e m e a n in g t o life th an th e y
see d e m o n s tra te d in th e liv e s o f th o s e a b o u t th e m . L ife is e sp e cia lly
fu ll o f e le c tr ic it y at th is p e rio d . T h e r e is n o in s titu tio n t o g iv e train
in g . T h e n th e m o st id e a lis tic b e c o m e th e m o st d is a p p o in te d and tu rn
c y n ic a l, b e c o m e cra n k s o r c o m m it s u ic id e . It is th e a s p ir in g p e rio d ,
a sp irin g to a re a liz a tio n o f p o te n tia litie s , fu ll o f o k id a n o k h . W h e n in
a c iv iliz a t io n w h ic h te n d s to b e c o m e m o r e and m o re in s tin c tiv e , that

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is f o o d at o n e en d a n d s e x at th e o th e r , d is illu s io n m e n t is m o s t sharp.
T h e n m o s t idealists b e c o m e m o s t ly in s tin c tiv e , in d u lg e in s e x etc.
E x t r e m e use o f e le c t r ic it y fo r m e c h a n ic s m ean s less f o r p s y c h o
lo g ic a l use. G u r d jie f f says t w o p r e v io u s c iv iliz a tio n s h a v e g o n e d o w n
b eca u se o f t o o m u c h su c h m e ch a n ica l u se . W e b e c o m e v e r y cle v e r in
th e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r a n d u n a b le to g r o w a fter, say, e ig h te e n , th a t is to
g r o w p s y c h o lo g ic a lly . E le c t r ic ity b r o k e n d o w n , d e g ra d e d t o a lo w e r
rate o f v ib ra tio n . D a y lig h t is th e first re sp o n se that o k id a n o k h m akes
to th e h ig h e r rate o f v ib r a tio n re a c h in g th is p la n e t f r o m th e sun and
m oon.
E m a n a tio n s fr o m th e su n are n o t in th e m se lv e s p a rt o f th e n ature
o f lig h t , w h e n r e c e iv e d d ir e c tly in th e a tm o sp h e re s u r r o u n d in g this
p la n e t; th e y p r o d u c e in o k id a n o k h a c e r ta in a sp iratio n o r rem o rse
w h ic h w e call lig h t b e c a u s e w e th e n c a n see o b jects. T h e u se o f ritu al,
m u sic e tc ., to p r o d u c e an e m o tio n a l sta te in w h ic h c e r ta in ideas m a y
b e u n d e rs to o d o r se e n a n d n o t m e r e ly tran slated in s tre e t-te rm s , is
an a n a lo g y to lig h t. W h e n th e e le m e n ts a re in this sta te w e can see
o b je c ts .
S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n is a h ig h e r rate o f v ib r a tio n . W h e n w e o b serv e ,
th e e le m e n ts o f th e b o d y w ill th e m s e lv e s aspire, su ffe r re m o rse , i.e.
ad ap t th e m selve s to I . T h is m u st b e d ire c t. I f o n e m e r e ly th in k s
a b o u t s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , it is n o t d ire c t b u t is re fra cte d th r o u g h th e
m in d , h e n c e this e x c lu d e s a w is h to c h a n g e a n y p h e n o m e n o n o b
s e rv e d , w h ic h w o u ld b e th e p ro cess o f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n refra cted
th r o u g h o n e o f th e o t h e r cen ters. D ir e c t o b s e rv a tio n cau se s su n lig h t.
D ig r e s s io n :
In a n y b e in g , th e th r e e system s te n d to b e c o m e c o a te d m a k in g
th re e cen ters. F ro m e a c h te n d s to d e v e lo p a b o d y :
1. P la n e ta ry .
2. S p iritu a l (k esd jan astral).
3. B o d y o f m in d o r o b je c tiv e rea so n o r so u l.
C o r r e s p o n d in g t o e a c h is a fo r m o f rea so n :
1. P la n e ta r y in s tin c tiv e .
2. S p ir itu a l b e in g o r essen tial, c a p a b le o f u n d e rs ta n d in g fo rm s
and id eas.

3 - M in d d iv in e , ca p a b le o f u n d e rs ta n d in g reason o r w h y th in gs
are.

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1. T h in g s w e are a c c u s to m e d to .
2. T h e w h a t o f th e w o r ld p e rh a p s m o d e r n p h ysicists at th e ir best.
3. T h e w h y . G o d c re a te d an in t e llig ib le w o r ld a n d also a co rre
s p o n d in g sigh t.
1. O r d in a r y sig h t.
2. S p ir itu a l sig h t, n o t p s y c h ic b u t in s ig h t.
3. G iv e s fo r e s ig h t an d b e h in d s ig h t, i.e . s im u lta n e ity o f s ig h t.
T h r e e b o d ie s ; th r e e fo r m s o f rea so n ; th r e e fo rm s o f s ig h t a c o m
p le te h u m a n b e in g .
B u t w e h a ve at p re se n t o n e b o d y o n l y (w ith in it t w o o t h e r centers
w it h o u t c o r r e s p o n d in g b od ies).
P la n e ta r y sig h t a n d sp iritu a l an d in te lle c tu a l, d re am s a n d w o rd s
n o t fa cts.
T h e th re e brains are d e v e lo p e d to th e e x te n t th e b o d ie s are e .g . a
g o o d b o d y -b r a in , p a rtia l sp iritu a l, v e r y s lig h t m en ta l. T h e cereb ral is
th e least d e v e lo p e d , v is c e r a l n e x t; th e in s tin c tiv e , th e b est.
96 p e r c e n t o f o u r e x p e r ie n c e is in s tin c tiv e ; 3 p e rc e n t e m o tio n a l; 1
p e rc e n t in te lle c t. 96 p e rc e n t o f o u r c iv iliz a t io n is c o n c e r n e d w it h the
b o d y , 3 p e rc e n t w i t h a rt an d 1 p e rc e n t d e v o te d to w h y .
T h e q u a n tity o f p u r e research th a t c a n b e carried o n is lim ite d to
a b o u t 1 p e rc e n t. G r e a t in e rtia is n o t o n l y in in d iv id u a ls b u t in c iv iliz a
tio n s. H u m a n it y stan ds o n its head . T h e in s tin c tiv e is n o w th e p o si
tiv e , th e cereb ra l th e n e g a tiv e .
E m o tio n a l is n e u tr a liz in g b u t lean s to w a r d th e in s tin c tiv e . A ll
th is is a b n o rm a l. W e s h o u ld c h a n g e b y o p p o s in g th e in s tin c tiv e w it h
s o m e th in g in th e n a m e o f reason.
T h e ch a ra cte ristic o f th e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r is inertia, w h ic h is to
c o n t in u e d o in g w h a t it has sta rted ; h a b it, in th e la rg e st sen se. In te l
lig e n c e is a gain st h a b it; b ecau se n o t w o situ a tio n s are r e a lly th e same.
I n te llig e n c e w o u ld m a k e a n e w a c t iv it y ea ch tim e ; th e in s tin ctiv e
m e r e ly o ffe rs h a bit.
B r e a k in g o f h a b its e x p e r im e n ta lly is fo r p o sitiv e in t e llig e n c e , the
b e g in n in g o f reaso n . I f it is b ro k e n f o r u tilita ria n rea so n s, th e n it is
m e r e ly th e in s tin c tiv e ce n te r, b u t i f e x p e r im e n ta lly th e n it is m e re ly
s u b s e r v in g reason.

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in it ia t iv e

ver su s

r e p e t it io n

A lth o u g h circu m sta n ce s a n d o u r m in d s c h a n g e , this is th e in s tin c tiv e .

W e can c o n tin u e to s u b s e rv e o u r n atu ra l fu n c tio n s a n d also d e v e lo p
0u r o w n c o n scio u sn ess. In a n y b e in g are b ra in s th e p la c e in th e to ta l
o rg a n ism in w h ic h th e o r ig in s and c o lle c t e d results o f im p u ls e s and
reactio n s are lo c a te d ; th e sp rin g s and m ilie u f o r c o lle c t io n o f resp o n s
es. S im u lta n e o u s ly so u rc e s a n d registers, th e se th ree b rain s are his life

and e x p e r ie n c e ; his p r e c io u s p o ssessio n , h e n c e th e se co n d c o m m a n d

m en t: D u r in g o r d in a r y e x is te n c e it is c o m m a n d e d b e in g s sh o u ld
a v o id th o s e p e rc e p tio n s th a t m a y in ju r e th e p u r ity o f th e ir brains,

i.e. th e m a in te n a n c e o f re a so n ; cf. o u r fe a r o f g o in g m a d . O n l y b e
ings w h o h a v e lo st th e ir rea so n can e v e r a d m it th at reaso n has n o t th e
h igh est v a lu e .
O n l y th re e -c e n te re d b e in g s can b e c o n s c io u s o f th e p o s s ib ility o f
b e c o m in g f u lly d e v e lo p e d , i.e . reach d iv in e reason . B u t in us these
three p o ssib ilitie s e x is t in v a in . B e in g s o f th e ea rth , b e ca u se o f th eir
co n d itio n s o f e x is te n c e h a v e m a d e th is p la n e t a fe s te r in g w o u n d in
the c o s m o s . W e have a lm o s t a sane e q u ip m e n t.
A f f ir m in g in th e h e a d b ra in .
D e n y in g in th e sp in e b ra in .

R e c o n c ilin g w e h a v e in u s, b u t it d o e s n o t act as a m ass as in

oth er th re e -c e n te re d b e in g s . In stead o f th e h ea rt w e h a v e th e solar

p le xu s, a c o n g e r ie s o f n o d e s , n o t h a r m o n iz e d in to sin g le syste m s ca
pable o f e m o tio n s . T h e y are o n v a r y in g th in g s at th e sam e tim e and
hence are n o t cap able o f w ill.
W it h th e process o f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , th e re b e g in s a c o n s o lid a tion, a g a th e r in g o f th e lim b s o f O siris b y Isis. T h is r e u n io n c a n n o t
he b r o u g h t a b o u t th r o u g h th e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r, o n ly b y th e a ffirm
ing b ra in w i t h re la tio n t o th e w h o le . I is th ese p o te n tia litie s , as y e t
un a c tu a liz e d .

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P erh ap s y o u r e m e m b e r th e title o f t h e ch ap ter.

L e t m e say th a t w h e n w e v e g o n e o v e r this c h a p te r w e shall have
passed o v e r th e m o s t d iffic u lt p a rt o f t h e b o o k fo r u s t o co m p re h e n d .
L a te r o n , w it h H a ssein also, bits w i l l b e r e m e m b e re d an d w ill take
th e ir p la ces. It is c e r ta in ly p r e s u m p tu o u s o n th e p a r t o f a n y o n e, in
c lu d in g th e w r it e r o f th is b o o k t o m a k e c o m m e n ts o n th e n atu re o f
th e u n iv e rs e and m e a n in g o f life .
R e n a n said: It is n o t d isg ra ce fu l n o t to k n o w th e n atu re o f m an
an d th e m e a n in g o f life b u t it is d is g ra ce fu l n o t t o b e in tereste d in
th e se q u e s tio n s .
A n d th e w r it e r o f th is b o o k , y o u w ill recall, c o n s ta n tly reiterated
th a t it is th e d u t y o f a h u m a n b e in g to u n d e rsta n d h im s e lf and th e
u n iv e r s e . C a n y o u cast y o u r ey e o v e r n atu re and m a k e so m e real o b
se rv a tio n s o n th e n a tu re o f th is b io lo g ic a l b e in g c a lle d m an?
W h a t d o es it fe e l lik e to b e a h u m a n b e in g ? O n e sh o u ld b e a
s c ie n tific sp e c ta to r w h o is also an e x p e rim e n te r. M e n h ave certain
ch a ra cte ristics. W e are in a p o s itio n t o m a k e so m e real o b je c tiv e state
m e n ts a b o u t m e n . M a k e a c ritic a l su r v e y .
M e n are d e g e n e ra te h a ve b e c o m e less and less a c tu a l an d have less
a n d less desire to a c tu a liz e th e ir p o te n tia litie s . T h is is a b n o rm a l, b u t
so g r a d u a lly has it c o m e a b o u t, th a t th is a b n o rm a l sta te is regarded as
n o rm a l.
M e n h a ve n o p r o p e r regard fo r th e ir c h ild re n , n o p r o p e r regard fo r
th e ir in te lle c tu a l d e v e lo p m e n t an d so o n .
W it h o u t an o b je c tiv e stan dard o f w h a t a h u m a n b e in g r e a lly sh o u ld
b e , w e can n o t d e te rm in e w h e t h e r w e (that is, m en ) a re d e c lin in g o r
p r o g re s s in g .
T h e r e are s o m e re co rd s o f a n c ie n t tim es th at s h o w m e n w e re o n ce
v e r y d iffe re n t. It is th e b ir th r ig h t o f n o rm a l b e in g s t o u n d e rsta n d that
th e so la r sy ste m is o u r n atu ra l re a lm . In e a rly tim e s it w a s fe lt th at
p la n e ts w e r e n e ig h b o r s b u t n o w w e h a v e fo r th at o n l y su p erstitio n .
W e w ill p r o c e e d to fin d h ere fu r th e r q u alities w h ic h o u g h t to be
th e n o rm a l q u a litie s o f b e in g s o n th is p la n e t, b u t fo r w h ic h w e have
o n l y n am es n o w .
G u r d j ie f f in th is c h a p te r passes f r o m th e u n iv ersa l t o th e p articu lar
an d v ic e versa.
T h r e e c en ters in th e u n iv e rs e a n d th ree in m a n .
W e are w h a t w e h a ve e a te n a n d so th e w h o le p h y sic a l u n iverse
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is j u s t th e sam e, G o d w a s o n th e S u n A b s o lu t e . C a n y o u m a k e th e
d is tin c tio n b e tw e e n I an d it ? G o d e x is te d b e fo r e a n d ap art fr o m
th e p h y sica l w o r ld . In th e sam e w a y I m u s t have e x is te d b e fo r e and
ap art fr o m i t . I f I a m b y n atu re a t h r e e fo ld b e in g th e n w h a t I m ake
w ill b e th re e fo ld . S o th r e e in o n e th e t r in it y th ree m a k in g o n e tria m a z ik a m n o . T h e w o r d o f G o d .
T h e n atu re o f m a n w a s in h e re n t in th in g s b e fo re c re a tio n . A n o r ig
inal th r e e fo ld fo r c e th a t in sp ired c re a tio n w a s b o u n d t o m a n ife st its e lf
in th r e e ch a ra cte ristics fo rm s. W h a t th e m e a n in g o f th e u n iv e rse is
w e c a n n o t y e t k n o w a n d w e m u st a p p r e h e n d it as th r e e fo ld . A n im a ls
w o u ld a p p reh en d it as t w o fo ld .
T im e is th e p o te n tia l o f all p o te n tia ls th e so u rce o f a ll a ctu alities.
W e c o m e here to th e q u e s tio n o f w h y th re e -b ra in e d b e in g s p ro d u c e
a p a r tic u la r sort o f b e in g . M a n has im a g in in g se n sa tio n e m o tio n .
A n im a ls have sen sa tio n s an d e m o tio n s , b u t n o t th ird fo r c e e n a b lin g
th e m to possess im a g e s . It can b e s p e c u la te d as to w h e t h e r anim als
m a y so m e tim es po ssess reason an d v e g e ta b le s e m o tio n s b u t th is is
b eca u se th re e fo ld n e s s is in h e re n t in th e m . S o as in th e scales, ton es
flo w in t o each o th e r , y e t th ere are sp e c ific resto rial n o te s and it is
h a r d ly p o ssib le in c e r ta in cases to d is tin g u is h b e tw e e n m e ta l and m in
eral o r an im al and v e g e ta b le , etc.
N o w I m u st t r y t o c o r r e c t ly re p re se n t to y o u w h a t th e id eas o f th e
s c h o o l at F o n ta in e b le a u a re n o t w h a t I k n o w o r b e lie v e b u t fa ith
fu lly tra n sm ittin g .
L ig h t m an ifests i t s e l f o w in g to th e in v a r ia b le p re se n c e o f a certain
c h e m ic a l su bstan ce in th e a tm o sp h ere o f a ll p lan ets. T h is e le m e n t is
c a lle d o k id a n o k h o r e le c tr ic ity . T h e th r e e fo rce s o f th e w o r ld are
assem b led in o n ly o n e e le m e n t o k id a n o k h o r e le c t r ic it y . W e are
m a in ly p ro d u cts o f e le c tr ic it y . T h e s e fo r c e s in us are c a lle d :
1 . P o s itiv e im a g e m a k in g a ffirm in g .
2. N e g a tiv e s e n s a tio n d e n y in g .
3. N e u tr a liz in g e m o t io n r e c o n c ilin g .
T h e s e th ree sy ste m s in o u rselv es are th e o r ig in , c a u se a n d c o n d i
tio n s o f o u r b e in g as w e are.
T h e r e takes p la ce o n th e e n tr y o f th e se th ree fo rce s a p ro ce ss called
ach e f o r e v o lv e m e n t e n v y re m o rse ( o f th e e le m e n ts) ach e fo r
P e r fe c tio n . A n y rate o f v ib ra tio n in th e p resen ce o f a h ig h e r rate
strains to a ch ieve th e h ig h e r rate its e lf. I.e . a s h o ck b e in g p re se n t, ele -

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m erits w ill strive in a d d itio n to th e m e c h a n ic a l desire t o raise th e ir rate

o f v ib r a tio n .
P r o t o n and e le c tr o n are h eld in re la tio n b y a th ir d fo r c e . M an ,
w o m a n , c h ild b u t fa th e r and m o th e r are n o t a lte re d b y th e ch ild .
W h a t m akes th e r e la tio n o f fa th e r m o t h e r ch ild?
T h ir d fo r c e b lin d . W e c a n n o t see a g r o u p w e c a n n o t see o th er
th a n a la r g e n u m b e r o f in d iv id u a l p e o p le n eve r a c r o w d .
1. P r o t o n .
2. E le ctro n .
3. R e la tio n b e tw e e n th e m .
4. T h e a to m .
A r is t o t le c o m m e n c e d a ch a p te r c a lle d m etap h ysics in w h ic h he in
te n d e d t o d ea l w it h sp ace, tim e , f o r m a n d fo rce .
L o w e r n o tes asp ire to h ig h e r n o te s w h a t is th ere in th e n ature o f
th in g s to p r o d u c e su c h an asp iratio n ?
T h e o n e a ctiv e e le m e n t in w h ic h are c o n ta in e d th e th r e e fo rces.
T a k e I and i t . Y o u o w e it t o th e o n e fa c t th a t y o u have a
b o d y , I , th at y o u h a v e a n y e x p e r ie n c e w h a te v e r . I f l ig h t affects it, it
is th a n k s to th e fa c t th a t it is im p re ssio n a b le in that w a y .
C irc u m s ta n c e s pass us and as th e y pass th e y p la y u p o n us as a se
ries o f p la y ers m a y p la y u p o n a p ia n o . O f co u rs e t h e y a re lim ite d to
th e n u m b e r o f n o te s . T h e w h o le e x te r n a l w o r ld co n s is ts o f n o o b
je c t s o n ly o f a c o n g lo m e r a te o f m a n ife s te d v ib ra tio n s . T h e u n iverse
is a c o n s ta n t flu x o f th re e fo rce s.
M o o n is lo w e r v ib r a t io n A n u lio s is h ig h e r.
P o s itiv e A n u lio s in te lle c tu a l.
N e g a t iv e M o o n in s tin c tiv e .
N e u t r a liz in g E a r th e m o tio n s .
Y o u t h id e a lis ts w i l l a d o p t a ll so rts o f fo rm s o f s e x in d u lg e n ce s ,
b e c o m e c y n ic a l, b e c o m e p a th o lo g ic a l in so m e w a y , c o m m it suicide.
It m a y b e that th e in cre a sin g u se o f e le c tr ic it y w i l l b r in g a b o u t a
v e r y serio u s, p o s s ib ly d isastro u s, s itu a tio n fo r h u m a n b e in g s . U n til it
w ill b e c o m e im p o s s ib le to g r o w e v e n t o th e age o f e ig h te e n as n o w .
T h e em a n a tio n s fr o m th e sun w h e n it e n c o u n te rs th is substance
e le c tr ic it y in o u r a tm o sp h e re , it sets u p a m o n g o th e r su b stan ces re
m o r s e , w h ic h e x h ib its it s e lf to us as lig h t .
S o in a c e rta in state o f e m o tio n y o u can u n d e rsta n d c e r ta in ideas.
U n d e r s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n ce rta in te n d e n c ie s in th e e le m e n ts o f o u r b o d
ies w i l l b e c o m e a c t iv e r e m o r s e .
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In a n y b e in g th e fr e e fu n c tio n s te n d t o b e c o m e c o a te d o r th e y te n d
to h a v e a c o rr e s p o n d in g sy ste m b u ilt u p a ro u n d th e m b u t fr o m th e
c o n tin u a tio n o f th is th e re are b u ilt u p th r e e b o d ie s:

P la n e ta r y in s tin c tiv e reason.

S p ir it essen tial reaso n .

M in d o r so u l o b je c tiv e reason.

O b je c t iv e reason is c a p a b le o f u n d e rs ta n d in g w h y th in g s are as th e y
are. B e in g reason can u n d e rsta n d th e fo r m u la tio n s a n d e n u n c ia tio n o f
scien tists, i.e . th e w h a t o f th e w o r ld . O b je c t iv e rea so n is cap ab le o f
u n d e rs ta n d in g th e w h y o f th e w o r ld .

P la n e ta ry b o d y see e x te rn a l o b je c ts .

Second body insight.

Third body foresight and hindsight.
These three forms o f bodies will give us, when completely devel
oped, a complete understanding o f ourselves and the universe.
According to Gurdjieff, these are represented in us by three brains:
1 . Instinctive brain highly developed.
2. V is u a l o r e m o tio n a l b ra in o n ly p a r tia lly d e v e lo p e d .
3. In te lle c tu a l b ra in h a r d ly d e v e lo p e d at all.
96 p e rc e n t o f o u r e x p e rie n c e s are in s tin c tiv e . 3 p e r c e n t o f o u r e x
p e rie n c e s are e m o tio n a l an d 1 p e rc e n t are o f th e in te lle c tu a l.

As should be:
Intellectual positive.
Emotional neutralizing.
Instinctive negative.
B u t w e a re:

Instinctive positive.
Emotional neutralizing.
Intellectual negative.
So we are standing on our heads.
T h e r e is n o th in g e v il in th e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r e x c e p t h a b it
in th e la rg e st sense o f th e w o r d . In s tin c tiv e o ffe rs its o n l y r u le its
te n d e n c y to repeat its e x p e rie n c e s . B u t as so o n as h a b its are c o m
m e n c e d to be b ro k e n , rea so n w ill c o m m e n c e to e x e rc is e itse lf. P u t

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in c o n tra s t in itia tiv e , o r ig in a lit y an d re p e a te d h a b it. T h is te n d e n c y is

in s tin c tiv e .
T h e b ra in is in g e n e ra l m e r e ly o n e o f th e m ean s f o r th e tran sp o si
tio n o f m a te ria l, b u t it is p o ssib le fo r an in d iv id u a l to a ls o at th e same
tim e u t iliz e th e e x p e rie n c e s , i.e . to u se th e tr o g o a ft o e g o c r a t m ach in e
fo r th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f co n s cio u s n e s s. T h e brain as c o lle c t io n o f re
sults o f im p u lse s, re a ctio n s and resp o n se s as th e th re e sp rin g s are u n
w o u n d . W e liv e b y th e ir im p u lse s a n d g r o w b y th e ir re c o rd s. S o brains
are so u rce s o f e x p e r ie n c e and at th e sam e tim e reco rd s.
T h e d e v e lo p m e n t o f an in d iv id u a l is alw a y s p o s s ib le an d dep en ds
u p o n th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f th ese th re e b rain s.
F irst c o m m a n d m e n t: L o v e all th a t b reath es.
S e c o n d c o m m a n d m e n t: D u r in g o r d in a r y e x is te n c e t o a v o id all
th o s e e x p e rie n c e s th a t w il l te n d to im p a ir th e m a in te n a n c e o f these
th r e e brains.
W h a t d o w e fe a r m o r e th a n d ea th ? In s a n ity t o b e c o m e insane.
W h y ? B e ca u se o f his se co n d c o m m a n d w h ic h is la id u p o n us even
t h o u g h w e d o n o t k n o w it. E v e n th e c y n ic p rid es h im s e lf o n reason.
It is o n ly p o ssib le fo r th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g s to b e c o n s c io u s o f th e
p o s s ib ility o f a c h ie v in g d iv in e o r o b je c tiv e reason.
B u t o n ea rth o w in g to th e c o n d itio n s a b n o rm a l, m o n stro u s as
th e y a re th a t p la ce has b e c o m e a n a s ty so re o n th e c o s m o s . W e have
in u s a v a r ie t y o f c o n t r a r y w is h e s in s te a d o f w ill. I is a p o te n tia l y e t
u n a c tu a liz e d .

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b e e l z e b u b s s e c o n d d e s c e n t to the p l a n e t

T h e T im a e u s o f P la to c o n ta in s th e c o s m o g o n y o f P y th a g o r a s .
B e fo r e ta k in g u p th is ch a p te r, le t us re m in d o u r s e lv e s o f th e b e
g in n in g o f th e b o o k , its p la c e , tim e a n d p e rso n n e l. B e e lz e b u b rep re
sents o u rs e lv e s w i t h o u r p o te n tia litie s r e a liz e d , th e n o r m a l o r id eal
m an . H is fu n c tio n o n th is p la n e t is fin is h e d ; an d he has a ll o f h u m a n
e x p e r ie n c e b eh in d h im , in c lu d in g a c r itiq u e o f h u m a n n a tu re. H e is
o b je c tiv e , w it h o u t p r e ju d ic e , in fa ct b e n e v o le n t. H e h ad b e e n e x is tin g
o n th is p la n e t fo r s o m e fa u lt. T h is su g g e s ts th at th e I is a lre a d y in
e x ile a n d th at w e h a v e m a d e th e e r ro r o f id e n tify in g o u r s e lv e s w it h
a p a rt o f o u r p o te n tia litie s in stead o f th e w h o le . H e has m a d e use o f
his e x ile to lead a c o n s c io u s life sp a rin g n o e ffo rt to d e v e lo p all th e
te c h n iq u e p o ssible. H e b e g in s w it h a c c o u n ts o f life o n o th e r p lan ets.
W h e t h e r su ch life e x is ts o r n o t w e n e e d n o t say; b u t at a n y rate such
life , i f th e re , d ep en d s o n em a n a tio n s o r ra d ia tio n s fr o m so la r sources.
B e e lz e b u b and th e c a p ta in discuss tra n s-so la r ships. U n d e r th is par
able are discussed v a r io u s te ch n iq u e s fo r d e v e lo p in g s u p e r-c o n s c io u s
ness. T h e r e are fo u r fo r m s o f c o n s cio u s n e s s: sle e p in g , w a k in g , s e lf
and c o s m ic .
T h e p e c u lia r ity o f b e in g s o n th is p la n e t is d u e to sp ecia l c o n d i
tio n s; t h e y are u n iq u e , e s p e c ia lly in th e n a tu re o f th e ir rea so n . W h y
d o I t h in k that th e m a jo r it y o f p e o p le I m e e t are fo o ls? W h y d o th e
m a jo r ity o f p e o p le w h o m I m ee t th in k I a m a fo o l? A n d w h y are
w e b o t h rig h t? W h y d o w e a ll r e c o g n iz e th e essen tial senselessness o f
p e o p le ? T h is is ta k en f o r g ra n te d and u se d in all d ea lin g s w i t h c ro w d s.
W h y d o w e have s u c h d iffic u lty in b e h a v in g r e a s o n a b ly e v e n in a
c r o w d w i t h o u r o w n stan dards?
In d iscu ssin g ships w e e n c o u n te re d th e la w o f f a llin g , g iv in g a
p s y c h o lo g ic a l m e a n in g to th e la w o f g r a v ita tio n . T h e te n d e n c y o f a
h ig h n o t e o f v ib ra tio n to fa ll to a lo w e r n o te . In this sen se, space b e
co m es m e r e ly a d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n rates o f v ib ra tio n .
W h a t is th e d ista n c e b e tw e e n t w o n o te s ? I f y o u re in te re s te d in
space a n d tim e , read S. A le x a n d e r , a p h y s ic is t. Y o u w i l l m e e t such
sen ten ces as Space is th e m o th e r o f t im e .
T h e n d iscu ssio n o f sh ip s led to p e r p e tu a l m o tio n ; a n d u n d e r
this . . .

[Parable, a discussion o f the old question o f the immortality o f the soul.]

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W e , h ere, to n ig h t, are b o d ie s, n o t so u ls; and sh all p r o b a b ly n o t

s u r v iv e d eath .
In c e rta in p e rio d s , w h o le c iv iliz a tio n s h ave m a d e th is th e to u c h
s to n e o f v a lu es. Is it p o ssib le to c o n c e iv e a m a ch in e w h ic h w o u ld last
a n d w o r k in a n y su bstan ce? T h e a n s w e r is yes.
T h is d iscu ssio n a ro u ses in H a sse in re fle ctio n s o n b e c o m in g c o n
sc io u s o f g e n u in e d u t y . O n b e c o m in g a d u lt, w e e n te r in to certain
resp o n sib ilitie s. H a sse in th in k s: I a m h ere o n this p la n e t, a m o n g tw o
h u n d re d th o u sa n d m illio n o th e rs, s u r ro u n d e d b y n a tu re w h o sup plies
e n jo y m e n t etc. H o w m u c h d o es it c o s t to m a in ta in th is? W h a t d o I
o w e fo r all I a m g e ttin g ? Is life o f v a lu e ? P o ssib ility f o r e x p e rie n c e b e
lo n g s to life . H a sse in rea lize s: n o t h in g ju s t sp rang in t o e x is te n c e ; and
e v e r y t h in g is m a in ta in e d and d e v e lo p e d b y e ffo rt. N o t o n ly n ature
b u t p e o p le la b o r t o m a in ta in th is c iv iliz a tio n . H a sse in is o v e r c o m e b y
th is re a liz a tio n . W e c o m e in to th e w o r l d e n title d t o n o th in g . W h a t
e n title s us ev e n t o m o th e r-lo v e ?
N a tu r e p ro m p ts it ; and u ltim a t e ly w e m u st rep a y in c o n s cio u s e f
fo r t. B u t it is n o w e n tir e ly p r e m a tu r e says B e e lz e b u b t o H assein , to
c o n s id e r, o r e v e n to th in k o f r e p a y in g . It c a n n o t b e th a t u n til y o u
u n d e rsta n d h o w m u c h y o u o w e e tc . A n y a ttem p t to re p a y n o w w o u ld
b e p re m a tu re a n d e v e n lea d to g r e a te r d eb ts. H a ssein s o n l y d u ty n o w
is t o an in crea sed u n d e rsta n d in g . O u r m o r a lity is th a t o f p u p ils.
In re tu rn fo r H a sse in s d isp la y o f g e n u in e e m o tio n , B e e lz e b u b w ill
te ll h im w h a t h e w a n ts to k n o w . H a sse in asks a b o u t slu g s . A slu g is
a o n e -c e n te r e d b e in g w h ic h has n o fu r th e r p o te n tia litie s ; b u t w e as
th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g s h a ve th e p o s s ib ility o f d e v e lo p in g th ree bod ies.
A s lo n g as w e a re satisfied w it h o n e b o d y , w e are s lu g s in regard to
o u r p o te n tia litie s .
In o r d e r to e x p la in w h a t w e a re , w e m u st g o b a c k . T h e m y th o f
th e gen esis o f th e m o o n . T h e e a rth w a s g o in g a lo n g p e a c e fu lly , w h e n
it c o llid e d w it h a c o m e t and h ad t w o p ie ce s s tr u c k o ff. I f th e planet
w a s a w h o le it w a s le ft d e p riv e d . W e are o r g a n ic a lly th e p ro d u c t o f
th e p la n e t and m a y b e e x p e c te d to r e p r o d u c e th e o r g a n ic d eficien cies
o f th e p la n e t.
A l l th a t w e c a ll n a tu re , in c lu d in g o u rse lv e s, is a s o r t o f sk in o n th e
p la n e t. T h is sp lit p e r s o n a lity is n a tiv e to all life o n th e p la n e t. A ll o f
us at a n y g iv e n m o m e n t are I a n d i t . D is c rim in a te b e tw e e n w h a t
I d o an d w h a t i t w o u ld d o , c f. S t. P au l. In th e m y t h a co m m is
s io n e r is sent f r o m th e S u n A b s o lu te , to see w h a t m u s t b e d o n e to p re
se rv e th e e q u ilib r iu m o f th e sy ste m , f o r a lte rin g o n e p la n e t affects th e

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o th e rs , i.e . i f e a rth s w e ig h t w a s r e d u c e d b y o n e -h a lf, o th e r p lan ets

w o u ld fin d th e m se lv e s n earer th e su n ; an d th e ir y e a r sh o rte n e d , w it h
ca ta stro p h ic even ts p r o d u c e d . N o p e b b le can be th r o w n in t o a stream
w it h o u t a ffe c tin g th e b ala n ce o f t h e e a r th o n its a xis.
S a k a k i co m es to in v e stig a te an d fin d s th e t w o fr a g m e n ts had n o t
g o n e b e y o n d th e so la r sy ste m . T h e y h a d g o n e p art w a y an d th en b e
gan to fa ll b a ck ; b u t m e a n tim e th e e a r th had g o n e o n in its o rb it so
that it w a s a lw a y s fa llin g an d n e v e r c a tc h in g u p (i.e., o u r h ig h e r e m o
tio n a l and in te lle c tu a l cen ters).
T h e s e m u st b e s u p p lie d a c e rta in so rt o f ra d ia tio n f r o m this p la n e t
su p p lie d o n ly b y la b o r an d e ffo rt. W h y th is cu rse o f la b o r , this n eces
s ity o f e ffo rt? W h y th e a p p aren t m a le v o le n c e o f G o d . A c c o r d in g to
th e m y t h , th is is n o t m a le v o le n c e ; b u t a resu lt o f n e c e s s ity . N o o n e
can esca p e th e n e c e s s ity o f e ffo rt. E v e n w h e n id len e ss seem s p o ssible,
m en e n g a g e in v a r io u s u n n e c e s sa ry e n terp rises, le a v in g p e a c e fu l c ir
c u m sta n ces to p u t th e m se lv e s in to a c tio n .
T h e su b stan ce d e r iv e d fr o m e ffo r t is called a s k o k in . W h a t is it?
A so rt o f sw ea t, p h y s ic a l, e m o tio n a l a n d m en ta l. T h is is p erh ap s th e
o n ly se r v ic e w e r e n d e r at p rese n t t o th e u n iv e rse . T h is m a y b e p a id ,
e ith e r c o n s c io u s ly o r u n c o n s c io u s ly (as at p resen t). I f v o lu n ta r y o r
c o n s cio u s , th e sam e su b stan ce is y ie ld e d b u t th e in d iv id u a l h im s e lf
p ro fits fr o m it. In th is w a y , th e c u rse it s e lf b e c o m e s a b le ssin g P la to
said: G o d s curses a re o p p o r tu n itie s .
S a k a k i u n d e r t o o k t o fa rm o n th is p la n e t, in o r d e r t o p r o d u c e th is
sw ea t. H e arran ge d th a t o n this p la n e t th e la w o f sev en a n d th e la w o f
th ree s h o u ld o p e ra te n o t in t e r d e p e n d e n tly b u t in d e p e n d e n tly . S ak a k i
is re sp o n sib le fo r th e sp lit p e r s o n a lity b e tw e e n I a n d i t . I is
u n d e r th e la w o f th r e e (o n ly th re e fu n c tio n s o f c o n scio u sn ess). I t
is u n d e r th e la w o f s e v e n c o lo r, s o u n d , ev en p ro cesse s o f th e b o d y ,
d ig e s tio n . B o d ie s d o n o t h e lp in c o n s cio u s n e s s. W h y is th e b o d y n o t
r e fle c tiv e o f th e m in d ? W h y this u n fitn e ss b e tw e e n th e b o d y and c o n
sciousn ess? W h y are w e lik e stran gers in it? D is tin g u is h b e tw e e n th e
th ree fu n c tio n s o f co n s cio u s n e s s w it h in o r d u rin g a n y o n e o f th e fo u r
states o f c o n scio u sn ess.
S a k a k i m a d e it p r a c tic a lly im p o s sib le f o r m en to b e m e n . W e su ffer
b u t w e are n o t to b la m e ; th e fa ct th a t 99 p e rcen t o f th e tim e w e are
w it h o u t sense, h y s te ric a l, v a in , e g o is tic , stu p id e t c ., is th e tru th . It
Was a rra n g e d to in s u re e ffo rt o r s u ffe rin g . A su sp icio n th a t w e w e r e
u sed fo r th is p u r p o s e m ig h t arise (see later) so a n o th e r d e v ic e w as in
tr o d u c e d . A c c id e n t m e r e ly m eans, n o t w ith in o u r p o s s ib le calcu la-

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tio n ; b u t an a cc id e n t o f c o llis io n b e tw e e n th e e a rth a n d a c o m e t is

w it h in s o m e c o s m ic c a lc u la tio n an d f o r so m e p u rp o se .
A b n o r m a lit y in c lu d e s n o t o n ly h u m a n n atu re b u t a ll fix tu r e , cf. St.
P a u l in R o m a n s : T h e w h o le o f c re a tio n g r o a n e th a n d travaileth ,
e tc.
E a rth suffers f o r s o m e th in g w h ic h h a p p e n e d far a w a y . B u t m isfo r
tu n e s are also o p p o r tu n itie s , i f m e t a n d h a n d led e x p e r im e n ta lly . I f
m e t b y c o m p la in in g an d a sk in g w h y o n e is p ick e d o n , o n e w ill suffer
j u s t as m u c h , i f n o t m o r e . I f m e t e x p e r im e n ta lly as an o p p o r t u n it y to
s o lv e a p r o b le m , th e re is a m u scle d e v e lo p e d , o f th e h ig h e s t use.
T h e r e is a re la tio n b e tw e e n B e e lz e b u b s r e v o lt and th is catastro p h e.
B e e lz e b u b rep resen ts m in d . T h e f o r m o f in te llig e n c e w h ic h he rep
resen ts is o n ly p o ssib le th r o u g h m e e tin g and o v e r c o m in g ce rta in d if
fic u ltie s . E ffo rt is n e e d e d to c o n v e r t k n o w le d g e in t o u n d e rsta n d in g .
B e e lz e b u b h a d to sw e a t to u n d e rsta n d w h a t h e k n e w .
T h e o r g a n p r o d u c in g th is sp lit w a s ca lle d k u n d a b u ffe r ; it w as th e
e ffe c t o f ce rta in c o n d itio n s in th e a tm o sp h e re , ju s t as c e rta in c o n d i
tio n s p r o d u c e , say, b ald n ess. S a k a k i a n d L o o iso s, th e a rch -ch em ist
(p h ysio ) a rra n g e d th a t h u m a n b e in g s s h o u ld d e v e lo p a c e r ta in disease,
p r o d u c in g c e rta in p s y c h o lo g ic a l m a n ife sta tio n s, n a tiv e to th e disease,
as in te s tin a l d iso rd ers p r o d u c e ir r ita b ility . T h is s p in a l disease p r o
d u c e s th e sam e e ffe c t as i f o n e h ad ta k e n o p iu m . W e w a lk d o w n the
a v e n u e in a state o f s o m n a m b u lis m o r w e u n d e rta k e s o m e j o b w h ic h
w e d o n o t k n o w h o w to u n d e rta k e o r c a r r y it th r o u g h w it h an e x
tra v a g a n t e x p e n d itu r e o f e n e r g y . W e h a v e th e facts b u t w e are un able
to a ssem b le th e m .
K u n d a b u ffe r has b e e n re m o v e d . Its fu n c tio n is n o lo n g e r n ecessary;
th e o r g a n is v e s tig ia l. It o n c e h ad th e fu n c tio n o f k e e p in g us crazy.
N o w , w e are b o r n sane b u t b e c o m e in san e th r o u g h th e in flu e n ce o f
o u r e ld e rs, e d u c a tio n , c o n v e n tio n , d e sire to b e lik e o u r n e ig h b o r . Ed
u c a tio n is th e e n e m y o f th e h u m a n race.
S a k a k i r e tu rn e d an d B e e lz e b u b set u p an o b s e r v a to r y . S e lf-o b se r
v a tio n th u s gave h im a d d itio n a l len ses, so th at he w a s a b le to ob serve
d ista n t p la n e ts e tc. It is im p o s sib le to m a k e an o b je c tiv e s u r v e y o f the
h u m a n race as a w h o le w h ic h is w h a t is req u ired to u n d e rsta n d the
b o o k , w it h o u t a d d in g th e lens o f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n . W e m a y n o t be
able at p rese n t to see th e rela tio n b e tw e e n lis te n in g to th e to n es o f
o n e s o w n v o ic e a n d c a r r y in g o n c e rta in im a g in a tiv e acts.
W a r is o n e o f th e p e cu lia ritie s o f th e b e in g s o n th is p la n e t. It is due
to o u r c o n v e n tio n a l e d u c a tio n . W e discu ss it and c a r r y it o n w ith -

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o u t re a liz a tio n o f its h o r r o r . A n in h a b ita n t o f a n o th e r p la n e t w h e r e

th e id e a o f c a r r y in g it o n and k illin g w a s re p u g n a n t as s o m e lo a th
so m e c r im e a m o n g us w o u ld sh rin k f r o m c o m in g h e re . T h e n w h y
did S a k a k i and L o o is o s a rran ge th is lu n a c y ? P erh ap s th e re had to b e
m o re b lo o d . C f . S a n ces o f e a r ly r e lig io n s ; e v o c a tio n s in fu m e s o f
b lo o d , a c ru d e and o b v io u s m eans to s trik e th e lim ite d im a g in a tio n s
o f p r im itiv e p e o p le s. It g a v e th e m rea l h o rro rs to c o n v in c e th e m o f
th e su p ern a tu ra l an d c re a te resp ect f o r th e priests.
P erh a p s th e n o rm a l d e a th rate w a s n o t e n o u g h ; th e m o o n crie d fo r
m o re . S o it w as g iv e n w a rs . (See la te r c h a p te r o n w a r.)
T h is p e c u lia r ity w a s n o t u n iq u e to c e rta in m o m e n ts o f m adn ess;
b u t w a s p rep ared f o r f r o m b irth b y c e r ta in tran ce c o n d itio n s . C a ll
a m a n a h e r o w h o is p rep ared to t h r o w a w a y his o w n life , i.e . to
c o m m it su icid e in o r d e r to m u rd e r. W e h a v e o n ly to c o n s id e r w h a t
w o u ld b e a reaso n ab le lin e o f c o n d u c t t o re a lize th at th is is th e acm e
o f u n rea so n a b len ess. T h e h e r o has b e e n sp e c ia lly c o n d itio n e d .
T h e n ca m e th e first d e sce n t to A t la n tis , w h e t h e r g e o g r a p h ic a lly
c o rr e c t o r n o t is n o t o u r c o n c e r n . B e e lz e b u b w a s o n a m is s io n : a C a r itasian re fo r m e r h ad c o m e to a h a sty c o n c lu s io n th at th e w a y to re
fo r m w a s to let p e o p le d o as th e y w is h e d , b e lie v in g t h e y w o u ld d o
th e r ig h t th in g . T h e y h a d n o t first ta k e n th e tr o u b le , w h ic h B e e l
z e b u b h a d tak en , to u n d e rsta n d h u m a n n a tu re. H o w m u c h w ill w e
d o m e r e ly th r o u g h lo v e o f th e g o o d th e tr u e , th e b e a u tifu l? T h e r e is
d is illu s io n m e n t o f th e p re m a tu re r e fo r m e r w h o d o es n o t re a liz e th at
he is a tta c k in g n o t lo c a l, b u t u n iv ersa l p r o b le m s , and m u s t h a ve a u n i
versal u n d e rsta n d in g . S o w it h us, a tte m p ts to m a k e r e fo r m w it h o u t
first p r e p a r in g o u rse lv e s.
T im e is th e u n iq u e su b je c tiv e , th e e ss en ce o f w h a t w e ca ll I .
E x p e r ie n c e is d u e to th r e e fa cto rs: e x te r n a l stim u lu s; o r g a n r e c e iv
in g s; m e d iu m o f c o m m u n ic a tio n . W h a t is it th at e x p e rie n c e s ? I .
A le x a n d e r says th a t tim e is s u b je c tiv ity and space is th e field in
w h ic h tim e a ctu a lizes its e lf. T h e s u b je c tiv ity o f tim e . O u r tim e lim it,
th e d e g r e e o f o u r p o s s ib le e x p e rie n c e , in th e th ree ce n te rs. T im e pass
es fa stest f o r th o se w h o s e cen ters are ru n o u t w it h o u t o u r b e in g aw are
o f it a n d th e m . N o t in g o u r e x p e rie n c e s as th e y pass is c a lle d m a k in g
nse o f t im e .

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NEXT CHAPTER THE ARCH-ABSURd

L ig h t a n d h eat are lo c a l o n th is p la n e t. C f . s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n p ro d u ces
n o d ir e c t e ffe ct o n ly c o n s e q u e n tia l e ffe c t. T h e sun d o e s n o t lig h t n o r
h ea t. E m a n a tio n is th e in flu e n c e e x e r te d b y a n y o b je c t o r p erso n ,
w h ic h d o e s n o t in v o lv e a n y passage o f m a tter. It is c o m p a ra b le to a
m a g n e tic fie ld s u r ro u n d in g a m a g n e t. E v e r y b e in g e x e r ts an em an a
tio n b y its p re se n ce ; e v e n a ta b le d o e s th is and its b e in g is n o t n e g li
g ib le a n d its p rese n ce has an in flu e n c e , th e p la n ets a n d su n o f o u r sys
te m e x e r t t w o in flu e n c e s o n us: r a d ia tio n , em a n a tio n . H a s th is som e
b e a rin g o n th e m o d e r n d o c tr in e o f catalysis?
T h e su n t h o u g h c o ld and d a rk b y its p resen ce w it h in o u r system
p r o d u c e s b y its p re se n c e an e ffe ct, a so rt o f shiver. A s f o r e x a m p le o n e
g o e s in t o a r o o m an d says: I d o n t lik e th e fe e l o f it.

It is th e effect

o f its e m a n a tio n s a n d rad ia tio n s. E le c t r ic it y sh ivers. R e m o r s e w is h

in g to b e m o re th a n it is. P erh ap s th is is th e o r ig in o f th e g r o w t h o f
p la n ts s tim u la tio n o f a w aren ess, in th e p resen ce o f a h ig h e r rate o f
v ib r a tio n . T h e m y s te r y o f g r o w t h is p e rh a p s d u a l: w it h in and e x te r
n al s tim u lu s.
I f w e fa il to attain lig h t , w e o n ly a tta in h eat. (H eat is th e lig h t that
fa ile d . ) I f w e m a k e an e ffo rt to u n d e rsta n d ce rta in id ea s a n d su cceed ,
w e h a v e a sense o f lig h t ; i f w e fa il, th e sense o f th e im p o s s ib ility p r o
d u c e s a n e m o tio n , w h ic h is heat. T h e n w e can u n d e rs ta n d w h y th e
im a g e o f rem o rse is u se d ; th is im a g e is a snake t r y in g to b ite o f f its
o w n ta il, in a n g e r a n d d isg u s t w it h its e lf. O n e fu m e s W h y can t I?
A h u m a n b e in g is th e p r o d u c t o f h is o w n d ig e s tio n . I w a tch es
th is ca n n ib a listic p ro c e ss u n d e r th e la w o f seven . P s y c h o lo g y fu n c
tio n s u n d e r th e la w o f th ree . G o d is th e sam e. W e a re th e seeds o f
th e tr e e Y g g d r a s il; a co rn s a ro u n d an o a k . W h a t is th e resem b lan ce
b e tw e e n an a co rn an d th e oak? W h a t is th e re se m b la n ce b e tw e e n us
an d th e co sm o s? W e can o n ly u n d e rsta n d th e w o r ld as w e can co m e
in c o n t a c t w it h it. W e are a co rn s an d w e can see th e la w in us. C a n w e
see th e la w s in th e u n iv e rse ? G u r d jie f f says Y e s .
T h e p r im o r d ia l su b sta n ce is o f th r e e ty p e s o r k in d s . E le c tric ity
has p o s itiv e , n e g a tiv e an d n e u tr a liz in g . M a tte r, e n e r g y , e le c tr ic ity , is
th e re a n y d iffe re n ce in th ese term s? M o d e r n p h ysicists sp e a k o f these
th re e . C a n y o u d iffe re n tia te , e .g . in a h y d r o g e n a to m th e p r o to n is
th e n u c le u s and th e e le c tr o n th e o r b it e r and th e m o v e m e n t o f th e
e le c tr o n a ro u n d th e p r o to n g iv e s th e e x h ib itio n o f e n e r g y . T h is is a
h ig h ly m e ta p h y s ic a l c o n c e p t. C lo s e th e b o o k .

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O f th e se th ree it is e le c tr ic it y w h ic h c o n ta in s all th re e . S u b stan ce

here is n a m e d e t h e r n o k r iln o . C f . d o c tr in e o f M a y a in H in d u p h ilo s o

phy- M a y a is th e p o t e n t ia lit y o f m a tter. T h is e t h e r n o k r iln o b e co m e s
d iffe re n tia te d in to m a tte r , e n e r g y an d e le c t r ic it y b e in g th e first em a
n atio n fr o m th e S u n A b s o lu t e . T h e S u n A b s o lu te is I w h o dream s.
O f w h a t substance a re d re am s m ade? O f th is p r im o r d ia l su bstan ce.
T h e s e fo r m in o u r s le e p in g state a n d ta k e shape a c c o r d in g to o u r
th o u g h ts . In o u r w a k in g state th e y m o v e s lo w ly b u t still are th e re
sults o f co n scio u sn ess.
O u r w a k in g state is a n o b je c tiv e d re a m . T h o u g h t a lo n e w il l n o t
shape th e m . W e m u st u se hands, to o ls , e t c . E ven in d re a m s th e th ree
elem e n ts are p resen t. In c o n s e q u e n c e o f th is p rim o rd ia l th re e fo ld n e s s,
the m o s t d e v e lo p e d s h o w a th ree fo ld n es s m o s t cle a rly . H e n c e w e have
three b rain s, each m a n ife s tin g o n e o f th e th re e fo rm s o f e le c tr ic it y :
p o s itiv e , n eg a tiv e, n e u tr a liz in g . A n o r m a l b e in g is o n e in w h ic h these
c o rre s p o n d . C e re b ra l is p o s itiv e , in s tin c tiv e n e g a tiv e an d e m o tio n a l is
n e u tr a liz in g . Y e s is o f th e reason, n o o f h a b it and th e b o d y , w h ile
the e m o tio n s r e c o n c ile th e se . In this sen se th e e m o tio n s are sp o k e n o f
as T h e H o ly G h o s t .
N e g a t iv e e m o tio n s a re th e result o f th e fa ilu re o f re a so n to o v er
co m e th e in e rtia o f h a b it. W h e n th is is in v e r te d , lik e P e te r w h o w as
thus c ru c ifie d , th e in e r tia is grea te r th a n rea so n , th e re is th e n eg a tiv e.
T h e o n l y e v il is th e s u b s titu tio n o f n e g a tiv e fo r p o s itiv e . B e e lz e b u b s
a ttem p t w a s to in v e r t; t o resto re th e p o s itiv e to th e p a rt p o s itiv e b y
ele c trifica tio n .
C o r r e s p o n d in g to th e th r e e b o d ies are th e th ree fo r m s o f s ig h t:
1. S ig h t.
2. In sig h t.

3 T h r o u g h sig h t, o r s e e in g th e rea so n o f th in gs.

O n e u n d erstan d s th e h o w o f th in g s.
T w o , th e w h a t o f th in g s .
T h r e e , th e w h y o f t h in g s .
T h is p resu p p o ses th r e e b o d ies. W e h a v e a g o o d u n d e rs ta n d in g o f
h o w , a s lig h t u n d e rs ta n d in g o f w h a t; a n d n o u n d e rs ta n d in g o f w h y .
N a tu re w i l l n o t h e lp us t o d e v e lo p th e s e c o n d o r th ird . W e are u n co n s c io u s ly s u p p ly in g th e em a n a tio n s a n d rad ia tio n s n e e d e d . W e can
d e v e lo p th e o th ers; f o r w h ile n ature has su p p lie d th e su b sta n ces w e

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sq u a n d e r th ese su b sta n ces in aim less p leasu res. W e s h o u ld use them

fo r c o n s c io u s la b o r an d v o lu n ta r y s u ffe rin g .
O r ig in a l m e a n in g o f th e w o r d e c s ta s y sta n d in g o u ts id e o f, a n o n
id e n tific a tio n . T o d a y it has an o p p o s ite m ea n in g . W e m u s t c o n tin u e
b u ild in g th e se co n d b o d y . W e c a n n o t h a ve o b je c tiv e rea so n w ith o u t
th e th ir d b o d y . Is th e b o o k an o b je c tiv e su rv e y o f h u m a n ity ? I f so,
G u r d j ie f f m u st h a v e th e th ird b o d y . D id P y th a g o r a s p ra ctice the
m e th o d ? P la to ?
H o w d o e s m o n e y g iv e ro o ts? T h e o b je c tiv e a ttitu d e ; th e po sitive
a ttitu d e ; is it p o ssib le t o ta k e a p o s itiv e a ttitu d e m e c h a n ic a lly ? G u r d
j i e f f w h e n h e w e n t to th e East. W h e n e v e r y o u h a v e a p u r p o s e , is n ot
th a t p u r p o s e it s e lf o f th e first b o d y ? M y case, N a p o le o n s?
A t t e m p t to im a g in e a n o rm a l b e in g .
E le c t r ic ity and ele m e n t?
B e rtra n d R u s s e ll says: T h e w a y in w h ic h th in g s b e h a v e .
M a tte r , e n e r g y , e le c tr ic it y , b u t i f a ll m a tte r is a n a c tu a liz a tio n o f
fo r c e .
THE S E C O N D

DESCENT

T h is is th e seco n d d e sce n t fr o m M a rs . A tla n tis h a d b e e n e n g u lfe d in

th e e a rth , n o t d r o w n e d . A ft e r th e g e n e sis o f th e m o o n , th e earth was
r e v o lv in g a little u n s te a d ily ; b u t s o o n settled in to p e rm a n e n t eq u ilib
r iu m w h ic h it has sin ce m a in ta in e d . It w a s in this s e t tlin g th at A tlan tis
w a s e n g u lfe d . C o n s id e r th e p s y c h o lo g ic a l p arable. H o w e v e r , spread
in g o f th e h u m a n race t o o k p la ce . T h e r e w e r e th r e e m a in cen ters o f
c iv iliz a t io n o n th e c o n tin e n t o f A s ia . T h e a b o r ig in a l c o n tin e n t w as
r e p la ce d b y th ree ce n te rs. W e are b o r n w it h essen ce , w h ic h begins
at o n c e to b e e n g u lfe d b y p e rs o n a lity , b y so c ie ty , b y s u g g e s tio n . Es
se n c e o u r b io lo g ic a l p o te n tia litie s , w h a t is b io lo g ic a lly n a tiv e to us.
P e rs o n a lity is w h a t w e h ave b e c o m e . P e rs o n a lity m a y o r m a y n o t be
h a rm o n io u s w it h w h a t w e are b io lo g ic a lly .
B y th e tim e o f B e e lz e b u b s se co n d d escen t, th e ra ce h a d b eg u n to
g r o w u p , to d e v e lo p p e rso n a lity .
T h e th re e c en ters lo c a te d g e o g r a p h ic a lly w e r e :
1. T ik la n d ia (K a ra k u m ) d esert in E astern T u r k e s ta n . T h e sand w ith
w h ic h it n o w is c o v e re d w a s d u e to a p la n e ta ry ca ta stro p h e .
2. G o b la n d ia o r M a r a lp le ic ie , w h e r e is n o w th e G o b i D e se rt was
o n c e a h ig h ly d e v e lo p e d c iv iliz a tio n . (See C h u r c h w a r d , o n e c ity be
l o w a n o th er.)
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3. G e m c h a n ia In d ia.
THE R E A S O N FOR T HE D E S C E N T S

O n e d a y o n M ars an e t h e r o g r a m w a s r e c e iv e d , b y h e a r in g . T h e c o m
m issio n w a s sent f r o m th e S u n A b s o lu te t o th e ea rth t o in v e s tig a te th e
effects o f th e e n g u lfin g o f A tla n tis an d t o see i f an y a d ju stm e n ts w e re
n eed ed in o rg a n ic life . T h e co m m issio n a rr iv e d . L o o is o s w a s a c c o m
pan ied b y his retin u e o f a n g e ls and s e ra p h im (incarn ate p o w e r s o f rea
son a n d e m o tio n ). H e c o n c lu d e d fr o m M a r s th a t th e c a ta s tro p h e w as
n ot so te rr ib le and an im m e d ia te v is it n o t n ecessary. L o o is o s in v ite d
B e e lz e b u b to u n d e rta k e a c o m m is s io n t o v is it th e ea rth a n d a tte m p t to
lim it th e c u s to m o f b lo o d sacrifice, w h ic h w a s th en a p r o m in e n t fe a
tu re o f a ll relig io n s. In e a c h o f these th r e e cen ters b lo o d sa crifice w as
on su c h a h u g e scale th a t th e a tm o sp h e re w a s c h a rg e d w i t h th e fu m es
and o r g a n ic life o n th e m o o n b egan to ta k e o n m o n stro u s shapes.

[O rage speculates that perhaps the monsters o f old tales were a sort o f spiri
tualistic materialization caused by emanations o f bloodfum es on other planets
causing abnormal experiences here.]
L o o is o s asked B e e lz e b u b to lim it o r e n d th is c u s to m o n th e earth ,
n ot o n l y becau se o f its e ffe cts o n th e e a r th b u t also o n th e m o o n . L ik e
a g o o d p o litic a l a g e n t, B e e lz e b u b d e sc e n d s; takes th e sh ip O c c a s io n
and rea ch e s th e C a s p ia n Sea. H e travels b y r iv e r (A m u D a r y a , n ear th e
A ral Sea n o w d ried u p ) a n d arrives at th e c i t y o f K u n k a li, th e cen ter
o f T ik la n d ia .
H e v is it e d lo cal ca fe s. H e attach es im p o r ta n c e to a s tr a te g ic p o in t
o f o b s e r v a tio n fr o m w h ic h c iv iliz a tio n is t o b e v ie w e d . H e talked
w ith th e n atives. A f t e r a m o n th o r so h e d e c id e d to e m p lo y a lo c a l
and p r e v a le n t su p e rs titio n an d b u ild o n it a d o c trin e .
W e m u s t be o n g u a r d e v e n against d iv in e m essen gers, w h o m a y use
p re v a le n t su p erstitio n s f o r th e ir o w n p u r p o s e s , as B e e lz e b u b d id fo r
b en efit o f th e m o o n . W e assum e th at th e d o c tr in e is f o r th e a v o w e d
p u rp o se e .g ., w e assu m e th a t i f Jesus ta u g h t lo v e it w a s f o r o u r g o o d ;
but h e m ig h t have fo r e s e e n d e le te rio u s e ffe cts o n us w h ic h w e r e g o o d
for th e co sm o s.
B e e lz e b u b fo u n d th a t th e natives t h o u g h t that th e sa crifice o f
s n ie t h in g dear to t h e m w a s p le asin g t o G o d , and sin ce th e ir flo c k s
Were d e a r these w e r e sa crifice d . B e e lz e b u b h a d m e r e ly to s u g g e s t that
th e y sa crifice th e m se lv e s in stea d o f a n im a ls (m ig h t n o t b e so g o o d
o r h u m a n b ein g s b u t i f a n im a l sacrifices d im in ish e d , B e e lz e b u b had

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accomplished his mission). This idea spread rapidly and soon animals
became almost sacrosanct. How do we explain the attitude in India
toward animals? They are regarded as holy; Beelzebubs propaganda.
The same people, w ho once had sacrificed, now revered them.
Beelzebubs method: Beelzebub talked at great length to a promi
nent pulpiteer, and did not divulge the real purpose o f his arguments;
but they sounded plausible. He suggested that God wanted the de
velopment o f reasoning and that all creation up to man presupposes
man and a fulfillment by man o f his organic functions. He exists to
produce individuals capable o f objective reason. Supply o f objective
by reasonable beings expected from this; planet and all nature is for
this use. He continued: If you use nature for this purpose, you are
using it ethically i.e. objectively, because for a purpose designed.
Another argument he used there exists a certain force called (in
India) prana life-force. Beelzebub said this was a substance (will
scientists be able to take it and animate a table?) or essence. It exhibits
itself in a series o f biological evolution and as it develops, it reveals
more o f its potentialities, capable o f will, consciousness and individu
ality. Life-force in us does not differ in any respect except maturity
(quantity o f experience) from the animal and vegetable kingdom.
There is only one life and we are the highest biological development.
Man is more actualized, and more conscious but in essence the same.
The purpose o f man is to develop from this essence a certain type
o f reason, which will constitute him one o f the permanent brain cells
o f all life.
God is both the creator and an evolving being. He aims at develop
ing by developing his brain cells. As we develop w ill, consciousness
and individuality we become more ready to take our place as one o f
the brain cells o f the universe. It is a necessity for the universe taken
as a whole to develop individuals having these three functions. At
about the age o f twenty-five George Bernard Shaw had a realization
that nature aims at brains. All his paradoxes and plays flow from this
mechanically. But let us define brains more clearly. Ponder for a
moment the thought that nature aims at individuals having will, con
sciousness and individuality. A realization o f this w ill draw together
all other knowledge and ideas, as opposed to modern attempts to find
a unity o f thought. It is like lifting a tent-pole with the canvas which
had before lain shapeless on the ground.
The third argument Beelzebub used was:
We have senses, so that we can attain the objective w hich God wants
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us to attain. They are prepared to make possible the development o f

that reason which God wants. What do I hear? What do I see? What
use should I get from my tactile sense? These are tools for the produc
tion o f consciousness. If so used then they are ethically used; if not
so used then either childishly or monstrously. This hits art. If sensa
tions are used for aesthetic purposes there is degeneration; they are
enjoyed for themselves instead o f being used to attain an objective.
Self-indulgence masquerades under the name o f art. This priest took
Beelzebub seriously and spread the doctrine that animals should be
used instead o f being sacrificed. Since Beelzebub had not given him
his objective aim, they went to ridiculous lengths; sentimentalized
animals, which is another self-indulgence masquerading as humanitarianism. But other priests attacked him as a heretic and put him to
death. Beelzebub buried his body and arranged for the education o f
his soul. He who loseth his life etc.
Beelzebub was recalled to Mars by another etherogram, more ex
iles were coming from Caritas including the woman intended by the
local astrologer to be his wife. He had two sons; T ooloof (father o f
Hassein) and Tulan.
THIRD D E S C E N T

Soon after the honeymoon, which lasted perhaps a Caritasian fort

night but an earthly half-century, Beelzebub goes back to earth to
Goblandia. He landed on a sea now covered by sand, the sea o f Gobi;
in the midst o f the Gobi desert. He proceeded upstream, that is he
did not follow his inclination. Our psychological experiences follow
an inclined plane and run downwards. Gurdjieff has excavated and
investigated in the Gobi desert, he used a special raft that is an ar
tificial device for opposing our inclinations. (Self-observation.) This
with participation and experimentation are going upstream on a raft.
He reaches the capital; the citizens there took opium, chewed
poppy seeds. The custom had spread widely and the population had
degenerated. The king was a great-great-grandson o f a being who
had been conscious and he had inherited certain traditions, like the
modern intelligentsia. He tried to stop them by legislation; forbade
it and issued fines. This aroused curiosity and increased the habit. Cf.
prohibition. What is the poppy seed? What are its effects?
It made it impossible to see reality.
It made people invert values.
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It made it impossible for people to take their own experience as
a guide, e.g. tried one way o f life which had not aimed at wealth or
happiness and yet would despise it and seek other things because rec
ommended by others. Compare in our day the role o f advertising and
the number o f things we do and obtain which yield us no satisfaction.
Publicity. We are dupable, open to that kind o f suggestion. We chew
a poppy seed.
This begins in our infancy when we take our parents and nurses
seriously. The obedient child is the foreordained victim o f the big
salesman. Effects, continued: people mistook insults for words o f love
and words o f love for insults. If a person tells me a useful tonic truth,
which helps my growth and I resent it; but i f he tells me something
flattering though perhaps deleterious to me, I am his friend for life.
[O rages story: You are a weak minded liar; you are planning a public ca
reer. Look out fo r yourself. ]

This made people mistake a crow for a peacock. H ow many people

who pass as celebrities, as peacocks, great names; and in private we
find them to be crows. H. G. Wells when rather young fell in with
Hintons books. These were filled with extraordinary ideas. He was a
good mathematician. He put these ideas in story form but was a very
bad storyteller and remained obscure. But Wells developed Hintons
ideas in his time-machine. Hinton died obscure. The value was in
Hinton, the salesmanship in Wells. We require good advertising such
as Wells wrapping o f Hintons ideas. We want what others are using.
Swift answered a question as to what natural intelligence was as
Seeing things in the bud.
The original phrase which Gurdjieff used was Time is the unique
subjective. That is the bud. Now, think about it. From this a whole
chapter unfolds.
Ouspensky asked w hy different beings had different time-percep
tions and Gurdjieff said: Think about it; time is breath. This is de
veloped in Ouspenskys forthcoming book. How many o f us could
take Gurdjieffs doctrine neat?
In Goblandia, Beelzebub preached the same mission as to sacrifices.
He went to India. The party set off from Goblandia to India by cara
van. Comparable to forming a group for the study o f Hindu philoso
phy. (An essay by Bertrand Russell on the Freudian method o f dream
interpretation could be applied to waking dreams.) Hypnopompic,
the only distinction between waking and sleeping dreams. Sometimes
dream figures are visible for a moment after waking, In relation to
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1 92 7

self-consci usness>our present waking state would appear to be what

0ur sleeping state now appears to us to be. W ith this in view w e could
interpret the day at its end like a dream; but must take all motives into
account, not merely sexual. It would reveal the physical nature o f
the being. Russells essay: accidents which occur accidents in dream.
Also true to what we encounter in real life, equally subjective. We
are deceived into thinking them objective but are the product o f hypnopompic imagination. During a dream w e think it real for we have
no other criterion.
Beelzebub passes w ith a motivated caravan from Goblandia, which
was doped to India in search o f pearls. Suppose this was a dream, how
would w e interpret it? Gurdjieff is describing an objective dream.
Beelzebub joined a party which was going to study Indian philoso
phy. They made a conscious effort to reach a state where they could
find reality.
They passed over places o f enormous elevation, Himalayas, and
places devoid o f even the possibility o f vegetation; suffered cold and
hunger. Mountains are an attempt to pass from one form o f idealism
to reality. Can only describe great altitudes with great aridity o f ex
pression. (Orages attempt to get content into two Eastern terms used
by M ax Mueller. Died en route, i.e. gave up). Hard to make the pas
sage but this party made it. Arrived at Indian philosophy and Gurd
jieff now gives his critique o f it, a critique by a man w ho actually
arrived and understood. We have had no one to give a Western report
on Indian philosophy. Gurdjieff in his youth read Mme. Blavatskys
From the Caves, Jungles o f Hindustan and Secret Doctrine.
Gurdjieff went and reported that nine out o f ten o f her references are
not based on firsthand knowledge. This cost him nine years.
This party got to India and dissolved the myth that this was the
land o f wisdom. Gurdjieff was the Dalai Lamas collector o f dues for
the monastery and was entitled to enter every monastery in Tibet.
He discovered extraordinary elevations, abnormal developments, so
called magical powers; but did not find one universal intelligence.
Occult powers were developed but they differed only from Western
geniuses in type (scientific, literary etc.) They were diversions from
normal type.
He arrived in India, the third center (like the three centers o f civi
lization in us).
Tiklandia, blood sacrifice, instinctive.
* Goblandia, poppy seed, publicity, emotional.
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In d ia, B u d d h is m , in te lle c tu a l.

C f . P u t B u d d h is m b a c k e a rlie r. S in k in g o f A tla n tis 8,000 to

bc

4,000

. L o c a l tr a d itio n in In d ia says th a t G a u ta m a w a s th e seven th o f a

series. P erh ap s G u r d j ie f f m ean s th e first B u d d h is m h a d a lre a d y d e g e n

e ra ted . B u d d h a h a d re a lize d th at all h u m a n ity su ffe rs fr o m a p la n e ta ry
d isease an d ca lle d it k u n d a b u ffe r. (B u ffe r m ean s r e fle c tio n , see life
as it is in w a te r, u p s id e d o w n .)
B u d d h a to ld c e r ta in tru th s, p la n e ta r y d is tu rb a n c e , gen esis o f the
m o o n e tc. and o u r p la n e t b e in g le ft lo p s id e d . B u t w i t h th e sin k in g o f
A tla n tis th e n e e d fo r k u n d a b u ffe r w a s g o n e . B e in g s w e r e n o w b o rn
n a tu r a lly b u t e d u c a tio n is based o n k u n d a b u ffe r a n d k eep s rep eatin g
an e d u c a tio n b ased o n a state o f t h in g s w h ic h n o lo n g e r exists.
T h e B u d d h a said: I w il l s h o w y o u a p e rso n a l m e t h o d b y w h ic h
y o u can re tu rn t o a n atu ral state a n d b e g in y o u r o w n e d u c a tio n , o n
s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , p a r ticip a tio n an d e x p e r ie n c e in t w o fo rm s.
1. C o n s c io u s e ffo r t.
2. V o lu n ta r y su ffe rin g .
H e d iv id e d th e se:
1. C o n s c io u s e ffo rt.
a. S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , th e o n l y w a y .
b. P a rtic ip a tio n .
c. V o lu n ta r y su ffe rin g . (T h is is n o t pain.)
T h is m ista k e b re d th e d e rv ish e s e tc . It is s u ffe rin g in resistin g a
m e c h a n ic a l resp o n se cau se d b y a n o th e r p e rso n w h o is d istastefu l. It
is s e lf-re stra in t in re sistin g in c lin a tio n an d fo r c in g a c o n tr a r y actio n .
T h is is su m m e d u p in J esu ss re m a rk L o v e y o u r e n e m ie s . N o t actual
p a in ; b u t p s y c h o lo g ic a l. I f fo r in s ta n c e y o u d o n o t r e tu r n a b lo w , be
o n g u a rd th at y o u h a ve n o t m e r e ly sup pressed re s e n tm e n t, h u m ili
a tio n , e tc , w h ic h w o u ld ta k e h y p o c r itic a l fo rm s . O n e m u st take an
a c tio n to ex p re s s th is lo v e , th u s c o n v e r tin g a n e g a tiv e e m o tio n in to
an a c tiv e o n e.
I f y o u o v e r c o m e th ese c o n s e q u e n c e s b y th ese t w o m eans, y o u r
o w n g r o w t h w ill ta k e p la ce , in e v ita b ly , lik e ta k in g a c o u p le o f b ricks
o f f a p lo t w h e r e a seed is t r y in g t o s p ro u t. I f y o u t r y d ir e c tly to d e
v e lo p u n d e rs ta n d in g an d c o n s cio u s n e s s, y o u w ill fa il.
W it h in o n e g e n e ra tio n o f B u d d h a s d ea th his d isc ip le s h ad

decided

it w o u ld b e ea sier to b e e ith e r a lo n e , o r w it h th o s e w h o w e r e also

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tr y in g - T h e y w o u ld fo u n d a m o n a s te r y o r in s titu te . A f t e r th e g ro u p
in s tru c te d b y B u d d h a h im s e lf h ad p assed a w ay , th e su c ce sso r g ro u p s
p ic k e d o u t v e r y in a c ce ssib le places, g r e a t h eig h ts and t h e y a tte m p te d
to d e v e lo p a b n o r m a lly , y o g i p o w e rs . T h is w a s based o n a m isu n d e r
s t a n d i n g . T h o s e w h o g o t o y o g a are o n th e w a y to T ib e t .

B e e lz e b u b finds th a t a ll that B u d d h a h a d ta u g h t has b e e n so c o r

r u p te d th at his m o s t s in ce re fo llo w e r s w e r e m o st s in c e re ly m istak en .
T h is d o c tr in e , o r ig in a lly co n c re te , o b je c tiv e , n o rm a l, h a d b e c o m e
m o n stro u s.
W h e n y o u d o s o m e th in g w h o l l y in te lle c tu a l, w h o l l y e m o tio n a l,
w h o l l y in s tin c tiv e , y o u are sa crificin g th e tw o - c e n te r e d b e in g (the
o th e r t w o cen ters). E v e r y grea t in t e lle c tu a l ge n iu s h ad b e c o m e so b y
a b lo o d sacrifice o f t w o cen ters. B lo o d sa crifice is th e a b n o r m a l d e v e l
o p m e n t o f o n e c e n te r , at th e e x p e n s e o f th e o th e r t w o , sin ce anim als
are tw o -c e n te r e d b e in g s . T h e d o c tr in e s o f B u d d h a are s till e x ta n t in a
fo r m in te llig ib le to th o s e w h o k n e w th e n o rm .

P ran a. (B e e lz e b u b se ize d o n th is.)

K u n d a b u ffe r.

B e e lz e b u b trie d t o re c a ll to so m e o f th e se d e g ra d e d B u d d h is ts , th e
d o c tr in e o f prana. T h is is th e life - fo r c e an d in h u m a n b e in g s is o b
je c t iv e reason ; in a n im a ls in s tin c tiv e rea so n . B e e lz e b u b tr ic k e d th e m
in to th in k in g th at e v e r y tim e th e y k ille d an an im al t h e y k ille d a cell
w h ic h m ig h t be n e c e s s a ry to th eir o w n d e v e lo p m e n t a n d u n d e rsta n d
in g . T h is is tru e in te rm s o f cen ters b u t is s illy as th e y t o o k it.
T h e id ea to o k r o o t . B e e lz e b u b r e tu r n e d b y w a y o f T ib e t , passed
so m e m o n asterie s, t h e self-ta m ers. T h e y h ad re a lize d th a t o u r m e
ch a n ica l reactio n s w e r e lik e beasts an d u n d e r t o o k to ta m e th e m selve s,
th in k in g th e y w e r e f o l l o w in g B u d d h a s te a c h in g .
B u t B e e lz e b u b says th e y had to k e e p n ig h tly w a t c h in fr o n t o f
a r in g o f fire to k e e p o f f w ild beasts ( o n ly at n ig h t). W h e n w e are
c o n s cio u s , these w il d beasts o f n e g a tiv e e m o tio n s d o n o t a p p e a r; b u t
w h e n w e are o f f g u a r d , th e y can d e s tro y . O n th e w a y t o T ib e t he m et
v o lu n t a r y s e lf-im m u re rs in sen try b o x e s . B e e lz e b u b fe lt p it y . N o o n e
w h o has n o t b een h u m a n can feel p it y at th e sigh t o f s o m e th in g so
a d m ira b le and so im b e c ilic ; tried to m a k e u p fo r la c k o f n e ig h b o r s b y
fe r o c io u s trea tm en t o f self. O n th e h e ig h ts o f this e ffo rt n o life is p o s
sible. A d isto rtio n o f B u d d h a s d o c tr in e o f e n d u rin g m a n ife sta tio n s
f o th e r s ; fo r he h a d r e q u ire d th e m t o s ta y w h e r e th e y w e r e .
A n o t h e r e th e r o g r a m L o o iso s w a s o n M a rs and g e t t in g re a d y to

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c o m e t o ea rth , m a k in g a su r v e y o f e a rth . I f h e w e r e sp e n d in g a year,
389 o f o u r s , L o o is o s is n o t y e t c o m e b u t m a y b e e x p e c t e d a n y tim e.
T h e e a r th has b e e n g iv in g tr o u b le . T h e H im a lay a s h a v e b e e n risin g
(m a k in g a c o rr e s p o n d in g d ep re ssio n else w h e re ) an d th e r o tu n d it y o f
th e p la n e t w a s g e t t in g u n e v e n ; th is a ffects o th e r p la n e ts. T h e h eig h t
m u st b e red u ce d . M a y b e use th e m a g n e tic c u rre n ts o f th e sun w it h
p o ssib le q u ak es. B e e lz e b u b w e n t b a c k to M a rs to te ll L o o is o s a b o u t
th e e a rth . H e g o t in te re s te d in th e can als o n M a rs, o n e - h a l f arid, the
o th e r w a te r . O u r b ra in , f r o n t - h a lf in b lo o m ; b a c k - h a lf e m p ty . T o get
th e b a c k in to c o m m u n ic a tio n w it h th e fr o n t, m a y b e h as so m e th in g to
d o w i t h L o o is o s p lan s.

In th e lo w e r tr ia n g le o b je c ts p re s e n te d , in th e u p p e r tr ia n g le ob jects
c h o s e n . T h r e e su cce ssive m a g n e ts ; th e th ree w is h e s o f fa ir y tales, t o
w a r d w h ic h o n e b e c o m e s p o s itiv e . T h e y m u st b e s e q u e n tia l, i.e . i f the
first is m o n e y , th e se c o n d m u st in v o lv e th e use o f m o n e y m ade, and
th e th ir d in v o lv e b o t h th e p r e c e d in g . T h e d e v e lo p m e n t o f a p o sitive
a ttitu d e to w a r d th e first, n o t as an e n d b u t as a m ean s f o r c a r r y in g o u t
th e s e c o n d . P erh ap s it w i l l b e n e ce ssa ry to g o a ro u n d th is series several
tim e s . E .g . G u r d jie f f w a n te d to fin d o u t ce rta in k n o w le d g e in p o s
sessio n o f s o m e o n e 4,000 m iles a w a y . H e to o k u p a tra d e an d earned
m o n e y in o r d e r t o m a k e th e jo u r n e y , in o rd e r to g e t th e k n o w le d g e 148

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1927

T h is p e rh a p s r e p e a te d , d o , re, m i. W h e n a p o s itiv e a ttitu d e is estab

lish e d o n this s e c tio n o f th e scale it is im p o s sib le f o r a n y o n e else to
p re se n t a m a g n e t w h i c h w ill a ttract. Pass th r o u g h th e e m p tin e ss o f
fa, th e n ch o o se o b je c tiv e s , e x e rc is in g w i l l , to attain o b je c tiv e reason.
In d o , re, m i, th e a im s h o u ld be to d e v e lo p th e p r o fe s s io n a l a ttitu d e
o f a tta in in g each o b je c t iv e w it h a m in im u m o f tim e , e ffo r t, w aste
o f s tr e n g th e tc., e lim in a tin g n o n -e sse n tia ls and k e e p in g th e b o d y in
p r o p e r h ea lth . T h e l o w e r tria n g le th e n b e c o m e s a tr a in in g to u n d e r
take th e m u c h m o r e d iffic u lt, s tre n u o u s and p r o lo n g e d p u ll in th e
u p p e r tria n g le . W o r k in th e u p p er tr ia n g le w ill th u s b e b ase d o n w o r k
in th e lo w e r tria n g le .
D is tin c tio n b e tw e e n a p ra ctica l m y s tic an d a th e o r e tic a l m y stic.

[T he above was the result o f asking O rage:]

Y o u have p u t th e s u g g e s tio n in m y h e a d that I s h o u ld m a k e m o n
ey . In a d o p tin g th is s u g g e s tio n , a m I n o t j u s t s u c c u m b in g t o o n e m o re
m a g n e t, o r m e c h a n ic a lity as i f I h a d fa lle n u n d e r th e in flu e n c e o f a
b a n k e r w h o had s tim u la te d m e to g o in t o b a n k in g to m a k e m o n e y ?
orage

: It is a m a g n e t; b u t th e d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n m a k in g m o n e y

fo r a p u rp o se and m a k in g it fo r a c a re e r lies in th e a ttitu d e ; and is

re v e a le d in th e u se m a d e o f th e m o n e y , a fte r it is o b ta in e d . F o r th e
y o u n g b a n k in g a p p r e n tic e , th e ca ree r is an en d in it s e lf a n d th e a t
titu d e is n ega tiv e. I f y o u r u ltim a te a im lie s far b e y o n d th a t h o w e v e r ,
th e m o n e y m a k in g b e c o m e s m e r e ly a t o o l and th e a ttitu d e is p o sitiv e .
W e h a ve alw a y s d ia g ra m m e d as f o llo w s ; b u t s tr ic t ly s p e a k in g is:

A t p rese n t d ro p b a c k fr o m in te lle c t a n d e m o tio n in t o s e x (em o t lo n al c e n te r r e -s d m u la te s sex ; in t e lle c tu a l re -stim u la te s e m o tio n a l,

an d th u s e m o tio n a l, s e x .)

Artists and philosophers are either suspended on top o f the third

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c e n te r w it h o u t r o o ts , y e a r n in g f o r th e b rid g e , w it h o u t b e in g able to
fin d it; c o n s e q u e n t ly th e y b e c o m e p a th o lo g ic a l, s e n tim e n ta l, idealists
o f o n e fo r m o r a n o th e r , a n e m ic, c y n ic a l; o r d ro p in t o e m o tio n a l and
b e c o m e a ltru is tic ; o r in t o sex.
F o o d . N o r m a l r e tu r n t o se x is in d ic a te d b y th e d o tt e d lin e . T h e
g e n e ra l c u rre n t o f s o c ie t y to d a y m a k e s th e c irc le u p a n d b a ck to sex
an d fo o d . L in e w i l l b e d ra w n A B a n d a ll a c t iv it y in th is c iv iliz a tio n
g o e s o n in s e x an d fo o d an d un less a rtists and p h ilo s o p h e rs have sent
d o w n r o o ts th e y w i l l b e c u t o ff.

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Beelzebubs second descent to the planet but before embarking I

r e m i n d you o f a number o f the stages through which he has passed.
P la ce , tim e and p e r s o n n e l th e p r o ta g o n is t is B e e lz e b u b to b e
c o n c e iv e d as a b e in g lik e o u rselv es b u t w it h all o u r p o t e n t ia lit y ac
tu a liz e d .
H is fu n c tio n o n th is p la n e t has c e a s e d h e h a v in g h a d a ll p o ssib le
h u m a n e x p e rie n c e s. A n d his c ritiq u e o f m a n is o n e th a t a n y im p a rtia l
b e in g m ig h t, o r ra th e r su re ly , w o u ld a r r iv e at. T h is is to h e lp H assein
so th a t h e w ill n o t h a v e to g o th r o u g h a ll th e d ifficu lt p h ases o f e x p e
rien ces B e e lz e b u b h as b e e n fo rce d to u n d e r g o .
E x ile d fo r so m e d e fe c t in reason b u t h e uses his e x ile .
L ife o n th e p la n e t is c o n d itio n e d o n th e ir access t o c e r ta in radia
tio n s f r o m th e S u n A b s o lu te .
T h e cap ta in en te rs to discuss c e rta in d iffic u ltie s o f n a v ig a tio n . T a lk
o f sh ip s i.e . te c h n iq u e s o f r e lig io n f o r d e v e lo p in g s e lf- o r su p er
co n scio u sn ess.
T h e p e cu lia ritie s o f t h e ea rth are o f a sp ecia l k in d d u e t o th e p e c u
liar c o n d itio n s e n c o u n te r e d here.
E s p e c ia lly in re a s o n w h y d o I t h in k th a t th e m a jo r it y o f p e o p le I
m ee t are fo o ls an d w h y d o th e m a jo r it y o f p e o p le I m e e t th in k I am
a fo o l? A n d w h y are a ll o f us c o rr e c t in this? Senseless o r m e ch a n ica l
w e are.
In th e lig h t o f p la in l o g ic I sh o u ld a c t in a certain w a y b u t d o I?
N e v e r . W h y n ot?
W e e n c o u n te r th e la w o f fa llin g , i.e . p s y c h o lo g ic a l g r a v it y th e
te n d e n c y o f a v ib r a tio n to fall to th e n e x t lo w e r o n e . T h e sp ace b e
tw e e n t w o n otes in m u s ic is n o t m e a su ra b le b u t is n e v e rth e le s s space.
C e r t a in recen t w o r k s b y A le x a n d e r are w o r th r e a d in g . Space is
th e m o th e r o f t im e , h e says.

Then perpetual motion was discussed, i.e. immorality o f the soul.

Then the possibility o f developing such a body as will live forever.
T h e d iscu ssion o f sh ip s, etc., a w a k e s in H assein th e b e c o m in g
aw are o f g e n u in e b e in g d u t y . S u p p o se w e w e r e to b e b o r n in a la b o r
c o lo n y u p o n c o m in g o f a g e o r b e fo r e , w e m ig h t b e c o m e a w are o f a
ce rta in d u t y laid u p o n th e c o m m u n ity as a w h o le .
I a m h ere o n th is p la n e t a m o n g st t w o b illio n o th e r p e o p le w it h
rtiany p leasu res, e t c . w h a t do es it c o s t t o k e e p it g o in g ? A r e y o u gla d
that y o u are alive? D o y o u a p p reciate th a t n atu re, e t c ., has p r o v id -

14 M A R C H

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ed fo r y o u r circ u m sta n c e s o f e x is te n c e and b e in g ? H a sse in b eco m es

a w a re th at n o th in g sp rin gs in t o e x is te n c e o r b e in g w it h o u t effo rt.
A n d th a t h e re a s o n a b ly m a y e x p e c t to fin d it is h is d u t y to repay fQr
his life . W h o in sp ire s a m o th e r fo r th at lo v e th a t p r o te c ts h er c h il
d re n ? N a tu re . A n d so o n e r o r la te r w e m u st rep a y n a tu re .
B e e lz e b u b says to H assein , f o r th e tim e b e in g it is im p o s sib le to b e
g in . Y o u m u st u n d e rsta n d first h o w m u c h y o u o w e a n d h o w to repay.
O n l y o n e o b lig a tio n th at o f a p u p il, i.e . to u n d e rsta n d .
N o w in re tu rn fo r th is real fe e lin g o f H a ssein B e e lz e b u b offers
t o e x p la in a n y th in g . H assein asks B e e lz e b u b a b o u t th o s e slu g s . B ut
slu g s h a ve o n ly o n e c e n te r and in th a t w a y are in n o c e n t. W e are o b li
g a te d to d e v e lo p th re e b o d ies f r o m th re e cen ters, B e e lz e b u b g o es on
to e x p la in , b u t m u s t g o b a ck s o m e tim e in o rd e r t o e x p la in w h y w e
are w h a t w e are. H is t o r y at least in th e fo r m o f m y t h . B u t th e m y th
h e r e in d e sc rib e d is o f a m u c h m o r e m o d e r n ch a ra cte r.
T h e p la n e t w h ile p e a c e fu lly d e v e lo p in g , e n c o u n te r s a c o m e t and
t w o p ie ce s w e r e s tr u c k o ff, a n d a sim ila r c a ta stro p h e w o u ld th en o c
c u r t o e v e r y b io lo g ic a l b e in g o n th is p la n et. F o r w e are ju s t th e o u t
c o m e o f th e in flu e n c e o f th e su n o n th is p la n e t. W e a n d all o f nature
are a b o u t th e sam e as th e sk in o n o u r b o d ies. N a t u r e is lik e a sensitive
sk in o n th is p la n e t an d w e th e m ic r o b e s o n th at sk in .
A c o m m is s io n w a s sent to in q u ir e in to th e p r o c e d u r e to be set up
to resto re e q u ilib r iu m in this so la r s y ste m and o t h e r so la r system s as
w e ll.
T h e A r c h a n g e l P sy c h a rc h y w a s d isp a tch ed w i t h a co m m issio n to
see w h a t sh o u ld b e d o n e . T h e y d is c o v e re d th at th e s e t w o fragm en ts
h a v e n o t g o n e e n tir e ly o u t o f th e in flu e n c e o f th e e a r th b u t, th o u g h
a lw a y s fa llin g a n d c a c h in g u p c a n n e v e r fa ll u p o n th e e a rth . B u t these
fr a g m e n ts m u st b e su p p lied w i t h a ce rta in r a d ia tio n fr o m th e earth
d u e to e ffo rt an d la b o r o n th e p a rt o f b e in g s o n th is p la n e t. So even
w h e n leisu re is p o ssib le , m en p r o m p t ly en g a g e in w a rs.
S o , a su b sta n ce is d e riv e d , a s k o k in o r sw eat (so s lim y ). C a n be
d o n e e ith e r m e c h a n ic a lly o r c o n s c io u s ly b u t i f d o n e c o n s cio u s ly
a n d v o lu n ta r ily th e sam e su b sta n ce is y ie ld e d b u t th e in d iv id u a l h im
s e l f b e n e fits tr e m e n d o u s ly . S o P la to said: G o d s cu rse s are o p p o r tu n i
ties. P s y c h a rc h y u n d e r t o o k to fa r m b e in g s th at w o u ld p ro v id e this
su b sta n ce.
A n d so h e a rra n g e d that th e la w s o f th ree a n d sev en op erate in
d e p e n d e n tly a n d n o t in t e r d e p e n d e n tly o r r e c ip r o c a lly . So th e b o d )
is u n d e r th e la w o f sev en as a lso is fo o d , c o lo r, s o u n d . B u t m y co n 152

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sCio u sn ess is u n d e r th e la w o f th ree w i t h th e resu lt th a t o u r b o d ies d o

n o t h e lp us. W h y is n o t o u r b o d y im m e d ia t e ly r e sp o n siv e an d re fle c
tiv e o f o u r th o u g h ts ? T h a n k s to th is a rra n g e m e n t o f P sy c h a rc h y .
In th e v a rio u s states o f c o n s cio u s n e s s, sleep, w a k in g , s e lf-c o n
scio u sn ess and c o s m ic -c o n s c io u s n e s s , th e re are th re e p h ases o f c o n
sciousn ess.
W h y m en are n o t m e n . S o m a n y d ifficu ltie s are p u t in t o o u r w a y
th at w e are n o t to b la m e f o r o u r state. A l l these w e r e th e resu lt o f an
a rra n g e m e n t th a t w o u l d gu a ra n te e th is n ecessa ry s u ffe r in g and th e
resu lta n t substance.
W h e n w e refer t o an a ccid en t w e re fe r to an e v e n t n o t w ith in o u r
p o ssib le c a lc u la tio n . B u t it is n o t o u ts id e th e p o ssib le c a lc u la tio n o f
all b e in g s . S in ce th is a c c id e n t o c c u r r e d to th e ea rth b e fo r e th e e v o lu
tio n o f m a n , it w a s an a ccid e n t fr o m o u r p o in t o f v ie w . B u t a cu rse
o r m isch a n ce is also a n a d v a n ta g e . I f y o u e n c o u n te r m is fo r tu n e in
life p e rs o n a lly , y o u c a n e ith e r say I w i l l a ccep t this e x p e r im e n ta lly ,
or y o u can say: I m th e J o n a h m a n I a m p ick e d o n , e t c . B u t i f a c
c e p te d in th e first w a y y o u w il l e v e n tu a lly th a n k y o u r fa te f o r h a v in g
m e t s u ch c ircu m sta n ces.
B e e lz e b u b rep rese n ts m in d , and p e rh a p s a c e rta in f o r m o f u n d e r
s ta n d in g is o n ly p o s s ib le to b ein g s th a t h a v e h ad c e rta in e x p e rie n c e s .
A c e rta in state o f b e in g im p lies c e r ta in e ffo rt to u n d e rsta n d w h a t
o n e k n o w s . T h e n k u n d a b u ffe r w a s a tta ch e d . S o i f o n e has in testin a l
d iso rd e r, o n e w ill b e ira scib le, m o o d y an d irre sp o n sib le . W e are a f
flicte d a cc o rd in g to th is b o o k , w it h a sp in al d is o rd e r a n d are as
w e are.

99 p e rc e n t o f o u r m ista k es are m a d e w i t h all th e n e c e ssa ry k n o w l

e d g e t o h a ve a cted c o r r e c t ly . A t th e b ase o f th e sp in e th e re is an in a c
tiv e o r g a n that u sed t o k e e p us in san e. A n d n o w w e c o u ld be sane
e x c e p t f o r th e c o n ta c t w it h o u r eld ers th r o u g h e d u c a tio n .

[Education is the enemy. (Sherm s interpretation.)]

B e e lz e b u b , b y in v e n t in g an o b s e r v a to r y and te le s c o p e i.e . se lf
o b s e rv a tio n , w as a b le t o see b ein g s stra ig h t. T h r o u g h th is h e o b se rv e d
b ein g s o n this p la n e t a n d th e y b e h a v e d as o th e r b e in g s e x c e p t fo r cer
tain p e cu lia ritie s.
S o i f o n e saw s o m e o n e d is e m b o w e lin g h im se lf, h e w o u l d be h o r
rified . B u t in w a r w e c a n n o t feel th is b e c a u s e w e are d o p e d . N o b e in g
f a n y o th e r p la n e t w o u l d co n s e n t to c o m e to th is p la n e t o f lu n a tic
sham bles.

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A n d it is n o t t o b e w o n d e r e d at th a t w e h ave n o t y e t h ad o n this
p la n e t th e p ic k o f d iv in e m essen g ers.

[O rage suggested, I f you are interested, as I am emphatically not, in seances

in the presence offresh human blood to be obtainedfrom a h o sp ital. . . and
the room became suddenly intensely quiet.]
T h e s e p h e n o m e n a d o n o t o c c u r o c c a s io n a lly b u t m e n are esp ecially
tra in e d fr o m c h ild h o o d and p u t in t o a tran ce s ta te fo r w a r. F akirs
w h o h a n g b y th e sin ew s o f th e ir c a lv e s all th e ir liv e s are so c ra z y b e
cau se th e y are c o n d itio n e d to it.
B e e lz e b u b m a d e his first d e sce n t t o th e p la n et A t la n tis o n a certain
m issio n . O n c e th e re h e fe lt th a t p e o p le w o u ld , i f p e rm itte d to , act
as t h e y w o u ld , a ct r ig h te o u s ly . T h a t th e y w o u ld f o l l o w th e g o o d ,
th e tr u e and th e b e a u tifu l. B u t w e k n o w fr o m s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n h o w
tr u e o r false th is is. S o ca m e th e d is illu s io n m e n t o f th e p rem a tu re re
fo r m e r . U n re s tra in e d b e n e v o le n c e .
W e are u p a g a in st a u n iv ersa l p r o b le m and o n ly a u n iv e rsa l u n d e r
s ta n d in g w i l l p e r m it u s to d o a n y th in g a b o u t it.
T im e is th e essen ce o f all th a t w e ca ll I . T h e p o te n tia lity o f all
e x p e r ie n c e th e u n iq u e su b je c tiv e .
E x p e r ie n c e tra n s m ittin g m e d iu m o f th e m e c h a n is m w h ic h re
c e iv e s it. T h is is a ll w e h ave.
A le x a n d e r says tim e is th e su b je c tiv e w h ic h a c tu a liz e s its e lf in
sp ace.
W r ite an a rtic le o n space in d re am s.
O u r tim e lim it is c o n ta in e d in th e e x p e rie n c e s w h ic h w e are ca
p a b le o f in o u r th r e e cen ters. S o th o s e w h o liv e lo n g e s t w h o n o te,
r e g is te r th e ir e x p e rie n c e s . H e n c e it is desirable to n o t e e v e r y p o ssible
e x p e r ie n c e p o ssib le .
THE A R C H - A B S U R D

S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n p r o d u c e s n o d ire c t e ffe ct b u t o n l y a co n seq u e n tia l

e ffe c t. T h e sun is c o ld , y e t it p r o d u c e s o u r h eat, l ig h t an d life . . . b y
em a n a tio n s. A n e m a n a tio n is th e e ffe c t p r o d u c e d (n o t b y radiation
o r a n y su bstan ce) b y a n y o b je c t, f o r m o r b e in g u p o n a n o th e r o b ject,
f o r m o r b e in g . T h e m e re p rese n ce o f a table w ill e x e r t an in flu en ce
u p o n us. S o th e p la n e ts e x e r t an in flu e n c e , in t w o w a y s b y radiation
a n d b y e m a n a tio n . T h e sun t h o u g h c o ld and d a rk in d u c e s in certain
e le m e n ts in o u r a tm o sp h e re a c e r ta in sh iver. So in o u r atm o sp h ere a
su b sta n ce ca lle d a rc h id o n is (e le c tr ic it y in th ree fo r m s ) is e ffe cted b y

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th e em a n a tio n s o f th e sun p r o d u c in g r e m o r s e , o r an a ch e to g r o w ,
o r an a sp iratio n to w a r d a h ig h e r rate o f v ib ra tio n .
S o i f y o u su cce e d in th in k in g a t h in g o u t y o u see th e lig h t b u t
i f y o u fa il y o u a re in an e m o tio n a l sta te i.e. heat. H e a t is th e th e
lig h t th a t fa ile d .
( T h e im a g e o f th e w o r d re m o rse is d e riv e d fr o m th e im a g e o f a
s e r p e n t so en ra g ed th a t i t is b i t i n g its o w n tale.)

T h e n w e w e r e in t r o d u c e d in to . . .
E v e r y hair o n m y h e a d w as o n c e f o o d o n m y p la te . B u t w h o a m I
that d o e s it? I stan d ap a rt fr o m th is sp e c ta c le o f tr o g o a u t o e g o c r a tic
p ro ce ss i.e . I eat m y s e lf w a tc h in g . A c o r n o a k tre e . I th e u n i
v e rse m ic r o c o s m m a cro c o s m .
W e can o n ly u n d e rs ta n d th e w o r ld in p r o p o r t io n to th e a m o u n t
w e h a v e c o n ta c t w i t h it. T h e law s in u s w e can see th r e e an d seven .
C a n w e see these in th e u n iverse? E v e r y t h in g th at b re a th e s tends to
b e c o m e th r e e -c e n te re d , b u t ex ists u n d e r th e la w o f sev en .
W h a t is th e d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n m a tte r , e le c tr ic it y a n d e n e r g y ? Say
in an a to m p r o to n (m atter), e le c tr o n (e le c tricity ) a n d m o v e m e n t
(e n e rg y ) o f th e e le c tr o n a ro u n d th e p r o to n . T h e s e are th e th ree as
p ects o f th e o r ig in a l e m a n a tio n p o s itiv e , n e g a tiv e a n d n e u tr a liz
in g . S u b stan ce is n a m e d h ere e t h e r n o c r o n o n e p r im o r d ia l p rim e
so u rce substance.
S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n is w h a t y o u c a ll I . W h o d ream s? W h o m akes
th e f o r m in dream s? O f w h a t su b stan ce?
W e are such s t u f f as d re am s are m a d e o f i.e . e t h e r n o c r o n o n e . In
dream s, substances ta k e sh ap e d ir e c t ly f r o m th o u g h t. T h e substances
o f th is life are o f a lo w e r v ib ra tio n th a n th o se u sed b y us in dream s.
N e v e rth e le ss , in d re a m s th e re are th e se th r e e fo rm s o f e le c t r ic it y th e
sam e p r im o r d ia l th re e fo ld n e s s thus w e d e v e lo p th ree b ra in s, p o sitiv e ,
n e g a tiv e and n e u tr a liz in g .
1. C e r e b r a l p o s it iv e y es.
2. S p in a l n e g a tiv e n o .

3 V isce ra l (e m o tio n a l) n e u tr a liz in g re c o n c ilia tio n .

Failure o f rea so n

i - R e a s o n p la n

2. H a b it c a n n o t

>

to e x e r t su ffic ie n t

3 E m o tio n d e sp a ir

p o s itiv e e n e r g y

S o m a n in v e r te d K in g S o lo m o n s seal rep resen ts b o t h m an u p r*ght a n d in v e rte d . S u b s titu tio n o f o n e f o r th e o th e r is o n l y sin.

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C o r r e s p o n d in g to th e th ree b ra in s are p o ssib ilities o f d e v e lo p m e n t

o f th r e e b o d ie s w e h a ve o n e an d th e b e g in n in g o f th e o th e r tw o .
T h e h o w s ig h t p ra ctica l u n d e rs ta n d in g .
T h e w h a t in s ig h t scien tist, u n d e rs ta n d in g o f p rin c ip le s .
T h e w h y th r o u g h s ig h t se e in g th e reason o f th in g s .
T h e s e th re e fo r m s o f reason im p ly th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f these th ree
b o d ie s.
1. W e (and e v e n anim als) u n d e rs ta n d th e h o w .
2. W e u n d e rsta n d a little o f th e w h a t.
3. W e d o n t u n d e rsta n d at all th e w h y .
N a t u r e d o es n o t h e lp h u m a n d e v e lo p m e n t and th e rea so n is that w e
are q u ite u n c o n s c io u s ly p e r fo r m in g th e fu n ctio n s o f n a tu re . B u t fr o m
th is w e d o n o t b e n e fit. A im le s s p le a su re s sq u an d er fo r c e s th a t co u ld be
u sed in c o n s cio u s s u ffe rin g and v o lu n t a r y lab or.

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Last w e e k w e sp en t th e w h o le o f th e tim e o n a r e v ie w le a v in g this

w e e k f o r th e re a d in g o f t h e b o o k .
H e re in he d escrib es th e first g r o u p th a t u sed th is m e t h o d .
SECOND

DESCENT

pirst d e sc e n t A tla n tis . F iv e ce n tu rie s h a v e passed. N o t su re w h e t h e r

K aratas o r O r s . 389 tim e s lo n g e r is o n e y e a r o n K aratas th a n h ere. T h e
n arrative co n tin u e s in th e fo r m o f sto rie s to H assein.
W e re tu rn fr o m D im ic k f a r g o a sp ecia l fo r m o f fo o d taken o n
the sh ip w it h th e m a sp ecia l fo r m o f im p ressio n s.
In th e in te rv a l, A t la n tis has d isa p p e a red . N o t s u b m e r g e d , b u t e n
g u lfe d in th e ea rth . D u e to special c a u se s a fter th e c o llis io n w h ic h
left th e ea rth b u s y i.e . u n til a n e w c e n te r o f g r a v ity w a s fir m ly es
tablish ed .
T h a n k s to th e fa c t th a t th e c irc u m sta n c e s o n e a rth r e s u ltin g w e r e
p a r tic u la rly fa v o ra b le , th r e e n e w c e n te rs o f c u ltu re w e r e b y th a t tim e
establish ed . W e w e r e b o r n w it h a p o t e n t ia lit y fo r a c e rta in a m o u n t o f
e x p e rie n c e s in th e th r e e cen ters, b u t w e h a v e b e c o m e , th a n k s to th e
circu m sta n ces o f o u r e n v ir o n m e n t, e ith e r w h a t w e m ig h t h a ve b een ,
or, c o n d itio n e d b y th e se circu m sta n ce s, n o t w h a t o u r essen ce b io lo g i
ca lly w o u ld have in d ic a te d .
T h e s e th ree ce n te rs o f c u ltu re w e r e :
1. T ik la n d ia Sah ara.
2. G o b la n d ia and K a r a k u m G o b i d e s e rt (M a ra lp leicie). N o t o n ly
one c it y b e lo w a c it y in G o b la n d ia b u t a c it y b e lo w c ities.

3 - G e m c h a n ia (In dia).
T h e reaso n fo r m y g o in g to th e p la n e t ea rth w a s a c o m m is s io n
giv en m e th r o u g h an e th e r o g r a m r e c e iv e d o n th e p la n e t M a rs . (So th e
iiessage w a s re ce iv e d n o t b y rea d in g b u t b y h e a rin g .) T h a t a certain
c o m m issio n w as b e in g sen t fr o m th e S u n A b s o lu te to e a r th to in v esllgate th e c o n s e q u e n c e s o f th e s in k in g o f A tla n tis . It c o n s is te d o f that
S1n ister A r c h a n g e l P s y c h a r c h y (L o o iso s) a n d o th e r a n g els (o r in ca rn ate
P ow ers) an d th e c o m m is s io n d e cid e d th a t th e co n s e q u e n c e s w e r e n o t
So ca ta stro p h ic. A t th e sam e tim e , th e A n g e l L o o is o s in v it e d m e to
U ndertake a m issio n to e a r th re g a rd in g b lo o d sacrifices. F o r th ese so

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a ffe c te d th e b io lo g ic a l ch ara cte r o f b e in g s o n th e p la n e t th at o n the
m o o n th e y c o m m e n c e d to ta k e m o n s tr o u s fo rm s.
It m a y b e th a t c e rta in m o n s tro u s fo r m s th at h a v e c o m e d o w n to
us in m y th s m a y h a v e resu lted f r o m c o n d itio n s o n o th e r planets. It
is a m u s in g to th in k th at b io lo g ic a l fo r m s are d e r iv e d fr o m a series o f
sta tio n s th r o u g h w h ic h th e fo rce s m u s t travel.
S o B e e lz e b u b a lit o n th e C a s p ia n Sea and trav eled u p a riv e r to T ik la n d ia . T h e r e h e v is ite d th e cafes. (A s h e also did o n su b se q u e n t visits.
S o la te r y o u w il l see th a t h e in d ic a te s th e im p o r ta n c e h e attaches to
c o m m e n c in g o b s e r v a tio n fr o m a c e r ta in ce n te r o f th e c o m m u n ity .)
S o a fter a m o n th o f o b s e rv a tio n s h e d e cid ed to e m p lo y certain su
p e rs titio n s to a id his w o r k . (H is w o r k w a s to p re s e rv e th e fate o f the
m o o n . S o Jesus m a y h a ve h ad a m u c h large r e n d in v i e w th an the
b e n e fit o f th e m e n h e re say th e s ta b ility o f th e u n iv e rs e .)
S o a ll th at B e e lz e b u b had to s u g g e s t w as, that th e b e in g s sacrifice
th e m se lv e s. H e fo u n d v e r y s o o n th a t th e idea h e p r o p o s e d rap id ly
sp rea d . (T h e use o f v e ils w h e n in s e c ts w e r e in th e a ir lest th e y sh o u ld
s w a llo w an d k ill o n e . T h e ir refu sa l to w a lk a b ro a d d u r in g certain
h o u r s o f th e d a y, lest th e y step o n a n d k ill ce rta in in s e c ts. B u t w h y ?
S in c e th e re w a s n o sense to th e m .)
O n e o f th e in flu e n tia l p u lp ite e rs said : In v ie w o f th e fa c t that G o d
w is h e s o n th is e a r th th e s e lf-c re a tio n o f a certain n u m b e r o f rational
so u ls, th e w h o le o f th e rest o f c re a tio n has b een c r e a te d . (A ll creatio n
u p t o m a n p resu p p o ses th e e v o lu t io n o f m an , an d m a n p resup po ses
th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f o b je c tiv e reason .)
A n d th e rest o f th e m a terial is fo r th is p u rp o se , a n d i f y o u use it so,
f o r th is o b je c t, y o u are a ctin g e t h ic a lly , and v ic e ve rsa .
A n d th e re e x is ts a ce rta in life fo r c e , prana, o r essen ce , that is sub
sta n tial (and th a t th is su b stan ce m a y b e d isc o v e re d so o n ) and w h ic h
e x h ib its it s e lf in a n u m b e r o f fo r m s so y o u w ill see th a t th e life fo rce
th a t m a n ifests it s e lf in v e g e ta b le a n d a n im a l do es n o t d iffe r fro m that
w h ic h is in us e x c e p t in m a tu r ity , a g e and q u a n tity o f e x p e rie n ce .
Its essen ce is less d e v e l o p e d ------ t o less e x p e rie n c e . T h e p u rp o se fo r
w h ic h m a n e x is ts is to d e v e lo p a c e r ta in fo r m o r p o w e r o r d eg ree o f
reaso n . G o d is at th e sam e tim e th e c re a to r and th e e v o l v in g b e in g and
is e n g a g e d ju s t as w e are in d e v e lo p in g brain c e lls in th e to ta lity o f
H is o r o u r b e in g . G . B . S h a w : T h e d a rlin g n e c e s s ity o f e v o lu tio n
th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f o b je c tiv e rea so n b y an in d iv id u a l. So th o se o f
y o u w h o w o u ld b e th ree tim es m o r e b rillia n t th a n S h a w spend one
m o n th o n p o n d e r in g th at th e d a r lin g n ecessity o f m a n s e v o lu tio n Is
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th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f th r e e b ra in s n o t o n e . T h e tru e sea rch o f scien ce

is to d is c o v e r a p r in c ip le a ro u n d w h ic h a ll o u r k n o w le d g e w il l arran ge
itself.
S o B e e lz e b u b said w h y has G o d e n d o w e d y o u w it h th e se facu lties?
T h e y w e r e p o lit ic a lly d e sig n e d to p r o d u c e th is f a c u lt y o f o b je c tiv e
reason.
F o r w h a t d o I h ea r? F o r w h a t d o I fe e l, taste e t c . e x p e rie n c e ?
W h a t!!? So th e F re n c h r e g im e n t w h o w e r e so o v e r c o m e b y th e aes
th e tic e ffe c t o f th e b u g le s o u n d in g th e c h a r g e th at th e y a ll sat d o w n
and c a lle d fo r an e n c o re . S o B e e lz e b u b c o u ld s c a r c e ly refra in fr o m
la u g h in g at th e e x tr e m e s to w h ic h th e se b e in g s s e n tim e n ta liz e d th e ir
r e v e re n c e fo r a n im als.
S o th e p riest sta rte d a c o u n te r p ro p a g a n d a , d e n o u n c in g th is p riest,
and secu red his d ea th . S o B e e lz e b u b t o o k p it y o n th is p r ie s t and to o k
his b o d y b a ck to M a r s an d th e re saw t o th e e d u c a tio n o f his soul. H e
w as re c a lle d a little e a r ly b y an e t h e r o g r a m sa yin g th a t a p a r ty w o u ld
s h o r tly a rriv e o n M a r s a m o n g w h ic h w o u l d be th a t w o m a n w h o w as
to b e h is w if e o n e w h o w a s assign ed t o h im as his w i f e th e la d y
w h o m th e stars h a d sen t h im .
T o o l o o f and T u la n w e r e th e t w o son s b o rn to h im an d H assein
w as th e so n o f T o o l o o f , his fa v o rite so n .
W h e n e v e r w e f o l l o w o u r in c lin a tio n s w e are tr a v e llin g d o w n
stream (n o t e v o lv in g ). W h e n w e g o a g a in st o u r in c lin a tio n s i.e . u p
strea m w e are u sin g real w ill.
THIRD DESCENT

H e la n d e d o n th e G o b i d ese rt and f o llo w e d a riv e r u p s tre a m as usual.

(So w e f o l l o w v ic e v e rs a an in c lin e d o w n stre a m ) b y an arran ge
m en t o f rafts ( te m p o r a r y s tru c tu re e q u iv a le n t o f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n ,
p a r ticip a tio n and e x p e r im e n t a lw a y s o p p o s e d to n a tu r a l m e th
o d s artificial). F in a lly h e reaches th e ca p ita l w h e r e in h a b ita n ts have
an o p iu m h a b it o r c h e w in g p o p p y seeds.
N o w th e K in g o f G o b la n d ia w a s a g ra n d so n o f a c o n s c io u s b e ln g a n d h e tried to in s ta ll a leg al p r o h ib itio n w it h fin e s, e t c . w it h
th e re su lt that th e c u r io s it y o f m a n y w a s to taste it. (S o in th e

usa

We h a v e p r o h ib itio n . W h a t is p o p p y seed h ere n o w ? ) I t d is to r te d v a l

ues m a d e it im p o s s ib le fo r p e o p le to ta k e th e ir p e rs o n a l e x p e rie n c e
as g u id e an d m ade it n e c e ssa ry fo r th e m t o take a n o th e r s e x p e rie n c e s
as th e ir g u id e .

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S a y a d v e r tis e m e n t s u g g e s tib ility th e w h o le a rt o f m o d e rn p u b

l ic it y sa lesm a n sh ip o u r p aren ts c a tc h us y o u n g a n d so w e fall v ic tim s
o f th e se b la c k arts la ter in life.
T h e resu lt w a s th a t th e y m is to o k k in d ly m en an d s e rv ic e a b le w o rd s
as d e a d ly in s u lts et au c o n tr a ir e . A n d a c r o w w a s regard ed as a
p e a c o c k . S o m a n y p e o p le a d o re H . G . W e lls b u t W e lls to o k ideas,
e tc . fr o m H in to n . H in t o n s b o o k s are n o w re p r in te d a n d g r e a tly in
flu e n c e d W ells. H in t o n w a s a b ad w r it e r b u t an o r ig in a l th in ker.
S w ift said o r ig in a l in te llig e n c e is see in g th in g s in th e b u d .
G u r d jie f f said o n l y tim e is th e u n iq u e s u b je c tiv e .
O u s p e n s k y w a s in te r r o g a tin g G u r d jie f f o n th e d iffe r e n t a p p reh e n
sio n s o f tim e . G u r d j ie f f fin a lly said: W e ll th in k a b o u t i t tim e is
b r e a th .
E v e r y c iv iliz a t io n has its o w n p a rticu la r fo r m o f p o p p y seed.
F r o m h ere B e e lz e b u b passed t o H in d u sta n . (B u d d h is m and m o n
asteries.)
D r e a m fig u re s r e m a in in g in th e r o o m after a c t u a lly w a k in g o u r
life is a d re a m in rela tio n to a s e lf-c o n s cio u s l if e so as F re u d has
ta u g h t th e w o r ld to in te rp re t d re a m s, b u t n o t o n l y o n sex . T h e r e is
w h e r e F re u d fa ile d m ix e d m o tiv e s . T h e F re u d ian m e t h o d is c o rre c t.
B e rtra n d R u s s e ll s h o w e d th at a d a y s e v en ts c o u ld re v e a l e x a c t ly as a
d re a m an o b je c tiv e in te r p re ta tio n o f o u r p sych ic c o n d itio n s . So w h a t
e v e r w e e n c o u n te r is e q u a lly s u b je c tiv e h y p n o p o m p ic im a g in a tio n .
In a d re a m w e d o n t d o u b t th a t th e d re a m is v a lid . W e h a ve n o c r ite
r io n b u t in o u r w a k in g state w e h a v e a n o th e r c r ite r io n and can say in
r e la tio n to th e d re a m th is is re a l b u t in relatio n t o a n o th e r state th is
is n o t real.
B e e lz e b u b j o in e d an e x p e d itio n in search o f p e a rls (real p h ilo s o
p h y a c o n s c io u s e ffo rt to rea ch th is) th e y passed o v e r p la ces o f e n o r
m o u s e le v a tio n , v e r y u n u su a l, d e v o id ev e n o f th e p o s s ib ility o f v e g
e ta tio n .
A n a tte m p t fr o m o n e fo r m o f id e a lis m to in fo r m o f realism . I (O r age) sp en t m a n y y e a rs in a tte m p tin g t o g e t so m e life o r m e a n in g in to
E a stern te rm s b u t c o u ld n o t. A n d th e vast m a jo r it y o f th o se w h o
a tte m p t th is d ie e n r o u te as I d id . (B u t this e x p e d it io n su cceed ed .)
G u r d j ie f f s p e rs o n a l h is to ry h a p p e n s to c o n fo r m to th is at age
t w e n t y - o n e h e e n c o u n te re d M a d a m B la v a ts k y s w o r k s and he to o k
it s e r io u s ly an d h e w e n t to e v e r y p la ce she m e n tio n e d in th e S ecret
D o c t r in e an d h e re p o rts th at n in e o u t o f te n o f h e r referen ces
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in g w it h o n ly n e g a tiv e results. H e w a s at o n e tim e e n g a g e d as a c o l

le c t o r o f m o n a stic d u es fo r th e D a la i L a m a an d it g a v e h im access to
e v e r y m o n a s te r y in T ib e t and h e says: I w ill t r u t h f u lly say th at it is
tru e , I d isco v e re d e x tr a o r d in a r y d e v e lo p m e n ts .
I d id n o t d is c o v e r o n e sin g le b e in g w it h

u n iv e rs a l d e v e lo p

m e n t o n ly m o n s te rs . A p a rticu la r v a r ie t y o f m o n s tr o s ity b u t n o
a tta in m e n t o f o b je c tiv e reason, n o m o r e th an in th e W e s t, o n ly d if
fe r e n t.
T h e e x p e d itio n a rr iv e d at In d ia at its ce n te r o f d e v e lo p m e n t.

T ik la n d ia in s tin c tiv e b lo o d sacrifice.

G o b la n d ia e m o tio n a l p o p p y seed.

In d ia in t e lle c tu a l B u d d h is m .

T h e tra d itio n o f th e B u d d h a in In d ia is that th e G a u ta m a B u d d h a

w a s th e sev en th o f a series o f o c c u rr e n c e s o f th e B u d d h a .
T h e r e are t w o s c h o o ls o f B u d d h is m th e e x o t e r ic a n d th e e so te ric.
W h a t h ad b e e n B u d d h a s aim ? H e re a liz e d th a t th e w h o le o f m a n
k in d su ffered f r o m a d isease k u n d a b u ffe r m e a n in g a re fle c tio n , o r
se e in g th in g s u p s id e d o w n .
B u d d h a to ld th e m e x a c t ly these th in g s p la n e t, c o llis io n , lo p s id e d ,
r e c o v e re d its b a la n c e , i.e . that k u n d a b u ffe r w a s r e m o v e d , that th e re
w a s n o lo n g e r a n a tu ra l reason fo r c o n t in u in g as b e fo r e , fo r b e in g s
are n o w b o rn q u ite n a tu r a lly n o r m a lly , b u t s o c ia lly th e co n s e q u e n ce s
still p ersist. S o h e said I w ill s h o w y o u a m e th o d fo r r e tu r n in g to y o u r
n o rm a l state. A n d h is m e th o d w a s s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , se lf-p a r tic ip a tio n
and s e lf-e x p e r im e n t.
C o n s c io u s e f f o r t th re e sectio n s:
1. T o o b se rv e y o u r s e l f (the o n ly w a y ).
2. P a rtic ip a tio n .

3- C h a n g in g re a ctio n s.

4 - C o n s c io u s s u ffe r in g b u t it is r e a lly th e su ffe rin g th a t w e all u n

d e r g o i f w e resist th e in c lin a tio n to re a ct m e c h a n ic a lly , and fu r th e r
to fo r c e o u rse lv e s t o rea ct c o n tr a r y to th e in c lin a tio n . It in v o lv e s a
c o n s cio u s re fra in in g fr o m th e m e c h a n ic a l re a ctio n a n d th e c o n s cio u s
a c tu a liz in g o f a d iffe r e n t rea ctio n .
R e fr a in fr o m h a tin g y o u r e n e m y an d lo v e y o u r e n e m y . T u r n th e
t h e r c h e e k . C o n v e r t in g a p o is o n a n e g a tiv e r e a c tio n to a p o s itiv e
o n e.
B y th ese t w o m e a n s y o u r o w n d e v e lo p m e n t w il l n a tu r a lly en su e.
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T a k e th e b r ic k o f f a p la n t, n o fu r th e r e ffo rt is n ecessa ry . A l l w e have

to d o is take th e b ric k s o ff. N o t b y t r y in g to im p r o v e y o u r s e lf

fo r

th u s y o u w ill fail.
C o n s c io u s s u ffe rin g :
1. R e s is tin g m e c h a n ic a l rea ctio n s.
2. R e a c tin g c o n s c io u s ly d iffe r e n tly .
S o th e y set u p an in s titu te o f th e first g ro u p s a fte r th o se u n d er
B u d d h a h im se lf, a n d im m e d ia te ly set o u t to scale h e ig h ts

T ib e t.

T h e r e are in A m e r ic a a n u m b e r o f q u ite c o m p e te n t y o g a in s tru c

to rs w h o w il l u n d e rta k e to in s tru c t o n e in e x tr a o r d in a r y o c c u lt p o w
ers b u t th e ir fo llo w e r s are g o in g to T ib e t . T h e y w i l l b e lo s t en ro u te
o r still m o r e h o p e le s s ly w h e n th e y a rr iv e in T ib e t. T h e m o re sincere
th e m o d e r n fo llo w e r s o f B u d d h a , th e m o re h o p e le s s ly w r o n g th e
m o r e m o n stro u s.
E v e r y tim e y o u d o so m e th in g w h o l l y in s tin c tiv e o r e m o tio n a l o r
in te lle c tu a l y o u a re p e r fo r m in g th e b lo o d sacrifice o f th e o th e r tw o
ce n te rs. E v e r y m a n o f a c t io n , a rtist o r in te lle c tu a l. S o w h e n B e e l
z e b u b sp eaks o f th e r e d u c tio n o f th e sacrifice o f t w o - c e n te r e d b e
in g s a n im a ls h e m ean s ju s t th is.
SECOND KUNDABUFFER

H e tr ie d to recall to th e m th e o r ig in a l d o c trin e o f p ra n a o r life p rin

c ip le . Its n atu ra l f r u it io n w o u ld b e in an im als, n a tu ra l reaso n , and in
m e n o b je c tiv e rea so n . S o h e p e rsu a d e d th e m th a t e v e r y tim e th e y
k ille d an a n im a l, th e y k ille d a c e r ta in c e n te r in th e m s e lv e s and that
th e y w o u ld in e v it a b ly suffer. S o th e ir a ttitu d e c h a n g e d an d th e y b e
ca m e a b s u rd ly c h a n g e d . A n d h e le ft th e m to s te w in th e ir o w n ju ic e .
T h e n B e e lz e b u b w e n t b ack b y w a y o f T ib e t. H e c a m e across th e
sect th e s e lf-ta m e r s th e y c a m e to th e c o n c lu s io n th a t th e y h ad in
th e m se lv e s a j u n g l e o f w ild beasts, (i.e. m ec h a n ic a l rea ctio n s). T h e ir
p assage w a s g r e a tly h in d e re d b y th e n e c e s s ity o f g u a r d in g against th e
a tta ck s o f w ild beasts (n ega tiv e e m o tio n s ) that n e v e r ap p e ared in th e
d a y d u e to th e p re se n c e o f th e sa cred su bstan ce a - o - r - o - u o r aspira
tio n s . B u t at n ig h t it w a s n ecessa ry to set u p a ro u n d th e ca m p a rin g
o f fire.

[A significant dead silence while O rage tells o f priests who voluntarily im

mured themselves in a kind o f sentry box, etc.]
N o a n g e l o f n o rm a l d e v e lo p m e n t ca n ev e r e x p e r ie n c e th e k in d of
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1927

p ity th a t B e e lz e b u b fe lt o n seein g th e se m a r v e lo u s ly a d m ira b le b u t

in c r e d ib ly stu p id p e rfo rm a n c e s . F o r o n th e se p eak s w h ic h th e y thus
reach ed , th e re is n o p o s s ib ility o f g r o w t h . S o n o re sid e n tia l in s titu te
or m o n a s te r y o r su c h i s ------ .
T h is w o r k m u st b e p ra ctica l w it h o u t c h a n g e o f scen e an d a m o n g
n o rm a l p e o p le .
N o w L o o iso s sen t a n e th e r o g r a m , s a y in g th at L o o is o s w a s again
a b o u t t o appear (and it is in te re s tin g t o h e a r G u r d jie f f say th a t L o o iso s
is e v e n n o w p re p a rin g to c o m e h ere a gain ). T h e p e ak s o f th e H im a la
yas are g r o w in g , ris in g a n d th e r o t u n d it y o f th e p la n e t is b e c o m in g a
little u n e v e n and is b e g in n in g to a ffe c t th e p la n ets s u r r o u n d in g it, so
so m e th in g m ig h t b e c o m e n ecessary, say b y th e use o f e le c tr ic cu rren ts
fro m th e sun re s u ltin g in e a rth tre m o rs.
S o B e e lz e b u b r e tu r n e d t o M a rs w h e r e ce rta in can als w e r e b e in g
c o n s tru c te d , fo r o n o n e sid e o f M a rs th e r e is o n ly d r y la n d an d o n th e
o th er o n l y w a ter. S o can als and d ra in a g e.

28 M A R C H

1927

FOURTH DESCENT
T h e se co n d an d th ir d h ad b een to s to p th e sacrifice o f t w o cen ters to a
th ir d . W e n o w d iscu ss th e sa crifice o f o n e ce n te r t o t w o . K e e p in m in d
th e p r o p e r r e la tio n s h ip o f th e ce n te rs :

Positive, passive, neutralizing.

Male, female, child.
Beelzebub enjoyed completing his observatory on Mars; i.e. the
method by which the unknown part o f our psychology may be ob
served, including heavenly bodies which are the higher emotional
and intellectual centers.
There was a person on Saturn whose knowledge o f the method and
observations were superior. As i f to present these ideas to the Western
world he went to Tibet to find a person who was permanently in a
different world (on different planet). The method is so improved that
the heavenly bodies are a million times nearer; that is, the method is
so improved that an ordinary being can understand it, though still far
from a realization. We can now ourselves form a notion o f objective
reason, playing roles, etc., without being able to actualize these ideas.
C f. Addition o f book.
G o r n a h o o r H a r h a r k h and B e e lz e b u b w e r e o b s e r v in g th e earth.
B e e lz e b u b c a m e to th e ea rth to c o lle c t a n u m b e r o f apes to take th e m
to M a rs fo r e x p e r im e n t. W h ile t e llin g H assein th is, a sailo r hands
B e e lz e b u b a ta b le t, w h ic h w h e n p la c e d at his ear, e n a b le d h im to
h ea r a m essage w h ic h h ad b een r e c e iv e d b y th e e th e r. B e e lz e b u b says:
W h a t a stra n g e c o in c id e n c e , th is m essag e fr o m M a r s te lls m e th ere is
a g r e a t to d o a b o u t th is p r o b le m o n e a rth , in A m e r ic a . ( H e s referrin g
to th e D a y to n tr ia l. D a tes d o n o t a g r e e in this c o n v e r s a tio n since it is
su p p o se d to b e in 1921 and th e D a y t o n trial w a s in 1926.)
E arth m en h a v e lo n g b een in te r e s te d in apes, u s u a lly in o n e o f t w o
th e o r ie s : e ith e r m e n are d e sce n d e d fr o m apes o r ap es fr o m m en . In
T ik la n d ia , 8,000 bc . it w a s th at a p es w e r e d e scen d ed f r o m m en . N o w ,
th a n k s to D a r w in , it is said th at m e n d escen d ed f r o m a p es.*
B u t w e s h o u ld a p p ly th e sa y in g , C h e r c h e z la fe m m e fro m M u l-

* Note by M. E. B. This is an entire misstatement. Darwin held that apes and men
were both descended from a small mammal.
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lah N a s ru d d in : I f th e re are a n y a n o m a lie s in n a tu r e , e x a m in e th e

fe m in in e p r in c ip le .
A ft e r th e s in k in g o f A tla n tis th e races w e re sca tte re d an d o fte n th e
sexes w e r e s e g re g a te d . In this c o n d it io n , m en satisfied th em selve s
w it h h o m o s e x u a lit y ; b u t a w o m a n e n te re d in to r e la tio n s w it h m a le
an im als and th e resu lts w e r e apes. T h e p s y c h o lo g y o f a ll apes is th a t
o f fem a les in a h y s te ric a l m o o d . P h y s ic a lly th e y r e s e m b le th e ir q u a d
ru p e d m a le a n ce sto r. T h e y h a ve th e p s y c h e o f th e fe m a le and th e
b o d y o f a q u a d r u p e d . G u r d jie f f is h e r e re fe rrin g to p h ilo s o p h e rs and
priests. T a k e a c ritic a l a ttitu d e to w a r d s th e race an d a sk h o w these t w o
classes o f b ein g s c a m e in to b e in g , c o n tin u e to m a in ta in th em selve s
and o b ta in resp ect.
T h e p h ilo s o p h e r is a sp e c u la to r w h o deals in w o r d s .
T h e p riest d o e s n o t e v e n deal in w o r d s b u t in s y m b o ls , b u t th e ir
m e a n in g he n o lo n g e r k n o w s .
W h e n essen ce has d isap p eared (A tla n tis su n k), th e re rem ain s p e r
s o n a lity in w h ic h th e th re e cen ters a re separated. N o t o n e o f us is o n e
b e in g . T h a t u n ific a tio n is b u rle d ; a n d at th e su rfa ce is o n l y separated
cen ters. It is p o s s ib le to be h ig h ly d e v e lo p e d in o n e , r u d im e n ta r y in
a n o th e r, and a tro p h ie d in th e th ird .
In th e h is to ry o f th e p la n e t is o u r p s y c h o lo g ic a l h is to r y . D e v e lo p
m e n t o f th e t h e o r y th e e m b r y o b e fo r e b irth rep eats p h y s io lo g ic a lly
th e h is to r y o f th e sp ecies. G u r d jie f f says that a fter b ir th , w e c o n tin u e
to rep eat.
F ro m th e p o in t o f v ie w o f b r e e d in g th e p o s itiv e a n d n eg a tiv e are
th e t w o im p o r ta n t o n e s b ecau se th e n e u tr a liz in g fo r c e is a c h ild o f th e
first tw o .
P o sitiv e , m a le , in te lle c t.
N e g a tiv e , fe m a le , in s tin c tiv e .
T h e e m o tio n a l c e n te r is th e c h ild .
N o w , th e in te lle c tu a l c e n te r d o e s n o t seek o u t th e in s tin c tiv e and
do es n o t d em a n d a b o d y fo r th e in te lle c t. T h e p e n a lty is h o m o s e x u a l
ity , titilla t io n th e a tte m p t to m a k e w o r d s take th e p la c e o f b re ed in g .
C o n s id e r th e v o lu m e s o f m e ta p h y s ic s , w h e r e th e in te lle c tu a l cen
ter is o f it s e lf t r y in g t o p r o d u c e , th e p o s itiv e a lo n e p r o d u c e s n o ch ild .
In te lle c tu a lis m is w o r d s an d p ro d u c e s n o e ffe ct o n th e e m o tio n a l c e n
ter. T h e y o g i t y p e is self-a b s tra cte d . T h e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r is left to
fin d s o m e p o s itiv e e le m e n t, and b e c a u s e o f n o t fin d in g it w it h in itse lf,
it lo o k e d fo r it in e x te r n a l stim u li. (P riests and all a c t iv it y in to w h ic h
n o tr u e in te lle c tu a l e le m e n t e n te re d .) T h e o u t c o m e is s o m e th in g ,
165

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sin ce th e re is a p o s itiv e an d a n e g a tiv e . A ce rta in k in d o f e m o tio n , b u t

n o t h u m a n . A p e s are th o se a ctiv e b e in g s a m o n g st us w h o s e a c t iv ity is
d ire c te d n o t a c c o r d in g to o b je c tiv e rea so n . B e e lz e b u b ta k es som e o f
th e se to M a rs to see i f it is p o ssib le t o m a k e h u m a n b e in g s o f them .
(C a n w e , w h o are a c tiv e apes, w h e n th is m e th o d is p r o m u lg a te d , b e
c o m e h u m an ?)
H e a lig h ts in th e sam e sh ip o n th e R e d Sea b e c a u s e it is near to
A fr ic a . T h is w a s th e first c o n tin e n t to b e p e o p le d b y th re e -c e n te re d
b e in g s a fte r th e s in k in g o f A tla n tis.
T h r e e cen ters:

F irs t c e n te r o f A fr ic a .

S eco n d E g y p t.

T h ir d S o u th A fr ic a .

H e d e c id e d to sp en d so m e tim e in E g y p t, w h e r e h is o b s e r v a to r y
(la ter a c o r r u p te d f o r m k n o w n as a p y ra m id ) w a s b e in g b u ilt . H e p r o
c e e d e d b y th e R e d S ea , v ia Sinai ( o f th e m o o n ) to T h e b e s an d C a iro ,
w it h in ea sy rea ch o f C a ir o w as a c a m p u s w it h b u ild in g s d e v o te d to
th e o b s e r v in g o f th e h e a v e n ly b o d ie s .
B u t b e fo r e d e s c r ib in g this w e m u s t te ll s o m e th in g o f w h a t had
h a p p e n e d in A tla n tis . F o r th e first tim e , a p u b lic s o c ie t y h ad been
fo r m e d to d is c o v e r th e n atu re o f m a n . W h ile in E g y p t , h e p u t h im
s e lf in t o a ce rta in sta te o f m e d ita tio n in w h ic h it w a s p o s s ib le to read
c e rta in th o u g h t fo r m s le ft th e re b y p r e v io u s b ein g s th a t h a d attained
a c e rta in d e g re e o f o b je c tiv e reaso n . (T h is m a y t h r o w s o m e lig h t on
c e rta in p h e n o m e n a ; o f a u to m a tic w r it in g , v isio n s, e t c ., e .g . L ig h t
o n th e P a th w h ic h w a s a u to m a tic a lly w r it te n . M a b e l C o llin s sh o w ed
th is b o o k to M m e . B la v a ts k y w h o said it w as a tra n s la tio n o f a b o o k
o f w h ic h o n ly o n e c o p y w a s k n o w n .)
In A tla n tis , th e re w a s a ce rta in b e in g th a t h ad a tta in e d a p o w e r o f
m a k in g re co rd s in th o u g h t m a tte r , as I m ig h t m o u ld c la y o r w r it e
o n p a p e r. T h e s e w o u ld last p r a c tic a lly as lo n g as th e atm o sp h ere.
T h e s e w e r e v is ib le to B e e lz e b u b . H e c o u ld p u t h im s e lf in t o a certain
state o f v is io n an d b e c o m e f u lly a w a re o f th e c o n te n ts o f th is p a rticu
la r iz e d su b sta n ce, in c e rta in fo r m s w h i c h can b e ta p p e d an d read in
c e r ta in states. T h u s in E g y p t, B e e lz e b u b lea rn ed o f th e fo u n d a tio n o f
th is s o c ie t y o f A tla n tis .
B e lcu lta ssi o n e d a y re a lize d h e h a d m a d e som e b a d b lu n d e rs a n d
w a s so d isg u s te d th a t h e r e v ie w e d h is past life , im p a r t ia lly ; h e f o u n d
th is in c id e n t n o m o r e stu p id th an a ll th e o th ers, t h o u g h th is tim e th e
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c o n s e q u e n c e s w e r e w o r s e th an u su a l. H o w m a n y tim e s h a ve I d o n e
th in g s so fo o lis h o r s tu p id , th at i f fo u n d o u t w o u ld h a v e ru in e d so m e
th in g d ea r. W h e n o n e b rin g s c o n s e q u e n c e s it seem s m o r e stu p id b e
cause i t s m o re v iv id .
T h e r e w a s n o c o rr e s p o n d e n c e b e tw e e n w h a t he h a d d o n e and w h a t
he h a d w is h e d and t h o u g h t . A c o n tr a d ic tio n b e tw e e n h is a b ility to d o
and h is w is h e s an d th e o r ie s o f w h a t h e w a s d o in g . W e a p p ly th is rea
so n in g t o o th e rs an d ca n p o in t o u t th e ir f o lly . B e lcu lta ssi a p p lied this
reason t o h im s e lf a n d said : I m u st b e an esp ecial fo o l. O t h e r s c an n o t
be as fo o lis h as I f o r th e y all lo o k so w e ll b a la n c e d . H e d e cid e d to
q u e s tio n his frie n d s, c o n fe s s in g his f o l l y , an d ask th e m to c o n d e m n
h im . B u t so d isa rm in g w a s his s in c e r ity th a t th e o th e rs co n fe sse d th e y
w e r e le a d in g e q u a lly senseless lives. H e fo u n d a f e w se rio u s on es and
fo r m e d a s o c ie ty A k h a ld a n th o se w h o seek fo r an a im a n d sense to
e x is te n c e . A research s o c ie t y lo o k in g f o r th e cu re f o r a ra d ica l in s a n ity
o f o u r b e in g , in p o sse ss io n o f th ree c e n te r s , sp e a k in g d iffe re n t lan
g u a g e s th e m e a n in g an d a im o f e x is te n c e a s o c ie t y w h ic h takes
th e d is c o v e r y o f th is as its aim . B e g in as a sm all p r iv a te g r o u p , b e g in
to m e e t an d co n fe ss a n d o b se rv e . K e p t d iaries b e tw e e n m e e tin g s o f
o b s e r v a tio n :

U n d e r t o o k r e v ie w o f past life.

O b s e r v a tio n o f c u rr e n t b e h a v io r.

F o r m u la tio n o f resu lts p u t b e fo r e g r o u p fo r c r itic is m .

A f t e r so m e tim e t h e y d e c id e d th e y c o u ld d o n o th in g a b o u t it u n
less t h e y h a d access t o so m e sp ecial k n o w le d g e . T h e y d iv id e d in to
five g r o u p s fo r sp ecia l research . E a ch in d iv id u a l m u s t ta k e all five to
be c o m p le t e :

FIRST GROUP
O b s e r v a tio n o u tsid e th e ir p la n e t, i.e ., o u ts id e th e p h y sic a l b o d y b e
h a v io r o f o th e r p e o p le w i t h th e id ea o f c la s s ify in g th e m a c c o r d in g to
ty p e . E a c h o f us k n o w s h u n d re d s o f p e o p le and has e n o u g h in fo rm a
tio n to set d o w n . I f w e h ad d o n e th is s e r io u s ly w e w o u ld n o t ask:
'W h a t are th e ty p e s ? W e w o u ld h a v e a w o r k in g k n o w le d g e .

28 M A R C H 1 9 2 7
SECOND

GROUP

The second group was concerned with mathematics in its broadest

sense. It has been suggested that thoughts vary in weight and in rapid
ity; feelings in intensity; muscular movements in stresses. Can you
distinguish these weights, intensities, stresses? This will be introduc
ing measure into psychology. Modern psychology is physiology, in
vestigating physiological changes, applying vibrometers. But this is
not psychological measurement, changes in psychological state.
W ho can discriminate in himself between the weights o f two
thoughts, e.g., in one chapter Gurdjieff says, Time is the unique sub
jective. Contrast this with two volumes o f Alexander on time, space
etc. Alexander says, Time is the father o f space. In the latter, so
much is being implied as being understood before the sentence is un
derstood, fanciful and yet has nothing to do with me. But Gurdjieffs
phrase has at once greater personal impact. In Indian philosophy it
is often said Time is I. This is similar to Gurdjieffs phrase; but is
slightly different because it is o f different weight.
Take emotions; there is a familiar saying in America: I am crazy
about it, where there is really but a moderate degree o f interest.
Those who have had genuine emotions do not thus use superlative
expressions for mediocre feelings. When genuine emotions come,
they drop this use o f superlatives. Even when speaking o f the most
intense experiences yet had, i f they can imagine more intense experi
ence, they will continue to use the comparative. Distinction between
stresses: can you tell the difference between seven, seven and a quarter
and seven and a half pounds?
THIRD

GROUP

Observation o f the perceptions and manifestations o f beings. O b

serve in our own manifestations and i f possible in our perceptions.
We receive perceptions and yield manifestations. We receive at the
rate o f ten thousand per second. These undergo changes o f vibration
and issue as behavior. Like a threefold mill. A reduction o f behav
ior to mechanical transformations o f perceptions; drastic and radical.
Perceptions are always rates o f vibration and depend on the vibrations
present in us, whether perceptions w ill change up or down. If your
vibrations happen to be low and in this state encounter low vibra
tions, behavior will become still lower. Your organism lowers the rate
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o f vibration in atmosphere at large. (See last week on voluntary suf

fering, an attempt to react non-mechanically, assuming a certain abil
ity to control this mill.) Perceptions i f run down, emerge as behavior,
i.e. potential perception for others o f lower rates o f vibrations. It is
possible in the long run by this means to determine the tone o f each
center. This gives collection o f material for the next group.
FOURTH

GROUP

Physics and chemistry, i.e. observed changes produced in them by the

passage o f perceptions. Every perception effects a change; it may only
disturb one or two neurons but to that extent we are changed. I didnt
say that manifestations had changed anything no guilty act. Act is
merely a product. It can be stopped only by something done within
the organism, i.e., by change o f rates o f vibration o f the organism.
This can only be done i f the organism is insulated, that is, it can only
be done through self-observation. Act is merely reaction to percep
tions as affected by the state o f the organism. This includes opinion
(thought), feelings and physical movements. It may be considered
physically or chemically. We speak o f the struggle within us, one
force o f vibration encountering another force. We call it embarrass
ment, etc.
FIFTH GROUP

Engaged in a study o f those phenomena which occurred within them

selves, owing merely to the fact that they had three centers, e.g. while
reading the newspaper, my lips move. When the intellectual center
works, the instinctive tends to work too. Or, I observe a person in a
certain state o f feeling and though the perceptions which caused the
feeling are outside o f my field o f perception, I tend to have analogous
emotions. This group studied exclusively human phenomena, human
psychology.
The Akhaldans discovered however that there was still further
w ork necessary, they had done their best . . . They decided to send
delegates to see i f any more advanced students o f this problem o f
t*1eir senseless conduct were elsewhere to be found.
The first they sent to the center o f Africa. (Africa is the substitute
for Atlantis emotional.)
Then to Egypt (intellect) and then to South Africa (instinctive).
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R e t u r n to B e e lz e b u b in E g y p t . H e studies th e ir o b s e r v a to r y to see
i f th e y h ave a n y g o o d te c h n iq u e h e h ad n o t t h o u g h t o f. T h e s e an
c ie n t E g y p tia n s , d escen d an ts o f A k h a ld a n s w e r e se r io u s ly at w o r k .
T h e y h ad a h u g e stru c tu re , fiv e tu b e s p o in tin g o u t a n d c o n v e r g in g in
o n e c h a m b e r w i t h an u n d e r g r o u n d m irro r, fo r m in g o n e im ag e. C o n
sid e r th e five ty p e s o f b e h a v io r , cast in to o n e c o m p o s ite im a g e. B u t
th e c e n te r o f fo c u s in g w a s u n d e r g r o u n d . T h e n B e e lz e b u b re tu rn e d
t o M a rs, h e p u t th e c e n te r o f fo c u s in g a b o v e g r o u n d , i.e . o b je c tiv e .
M a k e s fo c u s as it w e r e , o u ts id e o n e s e lf. T h e E g y p t ia n fo c u s w a s in
th e m in d . In E g y p tia n m y ste rie s th e fo c u s w a s in s id e . T h e E g y p tia n
m e t h o d w a s o n l y p o ssib le w i t h th e in te llig e n ts ia an d d e v e lo p e d a
sp ecia l h ie ra rc h y o f in te llig e n c e . B u t a n y o n e can e m p lo y B e e lz e b u b s
m e th o d . In E g y p t , it w a s n e v e r ta u g h t p u b lic ly . O t h e r b u ild in g s in
th is ca m p u s; o n e h ad as its p u r p o s e th e c h a r tin g o f w in d s and c h a n g
in g o f clim a tes. T h e y k n e w h o w to a ffe c t w e a th e r, i.e . p s y c h o lo g ic a l
ly , also e x t e r n a lly ; cu rren ts, w in d s , o b s e r v a tio n o f e m o tio n a l states;
c h a n g in g o f m o o d s , w e a th e r. Y o u are in a l o w d a m p state. C a n y o u
c h a n g e n e g a tiv e to p o sitive ?
W h ile th e E g y p tia n s w e r e d o in g so m e th in g p s y c h o lo g ic a lly , th e y
w e r e also a ffe c tin g e x te rn a l c h a n g e s . C a lle d b y th e G r e e k s : M asters
o f D r e a m s .
T h e y h ad a d e lib e ra te ly im p e r fe c t c o p y o f a fig u r e seen at A tla n tis
(w h e n th e y d iscu ssed w it h K in g A p p o lis in th e c e n te r o f th e A k h a ld ian hall). T h is fig u r e had th e h e a d and b u st o f a v ir g in , c o n n e c te d
w i t h th e m a in b o d y b y a p ie ce o f a m b e r; it h a d th e le g s o f a lio n , th e
b o d y o f a b u ll a n d th e w in g s o f an ea g le . T h u s th e r e w e r e fo u r p arts,
o f w h ic h th re e w e r e c o n n e c te d ; f o r am ber in s u la te s. O k id a n o k h o f
an o r g a n ic k in d , w h ic h m a kes it im p o s sib le t o tra n s m it th e e n e r g y
f r o m th ree c e n te rs to th e fo u r th .
M e a n in g : In o r d e r to re c o v e r o u r n o rm a l sta te, w h ic h had b een
r e n d e re d a b n o r m a l, fo u r th in g s a re n ecessa ry :

T h e la b o rio u sn e ss o f th e b u ll: a b ility to c o n t in u e w o r k in g in

d e fin ite ly e v e n b lin d ly .

T h e le g s o f a lio n : this la b o r m u st be e x e c u te d , w it h s e lf-c o n fi

d e n c e k n o w in g e v e r y o th e r b e in g is u n ab le to d e s t r o y it.

W in g s : b u llis h la b o r is n o t e n o u g h ; w o r k m u s t b e ca rrie d o n

w i t h asp iratio n .

H e a d an d b reast: stand f o r lo v e ; in su la te d t o in d ic a te th at this

lo v e m u st n o t b e asso ciated w i t h th e fu n ctio n s o f th e th ree cen ters.

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N o n e o f th e in t e lle c tu a l, e m o tio n a l o r in s tin c tiv e e x p e r ie n c e s o f th e
b o d y as such.

Breasts o f t h e v ir g in : in d ic a te as y e t n o resu lt, o n l y p o te n tia l.

V ir g in it y : is p o te n tia lity .

T h e sam e s y m b o l, t h o u g h c h a n g e d , w a s at th e e n tr a n c e to T h e b e s .
T h e n am e in A t la n tis w a s c o n s c ie n c e ; in E g y p t, th e s p h in x , m e a n in g
a q u e s tio n , an in te r r o g a tio n . In E g y p t th e re w e r e n o w in g s ; fo r th e
essen ce w h ic h h a d s tim u la te d a sp ira tio n w a s n o w m issin g .
B e e lz e b u b re tu rn s t o M a rs w it h s o m e apes. H e has to g o to S atu rn
to b e g o d fa th e r t o a c h ild b o rn o f H e r m a p h r o d ite . O n p la n ets w it h
satellites th ere a re t w o sexes; th e p e n u ltim a te p la n m u s t d iffe re n ti
ate e n e r g y in to t w o sexes fo r sa tellites. O n p la n ets w it h o u t satellites
th e re is eith er o n e s e x o r th ree: o n e , h e r m a p h r o d ite th re e , th ree b e
in g s req u ired . T h is is to say th e h e r m a p h r o d ite c o n ta in s t w o cen ters,
p o s itiv e and n e g a tiv e p r o d u c e e m o tio n a l. T h e th r e e b e in g s are th e
th re e cen ters w h ic h p r o d u c e th e fo u r t h .
H o w angels a re p r o d u c e d : A t b ir th th e y a lre a d y h a v e th ree b o d ie s,
ea ch su b ject to d e v e lo p m e n t b u t n o t as w it h us, su cce ssiv e . O n th e ir
p la n e t, th ree sex es, e a c h s p e c ia lize d o n e o f th e th r e e fo rce s ( o f e le c
tr ic ity ) b u t ea ch w a s t r u ly a s e x u a l b e in g . T h e s e th r e e ta k e part in a
m y s te r y called im m a c u la te c o n c e p tio n . T h e n ea ch g o e s his o w n w a y
and d u rin g th e p e r io d o f c o n c e p tio n e a c h th in k s o n l y o f th e M essiah
an d o f its p a r tic u la r c o n c e p tio n . W h e n th e m ira c u lo u s b ir th d raw s
n ear, th e th ree d r a w to g e t h e r and b e c o m e o n e b e in g . E v e n tu a lly fr o m
th e m em e rg es an in fa n t a n g el. O n e a r th th e re are o n l y t w o sexes; th e
n e u tr a liz in g fo r c e is rare and h ard to c o m e b y. T h e s e t w o o n ea rth
p r o d u c e b ein g s w h o d e v e lo p p h y s ic a lly b u t o n ly p a r tia lly e m o tio n
a lly an d b u t p o t e n t ia lly in te lle c tu a lly . T h e y are b o rn in c o m p le te and
m u s t w o r k to o b ta in th is n e u tr a liz in g fo r c e . H e n c e v o lu n t a r y su ffer
in g is lo c a l to th is p la n e t.

28 M A R C H

1927

[g-.2o\
M a y I m a k e o n e a n n o u n ce m e n t? N u m b e rs o f p e o p le h ave e x
p ressed a d esire t o h ea r th e b o o k read again . O n T h u r s d a y th ere w ill
b e a re a d in g o n th a t e v e n in g at S i .
Y o u w i l l re m e m b e r th at last w e e k w e c o n s id e re d th e seco n d an d
th ir d d escen t a n d th is w e e k th e fo u r t h d escen t. Y o u re m em b er th e
rea so n o f th e se c o n d and th ird d escen ts to p u t at a n en d th e sacrifice
o f an im als o r tw o - c e n te r e d b e in g s.
FOURTH DESCENT

DE S C E NT OF A P E s

D is c u s s io n tu rn s o n o n e c e n te r o f t w o n e e d

a p arallel th in k

in g th r e e p o s itiv e , passive, n e u tr a liz in g .

H e w a s e n g a g e d in c o m p le t in g his o b s e r v a to r y o n M a rs (a m e th o d
b y w h ic h u n p e r c e iv e d aspects o f b o d ie s w ith in o u r s e lv e s h e a v e n ly
b o d ie s m a y b e c o m e p e rce iv e d .)
It o c c u rs to h im th at o n p la n e t S a tu rn th e re w a s a b e in g w h o w a s
a n e x p e r t o n o b s e rv a to rie s (say a b e in g in T ib e t w h o is fa m ilia r w it h
s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , etc.), G o r n a h o o r H a r h a r k h . It is n o w easy to d e fin e
o b je c tiv e t h o u g h t s im u lta n e ity o f th o u g h t c a s tin g an d d is p la y in g
ro le s can share in a d e g re e th e a ttitu d e o f a b e in g lik e B e e lz e b u b . C a n
d e sc rib e a c tu a liz a b le id eals n o t y e t attain able.
B e e lz e b u b u n d e r t o o k to r e tu r n to ea rth and c a p tu r e a certain n u m
b e r o f apes and c a r r y th e m b a c k t o Satu rn fo r e x a m in a tio n and e x
p e rim e n t.
C a m e an in t e r r u p tio n sailo r b rin g s in m e ss a g e B e e lz e b u b tu rn s
to H a ssein and says at ju s t th is m o m e n t: T h e r e is a g rea t to d o o n
e a r th re g a rd in g th e o r ig in o f m a n , p a r tic u la rly in A m e r ic a , fo r m a n y
g e n e ra tio n s. T h e r e are t w o classes o f s p e c u la tio n :
1. M a n fr o m ape.
2. A p e fr o m m a n .
N e ith e r is tru e .
T ik la n d ia , 8 ,o o o yea rs a g o , h a d th e th e o r y th a t m a n w a s d escen d ed
f r o m a p es b u t n o w c o n v e r s e ly . B u t b o th w r o n g . C h e r c h e z la fe m m e ,
i.e . in q u ire o f fe m in in e p r in c ip le . I.e . a fter th e s in k in g o f A tla n tis, b e
in g s fo u n d th e m se lv e s se g re g a te d so th a t in m a n y se ctio n s th ere w e r e
o n l y fem a les an d in a n o th e r o n ly m ales. M a les c o n t e n te d th e m selve s
172

28

MARCH 1 9 2 7

w it h h o m o s e x u a lity . B u t fem a les t o o k m a le an im a ls a n d th e re fo re th e

apes. (A pes are d e sc rib a b le as fe m a le in th e ir h y s te ric a l m o o d s.) H e
is re fe rrin g to p h ilo s o p h e rs an d p rie sts. T h e r e are t w o classes o f b e
in g s p h ilo s o p h e r s p e cu la to r w h o d eals in w o r d s . P rie s t n o t e v e n
in w o r d s b u t in s y m b o ls to w h ic h h e h a d e n tir e ly lo s t th e m e a n in g .
S in k in g o f A t la n tis = d isa p p e aran ce o f essence a n d se x . In s tin ctiv e
e d u ca tio n is o n e e m o tio n a l e d u c a tio n is a n o th e r in te lle c tu a l e d u
c a tio n is still a n o th e r . E ach is le ft a b o v e th e w a te r. E a c h o f th ese is so
separate that it is p o s s ib le fo r a p e r s o n to be h ig h ly d e v e lo p e d in o n e ,
r u d im e n ta r ily in a se c o n d , and n o t at a ll o r d ead in a th ird .
S o G u r d jie ff says e v e n a fter b ir t h w e c o n tin u e t o rep e at e m b r y o lo g ic a lly . I m m e d ia te ly a fter b ir th , th e h is to ry o f th is p la n e t: in t e l
le c tu a l p o s itiv e , m a le ; in s tin c tiv e n e g a tiv e , p a ssiv e, fe m a le ; n e u
tra l e m o tio n a l, c h ild .
P h ilo s o p h e r y o g i t y p e o n e p e r f e c t ly w illin g t o rem ain separate
fr o m th e in s tin c tiv e , th e re fo re w h a t o c c u rs in h im is an a tte m p t to
p u t w o rd s in to th e fu n c tio n o f b r e e d in g . So m e ta p h y s ic s is s e lf-in d u l
g e n c e in w h ic h th e cereb ra l c e n te r m e r e ly en g a g e s w i t h it s e lf in th e
h o p e o f p r o d u c in g o ffs p rin g . M e r e in te lle c tu a lis m p r o d u c e s n o th in g
b u t w o rd s.
B u t th e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r b y i t s e lf can p r o d u c e n o th in g and sin ce
p o s itiv e has b e c o m e c o n c e r n e d w i t h it s e lf o n ly , th e in s tin c tiv e m u st
m a te w it h a lo w e r c e n te r. T h e o u t c o m e is s o m e th in g so m e th in g in
th e e m o tio n a l c e n te r . B u t it is o n l y p s e u d o h u m a n o r ap ish o r b e s
tia l so all th o s e a c tiv itie s w e c u s to m a r ily call g re a t b u t w h ic h la c k
th e p o sitiv e e le m e n t o f reason a re a p ish . A p e s are th o s e a ctiv e b e in g s
a m o n g us w h o are a c tiv e b u t w h o s e a c t iv it y is n o t d ire c te d b y in t e lli
g e n c e . A n a tte m p t t o see w h e th e r , w h e n th e m e t h o d is p r o m u lg a te d ,
a c tiv e apes lik e o u r s e lv e s can b e c o m e h u m a n .
H e alig h ts in A f r ic a o n th e R e d Sea. A fr ic a w a s o c c u p ie d in th ree
c en ters (parts). E g y p t th e scen e o f th e b u ild in g o f th e e x tr a o r d in a r y
o b s e r v a to r y . S o u th A fr ic a . . . .
S o B e e lz e b u b sta y e d in E g y p t to s tu d y th e o b s e r v a to r y and cam e to
th e c it y o f T h e b e s a n d n o t far w a s C a i r o and w it h in th a t a ca m p u s
d e v o te d to b u ild in g s h o ld in g o b s e r v a to r ie s . B u t b e fo r e th a t, B e e lz e
b u b says: I w ill te ll y o u o f c e rta in e x p e rim e n ts th e re (i.e. th e first
p r o m u lg a tio n o f th is m e th o d ). F ir s t p u t m y s e lf in t o a ce rta in tran ce
fo r m u n d e r w h ic h c e rta in th o u g h t fo r m s w e r e a p p a re n t.
L ig h t o n th e P a th (M a b el C o llin s w r o t e th is d o w n w h o a fte r
w a rd s b ecam e m a n ia c.)

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T h e r e w e r e in A tla n tis , b e in g s w h o h a d atta in ed th e p o w e r o f m a k
in g t h o u g h t m o ld s , w h ic h w o u ld e x is t p r a c tic a lly as l o n g as th e a tm o
sp h ere. S o B e e lz e b u b p u t h im s e lf in t o a ce rta in sta te o f in te lle c tu a l
c o n te m p la tio n w h e r e in th ese th o u g h ts c o u ld b e read.
A m a n , B e lcu lta s s i, in a n e g a tiv e state b ega n to s e r io u s ly r e v ie w his
life an d cam e to th e c o n c lu s io n th a t th e p a rticu la r e v e n t h a d b een n o t
o n l y u n u s u a lly stu p id b u t th at h e r e in th e resu lt h a d b e e n p a r tic u la rly
d isa stro u s. ( T h e fa c t th at an e v e n t d o e s n t h a ve t o re su lt in disaster
d o e s n t c h a n g e it fr o m fo lly .)
W h a t h e d id w a s n o t in a cc o rd w i t h his fe e lin g s o r th o u g h ts (W e
can b e r e la tiv e ly o b je c tiv e w it h re g a rd to p e o p le to w h o m w e are in
d iffe re n t.)
B e lcu lta ssi said t o h im se lf: I m u s t b e a sin g u la r f o o l. O t h e r b ein g s
s u r e ly are n o t th u s. S o h e in v ite d o th e r b e in g s t o c o n s u lt w it h h im
o v e r h is o w n d e fic ie n cie s b u t th e y , a ttra cte d b y h is o w n s in ce rity and
c a n d o r so o n a d m itte d th a t th e y w e r e in th e sam e fix . S o th e y fo r m e d
th e s o c ie t y o f K a ld e a n s to d e te r m in e th e a im a n d sense o f e x is
te n c e th e m e a n in g o f e x is te n c e . T h e r e is n o t o n e s o c ie t y o n ea rth
to d a y th at k n o w s th is.
T h e y b eg a n to m e e t and discuss a n d to co m p a re n o te s and k e p t a
d ia r y o f all o b se rv a tio n s.
1. D e ta ile d r e v ie w .
2. C u r r e n t s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n .
3. T o fo r m u la te c o n c lu s io n s in o r d e r to p u t th e m b e fo r e th e g r o u p
f o r c ritic is m .
B u t th e y d e c id e d to d iv id e in t o fiv e g ro u p s w i t h sp ecia l w o r k fo r
each gro u p .
1. G r o u p e x a m in e d th o se p h e n o m e n a that o c c u r r e d o u tsid e th e ir
p la n e t. E x te rn a l o b s e r v a tio n o f o n e s e lf and o th e rs p o s tu r e , facial e x
p re ss io n , e tc ., to d e te rm in e t y p e , e tc . E ach o n e o f u s k n o w s a least
500 p e o p le and w it h o u t g o in g b e y o n d these, o n e c o u ld fin d am p le
m a te ria l f o r d iv id in g h u m a n s in t o th e ty p e s to w h i c h th e y b e lo n g .
P h y s io lo g ic a l an d p h y s io n o m ic a l.
2. G r o u p c o n c e r n e d w it h m a th e m a tic s and a lg e b ra p s y c h o lo g ic a l
e x e r c is e th o u g h ts v a r y in w e ig h t an d ra p id ity , fe e lin g s in in te n sity ,
m u s c u la r a ctio n s in stresses. C a n y o u tu rn y o u r a tte n tio n to th e q u a li
ties as a b o v e , i.e . to e m p lo y a m e a su re to w e ig h t h o u g h t , t o d ete rm in e
in t e n s ity o f f e e lin g , to d e te rm in e d e g r e e o f e n e r g y , stress in actio ns?
3. G r o u p t o o b s e r v e th e p e rc e p tio n s and m a n ife s ta tio n s o f beings-

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W e are m e ch a n ica l b e in g s o p era te d b y p e rc e p tio n s a n d th e re u p o n
m a n ife stin g b e h a v io r . T r y to th in k o f y o u r s e lf as a th r e e fo ld w ill,
a lw ays re c e iv in g a n d m a n ife s tin g p e rc e p tio n s : 1 v e r b a l o p in io n ;
2 e m o tio n a l n e g a tiv e fe e lin g ; 3 p h y s ic a l tu r n in g a w a y .
4. G r o u p o f p h y s ic s an d c h e m is tr y p ro c e e d e d t o e x a m in e w h a t
ch an ges take p la ce in us b y (or r e s u ltin g fro m ) th e im p re ssio n s (per
c ep tio n s) w e re c e iv e , at th e rate o f t e n p e r seco n d . T h e r e fo r e n o g u ilt
in a ctio n s o r m a n ife sta tio n s. F o r t h e y ca n o n ly b e s to p p e d b y o n e
m ean s b y c h a n g in g th e rates o f v ib r a tio n s o f th e p e rc e p tio n s w e re
ceive . B e h a v io r is a r e fle x in c lu d in g o p in io n s , e m o tio n a l states, and
all b e h a v io r in a c tio n .
5. G r o u p to s tu d y th o s e p h e n o m e n a th a t o c c u r o w i n g to th e fa ct
w e o n ly have th ree c e n te rs , fo r e x a m p le rea d in g th e n e w sp a p e r, lips
m o v e . W h y ? B e ca u se so c lo s e ly rela ted . O r w e see a n o t h e r in an e m o
tio n a l state. T h e ca u se d o e s n o t in te re s t m e , b u t I r e c e iv e fr o m th e m
ce rta in im ag es w h ic h a ro u se, d u e to an a n a lo g u e , e m o tio n s in m e. I.e.
s tu d y h u m a n p s y c h o lo g y .
B u t th e y th en d is c o v e re d that fu r th e r k n o w le d g e w a s n ecessary. S o
the A k h a ld a n s o c ie t y sen t certain o f th e ir m em b ers t o v a r io u s parts
o f th e w o r ld . S o u th A fr ic a , a m o n g st o th e r places, an d t h e y cam e in to
th e c e n te r o f A fr ic a , i.e . th e p e r s o n a lity b e g a n . A sia is f u l l y d e v e lo p e d
p e rso n a lity . F iv e tu b e s b y m irro rs c o n c e n tr a te d o b s e r v a tio n s in th e
p y ra m id s o f E g y p t in t o a sin gle c o m p le t e im a g e (i.e. o n e s o w n o r
gan ism , o b se rv e fiv e fo r m s o f b e h a v io r an d reso lv e th e m sim u lta n e
o u s ly in t o a c o m p le te a n d a ccu rate im a g e ). B u t E g y p tia n s h a d fo c u s
u n d e rg ro u n d . B e e lz e b u b a d o p te d th e m e t h o d o f th e E g y p tia n s b u t
p r o d u c e d a resu lt o f fo c u s e d a w aren ess a b o v e g r o u n d a n d o u ts id e (i.e.
o b je c tiv e , n o t s u b je c tiv e ), th is w as p o s s ib le o n ly to a f e w th e in te l
lig e n tsia th e h ie ra rc h y . It w a s n o t ta u g h t p o p u la r ly in E g y p t .

Another accomplishment went toward charting winds and con

trolling climate. Climates moods. Winds currents o f emotions.
By observation can change negative into positive emotions.
At the entrance o f the campus there was a certain symbolic fig
ure a deliberately faulty copy o f a figure seen by Beelzebub before
n Atlantis.
The Atlantean figure was:
Head was that o f the bust o f a virgin, connected w ith the main
d y b y a piece o f amber.
2- Legs o f a lion.

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MARCH 1 9 2 7

3. B o d y o f a b u ll.
4. W in g s o f a n ea gle .
A m b e r in su la te s o k id a n o k h m a k e s im p o s sib le tran sferen ce fr o m
th ird c e n te r to fo u r th . T h e m e a n in g o f th e fig u r e is th a t in o rd e r to
r e c o v e r to a n o r m a l state th e re is a n e ce ssity t o o b v ia te th e c o n s e
q u e n c e s o f th e o r g a n k u n d a b u ffe r.
1. B o d y o f b u ll la b o rio u sn e ss, s e lf-in d e fa tig a b ility .
2. L io n s e lf-c o n fid e n c e arises f r o m k n o w le d g e th a t n o th in g can
d e s tr o y h im .
3. W in g s a sp ira tio n la b o r an d fearlessness a lo n e are useless.
4. H e a d lo v e n o t to b e a sso ciated w it h a n y o f th e fu n ctio n s o f
th e tr u n k o r th e th r e e cen ters.
S o th e E g y p tia n fig u re had n o w in g s ca lle d th e s p h in x i.e. q u e s
tio n . T h e o r ig in a l fig u re w a s c a lle d c o n s cie n ce .
B e e lz e b u b re tu rn s to M a rs w i t h a n u m b e r o f ap es. F in d s he m u st
a tte n d th e c e r e m o n y o f a c h ild b o r n o f a h e r m a p h r o d ite , as go d fa th er.
T h r e e sorts o f p la n e ts h a v in g o n e s e x , t w o sexes a n d th re e sexes. T h is
refers to t w o c e n te rs p r o d u c in g a th ird , o n e a s e c o n d o r th ree p r o
d u c in g a fo u r th .
A n g e ls h a ve at first a lre a d y th r e e b o d ie s and a lt h o u g h th e y h ave all
th r e e p o te n tia litie s o f d e v e lo p m e n t it is n o t in s e q u e n c e . O n p lan ets
w h e r e a n g els are b o rn th e re are th r e e sexes p o s itiv e , n eg a tiv e and
n e u tr a liz in g , b u t e a ch is tr u ly a s e x u a l b e in g . W h e n th e re co m es th e
n e c e s s ity o f th e c re a tio n o f a n e w b o d y fo r a b e in g th e re takes p la ce a
p ro cess ca lle d im m a c u la te c o n c e p tio n , d u rin g w h ic h e a ch th in k s o n ly
o f th e M e ssia h o r C h r is t . D u r in g th is tim e th e th r e e b e in g s b e c o m e
one.
T h e m e th o d o f c o n s cio u s la b o r an d v o lu n t a r y s u ffe rin g are p e c u
lia r t o th is p la n e t. P ro ta g o ra s (B elcu lta ssi) w a s in B a b y lo n , E g y p t, e tc.,
b e fo r e se ttin g u p b is s ch o o l o r in s titu te in S ic ily . S o N a p o le o n and his
c ritic s and th e f u t ilit y o f critics b y us.

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4 A P R I L 1927
T h e rate o f tim e o f th e ratio n a l c e n te r , is o n e -s e v e n th o f o n e -s e v e n th
sh o rte r than th e rate o f tim e o f sen se p e rc e p tio n . M a k e an e x p e rim e n t
o f resta tin g in y o u r o w n term s a n d p o n d e r in g m a n y o f th e fre q u e n t
statem en ts in th e b o o k . R e a so n w i l l th e n serve o n e o f its fu n ctio n s ,
i.e . sh o rte n in g th e tim e n ecessa ry f o r p e rso n a l d e v e lo p m e n t th at is
sh o rte r than a r r iv in g b y trial and e r r o r th r o u g h th e senses.
FIFTH D E S C E N T

B a b y lo n w as th e fifth c o s m o p o lita n c e n te r in th e w o r ld . It w a s b e
tw e e n 3,000 an d 2,000

bc

. T ik la n d ia , G o b la n d ia , e tc . h a d all b een o f

o n e n a tio n a lity , p r o v in c ia l. B a b y lo n w a s m e tr o p o lita n . It w a s th e a c

k n o w le d g e d m e t r o p o lis o f th e w h o l e p la n e t; and to in d ic a te its p o s i
tio n in th e East p e o p le w r o t e fr o m r ig h t to le ft, i.e . to w a r d s th e W est,
to w a rd s B a b y lo n . In th e W est t h e y w r o t e fr o m le ft t o r ig h t, i f N o r t h
o f B a b y lo n , fr o m t o p to b o tto m , i f S o u th fr o m b o t t o m to to p . P res
e n t in d ic a tio n o f h is to ric a l p o s itio n o f an cesto rs.
C a u s e o f th e f ift h d escen t. B e e lz e b u b had n o tic e d fr o m M a rs th at
th e le n g th o f m e n s liv e s w a s d e c lin in g . It had b e e n f r o m seven to te n
ce n tu rie s. H e c o u ld n o t te ll th e ca u se o f this fr o m M a r s , so cam e to
ea rth to stu d y . H e m a k e s e ffo rt t o s u r v e y th e w h o le sp ecie s. H e traces
h is to r y and d e g e n e r a tio n o f th e sp ecie s. It w as th e first o p p o r t u n it y to
o b s e r v e that c e r ta in ce n te rs w e r e n o lo n g e r th ree b u t o n e , i.e . B a b y
lo n w a s th e first m o d e r n c e n te r. Id eas w e r e c u r r e n t th e re o f sci
e n ce , a rt, and r e lig io n th at are still c u r r e n t. U n t il th e n th e c o n c e p tio n
o f scien ce w as b ased o n th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f n o rm a l p o te n tia litie s o f
n o rm a l b ein gs. It h a d b een assu m ed th a t to d e v e lo p th e seco n d and
th ird b o d ies w a s o n e o f th e o b lig a tio n s o f life . T h is w a s taken fo r
g ra n te d j u s t as e d u c a tio n , m a rria g e , e tc . are ta k en fo r g ra n te d n o w .
A l l c o n d itio n s w e r e a d a p te d to th is. A scien tist fr o m B a b y lo n ia t o o k
a d v a n ta g e o f c o n d itio n s to d e v e lo p n o r m a lly art, lite r a tu re , o c c u p a
tio n s, e tc. w e re su b o rd in a te .
W it h B a b y lo n ia n tim es, in t u itio n s o f p o te n tia litie s w e r e w a n ln g su b stitu ted b y te ch n iq u e s an d th e a c c u m u la tio n o f k n o w le d g e
and fa cts, cf. c e rta in an im a ls and p r im itiv e in d iv id u a ls . A s in tu itio n s
W aned, m ec h a n ic a l m ea n s w e r e s u b s titu te d ; u n til w e a rriv e at a
h ig h ly d e v e lo p e d m o d e r n s c ie n tis t, w h o had n o in tu itio n s b u t an
a m a z in g c o m m a n d o f m e ch a n ica l te c h n iq u e .
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S cie n c e is b ased o n sense p e rc e p tio n s , a p r o p e r ty o f th e h u m a n b e

in g as su ch . C o m p a r e d w it h s c ie n ce based o n a c c u m u la tio n o f k n o w l
e d g e , an d n o t t h r o u g h first h a n d sen se p e rc e p tio n s , b u t b y s u b s titu t
in g te c h n iq u e . . .
In B a b y lo n , th e re w a s a c o n g re s s o f th e n e w t y p e o f scien tist, w h o
h a d lo s t th e sen se o f p o te n tia litie s an d th r o w n b a c k o n e ffo rt to d is
cover . ..
W e s h o u ld b e a b le to see e x a m p le s in eld ers; th is e x a m p le is g o n e ,
in t u itio n s w e r e so lo s t th a t w e are e v e n in d o u b t w h e n w e h ear th e m
sta ted . L e t us assu m e th e m to in c lu d e th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f t w o o th e r
b o d ie s . W h ic h o f u s can im a g in e th a t w e w ill in th is life d e v e lo p e m o
tio n a l and in te lle c tu a l p o te n tia litie s , th at w e w i l l b e c o m e P la to s o r
H y p a tia s , w h ic h in p r e -B a b y lo n ia n tim es w as n o r m a l. W h e n w e lo o k
at trees, e .g . w e see th e m as m a te r ia l fo r o u r use. T h e p re -B a b y lo n ia n
sc ien tist r e c o g n iz e d th e ir u tilita ria n u se b u t also sa w in tu itio n as th e
la te n t p o te n tia litie s in each in d iv id u a l and in t u it io n as a fu n c tio n o f
e a c h liv in g b e in g .
In d e a lin g w i t h an im als, e .g . th e first in tu itio n th a t th e y fu lfill th e ir
fu n c tio n s in th e c o s m ic sch em e , as w e fu lfill o u rs. M a n is o n ly e n title d
t o m a k e use o f an im a ls in so fa r as h e is fu lfillin g h is o w n fu n c tio n , i.e .
d e v e lo p m e n t o f reaso n . I f h e is u s in g th e m o n ly f o r his ap p e tites o r
c o m fo r ts , h e is m issin g o n e o f t h e n atu ra l v a lu es.
In th is d e c lin e fr o m in t u itio n t o ra tio n a lism c a m e th e idea o f th e
d e c lin e o f r e lig io n s ; and w e o w e B a b y lo n fo r th e o r ig in o f th e id ea
o f g o o d and e v i l . T h e w o r ld is an e n o r m o u s apparatu s fo r th e
tr a n s fo r m in g o f e n e r g y u p an d d o w n , w it h a b a la n c e m a in ta in e d b y
re c ip ro c a l fe e d in g o f rates o f v ib r a tio n . A b s o lu t e g o o d w o u ld be
th e m a in te n a n c e o f th is e q u ilib r iu m . T h e id ea o f e v il w as in t r o
d u c e d w h e n th e in d iv id u a l id e n tifie d h im s e lf w i t h th e w h o le p ro cess.
N o w w h a t a p p ears a d ig re s s io n : d is tr ib u tio n o f races; a fter th e
s in k in g o f A tla n tis .

T ik la n d ia .

G o b la n d ia .

In d ia,

A b o u t 5,000

bc

, d u e to th e th ir d c o s m ic m is fo r tu n e th a t b e fe ll this

p la n e t and c o n t in u e d fo r several y e a rs , th e re w e r e w in d s o f such in

te n s ity th at th e m o u n ta in p e a k s w e r e abraded a n d sand sto rm s f o l
lo w e d . T ik la n d ia an d G o b la n d ia w e r e o b lite ra te d . T h e r e is c u r r e n tly
n o p la u sib le e x p la n a tio n o f h o w so la r g e a p art o f th e ea rth s su rface
178

4 APRIL 1927
s h o u ld b e c o v e r e d w it h sand. It lies in th e G o b i f o r a d e p th o f th ir
t y o r fo r t y fe e t. G u r d j ie f f says th e se sand sto rm s w e r e cau sed b y th e
tn o o n , b ecau se t h e a tm o sp h ere o f th e m o o n su r c h a r g e d w it h e le c tr i
cal elem en ts r e c e iv e d b y th e e a rth a n d fe ll in to a s o r t o f fr ic tio n w it h
th e earth .
O f th e p e o p le o f G o b la n d ia o n e p a rt w e n t East a n d settled in C h in a
(o ld h isto ries o f C h in a say it w a s s e ttle d fr o m th e W est), o n e part w e n t
W est and settled in E u ro p e ; o n e p a rt S o u th to P ersia.
B a b y lo n ia b e c a m e th e ce n te r u n d e r th e in flu e n c e o f th e A k h a ld a n s
w h o m ade a w o r ld ca p ita l o u t o f th e c it y ; a u n iv e r s ity c en ter.
T h e su b jects o f e sp e cia l in te re st t o th e se A k h a ld a n s :
1. P h ysica l scie n ce s as w e k n o w th e m .
G u r d jie ff says th a t all w e k n o w a b o u t e le c tr ic it y w a s k n o w n th e n .
T h e y a im ed at th e a c c u m u la tio n o f fa cts u n d e r th e illu s io n th at th e
c o m p le x it y o f th e e x is tin g c iv iliz a t io n p r o d u c e d a c h a n g e in p s y
c h o lo g y , b u t o n th e c o n tra ry , to th e e x te n t o n e is fo r c e d to d e p e n d
o n e x te rn a l, fo r c e , te ch n iq u e , h e lp , e tc . w e m e a su re o n ly w e a k n e ss.
K n o w in g and d o in g w e r e d e v e lo p e d at th e e x p e n s e o f b e in g . T h e
in a u g u ra tio n o f t h e m o d e r n p e rio d .
2. M o ra lity .
In absence o f in t u it io n o f w o r ld p u r p o s e , th e y w e r e fo r c e d to c o l
le c t d ata and g iv e th e su b je ctiv e in te r p re ta tio n .
W h a t w o r ld v i e w d o I have? Is e v e r y t h in g p u re c h a n ce ? Is th e u n i
verse g o v e rn e d b y an all w is e an d b e n e v o le n t b e in g ? D o I d e p e n d o n
a k in d ly p r o v id e n c e ? O r d o I v i e w th e co sm o s as a s c h o o l w h e r e I
a m set to a cq u ire a c e rta in u n d e rs ta n d in g , o r as a p e n a l in s titu tio n ?
O r as a g y m n a s iu m (as so m e H in d u s ) to a cq u ire c e r ta in p o w ers? Set
d o w n y o u r c o n c e p t io n o f life , a c c id e n ta lly a rriv e d at, o n e o f a fe w .
In te rro g a te y o u r s e lf. F in d y o u r c o n c e p tio n , h o w e v e r su b je ctiv e an d
p a rticu la r, h eard in o n e o f th e sto rie s h eard in c h ild h o o d . It is n o t an
o r ig in a l b u t a d e r iv e d c o n c e p tio n . O r ig in a lit y an d g e n e ra tio n o f th e
tr u th is d isc la im e d ; y e t a ll o u r t h in k in g and lives are c o lo r e d b y th is
b ro a d c o n c e p t. T h e G r e e k s , th e R o m a n s and w e in o u r m o d e r n tim e
also are c o n t in u in g t o th in k th e t h o u g h ts w h ic h w e r e fo r m u la te d in
B a b y lo n .
O n e o f th e B a b y lo n ia n S cie n tists, H a m a lin a d ia n rea d a p a p er o n th e
In sta b ility o f H u m a n R e a s o n S k e p tic ism o f th e In s tr u m e n t.
A s s u m in g th e m in d has b een d e v e lo p e d in e v o lu tio n , in resp o n se to
n eeds, ju s t as th e h a n d has. H e n c e th e b rain has b e e n d e v e lo p e d o n ly

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fo r th e p u r p o s e o f s u r v iv a l and c a n n o t b e o f v a lu e f o r th e d isc o v e ry
o f tr u th as such .
S e c o n d lin e o f a r g u m e n t: W e k n o w th e o r ig in o f o u r d ialectics.
E a ch o f u s has seen o n l y a sm all p a rt o f n atu ral p h e n o m e n a , so sm all
th a t w e h a ve n o g r o u n d fo r passin g ju d g m e n t o n th e w h o le .
T h ir d lin e o f a tta c k : K a n t. A sp ecie s o f lo g ic a l in tr o s p e c tio n ; o u r
s tr u c tu re p re su p p o ses ce rta in (ch aracteristics) c o n c e p ts o f tim e and
space o v e r w h ic h w e h a v e n o c o n t r o l an d w h ic h lim it o u r p e rce p tio n .
Y e t e a c h o n e a tta ch es so m e im p o r ta n c e to p e rso n a l ju d g m e n t . H a m a lin a d ia n w a s a c ra c k scien tist; h a d g o n e to all th e s c h o o ls in c lu d in g
E g y p t , m a k in g t h o u g h t m a te r ia l.
In a n c ie n t E g y p t as in m o d e r n In d ia , th e h ig h e st y o g a classes m a
te r ia liz e d th o u g h t. T h is m e r e ly m a k e s cle arer th e s u b je c tiv e nature
o f t h o u g h t . H a m a lin a d ia n c o u ld see th o u g h t ; b u t th is w a s n o h elp in
s o lv in g th e p r o b le m : d o es m an s u r v iv e death ? H a m a lin a d ia n a d m it
te d th a t in sp ite o f th e a b u n d a n ce o f le a rn in g , h e k n e w n o th in g b y
p e rs o n a l e x p e r ie n c e a b o u t th e so u l, t h o u g h he h a d w r it t e n b o o k s on
th e su b je c t w h ic h h is c o lle a g u e s h a d a d m ire d . T h is is o u r state. D o es
a n y o n e know th at m a n has a so u l o r a b o u t its fate? H a m a lin a d ia n in
v ite s a n y o n e w h o h as a m e th o d h e has n o t trie d to te ll h im and he w ill
t r y it. N o o ffe rs. H a m a lin a d ia n re tir e d an d b eca m e a fa rm e r (related
to first fo o d ).

[O rage reads]
P a n -s cie n tific co n g re s s to settle th e q u e s tio n , is th e re a soul? T h e
T o w e r o f B a b el. T h is is th e h o p e th a t b y p u ttin g to g e t h e r all th e o
ries, h e m ig h t c o m b in e th e m and b u ild a stru c tu re w h i c h w o u ld reach
h e a v e n . H a m a lin a d ia n b e g a n b y th e a n a lysis o f th e b ra in , th e o rig in o f
o u r o p in io n s and o u r im p re ssio n s a n a lysis o f c u rr e n t b eh a v io rism .
A s H a m a lin a d ia n sp o k e his v o ic e b e g a n to g r o w , m o v e d w it h real
iz a tio n o f w h a t h e w a s sa y in g. H e a d m its that in o n e m o o d h e c o u ld
p r o v e th a t m e n w e r e ju s t b o d ie s a n d in a n o th e r th a t th e y w e r e ju s t
m in d s. Y e t h e w a s n o t a m e d io c re scien tist b u t h a d c o m p le te d the
h ig h e s t stu d ies. D u r in g th is c o n g re ss h e h a d fo llo w e d a ll th e c o n flic t
in g th e o r ie s an d h a d a g re e d in w a r d ly w i t h all. A t o w e r b u ilt o f th e o
ries, a ll p la u sib le , y e t o f v a rio u s co n s is te n cie s and so m u s t collap se.
H a m a lin a d ia n le ft th e m . H e is th e t y p e o f th e d is illu s io n e d m o d ern
sc ie n tist w h o s e rea so n is b e in g b ased o n sen sation s, w h ic h is in suffi
c ie n t fo r a n y essen tial c o n clu sio n s.
P au se an d d is tin g u is h these:

B e in g .
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4 APRIL I 927
.

K n o w in g .

D o in g .

T h e th r e e b ro ad est ty p e s .
T h e b e in g ty p e is th e rarest; and th e d e g e n e ra tio n o f th e species
is m ea su red b y th e d e cre a s e in this t y p e . E v e r y o n e h e re is in th e first
in stan ce a b e in g . W e are d is tin g u is h e d f r o m th e a n im a l. T h is d o e s n o t
m ean th a t w e are s u p e r io r b u t d iffe re n tia te s b e tw e e n a n im a l an d h u
man b e in g . C a n y o u d is tin g u is h , n o t in s tin c tiv e ly , n o t e m o tio n a lly ,
a n d n o t b e h a v io r is tic a lly ? T h e n w h a t is th e d ifferen ce ? W e can o n ly

say it is se lf-c o n scio u sn e ss, aw aren ess o f th e state o f b e in g . It is p o s

sible fo r us to cla ssify o u r s e lv e s in th e o r d e r o f b ein g s.
C o m p a r is o n o f o rd e rs . I can d is tin g u is h b e tw e e n a sta te o f w e ll
b ein g a n d a state o f ill- b e in g . I can m e a s u re th e d e g re e in w h ic h cer
tain fa c u ltie s are sh a rp er in w e ll- b e in g th a n in ill-b e in g . S u p p o s e fo r
the m o m e n t th ere w a s n o e x te rn a l w o r ld . C lo s e y o u r e y e s a n d t r y to
be m e r e ly c o n s cio u s o f y o u r s e lf. C a n y o u d is tin g u is h ch a n g e s ta k in g
place in y o u r state (p s y c h ic ), can y o u d is tin g u is h th ree m a in fo r m s o f
states: th in k in g , fe e lin g , m o v in g (m o to r a c tiv ity )? E a ch o f th ese is
su scep tib le to m a n y su b -sta tes. C o lle c t n a m e s o f e m o tio n a l a n d in t e l
lectu al states:
In te lle c tu a l: c o n c e n tr a tio n , a tte n tio n .
In s tin ct: p ain , lig h tn e s s.
In te r r o g a te y o u r s e lf; th e b e g in n in g o f a te c h n iq u e f o r th e scien ce
and a rt o f b e in g . B e a w a r e o f p s y ch ic states as th e y o c c u r. T a k e an il
lu stratio n : an g er, h o w m a n y v a rie tie s, as m a n y as shades o f re d ? In
d ig n a tio n , rage, sp le en , v e x a tio n , etc.
S o m e o n e in p u rsu it o f k n o w le d g e w o u l d p r o c e e d b y rea so n , based
on re a d in g w o u ld b e a b le t o d efin e. H e m ig h t say in d ig n a tio n is an
ger a n d su rp rise w it h o u t a n y p e rso n a l k n o w le d g e . S o m e o n e p u rs u
e s b e in g m ig h t b e a b le t o d istin g u ish sh ad es in h im s e lf w it h o u t p e r
haps b e in g able to d e fin e th e m in c u rr e n t te rm s. T h e r e is a d iffe re n ce
b e tw e e n k n o w le d g e a n d a n a lysis o f w o r d s a n d u n d e rs ta n d in g o f self.
B a b y lo n in s titu te d w o r d rea so n in g a n d p u t an en d to th e p u r s u it o f
being. S u b s titu tio n o f v e r b a l th o u g h t f o r tra in e d in t u itio n . W e c o m e
lnto th e w o r ld e d u c a b le a n d are c o r r u p t e d b y w o rd s . K n o w le d g e is
n t th e o u t c o m e o f e x p e r ie n c e b u t o f c ry s ta lliz e d c o n c e p ts . P o ssib illly o f th e s e lf-d is c o v e ry o f a m eans, w i t h a series o f e x e rc is e s and ar
m i n g at a grea te r s e lf-u n d e rs ta n d in g .

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E ach o f us is a H a m a lin a d ia n . S u p p o se scien ce su c ce e d s; th e d is illu

sio n o f H a m a lin a d ia n is a w a itin g us. H o w shall w e start?
M e th o d :

F irst Step p h y s ic a l b e h a v io r
Second Step o b s e r v a tio n o f p s y c h ic states as s u ch , a tte n tio n o n
ch a n g e s. U n t il n o w n o th in g o n th is has b een said , b ecau se e x te rn a l
b e h a v io r is a la n g u a g e w it h th r e e m e a n in g s. T h r e e ce n te rs sim u lta n e
o u s ly ex p ress th e m se lv e s in o u r b e h a v io r .
C o n s e c u t iv e a n d in c r e a s in g ly s u b tle readin gs b r in g to lig h t. (L ater
o n in c o n n e c tio n w it h o u r d ra m a w e w ill see p a rt o f tra in in g in a ct
i n g . ) A t p rese n t all th is is p re m a tu re b u t n o w g iv in g to d istin ct states.
In te r r o g a tio n b ased o n w o r d s , a u s e fu l e x p e r im e n t.
M o r a lit y in B a b y lo n t w o sc h o o ls : d u alist o r id e a lis t, m a te ria l
ist o r a th eist. T h e first assu m ed th e e x is te n c e in th e w o r ld o f tw o
p rin c ip le s : g o o d and bad. W e fin d in o u rse lv e s t e n d e n c y to cla ssify
th in g s th u s, n o t o n ly in re la tio n to o u rse lv e s b u t a b s o lu te ly . T h a t
e a c h sp ecies s h o u ld so cla ssify th in g s re la tiv e ly , i.e . in relatio n to
its o w n p u rp o s e s , is n atural. G o o d fo r m e , c o n d u c iv e to m y p u r
p o s e . T h is ju d g m e n t is p u r e ly r e la tiv e and im p lie s n o ju d g m e n t o f
th e o b je c t its e lf. I f I say g o o d in i t s e l f I a m a p p ly in g m y p erso n al
ju d g m e n t w h ic h has n o th in g e th ic a l in it (in s tru m e n ta l), w it h co sm ic
m e a n in g . T h is d o u b le m e a n in g o f th e w o r d g o o d is th e cau se o f
m o s t o f o u r c o n fu s io n . T h is fa lse a ttr ib u tio n o f p e rs o n a l to a b so lu te
v a lu e s , w e ca ll m o r a lity ; a u n iv e r s a liz a tio n o f w h i c h is s tr ic tly sp ea k
in g p e rso n a l. T h e r e is n o th in g in th e w o r ld w h ic h is u n iv e rs a lly g o o d
o r b ad. In sp ite o f th e fa ct th a t th is is clear, n o n e o f us can refrain
fr o m u sin g g o o d and e v il a n d fe e lin g th at w e h a v e so m e c la im to
pass ju d g m e n t , th a n k s to an e d u c a tio n a l sy ste m w h ic h o rig in a te d in
B a b y lo n ia n days. M o r a lit y w a s in s titu te d f o l l o w in g th e d eca d e n ce o f
th e in t u itio n o f G o d .
T h e n o n -m o r a l v i e w w a s h e ld in B a b y lo n ia n d a ys b y a g r o u p w h o
w e r e m e c h a n ic ia n s. E v e r y th in g in th e w o r ld is a series o f causes w h ic h
p r o d u c e effe cts w h ic h in tu r n b e c o m e causes a n d p r o d u c e effects. It
is a c irc u la r c h a n g e w it h o u t m e a n in g . S p e c u la tio n as to o rig in s and
en d s is im p o s s ib le . T h e first s c h o o l h ad tu rn e d o r g a n ic g o o d and bad
in t o e th ica l g o o d an d e v il. T h e s e c o n d sch o o l c a m e to th e co n c lu sio n
th a t th e re w a s n o p s y c h o lo g y a n d n o b e in g . T h e p r ic e that w il l be
p a id b y m o d e r n te ch n ica l p s y c h o lo g y (see W a ts o n ) n o p sych e, i f the
w h o le p r e o c c u p a tio n is w it h e x te r n a l b e h a v io r. It is a su b tler p h y s io l'
o g y . It loses sen se o f e x p e r ie n c e o th e r than senses. I f p s y ch ic a c t iv ity
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is d ire c te d o u t w a r d c o n tin u a lly , th e u ltim a te c o n c lu s io n w il l b e th at

n o th in g real ex ists .
L o g ic is based o n im p ressio n s; i f w e c o lle c t n o im p re ssio n s fo r th e
p s y c h e , lo g ic w i l l c o m p e l us to p r e d ic a te th e n o n - e x is t e n c e o f th e
p s y c h e . W e c a n n o t rea so n a b o u t th e p s y c h e w it h a b e in g all o f w h o s e
im p ressio n s are a ll p h y s io lo g ic a l. W a ts o n said: Y o u r t h e o r y c a n n o t in
terest m e b ecau se it is based o n fa cts w h ic h are n o t o f m y e x p e rie n c e
I u n d e rstan d y o u to sa y: c o lle c t th e fa cts.
W e c a n n o t ta lk y e t , can o n ly g o , d o . C o lle c t io n o f fa cts b eg in s to
g iv e g r o u n d fo r n e w ju d g m e n t . A h a lf-c e n tu r y a fte r H a m a lin a d ia n
cam e St. A sh ia ta S h ie m a sh . H a m a lin a d ia n w a s th e m o s t h ig h ly in t e l
le c tu a l scien tist o f h is d ay.

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B e fo r e c o n s id e r in g A sh ia ta , w e m u s t g o th r o u g h th e steps o f v i e w
in g th e h u m a n sp ecie s o b je c tiv e ly . E a ch o f us is th e p r o d u c t o f a lo n g
b io lo g ic a l h is to r y ; an d also fr o m th e m o m e n t o f c o n c e p tio n , this b io
lo g ic a l h e r e d ity b e c o m e s su b je c t t o v a ria tio n s d u e t o th e p a rticu la r
tim e in th e c iv iliz a t io n in w h ic h w e fin d o u rs e lv e s . I f th e e n v ir o n
m e n t is d is c o u r a g in g to n o rm a l b io lo g ic a l p u r p o s e , w e fin d h o s tility
to n o r m a l d e v e lo p m e n t. I f fa v o ra b le , s o c io lo g ic a l m a teria ls w ill aid
b io lo g ic a l d e v e lo p m e n t.
In this c ritiq u e , th e re are c e rta in im p lic a tio n s ; o n e o f these is th e
c o n c e p tio n o f a n o rm a l h u m a n b e in g . It is im p o s s ib le to arrive at th is
b y ta k in g m e r e ly th e a verage o f in d iv id u a ls . T h e sp ecie s in p ro cess
o f d e g e n e ra tio n m a y o ffe r an a v e ra g e b u t ceases o ft e n to b e n o rm a l.
T h is d is tin c tio n b e tw e e n avera ge a n d n o rm a l is v e r y im p o r ta n t. T h is
b o o k defin es th e n o rm a l; and n e e d s t o b e lo n g p o n d e r e d b e fo re b e in g
gra sp e d .
(G u r d jie ff o ft e n said to O r a g e : W h a t I am s a y in g n o w , y o u w ill
u n d e rsta n d p e rh a p s in a y e a r o r t w o y e a rs . A lt h o u g h th e statem en t
w a s clear.)
A b e in g , irr e s p e c tiv e o f se x , w h o at th e age o f a b o u t tw e n ty - o n e
b e g in s to fin d q u ite n a tu ra lly in h im s e lf th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f that state
o f co n s cio u s n e s s w h ic h w e c a ll se lf-co n scio u sn e ss. H e b e co m e s aw are
o f h is b o d y in th e sense o f b e in g p s y c h o lo g ic a lly in p o ssessio n o f it.
T h is h a p p en s n o r m a lly and is a c c o m p a n ie d b y d e v o t io n to certain in
terests and e m p lo y m e n t o f m ean s.
A t th e a ge o f a b o u t th ir ty , a n o th e r crisis in w h ic h h e b egin s to b e
c o m e c o n s cio u s o f th e w o r ld in w h ic h h e lives; n o t m e r e ly this p la n e t
b u t o th e r p la n e ts an d h is re la tio n to th e m . T h is v a r ie s in in d iv id u a ls
b u t th e c h a ra cte r o f th e stage is th e sam e. A w a re o f t o t a l life p u rp o se ,
fu n c tio n , e tc. A t first h e ju s t senses th e m .
O n o th e r p la n e ts th e re are n o r m a l th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g s. O n this
p la n e t are n o p h ases, tu r n in g p o in ts a fte r th e a ge o f p la n e ta ry m a jo r
it y . A f t e r th is a n o rm a l d e v e lo p m e n t is d e p e n d e n t o n e x te r n a l im p res
sio n s r e c e iv e d u p t o th is tim e . M o r e o r less c h a o tic , u n fo ld in g in th e
p o ssib ilitie s o f e x p e r ie n c e la id u p .
B e e lz e b u b s first e ffo rt w a s t o u n d e rsta n d w h y th is state is. H e re
v ie w e d th e h is t o r y o f th e p la n e t, as it is u se fu l f o r u s to r e v ie w th e
h is t o r y o f o u r in d iv id u a l lives. H e fo u n d a c a ta stro p h e an d sp lit; ea ch
in d iv id u a l rep eats th is p la n e ta ry a cc id e n t. T h e re su lts are serious b u t

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jio t fatal. T h e M o o n an d A n u lio s re m a in e d w it h in th e g r a v ita tio n a l

field o f th e p la n e t. T h is sp lit is n o t in e ra d ica b le . It is p o ssib le to d e
v e lo p n o rm a lly i f o n l y o u r s o c io lo g ic a l in e rtia w h ic h w e c a ll tr a d itio n
h ad a d ap ted its e lf.
K u n d a b u ffe r is v e s tig ia l b u t tr a d itio n c o n tin u e s it. T h is s o c io lo g ic a l
tra d itio n m u st e v e n t u a lly b e o v e r c o m e and seen t h r o u g h as a c o n d i
tio n o f n o rm a l d e v e lo p m e n t. It is im p o s sib le to d e v e lo p th r o u g h so
c io lo g ic a l id eas; it is n o t a q u e s tio n o f e c le c tic is m a m o n g th e k n o w l
e d g e w e have a c q u ire d . A l l this k n o w le d g e is u seless in th e absen ce o f
th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f essen ce, th e b io lo g ic a l g e rm . T h is is th e o r ig in o f
th e in sisten ce o n b e in g b o rn a g a in , n o t s p ir itu a lly o r o c c u lt b u t b y
re tu r n in g to th e b io lo g ic a l state b e fo r e w e w e r e su b je c t to s o c io lo g y ,
h e n c e th e v a lu e o f r e v ie w in g life b y p ictu re s. It d e v e lo p s th e c e n te r
o f o b s e r v a tio n ; a n d I b e c o m e s s o m e th in g , as th e p a n o ra m a o f th e
m e ta m o rp h o sis o f its o w n b o d y passes b e fo re it. It a ls o lead s to see in g
th e layers o r c o a tin g s and th e tra n sp a re n ce o f th e la y e rs. T h e s o c io
lo g ic a l a tta in m en ts d o n o t d ro p o ff. O n e sees th e essen tial rea ctio n s
d u e to p e rio d , p la c e etc.
C o m p a r in g o u r s e lv e s w it h a c o n s c io u s b e in g , a w a re o f fu n c tio n ,
ask th e q u e stio n w h ic h A sh ia ta ask e d h im se lf. H e a p p e a re d in B a b y
lo n , s h o rtly a fte r H a m a lin a d ia n . H a m a lin a d ia n , an in te lle c tu a l, h a d
a n a ly z e d m in d . Im p re ssio n s are a c c id e n ta lly re c e iv e d . A r e th e y su f
fic ie n t fo r a n y o b je c t iv e ju d g m e n t? H e d e cid e d th e re w a s n o sa lv a tio n
in c u ltiv a tin g th e m in d ; and w e n t o u t to g r o w f o o d i.e ., to c o lle c t
im p ressio n s, w h ic h n o o n e c o u ld g iv e h im . H e h a d a b a n d o n e d reason
and self-a n a lysis, th e o r d in a ry sen se o f w o rd s and h e w a s th r o w n b a ck
o n th e sim p le p a s to ra l task o f ta k in g im p ressio n s o f his o w n p h y sica l
b e h a v io r.
A sh ia ta w a s p e rh a p s ta k in g a d v a n ta g e o f th e w a v e o f in te lle c tu a l
sk ep ticism and d is illu s io n m e n t n o s o lu tio n o f e ssen tial q u estio n s b y
g a th e rin g data. H e d e c id e d that an e m o tio n a l a w a k e n in g w a s n eed ed
b u t fo r th e in te llig e n ts ia , an e m o tio n a l ap p eal o n th e in s tin c tiv e c e n
te r is n o t su ffic ie n t; it m u st c o m e o v e r an idea, fr o m b e y o n d reason.
H e n c e G u r d jie f f sp ea k s o f o b je c tiv e reaso n .
A sh ia ta sp o k e o f o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e . H e b e g a n b y q u e s tio n in g
his o w n c o m p e te n c e to u n d e rta k e a r e fo rm , r e a liz in g th at he also
h ad b e e n s u b je c tiv e ly d e te rm in e d . H e set o u t to m a k e th e c o a tin g
f ed u c a tio n tra n sp a ren t. In a state o f o b je c t iv it y h e b eg a n to fo r
m u la te th e m ean s t o c a r r y o u t h is m is s io n ; and le ft a d o c u m e n t fo r
a lin e o f in itia te s, o f w h o m to d a y in C e n tra l A sia (p s y c h o lo g ic a l as
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w e ll as g e o g ra p h ic a l essence) a f e w m e m b e rs re m a in . (A sia essence;

E u r o p e p e rs o n a lity .)
T h e steps h e t o o k : L e g o m o n is m tra n sm itte d , o c c u lt d o c trin e ,
o r ig in a l f u lly fo r m u la te d and tr a n s m itte d b y h u m a n m ea n s. T it le o f
th e D o c u m e n t : T h e T e r r o r o f th e S itu a tio n . S u p p o s e it is tru e that
a ll o f us are a b n o r m a l, th at w e h a v e n e v e r seen a n d n e v e r shall see a
n o rm a l h u m a n b e in g o n this p la n e t. S u p p o se th is sp e cie s is d eg e n e ra t
in g an d th a t w e can b e b u t d im ly a w a re o f this; th a t w e as species and
as in d iv id u a ls are b e in g ca rrie d in e v it a b ly d o w n s th e scale o f e v o lu
tio n . C o n s id e r e ffo rts b y A sh ia ta , B u d d h a , E g y p tia n c iv iliz a tio n , e tc.
M a n y a tte m p ts an d a ll h a v e fa ile d . O u r stakes o n A s h ia ta s effo rts. T h e
s itu a tio n in s p ire d h im as w e k n o w . T h is m a y g iv e u s an u n d e rsta n d
in g o f th e in te n s ity w i t h w h ic h A s h ia ta w e n t at it.

[O rage wishes he had the music which accompanies this section; this has the
same ideas emotionally realized as intellectually realized in the book.]
A s h ia ta s m e d ita tio n , h e b e g a n w i t h th e f o l l o w i n g p ra ye r, i.e ., he
p u t h im s e lf in a d e fin ite e m o tio n a l a ttitu d e , as p re c ise as th e p h ysica l
p o s tu r e , an a rra n g e m e n t o f e m o tio n s .
In th e n am e o f th e cause o f m y a ris in g , is u se d in s te a d o f b e in g
b o rn , i.e ., w e e x is t se n sib ly as a re su lt o f c o a tin g o u r s e lv e s , cf. e le c
tro ly s is . I a m a lw a y s ; p e r io d ic a lly c o m e s to a m a n ife s ta tio n . T h a n k
w h a te v e r p o w e r s th a t I has it ; th a t w e liv e as w e l l as are. M y aim
sh all a lw a y s b e to b e ju s t to w a r d e v e r y t h in g a lr e a d y co a te d and t o
w a r d a ll o r ig in a tio n s o f th o se e x is te n c e s still to b e . T o m e , a triflin g
p a r tic le o f th e a ll-g re a t essen ce, it w a s c o m m a n d e d t o b e co a te d w it h
a p la n e ta r y b o d y o f th e p la n e t e a rth . (A n d h e lp m e n fr e e th em selves
fr o m th e effe cts o f k u n d a b u ffe r.)
P r e v io u s m essen g ers h ad ta k e n o n e o f th e th re e fu n c tio n s (faith,
h o p e a n d lo ve ) o f th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g s . A sh ia ta says th a t these th ree
fu n c tio n s are n a tu ra l to th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g s, re sid e n t in th e essence
o f m a n as su ch . A t first h e t h o u g h t to u se o n e o f th e s e . A t seven teen
h e b e g a n to p re p a re his p la n e ta ry b o d y in o rd e r t o b e d u r in g th e rest
o f h is life im p a rtia l. G u r d jie f f a tta ch es im p o r ta n c e t o s tr iv in g fo r im
p a r tia lity .
In B a b y lo n h e o b s e r v e d th e e ffe c t o f s o c io lo g ic a l c o n d itio n s o n
b e in g s and b e g a n t o d o u b t th e p o s s ib ility o f u s in g a n y o n e o f these
th re e fu n c tio n s . H e h a d a n ticip a te d th e fa ilu re o f C h r is t ia n ity , w h ic h
a ssu m es in us e n o u g h essen tial fa ith , h o p e and lo v e , o n w h ic h to base
a r e lig io n . H e o b s e r v e d h is in te lle c tu a l c o n te m p o ra rie s . T h e y had n o t

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e n o u g h fa ith , h o p e a n d lo v e . T h e p r o p e r tie s o f k u n d a b u ffe r w e r e so

c ry s ta lliz e d that th e ir e d u c a tio n b e c a m e a su b stitu te f o r th e ir b e in g .
H e d e cid e d to b r in g th is p la n e ta ry b o d y to a state o f em p tin ess
o f im p ressio n s r e c e iv e d in this life . A t t e m p t to th in k o f a c o n s c io u s
ness b la n k o f c o n t e n t b u t v iv id . O n l y in th is state w o u l d h e b e g in to
c h o o s e a m e th o d . H e asce n d e d th e m o u n ta in o f c o n c e n tr a tio n , f o r t y
days an d n igh ts a n d a n o th e r f o r t y d a y s, an d n e ith e r ate n o r d ran k.
T h e n h e r e v ie w e d a n d a n a ly z e d a ll th e ph ases o f e x p e r ie n c e th r o u g h
w h ic h h e had p assed. H e b e ca m e m e r e ly an a ctiv e e x p e rie n c e r . H e
sp en t th e n e x t f o r t y d a ys and n ig h ts o n h is k n e es an d to m a in ta in his
re la tio n w it h his p la n e ta r y b o d y , e v e r y h a lf-h o u r p lu c k e d o u t t w o
hairs, to rem in d h im s e lf th at h e is in c a rn a te d in a p h y s ic a l b o d y . U s u
a lly exercises o f c o n c e n tr a tio n cau se a sep aratio n o f a c e rta in b o d y ,
w h ic h lead s o n e to t h in k o n e leaves th e p la n e ta ry b o d y . A ft e r th ese
th ree p e rio d s he w a s fr e e fr o m p h y s ic a l a n d e m o tio n a l a sso ciatio n s.
T h e n h e c o n s id e re d h o w to be m o r e in o rd e r to c a r r y o u t his m is
sio n ; d e v e lo p m e n t o f b e in g as such . T o k n o w m o re is n o t to b e m o re ;
to d o m o r e is n o t t o b e m o re . It b e c a m e cle ar to h im it w a s a lrea d y
to o la te to use fa ith , h o p e and lo v e ; th e se fu n ctio n s w e r e d e g e n e r
ate. P r o b a b ly d u e t o th e fa ct th at w h e n k u n d a b u ffe r w a s re m o v e d th e
taste f o r ------w a s so s tr o n g . T h e y h a v e fa ith , h o p e an d lo v e , b u t h o w
d o th e y lo v e and h o p e an d w h a t is th e n a tu re o f th e ir fa ith ?
F a ith : T h e y h a v e fa ith b u t n o t in d e p e n d e n tly a ris in g fr o m th e ir
o w n n a tu re ; it flo w s f r o m o th e r fu n c tio n s fo r m e d in th e m fr o m in
fa n c y , w it h th e re su lt th a t th e y b e lie v e in w h a t h a p p en s to h a ve b een
p re se n te d b y im p re ssio n s re ce iv e d . N o essen ce ce n te rs. It is p o ssib le
to in d u c e in th e m fa ith , caused b y th in g s o f w h ic h th e y h a ve n o e x
p e rie n c e . B eliefs are su p e rim p o se d , c h ie f ly o n tic k lin g o f th e ir w e a k
nesses.
L o v e : T h e d iffe re n ce s in d e sc rip tio n s o f te n d iffe re n t p e rso n s; n o n e
w o u ld d escrib e g e n u in e lo v e . T h r e e su g g e s tio n s :
*

It fu n ctio n s to s e r v e as m a in s p rin g f o r desire fo r p e r fe c tio n and

a rest fr o m lab o rs f o r p e r fe c tio n .

* F o r sen sation s o f b liss in th e in te r v a ls w h ic h f o l l o w rest and e f
fo rt.
* F o r m u tu a l p o s s ib le aid in s tr iv in g t o o v e r c o m e th e effects o r
k u n d a b u ffe r.

N ow one loves because others give encouragement or stimulus

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o r p raise; o r b e c a u s e featu res re se m b le o n e s e lf f o r w h o m o n e has a

p h y sic a l p o la r ity .
H o p e : W o r s e th a n th e o th e rs , in a m a n g le d sta te a d ap ted to th e
w e a k n e s s o f th e p s y c h e , c o n s e q u e n t ly m o re a n d m o r e c ry sta lliz e d
an d c a n n o t g e t real fa ith , h o p e , lo v e . T h e a rtific ia l h o p e is a lw ays
h o p in g o f s o m e th in g u n rea l, a p a raly sis o f th o se fu n c tio n s b y w h ic h
th e y m ig h t o v e r c o m e th e p r o p e r tie s o f k u n d a b u ffe r. T h e result is a
n e rv o u s illn ess c a lle d t o m o r r o w . T h is afflicts th o s e w h o b y ch an ce
le a rn o f th e p re se n c e o f u n d e sira b le fea tu res and th e e ffo rts necessary.
T h e y a lw a y s im a g in e th e y w ill b e b e tte r able t o m o r r o w .
H e retu rn s to th e m o u n ta in a n d lo o k s fo r o t h e r m eans. Is th ere
a n y th in g in u s w o r t h a p p e a lin g to ? R e a s o n is in e ffe c tiv e becau se w e
f lo w in to s u b je c tiv e m o u ld s. N o u se p r e a c h in g s a n ity to m a d m e n ; a
m e re p re se n ta tio n o f a n e w tr u th in reaso n ab le f o r m is n o t e n o u g h . In
th is c h a p te r is also a c ritiq u e o f th e e m o tio n s . N o t o n l y o u r ideas, o u r
s in c e rity , o u r fa ith , h o p e and lo v e , o u r e m o tio n s , w h ic h w e th in k are
m o r e p r o fo u n d , are h ere q u e s tio n e d .
T h e n w h a t is th e re still in essen ce w h ic h is n o t a cq u ire d n o r c o r
ru p te d ? A p r o d u c t o f a f e w real im p ressio n s o f o u r s u b co n scio u s. H e
d isc o v e rs a fo u r t h sacred fu n c tio n : o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e . It is still in
its p r im o r d ia l state b ecau se it s n e v e r used in o r d in a r y life and h en ce
n o t c o r r u p te d . H e d e v o te d h im s e lf t o th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f c o n d itio n s
fo r a f e w w h o w o u ld aid h im to re d is co v e r and d e v e lo p this fu n c tio n .
A t te m p t t o d is c o v e r an a n a lo g y in u s w it h w h a t h e m ean s b y o b
je c t iv e c o n s c ie n c e (b y fu n c tio n h e m ea n s p s y c h o lo g ic a l a c tiv ity ); e .g .
an o c c a s io n a l sen se th at th ere m u s t b e so m e m e a n in g to life and that
h a p p in ess is n o t a su fficien t e x p la n a tio n . A sense o f sin b u t n o t in
th e c o n v e n tio n a l sense, a c u r io s it y w it h a sense o f g u ilt , a d im sense
o f h a v in g a p u r p o s e . E cstasy, d e lig h t , e tc. tin g e d w i t h sadness. B u t n o
c o n s c io u s e x te r n a l ap p eal can b e m a d e sin ce th e c o n s c ie n c e and ev en
th e su b co n scio u sn e ss listen s th r o u g h th re e fo ld c o r r u p t e d chan nels.
H e n c e th e in d iv id u a l m u st d o s o m e th in g in stra n g e c o n d itio n s . S e lf
o b s e r v a tio n w it h s e lf-r e v ie w . D r a w o u t fr o m th e su b co n scio u sn ess
an d p u t in to th e c o n s cio u s , th e v o ic e o f o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n c e . B e e l
z e b u b adds th a t d u r in g his s ix th d e sc e n t (190017) h e lo o k s fo r traces
o f A s h ia ta s b r o t h e r h o o d . H e fo u n d o n ly o n e ta b le t w it h sen tences
e r e c te d in th e c it y o f B a b y lo n ; te x t s and rem in d e rs. O n e o f th ese is
th e trea su re o f a b r o th e r h o o d in C e n tr a l A sia . (A sia is o u r su b stitu te
fo r essence) T h e s e sen ten ces o f fa ith , h o p e and lo v e are:

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1. F a ith w it h re a so n (con sciou sn ess) is fr e e d o m ; fa ith based o n u n

d e rs ta n d in g th a t reaso n s w h y .
2. E m o tio n a l fa ith is w eak n ess.
3. In stin ctiv e fa ith is s tu p id ity .
4. L o v e w it h re a so n (con sciou sn ess) e v o k e s th e sa m e in respo n se.
5. E m o tio n a l lo v e in v a r ia b ly e v o k e s its o p p o site .
6. P h ysical lo v e d e p e n d s m e r e ly o n th e accid en ts o f t y p e and p o la r

ity.
7. H o p e , a re a so n a b le a sp iratio n , w it h reason (co n scio u sn ess) is
s tre n g th .
8. E m o tio n a l h o p e is slavery.
9. In stin ctiv e h o p e is disease.
A s h ia ta s e ffo rt f r o m G u r d jie fF s p o in t o f v i e w is th e m o st in te l
lig e n t e ffo rt m a d e b y a h u m a n b e in g at w o r ld r e fo r m . H e b eg a n b y
p r e p a r in g h im se lf; a n d c o n c lu d e d th a t a ll his ideas o p in io n s e tc. w e r e
c o n d itio n e d .
H e m a d e a r e v ie w o f his past life a n d e m p tie d h im s e lf o f all ac
c id e n ta l im p ressio n s. U n t il th en h e c o u ld have n o o b je c tiv e v ie w o f
d iffe re n t m e th o d s, h e cam e to n a tiv e essen tial ju d g m e n t w h ic h h ad
n o t b e e n c o n d itio n e d to w a rd s fa ith , h o p e and lo v e . H e fo u n d a n a
tiv e h u m a n q u a lity n o t d e p e n d e n t o n th e ch an ces o f e n v ir o n m e n t. It
w a s n o t n ecessa ry to use a sp ecial v o c a b u la r y fo r p e o p le . H e lo o k e d
f o r so m e th in g as fix e d in th e sp ecies as th e n atu re o f a lio n o r a w o lf .
H e n a m e d this o b je c tiv e co n s cie n c e a n d set a b o u t fin d in g a n u m b e r
o f p e o p le in w h o m th is o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e w a s n e a re r th e su rface
th a n in m o st. H e c h o s e th ir ty - s ix , m o s t ly fr o m m o n a ste rie s in th e
n e ig h b o r h o o d . H e d o e s n o t m ea n b u ild in g s b u t in d e p e n d e n t th in k
ers, cap ab le o f t h in k in g against c u r r e n t s o c io lo g ic a l tre n d s. E v e r y in
d e p e n d e n t th in k e r liv e s in a m o n a s t e r y . H e ta u g h t c o s m ic tru th s,
n o t y e t tru th s to th e th ir ty - s ix .
a. Id e al p a ttern o f th e p o te n tia litie s o f m an ; th e r e la tio n b e tw e e n
m a n an d th e c o s m o s . O c ta v e and s e m ito n e as d iffic u lty , p rese n ted as
th e o rie s.
b . T h e n he d ir e c te d th e ir p s y c h o lo g ic a l e ffo rt so as t o in crea se th e ir
aw aren ess (ta u gh t th e m e th o d o f s e lf-o b s e rv a tio n ).
c. T a u g h t th e m so as to p e rsu a d e a n d c o n v in c e o n e h u n d re d o t h
ers.

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T w o r e q u ir e m e n ts :
1. S e lf-u n d e rs ta n d in g .
2. A b il it y to p e rsu a d e and c o n v in c e o th ers.
H e ca lle d th ese t h ir t y - s ix p rie sts. T h e s e p e rs u a d e d and c o n
v in c e d o n e h u n d re d so th at e a ch o f th e se c o u ld p e rs u a d e and c o n
v in c e a h u n d re d o th e r s , son s a n d g ra n d so n s w h o c o u ld p ersu ad e
o th e r s , in itia te s. 5,000 to 6,000 bc w a s th e b e g in n in g o f priests and
in itia te s s e lf-p e rp e tu a tio n . S in ce B a b y lo n w a s th e m e tr o p o lis o f th e
w o r ld , all in te lle c tu a ls w e r e s o o n w it h in ran ge a n d in a d eca d e all
w e r e fa m ilia r w i t h th e c o n c e p t o f o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e ; an d it b ecam e
a u n iv e r s a lly a c c e p te d standard o f v a lu e a m o n g in te lle c tu a ls .
F o r a b o u t th re e h u n d re d y e a rs th e c iv iliz a tio n b u ilt o n this p ro s
p e re d . T h e p o lit ic a l state, racial p r e ju d ic e etc. d isa p p e a re d ; art, sci
e n c e e tc . u n d e r w e n t ch a n g e an d w e r e related to th e stan dard o f o b
j e c t iv e c o n s c ie n c e . D u r in g th is p e r io d o f th ree h u n d r e d years w as
s o m e th in g a p p r o x im a tin g th e G o ld e n A g e , w it h w o r k s o f an in te rn a
tio n a l ch a ra cte r w i t h u n iv e rs a l v a lu e s . T h is w a s e n d e d b y a c o u n te r
r e v o lu t io n w h o s e le a d e r w a s L e n t r o h a m o x . (L e n in -T r o ts k y . H a m o x ,
b e in g E g y p tia n , s e rv e d to g iv e a m y s tic a l c o n n o ta tio n w it h p o litic a l
sig n ifica n ce .)
L o o k at th e f o r m o f g o v e r n m e n t th a t e v e n tu a te d fr o m this p r o
p a g a n d a o f A s h ia ta an d h o w th is g o v e r n m e n t w a s d e s tro y e d b y L e n
tr o h a m o x . Y o u c a n d ra w a p a ra llel b e tw e e n a s o c io lo g ic a l s to ry and
in d iv id u a l a p p lic a tio n . In each o f u s th e re is an A s h ia ta and a L e n tro
h a m o x co m p a ra b le to these e p ic m o tiv e s in th e s o c io lo g ic a l sto ry .
A p p e a ls to fa ith , h o p e and lo v e m a d e to us to d a y , h a v e a lre a d y a to n e
o f s e n tim e n ta lity . A n ap p eal m a d e w i t h these fo r a b ase w o u ld b rin g
o u t a little r e v u ls io n . W e w o u ld say th is is n o t lo g ic a l, i.e . w e are in
te lle c tu a lly o n g u a r d again st it as a resu lt o f e d u c a tio n . Sam e as th e
B a b y lo n ia n s . W e a re e q u a lly c iv iliz e d and e q u a lly c o r r u p t , d em a n d
in g in te lle c tu a l p r o o f.
Y e t A s h ia ta h a d b e fo r e h im th e e x a m p le o f th e w o r l d s greatest
d ia le c tic ia n , su b tle rea so n er and lo g ic ia n in B u d d h a . H e s a c k n o w l
e d g e d a m o n g th e H in d u s as th e g re a te st. Y e t B u d d h a m a d e h im s e lf so
m is u n d e rs to o d th a t w it h in a g e n e ra tio n o f his d e a th h is o w n disciples
m is in te rp re te d h im . W h y ? B e ca u se o u r reason is as c o n d itio n e d as o u r
e m o tio n s . W h a t is ra tio n a l is d e te r m in e d b y o u r e d u c a tio n . H e n c e a
fa ir s k e p ticism in c lu d e s reason.
A s h ia ta re a liz e d th e w a y r e fo r m e r s b e fo re h im h a d fa ile d and that
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so w o u ld e v e r y o n e a fte r h im w h o a p p e a le d to fa ith , h o p e and lo v e .

H e p ro p o se d to a p p e a l to s o m e th in g w e h ave n o t y e t ra tio n a liz e d ;
and w h ic h fe w o f u s u n less in d e sp e ra te c ircu m sta n ce s has ev e r h ad
p e rso n a l k n o w le d g e o f.
W h y is a d o g a lw a y s a d o g ? W h y d o e s it a lw a y s b e h a v e lik e a d o g ?
W h y in certain c irc u m sta n c e s d o es it g o to its o w n d ea th ? W h y n o t
b e h a v e , as w e w o u l d say, rea so n a b ly ? I t b eh a ves as it d o e s b ecau se it is
o b lig e d to be w h a t it is, b e th e o u t c o m e w h a t it m a y . A d o g is in d if
fe r e n t to w h e t h e r i t s ris in g o r d r o p p in g in th e scale, w h e t h e r m u lti
p ly in g o r b e c o m in g e x tin c t . It is in n o c e n t; has o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n ce .
M in e r a l, v e g e ta b le , a n im a l, in s tin c tiv e ly o b e y th e la w o f th e ir species.
N o n e e d o f p s y c h o lo g ic a l e ffo rt. A fix e d sp ecies, n o e v il. M a n is fix e d
e x te r n a lly , b u t p s y c h o lo g ic a lly has in h im e v e r y sp ecie s. H e can o n
o c c a s io n b e a d o g , m o u s e , lio n e tc. E x a m in e y o u r s e lf a n d o th ers. E las
t ic it y p ro d u c e s d o u b t as to on es real fix e d n atu re. M a n is n o te si in
th e o c ta v e in w h ic h a ll o th e r n o te s are fix e d b u t w i t h th e p o te n tia lity
o f o th e r n otes. M a n is an elastic sp ecie s w it h p o ssib ilitie s o f d ro p p in g
o r ris in g p s y c h o lo g ic a lly . T h is in t r o d u c e s th e p r o b le m o f o b je c tiv e
c o n s cie n c e as a m a tte r o f c h o ic e a n d re s p o n s ib ility . C o n s cio u s n e s s
th at n o o th e r a n im a l possesses as a p o s s ib ility .
A n im a ls are in c a rn a te a ctu alities. T h e n o te si is p re c a rio u s, a
re sp o n sib ility . N o w i t s p o ssib le a sce n t o r d escen t, th e re a liz a tio n o f
p o ssib ilitie s T h e T e r r o r o f th e S itu a tio n , A sh ia ta . O b je c t iv e c o n
scien ce is th e a w aren ess o f p o ssib ilitie s , la te n t in us. W h a t is rig h t and
w r o n g ? A m o n g o u r p o ssib ilitie s are th o s e o f g r o w t h o r o f d e g e n e ra
tio n . A t o n e tim e o u r c h o ic e o f p o s s ib ilitie s has a d e g e n e ra tiv e c h a r
a cte r; w e are b e c o m in g a p e s , n o t a n im a ls . O u r c r ite r io n o f va lu es is
b e tw e e n up and d o w n ; th is im p lies th a t m a n is a fre e a g e n t.
N a t u r e as su ch is in d iffe re n t as t o th e d ire c tio n o f w h ic h p o s s ib ility
is a c tu a liz e d . W e h a v e b o d ie s, in a b io lo g ic a l sense, fo r e ith e r m o v e
m e n t. T h e c r ite r io n is w ith in . T h is r ig h t o r w r o n g is n o th in g n a tu
ral, it c a n n o t be s o u g h t in b io lo g ic a l v a lu e s and b io lo g ic a l w e lfa re , it is
n o t a c rite rio n . T h e r e is n o t o n ly a sta n d a rd o f r ig h t a n d w r o n g in b i
o l o g y b u t to w h a t o u g h t to be. T h is in tro d u c e s th e id e a o f v a lu es fo r
o u tsid e rs. T h is in t r o d u c e s th e id ea w h ic h A sh ia ta calls G o d , i.e . a
d e te rm in a n t th at e a c h d e v e lo p s his p o te n tia litie s in a h ig h e r d ire ctio n .
T h e sp ecies b e lo w m a n d o es n o t n e e d th is. In m a n w h o is th e first o f
a b io lo g ic a l sp ecies t o o c c u p y th is c ritic a l p o in t in th e scale and to
c o o p e ra te w it h th e p la n im p o s e d o n th e u n iv erse b y its fo u n d e r th e
e v o lu tio n o f th e u n iv e rs e .
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A s h ia ta said th a t p art o f th e s c h e m e req u ired th a t at a certain p o in t

s h o u ld a p p e a r a n u m b e r o f se lf-c o n s c io u s a g e n ts, n o t servan ts w h o
w o u ld c o o p e ra te in c a r r y in g o u t th is a rb itra ry p la n , i.e ., n o u n iv ersa l
r ig h t an d w r o n g . W e h ave th e c h o ic e b e tw e e n c o o p e r a tio n and fr u s
tr a tio n . In e v e r y h u m a n b e in g th is is th e u ltim a te c r ite r io n o f v a lu e ;
e x e m p lifie d in e x p e rie n c e s in w h ic h o n e has fe lt th a t th e re is s o m e
th in g o n e w il l n o t d o , c o m e w h a t m a y . W ill n o t a n d c a n n o t essen ce
o f essen ce.
A sh ia ta p r o p o s e s to b rin g th is in t o co n s cio u s n e s s a n d b u ild u p o n it.
T h e m ea su re o f th e d ista n ce th a t o u r o r d in a ry liv e s are fr o m this c o n
scio u sn ess is th e u n -s e rio u sn e ss w i t h w h ic h w e re g a r d th e th in g s th a t
h a p p e n t o u s. W e s h o u ld c a r r y a v i v i d sense o f v a lu e s in to e v e r y t h in g
w e d o . H e n c e A s h ia ta in s titu te d th e m e th o d .
O b je c t iv e c o n s c ie n c e m ean s co n scio u sn ess o f o u r co sm ic d u t y .
T re e s su b serve c e rta in c o s m ic fu n c tio n s as th e y c h a n g e certain solar
e n e rg ie s (em an atio n s) in to te rre s tria l en ergies, t h e v e g e ta b le k in g
d o m acts as a tr a n s fo r m in g a g e n t, d ep o sits e n e r g ie s c h e m ic a lly in to
th e p la n e t. H u m a n b ein g s w e r e n o t p o ssib le u n til th is h ad p re c e d e d
u s. H u m a n b o d ie s are m a d e f r o m v e g e ta b le a n d a n im a l substances.
W e are also c h e m ic a l tr a n s fo r m in g agen ts. W e e n r ic h th e c h e m ic a l
c o m p o s itio n o f th e p la n e t w i t h o u r b o d ies, e n e r g ie s n o t o th e r w is e
c o lle c tib le . T h e r e are th ree tr a n s fo r m in g c en ters; e a c h tran sfo rm s in a
sp ecia l fie ld o f e n e r g ie s so la r in t o terrestrial.
B u t it is also a c c o r d in g t o th e t h e o r y o f p o s s ib ility . T h a t u n lik e
m in e ra l, v e g e ta b le and a n im a l, th is can b e d o n e a n d at th e sam e tim e
p o te n tia litie s a n d p o w e r s are d e v e lo p e d w h ic h w i l l resu lt in i n d iv id u
a lit y , c o n s cio u s n e s s and w ill. T h is is n o t b io lo g ic a l b u t n o rm a l fo r
h u m a n d e v e lo p m e n t n o rm a l m a n and n o rm a l o b je c tiv e d e v e lo p
m e n t b y w h ic h th is n o r m can b e a tta in ed . W h a t is th is n o rm ? (See last
w e e k , th e d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n n o r m a l and a v e ra g e ; b e tw e e n stan dard
an d statistical.)
W h a t is th e a im o f e x iste n c e ?
A s h ia ta d e fin e s it in fiv e ite m s o r c o m m a n d m e n ts ; and o b je c tiv e
m o r a lity fo r p u p ils :
1.

M a in te n a n c e o f a state o f readin ess o f th e p la n e ta r y b o d y w h ic h

w e h a p p e n to h a v e in h e rite d ; th is is to be in te r p r e te d in a la rg e r sense
th a n m e r e ly h e a lth . R e a d in e s s e x c lu d e s c r y s ta lliz e d habits and sp e
c ia l sk ills. E la s tic ity k e p t so th a t th e b o d y is r e a d y f o r th e use o f in
te llig e n c e . S p e cia l sk ill w h ic h is o b ta in e d b y th e lo ss o f e la s tic ity is a
v io la t io n o f in s tin c tiv e m o r a lity .
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G u r d jie ff m e n tio n e d f o r t y o r f if t y crafts he h ad b e e n in tereste d in .

In n o n e w a s he a sp ecia list. H e h a d t w o p u rp o se s: t o g iv e th e in s tin c
tiv e ce n te r th e fe e l; t o b e r e a d y f o r p o te n tia l n eed s.
A n c ie n t d ra m a , d e stin ed to d e v e lo p and m a in ta in e la s tic ity o f
fu n c tio n . A v a r ie t y o f roles, e a ch r o le n ecessa rily e m p lo y e d th e b o d y
in d ifferen t te c h n iq u e s . T h is h ad t o b e p la y e d p h y s io lo g ic a lly .
W e fin d in o u r s e lv e s a fe e lin g o f c ritic is m in re g a rd t o a sp ecialist in
a n y p h y s io lo g ic a l fie ld , e .g . g y m n a s tic s . C o n s id e r a tio n is o n ly p a rtial
b u t is based o n a sen se th at th e id e a l d e v e lo p m e n t w o u ld b e in th e
d ire ctio n o f w h o le n e s s . M a in ta in an ela stic and e v e r -r e a d y state.
2. T h e a im a lw a y s to h ave an u n d im in is h in g c u r io s it y and h u n g e r
and th irst fo r im p r o v in g o n e s e lf in th e w a y o f b e in g .
T h e r e are th r e e m a in p o ssib ilitie s o f h u m a n d e v e lo p m e n t: b e in g
m o re , k n o w in g m o r e , d o in g m o re .
It is y e t im p o s s ib le to fo r m u la te m e th o d s fo r in c r e a s in g b e in g : O h
yes, h e k n o w s e v e r y t h in g b u t h e h im s e lf is n o t h in g , o r, O h y es, h e
has d o n e all so rts o f sp ectacu la r th in g s b u t h im s e lf is n o t h in g .
3. O u r c ritic is m im p lie s a c o n s c io u s a im to k n o w m o r e and m o r e
c o n c e r n in g th e m e a n in g and p u r p o s e o f w o r ld c re a tio n and w o r ld
m a in te n a n c e .
T h e c h a ra cte ristic p r e o c c u p a tio n o f m o m e n ts o f serio u sn ess: w h a t
do es life m ean? W e are o n ly re d u c e d to this q u e s tio n in m o m e n ts o f
desp air o r d a n g e r; i.e ., re d u ce d t o essen ce. M o s t o f life is sp en t in
s o cia liza tio n a n d w h e n o n e is in d iffe r e n t to s o c io lo g y , o n e asks th is.
T h is is o f th e essen ce . (S to r y o f th e c a th o d e ray.)
T h e A k h a ld a n s in A tla n tis t o o k as th e ir scien tific o b je c tiv e , th e d is
c o v e r y o f th e m e a n in g and p u r p o s e o f life . T h is q u e s tio n recu rs to a ll
o f us in o u r e ssen tial m o m e n ts.
T h e A k h a ld a n s w e r e th e first a n d last scien tific s o c ie t y to o p e n ly
m ake its o b je c tiv e t o a n sw e r th is q u e s tio n . M o d e r n scie n ce do es n o t
b e g in to to u c h th e q u e stio n s th a t a rise in e v e r y m a n in essen tial m o
m en ts, W h y are w e a liv e ? I f an a n s w e r to th is is n e ce ssa ry in o r d e r
to c o o p e ra te a n d c o o p e r a tio n is a c o n s c io u s o b lig a tio n , th e in terest in
this b eco m es a p r a c tic a l n eed and n o t a p a rlo r c u r io s it y .

4 - T o p ay o f f as q u ic k ly as p o ssib le th e d eb t w e h a v e in c u r re d in th e
pro cess o f b e c o m in g c o n s cio u s b e in g s .
T h is in tro d u c e s a so rt o f te rro r. T h a t w e are h e re as b io lo g ic a l b e ln gs is a fact. A t th e sam e tim e , w e are co n s cio u s , an in d iv id u a l. F o r
m d iv id u a lity , p lu s b io lo g ic a l e x is te n c e , w e are in d e b te d to so m e th in g . T h is d o es n o t say w h e t h e r w e a re gla d . A t a n y rate w e are p s y -

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c h o lo g ic a lly an d b io lo g ic a lly e x p e r ie n c in g t h r o u g h a p h ysica l b o d y

an d p s y c h ic a l m e c h a n is m o f c o o r d in a tio n .
C a n I say th a t I o w e m y b io lo g ic a l b o d y a n d n a tu re, and th a t I
o w e m y e n tity ? B u t this a lr e a d y p u ts m e in d e b t. I start m y co n scio u s
e x is te n c e in d e b t fo r th e fa ct th a t I e x ist. P ay o f f ? H o w ? In o rd e r to
le a v e m y s e lf fre e , in o rd e r v o lu n t a r ily to u n d e r ta k e real se rv ice fo r
th e co sm o s.
T h is is w h e r e v o lu n ta r y e ffo r t b e g in s, n o t t o d isc h a rg e d eb ts b u t
to c a r ry fo r w a r d a m o v e m e n t, w h ic h d ep en d s o n in d iv id u a l in itia
tiv e . O n l y w h e n th is v o lu n t a r y (co n scio u s) e ffo r t b e g in s are w e in this
fo u r th : T o a im to p a y o ff, q u ic k ly , th e d eb t fo r o n e s arisin g and in d i
v id u a lit y in o r d e r to lig h te n th e b u rd e n o f H is E n dlessn ess, a b u rd e n
ca rrie d b y a c o m p a r a tiv e ly f e w s h o u ld e rs .
5. In th e a im a lw a y s to h e lp th e s p e e d y im p r o v e m e n t o f all b ein g s
in c lu d in g th o s e lik e o n e s e lf a n d o th e rs , to s e lf-r e a liz a tio n , in th e a b il
i t y to say I a m , w it h a c o n t e n t n o t d e p e n d e n t o n e x te rn a l p h e n o m
en a ; o r at least n o t p u t h in d ra n ce s in th e ir w a y .
T h e s e fiv e o b je c tiv e s d ic ta te d b y essences. E v e r y o n e in w h o m o b
je c t iv e c o n s cio u s n e s s w as a ctiv e w o u ld fin d h im s e lf fo r m u la tin g . O u r
o r d in a r y liv e s are far fr o m th is ; w e m a y h a ve t h o u g h t o f th e se as
id ea ls b u t n o t as p ra ctica l o b lig a tio n s . W h a t so rt o f m o r a lity d o w e
h a v e in p la ce o f it?
A lio n is w h a t it is; w e are w it h o u t a sense o f g o o d and b ad ; have
r ig h t and w r o n g b u t are c o r r u p t e d in to a sense o f g o o d and e v il b y
s o c io lo g ic a l fo r c e s y e t o u r in d iv id u a l sense o f r ig h t an d w r o n g is so
v a g u e , th a t o n ly in o cca sio n a l m o m e n ts can w e fo r m u la te w it h as
su ran ce. H o w d o w e c o m e t o b e w it h o u t th is c le a r sense o f w h a t is
p r o p e r to m a n ?
L e t us assu m e fo r th e m o m e n t th a t these fiv e a re c o rr e c t aim s. T h e n
w h y h a ve w e n o t b een train ed t o p u rsu e th em ?
T h e a n sw e r is m y t h o lo g iz e d in th e b o o k as a sp lit in th e p la n e t,
in t o essen tial a n d a rtificial. S o c io lo g ic a l v a lu e s a re p r o d u c e d at th e
e x p e n s e o f essen ce. A r e s to ra tio n o f the sp ecies m a n to his o r ig in a l
p o te n tia litie s is n ecessa ry . A t o n e m e n t a t- o n e - m e n t , a re in te g ra tio n
o f th e p s y c h e o f m a n . T h is im p lie s th a t at o n e p o in t o f h is to ry th e re is
a p o s s ib ility o f r e in te g r a tin g m a n , w h o p r e v io u s ly h ad b een d o o m e d
to b e fr a g m e n ta r y . T h e h a bits m a n a cq u ire d w h e n h e w a s n ecessa rily
fr a g m e n ta r y a n d w h e n it w a s im p o s sib le to d e v e lo p self- and c o s m ic co n s cio u s n e s s, p e rsisted in c iv iliz e d fo rm s. A l l c iv iliz a tio n s h ave b e-

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c o m e im p e d im e n ts b ecau se th e y are based o n c o n d itio n s w h ic h n o

l o n g e r ex ists a n d in w h ic h se lf-c o n scio u sn e ss is im p o s sib le .

N a tio n a l d is tin c tio n s , racial a n d ca ste ; scien ce a n d a rt, th ese b e g a n

d u rin g th e fr a g m e n ta r y p e rio d . N o t o n e based o n essen ce. I f essen ce
d em an d s th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f s e lf- an d c o s m ic -c o n sc io u sn e ss, it f o l
lo w s that race; c a ste , e tc . are n o t b ased o n essen ce.
F ro m a c o n s cio u s n e s s v ie w p o in t an in d iv id u a l m ig h t b e e n title d to
ran k as s u p e rio r, a h ig h b e in g ; b u t f r o m th e p o in t o f v i e w o f race as
in fe rio r. S o c io lo g ic a l va lu es are n o t c o s m ic an d v ic e versa , s u p e rio r
and in fe rio r. T h e r e are m en and w o m e n h o n o r e d s o c io lo g ic a lly w h o
fr o m th e p o in t o f v i e w o f th e c o s m o s are e m p ty o f v a lu e .
H o w do es it c o m e that w e , u n p r e ju d ic e d as w e th in k w e are, are
s u b tly u n d e r o n e o r a n o th e r o f th e se p reju d ice s, a n d c a n n o t th in k es
se n tia lly w it h o u t c o lo r in g o u r im p ressio n s?
A can d id, r ig id , s e lf- r e v ie w o f life w ill lea d to th e a n sw er to th is
q u e stio n . W e w i l l d is c o v e r th e d e g r e e to w h ic h a ll essen tial v a lu es are
c o lo re d b y p re ju d ic e s o f race, e d u c a tio n , p ro fe ssio n e tc.
A sh ia ta u n d e rta k e s to ro u se th is essen tial sta n d a rd an d leaves his
d iscip les to th e ir o w n d ev ice s. H e aids b y fo r m u la tin g a n o rm . It is
v e r y im p o r ta n t to m a k e this r e v ie w . Y o u w ill o b s e r v e that y o u fin d
y o u r s e lf in m a k in g this r e v ie w p re d isp o se d to m a k e ju d g m e n ts o f
g o o d and bad b ased o n th e c o n c e p tio n o f s e lf-in te re st. A radical c r i
tiq u e o f o u r e x is t in g c o n s cio u s p s y c h o lo g y , w h ic h a ll p resu p p o ses o n e
v a lu e : e g o ism . A s h ia ta s c ritiq u e is th a t o u r g re a te s t im p lic it v a lu e is
e g o is m and n o t v o lu n t a r y c o s m ic s e rv ic e . O u r in d iv id u a l c o n s cie n c e
is th e v o ic e o f se lf-in te re st.
T a k e th e sim p le s t e x a m p le castes. U s u a lly in th r e e m a in g r o u p s :
1. R u lin g p o ssessin g.
2. F ig h t in g p ro fe ssio n a l.
3. L a b o r in g in d u stria l and a g rarian .
W h a t is th e d iffe r e n c e fo u n d to b e in th e ch a ra cte r o f th e ir e g o is m
and selfishness, th e ch ara cte r o f th e ir c u n n in g , th e p rese n ce o r a b
sen ce o f d o m in e e r in g ; a fe d e ra tio n o f in d iv id u a ls in w h o m selfishness
is su p p le m e n te d b y ce rta in v ic e s , s u ch as c u n n in g , h a tre d and in h u
m a n ity ? H o w d id th e d ifferen t castes co m e ? N o t b y se lf-in te re st sin ce
all are e q u a lly e g o is tic b u t b y c u n n in g . T h e r u lin g class has selfishness
p lu s c u n n in g ; th e p ro fe ssio n a l as s u c h selfishness b u t w it h less c u n
n in g ; and th e m a n u a l has still less c u n n in g . T h e r e is a c o n te s t b e tw e e n
v a r y in g d eg re es o f c u n n in g . W h e n th e th ree c o m b in e w e h ave a n a-

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tio n ; w h e n n a tio n s c o m b in e w e h a v e a race. N o n e o f th e m a n y g u id e

t o c o s m ic v a lu es.

[O rage spoke o f his connection with the radical labor movement .]

E g o is m and c u n n in g are s o c io lo g ic a l va lu es w h il e c o s m ic values
are essen ce and v o lu n t a r y se rv ice . C o s m ic se rv ice is v e rs u s in te rp la y
o f e g o ism s. A c r o w d o f in d iv id u a ls is e q u a lly selfish ; n e ith e r prop oses
a g r e a te r v a lu e t o w h ic h th e y are w il lin g to su b m it. A la r g e r n u m b er
w h e t h e r n a tio n , m o b o r race has m e r e ly a n u m e ric a l a d v a n ta g e .
A s h ia ta p o in ts t o a c rite rio n h ig h e r th an b o th , b y th e d eg re e to
w h ic h o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e is in d iv id u a lly re a lize d . E th ica l co n flict
b e tw e e n in d iv id u a ls and races r e c o n c ile d . N o t fo r h u m a n fu n ctio n s
b u t f o r d e v e lo p in g fu n ctio n s.
S p e cia l te c h n iq u e : s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , s e lf-p e r fe c tin g ; se lf-e x p re s
sio n . T h is is th e first step to w a r d s e lf-r e a liz a tio n a n d b r in g in g in to
c o n scio u sn ess o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n c e . A s this is p u r s u e d aw aren ess o f
p u r p o s e b e g in s to d a w n , and th e fiv e c o m m a n d s b e g in to take o n a
p e rs o n a l m e a n in g . T h e y cease t o b e m e r e ly in t e lle c tu a lly in terestin g .
T h e in d iv id u a l th e n b e g in s to lo s e h is s o c io lo g ic a l c o lo r in g and sheds
his s o c io lo g ic a l m o ra litie s . H e g r o w s m o r e free an d m o r e resp o n sib le,
h e takes o n a se v e re r m o r a lity . ( O r d in a r y a n ti-m o r a lis m is q u ite m e
c h a n ic a lly m o ra l.)
L e n t r o h a m o x fe ll u n d e r th e te m p ta tio n to su b s titu te f o r th e aim o f
c o s m ic -c o n s c io u s n e s s th e a im o f h a p p in ess. H a p p in e ss re s u ltin g fro m
th e d isc h a rg e o f a c o s m ic p u rp o s e is d iv in e h a p p in ess; b u t happin ess
p u rs u e d fo r its o w n sake is th e o p p o s ite .

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I should b e e x t r e m e ly in tereste d t o k n o w h o w m a n y h a v e b een able

to reta in th e th re a d o f th e d iscu ssio n in m in d fr o m last w e e k .
T h e effo rts o f a r e fo r m e r first t o p re p a re h im se lf.
A sh ia ta S h iem a sh d e c id e d th at a ll his im p ressio n s fr o m in fa n c y
w e r e s u b je c tiv e ly fo r m e d , i.e . c o n d itio n e d . So h a v in g g a in e d an a t
titu d e o f im p a r t ia lity h e d id p e r m it h im s e lf to c o n s id e r his c o n c lu
sions as o f an y v a lu e . H e th en c o n c lu d e d th at h ere w a s in th e essence
o f a ll h u m a n b e in g s an u n ta in te d , n a tiv e q u a lity n a m e d o b je c tiv e
c o n s cie n c e . H e th e re a fte r set a b o u t h is task b y first o f a ll se le ctin g a
n u m b e r o f b e in g s (th ree A s) c h o s e n c h ie fly fr o m th e m o n a ste rie s o f
his n e ig h b o r h o o d n o t b u ild in g s b u t lo n e th in k e rs w h o s e essence
w as a little n ea rer th e su rface th a n u su a l. F irst he in s tr u c te d th e m in
ce rta in c o sm ic tr u th s :
1 . T r u e p a ttern o f m a n his r e la tio n t o th e c o s m o s th e la w o f th e
o c ta v e , in c lu d in g in t r o d u c tio n , in flu e n c e , n e ce ssity o f th e in tro d u c
tio n o f th e se m ito n e .
2. S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n in crea sin g aw aren ess.
3. H e ta u g h t th e m to fo r m u la te th e se tru th s so th a t th e y c o u ld
ea ch p e rsu a d e a h u n d r e d o th e r b e in g s in such a w a y th a t each o f th e
h u n d re d c o u ld an d w o u ld be a ble to p e rs u a d e and c o n v in c e a h u n d red
a d d itio n a l b y th e ir e m o tio n s and th e ir reason. T h e n e a c h w a s called
p r ie s t, th ese w h e n a b le to p e rsu a d e 100 o th ers w e r e ca lle d in iti
a te s. S o in ten y e a rs a ll th e in t e lle c tu a l, in s tin c tiv e , a n d e m o tio n a l
o u t lo o k o f all th e in te lle c tu a ls in a n d a b o u t B a b y lo n w a s ch an ge d .
F o r th ree h u n d re d y ea rs this c iv iliz a t io n p r o s p e r e d racial d iffer
en ces, caste d iffe re n ce s, n a tio n a l d iffe re n ce s d isa p p e ared . T h is w as th e
G o ld e n A g e la s tin g fiv e h u n d re d y e a rs. It w as p u t to an e n d b y a sort
o f c o u n t e r r e v o lu t io n lea d b y L e n tro h a m s a n in (L e n in -T ro ts k y ).
T h e fo r m o f g o v e r n m e n t th at e v e n tu a te d fr o m th e p ro p a g a n d a d is
sem in ated b y A s h ia ta S h iem ash .
W e m u s t m a k e a p a ra llel b e tw e e n p h y s io lo g ic a l a n d p s y c h o lo g ic a l
d e v e lo p m e n t.
T h e first th in g to r e a liz e b y s e lf-e x a m in a tio n is th a t w h ic h appeals
to o u r h o p e , lo v e , fa ith . It w ill b e re g a r d e d b y us as a lit t le sen tim en
tal, as a little u n d e r s u s p ic io n d u e t o o u r e d u c a tio n . W e say p ro v e
this!

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B u d d h a a p p e a le d to lo g ic , s u b tle ty , and rea so n , b u t th o u g h h e w as

a m a ste r o f d ia le c tic in o n e g e n e ra tio n his te a c h in g s w e r e p e rv e rte d .
O u r rea so n is j u s t as u n re lia b le in its usual sta te as o u r em o tio n s .
A sh ia ta S h ie m a sh k n e w th a t e v e r y re fo rm e r h a d an d w o u ld fa il i f
th e s u b je c tiv ity o f m a n k in d w e r e n o t ta k en in t o a c c o u n t. H e p r o
p o s e d to a p p e a l t o s o m e th in g in u s th a t w e h a v e n o t y e t ra tio n a lize d .
I p ro p o s e t o sp eak o f th is n o w , th o u g h w e h a v e n o t m o s t o f
u s e x p e r ie n c e d it. I w ill sp ea k o f th e o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n c e o f th e
w h o le o f th e a n im a l k in g d o m .
W h y d o e s a d o g a lw a y s o b e y th e o b lig a tio n la id u p o n h im , to be
w h a t h e s h o u ld b e? It is a m a tte r o f in d iffe re n c e to d o g s w h e t h e r th e ir
k in d d isap p ears fr o m th e e a rth o r n o t w h e t h e r t h e y are g o in g u p o r
d o w n th e e v o lu t io n a r y scale. T h e y c a n n o t d o w h a t is w r o n g , fo r th e y
o b e y th e la w o f th e ir b e in g .
B u t m a n , p s y c h o lo g ic a lly , is ca p a b le o f b e in g a n y an im al w h ic h
p ro d u c e s in h im a state o f d o u b t w h ic h m akes a c h o ic e p o ssib le . B e
cau se h e is th e n o te si in th e b io lo g ic a l scale. M a n is n o t a fix e d n o te
b u t m a y p r o c e e d u p o r d o w n th e scale. A n im a ls b e in g a fix e d n o te d o
fill all th e ir re q u ire m e n ts.
B u t m a n is c a p a b le o f first, a sim p le aw aren ess o f p o ssib ilities. It is
p o ssib le th at m a n is a fre e a g e n t, i.e . h e has th e p o s s ib ility in h im o f
e ith e r p r o c e e d in g u p o r d o w n th e scale, a c t u a liz in g e ith e r th e lo w e r
o r h ig h e r series o f p o ssib ilities . It is a m a tter o f d iffe r e n c e to n atu re
w h ic h m a n a ctu a liz e s.
N o t r ig h t o r w r o n g b u t s o m e th in g th a t o u g h t to b e . T h is
in tro d u c e s G o d as th e fin al d e te rm in a n t w h ic h d e cre e s that a b e in g
w it h c h o ic e m u s t a ctu a liz e th e h ig h e r series. S o m a n has an o b je c tiv e
c o n s cie n c e w h ic h m a y m a k e h im c o n s c io u s ly d e te r m in e to co o p e ra te
w i t h th e d e s ig n o f G o d .
S o A s h ia ta S h iem a sh c re a te d t h ir t y - s ix b e in g s as his sons, n o t slaves
b u t c o n s cio u s b e in g s.
In e v e r y h u m a n b e in g th e re is th is crite ria o f v a lu e s y o u m a y h a ve
fe lt th at th e re is s o m e th in g th a t y o u w ill n o t d o , c o m e w h a t m a y. T h e
a lte rn a tiv e o f d e a th b y to r tu r e o r g iv in g th e life to o n e y o u lo v e . In
su ch a case y o u m a y fin d y o u a re p u s h e d again st a w a ll b e y o n d w h ic h
y o u c a n n o t g o G o d , D e v il, o r m a n n o tw ith s t a n d in g . T h is w o u ld
b e o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e . B u t th e tr u th is th at in a ll circu m sta n ce s th is
co n s cio u s n e s s w o u ld o p e ra te . A v iv id sense o f r ig h t an d w r o n g w o u l d
o p era te .
C o n s c io u s n e s s o f o u r c o s m ic d u t y is o b je c tiv e co n s cien ce. T rees
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aCt in a cco rd w i t h th e ir o w n o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e c e rta in em a n a

tion s o f th e su n are c o n v e y e d in t o th e a tm o sp h e re a n d c o n trib u te to
t|ie ch em ical c o n s titu tio n o f th is p la n e t. H u m a n s w e r e p re c e d e d b y
v e g e ta b le and a n im a l k in g d o m s n e c e s s a rily fo r th e su b stan ces to f o r m
a h u m a n b o d y , w e r e b y th e m tra n s m u te d in to e a r th m a teria l.
So w e in tu r n h a v e th ree tr a n s fo r m in g in s tru m e n ts w h ic h tra n s
fo rm solar e n e r g ie s in to te rre stria l substances. B u t in a d d itio n w e
have th e p o s s ib ility o f s im u lta n e o u s ly a tta in in g b y c o n s c io u s e f f o r t :
in d iv id u a lity , c o n s cio u s n e s s and u n d e rs ta n d in g o r w i l l.
W h a t is th e d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n n o rm a l and a vera g e? It is th e d iffe r
ence b e tw e e n sta n d a rd and sta tistic w h a t o u g h t t o b e and w h a t is.
W h a t is th e a im o f e x iste n ce?
1. M a in te n a n c e in a state o f readin ess th e p la n e ta r y b o d y w h ic h w e
happ en to h a ve in h e r it e d th e id e a o f h ea lth p lu s readin ess, e x c lu d
in g th e id ea o f h a b its o r sp e c ia liz e d sk ills. O n e s h o u ld b e p o te n tia lly
cap able o f a n y a c c o m p lis h m e n t th a t m ig h t b e r e q u ir e d . G u r d jie f f
had fa m ilia riz e d h im s e lf w it h f if t y o r s ix ty cra fts in o rd e r to k e e p
h im in a state o f readin ess, e la s tic ity fo r an y e ffo r t d ire c te d b y in t e l
lig e n c e this is th e first a im d ic ta te d b y o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e . (So w e
feel a little c o n t e m p t u o u s o f a h ig h ly sp e c ia lize d d e v e lo p m e n t in a
m an a g y m n a s t f o r e x a m p le .)
2. T h e aim a lw a y s to have an u n d im in is h e d c u r io s it y and h u n g e r
and th irst fo r im p r o v in g o n e s e lf in b e in g . A lw a y s to h a v e th e w is h to
be m o re and a lw a y s to k n o w m o r e . U s u a lly th e m o r e k n o w le d g e a
m an has th e less w e fin d h im to b e w h e n w e m e e t h im . T h e sam e w it h
o n e w h o has d o n e m u c h . A lt h o u g h th e re are n o in s titu tio n s to h e lp
us, w e all feel th a t u n le ss w e b e c o m e s o m e th in g m o r e w e shall h a v e
failed in o u r liv e s .

3 A c o n s cio u s a im to k n o w m o r e an d m o re is n o t at all in th e n a
ture o f an a n sw er. N o t m e r e ly a p a r lo r q u e stio n , b u t a state in w h ic h
e v e r y th in g in c lu d in g o u r o w n b e h a v io r w ill p r e s e n t it s e lf as a p o s
sible c lu e to th e s o lu tio n o f th is o n e p r o b le m . B u t I a m to n ig h t f o r
the first tim e n o t se c o n d tim e in a state o r a ttitu d e w h e r e th e sta te
m en ts seem n o t q u it e d efe n sib le. I a m in a h o r rib le sta te d u e to su b je ctlVe la c k o f c o n fid e n c e . I cam e t o y o u in th e h o p e th a t th is m a y b e th e
tesu lt o f c h ie f fe a tu r e , i.e . c h ie f d e fe c t rather. C e r t a in ly I shall so
uelp m e c o n tin u e to atten d th e se g r o u p s . F o r I c a n n o t re a so n a b ly
d o th e rw is e .

4 - T o p ay as q u ic k l y as p o ssib le th e d e b t w e h a v e in c u rre d in th e
Process o f b e c o m in g c o n s cio u s re sp o n sib le b e in g s. T h is in tro d u c e s a
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so rt o f te rro r. W e are here as b io lo g ic a l b ein g s a n d at th e sam e tim e

w e are c o n s c io u s , i.e . in d iv id u a ls , in o rd er th e re a fte r to be a ble to
lig h te n as m u c h as p o ssib le th e b u rd e n o f o u r c o m m o n father.
5. T o a im a lw a y s to h e lp th e sp eed iest d e v e lo p m e n t o f all o th e r
b e in g s u p to th e scale o f re a so n to th e sacred d e g r e e o f self- in d i
v id u a lity .
T h e s e are th e c o n s cio u s o b je c tiv e s . Y o u w ill u n d e rs ta n d as a usual
b e in g o n e a rth to d a y , h o w far f r o m r e a liz in g th e se n o rm a l o b lig a tio n s
o f a b e in g o f m a n w e are.
T h e r e o c c u r r e d a sp lit b y v ir t u e o f w h ic h o u r t o t a l p la n et b eca m e
sep arated in t o s o m e th in g essen tial an d s o m e th in g a rtific ia l so that
w e h u m a n b e in g s o w e to th is th e fa c t that w e h a v e b o th an essential
c o n s cie n c e an d an a rtificial o n e . S o w e are p r o d u c in g s o c io lo g ic a l v a l
u es at th e e x p e n s e o f essen tial v a lu e s .
T h is is an e ffe c t o f k u n d a b u ffe r an d d u rin g th e tim e o f its p res
e n c e it w a s n o t p o ssib le to a tta in co n s cio u s n e s s, s e lf-in d iv id u a lity
o r w ill and c e r ta in ly n o t c o s m ic -c o n sc io u sn e ss. A n d o n a cc o u n t o f
tra d itio n s im p o s e d d u rin g th is p e r io d w e n o w fin d it a lm o st im p o s
sib le in th e a b se n ce o f that o r g a n to d o so. D u e t o o u r c iv iliz a tio n
w h ic h is a p r o d u c t o f that p e r io d , w e still fail to d e v e lo p , o r p e rceiv e
th e p o s s ib ility o f d e v e lo p in g .
T h e c ritic is m o f G u r d jie ff o f in d ic tin g m a n f o r e g o is m p u ttin g
s e lf a b o v e c o s m ic g o o d is, c o c k e y e d .
It is e x a c t ly t o say that o n e c a n n o t fig h t his o w n k in d b u t th at he
can e n g a g e in a c o s m ic w a r. A n d th e n o b le th in g , h e in fe rs, m a y w e ll
b e to sa crifice h im s e lf to th at cau se . W h a t d iffe re n ce b e tw e e n that and
in te r n a tio n a l w a r n o b ly u n d e rta k e n , as w e say?
Selfishn ess p lu s c u n n in g :
1. R u le r s .
2. P ro fe ssio n a ls.
3. L ab o rers.
G u r d jie f f c r itic iz e s G o d and m a n n e g a tiv e ly .
W h a t is c o s m ic service?
H e n e v e r says:
W hy?
W h e r e d o w e g o fr o m here?
W h a t is b e a u ty o r lo ve?

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C e r ta in ly h e has su g g e s te d a v a lu a b le m e th o d , i.e . to in c lu d e , first

o f all o n e s e lf in a ll o b s e r v a tio n o f p h e n o m e n a .
It lo o k s to m e as th o u g h I w e r e to fin d m y s e lf d o w n a m o n g th e
s w in e fe e d in g o n h u sk s so o n . W e ll, so b e it, i f it m u s t b e so.

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S p lit p e rs o n a lity in th e case o f M r s . P ip e r, see a c c o u n t o f D r. B rin e.
M r s . P ip e r w a s s u b je c t to atta ck s o f am n esia and p e rh a p s a y ea r after
w o u ld tu rn u p p u r s u in g a d iffe re n t o c c u p a tio n . S h e has a b o u t n in e
v a r ia tio n s o f h e r p e rs o n a lity . T h is is an e x tr e m e case o f a sp lit o r m u l
tip le p e rs o n a lity .
T h e d ia g n o sis o f th e p sych ic c o n d it io n o f m an is th a t h e is su ffe rin g
as a race fr o m s p lit p e rs o n a lity . D o s o m e o f us u n d e r th e in flu e n c e o f
a s tr o n g e m o tio n , d r u g o r d rin k e v e r su ffer te m p o r a r y fra ctu re, so to
sp ea k w it h o u t m e m o r y ? T r y to im a g in e o n e o f o u r frie n d s attacked
b y a m n esia. It is im p o s sib le to r e m in d th e m in th is sta te o f th e ir n o r
m a l state. W h a t m ea n s w o u ld y o u u se to rem in d h im o f w h a t h e is?
T h is is th e p r o b le m o f th e r e lig io u s re fo rm e r, d e a lin g w it h th e race to
re m in d it o f its n o r m a l c o n d itio n .
It is fa m ilia r to h is to r y th at p e o p le u n d e r c e rta in e m o tio n a l stress
ask: W h y a m I a liv e ? T h e v a g a rie s o f such are v e r y m u c h alike in
a ll tim es an d races. T h is is re sp o n sib le fo r r e lig io n s , fo lk lo r e su p er
stitio n s, etc. as w e l l as p o e tr y . T h e r e are o c c a sio n a l flashes as w h e n
M rs. P ip e r says to h e rs e lf: W h o a m I? T h e r e are m o m e n ts o f partial
r e c o lle c tio n o f states o f co n s cio u s n e s s w h ic h o n c e w e r e . T h e r e is a
H in d u - s to r y o f th e c h ild w h o sa n g in th e w o m b L e t m e rem em b er
w h o I a m . A n d h is first c r y a fte r b ir th is: I h a v e f o r g o t t e n ! W e
h a v e d ru n k e n f r o m th e R iv e r L e th e .
A t o n e tim e d o c tr in e s w e r e c o n c e a le d in fa ir y ta le s lo st d o c trin e
an d lo s t m e m o r y , th e sle e p in g p rin ce s s, w h ic h is e a c h o f us. I f w e
w e r e a w ak e to th is w e w o u ld b e a w are, th e p r o d ig a l son (see T h e
H y m n o f th e R o b e o f G lo r y .) V o lu n ta r ily o r o n m is s io n w e leave fo r
a fo r e ig n c o u n t r y w i t h k n o w le d g e o f o u r m issio n o b je c tiv e reason
a n d o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e . En r o u te w e b e g in to fo r g e t . W e are a b
so rb e d in o u r a sso ciatio n s. A ft e r a lo n g p e rio d o f fe e d in g sw in e, th e re
is a flash o f r e c o lle c tio n .
T h e p r o b le m o f A sh ia ta w a s th a t o f a n y o n e o f u s w h o w as d ea l
in g w it h a fr ie n d s u ffe rin g fr o m a m n esia . W e b e g in b y ta lk in g a b o u t
th in g s th e y u sed t o b e fa m ilia r w i t h and real, m e m o r a b le in cid en ts,
h o p in g th e c h a n c e w o r d w ill re a w a k e n th e m e m o r y . O r w e take h im
b a c k to fa m ilia r scen es; o r b e g in to ta lk in te rm s o f p rese n t reason,
e .g . M r s . P ip e r in a sh o p . H o w d o y o u lik e it? W h e r e w e r e y o u b e
fo re ? O r i f th e p re se n t c o n d itio n is b e lo w n o rm a l o n e m ig h t t r y re
p ro a ch . T h e p r o d ig a l son re a lize d it b ecau se he w a s l y in g o n h usks th e
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^\Vi i)p Ate. T h e m e t h o d o f A s h ia ta is th e SAme. T h e r e is n o th in g occult
about it or supernAturAl. It is just common sense.
AshiAtA begAn with thirty-six three-centered beings with the pos
sibility o f development to six centers. (Three higher centers.) Enough
to stArt with. H e begAn by trying to remind them o f their eArly associAtions, e.g. by instructing them in cosmic truths, with which they
were once fAmiliAr. This implies thAt this should be childhood pos
session; for it is not AbnormAl to be AWAre o f our place And function
in the cosmos. O ur AbnormAlity is thAt it w a s a mAtter o f guessing.
AshiAtA hoped thAt a s he tAlked, some cliAnce word would AWAken
their own knowledge o f these truths. N ot trying to substAntiAte logicAlly, but to reAWAken ideAS buried in the subconscious. H e supple
mented tAlk with directions a s to personAl method self-observAtion.
Ouspensky uses the phrase self-remembering by Attention to the
orgAnism to reAWAken originAl identity, so thAt they should ceAse to
be identified with the p la n e ta ry body. (The fAr country to which the
prodigAl son had gone.)
B y A ttem p tin g t o r e v ie w th e pAst life And b y d o in g it dA ily it w a s
h o p e d th at a d e ta c h e d and o b je c tiv e a ttitu d e w o u ld b e m a d e easier
to take an o b je c tiv e a ttitu d e . T r y r e v ie w in g y o u r p a st life p ic to r ia lly . H e lp in th e d a ily r e v ie w to ta k e th is a ttitu d e ; th es e th in g s h a p p en ed
to m y p la n e ta r y b o d y . W a k e each m o r n in g w it h a little m o re d e ta c h

m e n t. A r o u s e a p e rs o n a l sense o f sh a m e as a f u lc r u m fo r o b je c tiv e
c o n s cie n ce .
T w o k in d s o f sh a m e: b y d is c o v e r in g fa ilu re in s o m e c o n v e n tio n a l
d u t y o r a sense o f c o n tra s t b e tw e e n w h a t y o u h a d b e e n and w h a t y o u
h a ve b e c o m e . R e c o g n it io n first th in k o f o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n c e . N o t
n ecessa rily asso ciated w it h an u n d e rs ta n d in g o f o b je c tiv e reason. W e
re a liz e th at w e k n o w n o th in g ; w e h a v e n o sense o f p u rp o s e , d r ift
w o o d e tc. b u t th e se m o m e n ts m a y m e r e ly lea ve us a little m o re d e s o
late.
T h e first d iffic u lt y e n c o u n te re d b y A sh ia ta an d la te r th e cause o f
his fa ilu re . N e v e r th e le s s this state is th e o n ly s u ffic ie n tly in ten se state
to p r o v o k e th e n e c e ssa ry e n e r g y o r im p e tu s fo r a tta in in g o b je c tiv e
reaso n . N o t o n e o f us w ill ev e r u n d e rsta n d th e c o s m o s u n til it b e
c o m e s a p e rso n a l p r o b le m ; th at is, th a t w e fee l th e n e e d to en d this i g
n o ra n ce . B u t h o w l o n g m a y this P u r g a t o r y (e m o tio n w it h o u t p o w e r )
last? A s h ia ta fo r m u la te d sim p le ru le s o f o b je c tiv e m o r a lity . I f e n te r
ta in e d th e y w ill in d u c e in te n s ific a tio n o f u n d e rs ta n d in g o f o b je c tiv e
reason and o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n ce .
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B e m o r e m o r e co n s cio u s , m o r e w il l, m o re in d iv id u a lity .
T h e s e five e v e n i f ta k en o n ly m e c h a n ic a lly w i l l a id o th e r m easures
fo r a w a k e n in g o b je c tiv e co n s cio u s n e s s (e m o tio n a l c e n te r) and attain
o b je c tiv e reaso n (in te lle c tu a l c e n te r). O u r p rese n t c o n scio u sn ess is in
th e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r . A s h ia ta t r y in g to d e v e lo p th e t w o h ig h e r c e n
ters. A w a k e n s th e e m o tio n a l c e n te r w h ic h giv es a p u s h t o d e v e lo p th e
in te lle c tu a l.
A sh ia ta p re p a re d a p ro p a g a n d ist b o d y . C o n s id e r th e rem ark ab le
o r g a n iz a tio n o f th e K n ig h ts T e m p la r s o r O r d e r o f C h iv a lr y , w h e r e
s o m e o f th e n o b le m e n b ega n a p p re n tic e s h ip in th e k itc h e n . C o m p a r e
th e e n e r g y w i t h th e e ffe ct o f a n y p ro p a g a n d a n o w t o m a k e p e o p le
fo r e g o ce rta in c o m fo r ts .
[ Orage was fa m ilia r with Ely C athedral; before the site was a swamp, oc

cupied by w ildfow l, there was no stone. A sm all group o f people came using the
name o f the C hristian religion. Stone was brought by the river. It was appar
ently a hopeless project. Those who began it must have had a high degree of will,
consciousness and individuality.]
A sh ia ta p ro p o s e d :
1. U n le a r n in g .
2. R e -e d u c a tio n .
3. W it h a sm a ll n u m b e r o f r e -e d u c a te d p e o p le h e w o u l d re-ed u ca te
th e w h o le race.
A r e lig io n r e fo r m e d b y p u r e ly p s y c h o lo g ic a l m e a n s . 300 -400 years,
in s c r ip tio n s , d o c tr in e s , scu lp tu re s, re lig io n s , traces o f w o r ld -c u ltu r e
a b o u t 5,000 to 4,000

bc

, w it h a r u lin g class in a g r e e m e n t as to th e

en d s, aim s an d m ea n s o f c u ltu re . A u n iv ersa l la n g u a g e o f ideas and

id ea ls. S p e e ch in te rm s o f v a lu e w i t h lo c a l v a ria tio n s.
R e a c tio n w a s in c a rn a te d b y L e n t r o - h a m o x , e m b o d y in g certain re
sista n ce (L e n in -T r o t s k y and resu lts). P ro p a g a n d a s im p ly based; w it h
a w a k e n in g o f o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e it u n fo r t u n a te ly h a p p e n s that o b
j e c t iv e reason d o e s n o t c o m e to life an d h en ce f o r a tim e o n e suffers
a sense o f g u ilt w it h o u t h a v in g th e m ean s o f c o m in g to a ratio n al
u n d e rs ta n d in g , e .g . to g o s o m e w h e r e w it h a p u r p o s e . B y le a v in g , th e
r e m e m b ra n c e b e c o m e s fr a g m e n ta r y an d th e s itu a tio n ch an ge s and
c a n n o t b e ca rrie d o u t . T h e d e g re e o f s u ffe rin g is th e d e g r e e o f im p o r
ta n c e o n c e a tta ch e d to th e p la n . T h u s w e h ave th e sam e p a n g w h e n
w e t r y to fo r m u la te w h e n c e w e c a m e , fo r w e c a n n o t rem em b er. T h is
state is a lm o st u n e n d u ra b le . M o s t p e o p le in th is sta te w i l l take s o m e
n a r c o tic , su ch as r e lig io n , s e r v ic e to o th e rs in d e sp e ra tio n . L e n tro 204

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ham o x is th e p e rs o n ific a tio n o f th e u n w illin g n e s s in us t o to le ra te a n y

larger o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e w it h o u t o b je c tiv e rea so n . L e n tr o -h a m o x
ch ooses to w o r k o n th o s e w h o h a v e n o t y e t d e v e lo p e d a n y o b je c tiv e
reason. H e started m e th o d ic a lly . T h e r e w e r e a sm a ll n u m b e r o f th e
dissatisfied w h o w e r e b e g in n in g to th in k th e re w a s n o h o p e o f atta in
in g reason in p r o p o r t io n to th e s u ffe rin g . H e said th e re w a s o n ly o n e
th in g fo r us in life a n d th a t w as th e p u r s u it o f h a p p in ess a n d h app in ess
m eans n o t b e in g o b lig e d to d o a n y th in g . F re e d o m is th e d e fin itio n o f
m an ; and fr e e d o m m ea n s c h o ic e , fr e e d o m fr o m o b lig a tio n .
A sh ia ta h ad said th a t m a n h a d a sen se o f o b lig a tio n t o d isch a rg e
th e se rv ic e fo r w h ic h h e w a s c re a te d a n d w o u ld fin d h im s e lf e v o lv in g
o n ly to th e d e g re e h e carrie d o u t th is o b lig a tio n . W e d id n o t c h o o s e
this. L e n t r o - h a m o x c r itiq u e is th a t o f a g o o d p h ilo s o p h e r b u t a p u r e
ratio n alist. H e said th a t i f m a n w a s c re a te d fo r s e r v ic e h e w as th e re
fore cre ate d a slave. H e w ill re p u d ia te th is s e r v ic e a n d attain to a b
so lu te fr e e d o m . V e r y c r a fty and p la u s ib le plea. It fin d s us in certain
m o o d s, re a d y t o c o n s id e r it v e r y c o n v in c in g . W h y s h o u ld w e a fte r
ju s t esca p in g fr o m th e ro le o f m u tto n an d w o o l fin d o u rse lv e s m o r
a lly o b lig a te d to ta k e o n a n o th e r s e rv ic e ? H e p re s e n te d this u n d e r
the te rm s o f fr e e d o m a n d h ap p in ess a n d c o u n te r e d th e p ro p a g a n d a o f
A sh iata. L e n t r o - h a m o x w a s n e ith e r a m o n s te r n o r a tr a it o r ; th e re w a s
n o th in g d ia b o lic in th e d efe at o f A s h ia ta . T h e r e is a lr e a d y e n o u g h in
o u r reason to d e fe a t A s h ia ta , Jesus C h r is t o r B u d d h a .
T h e w ea k n e ss o f th e L e n t r o - h a m o x p o s itio n . O n l y fr o m a state
o f u r g e n c y can o n e re a liz e u n d e rs ta n d in g ; th e n w it h o u t this u r g e
such u n d e rs ta n d in g is im p o s sib le . C r e d it G o d w i t h s o m e su b tle ty ,
w h e n Jesus said L o v e y o u r e n e m ie s h e k n e w th e im p o s s ib ility an d
th e re fo re ta u g h t a m e t h o d b y m ea n s o f w h ic h th e se c o m m a n d m e n ts
c o u ld b e p ra ctic e d . W h e n u n d e r t a k in g th e in c a rn a tio n o f a w o r ld ,
G o d m a d e ce rta in e m o tio n a l and m o r a l e x p e rie n c e s as a p re req u isite
fo r d e v e lo p m e n t o f rea so n . L e n t r o - h a m o x fig u r e d it w a s p o ssib le to
attain u n d e rs ta n d in g w it h o u t p a y in g th e p rice o f e m o tio n a l e x p e r i
en ce, e tc . R a t io n a lly h e w a s r ig h t; b u t w r o n g in fa c t. T h e r e can be
no c o s m ic -c o n s c io u s n e s s w it h o u t a sen se o f c o s m ic o b lig a tio n (o b
je c t iv e c o n s cie n ce ). L e n t r o - h a m o x le ft o u t o f a c c o u n t th e e m o tio n a l
e lem e n t b o th in h im s e lf and in th e w o r ld . In th is sen se h e b e co m e s
the fo r e r u n n e r o f o u r sp iritu a l a n c e s to rs th e G r e e k s a n d R o m a n s ,
th e b e g in n in g s o f c iv iliz a t io n fo r us. A n y t h in g b e fo r e th e m w e c o n sider a n c ie n t, B a r b a r ic . G u r d jie f f says th e B a b y lo n ia n c iv iliz a tio n
^ a s s u p e rio r to th e G r e e k . W e d a te fr o m th e G r e e k s . G u r d jie f f says
205

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APRIL 1 9 2 7

th e G re e k s d e s c e n d , n o t fr o m A s h ia ta , b u t fr o m L e n t r o -h a m o x , the
ratio n a list w it h o u t a n y h ig h e r e m o tio n a l u rg e . T w o p o ssib le stream s
b u t w e in h e rite d th is o n e.
A p e rio d o f w o r ld c u ltu re , th e n re v o lt. W e a re th e in h e rito rs o f
th e r e v o lt. T h e tr a d itio n w as th a t th e fo llo w e r s o f A s h ia ta w ith d r e w
in t o sm all g r o u p s . S m all c o m m u n itie s fo u n d d o w n e v e n to th e tim e
o f A le x a n d e r th e G r e a t; b u t th e m a in lin e o f tr a d itio n w a s ra tio n a l
ism . G e o g r a p h ic a lly lim ite d , in d iv id u a lly lim ite d . T h e s e little caves
a n d o c c u lt s c h o o ls are in o u r su b co n scio u sn ess. L e n t r o - h a m o x in a u
g u ra te d th e m o d e r n , n e g a tiv e a n d su b je c tiv e . T r a n s fe r fr o m c o s m o
p o lita n is m to e g o tis m .
A l l e x p la n a tio n s o f life are n o w based o n p e rs o n a l p re ju d ice , fo r
o u r p re s e rv a tio n . W e c a n n o t fo r m u la te a p h ilo s o p h y e x c e p t fr o m the
p o in t o f v ie w o f p e rso n a l in te re st. N ie tz s c h e said , I n o lo n g e r ask
o f a p h ilo s o p h e r, is it tru e? B u t w h a t w a s th e in te r e s t fo r th e p h ilo s o
p h e r?
E v e n r e fo r m m o v e m e n ts , in d u s tria l, rad ical m o v e m e n ts in E n g
la n d m u st, i f th e re is n o sense o f c o s m ic o b lig a tio n , b e c o m e p erso n al.
W it h o u t h ig h e r e m o tio n all p h ilo s o p h y b e c o m e s a m a tte r o f th e head
w i t h a v i e w to p e rso n a l w e lfa re . S u b je c tiv e ly c o lo r e d an d e g o tis tic a l
l y d e te rm in e d . O u r reason , b e in g su b je c tiv e , is a lr e a d y d eg en era te d ,
th a t is e g o tis t ic a lly d e te rm in e d . O u r w o r ld v ie w is s u b je c tiv e , i.e . the
n o tio n th at th e w o r ld is n o t an in s tru m e n t fo r m e d b y G o d fo r use and
th a t h e has n o u se f o r us; that G o d d id n o t cre a te th e u n iv e rse fo r any
p ra ctica l p u r p o s e , lik e a sen sib le b e in g b u t o u t o f sh eer b e n e v o le n c e
a n d o n ly w a n ts u s t o b e h a p p y , h e a c c o r d in g ly lik e s c h ie fly th o se w h o
are th e m se lv e s h a p p y o r w h o m a k e o th e rs h a p p y . T h e im p lic a tio n is
th a t it is o u r c h i e f p u rp o se to b e h a p p y and th e p a th t o h app in ess is to
m a k e o th e rs h a p p y . T h is is a c h ild is h a ttitu d e ; y e t it is S ch o p e n h a u
e r s. A n o th e r v a r ia tio n is that o n l y in d iv id u a l h a p p in ess c o u n ts ; th is is
th e p h ilo s o p h y o f th e ru lin g class, th e su b je ctiv e e r r o r in to w h ic h N i
e tz s c h e fe ll, th a t m a n k in d e x is ts fo r th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f a f e w su p er
m e n . T h is a s s u m p tio n is c o m m o n t o certain ty p e s , th e N a p o le o n ic .
T h e o p p o s ite is a n o th e r v a r ia tio n th a t th e in d iv id u a l d o es n o t c o u n t.
W h a t m a tters m y h app in ess i f th e re is a little p r o g re s s ? S o c io lo g i
cal p ro g re ss m a y b e at th e e x p e n s e o f th e in d iv id u a ls w h o m a k e up
s o c ie ty , r e s u ltin g in a c o lle c tiv e o r g a n iz a tio n o f in d iv id u a ls d e v o id o f
essen ce. S till a n o th e r va rian t is m o d e r n scien ce , w h ic h p ro cee d s b y
a cc u m u la te d fa cts in th e h o p e th a t s o m e later g e n e ra tio n w ill receive
u n d e rs ta n d in g . W il l n o t th e h a b it o f c o lle c tin g m o r e fa cts co n tin u e206

2 S APRIL

1927

A lw a y s p o s tp o n in g th e stru g g le t o u n d e rstan d till t o m o r r o w a h a b it

o f p u ttin g o ff. T o m o r r o w and a la te r g e n e ra tio n th e u tiliz a tio n o f
m eans w h ic h in th e m selv e s are o f n o use. T y p ic a l scie n tist.
T h e n o tio n o f G o d as a fa th e r v a r ie s w it h s u b je c tiv e e x p e rie n c e . O r
th e n o tio n th a t th e u n iv e rse is a s o r t o f s ch o o l, w h e r e th e re is te a c h
in g . M a y b e it is a s c h o o l w h e r e th e r e is le a rn in g b u t n o t te ach in g .
O b je c tiv e rea so n is n o t to b e a tta in e d b y a n y s u b je c tiv e o r e g o is tic
e m o tio n , p e rs o n a l a n g u ish . O b je c t iv e co n s cie n c e is n ecessa ry . G u r d j i e f f s c o s m o lo g y m a y so u n d r id ic u lo u s , b u t in c o m p e t it io n w it h th e
in fa n tile c o n c e p ts w h ic h are im p lic it in o u r p o in t o f v i e w th e y are
m a n ly and in t e llig e n t. W e th in k w e escape th e c o s m o lo g y b y b e in g
frig h te n e d o f s p e c ific w o rd s. It is a fa c t that th e w o r l d has a m e a n in g
and also th at w e h a v e a relatio n t o it.
A sh ia ta says: th e re is a m e th o d b y w h ic h w e ca n a r r iv e at an o b je c
tiv e u n d e rs ta n d in g o f w h a t is. L e n t r o - h a m o x says: t h e r e is a m eans o f
a c c o m m o d a tin g o u rse lv e s to w h a t is, w it h o u t u n d e rs ta n d in g w h a t it
is.
T h e success o f L e n tr o -h a m o x w a s establish ed b y G r e e k tra d itio n .
T h e G re e k s w e r e resp o n sib le f o r th e c o rr u p tio n o f h u m a n reason.
A s a resu lt it is a lm o s t im p o s sib le f o r an o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n c e to b e
d e v e lo p e d sin ce th e n . T h e R o m a n s are resp o n sib le f o r th e c o rr u p tio n
o f th e o rg a n ic c o n s c ie n c e .
W e h ad b e e n c o n s id e rin g th e p u r p o s e o f th e fifth d e sce n t.
N o w th e s ix t h d e sce n t to d is c o v e r w h y th e e x is te n c e o f th r e e -c e n
tered b ein g s is d im in is h in g . R e c e n t statistics in E u r o p e and A m e ric a
s h o w an in crea se. W h y do es B e e lz e b u b assum e a d ecre ase? C o n s id e r
th e p arable. (E x e rcise o f th e f a c u lt y w h ic h la te r b e c o m e s in tu itio n ,
g u essin g in r e a d in g th e parable, p e rh a p s this in d ir e c t m e th o d o f f o r
m u la tio n is u se d t o stim u la te th is fa c u lty . E x e rcise p a tie n c e and re
m ain ale rt, r e a d in g b e tw e e n th e lin e s.)
W h a t is B e e lz e b u b ta lk in g a b o u t w h e n he says e x is te n c e is c o n
tractin g ? N o t d ir e c t ly o f th e b o d y . O u r e x is te n c e as th re e -c e n te re d
b ein g s d em a n d s th e e x e rc is in g o f a ll fu n ctio n s, r e m a in in g elastic in
all th ree cen ters. A t a b o u t t w e n t y - f iv e o r th irty , th e m a jo r ity o f m e n
cease th in k in g , n o t m e c h a n ic a lly b u t o r ig in a lly . A t f o r t y th e y cease
to h ave o r ig in a lit y o f fe e lin g . T h e y c o n tin u e to v e g e ta t e d u e to so
c io lo g ic a l h y g ie n e b u t are o n e - o r t w o - t h ir d s d ea d . P erh a p s it is in th e
lig h t o f th is th a t B e e lz e b u b s s ta te m e n t is to be r e a d ; as v ita l statis
tics

o f th r e e -c e n te re d e x is te n c e . W h a t is th e cau se o f th is p rem a tu re

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d ea th ? T h e fa ilu re t o d e v e lo p in c h ild r e n an o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n c e ; the

a b se n ce o f th is c r y s ta lliz a tio n o f e m o tio n a l-m o r a l re a liz a tio n .
T h is stresses th e im p o r ta n c e o f t w o q u estio n s in r e a d in g this b o o k .
B y w h a t can w e r e c o g n iz e o b je c tiv e c o n scien ce? H a v e w e g o t it?
K n o w in g w h y w e w e r e b o rn , w h a t is p ro p e r to m e an d w h a t is n o t
p r o p e r o r b e c o m in g fo r m e , ap a rt fr o m s o c io lo g ic a l r ig h t and w r o n g .
A n in n a te sen se o f w h a t is p r o p e r t o a th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g . T h is
w o u ld g iv e us a co m p a ss as a g u id e to w h a t fo r us w o u ld be rig h t
a n d w r o n g . A ls o g iv e a s tim u lu s, w h a t is p ro p e r is d esirab le, e m o tio n
le a d in g to m o t io n ; steer to a r e c o g n iz e d g o al. T h is w o u ld have been
a n atu ra l g r o w t h , b e in g s n o r m a lly b r o u g h t u p w o u l d h a ve had this
co m p a ss an d c o n s e q u e n t ly w o u ld ste er to w a rd d e v e lo p m e n t o f w ill,
co n s cio u s n e s s an d in d iv id u a lity .
N o r m a l h u m a n s o c ie ty w it h n o r m a l e d u c a tio n w o u l d have fo u n d
all its m e m b e rs c o n s c io u s ly a r r iv in g at d e v e lo p m e n t o f astral and
m e n ta l b o d ie s w i t h th e o b je c tiv e o f fin a lly a r r iv in g at o b je c tiv e rea
so n . T o u n d e rsta n d at first h an d th e reaso n o f w o r ld o r ig in and w o r ld
m a in te n a n ce .
B u t w e h a ve a sp lit p e rs o n a lity (ste alin g o u r b ir th r ig h t , Esau, sim i
lar a lle g o r y o f a s p lit p e rso n a lity ).
W e fin d s u b stitu te s fo r o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n ce , o b je c tiv e reason, w ill,
co n s cio u s n e s s a n d in d iv id u a lity , e tc . W e have th e se th in g s b y n am e
o n ly : p h ilo s o p h y , scien ce , art, r e lig io n , sp o rt, h e a lth an d w e ll-b e in g .
T h e s e are m e r e ly n am es, sh a d o w s lik e o u rselv es.
A m u n d s e n s a irsh ip passin g o v e r p o la r re g io n s , so n ear that his
co m p a ss p o in te d n o w h e r e in p a r tic u la r b u t m e r e ly m o v e d ; h e had n o
c r ite r io n o f d ir e c tio n . S u p p o se a c o n fe re n c e o n b o a r d ; it w o u ld be
fo r c e d to r e ly o n gu esses. C o n c e iv e th is state o f m in d . A n y d ire ctio n
m ig h t b e w r o n g . E v e n i f w e a g r e e , th is is n o c r ite r io n , m e r e ly a p ra c
tic a l u n a n im ity (fa lla c y o f th e p r a g m a tic sch o o l). T h is is o u r situ a tio n ,
o u r co m p a ss b e in g g o n e . N o n e o f u s has a n y c le a r in te r io r sense o f
th e d ire c tio n o f life . W e are in sp ace and c o m p e lle d to m o v e . T h e
o n l y d ire c tio n in w h ic h w e can m o v e is that a g r e e d u p o n b y th o se
a ro u n d us. H e n c e th e c o n fid e n c e in s o c io lo g ic a l c o n v e n tio n s , m o r
als an d ideals. It is a p ra g m a tic a g r e e m e n t. T h e s u b je c tiv e c rite rio n is
e ith e r in d iv id u a l, id io s y n c ra tic , re b e llio u s , etc. o r c o n v e n tio n a l. F ro m
an o b je c tiv e p o in t o f v ie w th e re is n o t a p in to c h o o s e b e tw e e n them B o t h are su b je c tiv e .
In th ese circ u m sta n c e s w e fa ll in t o v a rio u s s o p h istrie s, e .g . th e c r i
te r io n o f v a lu e is a d a p ta tio n (e v o lu tio n ). M u c h o f p s y c h o a n a ly tic e th 208

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APRIL 1 9 2 7

ics is based o n th is. T h e w h o le o f J u n g s s ch o o l is b ased o n this: A r e

w e a d ap ted ? T h e n w e m u st b e r ig h t. T h is m ig h t b e ca lle d h a n g in g
o n o r ru n n in g d o w n . It is th e p o s tu r e o f m a x im u m c o m fo r t th e
su b stitu tio n o f m ea n s fo r en ds. I f o n e has n o e n d o n e w ill te n d to
o v e r v a lu e th e m e a n s (and in p r o p o r t io n th e e n d ceases to b e re a l
ized ), e .g . th e e n d o f p h ilo s o p h y is tr u th ; o u r m e a n s is reason. B u t
in absen ce o f tr u th w e te n d to a d m ire in g e n u ity o f re a so n in g , in a n y
g iv e n s ch o o l. W e s u c c u m b to b r illia n c e o f p ro cess, e p ig r a m , rea so n
in g , e tc. T h is is w o r s h ip p in g th e m e a n s . T h e en d o f a r r iv in g at ju s tic e
is th e en d o f la w . T h e m ean s o f a r r iv in g at ju s tic e is im p a rtia lity . T h e
m e th o d o f im p a r t ia lity is fo r m u la te d b y rules a p p ly in g to all. W e h a v e
b e c o m e leg alists. W e p u rsu e le g a l fo r m s and le g a lit y in stead o f p s y
c h o lo g ic a l fo r m s a n d ju s tic e .
A ls o , w h a t is th e en d o f sex? F r o m an o b je c tiv e p o in t o f v ie w ,
it is t w o fo ld , p r o c r e a tio n and s e lf-c re a tio n , th e c r e a tio n in us o f an
astral an d m e n ta l b o d y . T h e p r o c r e a tio n o f p la n e ta r y b o d ie s ; th e c r e
a tio n o f e m o tio n a l a n d in te lle c tu a l b o d ie s . T h a n k s to th e R o m a n s w e
fin d o u rse lv e s u s in g it o b je c tiv e le s s ly . W e h ave su b s titu te d th e p u r
suit o f p leasu re d e r iv e d fr o m th e p ro c e s s , fo r th e sa tisfa ctio n s d e r iv e d
fr o m th e re a liz a tio n o f th e en d . P la y in g w it h re a s o n ; p la y in g w it h
sex . P la y in g w it h fo r c e s , titilla tio n , m a stu rb a tio n . D o o m e d to s o c io
lo g ic a l standards a n d a p p ro v a l. B e w a r e , w h e n a ll m e n speak w e ll o f
th e e . D o this to th e L o rd and n o t to m e n . A w a r n in g against ta k
in g s o c io lo g ic a l c rite ria . W e are b o u n d to d o th is in th e absen ce o f
o b je c tiv e c rite ria ; th e in te r io r s p rin g o f a ctio n b e in g g o n e .
W e ru n o n th r e e sp rin g s o f a m e c h a n ic a l k in d , w h ic h are w o u n d u p
b y e x te r n a l circ u m sta n c e s. L ik e a c lo c k w it h th ree sp rin g s, d e p e n d in g
o n e x te rn a l c irc u m sta n c e s and w h ic h c a n n o t m o v e , w i t h se lf-d e te r
m in in g . In this c h a p te r are so m e d e ta ils o f th e w in d in g , d e g re e , in te n
s ity an d k in d o f w in d in g :
1. H e r e d it y a n d g e n e ra l b io lo g ic a l a n cestry .
2. C o n d it io n s a n d e n v ir o n m e n t at th e m o m e n t o f c o n c e p tio n (c o n
d itio n s m eans p la n e ta r y ; e n v ir o n m e n t m ean s lo c a l circu m sta n ces).
3. L ife in th e c o m p le t e sense o f p a ren ts and th e p a rt o f th e m o th e r
d u r in g p e rio d o f g e sta tio n .
4. T h e b e in g m a n ife sta tio n s o f p a ren ts d u rin g th e p e r io d o f g r o w
in g u p o f th e c h ild , th e b e h a v io r w h ic h arises n a tu r a lly fr o m th e b e
in g o f th e paren ts.
5. C o r r e s p o n d in g b e in g o r essen tial b e h a v io r o f o th e rs th an th e
p aren ts w h o c o m e in t o c o n ta c t w i t h th e ch ild .
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6. G o o d w is h e s o f b ein g s o f th e sam e b lo o d , w h e t h e r absent or

n ear. O l d w iv e s w is d o m . W h a t is th e reason fo r th is? C e le b ra tio n o f
b irth d a y s etc.
7. C h a r a c te r o f e ffo rt m a d e b y a g r o w in g c h ild t o u n d e rsta n d w h y
h e is a liv e. T h is is h a rd fo r w e s te r n e r s to u n d e rsta n d . T h e fo r m this
w o n d e r takes is o ft e n em b a rrassin g to parents. W h e n w e are asked
h o w w a s I b o r n ? m e a n in g w h y a m I a liv e? w e g iv e o n ly d ire ct
se x u a l sig n ifica n ce . I f a tru e a n s w e r w e r e g iv e n to a tr u e q u e stio n w e
w o u ld p r o b a b ly fin d o u rselv es te llin g a series o f f a ir y tales w it h im
p lic it and n o t e x p lic it an sw ers to th e se q u estio n s. T h is w o u ld satisfy
th e e m o tio n a l c ra v in g .
T h e s e d e te rm in e th e p o te n tia litie s o f e x p e r ie n c e , w h ic h w e later
liv e o u t . H a v in g b e e n w o u n d u p th e ch ild g o es o u t o f th is en large d
s o c io lo g ic a l w o m b in to th e w o r ld . H is p o te n tia litie s a re fix ed .
N o t all t h o u g h ts m a y b e t h o u g h t b y it, th o u g h la te r th e re m a y be
an in ten se d esire to u n d e rsta n d c e r ta in th in g s. N o t a ll e m o tio n s m ay
b e fe lt b y it b u t c e r ta in e m o tio n a l e x p e rie n c e s la te r, at th ir ty o r fo r ty
m a y b e m a d e p o s s ib le b y ce rta in c o n ta c ts w it h stra n g e rs o r associates
f o r te n m in u te s. A ls o p h ysical.
E x p e r ie n c e , w h a t is it? D e w e y s p r o b le m . T h e release o f sp rin gs
in o u rse lv e s b y e x te r n a l a g en cies, th a t giv e s w h a t w e ca ll c o n s cio u s
ness o f th o u g h t o r e m o tio n o r a c t io n , assu m in g th a t w e can e x p e r i
e n c e a th o u g h t o r e m o tio n o r a c tio n . W ill an e x te r n a l a g e n c y tic k it
o ff? A c c id e n t? C h a n c e ? A s a r u le o u r e m o tio n a l p o t e n t ia lit y is tick e d
o f f s lo w ly , so th a t w e still h a ve reserve s. In cases o f s h e ll-s h o c k large
reserve s are tic k e d o f f in a sh o rt tim e . It also is p o s s ib le fo r th e in te l
le c tu a l c e n te r t o b e so stim u la te d b y th o u g h t th a t th e p o te n tia litie s
ru n o u t. N o t t h r o u g h s h o ck b u t t h r o u g h titilla tio n , re a d in g to excess,
th in k in g w it h o u t an o b je c tiv e , f o ll o w in g o u r in te re s ts , p la y in g w it h
rea so n . In r e a d in g w e resp o n d w i t h in te lle c t to th e t h o u g h t p resen ted
an d in r e s p o n d in g , th e p o te n tia litie s o f b e in g are c h e c k e d o ff. H e is
passive and a fte r a f e w years o f re a d in g is in c a p a b le o f an o r i g i n a l
th o u g h t.
A r t : T h o s e w h o p u rsu e it h a v e as a im an o b je c t o f b e a u ty . B u t
w h e n th e o b je c t is p resen ted t h e y m u s t m ake an e m o tio n a l response
a u to m a tic a lly ; i f th is c o n tin u e s re sp o n se ceases, e .g . cu ra to rs o f m u
seu m s. T h o s e w h o m a k e p u r s u it, s o o n e r rea ch th e p o in t o f h a v in g
n o m o r e resp o n ses. T h e y are th e n fo r c e d to rep e at th e fo r m u la tio n
o f w h a t w e r e o n c e real resp o n ses, a p s y c h o p a t h o lo g ic a l state. In this
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state th e y th in k th e y are n o w r e a d y t o e n te r a c re a tiv e s ta g e ; that h a v

in g ex h a u ste d th e m e a n in g an d s ig n ific a n c e o f th e p a st th e y can p r o -

du ce cu b ism , fu tu r is m etc. T h e s e a re o ffsp rin g o f th e a g e d , im a g inary ch ild ren . S o c ra te s b egs a c o n t e m p o r a r y a rtist n o t t o g iv e b ir th

to w in d -e g g s .
G re e c e is re sp o n sib le fo r th e d e te r io r a tio n o f th e in te llig e n c e , an d
(to m e is resp o n sib le f o r th e d e g ra d a tio n o f o r g a n ic sh a m e. G e r m a n y
is respo n sible fo r th e fu r th e r s u b je c t iv it y o f th e in t e lle c t in su b o rd in a
tion to th e e m o tio n a l cen ter. E n g la n d has spread th e p ro p a g a n d a fo r
sport. H o w m a n y tim e s w e h y p n o t iz e s o m e b o d y in t o d o in g s o m e
th in g against his o w n g o o d b y s a y in g : o h , be a s p o r t . W h y has th is
such an in flu e n ce ? A p h rase o f b la c k m a g ic : p la y th e g a m e , c r ic k
e t, th at is e ffo rt w it h o u t an o b je c t. T h e q u a n tity o f e ffo r t is a lw a y s
the sam e. A g a in w e are c o n s id e rin g th e m eans. I n te lle c t titilla tio n .
A r t and th e a e s th e tic im p u lse e x is t fo r th e d is c ip lin e a n d statin g o f
b ea u ty , w h ic h is th e h a r m o n y o f a b e in g w it h its ca u se . T h e a esth etic
sense giv e s a c r ite r io n o f p ro p e r fu n c tio n . I f u sed a p a rt fr o m its p u r
po se, m e r e ly fo r p le a su re it has p s y c h o lo g ic a l resu lts, p s y c h o p a th ic.
S im ila rly , a b ility to m a k e e ffo rt f o r th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f w ill. E f
fo rt apart fr o m w i l l c o rre sp o n d s to titilla tio n o f re a s o n , p leasu re o f
aesthetic etc. It is a s u b s titu tio n o f th e p le asu re o f th e p ro cess fo r th e
satisfactio n o f a c h ie v in g a go al.
W e are w o u n d u p w i t h p o te n tia litie s to d e v e lo p w i l l , co n scio u sn ess
and in d iv id u a lity . B u t p o w e r is m e c h a n ic a lly tic k e d o f f and th e age
o f ea ch c e n te r d e p e n d s u p o n e x is tin g circu m sta n ce s. I f w e are m e r e ly
passively r e s p o n d in g , w e rem ain u n to u c h e d in essen ce.
Is th e re a n y m ea n s o f a ro u s in g o u r still u n w o u n d reserve s? O f ceas
in g to b e an a g en t? G u r d jie f f takes th e e x a m p le o f a c lo c k , w h ic h
is w o u n d fo r a c e r ta in p e rio d . B u t b y c h a n g in g its r e g u la to r w e can
ch an ge its p e rio d o f u n w in d in g . L o o s e n e d it runs fa ste r; tig h te n e d it
increases lo n g e v it y . T h e r e g u la to r is in us, b u t w e c a n n o t ch a n g e th e
w in d in g .
B u t i f w e can c o n t r o l th e r e g u la to r w e can d e te r m in e th e p e rio d .
W e h a ve to refu se to resp o n d to e x te r n a l stim u lu s in a m ech a n ica l
Way. H o w ?
I- T h e m e th o d . S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n a u to m a tic a lly tig h te n s th e r e g u -

jator o n a ll th ree sp rin g s. O r i f w e

c a n w in d u p w e c a n c o n tr o l in te l-

w c tu a l, e m o tio n a l a n d p h ysica l l o n g e v it y , th e r e g u la to r is in us. W e

ca n n o t c h a n g e th e w in d in g . B u t w h y is a sh o rt life u n d e sira b le ? B e cause it is h o s tile to th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f o b je c tiv e re a so n . N o ch an ce.
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L ife is to o s h o rt. A n y t h in g th a t p r o m o te s th e le n g th e n in g o f th e in
te lle c tu a l, e m o tio n a l and p h y s ic a l life has th is rea so n .
2. T h e r e is a su b o rd in a te m e t h o d . Ira n s a m k e e p . A t p resen t w e
h a v e th re e c e n te rs w o u n d u p b y th e m eans d e s c r ib e d a b o v e ; th e y have
b e e n tic k e d o f f t o a ce rta in d e g r e e ; are p a r tly u n w o u n d and e x p o s e d
to th e ch a n c e th a t o n e m a y b e u n w o u n d at a n y m o m e n t and c e r ta in ly
p a ssiv ely . Ira n sa m k e ep 1 k e e p m y s e lf. N o t g iv in g o n e s e lf u p to
th e asso ciatio n s a risin g fr o m th e fu n ctio n s o f o n e c e n te r o n ly . G iv in g
o n e s e lf u p a n d b e in g a b so rb ed . I w a s a b so rb ed in m y re a d in g o r in
w a tc h in g a g a m e . O fte n r e g a rd e d as a h ig h ly d e sira b le state. O n e
c e n te r o n l y . O n e sh o u ld n e v e r b e c o m e w h o l l y a b so rb e d : in p ro cess
es o f rea so n ; in lo v e , b e a u ty , a rt, re lig io n . E a ch o f th ese is a n ecessary
m ea n s to w a r d a n en d b u t a t o t a l a b s o rp tio n has b a d results
3. A s s o c ia tio n s o f p h y sica l a c t iv it y ; cra ze f o r a d v e n tu re , travel,
sp o rt. Ira n s a m k e e p , a v o id in g a b s o rp tio n . I f y o u are aw are o f y o u r
p h y sica l b e h a v io r y o u c a n n o t b e c o m e a b so rb ed . A lw a y s t r y to b e d o
in g t w o d iffe r e n t th in g s at th e sam e tim e. I f p u r s u in g a rt, also rea
so n ; i f re a s o n in g , use y o u r h a n d s. O n e o f th e P y th a g o r e a n sch o o ls,
a rran ge d f o r th e artist to b e ta lk e d to and a r g u e d w it h and m a d e to
a n sw e r q u e s tio n s , w h ile e n g a g e d in his w o r k . It m ig h t h ave p re v e n te d
h im fr o m d o in g g o o d w o r k ; b u t in his p u rp o se h e d id b etter. W e can
n o w see th e traces o f th o se id ea s in his w o r k .
I f an A m e r ic a n is tr a v e llin g , h e sh o u ld th in k . I f th in k in g , y o u
s h o u ld also d o .

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jsfow I w o u ld lik e t o g o o n w it h th e n arrative w i t h th e seq u en ce u n
b ro k e n . F irst t h in g t o rea lize is th e p o s s ib ility o f c o n t a c t w it h a case
o f s p l it (or m u ltip le ) p e rs o n a lity .
M rs. P ip e r h a d b e e n su b ject f r o m tim e to tim e t o a tta ck s o f a m n e
sia loss o f id e n tity . S h e b e c a m e a seam stress, s h o p k e e p e r, d o m e s tic
servan t e tc . u n d e r th e in flu e n c e o f d r in k , d ru g s , e tc . W e m a y a ct in
a w a y that w il l b e b o t h f o r g o tte n a n d , to us, also in e x p lic a b le . D ia g
nosis o f m an is th a t h e is s u ffe rin g fr o m sp lit p e r s o n a lity . Say a fr ie n d
o f y o u r s is s u ffe r in g fr o m an a tta c k o f this so rt o f a m n esia h e has
fo r g o tte n his id e n t it y . W h a t s h o u ld y o u do?
W h a t is th e m e a n in g o f e x is te n c e ? W h a t is m y m issio n , i f an y?
T h e p r o b le m o f h o w to r e v iv e y o u r fr ie n d s m e m o r y o f h im s e lf
is e x a c t ly th a t o f th e r e lig io u s r e fo r m e r w h o d esires to p e r fo r m his
se rv ice fo r m a n .
T h e c r y o f an In d ia n ch ild in th e w o m b is: L e t m e re m em b er w h o
and w h a t I a m a fte r b ir t h . A ft e r b ir th : I h ave f o r g o t t e n th e m e a n in g
and a im o f m y b e in g . S o it is f o r a ll m en .
F a ir y sto ries are th e first fo o d f o r th e m a g n e tic c e n te r o f c h ild re n .
S le e p in g P rin cess (o r r o y a lty o r d iv in it y ) T h e P r o d ig a l S o n . R e fe r
to m o re ela b o ra te m y th s th an in th e B ib le M e a d s, H y m n o f th e
R o b e o f G l o r y . H a v e y o u e v e r u n d e rta k e n a c o m m is s io n and b e
c o m e as in v o lv e d w it h , and a b s o rb e d in so m e p e rso n a litie s th at y o u
su d d e n ly e x c la im : J o v e , I fo r g o t m y . . .
H o w w o u ld y o u t r y to a ro u se y o u r frie n d ? Y o u w o u ld c o m m e n c e
to ta lk o f fa m ilia r th in g s also to ta k e h im to fa m ilia r p la ce s to ta lk
to h im w it h th e rea so n w h ic h h e h as a cq u ire d sin ce th e a tta ck o f a m
n esia o r aga in i f th e ro le h e h a d fa lle n in to w a s lo w e r th an fo r m e r ly
y o u w o u ld p e rh a p s v io le n t ly r e p r o a c h h im in th e h o p e th at y o u c o u ld
a ro u se h im .
So A sh ia ta S h ie m a sh w h e n p r o p o s in g to treat m a n k in d fo r th e a f
flic tio n o f sp lit p e rs o n a lity e m p lo y e d e x a c t ly th e sam e m ea n s b y
ta lk in g to t h ir t y - s ix , i.e . th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g s w i t h th e p o te n tia lity
o f six ce n te rs i.e . sp ecim e n s o f sp lit p sych e. H e b e g a n to in s tru c t
th e m a b o u t c o s m ic tr u th s th e ir p la c e in th e c o s m o s , th e ir re s p o n
sib ilitie s and d u tie s laid u p o n m e n . ( N o th in g a b n o r m a l in b e in g p e r
fe c t ly fa m ilia r w i t h th e m e a n in g a n d a im o f o u r e x is te n c e , o n th e
co n tra ry .)
C o n tin u e d a sso c ia tio n w it h th e se ideas w ill r e a w a k e n in th e m se lv e s
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id eas n o w lo s t in th e ir b u rie d s u b c o n s c io u s p lu s a n a d d itio n a l m e th

o d f o r r e a w a k e n in g . (O u s p e n s k y uses th e phrase s e lf-r e m e m b e r in g
to recall to o n e s e lf o n e s s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , se lf-p a r tic ip a tio n , and self
e x p e r im e n t. A l l so th a t o n e can n o n - id e n t ify w it h th e p la n e ta ry b o d y
an d re c o v e r a real k n o w le d g e o f o n e s b e in g , a im e tc . B y r e v ie w in g
o n e s past life o n e c a n n o n - id e n tify so as to r e v ie w e v e n th e cu rre n t
days h a p p e n in g s t o o n e s p la n e ta ry b o d y .
S o t o a w a k e n a fe e lin g o f sh a m e , th e fu lc r u m o f o b je c tiv e c o n
scien ce , n o t c o n v e n tio n a l sham e d u e to b e in g d is c o v e re d in social d e r
e lic t io n b u t th e sh a m e o f th e p r o d ig a l son to fin d h im s e lf c o m p e t
in g w it h th e s w in e fo r th e h u sk s in th e lig h t o f w h a t h e sh o u ld h ave
b e c o m e . B u t a th r ill o f o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e do es n o t c a r r y w it h it th e
d e v e lo p m e n t o f o b je c tiv e reaso n . N o t o n e o f us w i l l e v e r u n d erstan d
th e co sm o s u n til w e fe e l th e sh a m e o f n o t u n d e rs ta n d in g th e a im o f
o u r e x is te n c e , n o r can w e e v e r c o m m e n c e th e a c h ie v e m e n t o f o b je c
tiv e reason .
1. T o m a in ta in th e p la n e ta ry b o d y in a state o f readin ess fo r th e
a tta in m e n t o f rea so n , readiness t o u n d e rsta n d .
2. T o b e a lw a y s s tr iv in g to h a v e m o r e and m o r e co n s cio u s n e s s, in
d iv id u a lit y a n d w ill.
3. A lw a y s h a v in g at th e b a c k o f y o u r m in d th a t e v e r y a ct, c irc u m
sta n ce, h a p p e n in g , m a y th r o w lig h t o n th e m e a n in g o f e x iste n ce .
4. T o trea t a ll th o s e b e in g s w i t h w h o m w e c o m e in t o c o n ta c t ju s t l y
w i t h c o m p le te to le ra n c e .
5. T o aid a ll o th e r b e in g s in th e se fo u r w ays.
A t p rese n t a ll o u r c o n scio u sn ess is in o u r in s tin c tiv e cen ter, th e
o th e r t w o c e n te rs are to b e b r o u g h t u p to th e sa m e d e g re e o f c o n
sciou sn ess. A s h ia ta S h iem ash tr ie d to d o this.
T h e r e h a ve b e e n g rea t th in g s d o n e in th e w o r ld th e estab lish m en t
o f c h iv a lr y o f K n ig h ts T e m p la r o f M a s o n ry .
Is h ere e n o u g h m a te ria l a m o n g u s th e fifty o r s ix t y o f us h ere to
e sta b lish a n y th in g co m p a ra b le ? C o u l d w e u n d e rta k e to b u ild G o th ic
cath ed ra ls, so to sp eak? T a k e th e ca th e d ra l o f E ly w h ic h I am v e r y
fa m ilia r w it h . It is lo c a te d in a s w a m p n o sto n e s th e re . H e re cam e
a sm a ll ce rta in g r o u p u n d e r th e n a m e o f C h ris tia n s . T h e sw am p w as
d ra in e d , to n s o f s to n e d u m p e d in it, m aso n s tra in ed , g o t m o n e y fr o m
b aro n s. T h e s e b e in g s m u st h a ve a tta in e d an e x tr a o r d in a r y d e g re e o f
co n scio u sn ess.
B u t A s h ia ta S h iem a sh d id m o r e , h e p ro p o se d a n u n -e d u c a tio n a l
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sy ste m , th e n an e d u c a tio n a l sy ste m , th e n th r o u g h th e s e , a r e lig io n r e f

o r m a tio n b y p u r e ly p s y c h o lo g ic a l m ea n s w as u n d e rta k e n . S o at o n e
tim e fo r say, o n e h u n d re d and f if t y o r t w o h u n d re d and fifty y e a rs
th e re w as a w o r ld c u ltu re .
T h e n it b e g a n to c o m e to an e n d b y m ean s o f a c e r ta in k in d o f L e n tro h a m sa n in a sp ecie s o f p s y c h o lo g y th at is c o m p a r a tiv e ly s im p ly
based. F o r w it h o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e , o b je c tiv e re a so n d o es n o t s p rin g
a liv e an d so s u ffe rin g results.
Y o u re m e m b e r, w it h a p a n g , th a t y o u h ave a m is s io n w h ic h h a d
b een fo r g o tte n . T h e n w h e n w e b e g in lo o k in g a b o u t fo r th e m ea n s
to ev e n fo r m u la te , n o t to say u n d e rs ta n d , w e fin d o u r s e lv e s h elp less.
N a r c o tic s are r e lig io n , s e r v ic e t o o th e rs , etc.
L e n tro h a m s a n in th e state o f b e in g u n w illin g t o e n te rta in a state
o f b e in g aw are o f o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e w it h o u t p o ssessio n o f o b je c
tiv e reason . S o L e n tro h a m s a n in se le cte d these b e in g s and b e g a n to
w o r k o n t h e m ju s t as A sh ia ta S h ie m a s h h ad d o n e.
H e said th e o n l y th in g fo r us in life is th e p u r s u it o f h app in ess,
w h ic h is fr e e d o m absen ce o f th e o b lig a tio n to d o a n y th in g o n e d o e s
n o t lik e . (B u t o n e d id n o t m a k e h is essen ce a n d i f o u r essence d e
m an d s th e s e r v ic e o f G o d his c re a to r th e n w e m u s t f o l l o w this.) B u t
L e n tro h a m sa n in said th e state o f b e in g u n d e r m o r a l o b lig a tio n s w a s
u n d ig n ifie d an d p r o p o s e d th at m a n rep u d ia te su c h an id e a lity i f w e
escap e fr o m th e u se o f m u tto n a n d w o o l , again su r re n d e r to a fu r th e r
d e m a n d . (I h o p e y o u w il l see th a t h e re w a s n o th in g d ia b o lic a l in th e
a tta ck o f L e n tro h a m sa n in o n th e w o r k o f A s h ia ta S h iem a sh . I f it is
th e fa ct th at o n l y f r o m an u r g e o f a re a lize d o b lig a tio n is th e a tta in
m e n t o f o b je c tiv e rea so n p o ssib le th e n th is m ean s th a t it is barred fo r
s o m e o f us fo r e v e r . B u t w e m u s t n o t fa il to a c c o r d t o G o d a so rt o f
s u b tle ty G o d is n o fo o l. G o d h im s e lf w o u ld b e th e first to a d m it
th is th a t G o d has th e h ig h e st rea so n in o u r u n iv e r s e to d a y . C e r ta in
e m o tio n a l states are n ecessa ry f o r th e u n d e rs ta n d in g o f certain tru th s .
T h e a tta in m e n t o f c o s m ic -c o n s c io u s n e s s is im p o s s ib le in a d va n ce o f
th e sense o f an o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e . S o L e n tro h a m s a n in w as r a tio
n a lly r ig h t b u t in fa c t w r o n g .
S o h e sta rted a m o v e m e n t w h ic h resu lted in o u r sp iritu a l f o r e
fa th ers, th e G r e e k s an d th e R o m a n s . W e date f r o m a n cie n t G r e e c e
w h ic h dates fr o m L e n tro h a m s a n in . T o o u r m is fo r tu n e and p e rh a p s
t o o u r ru in so fa r as th is life is c o n c e r n e d . R a tio n a lis m w it h o u t a n y
h ig h e r u rg e . W e are th e in h e rito rs o f L e n tro h a m s a n in , ratio n al su c
cessfu l r e v o lt o n th e sp iritu a l p la n e .
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M o n a s te rie s in little T ib e ts in o u r su b co n scio u s.

C o s m o p o lita n is m to e g o ism . In s tin c tiv e titilla tin g . W e c a n n o t fo r
m u la te a tru e t h e o r y o f life i f it is n o t fa v o ra b le t o u s. N ie tz s c h e s a id :
I l o o k a lw a y s f o r th e m o tiv e m y p h ilo s o p h e r h a d in fo r m u la tin g i t .
S c h o p e n h a u e r s id ea w as c o m p a ssio n .
N ie tz s c h e su p e rm a n . N in e t y - n in e e x is t fo r th e h app in ess o f
o n e N a p o le o n ic c o m p le x . T h e in d iv id u a l (or th e o p p o site) e x ists
o n ly fo r th e g o o d o f s o cie ty . W h a t d o e s it m a tte r i f I p e rish i f s o c ie ty
b en e fits. (S o c ia lism and s o c io lo g y .)
T h e p u rsu it o f scien ce th r o u g h su ccessive g e n e ra tio n s keep s o n
a c c u m u la tin g fa cts fo r th e use o f fu tu r e g e n e ra tio n s. I b e lie v e th at
e a ch g e n e ra tio n w i l l c o n tin u e t o su ffe r fr o m th e d isease o f to m o r
r o w and w ill c o n t in u e to a c c u m u la te facts o f n o u se to th e m b u t fo r
s o m e fu tu r e r e a liz a tio n .
H e re is th e s u p p o s itio n th a t G o d is o u r fa th e r th e fa th er c o m
p l e x . (H e in e said th a t G o d is a w i t t y fe llo w w h y ? B e ca u se H e in e s
fa th e r w a s a w i t t y fe llo w .)
( T h e w o r ld is a s c h o o l in w h ic h th e re is n o t e a c h in g o n ly le a rn
in g .) B u t so m e w i l l te ll y o u th a t h e is a te ach er a n d th a t e v e r y ev e n t
o f his life w a s c a r e fu lly d e sig n e d b y G o d the te a c h e r t o in s tru c t h im .
annette herter: W h y c o u ld n t th e a c t iv ity o f a sc ien tist be th e re

su lt o f o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n c e a n d a re s u ltin g sea rch f o r o b je c tiv e u n

d e rsta n d in g ?
orage: B e c a u se th e e m o tio n a l u r g e fr o m su ch a m o t iv e w o u ld b e

so

s tr o n g th at he c o u ld n o t b e c o n t e n t w it h an a c t iv it y w h ic h m a y have
a resu lt a h u n d re d y e a rs hen ce.
W e are p re p a re d to m a k e a n y sa crifice fo r in s tin c tiv e g o o d b u t w h a t
are w e p rep ared t o d o fo r th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f rea so n ? T h e p rice o f
o b je c tiv e reaso n a n d o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e is n o t to b e a tta in ed th r o u g h
a n y in s tin c tiv e e m o tio n .
I say to y o u w h o are sa y in g to y o u r s e lv e s h o w fa n c ifu l. I say that
th e se ideas are m a n ly a nd in t e llig e n t. A n d all th e t im e w e are sp ecu la t
in g th a t facts are fa cts. G o d is w h a t h e is. H u m a n o b lig a tio n is w h a t it
is. T h e o b je c tiv e fa c t th at th e w o r ld has a m e a n in g a n d th a t w e h a ve a
re la tio n to it re m a in s, w h a te v e r o u r su b je ctiv e in te r p r e ta tio n o f it is.
A sh ia ta S h ie m a sh says th e re is a m e th o d f o r u n d e rs ta n d in g and
L e n tro h a m sa n in says h e has a m e t h o d fo r a d ju stin g o n e s e lf to it.

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Ill read first o f a ll a p a rticu la r c h a p te r o n G r e e k s a n d R o m a n s. H o w
th e G r e e k an d R o m a n c iv iliz a tio n aro se. In te rm s o f in d iv id u a l p s y
c h o lo g y :
G r e e k reaso n .
R o m a n in s tin c t o r b o d y .
In E u ro p e l o n g a g o th e re w e r e o n l y tw o -b r a in e d (qu ad ru p ed ) an d
o n e -b ra in e d (rep tiles) b e in g s. A f e w th re e -b ra in e d b e in g s en g a g e d in
d e s tro y in g th e q u a d ru p e d s and re p tile s.
O n e g r o u p m a ritim e , sea fis h in g . H e lle n ic fish e rm a n .
O th e r g r o u p ra isin g cattle, la n d . L a tin sh ep h erd s.
In L atin m o r e an d m o re p r o lific b ecau se e a r th n eed ed v ib r a
tio n s e s p e c ia lly q u a n tity v ib r a tio n s arisin g fr o m t h e d e a th o f t h r e e
brained b e in g s. T h is is alw a y s tr u e w h e n th r e e -b r a in e d b ein g s fa il in
co n s cio u s s u ffe rin g an d v o lu n t a r y la b o r. T h e o t h e r g r o u p m ig ra te d
w ith e r to th e W e s te r n shores o f A s ia o r to th e D a rd a n e lle s , d iv id in g
A sia fr o m E u ro p e , ca lle d H e lle n ic G r e e k s fis h e rm e n , etc.
O n e o f th e c h i e f featu res w h y th e reason o f E u ro p e a n b ein g s has
b e c o m e m e c h a n ic a l is b ecau se o f G r e e k s and b e in g -s h a m e has b e c o m e
a tro p h ied d u e t o th e m a le fice n t L a tin s. ( B e in g = n a tiv e o r sp e cific;
sh am e = p r o h ib it in g th e m fr o m d o in g that w h ic h is n o t b e c o m in g
to that species.)
So th e fish e rm e n d u r in g bad w e a th e r retreated in t o caves, e tc., a n d
in v en ted g a m es c h ie fly th e g a m e o f p o u r in g f r o m th e e m p ty in t o
th e v o id . In a ll v e n tu re s , at th e b e g in n in g , th e re w i l l b e bad w e a t h
er d o n o t re trea t o r th e c o n s e q u e n c e s w ill be s e r io u s . L ittle b y little
these p la u sib le a n sw e rs to n o n se n sic a l q u estio n s b e c a m e w h a t th e y
n o w call scien ce.
R o m a n s g u il t y fr o m th e fa c t th a t b e in g s h a m e b ecam e a tr o
p h ied . F ro m b a d w e a th e r, th e sh e p h erd s retre a te d w i t h flo ck s fo r
sh elter and h a v in g ta lk e d o u t e v e r y t h in g , o n e o f t h e ir n u m b e r p r o
p o sed to th e o th e r s a g a m e ca lle d c in q u e co n tra u n o . T h e y in v e n te d
d ev ice s fo r th e ir o w n d e p ra v ity .
T h e G re e k s b o r r o w e d th e fin e sse o f th e R o m a n s an d c o m p o s e d
A th e n ia n N ig h t s . R o m a n s b o r r o w e d fr o m th e G r e e k s th e ir fo r m o f
d ep raved m e c h a n ic a l reason an d c o m p o s e d th e R o m a n L a w .
W h e n th e G r e e k s an d R o m a n s m a d e a c o n q u e s t o f A sia , th ere r e
g a in e d in th e A s ia tic essence n o n -re s is ta n ce , d u e t o th e c o m m a n d o f

Ashiata S h iem a sh : N e v e r k ill, e v e n w h e n y o u r o w n life is in d a n g e r.

2 17

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192 7

So w a r s w e p t a w ay all th e resu lts o f th e la b o r o f that c o n s cio u s essen ce, liv in g -s a c r e d an d w e ll- w is h in g b e in g A s h ia ta S h iem a sh

and

can n e v e r o c c u r again. F o r th e rea p p e aran ce o f su ch a m e ssen g er o f

H is E n d lessn ess o n ea rth a g a in is alm o st im p o s s ib le .
T h e r e is a so rt o f sham e c o m m o n a m o n g th e e a r th b ein g s n o w , but
n o t at a ll lik e th a t o f b e in g s o n o th e r p la n e ts h ere th e y are asham ed
o n ly w h e n th e ir u n c o n v e n tio n a l b e h a v io r is o b s e r v e d o r m a y be o b
serve d b y s o m e stranger.
T h e d ia g n o s is o f th e h u m a n sp ecies is, th a t it is a species o f sp lit or
m u ltip le p e rso n a litie s. T a k e th e w a r p u b lic o p in io n a p p ro v e d , b u t
n in e t y -n in e o u t o f e v e r y h u n d r e d p r iv a te ly h a d e x a c t ly th e o p p o s ite
o p in io n . T h is is ch a ra cte ristic o f th e race e v e r y w h e r e .
It o c c u r r e d b y a c o llis io n w h ic h split th e p la n e t an d p s y c h e o n the
p la n e t. B u t it b e ca m e p o s s ib le fo r this sp lit t o b e c e m e n te d , y e t cu s
to m s c o n t in u e d e v e n in th e p re se n ce o f a fu n d a m e n ta l essen ce w h ic h
is sane, w h o l e an d so u n d a n d n o rm a l.
T h e r e is in u s th e p o s s ib ility o f o b je c tiv e rea so n and o f o b je c tiv e
m o r a lity . E m o tio n a l c e n te r is o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e . In s tin ctiv e ce n te r
is o b je c tiv e m o r a lity .
R ig h t a n d w r o n g fo r th e o r g a n is m is to b e d e te r m in e d b io lo g ic a lly .
C r ite r ia o f b e h a v io r is n a tiv e b e h a v io r d e te r m in e d b y o b je c tiv e c o n
scien ce n a tiv e o f essen ce. W e h a ve instead an a cq u ire d c o n v e n tio n a l
m o r a lity a n d a c o n v e n tio n a l c o n s cie n c e w h ic h m a k e us ash am ed o f
u n c o n v e n tio n a l b e h a v io r.
W e h a v e n o in n a te c rite ria o f va lu es in th e a b sen ce o f o b je c tiv e
c o n s c ie n c e so o u r reason d e p e n d s o n w h a t w e h a v e lea rn ed fr o m e d u
c a tio n , e tc ., an d b e h a v io r a ls o . P h ilo s o p h ic a l sp e c u la tio n s are p o u r
in g n o th in g fr o m n o th in g in t o n o th in g .
B u t w e c o u ld use th e w o r d l a w instead. L a w o r ju s tic e . O u r c o n
c e p tio n o f ju s t ic e is a lw a y s c o lo r e d b y la w o r w h a t w e call la w . B u t in
fa c t th e re is n o m o r e re la tio n b e tw e e n le g a l la w a n d ju s tic e th a n th ere
is b e tw e e n tr u th and o u r p re se n t reason.
R o m a n la w d ep en d s u p o n th e m a in te n a n ce o f th e w e lfa re o f a
c o m m u n it y o f p h y sica l b o d ie s an d has n o basis u p o n o b je c tiv e c o n
scie n ce (i.e. th e m u tu a l aid o f souls) based u p o n p h y sica l v a lu e s and
p h ysica l w e lfa r e . S o sham e in rega rd to o u r n e ig h b o r . B u t sh am e in
rega rd to G o d w o u ld resu lt in j u s t ic e . O u r la w s h o u ld b e cre a tu re to
ju s t ic e c re a to r (G o d ), b u t is c re a tu r e to creatu re.
I am a b o d y b u t I h ave a s o u l. T h is is th e sin o f id e n tify in g w ith
o n e o f o u r c e n te rs. T r u th is I a m a so u l and I h a v e a b o d y . It w o u ld
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1927

pay to reP ea t th e se t w o sta te m e n ts a fe w th o u s a n d tim es an d th e n

ex a m in e la w a n d p h ilo s o p h y . B u t h a lf an h o u r a fte r I w ill fin d m y s e lf
th in k in g : p e rh a p s th e re m a y b e so m e th in g in so m e o f th ese p h ilo
s o p h i c th e o r ie s o r p o s s ib ly ju s t ic e in a la w c o u r t .

Sex:
1. P u rp o s e fo r th e c o n t in u a tio n o f th e race.
2. C r e a tio n o f a b e in g s e lf-c o n s c io u s and o b je c t iv e ly d e v e lo p e d in
p o in t o f reaso n .
T h is p o w e r (sex) has th e se t w o n atu ral o b je c ts . A m o ra l use o f th is
p o w e r w o u ld b e a lrea d y d ic ta te d b y is c o n fin e m e n t to these t w o f u n c
tion s. T h e L a tin s used th is f o r c e in c in q u e c o n t r a u n o i.e . e ith e r
single o r d o u b le (m u tu al) m a s tu rb a tio n . B u t d e g e n e r a c y o c c u rs in th e
rational in te lle c tu a l c e n te r o r in s tin c tiv e c e n te r . (W ord s o r p h y s ic a l
c o m fo r ts a ltru ism .)
L e n tro h a m sa n in is id e a liz e d c o n scio u sn ess th a t im a g in e s th e tr u t h
can b e a rriv e d at b y ra tio n a l p ro c e ss w it h o u t fe e lin g o r e m o tio n . A
hasnam uss liv e s a c c o r d in g to rea so n w it h o u t a n y e m o tio n a l o b lig a
tio n :
In te lle c tu a l d e v e lo p m e n t = d e g r e e o f 3.
E m o tio n a l d e v e lo p m e n t = d e g r e e o f 1.
In s tin ctiv e d e v e lo p m e n t = d e g r e e o f 3.
G e r m a n y h as carrie d o n th is 3 -1-3 d e v e lo p m e n t. C r a z e fo r im a g i
n ary scien ces. E x p e r ts in in v e n tin g e v e r y p o s s ib le im a g in a r y sc ie n ce .
H e irs o f G r e e k s . A ls o sp o il b o d ie s o f m en as w e l l as th e ir reason .
T h e h u m a n b e in g is a m e c h a n ic a l la b o r a to r y f o r tra n sm u ta tio n o f
ch em icals. T h e y u n d e rg o in u s, b y a pro cess o f m e ta b o lism , e ith e r a
raisin g o r a lo w e r in g o f rates o f v ib ra tio n s o f m a te ria ls taken in t o th e
G e rm a n s in v e n te d v a r io u s c h e m ic a ls sa tk a in e , a n ilin e, c o c a in e ,
a tro p in e an d a liz a rin . S a tk a in e so m e th in g th a t m a k e s y o u c r o a k .
W h a t G e r m a n p h ilo s o p h e r r e a lly m akes y o u c ro a k ? (K e y s e rlin g is
o n e recen t b o o k .) S tein er, F r e u d p s y c h o a n a ly sis is v o o d o o is m
w it h o b sce n e rites and h u m a n sacrifices. D r . P e te rs o n , asso ciate o f
F re u d and J u n g .
T h in k in g is a c h e m ica l o f h ig h vib ra tio n s a n d can d estro y m in d ,
p sy ch e and b o d y . S atk a in e is a h ig h ly rarified gas an d w h e n c o n c e n
trated can b e relea sed in to th e a tm o sp h e re th e re a fte r at w ill.
A n ilin e is a c h e m ic a l c o lo r f o r d y e in g . B u t su b stan ces so c o lo r e d

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e x is t f o r o n ly a s h o rt p e rio d . P r e v io u s ly v e g e ta b le d y e s w e r e used and

a rticles lasted c e n tu rie s .
Q u ic k m ea n s o f e d u c a tio n , s c h o o ls , u n iv e rsitie s, d y es h u m a n
p s y c h e , so f o r a p e r io d it appears t o b e b r ig h tly c o lo r e d b u t at th e age
o f t h ir t y yea rs th e c o lo rs fade.
E v e n g e n u in e p ie ce s o f a n cie n t art are d e stro y e d b y th is a n ilin e. So
w e fin d it d a n g e ro u s to lo o k o n o ld ideas, w h e n t r u e , fo r th e c o lo rs
w e h a ve a cq u ire d d e s tro y th e m .
C o c a in e is e q u iv a le n t o f k u n d a b u ffe r id e a lis m . It m akes us b e
lie v e th at th in g s are as th e y are n o t. T h e th e o r y th a t w it h o u t e ffo rt on
o u r p a rt fu r th e r rea l d e v e lo p m e n t w il l o c c u r is c o c a in e . It in d u ces
fa n ta stic p o te n tia litie s i.e . p r o s p e r o u s im a g in a r y p o te n tia litie s n o t
real.
A tr o p in e p u t in t o th e eyes m a k e s th e m d a rk i.e . y o u appear to
e a rth b e in g s k in d l y and a g re e a b le . G e t tin g o u r s e lv e s lik e d . B u t as
ju d g m e n t s in o th e r s is all m e c h a n ic a l, w e tr y m e c h a n ic a lly to m ake
o u rs e lv e s m e c h a n ic a lly a g reea b le . A ffe c ta tio n o f u n iv e rs a l a m ia b ility
a fte r th e a ge o f f o r t y - f iv e go es.
A liz a r in is c h ie fly e m p lo y e d b y c o n fe c tio n e rs w h o p rep are th e es
sen tia l f o o d f o r th e b e in g s o f th a t p la n e t.
P ro p a g a n d is t p u ts fo r w a r d th is t h e o r y o r w h a t n o t as a ttra c tiv e ly as
p o ssib le . T h e h u m a n c h e m ica l la b o r a t o r y is a id e d b y th ese ch em icals
t o d e g ra d e c h e m ic a ls to a h o r rid d e g re e .

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W e w e r e e n g a g e d in c o n s id e rin g th e p u r p o s e o f th e fifth d escen t. F o r
th e p u rp o se o f o b je c tiv e reason g e n e r a lly b u t s p e c ific a lly to d e te r
m in e w h y th e d u r a tio n o f m a n s lif e is d e cre a s in g . B u t i f w e s tu d y
statistics, w e fin d it in crea sin g . It m a y b e that th e e ffo r t req u ired to
in q u ire in to

to g u e s s is o n e o f th e n ecessa ry e ffo r ts o f th e d e v e lo p

m e n t o f in tu itio n a n d reason . S a y d iv in a tio n , r e a d in g b e tw e e n th e

lines.
It is o b v io u s f r o m m y v ie w th a t h e is n o t r e fe r r in g to p h y sic a l
life b ir th to d e a th , b u t o f e x is te n c e as th r e e -c e n te re d b ein g s. N o t
th e life p e rio d o f m e n b u t o f h u m a n s. M e n cease th in k in g o r ig in a l
l y at th ir ty - fiv e y e a rs , w o m e n at f o r t y years. T h e m a jo r it y o f p e o p le
o v e r f o r t y are o n e - th ir d to t w o - t h ir d s d ea d and m e r e ly s u r v iv e th a n k s
to c ircu m sta n ce s o v e r w h ic h th e y h a v e n o c o n tro l.
B e e lz e b u b s o b je c t in this s ix th d e s c e n t is to o b s e r v e th e to t a lit y o f
th re e -c e n te re d fu n c tio n s . W h a t is th is p r e m a tu r ity o f o ld age in re
ga rd to o n e o r t w o cen ters? H e a ttr ib u te s it to th e a b se n ce o f a ce rta in
e m o tio n a l c r y s ta lliz a tio n that can b e ca lle d o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n c e .
W e w e r e b o rn to k n o w w h y w e w e r e b o rn . T o k n o w w h a t is b e
c o m in g to th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g s . In th is sense w h a t is p ro p e r an d
w h a t is im p r o p e r f o r us as th r e e -c e n te re d b ein g s. I f th a t sh o u ld h a ve
d e v e lo p e d in us w e s h o u ld h a ve h a d a n in fa llib le in d iv id u a l com p ass.
W e sh o u ld h ave an e m o tio n o f p r o p r ie t y and h ave b e e n im p e lle d to an
a p p ro p ria te b e h a v io r . T h e s e w e r e th e n atu ra l c irc u m sta n c e s in w h ic h
w e s h o u ld h ave b e e n b r o u g h t u p . B u t th is cata stro p h e o c c u rr e d . W h a t
i f it h a d not?
W e s h o u ld h a v e th is in n a te sen se o f o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n c e . W e
s h o u ld h ave a im e d at th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f w ill, in d iv id u a lit y and c o n
scio u sn ess i.e . o b je c tiv e rea so n d iv in e reaso n an u n d e rsta n d in g
o f th e m e ch a n ics o f th e u n iv erse.
E v e r y o n e o f u s s h o u ld h ave b e e n c o n s c io u s ly a im in g at th e d e v e l
o p m e n t o f th e s e c o n d an d th ird b o d ie s an d to u n d e rs ta n d th e m e a n
in g and p u rp o se o f w o r ld c re a tio n a n d w o r ld m a in te n a n c e . W e h a ve
lo s t o u r b ir th r ig h t o f w h o le n e s s .
W h a t is th e a b se n c e o f th ese th in g s? D o w e d o o r ca n w e d o? W e
m u s t fin d su b stitu te s fo r all th e se th in g s . So w e h a v e a ll th in g s b y
n a m e o n ly . W e s e e k su b stitu tes b e c a u se w e h ave to . A s b e in g sh a d o w s
w e p u r s u e sh a d o w s.
W e h a ve a co m p a ss b u t th e n e e d le p o in ts at an y a n d a ll p o in ts. H o w
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sh all w e d ire ct th e sh ip ? O n e w a y is as g o o d as a n o th e r . T h in k o f C o
lu m b u s o n th e o p e n sea lo s t co m p a ss in this state. In th e absence
o f th is in s tru m e n t w e h a ve n o sen se o f w h a t d ir e c tio n is life . Y e t w e
are c o m p e lle d t o m o v e to a ct w e m u s t d ecid e. S o w e a g ree to take
th a t co u rs e w h ic h is a g re e d u p o n b y th o s e p e o p le w i t h w h o m w e are
asso ciated . T h is is p ra g m a tism . S in c e w e h ave o n ly s u b je c tiv e criteria
a n d n o o b je c tiv e c r ite r ia w e are d e p e n d e n t u p o n s u g g e s tio n . So w e
fa ll in to e v e r y v a r ie t y o f so p h istry .
C r ite r ia o f v a lu e is a d ap tatio n to e n v ir o n m e n t. T h e w h o l e m o d ern
c o n c e p t o f s o lu tio n rests o n th is, d e s p ite th e k n o w n fa c t th at m a n y
sp ecie s h a ve d isa p p e a re d w h ile p u r s u in g ju s t this c o u rs e . J u n g s w h o le
s y s te m is based o n so s illy a basis th a t it w o n t b ea r o n e m o m e n ts o b
je c t iv e c o n s id e ra tio n . M e ch a n ica l a d a p ta tio n o f an a cc id e n ta l set o f
circ u m sta n c e s f o r c o m fo r t.
S u b s titu tio n o f m ea n s fo r en d . M e a n s te n d to b e o v e r v a lu e d ju s t to
th e d e g re e to w h ic h th e en d is lo s t s ig h t o f.
P h ilo s o p h y is c e r ta in ly search f o r tr u th . B u t w e read S p e n g le r
a n d w e ad m ire h is p ro cesse s his s t y le his w h a tn o t. W e ad m ire the
m ea n s and p a y n o a tte n tio n to th e e n d . W h a t is th e e n d o f law ? J us
tic e . B u t n o w w e are a ll leg alists w e regard th e s u b s titu te en d o f
la w an d th e s u b s titu te en d o f le g a lity , in stea d o f ju s t ic e .
T a k e o u r s p iritu a l fo re fa th e rs th e R o m a n s w h a t is th e natural
fu n c tio n o f s e x fo r th re e -c e n te re d b e in g s ? O n e is f o r p r o c re a tio n and
o n e fo r s e lf-c re a tio n . T h a t is f o r c re a tio n o f b o d ie s . P ro c re a tio n o f
b o d ie s and s e lf-c re a tio n o f e m o tio n a l a n d in te lle c tu a l b o d ie s .
W e h a ve s u b s titu te d th e p le asu re o f th e p u rsu it o f s e x f o r th e sat
is fa c tio n o f its p r o p e r en d . M a s tu r b a tio n o r p la y in g w i t h fo rce s all
th e resu lt o f sp lit p e rs o n a lity .
I f w e h ave th e a p p r o v a l o f th o se w e associate w it h , w e c a n n o t eas
i l y fo r m an im p a rtia l estim ate o f o u r s e lv e s . W e d e p e n d u p o n socialp s y c h o lo g ic a l c rite ria .
S o in th e a b se n ce o f this sp rin g (in d iv id u a lity ) w e e x is t m e ch a n i
c a lly . W e are d e p e n d e n t u p o n th re e sp rin g s w o u n d f r o m w it h o u t and
w h ic h ru n d o w n in d e p e n d e n tly . W e h a v e a fo u r th w h i c h is s e lf-w in d
in g b u t it is n o t u sa b le in us at p re se n t.
H e re are th e e le m e n ts that w in d o u r springs!

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In te lle c tu a l, b y th e in te lle c tu a l c ircu m sta n ce s w e e n c o u n te r.

E m o tio n a l
.

sa m e e m o tio n a l e x p e rie n c e s .

In s tin ctiv e h e a lth , etc.

1. H e r e d it y in g e n e r a l o u r b io lo g ic a lly an cestry .
2. C o n d it io n s

and

e n v ir o n m e n t

at

th e

m om en t

of

concep

tio n p la n e ta ry c o n d itio n s and lo c a l circu m sta n ce s, th e lo c a l terres

trial c o n d itio n s as w e l l as th e a s tr o lo g ic a l p la n e ta ry c o n d itio n s affect
us.
3. L ife o f o u r p a re n ts and p a r tic u la r ly o f o u r m o t h e r d u rin g th e
p e rio d o f g e sta tio n .
4. B e in g m a n ife sta tio n s o f p aren ts o f th e ch ild c o m in g o f a g e d u r
in g th e p e r io d o f m a jo r ity . E ssen tial b e h a v io r as a t o t a l it y d u rin g this
p e rio d .
5. C o r r e s p o n d e n t b e in g m a n ife s ta tio n o r essen tial b e h a v io r o f o t h
er b e in g s w it h w h ic h th e c h ild c o m e s in c o n ta c t d u r in g th e p e rio d o f
m in o rity .
6. T h e g o o d w is h e s o f b ein g s o f th e sam e b lo o d o r tr ib e an o ld
w iv e s tale. Y e t it is rea l an d im p o r ta n t b irth d a y s, e tc . a n d sen d in g
g o o d w ish es.
7. C h a r a c te r o f e ffo r t m a d e b y th e g r o w in g c h ild t o u n d erstan d
w h y h e is a live. W o n d e r . S o m e tim e s th e se q u estio n s ta k e em barrass
in g fo r m s H o w d id I c o m e in to th is w o r ld ? N o t th a t th e y w a n t
sexu al a c c o u n t, b u t r e a lly w a n t to k n o w . A tru e a n s w e r w o u ld be
te llin g a so rt o f fa ir y s to r y w it h an im p lic it a tte m p t t o e x p la in life.
N o t e x p lic it. W e n o w liv e o u t o u r liv e s b u t w e s h o u ld liv e u p .
S o c h ild r e n w e r e in tr o d u c e d in a n c ie n t tim es in to th e p rese n ce o f
sages a n d ce rta in v i v i d p e rso n s so th a t a fte r m a jo r ity t h e y s h o u ld have
the p o te n tia lity o f c e r ta in in te lle c tu a l a n d e m o tio n a l e x p e rie n c e s .
L e t us c o n s id e r w h a t e x p e rie n c e is. It is th e release b y a n e x te rn a l
a g e n c y o f a sp rin g in u s th a t giv es co n s cio u s n e s s o f t h o u g h t o r o f fee lln g o r o f a ctio n . E v e r y o n e o f us has c a p a c ity fo r a c e r ta in q u a n tity

of e m o tio n a l e x p e r ie n c e . T h a n k s t o an
off s l o w l y b u t an a c c id e n t m ig h t k ic k

a ccid e n t it h as b e e n k ick e d
it o f f in a lm o s t n o tim e at

all. S h e ll-s h o c k is an e x a m p le o f th is. T h e sp rin g has b e e n ru n d o w n .

S u ch a o n e has th e c a p a c ity still to a ct as i f e m o tio n w e r e p r e s e n t b u t it
ls lik e a w a tc h in w h ic h th e m a in s p rin g is b ro k e n it w i l l s to p . M o re
ex a m p le s are: R e a d in g to excess, p h a n ta s m fa n c y c u r io s it y w ith o u t

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e n d f o l l o w in g o u r in te re st flir tin g w it h o n e s rea so n th in k in g

w it h o u t en d .
A r t is a n o th e r w a y to ru n d o w n o n e s e m o tio n a l sp rin g . T o pu rsu e
a rt. A c u ra to r is th e m o st c y n ic a l o f b e in g s y e t n o o n e can g o in to
a g a lle r y an d e n c o u n te r w o r k s o f a rt w it h o u t re sp o n se . It is e q u a lly
tru e th at n o o n e can in c e s sa n tly e n c o u n te r th e m w it h o u t in e v ita b ly
lo s in g all c a p a c ity to resp o n d . T h is is tru e o f a ll m e c h a n ic a l responses
M o d e r n art is an o ffs p rin g o f th e a g e d . S o cra te s w a rn e d so m e o n e
th a t t h o u g h th e re w e r e all th e sig n s o f p r e g n a n c y , it m ig h t be m e re ly
a w i n d - e g g .
G r e e k s su b s titu te d th e p le a su re o f reason fo r th e p u rsu it o f tru th .
R o m a n s w e r e resp o n sib le fo r s e x u a l d e p ra v ity a n d f o r sin k in g o f o b
je c t iv e c o n s cie n c e .
E n g la n d is resp o n sib le fo r th e in tr o d u c tio n o f sp o rts and gam es.
W e say to se d u c e a p e rso n in t o d o in g s o m e th in g w e w is h , O h , b e a
s p o r t . W h y is th is phrase c h a r g e d w it h b la ck m a g ic ? W h y w o u ld a
sen sib le p e rs o n r u n a w a y fa ste r fr o m this p h rase th a n h e w o u ld fro m
an in v e rte d cross?
T h e p h rase p la y th e g a m e o r p la y c ric k e t in E n g la n d . O n e says
o f a p o litic ia n th u s and so y e t h e plays c r ic k e t .
E ffo rt w it h o u t o b je c t. E ffo r t w i l l b e m ade, b u t e ffo rt n o t v o lu n
ta r ily m a d e ru n s d o w n th e s p rin g . T h e in d ic tm e n t a gain st sp orts or
g a m es is th a t it in v o lv e s e ffo rt w i t h n o o b je ct.
R e a s o n is fo r th e d is c o v e ry o f tr u th i f n o t so u s e d - - - - . A r t is fo r
th e d is c o v e r y o f b e a u ty i.e . th e d is c o v e ry o f a n d p e rfo rm a n c e o f
o b je c tiv e fu n c tio n in g . T h e a b ilit y to m a k e e ffo rt is g iv e n us as a m eans
fo r th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f w ill. E ffo r t fo r its o w n sa ke is titilla tio n so
in s p o rt, e ffo r t is d ire cte d to w a r d th e p leasu re o f e ffo r t.
E v e r y o n e o f us started w it h th e p o w e r to a c h ie v e w il l, in d iv id u a l
it y , an d c o n s cio u s n e s s, b u t th is p o w e r is b e in g k ic k e d o f f m e ch a n ica l
ly . R e c u r r e n c e fo r th e vast m a jo r it y o f us is a m e r e re p e titio n because
w e h a ve o u r s e lv e s u sed n o n e o f th is p o te n tia l p o w e r .
T h e p o s s ib ility fo r us is to c ea se to b e v ic t im iz e d b y e x te rn a l s tim u
li. T h e a n a lo g y o f a c lo c k . I f th e re is n o r e g u la to r o r i f it is lo o se n e d it
w ill n o t g o t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s b u t o n e h o u r s ix o r a v e r y sh o rt
tim e . In us th e re is a r e g u la to r a n d it can be tig h te n e d so as to e x te n d
a lm o st in d e fin ite ly th e r u n n in g d o w n o f o u r th r e e sp rin gs. W e have
to resist th e m e c h a n ic a l r u n n in g d o w n .
1. T h e in t r o d u c tio n o f th e fu n c t io n o f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n in to p h y s i'
ca l fu n c tio n s d u r in g th is a c t iv it y it w ill w in d a n o t h e r sp rin g. T his
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is th e secret o f t h e m a in te n a n c e o f y o u r a ge. N o t m e r e ly th e ra p e u tic.

W h y liv e lo n g e r ? B e ca u se a s h o rt life is a b s o lu te ly h o s tile to th e en d
o f d e v e lo p in g o b je c tiv e reason . T h is is th e te r r o r o f o u r situ a tio n .
N in e t y years w o u ld b e n ecessa ry fo r d e v e lo p m e n t o f th e seco n d an d
th ird b o d y .
2. Ira n sa m k e ep W e h ave th r e e ce n te rs w o u n d u p t o m a jo r ity an d
tick e d o f f sin ce t o a ce rta in d e g r e e le a v in g c e rta in p a rts o f th e m u n
w o u n d . I k e e p m y s e lf. N o t g iv in g o n e s e lf u p t o th e a sso ciatio n s
arisin g fr o m th e asso ciatio n s o f a n y o n e ce n te r o n ly . N o t to b e a b
so rb e d in th e a sso ciatio n s o f a n y o n e c e n te r at a tim e .

In te lle c tu a l In

th e a sso cia tio n s o f an in t e lle c tu a l re a ctio n

a lo n e y o g i.

E m o tio n a l N o t to b e w h o l l y a b so rb ed in a n y o f th ese: a rt,

lo v e , b e a u ty , r e lig io n .

P h y s ic a l N o t to b e w h o l l y a b so rb e d in : h e a lth , sp o rt, a d v e n

tu re , h o lid a ys, tra v e l.

A b s o r p tio n in o n e c e n te r is to b e a v o id e d b y :
1. B e in g a w are o f y o u r p h y sica l b e h a v io r , an d y o u c a n n o t be w h o l
l y a b so rb ed in a n y o n e c en ter. It p r e v e n ts it.
2. A lw a y s to b e d o in g tw o d iffe r e n t th in g s at th e sa m e tim e. Ig n o r e
th e a d v ice o f s o c ie t y w h ic h says to b e c o m e p r o fic ie n t y o u m u st c o n
cen tra te . It is tr u e y o u w ill b e c o m e p r o fic ie n t b u t y o u w ill a rriv e
also at a sad state o f b e in g a b so rb e d w it h in y o u r s e lf.
I f y o u are e n g a g e d in a rt rea so n . I f in rea so n d o so m e th in g w i t h
y o u r hands.

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O u r o b je c tiv e in h e rita n c e is th at w e s h o u ld k n o w w h y w e are b o rn ,
k n o w it e a r ly in life a n d b e tra in e d t o c a r ry o u t o u r fu n c tio n s . A n i
m als and v e g e ta b le s in th e ir n atu ra l state d o this. P la n ts p r o d u c e seeds
a n d , a lth o u g h th e re m a y be fr u s tra tio n s w h ic h d e la y , th e y d o n o t d i
v e r t th e fu n c tio n . T h e v e g e ta b le w o r ld has grea t p o w e r s o f a d ap tab il
i t y f o r o v e r c o m in g o b sta cle s. T h r e e -c e n te r e d b e in g s h a v e th ree brains
f o r th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f th e g e rm o f o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e , b u t ed u ca
tio n an d e n v ir o n m e n t fr o m b ir th p ress d o w n and b u r y th is g e rm . L ik e
E sau , w e gave u p o u r b ir th r ig h t fo r th e m ess o f p o tta g e o f o rd in a ry
life ; th is is th e m e a n in g o f th e s to r y . W e have n o n atu ra l c rite rio n .
T h e d iffic u lty is in cre a se d b y th e fa c t th a t w e h ave n o a cc u ra te k n o w l
e d g e as to th e o r ig in o r h is to ry o f th e p la n e t, its g e o l o g y o r its races.
W e h a ve s p e c u la tio n s b y scien tists a n d g e o lo g is ts a n d e th n o lo g ists.
C a n a n y o n e re ca ll th e p re c e d in g c iv iliz a tio n s , th e ir s e q u e n c e , etc. and
ca ll h im s e lf th e ir h eir? T h e r e is o n l y a ru m o r th a t c iv iliz a tio n s have
p r e c e d e d o u rs. W e d o n o t ev en k n o w th e ir c u ltu re , a rt o r p h ilo s o p h y ;
m u c h less in h e rit th e se. T h e r e is n o c o n t in u ity o f k n o w le d g e . A s spe
c ies also , w e h a v e n o d ire ct c o n ta c t w i t h o u r o r ig in s . T h e r e are alw ays
r u m o rs o f th e e x is te n c e o f b e in g s w h o h a ve c h a r g e d th e m se lv e s w ith
c o n t in u it y o f k n o w le d g e , co sm ic a n d p la n e ta ry , a se cre t k n o w le d g e .
T h e s e h a ve r e g a rd e d th e m selve s as cu sto d ia n s o f a ra ce. A c c o r d in g to
G u r d jie f f th e re has b e e n sin ce A tla n te a n tim es a c h a in o f in itia te s o r
M a ste rs w h o h a v e c la im e d to h a v e su c h k n o w le d g e .

[O rage says that fo r himself he has never met any such and so has no knowl
edge as to whether there is any such continuity or as to whether such rumors are
or are not true.]
T he book:
W e h ea r o f th e d e c lin e o f B a b y lo n ia n c u ltu re a n d a p a n -scien tific
c o n g re ss. T h e r e w a s a clu b o f th e frie n d s o f th e le g o m o n is m o r the
frie n d s o f tr a d itio n a l cu ltu re ( k n o w le d g e ). M o o r s , C h a ld e a n s and
P y th a g o r a s w e r e m em b e rs. T h e y d e c id e d to a d o p t a n o th e r m eans of
tran sm issio n th a n b y in itia te s b e c a u s e th e y had n o tic e d th a t in th e case
o f w a r , th e b est w e r e th e first sa crifice d and a m o n g th e se w e r e in iti
ates. T h e y d e v is e d m e th o d s o f tr a n s m ittin g k n o w le d g e an d art. T h e y
w is h e d to tra n sm it to re m o te d e scen d a n ts, across p e rio d s o f w a r,
ch a n g e s o f c iv iliz a t io n o r p o s s ib ly e v e n p la n e ta ry u p h ea v a ls. T h e y
w e r e p la n n in g f o r th o u sa n d s o f y e a rs . W h a t m a teria l s h o u ld th e y use.
P a p e r w a s t o o p e rish a b le . B u t th e re w e r e ce rta in w o r k s o f art in to
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w h ic h c o n s cio u s n e s s Had p a r tly e n te r e d

m u sic a n d s o n g , re lig io u s

and social c e r e m o n ie s , a rc h ite c tu re , p a in tin g , r e lig io u s a n d lay d a n cef o r m s and m o v e m e n ts , scu lp tu re, d ra m a . It w as a r g u e d th a t w h e r e v e r

th e re w a s c iv iliz a t io n , th ese o c c u r r e d .
W h a t w e call a rt is as n atu ral t o m e n as b u ild in g n ests to birds.
T h e s e fo rm s are in d ig e n o u s and a b o r ig in a l to h u m a n b e in g s as such .
P y th a g o ra s an d th e rest d id n o t c o u n t these as a n y t h in g u n n atu ral.
A n o th e r th in g : a m a rk e d c h a ra cte ristic is c o n s e rv a tis m a n d tra d itio n .
P y th a g o ra s c o u n t e d th a t an y in n o v a t io n in tro d u c e d b y th e m c o u ld b e
c o u n te d o n to e n d u r e , e .g ., r e lig io u s fo rm s. T h is c o m m itte e p r o
p o sed to in t r o d u c e i n t o cu rren t a rt c e r ta in in n o v a tio n s t o serve later as
a re m in d e r and p e rh a p s a la n g u a g e . T h e y rejected lite r a tu r e n o t o n ly
o n a c c o u n t o f th e p e ris h a b ility o f p a p e r b u t b ecau se lite ra tu re is th e
m o st su b je ctiv e o f a ll th e arts. It d e p e n d s o n la n g u a g e s w h ic h ch a n g e
and d ie. D o y o u k n o w an y a n c ie n t la n g u a g e s n o w ? A l s o literatu re is
a shape o f sh a d o w s. P y th a g o ra s w is h e d to d ep en d o n th in g s . B a b y lo n
at th is tim e w a s th e m e tro p o lita n c i t y o f th e w o r ld ; h a d m u seu m s etc.
T h e r e are t w o ty p e s o f w o r k o f w h i c h w e sh o u ld c a ll art.
1. S u b je c tiv e .
2. O b je c t iv e .
S u b je c tiv e w o r k s o f art are th o s e w h ic h issue f o r se lf-e x p re ssio n .
C o m m o n in m o d e r n a rt, it cla im s th a t th e artist m e r e ly n eeds to d e
lig h t h im s e lf to fin d h im s e lf th e r e a fte r d e lig h tin g o th e r s . T h is art is
related to th e s u b je c t o r p e rso n o r e g o . T h is is in fe r io r to o b je c tiv e
art w h ic h is art d e v o te d to an o b je c t, th e tran sm issio n o f a state o r an
id ea fr o m th e a rtist t o th e b e h o ld e r ; a sp ecies o f c a lc u la te d in flu e n ce ;
n o t in th e sense o f s e lf-e x p re s s io n ; b u t in th e sense o f s e lf-c o n v e y in g ,
e .g . p r im itiv e f o r m o f b e g g in g le tte r s , o r fo r m o n e y o r th ird d e g re e
in w h ic h it is p r o p o s e d to e x e r t u p o n o th e rs an in flu e n c e . T h is is n o t
c o n fin e d to a d v a n ta g e fo r m y s e lf b u t f o r th e m , th is is m a jo r art.
M in o r a rt: s o lilo q u y and m o n e y m a k in g .
M a jo r a rt: e ffo r t o f c o n v e r g in g c e r ta in ideas fo r th e b e n e fit o f th e
b e h o ld e r . E .g . th e B ib le , w it h its p u r p o s e to create a c e r ta in state o f
b e in g in th e rea d er. T h is is n o t f o r th e a d va n ta g e o f th e w r ite r . T h is
c o m m itte e w a s in a p o s itio n to c h o o s e th e b est e x a m p le s o f o b
je c t iv e art. T h e y p ic k e d up th e b e s t e x a m p le s o f n a tu ra l art. T h e y
p r o p o s e d to p r o s t it u te th e grea test w o r k s o f art o f th e ir d a y in o rd er
to w r it e u p o n th e m th e ir o w n d o c tr in e . T h e y d id n o t in te n d to h a rm
th e m b u t o n th e c o n t r a r y to in t r o d u c e a n e w e le m e n t t o m a k e th e m
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more capable o f expressing along side o f the works o f art, certain

ideas.
Consider the difference between what we would consider a perfect
work o f art and a perfect work o f art, when they got them in it. We
say a perfect w ork completely satisfies our sense o f harmony that is
every part o f our sensory, emotional and intellectual being is satisfied,
a harmony o f impressions. From Gurdjieffs point o f view, this ideal
state o f harmony is the last thing to be desired; it is not tranquility but
merely a state o f higher sleep. Because nothing is aroused that caused
disharmony, aesthetic contemplation is a sublime sleep. Conscious
ness is in abeyance.
But the object o f this committee was to make people remember
and not forget. If without injury to a work o f art, they could intro
duce something which would arouse a conscious question, which in
turn might provoke a further curiosity in regard to the work o f art
itself. What is it which fails to satisfy and arouses curiosity? Some
thing strange. N obody says o f Greek art: This is strange; what does
it mean? It completely satisfies, the mind fails. It evokes no curiosity.
But one looks at certain Egyptian frescoes with a feeling o f some
thing strange and wonderful which it means. We cannot despise the
artist o f the work; it is clear he had the technique and was not inferior
to the Greeks as a craftsman. This strangeness in a work otherwise
perfect is a device. It is aimed to disturb and not to please. But for this
is required a work which otherwise would have pleased.
Leonardo da Vinci, when examining ancient art had a question:
W hy with such obvious mastery, did ancient artists make such and
such juxtapositions? Gurdjieff says that Leonardo came near to find
ing the answer. This third form o f art is the only kind to which Gurd
jie ff gives the name o f art.
Summarize: subjective art aims to gratify the artist. Objective art
aims to satisfy the beholder. Conscious art which stimulates the be
holder to question consciousness which creates consciousness. The
committee allotted a day for each variety.
SUNDAY:

M U S IC A N D SONG

We are three-centered but we are not always thinking, feeling and

sensing together. The ordinary w ork o f art happens to stimulate all
three centers. We have no sense o f any interior disharmony. They
introduced a variety o f rhythms calculated to induce in any a v e r a g e
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1 92 7

hearer a variety o f disharmonious responses, e.g. intellect, say, sadneSs; in emotion, jo y ; in instinctive a funeral march. It simultaneous
ly awakes grief, joy, associations o f burial. On hearing such melody,
it is impossible to give it a name; strange beauty (as when a dog hears
a piano and has its centers disharmoniously aroused). A hearer pulled
in two or three directions would find himself uneasy. Instead o f a
higher state, one o f unrest, yet not an unpleasant one because each
0f its components are beautiful. I f these could be heard separately
we would be pleased; but there are three separate rates o f vibration.
Only when there is a conflict within the three centers is there a chance
of reconciliation by a fourth. Art was used to induce in hearers the
necessity o f developing consciousness. We will reduce you by music
to such a state that you will be forced to self-observation to free your
selves from this aesthetic misery.
MONDAY:

RELIGIOUS AND

SOCIAL CEREMONIES

Consider the large number o f religious ceremonies extant. What was

their original purpose? For example the ringing o f a bell at mass. In
troduced in ceremony which preceded Babylonian times, to break a
ritual which might otherwise be soporific and then to arouse to ques
tion, why? Take ceremonies: coronation o f kings, inauguration o f
presidents, masters o f masons etc. antedated Babylon but began to
have new elements introduced. They are nudges to a sleeper, e.g.,
postures are often unnatural, i.e. into which we would not naturally
fall and which is difficult to maintain. They are intended to make the
question, why this, a divergence from the natural. A ll ceremonies
must include this element o f the unnatural and not intended.
TUESDAY:

ARCHITECTURE

Innovations in structure, in interior, e.g. a cupola would naturally rest

n four supports for the distribution o f weight. It was arranged to
have cupola rest on three dissimilar pillars and that part o f the weight
f the cupola should be in itself. In St. Michel this is considered merev an oddity. The Taj Mahal is a classic existing example o f conscious
art- Competent students can read in its construction, the record is
^sde. Form and deviation from form are a language. The interior is a
^ore subtle form o f record, with different volumes o f space. E.g. we
Can consider this room as a series o f volumes o f spaces, one larger, one
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I927

sm aller an d a th ir d b ro k e n w it h b ea m s. I f th ese v o lu m e s w e r e b ro k en
w e c o u ld h a v e a series o f s y m b o ls . B u t e v e r y in t e r io r has a d ifferen t
pressure o f a ir (as in th e s u b w a y w h e n passin g u n d e r th e river). T h e
p ressu re o f a ir in th is r o o m is d iffe r e n t fr o m th a t in a r o o m d iffe re n tly
sh ap ed . It has d iffe re n t a sso ciatio n s. I f w e k n o w w h a t associatio ns
w it h p ressu re o f air, w e c o u ld a rra n g e pressures t o p r o d u c e certain
d esired a sso cia tio n s. T h e p ressu re is d iffe re n t at th e n ave o f a cath ed ral
fr o m th at at th e a ltar. P y th a g o r a s et al. p ro p o s e d t o use a rc h ite c tu re as
o n e w o u ld m u s ic an d so n g to p r o d u c e th is d is tu rb a n c e an d th is q u e ry .
T h e s e a sso cia tio n s are n o t m e r e ly h is to ric as w e are in c lin e d to th in k .
WEDNESDAY:

PAINTING

T h e latest e x a m p le s o f th e in t r o d u c tio n o f d iv e rg e n c e s is in Persia

in th e fo u r te e n t h and fifte e n th ce n tu rie s. A g a in w e h a ve an a g re e
a ble d is h a rm o n y , u sin g c o n t ig u o u s c o lo rs in an u n n a tu ra l w a y . A fte r
se e in g o n e c o lo r th e c o m p le m e n ta r y c o lo r is fo r m e d o n th e retin a o f
th e e y e ; and th is is a n atural se q u e n c e fo r th e e y e . It g iv e s p le asu re fo r
th e ey e to pass fr o m o n e c o lo r to th e c o m p le m e n ta r y o n e th r o u g h
th e sp e c tru m . T h e B a b y lo n ia n s k n o w in g th e e x p e c ta t io n o f th e e y e
p u t n e x t to o n e c o lo r an u n e x p e c te d c o lo r, w h ic h req u ired a c o n
scio u s a d ju s tm e n t. It w as p le a s in g b u t also d is tu r b in g .
THURSDAY:

MOVEMENTS AND RHYTHMS

T h e r h y th m s w e r e o f tw o fo r m s , re lig io u s an d so cia l.
V arieties o f d a n ce o f m o d e r n c iv iliz a tio n :
1. P h y s ica l c e n te r p o p u la r d a n ces o f th e d a y.
2. D a n c e s o f e x p re s s io n Isa d o ra D u n c a n
3. C e r e m o n y rare in m o d e r n tim e
4. R e lig io u s H o p i S n ake D a n c e an in v o c a t io n , b u t o f w h a t?
T h e y h ave fo r g o t t e n . B u t th e re is in tro d u c e d an in v o c a tio n o f a h ig h
er c e n te r in th e d a n ce r h im self.
A m o v e m e n t i f a cc u ra te ly d o n e , w i l l p r o d u c e a c e rta in p s y c h o lo g i
cal state. P o p u la r dan ces w e r e ta k e n and v a ria tio n s in tro d u c e d . W h o
e v e r p ra ctic e d th e m w o u ld e x p e r ie n c e . T h e y e v o k e c e rta in d istu rb in g
c o n tr a r y states. W e c a n n o t fin d a n a m e fo r th e e ffe c t. T h e s e m o v e
m e n ts w e r e n o t d e sig n e d b y G u r d jie ff.

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FRIDAY:

1927

SCULPTURE

R e p re s e n ta tio n o f o r d in a ry fo r m s . M o d e lin g o f im a g in a r y o b je c ts :
sp h in x and A s s y r ia n b u ll. T h e y in tro d u c e d v a r ia tio n in a cc o rd a n ce
w ith a t h e o r y n o w lo st. A c c o r d in g t o this t h e o r y e a c h b o d y w a s c o n
stru cted o n t h e p rin cip a l o f se v e n , so that each fe a tu r e is a m u ltip le o f
seven in s o m e o th e r fea tu re. T h e sa m e is tru e o f its d eta ils. I f o n e fe a
tu re w e re m is s in g w e c o u ld re p la c e it fro m m e a su re m e n ts o f o th e r s ;
a m a th e m a tica l re la tio n . T h e c o m m itte e o f B a b y lo n ia n s fo u n d th is
can on o f sev en ta k e n fo r g ra n te d a n d e m p lo y e d n o o th e r . T h e r e w e r e
n o o d d itie s; e v e n a m o n s tr o s ity w a s created a c c o r d in g to la w and n o t
a cco rd in g to a n id io s y n c r a s y o f th e artist.
Parallel b e t w e e n th e f o r e g o in g an d th e m e t h o d , th ese w o r k s o f
art are u s u a lly d e v is e d fo r th e s tim u la tio n o f h a rm o n io u s im p r e s
sions and d is h a rm o n io u s a sso cia tio n s, to create an im p re ssio n w h ic h
is n e w and m e m o r a b le . F irst, it strik es o n e w i t h su rp rise and th e n
is n ever f o r g o t t e n this is c h a r a c te ris tic o f im p re ssio n s w h ic h rea ch
th e essence. C o n s c io u s w o r k s o f a rt g iv e n e w a n d m e m o r a b le im p r e s
sions to th o se w h o h ad e x p e r ie n c e . A d esig n e d e x p e r ie n c e ; th e o b je c t
o f this is to tr a n s fo r m th e life o f th e b e h o ld e r in t o a w o r k o f art.
It w o u ld in t r o d u c e a v a r ia tio n in t o his n atural b e h a v io r . T h is w o u ld
tend to m a k e h im a c o n s cio u s b e in g and in p r o p o r t io n as h e c o u ld
m ake this s e q u e n tia l and o b je c tiv e w o u ld it e x e m p lif y a w o r k o f art.
T h e c o m m itte e fa ce d th e fa ct o f th e B a b y lo n ia n d e c lin e , a p e rio d o f
d ark ages c o m in g . H o w o v e r th is ch a o s sh o u ld c e r ta in th in g s b e tran s
m itted ? H o w t o tran sm it m e m o r y ?
P arallel: y o u b e c o m e to a c e r ta in d e g re e c o n s c io u s o f c ertain id eas
and certain v a lu e s in tu itio n s o f o b je c tiv e c o n s cio u s n e s s o f c e rta in
ideas and c e r ta in v a lu e s in t u it io n o f o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e , reaso n .
W h y d o th e y n o t rem ain? W h y d o w e fo rg e t? O n e reaso n : w a rs an d
c iv il w ars. W h a t are w ars and c iv il w a rs in us? E m o tio n a l states o f a
n ega tiv e k in d as a result o f c o n t a c t w it h o th e rs o r o f strife b e tw e e n
cen ters. W h a t w e k n e w passes f r o m th e m in d a n d it is p r a c tic a lly im
po ssible to r e c a ll w it h o u t h a v in g re co u rs e to th e o r ig in a l stim u lu s;
o b liv io n o f o u r state. A r t is a c o n s ta n t re -stim u lu s. W e n eed p a rallel
m eans to th e se : m u s ic , a rc h ite c tu r e , e tc ., in o u r o w n c o n d u c t fo r th e
m ain te n a n ce o f c e rta in states, e .g . lik e a m an in tr a in in g fo r a race.
W e have m o m e n ts o f co n s cio u s n e s s and n eed t e c h n iq u e to m a in ta in a
m e m o r y , e .g . I h a v e a b o d y . T h is p a rallel w ill b e m a d e clearer in th e
discu ssion o f d ra m a .

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Y o u w il l r e m e m b e r that last w e e k w e w e r e in th e th ro e s o f a ttem p t
in g to u n d e rsta n d th e effe cts o f o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e in life practi
c a lly . T h a t w e d e c id e d th a t f r o m a sta n d p o in t o f o b je c tiv e co n
s c ie n ce m a n w a s e n title d to u n d e rsta n d th e c o s m o s and his relatio n
to it. S o it is w i t h th e v e g e ta b le k in g d o m . N o t h in g o n e can d o w ill
d iv e r t th e v e g e ta b le fr o m its n a tu ra l g r o w th . N o t h in g w ill d o m o re
th a n arrest its g r o w t h . N o p o ta to w ill b e c o m e an o r a n g e b y g r o w in g
in an o ra n g e g r o v e .
W e h ave n o h is to r y o f th is p la n e t n o real e t h n o lo g y o r h is to ry
o f e v o lu tio n . W e are c u t o f f f r o m o u r p arents b o t h o n earth and in
h e a v e n i.e . E s a u . W e h ave n o k n o w le d g e o f o u r o r ig in s , seq u en ce
o f e v o lu tio n , e tc.
T h e r e are le g e n d s o f m a n y c iv iliz a tio n s th a t h a v e reach ed great
h e ig h ts o f c u lt u r e in th e past b u t w e have n o c o n t in u it y o f h is to ry
w h ic h can b e re lie d u p o n to te ll us a b o u t these.
B u t it is said th e re have b e e n fr o m A tla n te a n tim e s d o w n w a r d an
u n b r o k e n lin e o f in itia te s o r m a sters w h o h a ve p r e s e rv e d a g e n u in e
k n o w le d g e o f th e h is to r y o n th is p la n e t and b e fo r e its d e v e lo p m e n t.
B u t I, f o r o n e , h a v e n eve r k n o w n su ch a o n e.
A t B a b y lo n it w a s p ro p o se d to tran sm it su ch k n o w le d g e th r o u g h
so m e o th e r m e a n s , b ecau se th e m e t h o d o f tra n sm issio n b y in itiates
th r o u g h an o ra l o r w r it te n tr a d itio n w as to o p re c a rio u s . So th e y
c o n fe rr e d to d e c id e u p o n s o m e m ea n s. T h e y d e v is e d a m e th o d and
g a v e it th e n a m e o f a r t. T h e y fo r m e d a c lu b F rie n d s o f L e g o m o n is m P y th a g o r a s , a M o o r a n d a C h a ld e a n w e r e m em b ers.
L e t us su p p o se th at w e h ere in th is r o o m p o ssessed k n o w le d g e ,
v a lu a b le k n o w le d g e , w h ic h w e d e sired to tra n s m it to o u r re m o te
d escen d an ts. W h a t m a terial c o u ld w e list that m ig h t rea so n a b ly be
e x p e c te d to e n d u re ? P ap er w o n t d o it w o n t last. M u s ic and so n g,
r e lig io u s an d so c ia l c e re m o n ie s, a rc h ite c tu re .
P a in tin g , r e lig io u s and la y d a n ces an d m o v e m e n t, scu lp tu re in all
fo r m s and d ra m a . In a ll c iv iliz a tio n s th ese a c tiv itie s ap pear. S o th e y
d e c id e d to in t r o d u c e certain in n o v a tio n s in to th e a rts.
L ite ra tu re is th e m o st re s tricte d an d s u b je c tiv e o f all th e arts. It
d ep en d s u p o n la n g u a g e s w h ic h s o o n disappear. L ite r a tu r e o n ly a
s h a d o w o f a sh a d e sin ce it s u b stitu te s w o r d s f o r th in g s .
T h e y fo u n d t w o ty p e s o f a rt o r w o r k s u b je c tiv e an d o b je c tiv e .
S u b je c tiv e th o s e th at issue f r o m
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cla im th at all an artist n eeds to d o is to d e lig h t h im s e lf and h e n c e

o th ers as h e th in k s . O b je c t iv e th o s e th a t issue b e c a u s e o f th e o b je c t
o u tsid e h im s e lf h e ld b y th e a rtist. I t is c a lcu la te d in flu e n c e .
B e a u tifu l is th a t w h ic h fu lly satisfies that w h ic h s im u lta n e o u s ly
and h a r m o n io u s ly satisfies se n su o u s ly , e m o tio n a lly a n d in te lle c tu a lly ,
j e . it in d u ces a h ig h e r state o f s le e p c a lled a e s th e tic c o n te m p la tio n
o f b e a u ty . M e m o r y o f c o n s cio u s n e s s is in a b e ya n ce.
B u t th e o b je c t o f th ese b e in g s in B a b y lo n w a s th e o p p o s ite to
m ake re m e m b e r. S o th e y d e c id e d t o in tro d u c e e le m e n ts in to w o r k s
o f a rt th at w o u ld cau se th e o b s e r v e r to q u e s tio n , t o ask w h a t is th e re
strange a b o u t th is. E g y p tia n fre s c o e s p r o d u c e o r p r o v o k e this state.
G r e e k art d o e s n o t. T o e v o k e th e q u e s tio n w h y . T h e y p ro p o s e d
n o t o n ly to e v o k e th e q u e s tio n w h y ? b u t to raise a sp ecific series
o f d e fin ite q u e s tio n s in a d e fin ite o rd e r. L e o n a r d o d a V in c i a lm o s t
alo n e a m o n g m o d e r n artists asked w h y w e r e c e r ta in c o lo rs a rra n g e d
in a certain o r d e r a n d ju x ta p o s itio n ? T h a t is, t h e y in tro d u c e d in t o
o th e r w is e h a r m o n io u s w o r k s o f th e a b o v e n a tu re, c e r ta in p r o v o c a tiv e
d istu rb in g e le m e n ts.
SUNDAY M USIC AND SONG

W e are th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g s a n d w e are n o t a lw a y s th in k in g , fe e lin g ,

and sen sin g h a r m o n io u s ly . (S o m e tim e s so e ssen tial th a t w e e x c lu d e
th in k in g and fe e lin g .)
Sam e m e lo d y m ea n s to :
In te lle c t = s o r r o w .
E m o tio n = j o y (h o lid a y).
P h ysica l = fu n e ra l d irg e .
W e are fa m ilia r w it h th e fa ct th a t a d o g m a y b e u n a b le to lie still o r
k eep q u ie t at th e s o u n d o f a p ia n o . It is sim p ly b e c a u s e its tw o c e n te rs
are b e in g d iffe r e n tly stim u la te d . S o it w a s u p o n th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g s
b y th ese m e lo d ie s . G u r d jie f f has w r it t e n m u sic w h i c h in d u ces su ch e f
fects s im u lta n e o u s ly su ch a c o n flic tin g state in th e th re e cen ters th a t
o n ly th e in t r o d u c tio n o f a fo u r t h e le m e n t, i.e . s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , e t c .,
w o u ld m ake th e h e a r in g s a tisfa cto ry .

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S O C I A L C E R E M O N I E S A N D RITES

T h e tin k lin g o f a b e ll in th e m ass is an e x a m p le . O d d it ie s w e r e also in

tr o d u c e d in t o so c ia l ce re m o n ie s, c o ro n a tio n s , c e r e m o n ie s in m a so n ry
e tc.
P riests w e r e in d u c e d to assu m e ce rta in p o s tu r e s ; say in h o ld in g
a lo ft a b o w l, h e w i l l stand in a n u n n a tu ra l p o s itio n o r p o stu re, o n e
y o u n e v e r w o u ld assum e. A l l c e r e m o n ie s m u st in c lu d e an u n n atu ral
o r in te n d e d e le m e n t.
T U E S D A Y ARCHITECTURE, STRUCTURE

A c u p o la i f m a d e b y an y o n e w o u l d b e m ade to rest u p o n fo u r eq u a l
p illars, b u t t h e y are a rran ged th a t it s h o u ld b e s u p p o r te d b y th ree u n
e q u a l, again st th e o r d in a r y tr a d itio n o f g o o d b u ild e rs . St. M ic h e l has
su ch o d d itie s. (See p u b lic lib ra ry .) T h e T aj M a h a l is th e classic e x
a m p le o f c o n s c io u s art b ecau se a c o m p e te n t s tu d e n t can read b y an
e x a c t a lp h a b e t in it th e t e x t o f th e K o ra n . C o m p o s e d o f d iv e rg e n c e
o f a rc h ite c tu ra l fo rm s .
W EDNESDAY INTERIORS

H e r e th e y u se d d iffe r e n t v o lu m e s o f space. It g iv e s th e e y e th e greatest

p le asu re to lo o k at c o lo rs as th e y a p p e a r in th e s p e c tru m . B u t th e y did
n o t f o llo w th is th e y ju s t p u t a c o lo r in w h ic h re q u ir e d a co n scio u s
a d ju stm e n t o f th e ey e.
T H U R S D A Y M O V E M E N T S A N D R H Y T H M S OF
D A N C E S OF R E L I G I O U S A N D S O C I A L N A T U R E

1 . D a n c e s o f p h y s ic a l c e n te r p o p u la r o n es o f to d a y .
2. D a n c e s o f e x p re s sio n . (Isad o ra D u n ca n ).
3. R e lig io u s H o p i In d ian S e r p e n t D a n c e . I n v o c a tio n d an ces. In
v o c a tio n o f o n e s o w n h ig h e r self.
C o n s c io u s a rt is a rt fo r in d u c in g co n scio u sn ess.
F rid a y S c u lp tu re .
S p h in x , A s s y r ia n b u ll. E v e r y t h in g in n atu re, in c lu d in g w h a t w e
ca ll ill sh a p e d is c o n s tru c te d o n th e la w o f se v e n . E v e r y ite m is a
m u ltip le o f sev en . T h e r e are se v e n fea tu res in e v e r y fa c e , each b e a rin g

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a certain m a th e m a tic a l rela tio n t o th e to ta lity . S o th e re w e re in t r o

du ced elem e n ts c o n t r a r y to th e e x p e c te d n atu ra l la w o f n atu re, i.e .
th e la w o f seven .
B e fo re I c o n c lu d e I w o u ld lik e t o m a k e o n e p a ra lle l w it h th e w o r k
w e are a tte m p tin g . A n o v e l im p r e s s io n a rr iv in g f r o m o th e r w is e h a r
m o n io u s im p re ssio n s o f an o b je c t iv e w o r k o f a rt w i l l a c tu a lly h a v e
reached essen ce a m em o ra b le im p re ssio n . So s o m e o n e o b s e r v in g
these w o r k s w o u ld b e c o m e c h a n g e d in so m e p r o p o r t io n a c o n s cio u s
b ein g . C o n s c io u s a rt is a d e sig n e d e x p e r ie n c e to a w a k e n th e o b se rv e r
to co n scio u sn ess. T o a w ak en in h im th e desire to b e in possessio n o f
con sciou sn ess, w i l l an d in d iv id u a lity .
W h y d o w e fin d o u rse lv e s fo r g e ttin g ? F a ilin g t o r e m e m b e r th o se
valu es w h ic h w e a cc e p t here? In h is to ric te rm s b e c a u s e o f w a rs .
T h a t is, n e g a tiv e e m o tio n s to w a r d s o th e rs o r o u r o w n cen ters e n
gaged in a c iv il w a r.
I m a y b e a b le in a ce rta in state t o fo r m u la te c e r ta in ideas an d an
h o u r o r t w o la te r y o u c o u ld sea rch m e fo r an y v e s tig e o f th e ideas.
So w e m u st fin d p arallel m ean s in o u rse lv e s f o r th e m a in te n a n ce o f
these ideas. T r a in in g req u ired f o r p h y sic a l re g im e . W e m u st m a in ta in
a state o f tr a in in g . W e m u st fin d a te c h n iq u e fo r th e m a in te n a n ce o f
o u rselves in a state o f m e m o r y s e lf-r e m e m b e r in g . I h a v e a b o d y I
am a so u l.

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C h i e f fe a tu re . W h a t is essen ce?
W e ll, I o b s e r v e y o u h ave b r o u g h t y o u r b o d ie s th at y o u h ave no
c o n tr o l o v e r th e ir h e ig h t, b e h a v io r , ty p e , h is to r y , p re-n a ta l life , cir
cu m sta n c e o f o u r e m b ry o n ic lif e n o t to a ge th r e e . B u t at th a t tim e
th e m a jo r p a r t o f o u r p h y sica l b o d ie s w e re a lr e a d y d e te rm in e d at age
th re e . Y o u d o n t n eed a m essia h fr o m Sinai t o te ll y o u w h a t y o u al
ready k n o w .
W e are b r o u g h t in to a w o r ld at b irth c o n t a in in g o th e r p e o p le . A t
th a t tim e w e b e g in to r e c e iv e d ire c t co n ta cts h it h e r t o o n ly in d ir e c tly
th r o u g h o u r m o th e rs .
W e are essen tial u p to b ir th an d social a fte r w a r d . E ssence an d per
so n a lity .
W e w e r e n o t b o rn to sp ea k E n g lis h w e w e r e n t carrie d b y o u r
m o th e rs to sp e a k E n g lish la n g u a g e is n o t an essen tial th in g . W e are
sittin g in c h a irs in stead o f s q u a ttin g o n th e f lo o r b y a ccid e n t. B e fo re
b ir th w e w e r e b e in g s n o t f u l l y d e v e lo p e d o f c o u r s e b u t n o t fo rce d
b y s o c io lo g y .
E s s e n tia lly th a t is, in a c c o r d a n c e w it h o u r h e r e d ity and in flu e n ces
at c o n c e p tio n . W e are n in e -te n th s social o r p e r s o n a lity im p o s e d b y
e n v ir o n m e n t.
L io n o r tig e r cu b s, h o w e v e r h ig h ly train ed , w i l l b e c o m e fe ro c io u s
i f p u sh ed b e y o n d a certain p o in t i.e . th e y w ill b e c o m e b io lo g ic a l.
I r e m e m b e r a g r o u p o f t w e lv e p e o p le w h o fla tte re d th e m selve s that
th e y w e r e n a tu r a lly p o lite to e a ch o th e r, R u s s ia n aristo cra ts a ll e x
c e lle n t frie n d s . G u r d jie f f o ffe re d to red u ce th e m to su ch a state th a t he
w o u ld n e e d a r e v o lv e r to k e e p o rd e r.
S o at th e first m e a l th e re w e r e o n l y e le v e n p la te s th e y all fo u g h t p o
lit e ly to b e th e o n e to d ro p o u t . N e x t m eal o n l y te n p lates, th e n n ine
p la tes n o t q u it e so p o lite . E ig h t plates, sev en p la te s d r e w lo ts , six
plates, sam e. F iv e p la tes th e n a rran ge d th a t d in n e r b ell be r u n g at
an u n e x p e c te d h o u r. T h e n a ll ran and th o se w h o c o u ld ru n faster
g ra b b e d a p la te . O n l y fo u r p la tes an d th ere w e r e t w o p e o p le rip p ed
u p . N in t h d a y o n ly th ree p la te s fig h t. O n e p e rs o n o n ly w h o n ever
ru sh ed , p u s h e d , fo u g h t and G u r d j ie f f said h e w a s th e o n ly o n e w ith
n atu ral h u m a n o r h u m a n e essen ce . (H u b b ard has it.)
T h e rea so n n o n e o f us e v e r k n o w each o t h e r ; b ecau se w e n ever
e n c o u n te r e a c h o th e r in m o m e n ts o f d e sp e ra tio n w h e r e p e rh a p s life
and d ea th m a y b e at stake. S h ip w r e c k s , fo r in s ta n c e , a m o n g a p a rty
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o f frien d s is a h o r r ib le affair. O f c o u rs e y o u m a y fin d that y o u are th e

natural s u p e rio r o f all th e c u lt u r e d p e o p le y o u k n o w o r th e o p p o s ite .

T h e t w o sy stem s o f e d u c a tio n in th e w o r ld t o d a y are E astern a n d
W estern. O c c id e n t a l aim s at d e v e lo p m e n t o f p e rs o n a lity . O r ie n t a l
a im s at p r o d u c tio n o f essen tial v a lu e s n o t at u n ifo r m ity .

W a ll S tre e t m a n m a y a d h ere t o c o n v e n tio n a l b u sin ess p ra ctices b u t

e v e n tu a lly h e m a y b e a s h a rk . B u t e d u c a tio n h as d o n e n o th in g f o r
him- In th e E ast y o u w ill fin d a ll essen tial ty p e s f u l l y d e v e lo p e d .
Saints, s to r y te lle r s , liars, m u rd e re rs, y o g is , b a n d it (tiger). T h e r e
he w o n t b e a p p e a r in g in a d ress su it b u t w ill b e a m e m b e r o f a b a n d itgu ild .
T h e East is w r o n g b ecau se it d o e s n t re a lize th e v a lu e o f p e r s o n a l
i t y th e W e s t is w r o n g b e ca u se c o n v e r s e ly it d o e s n o rea lize th e v a lu e
o f essence.
W h e r e is th e s c h o o l o r w h e r e are th e te a ch e rs w h o can te a ch u s si
m u lta n e o u s ly b o t h v a lu e s essen ce and p e r s o n a lity . E ach is b y i t s e l f a
m o n stro sity . A th in g that is n e ith e r East n o r W e s t, y e t it m ay b e b o t h .
T h e first a im o f this m e t h o d is to u n d o o u r O c c id e n ta l p e r s o n
a lity tr a in in g t o b e c o m e essen tial. A t th e m o m e n t o f b ir th a ll o f
us started o n a W es tern caree r. W e m u st g e t b a c k t o th e p o in t w h e n
o u r O c c id e n ta l tra in in g c o m m e n c e d i.e. m o m e n t o f b irth , th e n w e
m u st b e g in a sim u lta n e o u s d e v e lo p m e n t o f e ss e n ce and p e rs o n a lity .
O c cid e n ta ls w i l l say: N o t h in g is e v e r tr u e . W e h a v e th e re fo re t w o
sets o f h a lf-b a k e d id io ts. T h e o n l y w a y w e can e v e r u n d e rstan d th e m
is to c o n s c io u s ly u n le a rn o u r O c c i d e n t a l ------. H o w ? I can p r e s c rib e
the m eans b u t I c a n n o t g iv e y o u th e e n e r g y t o c a r r y o n th e m e t h o d
p rescribed .
W h y d o w e stress this p r in c ip le o f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n ? U n le ss y o u
e m p lo y y o u r s e l f to th e fu lle s t e x t e n t o b s e r v in g y o u r p h ysica l b e h a v
io r and n o t at all b ecau se o f a n y v a lu e in k n o w in g y o u r g e stu re s,
and so fo r t h a tten d a n ce at th e se g ro u p s fo r a th o u s a n d years w o n t
d o m o re th a n g iv e y o u o n e o r t w o m o re id eas t o ru b to g e th e r. B u t
co n stan t e ffo r t at th is fu n d a m e n ta lly u n in te re s tin g task w ill g iv e y o u
th e e n e r g y a n d p o w e r to d o a n y th in g y o u m a y w a n t to d o. P r o b le m
to increase th e lig h t in this r o o m . . .
So th e re are a set o f p e o p le w h o say, s tu d y , a n o th e r says g o to
ch u rch o r e n g a g e in th e arts, a th ir d w h o says e x e r c is e , d iet, etc.
So a m a n , w h o g o es o u t o f th e d o o r to th e m a in w ir e an d tu r n s
m o re c u rr e n t fr o m th e m a in , is c a lle d a m y stic . . . A n d th e p ro fe sso rs
say: S ee, w e h a v e p r o d u c e d m o r e lig h t b y o u r s p le n d id w o r k . B u t

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th e artists c r y , N o , w e d id th is ! A n d th e a sce tics ca ll th e m b o t h liars

and c la im f o r h im s e lf th e c re d it.
B u t th e e le c tr ic ia n w o r k e d o u t c o n s e q u e n c e s b y w o r k in g o n causes
S o i f y o u d o th e w o r k o f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n y o u w i l l fin d th at th e lig h t
in y o u w i l l in crea se.
C a n y o u su stain m e d ita tio n fo r a h a lf an h o u r ? C a n y o u th in k o f
th ree th in g s at o n ce? C a n y o u l o o k at a p ic tu r e f o r th ree seco n d s and
d ra w e v e r y lin e ? C a n y o u m e m o r iz e a h u n d re d lin e s o f p o e t r y in h a lf
an h o u r?
W e ll, o b s e r v e e v e r y d a y as m u c h as y o u c a n q u it e h o n e s tly fo r a
m o n th , th e n t r y a n y th in g o f th is so rt a gain , I w i l l g u a ra n te e th a t y o u
w il l fin d y o u c a n d o p e r c e p tiv e ly m o re and b e tte r.
M a n c a n lif t 150 lb s . t w o w e e k s o f o b s e r v a tio n s h e can lif t 175
lbs. B u t th e d e g re e to w h ic h w e o b se rv e o u r s e lv e s u su a lly w o n t m ake
a v e r y p e r c e p tib le d ifferen ce .
I f y o u w a n t to k n o w h o w a w a k e essen ce is in y o u , it can b e d e te r
m in e d b y th e n u m b e r o f tim e s y o u can o b s e r v e y o u r s e lf. D iv id e y o u r
d a y in to s ix te e n h o u rs i f y o u can o b se rv e o n e - s ix te e n th o f th is tim e
y o u are ra th e r g o o d . I f y o u c a n o b se rv e o n e q u a r te r th e tim e each
d a y y o u c a n d e p e n d rath er d e fin it e ly o n h o w y o u w i l l react in a crisis.
S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n w ill d e v e lo p essen ce. B u t it is e q u a lly u n k n o w n in
th e East a n d in th e W est. P e o p le are so m e tim e s r e d u ce d to essen ce b y
s h o c k b u t u s u a lly leave th e m in san e an d so fo r th . S h e ll-s h o c k fo r
e x a m p le so c ia l/ra cia l/ca ste /cliq u e /p ro fe ss io n = p r e ju d ic e w i l l be
strip p ed o f f b y s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n .
E ssen ce s trip p e d bare o f p e r s o n a lity b y s h e ll-s h o c k , h y ste ria , p a th
o lo g ic a l c o n d itio n s , w ill sp e a k w it h o u t a n y r e g a r d fo r th e e ffe c t. B u t
essen ce r e a ch e d b y s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n w ill n o t a ct lik e that. E ssen ce
k n o w s w h y w e are a liv e, w h a t w e w is h to b e a n d d o .
W a ll S tr e e t m a n and G r e e n w ic h V illa g e m a n are b o th gh o sts. T h e
m a n in G r e e n w ic h V illa g e is m e r e ly o p e n t o t o o m a n y w in d s and
w il l b e b lo w n a b o u t in a ll d ire ctio n s . T h e W a ll S treet m a n m e r e ly
h ap p en s t o h a v e his sails set so th a t o n ly o n e w in d can p e rfe c t h im .
W e are at p re s e n t sailin g v e ssels. S o m e are b lo w n in to v e r y g o o d har
b o rs o th e r s in t o L ap la n d , v e r y b le a k , e tc. A l l sa ilin g is ca lle d lu c k ,
fa te, e t c . b u t it is d u e to th e set o f o u r sails a n d th e p r e v a ilin g w in d s
in o u r n e ig h b o r h o o d . B u t w e can pass to th e a g e o f steam . T h a t is, o f
th e a ge o f w i l l. (T h e In d ian s re g a rd e d steam v e ssels as b e in g possessed
o f th e d e v il.)
B y m ea n s o f th e sam e fo r c e g e n e ra ted b y s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , lig h t ,
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heat and p o w e r n o t o n ly w i l l y o u k n o w w h a t y o u re a lly w a n t to d o

but y o u w ill h a v e th e p o w e r t o d o it.
1 L ig h t t h o u g h t s e lf-u n d e rs ta n d in g .
2. H e a t f e e lin g w is h t o d o s o m e th in g .
3. P o w e r p h y sica l e n e r g y a b ility to d o it.
I u n d e rsta n d w h a t I w is h t o d o and can d o i t now. B u t o u r p re s
ent state = I d o n o t u n d e rsta n d w h a t I w is h t o d o I w is h to d o w h a t
I c an n o t d o I d o n o t a p p ro v e o f w h a t I w is h a n d can d o. A g h o s t in
hell. W e are b o r n in th r e e n o t in tw o . P erh ap s w e are in h e ll and
lost and d a m n e d an d serv e d u p h o t to G o d .
N o t h in g w i l l sa tisfy us b u t su ccess in all th r e e cen ters. S p e c ia liz in g
in o n e c e n te r a c t iv it y w il l n o t sa tisfy us. F irst th in g w e m u s t d o is
s e lf-o b s e rv a tio n an d first t h in g it w ill d o is p r o d u c e h e a t a ro u s e a
w ish to d o s o m e th in g fo r o n e s e lf. Ig n o re y o u r p s y c h o lo g ic a l state,
ju s t o b se rv e y o u r p h ysica l.
B e aw are o f w h a t y o u are d o in g . N o t a p ro p o s a l to a ssem b le
data m e r e ly an ex ercise. W h e n y o u speak as I y o u sp eak as o w n
er o f y o u r b o d y . B u t w h e n y o u sp eak o f w h a t y o u th in k y o u w i l l
be, sp e a k in g o f w h a t y o u r b o d y is th in k in g . I a m asleep a n d i f
I a w ak e I w il l o n ly o b s e r v e th e e x te rn a l b e h a v io r o f m y b o d y .
A s th o u g h y o u w e r e in a c a r and i f it j o g s o v e r a b u m p y o u d o n t
say: M y G o d I j u s t h ad an in h ib itio n b u t i f y o u w e r e a sleep y o u
w o u ld d re a m s o m e th in g o f th e so rt. I f y o u w e r e a w ak e y o u w o u ld
say: W e n t o v e r a b u m p , j o g g e d th e c a r. W i l l y o u t r y to b e c u r
r e n tly a lo n g th e stream o f a w a re o f th ese fiv e th in gs?
Im a g in e a r o o m w it h o u t s u n lig h t b u t g o o d s o il in it. W e d ig it u p ,
get so m e m a n u r e , drain it o r m o is te n it. It g r o w s a little s o m e th in g .
B u t le t in s u n lig h t (se lf-o b se rv a tio n ) and it w i l l c o m m e n c e t o g r o w
w h a t fr o m o u r p o in t o f v i e w is m u c h m o r e d esirab le. C a ll it silly ,
m a g ic, e tc ., b u t it h ap p en s lik e th a t n e ith e r c r itic is m n o r g a r d e n in g .
T h e r o o m m a y b e c o m e an o p e n space.
M o v e m e n ts m e r e ly illu s tra te in b o d ily p o s tu r e and m o v e m e n ts
w h a t o u g h t to b e o u r p s y c h o lo g ic a l w o r k . It is an e n o rm o u s a id to
have so m e sen se o f p h y sica l c o o r d in a tio n f o r p s y c h o lo g ic a l e x e r c is
es; b e fo re y o u can b e g in t o t h in k y o u m u st h a v e so m e th in g t o th in k
a b o u t. B e fo r e y o u can fe e l y o u m u st b e a w are o f fe e lin g b e fo r e y o u
d o e ith e r y o u m u st b e a w are o f stim u li.
S o w e m u s t first in crea se o u r aw aren ess. M e n ta l processes p r e s u p
poses aw aren ess. P re h e n s io n is W h ite h e a d s w o r d fo r that w h ic h o c -

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cu rs b e fo r e it b e c o m e s lo c o m o tiv e , is fe lt o r th o u g h t a b o u t. In tu itio n
is an a ccid e n ta l w o r k in g o f t h o u g h t a n d fe e lin g . W e are lo o k in g fo r
a n o th e r k in d o f in t u itio n .

240

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DRAMA
D ra m a p resu p p o ses k n o w le d g e a n d c o n t r o l o f th e b o d y . I a m a so u l;
I h a ve a b o d y . T h is p ro p o se s th at th e s o u l shall use t h e b o d y . A th ree cen te re d b e in g is d iv id e d in to p a rts:
P la n e ta ry b o d y th r e e b rain s th r e e cen ters. A d iv in e m y s te ry
is asso ciated w it h th is c o n c e p tio n . T h e so u l aspires t o b e th e acto r.
T h e r e is a te c h n iq u e b y w h ic h th e s o u l can m a n ip u la te th e b o d y to
exp ress k n o w le d g e o f , and c o n t r o l o v e r , th e in s tr u m e n t fo r liv in g .
T h is also p re su p p o se s k n o w le d g e o f ty p e s o f p e o p le . T h e n u m b e r o f
ty p e s o f p la n e ta ry b o d ie s is lim ite d . It is th e re fo re n o t h o p eless to e x
p e ct t o a rrive at fin a l c o n c lu s io n s , p e rs o n a l id io s y n c r a s y m a y b e su b
su m ed u n d e r a b o u t tw e n ty -s e v e n ty p e s . T h e a cto r n e v e r acts a lo n e.
It is n ecessa ry to r e c o g n iz e ty p e s . A ls o it p resu p p o ses th a t he has a
c o n c e p tio n o f th e r o le h e is to p la y in o r d e r to fu n c t io n as a so u l; th at
is, h e m u st b e a w a re o f his m issio n , h e m u st k n o w h is rea so n fo r a ct
in g as h e p ro p o se s t o a ct, in c o o p e r a tio n w it h th e w h o l e co sm ic p la n .
It is said th at th e a n c ie n t o c c u lt s c h o o ls used d ra m a as ex ercises fo r
b e h a v io r in life . P u t t in g plays o n to th e stage o f life . T o d a y w e ju s t p u t
plays o n th e stage.
T h e te ach ers h a d t o k n o w :
T h e n atu re o f m a n ; th at he w a s th re e -c e n te re d b u t th a t these c e n
ters a lm o st n e v e r a c te d s im u lta n e o u s ly fr o m all th r e e c e n te rs, v a r y in g
in a ge o f cen ters a c c o r d in g to d e g re e o f e x p e rie n c e . E a c h n e w stim u
lus e v o k e s fo r e a c h c e n te r a p a ra llel resp o n se a c c o r d in g t o d istrib u
tio n o f e x p e rie n c e s a lr e a d y r e c e iv e d . S o w e say, o v e r -in te lle c tu a liz e d ,
o v e r -e m o tio n a liz e d . N o w o v e r is im p o s sib le . W e m e a n u n d e r in
o th e r cen ters, o v e r in t e lle c tu a liz e d m ea n s u n d e r e m o tio n a liz e d .
T h is m akes im p o s s ib le th e p e r c e p tio n o f real d ra m a ; a lw a y s m e lo
d ra m a tic. O d d tria n g le s , a n o n - w h o le v i e w . T e a c h e r s are o n g u a rd
against irre g u la r resp o n se s and w o u l d train to b r in g a b o u t a h a rm o n i
ou s resp o n se, he ca n e v o k e d is c o rd a n t responses (see m u s ic , above).
T y p e s ; th e k n o w le d g e th e y w e r e a fte r is n o t o c c u lt a n d can b e e x
pressed m a th e m a tic a lly relativ e to th e th ree cen ters. O r c o llo q u ia lly :
su p p o se y o u w e r e asked to d ra w u p an a p p ro p ria te s e ttin g , sp eech ,
etc. fo r a m iser. T h is w o u ld b e in a p p ro p r ia te fo r D o n Ju an . M ise r,
f alstaff, H a m le t, M ic a w b e r , etc. S o m e n o v e ls s p e c ia liz e in a f e w ty p e s,
e -g. D ick e n s . E a c h o f us falls in t o t w o in grea te r o r lesse r d eg re e a c241

23 M A Y 1 9 2 7
c o rd in g to id io sy n cra sie s , a t y p e . It is tru e th at f e w o f us m an ifest this
c le a r ly . In th e O c c id e n t e s p e c ia lly , th e ty p e is c o n c e a le d . T h e d iv in a
tio n o f ty p e s b e n e a th th e id io sy n c ra sie s is s o c io lo g y . T h e m e th o d is
p ra ctica l. W e o ft e n say: Y o u h a v e to d o it, to g e t th e feel o f it. P u p ils
are e x p e c te d to t r y th in g s o u t t o fe e l w h a t it is lik e , b e c o m e aw are o f
m a n ife sta tio n s. A b e in g is o n e w h o e x p e rie n c e s.
E x p e r ie n c e s are p h y s io lo g ic a l p rocesses t a k in g p la ce w h e n w e are
n o t aw are. T h e y are ch an g e s o f d ire ctio n o r d iv is io n o f stream s in
o u r b lo o d vessels. T h e s e h a ve p s y c h ic c o u n te r p a rts w h ic h w e call o u r
co n s cio u s n e s s, w h ile in th e p ro c e s s o f e x p e r ie n c in g . S im u lta n e o u s ly
th e re is th e b e h a v io r o f th e m e c h a n is m o f th e m a n ife sta tio n s. M a n i
festa tio n s are th e m ean s o f c o m m u n ic a tio n . S ta g e set: a b e in g u n d e r
g o in g e x p e r ie n c e s ; m a n ife sta tio n s th e o n ly f o r m o f c o m m u n ic a tio n .
M y su b je c tiv e n e v e r b e c o m e s th e s p e c ta to rs o b je c tiv e . H e can see
o n ly m y m a n ife sta tio n s. H e w i l l u n d e rsta n d j u s t in th e p r o p o rtio n in
w h ic h I m a n ife s t sin ce rely .
T e a ch e rs w is h e d to g iv e c o n t r o l so th e p u p il w o u l d n o t ju s t c o n v e y
his e x p e r ie n c in g b u t w h a te v e r h e w a n te d to c o n v e y . A te ch n iq u e o f
in s in c e rity ? Y e s . T h is is a c h a r g e a gain st a c o n s c io u s a cto r. It is an as
s u m p tio n b y th e c ritic th at s p o n ta n e ity , a la c k o f a b ility to c o n tro l
a m a n ife s ta tio n m ean s g re a te r s in ce rity . B u t b e in g u n aw a re o f and
u n a b le to c o n t r o l m a n ife sta tio n s, n in e -te n th s o f his e x p e rie n c e s are
b e y o n d his p e rc e p tio n s and h e n c e n in e -te n th s o f his m an ifestatio n s.
A fr a c tio n a l s in c e rity . A c o n s c io u s a cto r aspires t o b e aw are o f all and
to c h o o s e a n d a rra n g e in r e la tio n to th e ty p e w i t h w h ic h he is d ea l
in g . In o r d e r to d o so he m u s t s o m e tim e s, b u t v e r y rarely, act fro m
o n e c e n te r at a tim e , i.e . p r e s e n te d as a p u r e ly in te lle c tu a l p ro b le m .
T h e te n d e n c y is fo r o th e r c e n te rs to j o i n and d is to r t th e a ctio n o f th e
c e n te r e n g a g e d .
A c to r s h a d t o le a rn to act in o n e c e n te r o r t h e y w o u l d b e o th e r w is e
e x c lu d e d f r o m e ffic ie n t p a r tic ip a tio n in m a n y situ a tio n s. T h e y m u st
also lea rn t o a ct s im u lta n e o u s ly in a ll cen ters. S t. P a u l said, to b e all
th in g s to all m e n . A te c h n iq u e o f p la y in g ro les. M im ic r y is p art o f
th e p la y o f c h ild r e n . A d u lts s in g le o u t m e r e ly a f e w im p u lses lik e ly
to b e s o c io lo g ic a lly v a lu a b le a n d lea v e o th ers w it h o u t d e v e lo p m e n t
(e x c e p t in p a th o lo g ic a l ch an n e ls). G u e s sin g is th e g re e n b lad e o f a
p o w e r w h ic h , i f train ed , w o u ld d e v e lo p in to in t u it io n w it h certain tyC h ild r e n are d is c o u ra g e d f r o m g u e s s in g o r im a g in in g o r te llin g lies.
M o d e r n t h o u g h t is s u ffe rin g f r o m a la c k o f sc ie n tific im a g in a tio n .
M im ic r y is a s e c o n d n e g le c te d fa c u lty . It is p r e s e rv a tiv e o f th e ela stic242

23 m a y 1 9 2 7
i t y o f th e p la n e ta r y b o d y . I f tra in e d it w o u ld g iv e c o n t r o l and m a k e
d r a m a t i c s c h o o l a n d m y steries u n n ecessa ry .

M e th o d :
P u p il a p p e ared o n th e stage a n d a p la y w a s im p r o v is e d . G u r d jie f f
says th at c e rta in o f th e earliest p la y s o f th e G r e e k s w e r e th u s and th e re
is som e te s tim o n y in P la to ; fo r h e re p o rts o n im p r o v is e d plays. T h e r e
m u st b e a c ritic a l a u d ie n c e .
A p u p il o n a sta g e , h e is n o t th in k in g o f p lo t b u t s e lf-in te r ro g a t
in g as to his in n e r state. W h a t im p u ls e d o I fe e l? T o sh o u t? T o g o
ho m e? T o w r it e ? T o speak to a p o lic e m a n ? I d lik e to te ll th e c o p
w h a t I th in k o f h im . C a t c h o n e o f th ese o d d lit t le th o u g h ts as th e y
pass th r o u g h th e m in d . In th e w in g s , p u p ils are n e r v o u s ly w a it in g
w o n d e r in g w h a t r o le th e y w ill b e c a lle d o n to p la y . H e y , p o lic e m a n ,
d o n t y o u see th o s e t w o b u m s fig h tin g ? A n o t h e r p u p il en ters th e
stage, he m u st p la y th e ro le o f th e c o p . H o w w ill h e b eh a ve? In o r d e r
to q u a lify , e v e r y p u p il w e n t a b o u t o b s e r v in g ty p e s an d te ch n iq u e , th e
relatio n b e tw e e n th is s c h o o l an d life . O ld e r p u p ils h a d to p la y rarer
roles. O r ig in o f in t r o d u c tio n in e a rlie r plays o f g o d s . N o t in te n d e d to
rep resen t g o d s b u t m e n in states o f e csta sy (ex-stasis). E ch o es o f b la n k
verse, p o e tr y , s p o k e n in ecstasy. T h e Iliad w a s p e rh a p s d icta te d a n d
rep eated v e r b a lly lo n g b e fo re it w a s w r it te n d o w n . In these ro les th e
a cto r had to p r o d u c e a ctu al m a n ife sta tio n s. In th is sen se, a d ra m a tic
s ch o o l is a tr a in in g -g r o u n d fo r a u n iv e rsa l life . P y th a g o r a s c o m m it
tee in tro d u c e d v a r ia tio n s . W h a t has j u s t b een d e s c r ib e d is n atu ra l a n d
c o u ld d e v e lo p a n y w h e r e . T h e tr o u b a d o u r s w o u ld im p r o v is e o n d e
m a n d P y th a g o r e a n v a ria tio n s:
T h e e n n e a g ra m , a n in e sid ed fig u r e w it h se v e n m a in p o in ts a n d
th ree sides o f a tr ia n g le . T h e b o d y u n d e r th e la w o f se v e n ; th e p s y c h e
u n d e r th e la w o f th re e . T h e I e x p e rie n c e s in th r e e ; th e b o d y m a n i
fests in seven . B u t in th e o c ta v e o f sev en , th e re are t w o se m ito n e s,
n ece ssity o f an e x te r n a l s h o ck . T o m a k e th e m e c h a n ic a l la w o f sev en
c o rre sp o n d e n t t o th e c o n s cio u s la w o f th ree re q u ire s a p s y c h o lo g ic a l
j o l t at th e p r o p e r m o m e n t. C o u n t e r p o in t b e tw e e n e x p e r ie n c in g an d
m a n ifesta tio n . T h e d o tte d tr ia n g le in th e e n n e a g ra m . A m iser is n o t
c o n s cio u s o f his e x p e rie n c e s o r m a n ife sta tio n s. T h e in te n tio n o f th e
sch o o ls is to c o n t r o l e x p e rie n c e s in o rd e r to c o n t r o l m a n ife sta tio n s.
I f w e c o u ld c o n t r o l e x p e rie n c e a n d a ct th r o u g h th e se m ito n e to g iv e
m an ifestatio n s a d iffe re n t tu rn , w e c o u ld in d ic a te c o n s cio u s a c tio n .
F irst ; an a cto r h a d to pass a test o f p la y in g roles. T h e n h e w as a llo w e d
to ta k e part in th e se co n d fo r m : i.e . m ysteries.

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T h e d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n th e se m y ste rie s and a p la y in gen eral:
In tr o d u c tio n in th e m y s te r y o f th e se m ito n e in th e o cta v e . P y
th a g o re a n s w e r e scien tific m y s te r y creato rs. E .g . a p o lic e m a n o n som e
c ritic a l o c c a s io n , w h e n m a n ife s ta tio n w as e x p e c te d , w o u ld act differ
e n t ly in d ic a tin g th a t he w a s o n l y a p o lic e m a n b y r o le b u t n o t b o u n d
to b e a p o lic e m a n . H e c o u ld in t r o d u c e an o r ig in a l a c t, n o t d ete rm in ed
b y th e ro le o r n a tu re. In m y s te r y is th e e x tr a o r d in a r y .
B e g in b y in d u c in g in th e s p e c ta to rs an a n tic ip a tio n ; b u t th e n the
a c to r b e c a m e h im s e lf and illu s tra te d w h a t th e c o n s c io u s so u l w o u ld
d o u n d e r th e se circu m sta n ces. T h e sp ecta to r m ig h t b e ch a lle n g e d at
a n y m o m e n t, c o n c e n tr a tio n a n d s e lf-in te r ro g a tio n . It c o u ld n o t be
said th at th e a c t o r b ro k e d o w n ; h e h ad p r o v e d h e c o u ld p la y th e role
p e r fe c t ly . T h e sp e c ta to r w a s p r o v o k e d to say W h y ? T h e q u estio n
le d to th e a n tic ip a tio n o f s o m e th in g co n c e a le d o f v a lu e to th e sp ecta
to r.
T h ir d fo r m : life . H e re th e p u p il w a s e x p e c te d t o ta k e a n y situ a tio n
an d p la y w i t h u n c o n s c io u s a c to rs b u t so that h e c o u ld b e u n d e rsto o d .
T h e C h r is t ia n M y s te r y w a s reh ea rsed first in o c c u lt sch o o ls, th en
reh ea rsed b y th e Essenes. T h e n it w a s p la y e d h is to r ic a lly , to affect
th o u g h t, fe e lin g a n d c o n d u c t th r o u g h m a n y g e n e ra tio n s.
It is p o s s ib le th e C h ris tia n m y s te r y w as th e fin a l o u t c o m e o f these
B a b y lo n ia n s c h o o ls . It is lo g ic a l w h e t h e r th e re is h is to ric a l c o n tin u
i t y o r n o t. S e e F ra g m e n ts o f a F a ith F o r g o t te n a n d see h o w Jesus
tra in ed his p u p ils to d a n ce, p la y ro les etc. J u d as m a y b e said to have
h a d to p la y a m o s t d ifficu lt r o le , ce rta in to b e m is u n d e rs to o d ; and
lik e th e v illa in o n th e stage t o b e h issed b y a n a iv e a u d ie n ce. P la y in g
ro les assum es a k n o w le d g e o f o u r m a n ife sta tio n s, n o t c ritic a lly but
in s tr u c tio n a lly (so c io lo g ic a l im p r o v e m e n t is a n e g lig ib le o b je c t fo r
th e soul). I f y o u t r y to p la y u p m e r e ly to im p r o v e fo r social p raise, it
is little ; b u t i f th is is re g a rd e d d iv in e ly , y o u le a rn w h a t y o u are and
h o w to use it.
F irst class o f d ra m a tic s c h o o l.
S e c o n d class, ty p e s . R e v i e w p ic to r ia lly p e o p le I h ave m et. I w ill
fin d th e y fa ll in t o t w o g r o u p s ; th e n s tu d y th e se ty p e s in a ctio n .
T h ir d s ta g e ; b e g in s in p a n to m im e .
F o u r th : In te r v e n e in ro le , e ith e r fo r p e rso n a l d e v e lo p m e n t o r to
c o n v e y s o m e th in g im p o r ta n t to th e s p e cta to r a sig n ifica n t act. T h e
life o f C h r is t w a s n o t th e life o f Jesus. B e fo re a n d a fte r Jesus th e d iv in e
m issio n w a s c o n s c io u s ly C h r is t .

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(O ra g e has seen G u r d jie ff p la y ro le s w h ic h f e w w o u ld co n d e sce n d
to , d e c e iv in g e v e n his in tim a te s.)
W hat is le ft o f th e P y th a g o r e a n c o n c e p t o f th e dram a?
C o n tra s t a n c ie n t d ra m a w i t h th e m o d e r n th e a te r. T h e m o d e r n has
tw o p u rp o ses:
A m u s e m e n t, p ro p a g a n d a o r e d u c a tio n . (Ibsen , S h a w , G a ls w o rth y .)
N o t as m y s te r y , w h ic h is im p o s s ib le b ecau se it re q u ires c o n s cio u s
actors. O u r a c to rs im ita te n o t f r o m w ith in b u t f r o m w it h o u t . T h e y
m e re ly p r o d u c e an illu s io n in th e sp ecta to r, w h e r e a s th e a n cie n t a c
tors had illu s io n an d also e la s tic ity .
T h e s p e c ta to r is n e v e r c h a lle n g e d ; h e is m e r e ly stim u la te d to r e c a ll
p r e v io u s ly r e c o rd e d e x p e rie n c e . P ic to ria l a sso cia tio n s are p r o v o k e d
sy m p a th iz in g w i t h h im s e lf. T h e dram a to d a y is n o t an e x p e r ie n c e
b u t a r e -e x p e r ie n c e titilla tio n . It is n o t an in flu x o f n e w m a teria l b u t
a stim u lu s w h ic h sets o ld m a te ria l in m o tio n . It is e v o c a tiv e an d n o t
rep rese n ta tiv e, p r o c re a tiv e b u t n o t cre a tiv e , its e ffe c t is th e in te n s ific a
tio n o f th e m e c h a n ic a lity o f b o t h a c to r and sp e c ta to r.
T h e sh ip w a s n o w n e a rin g th e p la n e t w h e r e B e e lz e b u b w a s g o in g
o n a m issio n . H is h o o fs m o v in g o n th e su rface o f th e d e c k e v o k e d
p h o sp h o re sce n ce th u s in d ic a tin g th e y w e r e n e a r in g a p la n e t. C o m
in g w it h in th e m a g n e tic c e n te r o f th e p la n e t. T h e y b ega n to m a k e
prep aration s t o lan d .
E nd o f first v o lu m e . L a te r v o lu m e s w ill d ea l w i t h m a tter o n th is
and o n o th e r p la n e ts.

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T h e d ra m a o f t h e life and c r u c ifix io n o f C h r is t . It is p o ssib le th a t this
e v e n t w a s th e fin a l o u tc o m e o f th e B a b y lo n s c h o o ls . Jesus train ed h is
d iscip les in d a n c in g , p la y in g o f ro le s and o th e r th in g s , ta u g h t b y the
B a b y lo n ia n s . J u d a s w o u ld h a v e b e e n th e m o s t d iffic u lt ro le. P la y in
ro les im p lie s k n o w le d g e o f o u r o w n m a n ife s ta tio n s I w is h to k n o w
m y m a n ife s ta tio n s n o t to c h a n g e th e m fo r th e b e tte r.
W e ru n th e ris k o f s u b s titu tin g s o c io lo g ic a l a p p r o v a l fo r o b je c
tiv e a p p ro v a l. W e m u st t r y t o see o u r m a n ife sta tio n s d iv in e ly . T h e
first class in su c h a dram a s c h o o l w o u ld be p la y in g ro les, th e seco n d
w o u ld b e k n o w le d g e o f ty p e s . T h e s e ty p e s w i l l fa ll in to g ro u p s n a tu
r a lly th r o u g h im p a rtia l stu d y . T h e n y o u w o u ld le a rn h o w to a ct as a
ty p e . T h e th ir d class w o u ld b e in p a n to m im e . Y o u w o u ld be req u ired
to c o n v e y w it h o u t w o rd s to an a u d ie n ce y o u r in t e r io r state. A test
w o u ld b e to t r y to d e c e iv e an in t e llig e n t a u d ie n c e . S u ch a train ed a u
d ie n ce w o u ld a cq u ire a g e n u in e c la irv o y a n c e . Y o u w o u ld a cq u ire the
a b ility to c h a n g e y o u r ro le at w i l l e ith e r fo r th e p u r p o s e o f d e v e lo p
in g c o n s cio u s n e s s o r fo r so m e re a l p u rp o se .
G u r d jie f f g a v e a d in n e r t o ld d ir t y sto ries firs t his gu ests h ad at
titu d e h e w a s k id d in g th e m la te r th e A r c h b is h o p b e c a m e c o n v in c e d
th at h e r e a lly lik e d such sto rie s so h e to ld o n e h im s e lf. T h e n a n o th e r
e t c . fin a lly G u r d jie f f y a w n e d a n d sto p p e d th e m . H e said: See he is
n o t ju s t p r ie s t in s id e . H e w a s a d o p te d b y a p r ie s t b r o u g h t u p to g o
in t o c h u r c h has n o an y real p rie stlin e ss in h im .
M o d e r n th e a tre ex ists fo r t w o reasons p le a s u re and p ro p ag an d a
(S h aw ). N o n e are u sed as a m y s t e r y b ecau se th e r e are n o au d ien ces
fo r it. G u r d j ie f f says e v e r y a c t o r to d a y acts f r o m w it h o u t n o t fr o m
w ith in . H e says th e sp e cta to r is n e v e r c h a lle n g e d b y a n y u n e x p e c te d
m a n ife s ta tio n o f an a cto r in c h a ra cte r. T h e d ra m a to d a y is n o t an e x
p e rie n c e b u t a r e -e x p e rie n c e . G u r d j ie f f calls it f ilia t io n b ecau se th e re
are n o n e w in f lu x in to o n e s c e n te r s b u t o n ly a sso cia tio n s. It p r o c r e
ates b u t d o e s n o t create. It in d u c e s b u t do es n o t p r o d u c e states.
P h o s p h o ro u s in th e a tm o s p h e re n o te d o n th e sh ip K a r n a k has ap
p ro a ch e d its o w n p la n e t. C o n v e r s a tio n ceases. B o o k o n e ends.
R e s p o n s ib ilitie s p o ssib ilities .
S o u l is a c t o r b o d y is m e d iu m th r o u g h w h ic h it acts.
P la n e ta ry b o d y

th ree b rain s. D ra m a o f life is th e use to w h ic h the

b o d y can b e p u t b y th e so u l. E v e r y so u l can b e c o m e an a cto r:

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A c q u ir in g k n o w le d g e an d c o n t r o l o f its m e d iu m , le a rn in g t o
m anipulate it in a n y fo r m o f e x p re s s io n .
2 . A so u l m u s t h a v e k n o w le d g e an d u n d e rs ta n d in g o f ty p e s o f b e
in g5 s lik e ly to e n c o u n te r th e n u m b e r o f ty p e s is lim ite d ( tw e n t y seven) and so e x p e r ie n c e an d u n d e rs ta n d in g o f ty p e s w o u ld e n a b le
one to deal w i t h th e m and to h a n d le th e m .
3. N e c e s s a ry t o so u l as a c to r is so m e c o n c e p t io n o f ro le it m u s t
la y in re la tio n t o o b je c t fo r w h ic h it ex ists, i.e . m u s t h a ve a d e g re e o f
ob jective c o n s c ie n c e and o f o b je c tiv e reason. In a n c ie n t sch o o ls o f o c
cultism , d ra m a w a s e m p lo y e d as a series o f e x e rc ise s f o r p la y in g ro le s
in life. T e a ch e rs h a d to b e fa m ilia r w it h n atu re o f m a n .
M a n is a th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g , a c t in g u n -s im u lta n e o u s ly .
W e v a r y in b e h a v io r o f ce n te rs a c c o r d in g to d e g re e s o f e x p e r ie n c e
w e h ave had in e a c h c en ter. E v e r y stim u lu s v a ries a c c o r d in g to e x p e r i
ence w e h a ve h a d in th at c en ter.
O v e r in t e lle c tu a liz in g is im p o s s ib le m ean s u n d e r e m o tio n a liz
in g and so w it h o th e r cen ters. W e a re irre g u la r tria n g le s . A lw a y s o n e
cen ter in us is m o r e d e v e lo p e d th a n th e o th e r t w o . T h is m akes m e lo
dram a o u r so le e x p e r ie n c e . T h a n k s to o u r e d u c a tio n , th is p re d e cis io n
to take a n o n -d r a m a tic , n o n - w h o le v i e w o f life h as b e c o m e a p s e u d o
n on-essen tial. A n c ie n t dram a in d u c e d th r e e fo ld h a r m o n iz a tio n . It is
possible to e v o k e d isco rd a n t resp o n se s fr o m sa m e in d iv id u a ls w h e n
the sam e sp e c ta c le is p rese n ted .
T h e n u m b e r o f p e o p le y o u h a v e m e t i f y o u r e c a ll th e m p ic t o r ia lly w ill illu s tra te all ty p e s. Y o u ca n c h a ra cte riz e th e m 3 -1-3 , 3 _I_2>
etc. O th e r m e t h o d as m iser, D o n J u a n , H a m le t, F a lsta ff, M ic a w b e r ,
etc. T h e r e are o n l y t w e n ty - s e v e n o f these. T h is is th e fr a m e w o r k f o r
k n o w le d g e o f m a n k in d . T h e r e b u t f o r th e g ra ce o f G o d . . .
S o c io lo g y is th e o n ly rea so n o u r ty p e is ap t to b e co n c e a le d . B y
p la y in g ro les in d ra m a y o u b e c o m e fa m ilia r w it h ty p e s .
A b e in g is o n e w h o e x p e rie n c e s . A t an y m o m e n t s o m e th in g is h a p
p e n in g to us p s y c h o lo g ic a lly . T h e r e are p s y c h ic c o u n te r p a rts to o u r
ph ysical states. T h is is e x p e r ie n c in g . Im a g in e y o u r s e l f to be seated in a
ro o m b e in g u n a w a re th at y o u r e x p e r ie n c in g s are b e in g m a d e m a n ife st
in a c a r to o n . E x p e r ie n c in g = m a n ife sta tio n s. M a n ife s ta tio n s are th e
o n ly m eans b y w h ic h sp ectato rs b e c o m e aw are o f o n e s e x p e rie n c in g s .
A r t o f d ra m a to b e able t o p r o d u c e th e e ffe ct o f m a n ife sta tio n s as
i f th e y w e r e th e re su lt o f e x p e r ie n c in g s .

Inability to control manifestations is real sincerity. One who being

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u n a b le to c o n t r o l th e m a n n er o f his m a n ife sta tio n s, selects fr o m hi

e x p e rie n c e s o n e e le m e n t, th e n cla im s h e is sin ce re. A c t o r is first a w .(r'>
o f m a n ife sta tio n s, th en ad ap ts th e m to his m ean s.
N e v e r d o w e a ct in o n e c e n te r at a tim e. It s h o u ld b e po ssible to
act in th ree c e n te r s s im u lta n e o u s ly . T h is w o u ld m a k e it po ssible to
resp o n d to a ll ty p e s , to a d ap t to e v e r y in d iv id u a l.
M im ic r y a fin e ga m e o f c h ild h o o d w h ic h w e sq u elch . Guessin
o f c h ild re n is s im p ly g ree n b la d e w h ic h w o u ld e v o lv e in to in tu itio n
w i t h c e r ta in ty i f it w e r e n o t d is c o u ra g e d . W e a re su ffe rin g

from the

d e fe c t o f sc ie n tific a ttitu d e , w h ic h d isco u ra g e s g u e ssin g , ly in g or

m im ic r y o f c h ild r e n . M im ic r y o f c h ild ren i f tr a in e d w o u ld d ev elo p
in t o p o w e r o f c o n t r o llin g m a n ife sta tio n s. W e h a v e to w o r k to recover
w h a t s h o u ld h a v e b een o u r b ir th r ig h t .
C r itic a l a u d ie n c e in fr o n t p u p il o n sta ge d ire c te d to e n g a g e in
s e lf-in te r r o g a tio n in regard to th is first im p u lse . C a n h e d o this? W h a t
d o e s he o r y o u fe e l im p e lle d to d o ? P u p ils first id e a m ig h t b e : I d like
to g iv e th at p o lic e m a n a p ie c e o f m y m in d . H e th e re fo re lo o k s in to
th e w in g s . W o u ld say: H e y ! W h a t y o u d o in g ? C a n t y o u see these
p e o p le o v e r th e re q u a rre lin g ? th e n p la y is b e g u n . F e llo w addressed
m u st b e h a v e as a p o lic e m a n m u s t c a r ry illu s io n n e x t so ld ier and
th e n c o b b le r e tc . H e had to b e a b le to resp o n d w i t h a n y te ch n iq u e .
T h is w a s basis o f th e o ld G r e e k p la y s. D ra m a tic s c h o o l o f th o se days
w a s tra in in g f o r u n iv ersa l life . I t s p o ssib le th a t g r o u p s h ere in A m e r
ic a m ig h t d o lik e w is e .
E n n e a g ra m . T h e w h o le o f o u r b o d y is u n d e r th e la w o f seven.
P sych e u n d e r th e la w o f th ree . In th e o cta v e th e re are t w o sem itones.
M e c h a n ic a l la w o f seven w ill b e p e r fe c t ly fu lfille d o n ly w h e n th e la w
o f th ree n ecessita tes in t e r v e n tio n at certain c ritic a l p o in ts .
E v e r y o n e o f us is a c h a n n e l t h r o u g h w h ic h t w o stream s are pass
in g e x p e r ie n c in g (law o f th re e ) and m a n ife s tin g (la w o f seven).
E x p e r ie n c in g t h in k , feel an d d o . T h e s e are n o t u n d e r o u r co n tro l
n o w . I f w e c o u ld c o n tro l th e m o u r m a n ife sta tio n s w o u ld in d icate
c o n s cio u s acts, (and c o n s cio u s art). A c to r s h ad to pass th e test o f a ct
in g a c c o r d in g to a n y ty p e , b e fo r e b e in g a llo w e d to pass to m y ste ry .
M y s te r y d iffe r e d fr o m o r d in a r y p la y b y in t r o d u c t io n o f sem iton es
in to th e o r d in a r y o cta v e . T h is w a s d o n e so: th e p o lic e m a n a fo re m e n
tio n e d w o u ld o c c a s io n a lly m a n ife s t his a b ility to re g u la te his c o n d u c t
o n o c c a sio n b y in t r o d u c in g an a ct d e te rm in e d b y h is o w n so u l and n o t
b y th e ro le o r a n y im ita tio n .
T h e d e s ig n f o r th e sp e cta to r w a s to in d u c e th e e x p e c ta t io n o f n o r248

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malit y and th e n fo r th e a cto r t o c h a n g e fr o m a c t in g a ro le to a c tin g

aS a c o n s cio u s b e in g . T h is r e q u ire d a te rrific d e g re e o f p e rc e p tio n b y
sp ectator and q u e s tio n in g .
V o n e s so u l h a d a lr e a d y all th is k n o w le d g e b u t it is in a cce ssib le . B u t
i f w e p o n d e r th e m a te ria l a lre a d y g iv e n to us w e w i l l g r a d u a lly b e g in
to see lig h t.

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H e re is a p a ra lle l w it h th e B ib le in th at it o p e n s w i t h c o s m o lo g y an(j
c o s m o g o n y , an a c c o u n t o f th e w o r ld and w h y . It p ro ce e d s th r o u g h a
series o f s e m i-h is to ric a l e p iso d e s in te r w o v e n w i t h m y th s in to

which

e v e n tu a lly c o m e cle ar th e m a jo r and m in o r p r o p h e ts . T h e rea d er is

e x p e c te d to b e c o m e aw are o f d u t y to G o d . C o m p a r e w it h A sh ia ta
A f t e r th e o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n c e is a w ak en ed c o m e s th e N e w T e sta
m e n t, w h ic h is th e m e th o d , ta u g h t b y in d iv id u a ls . O b je c t iv e reason
a fte r o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n ce . P ro c e e d s b y in s tr u c tio n s assu m in g the
m e th o d . It c u lm in a te s in th e e le v a tio n o f th e p e rs o n a l n atu re in the
m o st d ilig e n t o f d iscip lin es.
T h u s th e B ib le m a y b e c o n s id e re d as a d ra m a , an o b je c tiv e w o r k
o f art. G u r d jie fF s b o o k is p e rh a p s a b ib le fo r th e fu tu r e . (A t a n y rate
O r a g e th in k s G u r d jie f f had s o m e su ch p u rp o se in m in d .)
Sh ips: M e th o d s o f c o m m u n ic a tio n w ith in th e in d iv id u a l, h o w to
g o to p la ces a n d fin d fo r g o t t e n th in g s . W e are a ls o a m e g a lo co sm o s
w i t h u n k n o w n p arts sp a tia lly d is ta n t; tim e an d d ista n ce . C o s m o lo g y
is a c o n c r e te p s y c h o lo g y .
O ld T e s ta m e n t a ctu alities.
N e w T e s ta m e n t p o te n tia litie s .
G u r d jie fF s w o r k has t e x t , m u s ic and e x e rc ise s. It is a c o m p le te
m e th o d .

F irst p h a se : s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , p a r ticip a tio n , e x p e r im e n t.

S e c o n d p h a se : v o lu n ta r y s u ffe rin g .

T h ir d p h a se : c o n s cio u s la b o r.

T h e th esis o f t h e b o o k is th a t w e as h u m a n b e in g s suffer and lab o r.

T h is is o b lig a t o r y a lth o u g h at tim e s so d is tr ib u te d th a t so m e seem to
escap e; b u t th e to t a l ta x is th e sa m e, t w o th o u s a n d m illio n p e o p le a n
n u a lly y ie ld th is ta x . T h e p u r p o s e o f r e lig io u s r e fo rm e rs is to s h o w
h o w th is ta x o f su ffe rin g in a d d itio n to b e in g p a id can b e tu r n e d to
use. T h e r e is n o id ea that it can b e lifte d . (S to ries at tim es o f task m as
ters w h o h a v e ta k e n to o la r g e a share.) B u t a p e rs o n a l a d v a n ta g e m a y
b e d e r iv e d :

F ro m v o lu n t a r y su ffe rin g m a y c o m e consciousness.

F r o m c o n s c io u s lab o r, will.

F ro m s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , p a r tic ip a tio n and e x p e r im e n t, individual

ity.

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1927

B u d d h a s d isc ip le s w it h in o n e g e n e ra tio n fe ll in t o th e e r ro r o f
th in k in g th a t th e y c o u ld su rp rise c o n scio u sn ess in o th e r th an n o r m a l
circu m sta n ces. T h is resu lted in T ib e t.
C h a p te r o n A p e s : A n ape is a c a rica tu re o f a th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g .
A n e x p e r im e n t to see w h e t h e r m a n can be m a d e t o b eh a ve n o r m a lly .
V isit to E g y p t : A scien tific th e o c r a c y . D is tr ib u tio n o f te m p les, s c h o o l
etc. a c c o r d in g t o h u m a n p a tte rn s, o rga n s w it h p h y s io lo g ic an d p s y
ch ic fu n c tio n s o v e r th e w h o le c o u n t r y . It is p o s s ib le to g o to a sp o t
and say h ere w a s a te m p le , a s c h o o l and ex c a v a te
F ifth d e sc e n t: A n ep ic e v e n t. W h ic h e v e n ts o n th e p la n e t sta n d
o u t fo r m e p e r s o n a lly , real o r im a g in a r y ? (E ffe c t o n O r a g e w h e n at
age o f fifte e n h e read P la t o s a c c o u n t o f th e d e a th o f So crates, w a s
p ro fu se w e e p in g .) W e d o n o t k n o w w h e r e w e are. W e m a y b e l y in g
asleep o n an isla n d o f th e S u n A b s o lu te . S p ace a n d tim e are p s y c h o
lo g ic a l. E x p e r ie n c e m a y be se c o n d h a n d in t u itio n a n d d iv in e m e a n in g
o f dream s. T h is is h is to r ic a lly u n im p o r ta n t. W h a t is im p o r ta n t is its
effect o n us. A n o b je c tiv e tr u th b e c o m e s a s u b je c tiv e fa ct.
H a m a lin a d ir n o p e rso n a l k e y .
W e are s p e c u la tiv e in re g a rd t o th e n atu re o f th e w o r ld , o u r f u n c
tio n etc. O u r rea so n , o b je c tiv e reaso n , d iv in e rea so n . H a m a lin a d ir
still th o u g h t th a t t w o tim es t w o w a s fo u r.
A sh ia ta s s tu d y o f h u m a n n a tu re finds d iv in e fo r c e s o f fa ith , h o p e
and lo v e d e g e n e ra te d th r o u g h a sso ciatio n w i t h p u r e ly m e c h a n ic a l
m ea n in gs. R e a s o n in g h ad also n o u se. A p p e a l t o o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e
and m e m o r ie s o f c h ild h o o d . P la to n ic d o c tr in e o f r e c o lle c tio n , a n a m
nesis. A lr e a d y k n o w b u t m u st b e rem in d ed . H e n c e Socrates in t e r r o
gates and d o e s n o t state. D ia le c tic d e v e lo p e d in th is . T h e resu lt o f th e
w o r k o f A s h ia ta w a s a p la n e ta ry c u ltu re . A t p re s e t B ab el, la b o r in g f o r
a c o s m o p o lita n c u ltu re , a b e l i e f th a t b y in t r o d u c in g e n o u g h d iffe r e n t
lan gu a g es an d c u ltu r e and v a lu e s , w e w ill fin d a v a lu e . R u lin g classes
n o t in a g r e e m e n t; n o t w o r k in g to w a r d th e sa m e a im . I f so th e e ffe c t
o n in s titu tio n s w o u ld b e r e v o lu t io n a r y . U n d e r th e r e g im e o f a w o r ld
state, th e p la n e t w o u ld b e o r g a n iz e d fo r fu n c tio n s .
Irelan d : p s y c h ic , lin es o f f o r c e , m a g n e tism .
In d ia: p h ilo s o p h y .
T h e r e a ctio n o f L e n t r o - h a m o x c o n s ta n tly h a p p e n in g to u s. R e a l
iz a tio n b e c o m e s m e r e ly v e rb a l, e .g . w h a t r e a liz a tio n d o y o u h a v e o f
ch ap ter o n tim e ? R e a c tio n . T h e G r e e k s are re sp o n sib le fo r te c h n ic a l
d e g e n e ra tio n . T h e d a y a fter y o u read th e c h a p te r o n tim e , ta k e u p
A le x a n d e r a n d e n g a g e in d ia le c tic s . T e c h n ic a l p o s tm o r te m o n a d ea d
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r e a liz a tio n , G r e e k d iale ctics. T h e R o m a n s are resp o n sib le fo r te ch n i

cal d e g e n e ra tio n o f o b je c tiv e c o n s cie n c e . T h e m e m o r y o f o b je c tiv e
c o n s cie n c e in R o m a n la w . G r e e k d iale ctics are resp o n sib le fo r the
d e g e n e ra tio n o f h u m a n re a so n , R o m a n la w fo r th e d e g e n e ra tio n o f
o b je c tiv e rea so n . L ate r p h y s io lo g ic a l in v e n tio n s . G r e e k s and Rom ans
at least c o r r u p t e d o n a h ig h e r p la n e . L a te r o n lo w e r . T h e G erm an
sp irit (w h ic h has n o th in g to d o w it h racial o r g e o g r a p h ic a l G erm a n y )
P r o t o ty p e s o f p s y c h o lo g ic a l ch ara cte ristics o f G e r m a n t y p e th a t d e
g e n e ra tio n ta k es th e fo r m o f s o m e th in g p h y s io lo g ic a l.
H o w m a n y p e o p le w h o m y o u k n o w h a ve u n d e rs ta n d in g . It is o f
t w o ty p e s : lo g ic a l u n d e rs ta n d in g based o n fa c t a n d ratio n a l u n d e r
sta n d in g as a p p lie d to th e p r o b le m o f o u rs e lv e s . W h y alive? W h a t
valu es? U n d e r s ta n d in g is n e ith e r in te lle c t n o r in t u itio n b u t e q u a lly
p o sitiv e .
P o s itiv e fa th e r th e in te lle c t.
P assive m o t h e r th e in t u itio n .
N e u tr a l th e c h ild u n d e rs ta n d in g .
T h e c re a tio n o f th e n e u tra l q u a lit y is th e o b je c t o f this w o r k .
P s y c h o lo g ic a l system s b ased o n : n o rm s an d averages.
T h e u su a l p s y c h o lo g y is th e su m o f facts p r o v id e d b y c u rre n t b e
h a v io r. C o n t e m p o r a r y p s y c h o lo g y m easures b y th e a verage o f c o n
te m p o r a r y m a n ife sta tio n s at a n y o n e p e rio d .
M a n e x is ts f o r a p u rp o se n o t his o w n ; th is in c lu d e s all b e in g s. T h e
n o r m o f m a n is th e d isch a rg e o f th e d esig n fo r w h ic h he w a s created ;
lik e a m a c h in e m a d e to d o a c e r ta in w o r k . H e w a s cre a te d n o rm a l.
O w i n g to c e r ta in circ u m sta n c e s th is p la n e t has d e v e lo p e d as an ab
n o rm a l m a c h in e , w h ic h n o lo n g e r fu lfills its d e s ig n . H e n c e life ex ists
o n th is p la n e t b y su fferan ce (grace). A b y - p r o d u c t o f th e fu lfillm e n t
o f a n o rm a l a im w o u ld h a v e b e e n c o m p le te h a p p in ess fo r us. W e are
n o lo n g e r c a p a b le o f th e h a p p in e ss w h ic h a cc o m p a n ie s th e fu lfillm e n t
o f a d e sig n . W e su ffer in c o n s e q u e n c e . D e fin e w h a t is c o n s id e re d to
b e a n o rm a l h u m a n b e in g (see B h a g a v a d G it a h o w d o es h e w a lk ? )
P o n d e r th e fo r m u la tio n o f a n o r m . W e c a n n o t b e g in to d e v e lo p n o n p s y c h o p a th ic a lly e x c e p t o n th e basis o f a n o r m . A b n o r m a lity : self
p r id e , v a n it y , to u ch in e ss, e g o is m , etc.
T h ir d s ta te m e n t.
T h e r e w a s o n c e o n th e p la n e t a race o f n o r m a l m e n and w o m e n .
T h e n w h a t h a p p en e d ? A p la n e ta r y c a ta stro p h e . T h e n atu re o f this
p la n e t is n o w in im ic a l to th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f a n o r m a l m an . R e n a n in
1865 said in his p h ilo s o p h ic d ia lo g u e s : N a t u r e is h o s tile to th e d e252

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v e lo p m en t
m a n an d desires m a n s im p e r fe c tio n s . G u r d jie f f s t h e o fy is that th is is tru e b u t n o t t o t a lly irre m e d ia b le , t h o u g h th e ch a n ce s
are a m illio n t o o n e w it h th e h a n d ic a p o f e d u c a tio n an d th e p re s e n t
attitude o f s o c ie t y . T h is c h a n c e is stre n g th e n e d b y t w o th in gs.
1. T h e w is h o f th e c re a to r th a t his m ach in es s h o u ld fu n c tio n n o r
m ally, h e n c e m essen g ers h a ve b e e n sent to p o in t o u t th e a b n o r m a li
ties.
2, T h e c o n t in u e d e x is te n c e in a ll, e x c e p t h asn am usses, o f c o n

science as an in w a r d u n rest a b o u t o u r a b n o r m a lity . In a h asn am u ss

the g e rm o f a c o n s c ie n c e is d e a d ; h e is b e y o n d sh a m e .
T h e r e is a s tr iv in g fo r p e r fe c t io n , w h ic h is p r a c tic a lly im p o s sib le to
attain. A l l m essen g ers agree o n :
1. T h e te r r o r o f th e situ a tio n .
2. T h is to b e o v e r c o m e : d e g e n e ra c y , d e p e n d e n c e o n o th ers an d a b
so rp tio n in c u r r e n t id eals; so c ia l v a lu e s in stead o f p e rso n a l.
W e su b s titu te aim s in stead o f m a k in g a g o o d j o b o f w h a te v e r w e
are d o in g . T h is f o r o u rselv es. M a n ex ists fo r p e r fe c t io n . T h e m e t h o d
is o b se rv a tio n o f s e lf in co n tra st w i t h th e n o r m as d e fin e d b y u n io n o f
co n scien ce w i t h in te lle c t (in tu itio n ). T h e n o r m b e c o m e s a fr a m e w o r k
in to w h ic h o b s e r v a tio n is fitte d . T h is reveals th e d e g r e e to w h ic h w e
are n o rm a l o r a b n o r m a l; w h a t is in co n tra st to w h a t o u g h t to be.

[Here begins O rages review o f the book, trying to form ulate ideas implied
in the allegory .]
P reface: T h e r e is a ce rta in g r a m m a r o f a s s o c ia tio n in e v e r y m in d ,
in tw o fo r m s : a sso cia tio n o f w o r d s , a sso ciatio n o f f o r m s . R e a s o n in g ,
v e rb a lly an d b y ideas. N in e - t e n t h s o f w h a t w e c a ll th o u g h t is m e
chan ical a sso cia tio n o f w o r d s . S a y a g o n y to a su p e rfic ia l w r it e r a n d
he w ill say a n g u is h , sw ee t, d a r k n ig h t o f th e s o u l, e tc . as r e a d ily as a
parrot. T h e a sso cia tio n o f f o r m is d e p e n d e n t o n p e rs o n a l e x p e rie n c e s ,
still an a sso c ia tio n b u t d iffe re n t f r o m m ere w o r d s .
It is th e f o r m in w h ic h p e asan ts o fte n th in k ; o r th o se w h o m w e
call u n d e r s ta n d in g . It has s tr ic t re fe re n ce to e x p e r ie n c e , a g ra m m a r
with p e o p le in w h o m th e e x p e r ie n c e s e x ist; a v e n u e s to a la n g u a g e
n o t in w o r d s (g e stu re , v o ic e e tc .), a strict g ra m m a r . A tte m p t to u se
lan gu a g e o f u n d e rs ta n d in g .
M a n is (n o rm a l) a b e in g (a m a c h in e that feels) d e s ig n e d to e n c o u n
ter, to create a n d t o o v e r c o m e d ifficu ltie s. C o n tr a s t th is w it h v i e w o f
naan w h o b e lie v e s th a t m an e x is ts f o r h ap p in ess, p e a c e , etc.
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Y o u m a y create d iffic u ltie s in fields o f y o u r o w n c h o ic e ; b u t niak

aim s w h ic h req u ire e ffo r t to attain . O v e r c o m in g c o u n ts ; resu lts

th e test. N o s e n tim e n ta lity , n o a ttitu d e o f th e c ric k e t p la y e r Wej[

m issed o ld c h a p . R e a d M ilt o n an d see h e w a s a fig h tin g m a ch in e and
spared h im s e lf n o b la m e f o r his failu res, n o c r o w n fo r th e splendid
fa ilu re . S e e essay b y J. A . F r o u d e o n R e y n a r d th e F o x . P ra ctica l e f
fe c tiv e n e ss in o v e r c o m in g .
W e h a v e resp ect fo r th e p e rso n w h o e n c o u n te rs g rea t d ifficu lties
e v e n t h o u g h he did n o t w is h to . I f h e is c r u m p le d , w e p it y ; i f }le
s u rv iv e s m e r e ly , w e c a n n o t h e lp a c c o r d in g h im o u r resp ect. O r w h o
v o lu n t a r ily creates d iffic u ltie s , i.e . w h o u n d e rta k e s jo b s w h ic h require
e ffo rt (s tre tch in g h im s e lf) to a ch ie ve.
N e v e r d o as o th e rs d o (a d v ic e g iv e n b y G u r d j i e f f s g ra n d m o th er),
b e c o m e resp o n sib le fo r th e w a y ch o se n a n d its results. T h a t is: do
th in g s in y o u r o w n w a y . M a n is in essen ce a p assio n f o r a tta in in g a
rea so n a b le u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th e m e a n in g an d a im o f e x is te n c e . It is
th e v a lu e o f v a lu e . Y o u m a y n o t su sp ect th is o f y o u r s e lf, s a y in g y o u
are a h u m b le p e rso n . T a k e o f f th e o n io n a f e w m o r e skin s an d all the
tro u b le s , c ritic ism s fr o m d issa tisfa ctio n are re v e a le d .

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T h e b o d y w e h ave is s im p ly a c re a tio n o f n a tu r e w e have n o q u a r re l
w h a te v e r w i t h m o d e rn p s y c h o lo g is ts , p h y s io lo g is ts , p h y sicists, e m
b ry o lo g is ts , e tc . W e can h a n d o v e r th e b o d y t o th e m . W e w is h t o see
that all th is tim e w e h a v e b e e n associated w i t h th is b o d y . W e m ig h t
have le a rn e d th r o u g h it, d o n e so m e th in g in it a c t u a lly and r e a lly h a ve
g r o w n t h r o u g h it. B io lo g ic a lly h o w th is b o d y w as cre ate d b y th e
planet o r n a tu re , is n o c o n c e r n o f ours.
W e h a v e o n e w o r d o n l y t o rem in d us th a t w e are n o t j u s t a
b o d y I . B u t I have h a d n o e x p e rie n c e s. E v e r y hair o f m y h e a d I
have e a te n y e t I have n o t tra n sm u te d th e f o o d . N a tu re has d o n e th is.
B u t o u t o f th is a fto e g o c ra tic pro cess w h ic h n e c e ssa rily g o e s o n , it is
s im u lta n e o u s ly p o ssib le f o r an in d iv id u a l t o g e t so m e th in g o u t o f th e
process t r u l y fo r o n e s e lf ( fo r I).
I a m a n im m o r ta l b e in g c a p a b le o f a ll e x p e r ie n c e s o f i n d iv id u a l
ity , c o n s cio u s n e s s and w i l l. B u t th e b o d y is ca p a b le o f o n ly a lim it e d
short e x is te n c e . E ven t h in k in g takes p la ce as in e v it a b ly and a u to m a ti
cally in u s as it do es in a c a t. W e have n o m o r e c o n tro l o v e r o u r d ay
dream s th a n w e h ave o v e r o u r n ig h t d ream s.
W h a t c a n I d o then?
O n e th in g . T h e tr u th is, w e are souls an d h a v e b o d ie s b u t th e r e is
cu rren t a lie to th e e ffe ct th a t w e are b o d ies a n d h a ve souls.
N o w w e can d o o n e t h in g . O b s e r v e th is b o d y w it h n o n - id e n tifi
catio n as I . A ft e r several y e a rs o f e ffo rt a t lis te n in g to th e to n e s o f
m y v o ic e w it h o u t w is h in g t o ch a n g e it w i t h o u t a p p ro v a l m e r e ly
a im in g at a p u r e ly r e c o r d in g act o f I . Y e t a fte r all these y e a rs o f
such e ffo r t it is n o t easier to d o . T h e o n ly d iffe r e n c e is that w i t h e q u a l
effo rt I c a n h ea r this v o ic e lo n g e r at o n e t im e an d at m o re fr e q u e n t
in terva ls. T h e r e are o n ly fiv e fo rm s o f p h y s ic a l b e h a v io r to o b s e r v e
un der th is m e th o d . T h e r e a re fo rm s o f b e h a v io r that o n e m u s t n o t,
in tr u th , a tte m p t to o b s e r v e . (W e m u st n o t o b s e r v e e m o tio n s , t h o u g h
it is d a n g e ro u s fo r that to b e said, fo r y o u w i l l , to m o r r o w m o r n in g ,
i f n o t s o o n e r, h a ve lo st th e n o t and say O h , I rem em b er. H e said
to o b s e rv e m y e m o tio n s . ) T h e result o f o b s e r v in g th e five fo r m s o f
p h ysica l b e h a v io r o n e t h in g w ill b e a c c o m p lis h e d y o u c a n s o m e
tim e re a liz e th e m e a n in g o f I h a ve a b o d y .
In th e P y th a g o r e a n s c h o o l th e p u p il w a s p u t u n d er a v o w o f si
len ce r e g a r d in g this m e t h o d fo r a p e rio d o f se v e n years. N o t b e ca u se
he w as je a lo u s o f this k n o w le d g e b e in g d isse m in a te d b u t b e c a u s e o f

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th e e ffe ct u p o n th e p u p il h im s e lf. T h e first d a n g e r is th at y o u tran sfer

m e r e ly in t o w o r d s th e e n e r g y a ro u s e d in th e e m o tio n a l ce n te r an d in
th e p ra ctic a l c e n te r . A n d s e c o n d , i f y o u m e r e ly t a lk to so m e o n e and
d o n o t at th e sam e tim e g u a r a n te e to y o u r s e lf t o d o te n tim es as m u ch
w o r k as y o u c a n p r o p e r ly e x p e c t fr o m th e p e o p le y o u ta lk to .
A w h it e e le p h a n t is n o m o r e c re d ita b le th a n a n o th e r o n e. I f w e are
ta ll, s tr o n g , b e a u tifu l th is is an a ccid e n t. S o w e g u a r a n te e to ta k e the
p rid e o u t o f a n y o n e n o t b y h u m ilia tin g h im b u t b y s e ttin g h im
th is task a n d le t t in g h im p r o v e t o h im s e lf th at h e c a n n o t d o it. A h u
m a n b e in g is an an im a l in th e p o ssessio n o f a s o u l. W e all start w it h
a sle e p in g s o u l an d a w a k in g b o d y . It is n o t m o r e d iffic u lt fo r o n e o f
us th a n f o r a n o th e r , th e q u a n tity o f e ffo rt is d e p e n d e n t o n o u rselv es.
I f o n e o f us c o u ld p u t th e sa m e e n e r g y in to th is w o r k that y o u c o u ld
ea sily p u t in t o a rra n g in g y o u r affairs to g o to s o m e d esirable sp o t in
F ra n ce o r e ls e w h e r e fo r o n e m o n t h y o u w o u l d h a ve tran sm u ted
th e p s y c h o lo g ic a l c o n d itio n f r o m a m o st sq u a lid state to o n e o f a
c o m p a ra tiv e paradise.
W e ll th e n , h o w shall w e b e g in to p rep are f o r th is jo u r n e y ? Y o u
k n o w a sa va ge can c o u n t to f o u r o n e , t w o , th r e e , fo u r , b u t m o re
th a n fo u r is m a n y . A h en c a n d istin g u ish b e t w e e n o n e and t w o b u t
n o t b e tw e e n t w o an d th ree o r m o r e . W e ll h o w to o b se rv e these five
fo r m s o f p h y s ic a l b eh a vio r?
W e ll, w h ic h is m o st im p o r ta n t to b e g in w it h ? N o n e , th e y are
e x a c t ly o f e q u a l im p o r ta n c e . D o n t sp end a s e c o n d o n d e te rm in in g
w h ic h o f th e m t o b e g in w it h , j u s t b e g in at o n c e o n th e o n e at hand.
S a y p o s tu r e , fa cia l e x p re s s io n , g e stu re , m o v e m e n t, to n e o f v o ic e it
d o es n o t m a tte r w h ic h . T a k e o n e o f th e m and d e te rm in e that y o u w ill
fin ish th at j o b . K n o w e v e r y g e s tu r e all d ay lo n g .
D o n t m a k e ex cu se s. I v e m a d e th e m all. B u t th e d iffe re n ce is th at I
h a ve m a d e th e m a ll and can t b e a r rep e a tin g a n y o n e o f th e m . T e ll m e
a n e w e x c u s e a n d I ll use it, at lea st fo r o n e n ig h t and I w o n t m ake
th at d a y th e n ig h t ly r e v ie w . W h a t is n ig h tly r e v i e w ? It con sists o f
g o in g o v e r th e b e h a v io r o f y o u r b o d y in a series o f p ic tu re s w h a t
w o u ld h a v e a p p e a red o n a th r e e d im e n sio n a l s cre e n , n o t as sh a d o w s
b u t as fig u re s . R e c a ll b e fo re t h e m in d s ey e in a series o f th ree d im e n
sio n al p ic tu r e s th e p a n o ra m a o f y o u r b o d y s b e h a v io r d u rin g th e day.
I f y o u d o th is y o u w il l a cq u ire a real im a g in a tio n w i t h p o w e r.
q u e s t io n

: W h a t can o n e d o to elim in a te w o r r y o v e r past even ts

an d fear o f fu tu r e on es sin ce w e s h o u ld n o t o b s e r v e e m o tio n s?

an sw er:

O b s e r v e th e p h y s ic a l sy m p to m s. M y h a n d s are c o ld , m y
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eyes are w e llin g fu ll o f tears, m y k n ees are s h a k y , etc. E n u m e ra te

th e m all. B u t p e rh a p s y o u c a n n o t fin ish a ll s u ch s y m p to m s b e fo r e th e

grief has u n fo r t u n a te ly q u ite d isap p eared .

S u p p o se th e state is a h a p p y o n e . I o b se rv e a g o o d sta rtlin g m a n ly

to n e o f v o ic e , a d isp o sitio n t o j u m p o r ru n o r w h a t n o t eyes sp a rk le ,
etc. N o w w h a t h app en s? T h is p o s itiv e e m o tio n a l state is s u r p r is in g ly
in ten sified.
T o w o r k is t o p r a y w a s m e a n t in this sense. O f co u rs e it w a s v e r y
soon tu rn e d to th e so -c a lle d a d v a n ta g e o f slave o w n e r s o r d riv e rs.
N e x t , p a r tic ip a tio n . W e ll th a t s im p ly m ea n s ta k in g p art i n . T a k
in g part in th e se fiv e fo rm s o f b e h a v io r . W h e n y o u are sp e a k in g say I
w ill speak a little m o r e c le a r ly th a n u sual. T h o u g h th e la r y n x w i l l still
be d o in g th e sa m e w o r k y o u w i l l b e ru n n in g a lo n g s id e so to sp e a k .
O r in a p o s tu r e , say to b o d y N o , d o n t m o v e fr o m th at p o s tu r e .
It m a y n o t b e c o m fo r ta b le b u t I p u t it here a n d I w i ll p a rticip a te in
that p o s tu r e . T h e r e are t w o b lo o d c irc u la tio n s o n e keeps th e b o d y
g o in g and th e se c o n d is y o u r o w n p riv a te p r o p e r t y and w it h it y o u
can p a rticip a te in th e a c tiv itie s o f y o u r b o d y .
T h e n e x p e r im e n t. E x p e r im e n t fo r th e sake o f see in g i f y o u can
ch an ge. H o w I see at o n ce a ll o f th e th o u sa n d a n d o n e n o tio n s o f s e lfim p r o v e m e n t c o m in g d o w n u p o n us! I d o n t lik e th a t facial e x p r e s
sion I ll c h a n g e it. I d o n t lik e th is o r that so I ll c h a n g e it, e t c ., e tc .
So this su re ly m e a n s I p u t m y s e l f t o s ch o o l t o im p r o v e m y self. D o n t
b e lie v e it. W r in g th e n e c k o f a n y im p u lse to im p r o v e y o u rs e lf. B e su re
y o u are as a b o d y u tt e r ly b e y o n d h o p e o f im p r o v e m e n t. N o ! E x p e r i
m en t o n ly f o r th e sake o f s e e in g i f y o u can c h a n g e . E x p e r im e n t o n l y
in m atters o f c o m p le t e in d iffe r e n c e let all m a tte rs in w h ic h y o u are
co n ce rn e d g o w it h o u t in te r fe re n c e .
W h e n y o u a w a k e in th e m o r n in g o p e n o n l y o n e ey e at firs t, g e t
o u t o f b ed in an u n h a b itu a l w a y , d o n t lo o k at th e c lo c k fo r a m o
m e n t - j u s t f o r th e sake o f v a r y in g y o u r b e h a v io r . In this case y o u
send e n e r g y th r o u g h a sm a ller p ip e and it is th u s a m ean s o f s a v in g
e n e rg y . It w i l l su rp rise y o u to fin d h o w fresh y o u fe e l as su ch a d a y
go es b y.
T h e s e e x p e r im e n ts are p a rt a n d parcel o f th is a n cie n t and o c c u lt
m e th o d th at is so sim p le th a t it c o n fu se s m o st o f us v e r y g re a tly . F iv e
m in u tes o f p r a c tic e is w o r t h a th o u s a n d yea rs o f j u s t liste n in g . T h e r e
is a d e a d ly o p in io n p re v a le n t t o th e e ffe ct th at o n e can be c h a n g e d b y
ju s t liste n in g .
So h ere, i f th o s e o f y o u w h o listen , are in t e lle c tu a lly in te re s te d ,

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b u t w h o h a v e d o n e little , d o n o t d o s o m e th in g , it m a y b e c o m e u n
n ecessa ry to b r in g o n e h ere w h o w il l deal w it h th e se v e r y d iffe r e n tly
V o lu n ta r y s u ffe rin g is s u ffe r in g th e u n p le a sa n t m a n ifesta tio n s o f
o th e r b e in g s. A sn ake, m o u s e o r sp id e r w i l l p r o d u c e a sharp e m o
tio n a l state in m a n y o f us. S o s o m e p e o p le w i l l a ffe c t so m e o f us. A n d
v o lu n t a r y s u ffe rin g consists in c o n t r o llin g y o u r fa c ia l e x p ressio n s and
o th e r fo r m s o f b e h a v io r o r in c o n c e a lin g th e m o r in c h a n g in g th e m
A m a n en ra g es m e I w a n t to strik e h im . B u t v o lu n t a r y su ffe rin g re
q u ires th at y o u resp o n d as i f h e p le ase d y o u , e tc.
C o n s c io u s la b o r. M a k e a v o w and k eep i t d ress fo r a w e e k in a
d iffe re n t w a y f r o m usual. T o c le a r u p th e in d e b te d n e s s y o u m a y have
w it h in a c e r ta in p e rio d . T o w r it e a ll th e le tte rs y o u o w e . T o d o tw ic e
as m u c h as y o u e v e r have in o n e w e e k o n so m e d e fin ite w o r k . Y o u are
to m e e t a fr ie n d have a n u m b e r o f to p ics y o u w i l l discuss th a t are
in te re s tin g t o h im and to y o u r s e lf. B e and e x is t p u r p o s iv e ly . M a n is
p la ce d o n th is p la n e t and p u t in t o th e o c c u p a tio n o f a b o d y to d e v e lo p
in d iv id u a lity , w i l l and c o n scio u sn ess.
I n d iv id u a lit y b y sep a ra tin g I and i t .
C o n s c io u s n e s s b y m a n ife s tin g d iffe r e n tly m e c h a n ic a l n e g a tiv e
rea ctio n s.
W i l l b y a lw a y s liv in g p u r p o s e ly , a lw ays w i t h a n o b je c t, a p u rp o s e
Y o u k n o w th e o b je c t, th e m e a n s and y o u k n o w that n o o n e w ill
h e lp y o u in th is w o r ld . C o n s c io u s e ffo rt is c o n t in u it y in a lw a y s h a v
in g a p u rp o s e .

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p o n d er th e sen te n ce s o f last tim e , d ra w in g o n m e m o r y , re a d in g as

sociation to u se as p e g s. W h e t h e r y o u a ccep t o r n o t d o es n o t m a tte r,
G ra m m a r in m in d a lw a y s o p e r a tiv e ; t w o k in d s :
1. V erbal.
2. F o rm s, id ea s o r m en ta l e n e rg ie s .
T h o s e w h o h a v e u n d e rs ta n d in g . T h is can b e c u ltiv a te d b y p o n
d erin g , w h ic h is an e ffo rt to t h in k o f abstract su b je cts (m etap h ysics,
c o s m o lo g y ). T h e r e are m a n y id ea s in this b o o k w e are in c a p a b le o f
u n d e rsta n d in g . W e assum e o n th e c o n tr a r y th a t i f th e tru th is sta te d
cle arly w e can u n d e rsta n d it, b u t w e m u st d e v e lo p u n d e rsta n d in g , n o t
o n ly b y d ire c t p o n d e r in g b u t b y h a n d lin g p r e s e n t situ a tio n s p r a c ti
cally. R e la tio n o f tim e to n e e d s; m o n e y and e x p e n d itu r e s .
A n o rm a l h u m a n b e in g d e s ig n e d to e n c o u n te r , create an d o v e r
co m e d ifficu ltie s . A p s y c h ic b e in g con sists o f its a p p e tites. W h e n w e
speak o f p s y c h o lo g y , w e sp ea k o f th e k in d o f d e sire w h ic h a n im a te s
it. Essence is th e k in d o f d esire. In th e case o f a h u m a n b e in g , th e
desire to e n c o u n t e r and o v e r c o m e d ifficu ltie s. A fig h tin g e d g e f o r th e
u n iverse. W e are c o m p le t e ly h a p p y o n ly w h e n th u s e n g a g e d . W h e n
d iv e rg in g f r o m th is n o rm w e a re a b n o rm a l. T h is e x p la in s th e a c c u
m u lated h a tre d in th is b o o k f o r artists, scien tists, p o e ts in g e n e ra l.
T h e y s u b s titu te f o r n o rm a l aim s (e n c o u n te rin g a n d o v e r c o m in g d if
ficulties) s o m e te m p o ra l fo r m s su c h as p u r s u it o f b e a u ty , a c q u ir in g
o f rich es, m a te ria l c o n q u e s t o f th e p la n e t. A n d as th e artist in flu e n c e s
o th e r m en , th e b o o k regards h im as an e v il in flu e n c e . H e te n d s to
w ith d r a w m a n s in terests an d e n e r g y fr o m m a n s n o rm a l aim , h e n c e
h o stile to th e g r e a t sch em e.
In th e essen ce o f m a n in his n o rm a l state is a h u n g e r and th irs t. A
b ib lica l h u n g e r a n d th irst f o r o b je c tiv e reaso n (m e a n in g and a im o f
existen ce). M a n is e x e c u t iv e ly e q u ip p e d to m e e t d ifficu ltie s, e m o t io n
a lly p a ssio n a te fo r k n o w le d g e . H e is a sw o rd b e n t in to a s c y th e o f
in te rro g a tio n .
N e v e r d o as o th e r s d o . D o th in g s in y o u r o w n w a y . I f w e c o n s id e r
We are fo r b id d e n t o im ita te o th e r s , w e w ill c o n c e n tr a te o n th e s itu
ation and a sk w h a t w e can d o u n iq u e ly in th is situ a tio n . P o n d e r so
that th e t h e o r y m a y b e d e fin ite ly o u r o w n o r e lse b e also d e fin ite ly
rejected.
T r y and set d o w n in y o u r o w n w o r d s , th e id e a o f life e n te r ta in e d
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b y a n y o n e o f y o u r frie n d s o r b y y o u rs e lf. T h e m a n o n a d ese rt island

has to s e ttle s u ch p ro b le m s h im s e lf. W h a t is y o u r id e a o f th e w o r ld ?
M a te ria lis tic h y p o th e sis: Is th e w o r ld m e r e ly b y ch an ce? Is there
d esign ? Is th e re a n y c o n s c io u s p u rp o se ? A n y a im o r o b ject? T h e cu r
ren t v i e w is th a t th ere is n o a im ; th a t p r o to p la s m fo r m e d a ccid e n ta lly
e tc. I f life w e r e a ccid en tal w e r e c o n d itio n s o f life also a ccid en tal?
O r a n y o th e r cu rre n t p o in t o f v ie w ? S u ch as, th a t G o d is o m n ip o
te n t and a ll lo v in g . T h e w o r ld is b e in g d e s ig n e d f o r us e n tir e ly , n o t u s
fo r G o d , d o n e o u t o f b e n e v o le n c e and g r a tu ito u s . A t n o tim e d o es he
n eed h e lp a n d presides o v e r th e u n iv e rse w i t h n o o th e r idea th a n that
his c h ild r e n s h o u ld b e h a p p y . T h a t w e h ave n o o b lig a tio n and n o re
s p o n s ib ility , n o d u t y e x c e p t t o e a ch o th e r. A t th e sam e tim e m a n w as
c o m m is s io n e d w it h p o w e r o v e r th e in fe rio r sp ecie s; and th e sacrifice
o f m illio n s o f th e lo w e r c re a tu re s is a u th o r iz e d e tc . A ll this is a rep lica
o f th e a ttitu d e o f th e o r d in a r y , selfish, o v e r in d u lg e d ch ild to w a rd s its
p arents. N o t o ld e n o u g h (n o t in years) to re a liz e th at n o th in g com es
to th e m w h ic h d id n o t c o st s o m e b o d y , o r n a tu r e , so m e th in g . T h is is
a w id e sp read a ttitu d e an d is th e C h ris tia n d o c tr in e . C o s m o lo g ic a l
v ie w . I m p lic it in each p e rso n is th e k e y to his b e h a v io r ( c h ie f featu re);
ch a p te r o n e is th e first a d u m b r a tio n o f this v ie w . T h a t th e w o r ld that
is k n o w a b le , th e o b je c tiv e u n iv e r s e is a w o r k o f c o n s cio u s cre a tio n ;
th at it is c o n s c io u s ly m a in ta in e d and fo r a c o n s c io u s p u rp o se . It is
lik e a m a c h in e created fo r a c o n s c io u s p u r p o s e . O f d ra w in g fr o m the
m a ch in e s o m e th in g w h ic h th e c re a to r o f it w is h e d . T h is is n o t m e re ly
fo r o u r d e lig h t , n o r fo r fu n b u t in p u rsu it o f an a im e n te rta in e d b y
h im se lf. T h e o n u s o f th e rea so n is o n G o d . T h e p o in t o f v ie w m ay
b e c r itic iz e d as a n th r o p o m o r p h ic . It is also th e o m o r p h ic . I f it m akes
G o d in th e im a g e o f m a n it also m akes m a n in th e im a g e o f G o d .
A n im a ls d o n o t m a k e m a ch in e s ; m a n has rea so n to u n d e rsta n d the
m e a n in g o f m a ch in e s; an d is p o s s ib ly in a p o s itio n to u n d e rsta n d the
m e a n in g o f a m a ch in e , v a s te r th a n a n y h e c o u ld h im s e lf m ake.
T h o u g h d e s ig n e d to h a ve a p assion fo r u n d e rs ta n d in g , and p o w e r
to d e v e lo p it, m a n has d e p a r te d fr o m th e n o r m . M a n is in a state o f
h y p n o sis. H is n o rm a l u n d e rs ta n d in g has b e e n c o n v e r te d in to a b n o r
m al. H e has o n l y glim p ses, s h a d o w s o f his rea l p a ssio n to u n d erstan d
an d to o v e r c o m e .
W e c a n n o t, w h ile th e fu m e s o f th e d ru g r e m a in , p u ll o u rse lv e s to
g e th e r a n d rea so n . W e w a n t t o b e reaso n ab le a n d c a n n o t. W e h ave a
h a u n tin g c o n s c ie n c e that w e are n o t a ctin g re a so n a b ly . T h e p a r a b l e
o f T h e P r o d ig a l S o n , in a fa r c o u n t r y (p sych e) fe e d in g s w in e anu
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avvare o f it, y e t c a n n o t r e m e m b e r his fa th e rs c o u n t r y th e p r o b le m

is to b rin g o u r s e lv e s to r e a liz e w h a t w e k n o w an d h o w to a w a k e n

ourselves.
T h e r e are n o m a g ic a l m ea n s w h ic h w o u ld n o t d e s tro y th e p o s s ib il
ity o f a n o r m a l a w a k e n in g . T h e o n ly sure m ea n s is a d a ily a tte m p t to
p o n d er th e m e a n in g o f life a n d b y an a tte m p t t o d ea l w it h th e s itu
ation , n o t o n l y w it h o u t c o m p la in in g b u t s p ir ite d ly . H e re w e h a v e a
taste o f n o rm a l a c tiv ity .
T h e p h y s ic is ts c o n c e p tio n o f th e n atu re o f e n e r g y . S olar e n e r g y is
n ot in e x h a u s t ib le B e rtra n d R u s s e ll. D is s ip a tio n o f e n e r g y : in h a lin g
and e x h a lin g b re a th o f B ra h m a in th e In d ian ta le . T h e solar s y s te m
runs d o w n . T h is is n o t th e p o in t o f v ie w o f th is b o o k . A s e c tio n is
d e v o te d to th e c re a tio n o f a p e r p e tu a l m o tio n m a c h in e , b r o u g h t in t o
e x iste n ce in tim e , b u t o n c e m a d e it, runs. Its c h a ra cte ristic is th a t it
had a b e g in n in g b u t n o en d . T h o u g h each p a rt is su b ject to d e c a y , it
m ust be re p la ce d . T h e o b je c tiv e u n iv erse is a p e rp e tu a l m o tio n m a
ch in e. A t o n e tim e it w a s b r o u g h t in to e x is te n c e a n d arran ged th a t th e
parts s h o u ld b e rep la ce d . F o r th is w o r k o f w a t c h in g th e m a ch in e a n d
rep la cin g th e p a rt th e re is g r e a t n e e d o f a tte n tio n ; and w it h a n e x
p a n d in g u n iv e rs e th e re is n e e d fo r th e s u p e rin te n d e n c e o f th e m e c h a
nism .
T h is q u ite s im p ly is G u r d j i e f f s c o s m o lo g y : A c o n s cio u s b e in g c r e
ated a p e r p e tu a l m o tio n m a c h in e , a lw a y s w it h in h is p o w e r b u t n e e d
in g co n s ta n t a tte n tio n ( g r o w in g fa m ily o f w o r ld s ) a n d so h e p re p a re d
th re e -c e n te re d h elp ers o f G o d . W e can be a s o c ie t y o f h elp ers, in s te a d
o f b e in g slaves, w h ic h w e a re in a n y case. B u t t o b e co n scio u s h e lp e rs
m eans c o - w o r k in g and u n d e rs ta n d in g .
Is th e re a n y resp o n se to th a t su g g e s tio n ? It m a y b e o n e o f n e g a tiv e
e m o tio n to th e sense o f o u r p a in fu l re a liz a tio n o f o u r in a d e q u a c y ,
realize o u r p lig h t th e te r r o r o f th e situ a tio n . A n d y e t w e are w it h in
easy reach o f sa n ity , o n ly a th in v e il o f illu s io n separates us. W e are
p o v e r ty -s tr ic k e n m illio n a ire s . S ta rv in g and n o w a y to fo o d b y o r
d in a ry rea so n ; an d y e t w e h a v e p o te n tia litie s . T h o s e w h o h a v e tr ie d
to d ra w o u t o f th e m selv e s w i t h sen ten ces are s o m e tim e s su rp rised at
th eir p o te n tia litie s . T h in k h ig h ly o f this o u t p u t in c o m p a riso n w i t h
c o m p le te ig n o r a n c e ; b u t little in co m p a riso n w i t h p o te n tia litie s .
E v e r y th in g a n d n o th in g , a d o u b le e m o tio n in e v e r y t h in g real. M a n
has a p assio n to u n d e rsta n d a im s an d m e a n in g . F ittin g h im s e lf e x
e c u tiv e ly to o v e r c o m e d iffic u ltie s , and to c o o p e r a te v o lu n ta r ily . H is
fr e e d o m is s e r v ic e ; it is a p a r a d o x in all re a lity .
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T h r e e fo ld cla ssificatio n e v e r y w h e r e :
1. S u n A b s o lu t e (w ill ta lk la te r a b o u t w h a t it m eans), rep rese n tin g
reason.
2. A n y su n .
3. A n y p la n e t.
T h r e e o r d e r s o f m a tter a re asso ciated w it h in te llig e n c e , e m o tio n
in s tin c t. G o d is c o n c e iv e d o f as a b e in g w h o s e in te lle c tu a l b o d y c o n
sists o f th e S u n A b s o lu te ; h is e m o tio n a l b o d y o f a ll suns; his p la n e ta ry
b o d y o f th e p la n e ts.
T h e d e s ig n f o r th e th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g s o n th e p la n e t is th a t th e y
s h o u ld d e v e lo p ; an d w it h th e p u r s u it o f u n d e rs ta n d in g e tc ., th e o th e r
t w o b o d ie s w i l l d e v e lo p . T h e n o rm a l life o f th e astral b o d y is a pas
sio n fo r u n d e rs ta n d in g ; o f th e in te lle c tu a l b o d y , th e p o w e r to u n
d ersta n d . B y p u r s u in g th is n o r m a l d e v e lo p m e n t w e g r a tify th e n eed
an d create th e b o d y , th e re is n o o th e r w a y o f d e v e lo p in g n o rm a lly .
T h e p u rs u it o f a n y m in o r a im w i l l have th e re su lt o f d is to r tin g the
g r o w th , u n d e rs ta n d in g etc.
H e re o c c u r s a se ctio n e n title d B e in g a w are o f g e n u in e d u t y .
N o t a r b itr a r ily im p o sed . W e a lrea d y , so to sp ea k , in ca rn a te this
d u ty , as th e s tru c tu re o f a m a c h in e carries e m b o d ie d in it its p u rp o se
an d fu n c tio n s . S tru ctu re is p u r p o s e m a n ifested . It is n o t a q u e s tio n o f
d is c o v e rin g a d u t y in us, n o t c o n g e n ia l to o u r m ech a n ism s. O r g a n ic
d u t y : i.e . d u t y o f a ctin g a c c o r d in g to o u r m e c h a n is m , o rg a n ism . D is
tin g u is h th e n o rm a l o r g a n is m an d p resen t a b n o r m a l state. S ta rt b y
a s k in g : w h a t d o y o u th in k is w r o n g w it h th e h u m a n race? A n d t r y to
fo r m u la te w h a t y o u regard as th e ch a ra cte ristics o f a n o rm a l h u m a n
b e in g . U s e im a g in a tio n o n o n e side and c r itic is m o n th e o th e r . T o
d isc o v e r in o u r s e lv e s d iv e rg e n c e s fr o m th e n o rm a l and so g e t stim u
la tio n fo r a tte m p tin g to b e c o m e n o rm a l. U s e p e n c il and p a p e r, and
b e in g W e s te rn tra in ed , w r it e it o u t . F o r in crease in a rticu laten e ss and
fo r m u la tio n o f w h a t y o u u n d e rsta n d . Pass b a c k an d fo r th b e tw e e n
s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n an d th o u g h t.
Q u e s tio n y o u r p e rso n a l p r o b le m s . D o y o u fe e l lik e ris k in g h a v
in g y o u r fe e lin g s scratched? R e a s o n is a m a te ria l su b stan ce. B y liv
in g c o n s ta n tly an d a c tiv e ly r e a s o n in g , m a k in g u se o f e v e r y ch a n ce,
as w h e n in h a le d , to en h a n ce in s ig h t, im a g in a tio n , e tc. L ik e an a tm o
sp h ere w h e r e m o n k s h ave c o n te m p la te d . A p p e t it e fo r reason b est e x
e m p lifie d in q u e stio n s. M a n s rea so n is q u e s tio n in g , w h ile his e m o tio n
desires.
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OCTOBER

1927

In u n d e rs ta n d in g p e o p le w h o are u n s y m p a th e tic is a q u e s tio n o f

associatio n s. A l l m y w o r d s are related to m y a sso ciatio n s. T h e sam e
w o rd s in th e v o c a b u la r y a re re la te d to d iffe r e n t associatio n s. A s s o
ciatio n s m u c h th e sam e, w o r d s are d iffe re n t. E x p e r im e n t w i t h d if
feren t w o r d s . In te r r o g a tiv e a ttitu d e ; in te llig e n t t r y in g . (S y m p a th y is
c h e m ic a lly d e te rm in e d a n d o u ts id e o f u n d e rs ta n d in g . Y o u c a n h a te
and u n d e rsta n d .)
W e are a lw a y s e n g a g e d in a v o id in g d iffic u ltie s , tr y in g to r e a ch a
p o in t w h e r e e ffo r t w ill cea se. M a n is a b o a t, r o w in g in o n e d ir e c t io n
and lo o k in g in a n o th e r . F r e u d s d is c o v e ry th a t w h a te v e r th e e x p lic it
aim , w e a re r e a lly h e a d in g to w a r d s e x tin c t io n . H o w m u ch d o I d e sire
this cessa tio n ? H o w far d o I d iv e r g e fr o m th e n o rm ?
Is th e re a th ir d g ra m m ar? A s s o c ia tio n o f w o r d s , fo rm s, lo g ic .
F o rm s are m a n ife sta tio n s o f lo g ic , e .g ., a p h y s ic is t says d issip a tio n
o f e n e r g y (i.e . in tim e , th e u n iq u e su b jective) a n d m e r g in g . A c re a t
in g p h y sic ist m u st m e e t th e lo g ic a l n ece ssity o f c irc u m v e n tin g th is
process. H e h a d n o w is h th a t it sh o u ld b e o n e f o r m o r a n o th e r. H e
had n o fo r m s in his m in d , m e r e ly th e a bstract lo g ic a l use and lo g ic a l
po ssible s o lu tio n . T h in k in g in fo r m s : m an is a th re e -b ra in e d c re a tu re .
N o t th e e x a m p le o f m an as h e is, b u t th e id e a o n w h ic h he is b u ilt o r
d esig n ed . F o r e x a m p le in a b o o k o n b o ta n y , a p la n t is an a s c e n d in g
spiral b u t at c e rta in p o in ts b y lin e , th e tree is a c o m b in a tio n o f a ll
spirals in th e v e g e ta b le k in g d o m . W h y th e v a r ie t y o f form s? W h y a
m ech a n ism o f spirals th u s fo r m e d ? W e are still in te r r o g a tin g th a t. W e
find a n sw e rs in o b je c tiv e re a so n as to w h y . F o r m s P la to : th e id e a o f
a chair, th e q u a lity o f a c h a ir , an a b stra ctio n in th e co n c re te . T h is
is w h a t is m e a n t. M a n is in e ss en ce a passion t o u n d e rsta n d and a w i l l
to o v e r c o m e . W h y ? B ecau se h e is d esig n e d to b e an a ctiv e c o o p e ra to r.
W e h a v e a w is h . T h e w is h is a lre a d y an e n t it y ; y o u have h a rb o r e d
a b e in g . It m a y b e o f th e e p h e m e rid a e fo r i f n o t g ra tifie d it s o o n m a y
die. O r i f a little h ig h er, it m a y liv e as lo n g as its e n e r g y p e rm its . I f
y o u r n a tu re is ric h , y o u m a y fin d desires w h ic h w i l l last all y o u r life .
F u rth er, y o u m a y h ave desires w h ic h w ill o u t liv e y o u r b o d y . In S a u rats p o in t o f v ie w , o u r im m o r t a lit y d ep en d s o n o u r h a v in g d esires
w h ic h o u tla s t th e b o d y . T h is m ig h t be a p a ssio n fo r u n d e rs ta n d in g
w h ic h o u t liv e s th e p la n e ta ry b o d y .

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1927

A c c id e n ta l a sso cia tio n o f w o r d s : m a n w h o g o t e m o tio n a l o v e r v e n

g e a n ce is m in e b ecau se h is fa th e r w h o w a s a m in iste r h a d u se d it
in an g er. A s s o c ia tio n o f id e a s; w h e n t r y in g to a cq u ire a n y different
te c h n iq u e , at first w e fu m b le ; th e n I v e g o t th e h a n g o f i t . I u n d e r
stan d, I m o n t o it. S im ila rly g e t o n to th e id e a th a t th e u n iv e rse w as
cre ate d an d w e , fo r a p u r p o s e o f p r o d u c in g c e r ta in fo rces.
C u r io s it y in regard to :

H o w p ra ctica l.

W h a t scien tific.

W h y p h ilo s o p h ic a l.

W h a t are th e y in th e ir essen ces, these sen te n ces? W h a t is G u r d jie f f

sayin g? T h e r e is a ve rb a l a n d a fo r m a l u n d e rs ta n d in g o f d ea th . T r y
to r e fo r m u la te ; th e e ffo rt o f d o in g this w il l re su lt in fo r m u la tio n s
c ry s ta lliz in g a lm o s t a u to m a tic a lly . T h e p ro g re s s fr o m o n e f o r m o f
u n d e rs ta n d in g t o a n o th e r is n o t b y e x te n s io n .
G u r d jie f f classifies scien tists in t o real an d p s e u d o . T h e real seeker
w a n ts to k n o w w h a t o n ly in o r d e r to a n sw e r th e q u e stio n w h y .
T e c h n iq u e f o r d e v e lo p in g :
V erbal a sso c ia tio n is d e v e lo p e d b y w o rd s.
F o rm a l a sso c ia tio n is d e v e lo p e d b y a sso cia tio n w i t h w is e r p e o p le .
C e r ta in p e rs o n s w h o h a v e a sso ciatio n s w i t h peasan ts, A ra b ia n s,
e tc ., re tu r n w i t h d e v e lo p e d u n d e rs ta n d in g . L o g ic a l u n d e rs ta n d in g is
d e v e lo p e d o n l y b y c o n s cio u s p re o cc u p a tio n s w i t h q u estio n s o f w h a t
is th e m e a n in g a n d aim o f e x is te n c e .
E v e r y in d iv id u a l has as his g e n u in e d u ty th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f o b je c
tiv e reaso n . D o n e b y in q u ir y a n d p re p a rin g h im s e lf to in q u ire . T h u s
lik e an o y s te r, h e d e v e lo p s his p e a rl. C o n s c io u s la b o r is la b o r f o r c o n
sciou sn ess, e ffo r t is p s y c h o lo g ic a l e ffo rt. P o s itiv e s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n etc.
V o lu n ta r y s u ffe rin g in in c r e a s in g th e e ffo rt e x p e n d e d . E ffo rt is p a in
fu l. C o n s c io u s la b o r : q u e s tio n in g as to w h y .
A c c o r d in g to G u r d j ie f f s p s y c h o lo g y th e re are o n ly t w o fu n d a
m e n ta l e m o tio n s :
L o v e o f b e in g and fear o f n o n -b e in g .
A ll n e g a tiv e e m o tio n s can b e traced to fe a r o f n o n -b e in g . T h e y
th re a te n to c o n tr a c t o u r b e in g . A l l th at e x p a n d s o u r b e in g e tc . e x
p a n d in g o u r e g o - life , w it h lo v e w e e x p a n d o u r b e in g . W it h h a te and
fear, w e c o n tr a c t it.
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T h e B o o k o f D z y a n , a S a n sk rit fr a g m e n t in its o p e n in g stan zas asks
these q u e s tio n s . M a d a m B la v a ts k y s S ecret D o c t r in e is a c o m m e n
ta ry o n th ese. A l l b e in g s are cla ssified a c c o r d in g to th e ir rea so n ; e a c h
is a step o n a la d d e r. T h e rea so n o f a b e in g is th e c o o rd in a te d su m
0f his n o rm a l fu n c tio n s . M a n s is h ig h e r o n l y b e ca u se th e e le m e n ts
e n terin g in to it are m o re c o m p le x . S in ce th e m a jo r it y o f h u m a n f u n c
tions are a b n o r m a l his reason is also a b n o rm a l.
M a n b y d e fin itio n is s u p e rio r to th e an im als b u t in fa ct, his re a so n
is a b n o rm al. A b n o r m a lit y o f m a n is su m m e d u p th e absen ce o f fe a r
o f n o n -b e in g . A rab b it th re a te n e d w it h d ea th r u n s ; m a n do es n o t ru n .
(M an k n o w s th a t h e in e v ita b ly w i l l d ie so m e d a y , b u t this has n o c o n
sequences fo r his life.)
W h a t c o s m o lo g y ?

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1927

P o n d e rin g f o r e x a m p le , th e p h ra se c re a tiv e im a g in a tio n . W h a t w as

in te n d e d to b e m ea n t b y it, b y th e p e rso n w h o c o in e d it, a n d to us
im a g in a tio n is im a g e r y . C a n I im a g e s o m e th in g w h ic h I h ave n o t seen?
W h ic h is n o t c o m p o s e d o f o b je c ts I h ave see n , in a v o id ? N o ! H o w
d o es fa n c y d iffe r? It is less p re c ise . In g re a te r artists w e h a ve im a g in a
tio n ; in lesser, fa n c y . W h a t d istin gu ish e s? W h a t g iv e s a d iffe re n ce o f
v a lu e w h ic h w e n a tu ra lly assign ? C o m e b a c k t o th e w o r d c re a tiv e
Is it fa n c y v e rsu s cre atio n ? W h e r e is c re a tio n ? P erh ap s c re a tiv e is an
e x a g g e r a te d w o r d ; p e rh a p s d ir e c t e d , r e c o lle c t in g and r e c o m b in in g
im a g es. It can b e th u s u sed f o r fa n c y is u n d ir e c te d . D ir e c te d im a g in a
tio n is s o m e th in g m o re . W h a t d id C o le r id g e m e a n b y it? P erh ap s the
p h rase is re la te d to cre ato r? W h a t effe ct has th e fa c u lty o n an artist or
th in k e r? D id it create s o m e th in g in him ?
W h a t d o e s im a g in a tio n cre a te ? In th e re a d e r a n e le v a tio n o f m o o d ,
to a h ig h e r p la n e , a c lim b . B u t p erh ap s th is is o n ly a fe e lin g . W h a t
is th e e v id e n c e th at I am n o t fo o lin g m y s e lf? W h a t e v id e n c e th at I
h a ve c lim b e d ? I see a w id e r e x p a n se and less d e ta il. M a k e im a g in a
tiv e ex ercises. S u rv e y th e p o p u la tio n o f th is p la n e t as an e x e rc ise in
d ire cte d im a g in a tio n . It p r o d u c e s an e le v a tio n o f sp irit w it h in a b ility
to c o n s id e r d eta ils.
N o r m a l v e rsu s average. W e h a ve n ever seen th e n o rm a l; o n ly av
era ge an d a b n o rm a l. W e are su b -o rd in a r y . W e m u st p ro g re ss fro m
a b n o rm a l t h r o u g h o r d in a r y t o n o rm a l o r d in a ry . B y r o n w a s la c k in g in
h u m a n se n s ib ility , w h ic h m a k e s p o ssib le th e g e n iu s o f his v e rse . B u t
w e th in k su p e r o rd in a ry .
B ir th . D e v e lo p m e n t o f I .
T h e b ir th o f th e b o d y is n a tu ra l. In th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f th e b o d y
w e can fin d o n l y th e p a tte rn , b u t stages are id e n tic a l.
S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , I. E x p e r im e n ta tio n . Y o u t h o f I . V o lu n ta r y su f
fe r in g . C o n s c io u s lab or. T h e re su lt is a f u lly g r o w n I , and th e re fo re
its n o rm a l life w o u ld b e g in . T h e so u l has re a ch e d its re sp o n sib ility
and en te rs o n its fu n ctio n s.

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E x te rn a l p h ase . C la s s ify a c c o r d in g to ty p e . M o d e r n p s y c h o lo g is ts are
e x p lo r ers w it h o u t a m ap. T h is p s y c h o lo g y ( G u r d j ie f f s) o ffe rs a m a p
to th e tra v e le r. T h e r e has b e e n g iv e n to this p la n e t a p a rticu la r a tte n
tio n b eca u se it is a b n o rm a l, a m o te in th e e y e o f th e u n iv erse.
T h e m o o n w a s sp lit o f f o n a c c o u n t o f an a c c id e n t, p erh ap s t o d e
v e lo p a c e r ta in k in d o f so u l. R e a d in g is a m o d e r n su b stitu te f o r o p in
io n w it h th e sam e effe cts o n l y o n th e cereb ra l c e n te r instead o f e m o
tio n al. S a k a k i k e p t th e p a ssen g ers o n a d o o m e d sh ip p la y in g p o k e r.
Just as th e E n g lis h g o v e r n m e n t keep s th e u n p a id classes d is tra c te d
w it h c in e m a s, races and g a m b lin g .
K u n d a b u ffe r is v e s tig ia l. T h e p in ea l g la n d is a v e s tig ia l e y e . T h e
a p p e n d ix , t h o u g h still w it h s o m e fu n ctio n s , is v e s tig ia l. C u s to m s an d
habits are c o n t in u e d b y s o c io lo g ic a l causes.
C o n s e q u e n c e : d o n o t p e o p le j u d g e b y w h a t th e y have f o r t h e o r y
and h ear say a n d n o t b y w h a t th e y k n o w . P r a c t ic a lly a n y b o d y c a n b e
p e rsu ad ed th a t re a d in g a b o u t im a g in a r y p e o p le is a fo r m o f e x p e r i
en ce. W e also are ap t to b e lie v e th a t e x p e r ie n c e is c o m m u n ic a b le , th a t
w e can b e ta u g h t b y it. O r th a t w e w is h rest a n d p e a ce; o r th a t to
be rich is a h a p p ie r state th a n to b e p o o r ; th a t p e o p le are in fe r io r o r
su p erio r a c c o r d in g to th e ir sta tio n in life , o r f o r th e ir po ssessio n s, o r
ch arm , o r e d u c a tio n , o r g ifts . S u c h as a g ift f o r w r it in g , c o m p a ra b le
to a w a r t o r a p re h e n sile th u m b . T h a t n a tio n a l grea tn ess is a c o n d itio n
o f in d iv id u a l h ap p in ess. T h a t a m u se m e n t am u ses. T h a t d is tin g u is h e d
c o m p a n y is b rillia n t. T h a t in s p ira tio n can ta k e th e p la ce o f w o r k .
T h a t o th e r p e o p le s praise is s a tis fa cto ry o r th a t th e ir d isa p p ro v a l is
d e b ilita tin g . P ra ise acts as a se d a tiv e and d is a p p ro v a l p ro v o k e s a sh a rp
p ra ctice an d a p r o v o c a tiv e a ttitu d e . T h a t b o o k s , m u sic and p ic tu r e s
are s tim u la tin g , a p a th e tic a s s u m p tio n th at w e are re c e iv in g passive
im p ressio n s. T h a t leisu re w it h o u t p r e v io u s w o r k is a greea b le . T h a t it
is p o ssib le t o d o n o th in g . T h a t fa m e has a real v a lu e o r th e p o ssessio n
o f p o w e r o r su ccess. C o n t in u e th is list.
T h e s e are d u e to a g e n e ra l p r o p e r ty o f k u n d a b u ffe r. W e are u n a b le
to p o n d e r b e c a u s e p o n d e r in g m ig h t d istu rb o u r s e lf-c a lm w h ic h is a
p eace o f m in d w it h o u t u n d e rs ta n d in g th e m e a n in g o f life . E g o is m
is th e s u b s titu tio n fo r r ig h t a n d w r o n g o f I lik e and I d o n t lik e .
I lik e o r d o n o t lik e .
It is g o o d o r bad.
It is r ig h t o r w r o n g .
267

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I927

T a stes are o f th e in s tin c tiv e cen ter.

E m o tio n a l c e n te r; it is g o o d .
In te lle c tu a l c e n te r; it is r ig h t o r w r o n g f o r th e effe ct in te n d e d .
T h e w o r d s I lik e an d I d o n t lik e s h o u ld b e le ft to c h ild re n .
M e a n s b y w h ic h th e in flu e n c e o f th e p r o p e r tie s o f k u n d a b u ffe r
a ct: s u g g e s tib ility is s o c io lo g ic a l, b o rn in o u r b io lo g ic a l stru c tu re . O f
all th e im p ressio n s r e c e iv e d w e n o te th o s e in d ic a te d b y s u g g e s tio n .
B lo o d -s tr e a m th e c o n t in u u m o f b io lo g y , s u g g e s tib ility th e m e c h a
n ism o f o u r p s y c h o lo g y . W e shall n e v e r u n d e rs ta n d a n y th in g w it h o u t
p e rso n a l e f f o r t c o n s cio u s la b o r w h ic h is la b o r to u n d e rsta n d . W e d o
n o t a c q u ire u n d e rs ta n d in g b y e x p e rie n c e . M o s t o b lig a tio n s are fu l
fille d b e ca u se o f p u n is h m e n ts and rew ard s.
E s s e n tia lly th e re is n o d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n m a n and w o m a n . P erh aps
m a n m e e ts his p ro b le m s w i t h an in te lle c tu a l em p h asis an d w o m a n
w it h e m o tio n a l. B u t d iffe r e n tia tio n o f se x d o e s n o t arise u n til e m b ry o
has passed th is n o te in th e th ir d m o n th o f g e s ta tio n .
V in e a n d th e te n d ril te n d r il sent o u t b y th e v in e to re c o n n o ite r.
S o c io lo g ic a l o r ig in o f a s p lit p e rs o n a lity f o r a c h ild says: B il l y did
so an d s o . W e te ach h im t o use I , b r in g in g a b o u t his o w n id e n
tific a tio n w i t h his p la n e ta r y b o d y . W e m u s t atta in th e r ig h t to use
th e w o r d I . W e m u st b e a b le to o b je c t ify th e b o d y , c o n s id e r it as a
p o ssessio n .
T h e k in g d o m o f h e a v e n is w ith in y o u a n d i f y e k n o w y o u r s e lv e s
y e shall fin d i t . T h is s a y in g w a s a ttrib u te d t o Jesus in a p a rch m e n t
d is c o v e re d a b o u t f o r t y y e a rs a g o . A ls o : K n o w y o u r s e lv e s an d y e
shall b e a w a re th a t y e are th e sons o f th e f a t h e r , d a te a b o u t 350

ad

P o n d e r in g alw a y s refers t o th e q u e stio n w h y , r a tio cin a tio n to w h a t.

W h y a m I a liv e? Start b y e lim in a tin g all th e fa m ilia r an sw ers. F in d all
useless. N o a n sw e r is le ft e x c e p t th e c ra v in g f o r an an sw er. T h e b o d y
can o n ly d re a m : W h o sh a ll d e liv e r m e f r o m th e b o d y o f th is d e a th ?
I can o n ly esca p e fr o m d re a m s b y d is - id e n t ify in g . T h e n I ca n w a k e
u p t h o u g h th e b o d y c o n tin u e s to sleep.
A l l u n d ir e c te d th o u g h t w a ste s th e o r g a n is m , w astes tim e , w astes
e n e r g y (th e d a ily ratio n ). In th e in te rv a ls w h e n n o t th in k in g o f a n y
th in g , th in k o f so m e th in g . I f n o t p o n d e r in g o n th ese m a tters, th in k
o f p ra ctic a l p ro b le m s. T h e m a te ria l fo r p o n d e r in g is th e fo r m s o f e x
p e rie n c e . P o n d e rin g req u ires th in k in g in fo r m s .
A l l v e rb a l c o m m u n ic a tio n s are rea lly im p o s s ib le , o r at lea st rela
tiv e . W e c o m m u n ic a te b y r e c o g n itio n o f a s im ila r ity o f e x p e rie n c e .
A l l e x p e r ie n c e is in e ffa b le ; b u t w e t r y to fo r m u la te certain fo r m s o f
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th o u g h t at w h ic h w e t h r o w w o r d s . B u t th e fo r m u la tio n is n o t th e
fo rm . T h e r e are m a n y p o ssib le fo r m u la tio n s fo r ea ch fo r m .
T h e w is h o f w ish e s in m a n is th e w is h t o u n d e rsta n d , b u t th is w is h
is b ro k e n u p in t o a v a r ie t y o f w is h e s ; a b u s h in stea d o f a t r u n k . T h e
v a ria tio n a cco m p lish e s n o t h in g b u t th e fu n d a m e n ta l w is h rem ain s.
M y th s : O s ir is w as c u t in p ie ce s and sc a tte re d o v e r th e p la n e t. It
w as th e w o r k o f Isis (w is d o m ) to re in te g r a te , m a k e w h o le . T h e n m an
is m an.
S E C T IO N ON TIM E

T im e is a p ro ce ss that c a n n o t b e sensed, fe lt o r u n d e rs to o d . O n l y p h e
n o m en a c a n b e k n o w n b u t tim e is th e u n iq u e s u b je c tiv e , n e v e r su b ject
to b e k n o w n .
I a m a n a b ility to e x p e r ie n c e ; b u t th is a b ilit y to e x p e r ie n c e is d e
te rm in e d b y th e o rg a n is m . T h e p o te n tia ls o f m y p e rso n a l e x p e r ie n c e
are c o n d itio n e d b y th e w in d in g o f m y th r e e ce n te rs o r b ra in s. A t th e
presen t t im e o u r th ree b ra in s act a c c o r d in g to ch an ce. T h e re su lt is
that e x p e r ie n c e teach es u s n o th in g sin ce th e o r d e r in w h ic h su c h e x
p erien ces o c c u r d ep en d o n c h a n c e and n o t o n lo g ic o r reason .
Illu s tra tio n : a m o to r car th a t is ru n p r o p e r ly is su b ject to w e a r and
tear; b u t i f im p r o p e r ly ru n th e rate o f w e a r a n d tear is n o t d e te rm in e d
b y its o r ig in a l s tru c tu re . T h e in c id e n ts o f life are n o t g r a d e d in th e
o rd er in w h ic h w e can d e r iv e real u n d e rs ta n d in g . W ith th e d e v e lo p
m en t o f essen ce , e x p e rie n c e s w o u ld b e g in t o f lo w in th e r ig h t o rd er.
C o in c id e n c e s b e g in to o c c u r m o r e fr e q u e n t ly as essen ce d e v e lo p s . A s
i f p r o v id e n c e a c o in c id e n c e o f o ctaves.
O u r p la n e ta r y b o d y e x is ts fo r t w o p u rp o s e s :
A tr a n s fo r m in g o f e n e r g ie s b e tw e e n su n , e a rth and m o o n . L ik e
tides.

T o p r o v id e a so il in w h ic h a so u l can d e v e lo p .

A t p re se n t o n ly th e c o s m o s in a p h y s ic a l sen se m akes u se o f th e
p la n e ta ry b o d y . In this sen se, w e are a g en ts f o r th e s u p p ly o f f o o d to
th e m o o n .
T h o u g h t v a ries in w e ig h t and r a p id ity ; e m o tio n s in in te n s ity ,
b o d y in m u s c u la r stress. T r y an d c atch a t h o u g h t and a p p r o x im a te its
w e ig h t. C o m p a r e th e in t e n s ity o f e m o tio n s . A n d m u scu la r m o tio n s
in te n sio n .

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A c t as i f I e x ists and it w il l. S ay I h a v e a b o d y and y o u w ill

h a ve o n e . A m a n is re sp o n sib le fo r all his acts e x c e p t in d ea th pain s.
S leep , fo o d , e tc ., sh o u ld b e sch e d u le d fo r o r g a n ic n eeds. T h e b o d y
has m a n y n e e d s fo r w h ic h it has n o w a n ts . S a tisfa c tio n o f w a n ts d e
stroys u s; sa tisfa ctio n o f n e e d s b u ild s us u p ; c f. W a g n e r s p ro se w o r k s
T h e r e is a m a rg in b e tw e e n n e e d and w a n t, e .g . sleep .

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\Orage reads from Bertrand R ussells : A Free m ans worship.]
B ertra n d R u s s e ll is th e H a m a lin a d ir o f m o d e r n E u ro p e . A n o t h e r
e x tra ct R u s s e lls d re a m o f h a p p in ess (c o o p e ra tio n in stead o f c o m
p etitio n ). H e d ia g n o se s to p s y c h ic causes in m a n w h ic h p r e v e n t c o o p
eration. H e is d e s c r ib in g c o n s e q u e n c e s o f th e p r o p e r tie s o f th e o r g a n
k u n d a b u ffe r. C o n tr a s t m o d e r n p s y c h o lo g y an d p h ilo s o p h y s p o in t o f
v ie w w it h th a t o f G u r d jie ff. M a k e a list o f te n q u e s tio n s w h ic h p u z z le
you.

SECOND DESCENT
P lanets are m u t u a lly d e p e n d e n t o n ea ch o t h e r s e m a n a tio n s an d
these e m a n a tio n s p ro c e e d p r in c ip a lly fr o m th e o r g a n ic k in g d o m . O n
each, th e o r g a n ic k in g d o m is lik e a th in co a t o f v a r n is h o n th e s u rfa ce
o f a fo o tb a ll, a sk in . A s a ray o f lig h t falls o n a su b sta n ce, o n e c o lo r
b ein g rad ia ted an d th e o th e r rays a b so rb ed b y th e su b stan ce. W e a b
sorb . . .
O n ea ch o f th e p la n ets, n a tu re p ro v id e s c o n d itio n s fo r so u ls f o r th e
creatio n o f th o s e souls n e ce ssa ry f o r th e c re a to r. T h e b o d y w it h a ll its
organs e x ists f o r o n e p r o d u c t w h ic h is seed, th e a b ility to r e p r o d u c e .
B u t at th e sa m e tim e , G u r d jie f f says th at th at is t o e n d ------.
In a d d itio n t o r e p r o d u c in g , th e re m u st b e p r o d u c in g . In a d d itio n
to p ro c re a tio n w h ic h is b io lo g ic a l th e re m u st b e c re a tio n w h ic h is
p s y c h o lo g ic a l. In stead o f p r o lo n g in g th e sp ecies th r o u g h a su cce ssio n
o f tim e, th e p r o lo n g in g o f th e in d iv id u a l an d th e a b o litio n o f tim e .
N a tu re p r o v id e s c o n d itio n s fo r b o th and is in d iffe re n t; b u t th e
cre a to rs m o tiv e is to p r o d u c e th e souls. O n a ll th e p lan ets b e in g s
are gra d ed a c c o r d in g to th e ir r e a s o n . R e a s o n is th e su m o f n o r m a l
fu n ctio n s. A n d th e re is a n a tu ra l rela tio n b e tw e e n b e in g s and d iffe r e n t
reaso n s. R e la tio n s as in p h y sic s. S tan d ard s in reaso n s are im p a rtia l.
I f b ein g s o f d iffe r e n t reasons m e e t, th e lo w e r w o u l d n o t d is p u te th e
s u p e rio rity . A m a n r e a lly n o r m a l w o u ld n o t b e h a rm e d b y a n o rm a l
beast. A b n o r m a l c o n d itio n s o f s o c ie t y resu lt in n a tu ra l c o n d itio n s b e
in g c h a n g e d . A resp e cted b e in g d e m a n d e d b y in fe r io r b e in g s. R e a l
respect w o u ld b e n atu ra l an d in e v ita b le . M e n b e c o m e fa m o u s b e ca u se
f o d d itie s, d e fe c ts e tc. T h e re a so n a b le o r r o u n d e d m a n d o es n o t a t
tract a tte n tio n ; th e o d d it y d o e s .

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THIRD DESCENT

The whole universe exists as to its physical body for the sake o f th
Sun Absolute. The Sun Absolute is the universe. The body exists so
that I may understand. The best use to which the cells o f the bod
and the body could be put, and which would give them the most
satisfaction is to increase the understanding o f I who is their G od
Analogy Sun Absolute is the soul body o f God. Suns. What is called
essence (G. B. Shaw, life force) on certain planets in certain beings
coats itself as a cosmic unit. In which the divine reason may exist in
dividually in time after this. It aspires to become a constituent cell of
his brain, a cell in the highest brain o f God.
The substance o f essence is called prana. (Sometimes said to be
the blood o f the nervous system.) Life for the planetary body is blood.
Life for the astral body is prana.
If crystallized in anyone, thereafter one must improve it in divine
reason or reincarnate perpetually. Current occult groups say we all
reincarnate and have already done so in time. According to the theosophist, not in recurrence. According to Gurdjieff this is untrue. Re
incarnation is the exception occurring only when individuality has
begun, when ones prana has begun to crystallize. Then there is no
escape; one must go on while the seed is gestated. Gurdjieff: Blessed
is he who has a soul; blessed is he who has none; but unhappy is he
who has the conception o f one.
This concerns only a few in relation to the rest; essence is thrown
into the melting pot from which new beings emerge but never the
same essence Peer Gynt and The Button Moulder. Many o f us have
an essence, not yet crystallized and therefore not yet recognizable.
In proper conditions, kundabuffer however developed, from birth,
gradually atrophies. What are the proper conditions? Buddhas eight
fold path o f right thinking etc. When kundabuffer is atrophied nor
mal development begins. The souls may develop rapidly.
Akhaldans seekers after the meaning and aim o f existence, pon
derers. Members grade according to their intensity o f desire. They
affirm nothing, they are only seekers. The bell tent and the central
pole, the aim and meaning o f existence may be an impossible aim but
that aim must be the tent pole. Pursuit o f this aim is religion.
Men used to live between twelve and fifteen-hundred years
age has no idea how this is to be taken.) N o evidence o f any
truth. Perhaps to be taken in the sense o f activity in three centers. The
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centers run down, the period o f learning is over, a creature capable o f

learning which has ceased to learn. It may be said this creature is no
longer man.
The reason that certain parts o f the planet become centers o f in
tensive population and other parts become war areas is that nature
demands from those parts o f the planet vibrations only provided by
congested population or by death.
q u e s t i o n : W hat is it to be ordinary?
a n s w e r : A workman-like attitude to any job. If one has an extraor
dinary gift, this does not mean that one must cease to exercise it, but
must not be w ith an extraordinary psychology attached to it. Must
regard this extraordinary gift from an ordinary point o f view; not
attaching too much value to what is a product o f biology.
Ordinary subordinary extraordinary.
To become normal we must first become ordinary, in psychology.
Subordinary and extraordinary are identified w ith the lack or pres
ence o f some special gift. Ordinary does not refer to the organism
but to the psychological attitude to it. One must be non-identified.
The method cannot be proven theoretically. The psyche is always
active and demonstratively never passive and logical. Potentials are
only experienceable but never logically demonstrable. Stretch your
mind with exercises, efforts o f real imagining in reality. Such as the
exercise o f imagining the total population on the planet etc., or in
place o f the planet on the solar system in relation to Hercules in the
milky way, to other milky ways.

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FIFTH DESCENT
A sh ia ta r e fo r m s can be scaled . W h ic h p la n e is it o n ? S p e cu la te as to
h o w y o u w o u ld b e g in to c h a n g e th e h u m a n sp ecie s. A sh ia ta b e g a n b y
d is tru s tin g a ll h is b eliefs d u e t o s o c io lo g y . H e m a d e h im s e lf cap able
o f in t e lle c tio n w it h o u t im a g e c o n t e n t, i.e. c a p a b le o f im p a rtia lity . H e
c o n c lu d e d th a t th e species w a s t o o far g o n e in s u b je c tiv ity fo r any
ap p eal to lo v e , h o p e and fa ith . H e settled o n o b je c tiv e co n s cie n c e
re p re se n ta tiv e o f G o d in th e essen ce, n o t d e a d b u t d o rm a n t. It c o u ld
b e b r o u g h t in t o c o n scio u sn ess. T h e n m an w o u l d h a ve an in fa llib le
g u id e as t o th e n atu re o f h is d u t y . M e n u n d e rsta n d and c o o p e ra te in
th e sch em e o f th in g s and pass f r o m th e c a t e g o r y o f slaves in to th a t o f
sons. H e ta u g h t th e m e th o d o f se lf-o b s e r v a tio n , e tc .
F iv e p o in ts o f o b je c tiv e m o r a lity :

1. Satisfaction o f the planetary body. S a tisfa ctio n h e re has n o c o n n e c

tio n w it h g r a tific a tio n ; b u t m e a n s th e sa tisfa ctio n o f n eeds. T h e r e is
an o b lig a tio n to k e e p th e p la n e ta r y b o d y in tr im , in lean h e a lth , w it h
o u t ex cess o r d e fic ie n c y , w it h o u t its c o m p la in in g an d m a k in g it an
sw er to o n e s n eed s. T h e ra n g e o f life is c o n d itio n e d b y th e p la n e ta ry
b o d y ; and it m u s t b e re g a rd e d as an in s tru m e n t.

2. To improve ones being. W h a t is th e m e a n in g o f b e in g ? I c a n n o t be

d e fin e d in te rm s o f th e in te llig e n c e , o r o f a b ility o r o f th e state o f the
p la n e ta ry b o d y . It is n o t w h a t w e k n o w o r c a n d o ; b u t w h a t w e are.
P o n d e r th e m e a n in g o f th e w o r d . H a v e y o u a n y fe a r o f b e in g alo n e?
T h e state o f b e in g is th e o n l y th in g w h ic h g r o w s o r d eclin es. M o s t
th in g s are d e te rm in e d b y th e p la n e ta r y b o d y a n d in this sense th e b eh a v io ris t is r ig h t as to 99 p e r c e n t o f life. W h e t h e r I b e c o m e fa cile
in la n g u a g e s in art o r in e a r n in g m o n e y is d u e to ch an ce. In d iv id u a l
g r o w t h c o n sists in th e g r o w t h o f b e in g , essen ce, n o t p e rso n a lity . P er
son al a tte m p t to say: w h a t s o r t o f b e in g am I? A m I c h ic k e n -liv e r e d
o r d o I fe e l s o m e so rt o f d ig n it y , ap art fr o m m y e x te r n a l stu p id ity ?
T h e r e is o n l y o n e m e th o d o f im p r o v e m e n t o f b e in g b y e f f o r t , b e
in g e ffo rt. T h is p h rase m a y h a v e m a n y m e a n in g s i f rega rd e d b y th e in
te lle c t; b u t p e r s o n a lly o n e k n o w s w h a t e ffo rt has b e e n m ade. B y v o l
u n ta r y e ffo r t, th e b e in g g r o w s ; an d fails fr o m th e reve rse . R e v i e w th e
d a y fo r v o lu n t a r y e ffo rt. T h e r e is a fe e lin g o f s tr e n g th fr o m h a v in g
p e r fo r m e d th is e x e rcise . L ife is a g y m n a s iu m . S t. P a u l a lw a y s r u n
n in g in th e g r e a t race. G u r d jie f f says: A lw a y s in a state o f p u ff, n o t
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excess b u t a lw a y s a little a h ea d o f in c lin a tio n . W il l fe e l m o re s tr o n g .
S e lf-co n sc io u sn e ss passes, d isa p p e ars and g iv e s c o n fid e n c e , a tta in m e n t
Gf s tr e n g th . G u r d jie f f uses sp ir itu a l in th e sen se o f s p ir ite d , a
sp iritu al h o rs e o r d o g .
3.
To aim always to know more and more o f the world, and o f its laws and o f
its creation and maintenance. T h e a im o f p h ilo s o p h y is th e u n d e rs ta n d
in g o f life . T h is is n o t a p r iv ile g e o f a f e w b u t a n o r m a l fu n c tio n o f th e
h u m a n b e in g . It d o e s n o t r e q u ir e th at w e g iv e th e r ig h t a n sw e r; b u t
th e d ig n it y o f m a n con sists o f h is c o n c e r n w i t h th e q u e stio n . T h a t h e
ask o f th e e x is t in g c o n d itio n s a n d o f his life . W h a t is th e m e a n in g o f
it? O n e s h o u ld a lw a y s be c u r io u s ly q u e s tio n in g e x p e rie n c e . In e v e r y
situ a tio n th e re is m a teria l fo r q u e s tio n in g . W i t h o n e fa c u lty o n e is
in q u irin g w h ile w it h th e o th e r fa cu ltie s o n e is b e h a v in g o r d in a r ily .
T h e r e is n o n e e d to b e a lo o f o r id io s y n c r a tic . U n d e r s ta n d in g is o f th e
in te lle c tu a l c e n te r . A n e ffo rt t o p o n d e r th e m e a n in g and a im o f e x is
ten ce a u to m a tic a lly stretch es a ll th e fa cu ltie s o f th e m in d , m e m o r y ,
a tten tio n , im a g in a tio n , c o n c e n tr a tio n , e tc. b e c o m e e n la rg e d , n o t b y
d irect b u t b y in d ir e c t e x e rcise . W h ile p o n d e r in g m a y b e seem s to h a v e
n o resu lt, a fte r a h a lf-h o u r th e re m a y b e n o t a w o r d to say. W o r s e
than th at th e re m a y b e m e r e ly an in crea sed r e a liz a tio n o f ig n o r a n c e .
Socrates said w is d o m is r e a liz a tio n . G u r d jie f f s a y s : T h e m o re y o u r e
a lize y o u d o n t k n o w , th e m o r e y o u k n o w , as y o u w i l l fin d . E x e rc is e
b y a ssem b lin g a ll y o u k n o w a b o u t b e in g s o n th is p la n e t; w it h e v e r y
b reath o n e is b o r n and w i t h e v e r y b re a th o n e d ies, b re a th in g th is
p la n e t. ( R e fe r b a c k to n u m b e r 2.)
S tr e n g th e ffo r t u s u a lly o n t w o o b jects:

a. O ver body. W o r k u n til p a in fu l and th e n d o a little m o r e , a little

m o re th a n y o u feel y o u c a n d o . T h is is th e e ffo rt. W h e n a little
m o re p a in fu l, th e n s to p . V o lu n ta r ily c re a te c o n d itio n s in w h ic h
y o u pass to y o u r se co n d w in d .

b. O ver feeling. W h e n y o u fe e l y o u c a n t c o n ta in y o u r s e l f a n y
lo n g e r th e n c o n ta in y o u r s e l f a little lo n g e r . T h a t is, w a it in g a
little lo n g e r b e fo r e y o u r m a n ife sta tio n s b e c o m e ex p re s se d . L o o k
fo r y o u r o c c a sio n s w it h in th e b o u n d s o f c o m m o n sense, e .g . d if
fic u lt y in fo r m u la tin g q u e s tio n s , d iffic u lt y in a sk in g q u e s tio n s
in th e g r o u p , o v e r c o m in g s illy little fea rs. H o w m u c h s tr o n g e r
are y o u th a n th ree y e a rs a g o w h e n y o u sta rte d a tte n d in g th ese
g r o u p s . A b s e n c e o f w i l l t o m a k e e ffo rt b e c a u s e o f th e fa ilu r e to
re a liz e th e n e c e ssity fo r it.

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4. To p ay ones debt in order to befree to serve (duty). W o r d s w o r th , O d e

to D u t y . R e c o g n it io n o f p e rfo rm a n c e a n d ju s tic e . G e n e r a lly speak
in g w e a re a ll o f us parasites. N o t o n e o f u s has d isch a rg e d h is d e b t to
n a tu re. T o b e a liv e is a u n iq u e m ira cle . T h e c o s t to n a tu re, th e prepa
ra tio n o f p la n e ta ry c o n d itio n s and lo n g p e r io d s o f c iv iliz a tio n s , in
stru m e n ta litie s . In r e tu r n , th e m a jo r ity o f us d o e s n o th in g b u t c h ild
is h ly e n jo y . In th e fa m ily o f n atu re, w e are s e lf-in d u lg e n t c h ild ren
R e c o g n it io n o f services re n d e re d . E m e rs o n says: E arn y o u r L iv in g
Y o u m a y e a rn it b y g r a tu ito u s e ffo rt. I f y o u h a v e a th o u sa n d d ollars
sp en d it in t e llig e n tly . H o w dare y o u s q u a n d e r th e e ffo rts o f others?
W h a t I c a n n o t th in k is h o w n atu re can le t y o u liv e .

5. H elping others to self-individuality. T h e k e y is se rv ice . D is c rim in a te

b e tw e e n g r a t ify in g th e w e a k n e sse s o f o th e r s in o rd e r to o b ta in th eir
g o o d o p in io n o f o u rs e lv e s a n d h e lp in g th e m t o b e c o m e w h a t th e y re
a lly w a n t : in d e p e n d e n t, s e lf-c o n s cio u s , h e a lth y , stro n g , u n d e rsta n d
in g , ca p a b le o f p e r fo r m in g d u ty . U s u a lly w e m e r e ly ca ter to k u n d a b u ffe r. O n th e o th e r h a n d w e dare n o t b e h a rd o n o th e rs because
th is in v o lv e s th e o b lig a tio n to be d o u b ly h a rd o n o u rselv es. T h e o n ly
s e r v ic e w e c a n ren d er h u m a n b ein g s is a s e r v ic e that w ill h e lp th em
d is c h a rg e th e ir fu n c tio n s as h u m a n b e in g s.
R e a s o n is d efin ed as th e su m o f n o r m a l fu n ctio n s . W h ic h are
th ese fu n c tio n s to y o u ? A n o rm a l h u m a n b e in g has five a c tiv itie s or
fu n c tio n s :
1. H e a lth .
2. S tr e n g th , (q u a lity o r fo r c e o f b ein g ).
3. I n q u ir in g fo r th e sake o f u n d e rsta n d in g .
4. P a y in g th e co st o f o n e s liv in g .
5. S e r v ic e to o th ers.
R e la t iv e ly to these sam e v a lu e s , it is n o t a q u e s tio n o f b e in g C h r is
tian d isp o se d . N o t a v ir t u e . Q u e s tio n o f b e in g a m an o r a w o m a n .
A n y o n e o f these can b e iso la te d and m a d e an id o l o f, b e c o m in g
o ffe n s iv e . T h e s e five c o m p o u n d e d m ake a n o r m a l h u m an b e in g . M a n
is a p a ssio n , e tc ., h e has th e s e fiv e pro cesses a n d b e h in d th e m , a pas
sio n w h ic h is in te g ra l. P o n d e r th e w o r d p a s s io n . It is an in te n sific a
tio n o f c r a z e and is lif e lo n g and e n d u rin g . H o l y is w h o l l y , a h o ly
( w h o lly ) p a ssio n . E v e r y p e r s o n is h o ly to th e d e c re e o f his p assio n .

[A question was raised o f recurrence and reincarnation.]

T h e a im o f th e tree is t o p r o d u c e seed. T h e r e is a d iffe r e n c e b e
tw e e n a seed an d th e le a f. In th e a u tu m n , th e leaves fa ll; b u t th e y d o
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0t fall u n til th e y h a ve r e tu r n e d th e ir sap t o th e tree tr u n k . A c e rta in

aino u n t o f life is c o n fid e d to a tree. T h e lea ve s b re ath e . W h e n the

season f o r b re a th in g is e n d e d , life is w it h d r a w n fr o m th e le a f. T h e
leaf falls, w a s te d ; n e x t y e a r , th e re is a n o th e r le a f. L eaves re c u r. T h e r e
is no in d iv id u a l p e rsiste n ce . L ife coats i t s e lf in a n e w le a f. B u t th e
d ro p p in g o f a seed is v e r y d iffe re n t; th e l e a f su rren d ers its life b ack ,
g u t in th e case o f seed th e life passes in to it. It can g o a n y w h e r e and
the life o f th e tree g o e s w i t h it. T o th e tr e e , a seed is a d e a d lo ss, and
yet it is w h a t th e tree e x is ts fo r . T h e l e a f is n o t a d ead lo ss. In th e
N orse m y t h o lo g y , o n Y g g d r a s il th e tree o f life , o c c a s io n a lly seeds
appear. G o d s an d m e n , t h e y in ca rn ate, h a v in g c ry s ta lliz e d p ra n a in
th em selves in to seeds. W e are re cu rre n t le a v e s w it h th e p o s s ib ility o f
b e c o m in g re c u rre n t seeds.

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I h a ve b e e n re a d in g c u rr e n t p s y c h o lo g y in th e A tla n tic M o n t h ly , th
a rtic le T h e P a ra d o x o f H u m a n is m . T h e firs t serio u s sta te m en t after
c o n s id e rin g b e h a v io r is m ; th e first s w a llo w a fte r w in te r .
T h e p s y c h e o b je cts to liv in g in a f o o l s p arad ise. O u r d u t y i s to
a n tic ip a te th e in e v ita b le p e ssim ism , th e b r e a k d o w n o f m o d e r n sci
e n c e , r e lig io n and eth ics. M a n y p e o p le still im a g in e th e y h a v e some
fre e w ill. T h e th e o rie s in G u r d j ie f f s b o o k are at p resen t p rem a tu re
and u seless, lik e r e c o m m e n d in g a d o c to r t o a m a n w h o th in k s he is
in g o o d h e a lth . B u t it is d esira b le that th e re s h o u ld be a n u cle u s o f
p e o p le w i t h c e rta in p o s itiv e id eas. It is in e v ita b le th e re w i l l b e pes
sim ism , w h ic h w il l reach th e fin est m in d s. N o t a ll w ill escap e as easily
as B e rtra n d R u s s e ll, w h o is te r r ib ly at ease in h e ll and e m o tio n a lly
a ch ild .

PRELUDE TO CHAPTER ON PURGATORY

Last w e e k w e d iscussed o b je c tiv e m o r a lity . B u t th ere w a s p resu p
p o sed th e a b ilit y to d is tin g u is h b e tw e e n I a n d th e o rg a n ism , and to
re a liz e th a t th e o rg a n ism is a m e ch a n ica l o r g a n o f h e r e d ity a n d social
h is to r y a n d w it h b e h a v io r c o rr e s p o n d in g t o th a t h is to ry , o v e r w h ic h
w e h ave n o c o n tr o l.
W e c a n n o t a ffect b e h a v io r in resp ect e ith e r t o e m o tio n , th o u g h t or
c o n d u c t. W h e n o n e has r e a liz e d this, th e ru le s o f o b je c tiv e m o r a lity
b e c o m e o b lig a to r y . W h e n y o u re a liz e th at y o u c a n n o t d o , th e n real
iz e th a t y o u m u st d o , th e re a fte r d o n o t a ct f r o m in c lin a tio n o r w ish
b u t fr o m w ill. W ill is a c t iv it y w it h o u t w is h .
A s I a w a k e s fo r a s e c o n d an d b eg in s to b e a w are o f its o rg a n ism ,
it b e g in s t o g r o w . T h a t I is th e so u l. In th e p re se n t ch a p te r, w e w ill
pass fr o m o b je c tiv e m o r a lity b a c k to b e h a v io r is m again , in a m o re
d e ta ile d w a y th a n is a tte m p te d b y c o n t e m p o r a r y scien ce.
A s h ia ta lists sev en fa cto rs w h ic h m a k e th e o r g a n is m w h a t it is. N o t
a sim p le rea so n , b u t a n u m b e r o f c o n t r ib u tin g fa cto rs, d iv id e d in to
seven g r o u p s .

1. Heredity in general.
T h is is th e d e te r m in a b ility o f th e e x p e r ie n c e -a b ility . It is n o t o n e s
im m e d ia te p a re n ta g e b u t th e w h o le fa m ily , a n d b e h in d th e fa m ily the
race. F iv e m a jo r races, e a ch w i t h a p e cu lia r p s y c h e , w it h h is to r y a n d
e x p e rie n c e s . B e h in d th e race is a b io lo g ic a l h is t o r y ; an im al, v e g e ta b le ,
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jjiin eral. W e can d is tin g u is h c e rta in ch a ra cte ristics. T h e b o d y is th e

r e s u lt o f a c o m p lic a te d b io lo g ic a l h is to ry b a c k t o th e a p p e a ra n ce o f

o rga n ic life o n th is p la n et.

2. Conditions at the moment o f conception.

A t th e m o m e n t o f c o n c e p tio n w e start as a u n ic e llu la r b e in g . T h is
m o m e n t in c lu d e s th e fa cto rs o f th e p h ysica l a n d p s y ch ica l state o f th e
parents, in c lu d in g th e ir re c e n t h is to r y ; also th e g e o g ra p h ic a l p o s itio n ,
c o n d itio n o f th e air, so il, m a g n e tic fo rce s e tc . W h a t d e te rm in e s? It
is to o c o m p le x fo r us to a tte m p t to a n a ly z e th is . O u r life is n o t d e
te rm in e d b y s e c o n d a r y cau ses w h ic h w e ta k e to b e p rim a r y , su c h as
h ealth e tc ., b u t o u r e x p e r ie n c e - a b ility , w h ic h is d e te rm in e d b y th e se
facto rs ju s t g iv e n . A m a ch in e w i t h a series o f w in d in g s ; i f th e se a re fa
vo ra b le th e e x p e r ie n c e - a b ility is b o th lo n g a n d r ic h . I f fe w e r, n o th in g
can p r o lo n g th is. It h o ld s th e sam e relatio n t o o u r life as o u r d re am s.
W e c a n n o t c o n t r o l e ith e r th e ir le n g th o r th e ir k in d .
3. Planetary emanations.
O p e r a tiv e o n us, th r o u g h o u r m o th e r d u r in g p e rio d o f g e s ta tio n .
T h is so u n d s n o n se n sica l. W e k n o w o f th e e ffe c t o f th e m o o n o n th e
tides. T h e r e are su b tle tid es in u s. It is h ere s ta te d th a t w e are a ffe c te d
b y th e p la n e ts asso ciated w i t h o u r sun. A g a in , it is im p o s sib le f o r us
to h ave a n y k n o w le d g e .

4. Being-manifestations o f the parents during the time that the children are
arriving at adolescence.
B y m a n ife s ta tio n s is m e a n t w h a te v e r th e p aren ts d o f r o m es
sen ce, g e n u in e ly . T h is is rare. A n act o f c o m p le t e sin c e rity h as an
e n o rm o u s e ffe c t o n a c h ild , u p o n its ch a ra cte r. O n e reason th a t c h il
dren g r o w u p w it h o u t c h a ra cte r is n o t b ecau se th e p arents d o n o t h a ve
it, b u t b eca u se th e y c o n c e a l it in th e ir b e h a v io r .
5. N ature o f being existence o f people with whom children are brought into

contact.
M o d e r n c iv iliz a tio n b rin g s a b o u t all k in d s o f a rtificial b e h a v io r ,
u n n atu ral f o o d , c lo th in g , sle e p , p o stu re . W e u s u a lly ex ercise o n e c e n
ter at a tim e , b e lo n g in g to a se d e n ta r y ty p e , u n n a tu ra l o r a c tiv e t y p e ,
w e b re a th e u n n a tu r a lly , a r tific ia lly . W e h a v e sp ared o u rse lv e s fa tig u e
and h ave n o t b e e n c o m p e lle d t o take lo n g b re a th s as a m a n u a l la b o r
er d oes. W e fin d th o u g h t a lm o s t spared u s b y rea d in g n e w sp a p e rs
and b o o k s . W h ile real te a c h in g is rep la ced b y a m e ch a n ica l e x e rc is e
o f m e m o r y . F o o d , air, t h o u g h t ; c h ild re n h a v e n o t th e a d v a n ta g e o f
c o p y in g th e b e h a v io r o f n o rm a l b e in g s; b u t a re m a d e a rtificial. T h is is
w h y c h ild r e n b r o u g h t u p o n a fa rm so m e tim e s o u ts tr ip c it y c h ild r e n .
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6. Thought waves o f those o f the same blood.

We are not in a position even to discuss this.

7. The exertion to understand, which children up to the age o f adolescence

have been encouraged to make.
The presumption is that they have curiosity. O ur habit is to grat
ify this at once, thus sparing it its own effort to gratify. An appetite
would exert itself but fuel heaped on a fire puts it out. Curiosity is so
valuable a manifestation o f life that its gratification should be delayed.
The teacher, instead o f being anxious to teach, should just encourage
curiosity. Gurdjieff says in the East there are no teachers, there are
only learners. They will carry them throughout. Life is vitally curi
ous.
Life from adolescence has been simply unrolling an objective film
corresponding to that which had been wound up in us. Our life was
like a cinema until adolescence. This film was wound unconsciously.
After adolescence it begins to unwind in the objective form o f experi
ences we meet. E.g. you choose a profession. Your fate is not deter
mined by what you will do in it; but what you w ill do in it is already
determined by these preceding factors. We are not living now; we are
watching unfold that o f which we are the unconscious victim our
little spool. As it unwinds, we, as we say, live. This is behaviorism
with a vengeance! This, says Gurdjieff, is w hy the behaviorists do not
yet begin to realize to what extent they are determined. Not actually
living. It is true accidents occur, the wound up spool maybe dropped,
may have a premature unwinding. Three spools, one by accident un
wound quickly. The result being that the individual cannot again
experience in the field o f that spool. E.g. terrible experiences which
turn the hair white in a few hours or days shell-shock. This may be
by accident or by the unwise initiation o f others. The latter is one o f
the perils o f civilization, as opposed to accident. About what is an
accident it is useless to speculate; but about the other disaster, it is
possible to speculate.
What is it aside from accident which causes a premature unwind
ing?
Suggestion. E.g. each o f us has a fixed capacity for thought. Sup
pose we act not from native wish but from invitation o f others. We
find ourselves reading a great deal, attending learned lectures. This
passive titillation exhausts our potentiality without our having ac
tively thought. Similarly, w ith emotions. By association with patho
logical artists devotees(read victims) o f love, o f beauty, find their

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emotions not genuine. To pursue an aesthetic career not actively but

appreciatively is a short cut to a loss o f taste and power. Similarly in
the physical world. Sport a premature aging o f the heart from exer
cise, not taken because one felt the need for it but because o f pseudo
reasons o f rivalry, publicity, etc. If one spool is gone, the possibility
in this life o f a normal development is gone. O ne specific against a
premature running down o f our spool is Iransamkeep, i.e. never
to abandon oneself to the activities o f one center only, never to be
come a specialist; never to aim at greatness; intellectual, emotional
or physical; but at a balance between the three, cost what it may in
sociological values.
Society is always creating monsters; because it is difficult to re
sist the inducements society offers. Leonardo da Vinci was one o f
the greatest o f Europeans because he refused to become a specialist
although promised much money. He would throw up the contract
when he felt himself becoming unbalanced. A working rule for ev
erybody; and nothing esoteric about this. Modern schools take this
into account but when the pupil leaves school he is expected to spe
cialize.
ANOTHER METHOD

Attempting to become self-conscious. Among the by-products is this,

that it is impossible to become specialized. One may excel but cannot
become identified with his pursuit. The difference between identifi
cation and non-identification is not one o f efficiency; but o f putting
or not putting ones life into it. This is a specific against a specializa
tion which is really pathological, the fate that otherwise lies in wait
for victims o f society.
This brings us back to the definition o f the final goal. We said at
the outset that man is a passion for the understanding o f life. This is
the master, magnetic current. But we are negatively polarized. The
positive magnetic pole is the cerebral, the negative is the instinctive.
When the current is rightly passing, all functions begin to fall into
proper place. But when, as in us, the current is passing from the spi
nal to the cerebral, then things go wrong. We are abnormal and are
crucified like Peter with head downward. W hat is the positive mag
netic current? The psychological being is a passion for understanding.
Those who have had it increasingly, find their functions increasingly
normal. First psychologically then physiologically.

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But the prime requisite is the presence o f that active passion for un
derstanding. Why? Because man was created for the purpose o f pro
ducing a soul. And a soul is defined as a being capable o f objective rea
son, that is, o f understanding the meaning and aim o f existence. To
the degree to which we are suggestible in regard to objective reason
admonitions o f ideas in this book may cooperate in developing us.
This completes the circle, o f the ideas in this book from the preface.
The last effort o f Ashiata to introduce normal standards.
The key to the analysis o f modern conditions which follows and
which at first blush seems too drastically pessimistic. (Orage has given
us the logical order o f the book but leaves it for us to formulate it dur
ing his absence, bearing on ethics, science what are its values? (Pon
dering is a species o f digestion o f ideas. Orage recalls a N ew Years
vow o f two years ago. Something that people wanted to do; some
thing they really wished to do. One man to complete a book that had
been rotting on the stocks; another to complete a mural, etc. Orage
invites us to make a vow, w ith the year ending at end o f February and
to carry it out at whatever cost to inclination and to human values
and influences.) A vow is made to the sun. An inclination is to the
moon, converting energy. To achieve something nursed and hitherto
not weaned. A hair shirt or goad to the ability to make decisions.
A rehearsal o f what would happen when the passion for under
standing grips you. Vows are exercises. A taste o f what being com
mitted to something by a voluntary act really is. It must depend on
oneself and not require cooperation from others. A vow must be per
sonally accomplishable. To achieve something nursed but hitherto
not weaned. We must not shift responsibility onto others. A vow is
our own. I f undertaken and w e fail, we forfeit any claim to consid
eration o f our promise. It is an impertinence to promise, then. We
believe we are people o f our word accidentally; but let it be dif
ficult! Because we have no free will and until we realize this, until
we have buried our false idea o f free will, we cannot have it. W hy
as a group do w e make so little progress? Because as individuals we
contribute so little energy. Everyone knows it is easier to think when
in certain groups than when in theirs. If all make a vow and all keep
it there will be increased understanding. A collective atmosphere.
(Sometimes when Orage is reading his notes he is able to formulate
things he has not been able to formulate before.) Objective reason
is thousands o f planets off; but there is only one means. A vow is a
being-effort consciously made. Negative emotions cost us years o f

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our life>our rea^life. They are a drag on intellectual and instinctive

energy- Emotional energy is the spendthrift o f a three-centered be
ing- A vow gives a psychological model, a working model in psychical
eXperience o f the passion o f the whole being.
[End o f 1927. Oragegoes to Fontainebleau.]

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L o o k u p S w if t s T a le o f a T u b . A s tr a ig h tfo rw a rd n a rra tive , w ith

p la u sib ilitie s m a in ta in e d . It is an a lle g o rica l h is t o r y o f schism s in the
C h ris tia n c h u r c h . S w ift is E n g la n d s grea te st p r o s e w r it e r , th e g re a t
est m a n w h o w r o t e E n g lish . T h is is a lle g o r ic a l lik e B e e lz e b u b s T ales
B u t in G u r d j i e f f s n arrative th e s to r y is n o t a lw a y s fic titio u s . Som e
parts are h is to ric a l and c o n t e m p o r a r y o b s e r v a tio n , as w e m a y see in
later c h a p te rs. W e m u st h a ve th e a b ility to rea d p a ra b o lica lly , read the
th o u g h t b e t w e e n th e lin e s; b u t o v e r th e lin e s n e e d s se lf-tra in in g .
B e e lz e b u b s s ix th d escen t a n d his last tim e o n th e p la n e t, w h e re
he stayed f if t y y ea rs. D u r in g th a t tim e th r e e m essen g ers, saints, ap
p e a red : J esu s, M o h a m m e d , L a m a . W h y d o e s h e say that all th re e ap
p e ared d u r in g th is sh o rt tim e ? E a ch o f th e th r e e le ft a d o c tr in e b u t all
th ree d o c tr in e s b eca m e so tra n s fo rm e d th a t th e ir a u th o rs w o u ld not
r e c o g n iz e th e m . T h e ir fo llo w e r s first split in t o sects. T h e n th e y in tr o
d u c e d d o c tr in e s w h ic h h a d n o th in g to d o w i t h th e o r ig in a l d o c trin e
and w e r e o ft e n c o n tr a d ic to r y . W e see fr o m o u r o w n p e rso n a l e x p e r i
en ce th a t id e a e v e n w h e n c le a r ly stated is, d u e t o o u r p s y ch e , certain
to be d iffe r e n tly in te r p re te d , sp lit u p and c h a n g e d . T h is has alw ays
h a p p e n e d a n d w il l c o n tin u e t o h a p p en so lo n g as o u r p s y c h e rem ains
as it is. T h u s it is im p o s sib le f o r tru th s to b e g e n e r a lly spread.
F o llo w e r s also im p o r te d c e r ta in ideas fr o m th e d o c tr in e o f S t. M o
ses, ideas p r o m u lg a te d u n d e r d iffe r e n t c o n d itio n s an d tim es. In each
in d iv id u a l th e re is also a p r o p e r tim e fo r th e re c e p tio n o f tr u th . I f
th ese id eas a re m e t b y a p e r s o n n o t in th e sta g e o f e ffo rt to pass fro m
m i to s o l h e m a y ru n d o w n th e scale. A c e r ta in r u n n in g d o w n
m a y b e n e c e s s a ry b e fo re h e c a n b e c o m e a c tiv e . B u t th e id e a m u s t be
k e p t clear.
S h o r tly a fte r th e d ea th o f C h r is t th e re w a s a c o u n te r re v o lu tio n ,
read o f o ld J u d a is m w h ic h filte r e d in to C h r is t ia n ity . In stead o f the
re la tio n o f an O l d and a N e w T e s ta m e n t th e o ld m ix e d w it h th e n ew .
A ls o th e d o c tr in e o f B a b y lo n ia n d u a lism , w i t h paradise and h e ll in
tr o d u c e d b y savants and u se d b y th e fath ers o f th e ch u rc h to b o lste r
u p th e ir p o w e r . T h e d o c tr in e o f h eaven a n d h e ll o c c u p ie d b u t little
p la ce in C h r is t s te a c h in g b u t a la rg e p la ce in C h r is t ia n ity . In flu en ce
o f t h e o lo g y o n us.
O n l y a sm a ll b r o th e r h o o d o f Essenes still k n o w s h o w to a p p ly h e
p rin c ip le s o f C h r is t to th e ir o w n lives and s t r ic t ly fo r th e p u r p o s e o f
esca p in g f r o m th e p ro p e rtie s o f th e o rga n k u n d a b u ffe r. R e lig io n on
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this p la n e t is a sp ecial in v e n tio n to g e t fr e e d o m fr o m k u n d a b u ffe r,

b u t n o t so o n n o r m a l p la n e ts. W it h us it is passed o n b y s o c io lo g y
and p rev en ts th e a tta in m e n t o f o b je c tiv e reaso n . N o n e o f us g r o w o u r
p la n e ta ry b o d ie s . W e take its g r o w t h fo r g r a n te d . W h y d o th e o th e r
tw o b o d ies n o t g r o w in th e sam e w a y ? W e are su b je c te d fr o m b ir th
to s o c io lo g ic a l in flu e n ce s, r e s u ltin g fr o m th e p r o p e r tie s o f th e o r g a n
k u n d a b u ffe r. I f th is s u g g e s tio n c o u ld b e lifte d , e m o tio n a l an d m e n
tal b o d ies w o u ld b e g in to d e v e lo p . R e lig io n th u s is n o t a p e rm a n e n t
reg im e n b u t is a cu re fo r a sp e c ific situ a tio n . T h is is w h y Jesus is o ft e n
called T h e G r e a t H e a le r . T h e E ssenes p e rs e v e re d an d so m e a c t u a lly
su cceed ed in t h r o w in g o f f t h e in flu e n c e s o f k u n d a b u ffe r and th e r e a f
ter d e v e lo p e d n o r m a lly . B e e lz e b u b th in k s th a t C h r is t ia n ity w i l l n o t
c o n tin u e th e re m u c h lo n g e r.
B e e lz e b u b ge ts an e th e r o g r a m fr o m th e G o v e r n o r o n M a r s (th e
sam e y o u n g c o u n t r y m an w h o o n c e trie d to in a u g u r a te a r e fo r m o n
A tlan tis). R e c e n t e th e r o g r a m sp eaks o f o p e n in g a J e w is h u n iv e r s ity
in J eru sa lem . In p r e v io u s s tr u g g le s o f C h ris tia n c o u n trie s to m a k e J e
ru salem C h r is t ia n , m a n y w e r e k ille d . B u t n o w b y c o m m o n c o n s e n t a
J ew ish u n iv e r s ity is fo r m e d . A u n iv e r s ity is a fu r n a c e in w h ic h e v e r y
th in g a cq u ire d b y p r e v io u s g e n e ra tio n s is b u r n e d u p . So th at a ll th a t
is le ft is a fire o n w h ic h to c o o k th e k n o w le d g e o f th e p r e v io u s fif t y
years in to s o u p . D e s tr o y th e o ld and p rep are th e n e w . O n th e sp o t
w h e r e J esu s b o d y w a s b u r ie d w i l l so o n b e a ll th e e q u ip m e n t o f m e
ch an ical s o c ie ty . W it h th e d is c o v e r y o f th e a lta r w i l l g o th e p o s s ib ility
o f certain w o r s h ip w ith in .
MOHAMMED

H o p e o f r e c o n c ilia tio n b u t w i t h it m a n y su ch d e ta ils su ch as th e d o c

trin e o f p a rad ise. T h is fa ith is also sp lit, S u n n ite s a n d Shiites. T h e h o s
tility b e tw e e n th e se sects w a s e n c o u ra g e d to p r e v e n t p o litic a l u n io n .
T h is is th e d o c tr in e o f all im p e ria lis t states su c h as E n g la n d a n d w i l l
be that o f th e

usa

in th e fu tu r e . D iv id e y o u r e n e m ie s a m e t h o d b y

w h ic h In d ia w a s c o n q u e re d .
ST. LAM A

T ib e ta n is m is n o t a fo r m o f B u d d h is m b u t th e r e lig io n o f S t. L a m a
w h o liv e d . F o r so m e tim e his d is c ip lin e lasted . I t is little k n o w n to us
b u t w as a c ra d le o f r e lig io n s lik e C h r is t ia n ity a n d M o h a m m e d a n . Its
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1928

p u r p o s e w a s th at o f a ll r e lig io n s : to fre e o n e s e lf fr o m th e p ro p e rtie s

o f th e o r g a n k u n d a b u ffe r. T h is spread less w i d e l y b ecau se o f g e o g r a
p h y ; b u t e n te re d in t im a te ly in to th e liv e s o f th o se th e re , e s p e c ia lly a
sm all g r o u p . M a n y o f th is g r o u p a tta in ed d e liv e ra n c e an d o th e r s w ere
o n th e w a y ; b u t it w a s d e s tro y e d b y w a r a n d th e fu lfillm e n t o f St
L a m a s a im w a s d ela ye d . T h e r e is a n a iv e a c c o u n t o f In d ia s h is to ry
Y o u n g h u s b a n d s so u n d s m u c h m o re re a listic w it h its a c c o u n t o f p o li
cies e tc . B u t p e rh a p s th e t r u t h is h ere. O n l y h e w h o can p e n e tra te to
th e m o t iv e can b ru sh a sid e th e r a tio n a liz a tio n . In this case th e gree d
o f E n g la n d s g o v e r n in g classes. H e ig h ts o f T ib e t , p erh ap s w h e n el
e v a te d p la ce s (scien ce e tc.) are a ttack ed b y w r o n g m o tiv e s (greed)
th e resu lts a re as here.
A l l o f in te lle c tu a l m y s tic is m m a y b e an a tte m p t to ta k e b y v i o
le n ce , h e ig h ts w h ic h c a n n o t b e ta k en b y th e se m ean s. (S e rm o n o n the
M o u n t) , a h e ig h te n e d state o f c o n scio u sn ess also Jesus ta lk e d a b o u t in
an u p p e r r o o m .
T h e T ib e ta n s w e r e sad b e c a u se th e y sa w th e ir o w n s c h o o l in d an
ger. T h e d e lib e ra te d a n a lo g y b e tw e e n th e p ressu re a g a in st these
g r o u p s a n d th reats w h ic h h a v e b een m a d e a g a in st th e in s titu te b ecau se
o f d islik e . T h e m e th o d o f d e fe n se m ig h t b e d ro p p e d ro ck s o n tro o p s
in d efiles. T h is w as d e c id e d a gain st b ecau se a ll b e in g s h a v e a n o b je c
tiv e v a lu e to th e ir c re a to r; th a t is th e y e x is t fo r a ce rta in u se. O u r
d e s tr u c tio n o f o th e r b e in g s is a d e s tru c tio n o f o th e r v a lu e s. I f it does
n o t in cre a se o u r o b je c tiv e v a lu e it in cu rs a d e b t. In T ib e t th e tro o p s
a d v a n c e d fu r th e r . A v e r y h o l y m an w as sen t d o w n to th e v illa g e s to
see th at th e re w a s n o o p p o s it io n fr o m th e v illa g e r s . A c c id e n t a lly he
w a s k ille d , h e w a s th e h ea d o f a v e r y im p o r ta n t g r o u p ; his lo ss w a s a
g rea t d isaster. T ro o p s a rr iv e d at L hasa, w it h o u t o p p o s itio n to fin d the
g o v e r n m e n t h ad le ft. W h a t h a p p e n e d w a s n o t im p o r ta n t th e n . A fte r
th e d e a th o f th e lead er th e d o c tr in e b e ca m e c o r r u p t e d as in a ll o th e r
re lig io n s .
H a sse in asks h o w d id so c ia l o r g a n iz a tio n s c o m e to be o n th e earth?
F a m ily , c la n , m o n a rc h y . V a r io u s m e th o d s : h e r e d ita r y (essence), e le c
tiv e (e d u ca tio n a l). H e r e d it y an d essen ce are th e c o n t in u ity o f valu es
th r o u g h o u t th e life o f th e in d iv id u a l. E le c t iv e m ean s th e in te r m itte n c y o f v a lu e s. G u r d jie f f is n o t in tereste d in th e h is to ry o f social
o r g a n iz a tio n as su ch ; b u t th e a n a lo g y w it h w h a t is im p o r ta n t to us,
th at is, r e la tio n s b e tw e e n essen ce and p e r s o n a lity e tc. C f . P la to : T h e
state is th e in d iv id u a l w r it la r g e . It is a m a n ife s ta tio n in so cia l o r
g a n iz a tio n o f in d iv id u a l o r g a n iz a tio n o f th e m a jo r ity c o m p o s in g it286

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1928

T h e o d d in d iv id u a ls m a y b e v e r y u n c o m fo r ta b le in it. T h e y b e c o m e
pacifists, a n a rch ists e t c ., re fo rm e rs o f all ty p e s . T h e d is c o rd b e tw e e n
essence a n d p e r s o n a lity w h a t is in h is e ss e n ce is n o t in h is m a n ife s
ta tio n s sp eech etc. a n d v ic e ve rsa ; a d is c re p a n c y b e tw e e n his real
w ish es a n d his c o n d u c t.
W h a t w e call th e L a st S u p p e r and s a cra m e n t o f th e p a r ticip a tio n
in th e b lo o d and flesh o f Jesus C h r is t is e x p la in e d h y p o th e tic a lly . In
o rd er t o m a in ta in a c o n t a c t b e tw e e n th e d e a d te ach er and his s u c ce e d
in g p u p ils , th e re is s o m e th in g talism an ic.
B e fo r e his c r u c ifix io n C h r is t shed b lo o d , saturated a c lo t h a n d p u t
it in a v e s s e l th e h o ly g ra il. B y c o n ta c t w i t h th is, his s u r v iv in g dis
cip les in a ce rta in state o f co n scio u sn ess e sta b lish ed c o m m u n ic a tio n .
It w a s o ft e n cla im e d th a t h e w a s seen b y c e r ta in p e o p le a fte r h is d eath .
St. L a m a h a d m a d e n o p re p a ra tio n . H e w a s k ille d b y a c c id e n t, a fatal
a ccid en t a n d his p u p ils h a d n o w a y o f r e fe r r in g to th e o r ig in a l so u rce.
S t o r y o f J u d a s : W h e n it b e ca m e k n o w n th a t Jesus w a s t o b e ar
rested, t h o u g h h e h ad p o w e r to abstract h im s e lf, he re fu s e d t o use
fo rce . In o r d e r to g iv e tim e to Jesus an d th e o th e r ap o stles t o p rep are
th e sa cra m en t an d g iv e in s tru c tio n s and le a rn h o w to a c c o m p lis h it a f
ter th e c r u c ifix io n , Ju d as u n d e r t o o k to g a in tim e and e n te r e d in t o an
in trig u e w i t h th e R o m a n s an d p ro m ise d t o a rran ge fo r t h e m to take
Jesus q u ie tly . H e g a in e d p e rh a p s t w e n t y - f o u r o r f o r t y - e ig h t h o u rs
w it h th e k n o w le d g e o f J esu s, fr o m th is n a rra tiv e , Judas e m e rg e s as
th e m o s t c o n s cio u s o f th e d iscip les an d th e o n e w h o r e n d e re d the
greatest s e rv ic e .

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Be e l z e b u b s o p i n i o n o n wa r
H assein a sks: W h y , i f b e in g s o n ea rth are m a tu re in in te llig e n c e and
so m e tim e s c a n r e c o g n iz e la w s o f n atu re, d o e s th is red th rea d o f w a r
ru n th r o u g h th e ir h isto ry ? D o th e y n o t fe e l th e h o r r o r o f it? N o t sto p
it? D o t h e y n o t th in k s e r io u s ly a b o u t it? B e e lz e b u b a n sw e re d that
th e y d o th in k s e rio u s ly a n d r e a liz e it all b u t th e re are n o resu lts fr o m
th e t h in k in g o f a fe w ; b e c a u s e th ese f e w are is o la te d an d th e re is n o
p la n e ta ry o r g a n iz a tio n . T h e r e is n o g e n e ra l re su lt fr o m th e serio u s
th in k in g o f a n y o n e c e n te r.
M a n c a n o n l y d o sin cere th in k in g after h is n eed s are fu lfille d ; and
th e f e w im p o r ta n t and p o w e r f u l w h o m ig h t (h elp ) d o n o th in g fo r
o th e r reaso n s. T h e y o u n g sp e n d years, g iv e n fo r p rep a ra tio n f o r b e in g
re sp o n sib le , in s e lf-c a lm in g a n d such e d u c a tio n as c ry s ta lliz e s th e
p ro p e rtie s o f th e o rg a n k u n d a b u ffe r. T h e p o w e r f u l are satiated and
re clin e in a c h a ir d u rin g d ig e s tio n . T h e y h a v e d e v e lo p e d m ec h a n ic a l
reason a n d th in k fr o m r e fle x e s o f th e ir s to m a c h an d s e x u a l o rga n s.
A f e w t h in k s in ce re ly b u t u s u a lly fr o m e x te r n a l stim u lu s, as w h e n
s o m e o n e n e a r t o th e m d ies. B u t w h e n h u n g e r c o m e s , th e y fo r g e t e v
e r y t h in g else.
L e a g u e o f N a tio n s . S e v e ra l p r e c e d in g d ie d w it h o u t a s tr u g g le .
M o s t fa il o n a c c o u n t o f d iv e rs e in terests, e g o is m a n d v a n itie s. D u e to
th e p e c u lia r ity o f c ry s ta lliz e d h a b it th e y w o u ld b e u n a b le to d o a n y
th in g in th e w a y o f u p r o o t in g th e causes o f w a r . S o c ie tie s fo u n d e d b y
a f e w b e in g s a fte r g rea t u p h e a v a ls , w h o h a ve su ffe re d b y m e c h a n ic a l
s h o ck , b e c a u s e o b je c tiv e co n s cio u s n e s s passes te m p o r a r ily in t o th eir
co n s cio u s n e s s.
B u t o th e r im p o r ta n t b e in g s , sim p ly b e c a u s e im p o r ta n t, g e t in
and n o t h a v in g resu rre cte d c o n s cie n c e s, th e fo u n d e r s so o n fin d th e m
selves o u ts id e . N o m em b e rs w i t h o b je c tiv e re a so n . It is im p o s s ib le to
a ch ie v e a n y th in g b y ru les a n d a g reem e n ts. T h e u n iv ersa l d isease o f
th e m o te a n d th e beam . N e c e s s ity to te ach o th e r s o n th e a ssu m p tio n
th a t th e y th e m s e lv e s n eed n o th in g .
I f o th e rs d o n o t seem t o w is h to learn th e y b e c o m e u p set. I f th e y
seem to le a rn , th e teach ers a re h a p p y and o n l y th e n can th e y speak
o f o th e rs w it h o u t n e g a tiv e c r itic is m . T h e y are in c a p a b le o f s e lf- o b
se rv a tio n a n d are o n ly a g ita te d b y th e fa u lts o f o th e r s . B y in n e r rage
th e y in crea se th e o w n m is e r y ; b e in g u se le ssly c o n c e r n e d b y w h a t th e y
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co n sid er th e d e fe cts o f o th e r s , in v io le n t c o n tra s t w it h th e ir o w n su b

je c tiv e ly esta b lish e d sta n d a rd s Sad fo r th e sins o f th e w o r l d . O c
casio n a lly w e fin d so m e b e in g w h o s e in n e r lif e is u n d e r th e th u m b
o f so m e o n e w h o has p e n e tra te d to his c h ie f fe a tu re , th e m a s k u su ally b u ilt u p b y e d u c a tio n , w h ic h h ad fa lle n b e fo r e th e o w n e r o f th is
th u m b . S u c h p e o p le rage m o s t and w r it e b o o k s a b o u t g o v e r n m e n t .
T h e m s e lv e s th e y are b e in g a fra id o f a m o u s e , b u t g r o w v e r y in d ig
nant at th o s e w h o are a fra id o f a tig er. T h e y w r it e b o o k s o n w h a t
to d o an d w h a t n o t to d o o n m e e tin g tig e rs , o r b e in g th e m s e lv e s a
w a lk in g m u s e u m o f d iseases, g r o w in d ig n a n t at o n e w h o c a tc h e s a
co ld . T h e y w a n t to te ach th e ir w is d o m to in d iv id u a l v ic tim s a n d in
som e cases th e y are so b ra z e n th a t th e y n e e d t o te a c h to m asses. T h e
disease o f h a v in g p o w e r w it h in o n e s e lf sp read s e s p e c ia lly a m o n g
the in te llig e n ts ia . F o r a b e in g w h o is p e r fe c te d to su ch a d e g re e th at
he has a lr e a d y th e fu n c tio n o f d ir e c tin g his p la n e ta r y b o d y at w i l l th is
is p o ssib le ; b u t th e m e m b e rs o f th e in te llig e n ts ia are ju s t th e o p p o s ite
o f h a v in g p o w e r . T h e y m ig h t b e c a lled th e m e c h a n ig e n z ia .
T h e y a ct a n d m a n ifest in resp o n se to s h o ck s f r o m o u tsid e , b e c o m e
an im ated as lo n g as u n r o llin g . I t acts w it h in th e m , in d e p e n d e n t
o f th e ir o w n w is h an d w il l v ia o b je c ts th at a c c id e n ta lly c o m e in ra n g e
o f th e ir r e tin a o r ears. T h e y b e c o m e b u re au cra ts w it h a lim ite d re p e r
to r y o f e x p e r ie n c e ; p lu to c r a ts an d b y a r t fu lly tra p p in g m o r e n a iv e
c o u n tr y m e n b e c o m e o w n e r s o f g rea t w e a lth . S t o r y o f th e o r ig in o f
th e n am e p lu t o c r a t , m ix t u r e o f G r e e k an d R o m a n m ean s in r e a lity
sco u n d re l-cra ts an d t h o u g h in s u ltin g , th e y s w a g g e r in th e t itle as i f
in a to p h at. P lu to c ra ts p la y u p o n diseased tr u s t an d th e o cra ts u p o n
diseased fa ith . D e m o cra ts ? A risto c ra ts ? C a n n o t e x p la in e v e n in th e
w o rd s o f M u lla h N a s ru d d in , H o w can a b o a t lik e th a t flo a t?
C h a n g e in o r g a n ic life d u e , n o t to th in g s w it h in that sp ecie s, b u t
to th e re su lt o f a d a p ta tio n o n th e p art o f th e p la n e t to th e c o s m ic
tr o g o - a u t o - e g o - c r a t . A s t o r y o f th e s o c ie t y w h o s e m o tt o w a s th e
w o r ld m u st b e fre e fo r a ll. T h e b ro t h e r h o o d w a s fo r m e d o f th o s e
w h o h a ve seen th e m se lv e s. T h e y h ad p ra ctic e d s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n t o g e t
rid o f th e c o n s e q u e n c e s o f th e o r g a n k u n d a b u ffe r. T h e y a im e d t o es
tablish o n e r e lig io n in c o m m o n , based o n th e P arsees b u t w it h c h a n g e
o f n o m e n c la tu re , fr o m th e fire to th e sun , th a t is, fr o m e m o t io n to
h igh er in te lle c t. A c o m m o n la n g u a g e , ta k in g r o o t in A sia i.e . es
sence. A c o m m o n g o v e r n m e n t b y a c o u n c il o f sa in ts. T h is b r o k e
up . T h e rea so n w a s th e a p p e a ra n ce o f th e p h ilo s o p h e r A tta r n a c h w it h
his th e o r y : W h y w a rs a p p e ar o n ea rth . H is t h e o r y w a s based o n an o ld
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S u m e ria n scrip tu re , w e ll p re s e rv e d b eca u se it w a s w r it te n w it h b lo 0cj
o f a b e in g o n a skin o f a b e in g ; i.e. in c a rn a te d . O n e s ta te m e n t: It js
p ro b a b le th a t a la w e x ists o f re cip ro ca l m a in te n a n c e o f all th a t exists
T h a t is, asid e fr o m s u b je c tiv e p u rp o ses o r th e o r ie s o f e x is te n c e , ev ery
b e in g m u s t h a v e an o b je c t iv e v a lu e . S h ee p h a v e th e o b je c tiv e v a lu e o f
m u tto n a n d w o o l. S im ila r ly A tta r n a c h a r g u e d , w e , lik e a ll o th e r b e
in g s, su b se rv e an o b je c tiv e p u rp o se . C h a n g e s in us are b r o u g h t abou t
b y sh e p h e rd s and b u tc h e r s fo r o u r o b je c tiv e v a lu es. W e m u st serve
e ith e r b y life o r death.
A t ta r n a c h s th e o r y w a s in d e e d near to th e tr u th , n ear to tr o g o -a u t o - e g o - c r a t, a re c ip ro ca l m a in te n a n c e f o r s o m e th in g fo r w h ic h all this
e x is ts ; c e r ta in c h e m ica l su b sta n ces are n e c e ssa ry w h ic h can b e fo rm e d
and d e v e lo p e d o n ly in w h a t w e c a ll liv in g b e in g s . N o w , ch em icals
g o to m a in te n a n c e e tc ., g e n e r a lly s p e a k in g a fte r death. W h e t h e r o f
m en o r a n im a ls is in d iffe re n t. T h e s o c ie t y E a r th -m u s t-b e -fre e -fo r a ll in v it e d h im to c o m e a n d e x p a n d his th e o r y . A p p o in te d a c o m m it
te e to e x a m in e d etails; b u t n o t o f th e e x p e r ie n c e d and d isillu sio n e d .
T h e y f o r g o t th e ir first e ffo r t and sp lit, o n e g r o u p a c c e p tin g , o n e o p
p o s in g . A tta r n a c h b e c a m e p re sid e n t a fte r sev eral g e n e ra l sessions.
A c c o r d in g to th e law s o f n a tu re , w a rs an d c iv il w a rs w ill c o n t in u e .
S o th e y d isb an d ed . A tta r n a c h said w h y n o t sa crifice an im als. T h is was
c u rre n t u n til a d e rv ish a b o lis h e d it. W o r ld W a r. E ach b e in g e x ists to
fu rn ish a c e rta in fo r m o f ra d ia tio n . B lo o d is also req u ired fr o m h u
m a n b e in g s rad ia tio n s fo r th e M o o n and A n u lio s . T w o sets o f radia
tio n s, in v o lv in g t w o fo r m s o f a c tiv ity .
W hen

m en

fu n c tio n e d

n o r m a lly (c o n s c io u s m e d ita tio n ) b o th

fo rm s o f v ib ra tio n s w e r e d e r iv e d fr o m th e ir liv e s . W h e n th e y ceased

to b e n o r m a l th e re w e r e s u b s titu te d v ib ra tio n s d e riv e d fr o m essence
after d e a th . C o r r e s p o n d in g d ea th s and b irth s re g u la te d b y c o s m ic d e
m a n d , th a t at tim es a c e rta in n u m b e r o f d ea th s s h o u ld take p la ce . B ut
A tta r n a c h d id n o t re a lize th a t th e v ib ra tio n s w e r e n ecessa ry in q u a lity
and n o t in q u a n tity . I f th e v e in o f o re is th in , m o r e m u st b e cru sh ed .
A tta r n a c h d id n o t k n o w th e d eta ils o f w h a t h a d h a p p en e d u n d e r the
r e g im e o f A sh ia ta . B o th d e a th s and b irth s w e r e fe w e r.
L o o is o s to ld B e e lz e b u b th a t b o th th e M o o n an d A n u lio s m u s t have
a sk o k in . E x is te n c e is n e v e r p u r e ; o n ly in a d m ix tu r e w it h a b ru std o n is
(air) and h e lk d o n is (im p ressio n s). A s k o k in c a n b e released o n ly i f these
t w o fo r m s o f fo o d are c o n s c io u s ly taken a n d d ig e ste d . T h u s , i f h o n
e s tly se rv e d , n atu re w o u ld also b rin g a b o u t th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f the
o th e r t w o b o d ie s . B u t w h e n th e n eed to d o th is c o n s c io u s ly ceased,
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the ea rth w a s fo r c e d to a d a p t h e r s e lf and s u b s titu te q u a n tity f o r q u a l
it y in a v e r y d is a d v a n ta g e o u s w a y . In W o r ld W a r, an excess o f d ea th s,
w o lve s a p p e a r in g in th e stree ts o f T iflis , rats a n d m ice m u ltip ly .
H assein a sk e d : Is it tr u e t h e y can n e v e r p e r fe c t th em selve s? W h e r e
is ju s tic e ? S o m e th in g is n o t r ig h t . B e e lz e b u b sig h ed : I f A s h ia ta
co u ld d o n o th in g , w h a t can w e d o ?
T im e ?
O r a b e in g o f e x c e p tio n a l in te llig e n ce ?
O r a c o s m ic even t?

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the m o u n t a i n pass of i m p a r t i a l m e n t a t i o n
In th is c h a p te r a p ic tu r e o f a r itu a l ta k in g p la c e o n a le v e l j u s t a bo ve
o u r u n d e rs ta n d in g . A s i f w e w e r e w itn e s s in g H ig h M ass, an a ttitu d e
o f e m o tio n a l w o n d e r . O n th e ship , th ere w a s a p ale b lu e lig h t and
m u c h a g ita tio n . A n E g o lio n o p t y appeared ( o n ly fo u r in th e u n iverse)ea ch m a d e d e p e n d e n t o n o n e o f th e fo u r A ll- Q u a r t e r s M a in ta in e rs
T h e y h a v e th e a b ility to b e a n y w h e r e , at a n y tim e . T h e r e w a s an as
s e m b ly o f a ll passengers in th e astral h a ll o f th e sh ip w it h m y r tle and
D e v d e lk a s c h o . A rc h a n g e ls a n d an gels fr o m th e c o sm ic E g o lio n o p t y
b e a rin g p a lm s and a cask et fr o m w h ic h s o m e th in g rad iated . T h e y
san g a p s a lm : H y m n to o u r E ndlessn ess. W h il e a n g els sin g can ticle s
an o ld a rc h a n g e l a n n o u n ce s t o B e e lz e b u b th a t b eca u se o f his co n n a issant life , h is h o r n s (co n scio u s w ill) are to b e re s to re d to h im . T h e o ld
a rch a n g e l has a ro d in th e ca sk e t fr o m th e A ll- Q u a r t e r s M a in ta in e r.
T h e a rc h a n g e l addresses th o s e o f lik e n a tu re w i t h B e e lz e b u b a n d in
v it e d e a ch o f th e m to s u rre n d e r a part o f th e su b stan ce o f his o w n
h o rn s. T h o s e w h o fr e e ly d esire s h o u ld h o ld th e r o d b y th e h a n d le,
th e le n g th o f tim e d e te r m in in g th e a m o u n t o f a c tiv e su b stan ce pass
in g fr o m th e m to B e e lz e b u b . A h u b b u b b e g a n ; all d esired to h o ld
it a lo n g tim e , so it w a s r e g u la te d b y th e c a p ta in o f th e sh ip . H o rn s
a p p eared o n B e e lz e b u b s h e a d , w a tc h in g f o r th e n u m b e r o f p ro n g s.
F o u r a p p e a re d . B e e lz e b u b h a d th e seco n d d e g r e e o f reason , s h o rt o f
th e H o ly A n k la d . A ft e r th e c e r e m o n y w a s o v e r a fifth fo r k a p p eared .
A l l fe ll o n th e ir k n e es fo r th is m e a n t B e e lz e b u b h a d a ttain ed th e Sa
cre d P o d k o o la d , n e x t to th e H o l y A n k la d . T h e a rch a n g e l sp eaks to
a ll: L e t B e e lz e b u b be an e x a m p le fo r us, to r e n e w o u r s tr u g g le and
th e d o in g o f o u r p a rt w h ic h a lo n e can lead to o u r s e lf- p e r fe c t io n . A ll
sin g a c a n tic le : I r e jo ic e . D r . G o ld w a te r says th a t in M a s o n ry , cassia
is a s y m b o l o f e te rn a l life .
T h e w h o l e b o o k rep resen ts th e clim b t h r o u g h v a rio u s sta ges o f
reason. B e e lz e b u b has m a d e th is c lim b and has at last reach ed th e pass
o f im p a rtia lity . A f t e r tu r n in g th is pass, a n e w o r d e r o f life is p o ssib le .
W h a t m o t iv e c o u ld th e o th e r s h a v e f o r s u r re n d e r in g part o f t h e ir d e
v e lo p m e n t fo r th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f o n e o f th e ir k in d ? A p a ssio n fo r
p e r fe c tio n is n o t n e cessa rily a p a ssio n fo r p e r fe c t io n in o n e se lf. It w as
n o t fo r B e e lz e b u b s p e rso n a l a d v a n ta g e b u t to c a r r y o u t th e o b je c tiv e
d u t y o f th e m a in te n a n c e o f th e co sm ic m a c h in e . T h is c o u ld b e st be
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carried o u t i f th e scattered c o n scio u sn esses o f a ll w e r e c o n c e n tra te d

. B e e lz e b u b . In g e n e ra l th e h ig h e r e m o tio n s are th o se in w h ic h p e r
sonal en d s are absen t.

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L ast y e a r I re c e iv e d a n u m b e r o f criticism s t o th e effe ct th a t,

interest

in g as m y c o m m e n t o n th e t e x t e x tr a c te d f r o m th e b o o k m a y be, it
w a s n o t th e b o o k so th is y e a r . . .

MOUNTAIN PASS OF IMPARTIAL INTELLECTION

It is a c a r t o o n a rea listic c e r e m o n y o u t o f o u r rea ch o n a lev el
ju s t o u t o f o u r o r d in a ry u n d e rs ta n d in g . W e m a y p erh ap s h a v e sligh t
e m o tio n a l u n d e rs ta n d in g w o n d e r .
T h e w h o l e r e g io n lit u p w i t h a pale b lu e lig h t ; and th e sp eed o f the
ship d im in is h e d . O n e o f th e fo u r g rea t E g o lio n o p t i in th e u n iv erse
w a s a p p r o a c h in g . A n E g o lio n o p t i is an o m n ip re s e n t m o v in g p la t
fo r m i.e . a b ility to b e a n y w h e r e at a n y tim e . T h e r e are o n l y fo u r,
ea ch u n d e r o n e o f th e f o u r a ll q u arters m a in ta in e rs. P re s e n tly , all on
th e sh ip b e g a n to a ssem b le ea ch c a r r y in g in o n e h an d m y r t le and in
th e o th e r a devgelcishcho. ( O r a g e I k n o w n o t th e m e a n in g o f eith er.)
A p ro c e s s io n b eg a n to e n te r th r o u g h th e sid e o f th e ship w h ic h had
b een slid aside. E ach c a r r y in g a p a lm . A n o ld a rc h a n g e l lea d s fo llo w e d
b y t w o c h e r u b im c a r r y in g a cask et e m a n a tin g an o ra n g e c o lo r . B e e l
z e b u b le d his p e o p le . W h e n th ese t w o p a rtie s o f d ifferen t race had
m e t th e y j o in e d in s in g in g a T e D e u m o f h is E ndlessn ess, w h ic h is
a lw a y s a n d e v e r y w h e r e s u n g at such tim es. B y b an ish in g th e te rrib le
h ero p a ss th o u has g iv e n us th e o p p o r t u n it y to p e rfe ct o u r s e lv e s to
th e d e g re e o f th e H o ly A n k la d .
H e ro p a s s passin g o f tim e . T im e is th a t fo r c e th at p u ts a lim it
o n th e fo r c e s in su b stan ce. S cie n c e c o n fid e n tly p re d icts th a t becau se
o f th is, th e u n iv e rse w i l l o n e d a y ru n d o w n a n d v a n is h b u t h ere it
is said th a t b y a p ro cess o f re c ip ro ca l fe e d in g th e p r o b le m has been
so lv e d b y his Endlessness.
W h e n th is H y m n h ad b e e n s u n g th e o ld a rch a n g e l a p p ro a c h e d
B e e lz e b u b a n d said th at h e w a s e m p o w e r e d a n d d ire cte d to re sto re to
B e e lz e b u b his h o rn s o n a c c o u n t o f his c o n a s c e n t life sp en t in le a rn in g
to k n o w . H o r n s = w ill, h o o fs = in d iv id u a lity , ta il = c o n scio u sn ess.
H a v in g said this, th e o ld A r c h a n g e l tu r n e d an d r e v e r e n tly to o k
fr o m th e ca sk et th e ro d . T u r n in g again to B e e lz e b u b h e sp o k e to the
m e m b e rs o f th e sam e k in d as B e e lz e b u b a n d h im s e lf. T h e c a p ta in o f
th e sh ip t o o k c h a r g e i.e . th e d e te rm in e d th e le n g t h o f tim e e a c h o n e
sh o u ld h o ld th e ro d b y h is h a n d .
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T h e H o l y A n k la d is th e h ig h e s t o rd e r o f a n y e x is tin g c re a te d b e

ing. It is th ir d in o rd e r fr o m

th e b e g in n in g o f H is E ndlessn ess.

C h e r u b im a n d sera p h im p r e -e x is te d c r e a tio n an d th e ir d e g r e e o f

reason c a n n o t b e reach ed b y a n y th in g cre a te d . A son c a n n o t, w h a t

ever he d o e s b e c o m e o ld e r th a n his fa th er. O n e o f th e la w s o f o b je c
tive r e a lity is th a t a ll re a so n a b le b e in g s shall re sp e ct th o se o f a h ig h e r
degree o f re a s o n and v ic e ve rsa . C assia in m a s o n r y is a s y m b o l o f
everla stin g life . M y r t le s y m b o liz e s lo v e , la u r e l fa m e.
T h e s e w e r e c o n tr ib u te d b y v a r io u s c o c k e y e d v e rb a lize rs.
T h is c h a p te r is th e last p a rt o f th e b o o k . T h e w h o le b o o k is a c lim b
and o n e w h o passes th is w i l l fin d h im se lf, so t o sp ea k , in a n e w c o u n
try. W h a t m o t iv e c o u ld th o s e w h o su rre n d e re d part o f th e ir o w n
w ill, c o n s cio u s n e s s and in d iv id u a lit y h a ve h ad ?
D u lio th e r a p y = th e ra p y b y sla v e ry , i.e . tr e a tm e n t v o lu n t a r ily ta k en
b y p u ttin g y o u r s e l f in to th e p o s itio n o f a slave.
G u r d jie f f t o o k a p o s itio n u n d e r a R u ss ia n G r e e k D u k e o n a t w o
m o n th v o y a g e . H e had to c a r r y his fo o d t o h im and m o s t tim e s it
w as th r o w n in h is face. W h e n h e w a s t h r o u g h h e c o u ld serv e a n y o n e .
In c id e n ta lly , h e w a s v e r y a n x io u s to m a k e th e tr ip fo r h e w a n te d to
get to C a ir o .
T h e h y m n s im p ly an e m o tio n a l u n d e rs ta n d in g . C o u ld y o u e n g a g e
in such a p ro c e d u re ?
H o rn s = e x e c u tiv e p o w e r a c c o r d in g to h is b e in g .
S u g g e s te d rea p p e aran ce o f sa crificin g s o m e th in g o r r e a lly sa cri
ficin g th a t h e m ig h t fo r e x a m p le , spit in L a r r y s fa ce and say, N o w
y o u d ir t y little cu r! D o n t y o u d are in te r ru p t a g a in . T h e n c a ll s o m e
one else to w ip e his fa ce an d sa y: Y o u h a ve n o reaso n o r b e in g w o r t h y
o f a n y o n e s c o n s id e ra tio n e v e r y o n e k n o w s th is, y e t y o u c o n s ta n tly
p u t in th e se b lith e r in g in t e r r u p tio n s .

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W e h a v e n o la n g u a g e t o c o m m u n ic a te fe e lin g s . Y e t w e h a v e n o d if
f ic u lt y fo r o u rselv es in d is tin g u is h in g b e tw e e n an e m o t io n and '
t h o u g h t. W e d o n t c o n fu s e tw e lv e b y t w e lv e w it h a fe e lin g . A n d we
h a v e a n o th e r fo r m o f e x p e r ie n c e c a lle d m o v e m e n t. S o , w e have
th re e p r im a r y c o lo rs w h ic h , w h e n m ix e d p r o d u c e a v a r ie t y of colors
In a n y in d iv id u a l th e se w i l l te n d to m ix in certain p r o p o r tio n s In
w o m e n th e e le m e n t o f t h o u g h t is o v e r la id b y a p r e d o m in a n c e o f feel
in g , a n d in m a n v ic e ve rsa .
W e h a v e v a rio u s c o m b in a tio n s o f m o t o r c e n te r, e m o tio n a l center
and in te lle c tu a l c en ter.
T h e p r o b le m o f life is th e p r o b le m o f e n e r g y . F e w o f us have
e n o u g h to b e c o m e an o u ts ta n d in g su cce ss e ith e r in th e physical
e m o tio n a l o r in te lle c tu a l fie ld . N o n e b u t ge n iu se s w h o are in v aria b ly
p a th o lo g ic a l can s u c ce e d in o n e field . T o s u c ce e d in t w o field s o f life
w o u ld b e m ira cu lo u s. S u ccess in th ree fie ld s has in th e h is to r y o f the
w o r ld a lm o s t n ever, i f e v e r , o c c u rre d .
T h e m e a su re o f o u r life is th e a m o u n t o f e n e r g y at o u r disposal.
It is q u it e p o ssib le to g r o w o ld in o n e s y s te m w h ile r e m a in in g y o u n g
in th e o th e r s . O n e m a y , a n d u su a lly d o e s rea ch s e n ility at th e age o f
t w e n t y o r tw e n t y - o n e . D u e to o u r e d u c a tio n , o n e s b rain s are beaten
in to a state o f rig id s te r ility th at s h o u ld n e v e r h ave b een rea ch e d be
fo r e a g r e a t age.
In a n o th e r case, o n e s p h y s ic a l ce n te r m a y b e c o m e o ld a n d th e brain
an d fe e lin g s rem ain y o u n g .
S h a w s first b o o k o n Ib sen co n ta in s e v e r y id e a y o u can fin d in ev ery
su b se q u e n t b o o k that h e h as w r it te n . T h is is a little u n fa ir; b ecau se it
h a p p en s th a t h e has s o m e n e w ideas. B u t h e w i l l n o t w r it e th e m for
p u b lic a tio n . A t least n o t b e fo r e his d ea th , w i l l th e y ev er b e p u b lish ed .
W e are a ll a p p ro a c h in g d e a th in these th r e e fo r m s , and t o m o r r o w one
o f m y c e n te rs m a y be d e a d th o u g h , u n less it is m y p h y sica l cen ter, it
w o n t b e a p p a ren t to m e .
T h e r e is o n ly o n e th in g to b e d o n e th a t w i l l p r o lo n g m y life. A
secret.
W e ll,

y o u w ill say, i f y o u can g iv e m e su ch a re c ip e , I ll PaY

A ll r ig h t, h ere y o u a r e .
B u t y o u are b y this tim e so tire d and n o d o u b t so so u n d a sleep that
y o u n e v e r w ill b e able to u n d e rta k e to u n d e rs ta n d w h a t I say.
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F irst h o w d o es it o c c u r th a t o n e c e n te r c a n d e te rio ra te b e fo r e th e
oth ers o r ------ . W e liv e b y fo o d . B u t it is n o t th e q u a n tity a n d q u a lity
o f th e fo o d a b so rb ed , b u t it is th e q u a n tity a n d q u a lity assim ila te d
that w il l d e te rm in e th e fo r m , q u a n tity an d q u a lity o f e n e r g y w e h ave.
W e d o n t care at all w h a t f o o d is u sed . E at a n y o r all fo o d s y o u
lik e b u t b e sure y o u lik e it. I f y o u are d ep re sse d , d o n t eat m u c h fo r
y o u w o n t b e a ble to assim ila te it. I f y o u are e la te d , eat as m u c h as y o u
like d in e w e ll.
W e ll, p e o p le g r o w o l d n o t b y use o f e n e r g y b u t b y w a s te o f
en ergy . E v e r y m o m e n t tic k s o f f th e life o f e a c h cen ter.
M y p o s tu r e , fo r e x a m p le , requ ires a c e r ta in n u m b e r o f m u s
c l e s b u t w h e n I e x a m in e m y b o d y I fin d a n u m b e r o f m u scle s te n se d

and u s in g e n e r g y u se le ssly , i.e . th e re b y w a s t in g e n e rg y . S o w e liv e

tw o days in o n e , i.e . use t w o days e n e r g y in o n e .
E v e r y e m o tio n a b o u t a n y th in g n o t o f th e p resen t, w e are p o u r
in g o u r e m o tio n a l life b lo o d in to th e sand. E ith e r past, o r t o c o m e ,
or absent th in g s , s h o u ld n e v e r b le ed y o u e m o tio n a lly . N e v e r w o r r y ,
n ever r e g r e t. B u t h o w ? I f y o u are aw are s im u lta n e o u s ly o f y o u r five
form s o f p h y sic a l e x te rn a l b e h a v io r , y o u c a n n o t e ith er w o r r y o r re
gret. Y o u r c u p is fu ll.
In te lle c tu a l w a ste o c c u rs m o s t o f a ll in re a d in g and in e d u c a tio n
and in d a y d re a m in g . D a y d re a m in g is th in k in g at th e s u g g e s
tio n o f o u ts id e stim u li. Y o u g e t o n to a b u s , a n d becau se y o u h a ve
giv en y o u r s e l f n o d e fin ite p r o b le m , y o u re a ct. N o t so m a n y busses
to d a y . . . p r e t t y g irl . . . h m . . . he a lm o st g o t ru n o v e r . . . w h o s
that g e t t in g o n ? I th in k I k n o w h im n o I d o n t . . . is it g o in g to
rain? . . . n ic e e n o u g h n o w . . . g o o d sh o p w in d o w , g e e . . . 1 11 be
late . . . w e l l , I gu ess I ll read.
W ell, g iv e y o u r s e lf a n y p u r p o s iv e p r o b le m .

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P o n d e r in g an a tte m p t to a n s w e r q u e stio n s f r o m th e ir so u rc e . A p ro
cess o f s tr ip p in g o f f th e a n sw e rs su g g e s te d b y asso ciatio n an d arrivin
at th e e ssen tial p e rso n a l a n sw e r.
T h e m e t h o d can b e a p p lie d to a n y q u e s tio n ; e .g . w h e r e shall I
sp en d th e su m m er? W h a t d o I r e a lly w a n t to d o in th e fie ld o f m y
p o te n tia litie s ? O n l y th o s e w h o h ave p o n d e r e d p ra ctica l q u e stio n s can
b e tru s te d to p o n d e r p r a c tic a lly o n p h ilo s o p h ic a l q u estio n s.

GOOD AND EVIL

T r y to fo r m u la te y o u r o w n d e fin itio n s o f g o o d and e v il. G o o d is
th at w h ic h fu lfills th e fu n c t io n fo r w h ic h a th in g is created . A go o d
c lo c k s u b je c t to tests. D iffe r in u n d e rs ta n d in g a c c o r d in g to w o r k and
essen ce.

FORM AND SEQUENCE

A ft e r a tta in in g im p a rtial m e n ta tio n , B e e lz e b u b g o es to h is ca b in for
th e rest h e n e e d e d a fter an e m o tio n a l e x p e r ie n c e . H e fo u n d H assein
s o b b in g . T h e in te n s ity o f t h o u g h t had e sta b lish e d a te m p o th a t was
a b n o r m a l; a fte rw a rd s, cla sh o f te m p o s. T e a rs d id n o t m ea n a n y th in g
e x c e p t th a t th e th ree c e n te rs w e r e at d iffe r e n t te m p o s. A n e u r o tic sys
te m is d u e to te m p o in te n s ific a tio n in o n e c e n te r , w it h o u t o th e rs b e
in g raised t o th e sam e d e g r e e . T h e cen ters o u t o f step w e r e th e cause,
b u t th e o c c a s io n w as th is: H a sse in w e e p in g o v e r th e b e in g s o n the
ea rth , h a n d ic a p p e d b y k u n d a b u ffe r. H a sse in s o b je c tiv e c o n scien ce
c o u ld su ffe r b ecau se b e in g s , th re e -c e n te re d b e in g s lik e h im s e lf, w ere
sh u t o u t f r o m th e in e ffa b le j o y h e had ju s t e x p e r ie n c e d . W h e r e is ju s
tice , th a t I s h o u ld e n jo y this?
B e e lz e b u b is a c tiv e ly p o n d e r in g . A re sp o n sib le b e in g sp en d s h a lf
his tim e in a c t iv e ly p o n d e r in g (o n e -h a lf o f th e e n e r g y d e v e lo p e d in
th e b o d y ). W h e r e is th e c e n te r o f g r a v ity o f y o u r th o u g h t w h e n y o u
are at le isu re ? O n th e a n im a l p la n e , fo o d , rest, etc.? W h e r e d o y o u r
th o u g h ts g o ? T o be h u m a n o n e m u st sp en d o n e - h a lf o f o n e s e n e r g y
o n p o n d e r in g . M a k e an o b je c tiv e an alysis o f y o u r th o u g h ts , w h e r e
th e y n a tu r a lly g o . A ft e r p o n d e r in g , y o u m u s t cease and g iv e ch an ce
fo r rest, f o r th e p la n e ta ry b o d y is an in d e p e n d e n t th in g , an a u x il
ia ry . D e a l j u s t l y w it h it. G iv e it tim e fo r a d ju s tm e n t, h e lp fo r y o u r
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Rem ands sin ce it serves t w o m asters. B io l o g y an d p s y c h o lo g y m a y

d ev elo p b y lea p s and b o u n d s b u t th e b o d y o n l y b y d eg re es. W h e n
vvhat w e d e v e lo p p ro v es to h a v e u n b e arab le e ffe c ts o n th e b o d y , p au se
and g iv e it tim e to adjust.
O t h e r w is e , a part o n ly o f th e to ta l b e in g (b e in g and th e p la n e ta r y
b o d y) w i l l a c q u ire this a cc e le ra te d te m p o a n d w i l l b e lo p s id e d . S illy
saints, w e a k y o g is and stu p id ascetics are fo r m e d b y in d u lg in g essen
tial w is h in o n e c e n te r at th e e x p e n s e o f th e rest.
M o st o f us are lo n g in g fo r , o r a sk in g to b e w h o le . C h a n g e refu ses
to a c c o m m o d a te . H assein s e x p la n a tio n is in c o m p le te . H assein w o u ld
have b een m o r e c o rr e c t i f h e h a d said h e s s o b b in g b ecau se h e h ad
th o u g h t in te n s e ly , and a fte r th in k in g , s o b b in g ca m e fr o m th e e m o
tional c e n te r. (H assein h ad said o u t o f te m p o w i t h th e b o d y .) I f w e
th in k w it h o u t fe e lin g , at th e e n d w e b e c o m e tir e d and g o to sle e p . I f
fee lin g h a d b e e n in th e t h in k in g th en e m o tio n a l fa tig u e is th e resu lt
and w e are u n a b le to c o n t r o l th e b o d y . P o n d e r in g in B e e lz e b u b s sense
in clu d ed th in k in g and fe e lin g e le m e n ts. T h e b o d y is m a n ife s tin g m a
te ria liza tio n o f in te lle c tio n p lu s e m o tio n . D a n t e is o n e o f th e rare
E u rop ean s c a p a b le o f p o n d e r in g . R e a d h is I n f e r n o , a p a r tic ip a tio n
in in t e lle c tio n an d fe e lin g .
B e e lz e b u b w i l l e x p la in to H a ssein th e d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n in t e lle c
tion and p o n d e r in g . T h in k in g is a c c o r d in g to k n o w le d g e . U n d e r
stan din g is a c c o r d in g to essen ce . E ssence is t h in k in g and fe e lin g . It is
n ot e m o tio n a l th in k in g b u t is a fu sio n . B e e lz e b u b says let us g o and
sit, i.e. ta k e a n e w p o s tu r e c f. dram a.
T h e a rr iv a l o f A h o o n c o m m o n se n se : a p e rs o n a l p ra ctic a l a p p li
catio n o f id ea s o th e r w is e im p e rs o n a l. T h e d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n u n d e r
stan din g a n d k n o w le d g e . B e e lz e b u b says: L e t u s co m p a re th e b e in g s
on th e e a r th w i t h n o rm a l th re e -c e n te re d b e in g s th r o u g h o u t th e u n i
verse c f. a v e ra g e w it h n o r m a l. R e a s o n o n e a r th is th e rea so n o f
k n o w le d g e . T h a t o f n o rm a l b e in g s is th e re a so n o f u n d e rs ta n d in g .
R easo n o f u n d e rs ta n d in g b e c o m e s an in te g r a l p a rt o f th e b e in g , w h ile
the reason o f k n o w le d g e is a lie n an d is m e r e ly a cq u ire d . U n d e r s t a n d
in g is in o n e s b o n e s and w i t h it o n e c a n n o t a ct c o n tra ry t o essen ce.
R e aso n o f k n o w le d g e can u n d e rsta n d c le a r ly a n d y e t act o th e r w is e .
N e w k n o w le d g e a cq u ire d b y a b e in g w it h th e reason o f k n o w le d g e
ntust b e re p e a te d o r it is fo r g o t t e n . N o t so w i t h reaso n o f u n d e rs ta n d
in g. A h , I see th e id e a !
W e are e n g a g e d in t r y in g t o a cq u ire th e a rt o f p o n d e r in g . P o n d e r
ing and b e in g h u m a n are e q u iv a le n t. Is m y u n d e rs ta n d in g o f p o n 299

APRIL 1 9 2 8

dering according to knowledge or understanding? Simultaneity Qf

thinking and feeling is a technique. Its effects are without injuring
the wholeness. Gains according to understanding become inalienable
parts o f the beings essence.
Beelzebub adjusts the curls o f his tail (change o f planes). Hassein
asks: What is the cause in your opinion o f the molding o f our psyche
(chief cause) in this misshapen way, i.e. so little according to essence?
Beelzebub replies: You are now at the beginning o f real being and I
determined to help you so that your intellection would go rightly.
If Hassein had asked him before, he could not have answered frank
ly because he had an aim in view in regard to Hassein. W hy is it in
advisable for someone to tell you your chief feature? Beelzebub told
facts in such order that Hassein would arrive inevitably at his own
conclusions. There is an order o f discoveries o f self. Reason according
to understanding (essence) depends on the presence o f a chemical sub
stance formed in the planetary body under the law o f triamazikamno.
Beelzebub said to Hassein: Understanding cannot be acquired sud
denly. It is generated and formed by a process. This is a most impor
tant fact but I did not tell it to you before. Three factors are necessary.
Impressions already materialized as understanding in the three centers
are either positive or negative. The new ones becomes neutralizing
and become blended. Part affirms; new part denies, causing friction
(clash between agreement and denial). Result that the two are pre
cipitated in a new understanding, either according to knowledge or
essence. Part o f the theory is transient; part o f essence? What decides;
whether at the time o f the clash the individual makes effort (personal
effort at resolving the clash?) Without this effort, understanding is
deposited at random, according to the gravity o f the words, verbal
associations. N o accretion o f real understanding (Mullah Nasruddins
soup). By himself he must produce an effort to understand the direc
tions involved in both affirmation and denial.
Had I first given you my conclusions and then the evidence, my
conscience would have been clear but there would have been no effort on your part. Thats w hy I told you these things in this order. I
can give you my impersonal frank opinion and can tell you something
about objective reason which had I known it earlier would have saved
me many centuries o f observation; but I can tell you only because you
have made an effort up to this point. Without effort you would have
only understanding according to knowledge, which is the greatest
enemy o f understanding according to understanding (essence).
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[A t lunch.]

The intellectual center o f mental behavior is concerned w ith its

0wn problems; speculation on the meaning and aim o f existence. We
have some disorganized material o f mental behavior. Our three cen
ters are embryonic.
question: Can a germ exercise?
answer: Certainly. Being is developed by friction between do
ing and thinking on fundamental questions.
THE HOLY PLANET PURGATORY
Beelzebub asks: Do we know anything about the planet Remorse
of Conscience ? Hassein called it the accursed planet, isolated and
unique. Fundamental cosmic laws there proceed inversely and back
ward. We assume that experience teaches; but experiences do not
occur in educational sequence but higgledy-piggledy, often too ad
vanced for us. But sometimes we have runs and are surprised. If
we were normal, these would be more frequent. Remorse o f con
science is a state in which experiences occur without order, hence
perhaps the feeling that we are out o f joint, alone, on the edge o f
the universe. Hassein continues: his father had said that this state o f
discrepancy between inward growth and external experience w ill last
until those beings have done away with certain substances ignorantly
acquired. Every external event made possible by chemicals within;
tragedy cannot happen to the untragical. We experience only our
selves. No arbitrary condemnation. Good and evil depend on chemi
cal substances within. There are three means o f taking in substances
and each determines the nature o f subsequent experience. Conse
quences are inherent in the chemicals, e.g. eat a bad oyster.
Food determines the physiological.
Air determines the moods.
Perceptions.
Try to be aware o f what w e are doing every time we take a percep
tion, i. e. to pass down Fifth Avenue and look at the shops with a little
envy. Each such little perception builds up. Someday I will stop at one
f these shops and buy something which I do not need.
Fable o f the bank cashier. A series o f unobserved perceptions at
length necessitates an act. Similarly in self-observation. The souls on
the planet Remorse o f Conscience are not there because o f any
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sin gle c r im e . T h e lo n g p ro c e ss can be u n d o n e o n ly b y a n o th e r 10
p ro cess. A s h o rt c u t is to m a k e c o n s cio u s p e rc e p tio n s .

ng

STORY OF MACAREE
M a c a re e b e g a n as seco n d g e n e ra tio n o f th e S o c ie t y o f A k h a ld a n s . A ll
souls b e a r fo r e v e r th e n a m e th e y b o re o n th e p la n e t w h e r e th e y began
s e lf-p e r fe c tin g . M a ca ree a c q u ire d a state o f rea so n e n titlin g h im to re
side o n th e h o ly p la n et P u r g a t o r y . H e c o n t in u e d his c o n s cio u s labors
o n P u r g a t o r y u n til h e w a s a ca n d id a te fo r th e S u n A b s o lu te . E arth
b e in g s tra n s fo rm e d his n e a r ly c o rr e c t te a c h in g in to m isin te rp re ta
tio n s. A te a c h e r is resp o n sib le fo r th e effe cts o f h is te a ch in g s. T h e law s
o f ju s t ic e are th e law s o f c h e m is tr y . M a c a re e , p o o r d e v il, m e a n t w e ll.
H e d e c id e d to share w h a t h e h a d lea rn ed w i t h o th ers. A m o n g o th er
th in g s h e h a d lea rn ed a b o u t p o s itiv e and n e g a tiv e in flu e n ces. A l l law s
th at g o v e r n th e u n iv erse a re e x e m p lifie d in u s th e u n iv e rse is o u r
d re a m . M a c a r e e s d o c tr in e p o s itiv e and n e g a tiv e in flu e n ce s. P h ysi
cists say th a t o u tsid e in th e u n iv e rs e is p o s itiv e a n d n e g a tiv e e le c tr ic
i t y ; th e e x e m p lifie d m a n ife sta tio n s are p r o to n a n d e le c tro n . W h a t else
is th e re in th e u n iverse? N o t h in g w e k n o w o f.
G u r d j ie f f sp eaks o f a n e u tr a liz in g fo r c e . C o n s id e r th e h y d ro g e n
a to m . O n e p r o to n and o n e e le c tr o n ; ea ch m o v e s in an o r b it . W h a t
keep s th e m to g e th e r? N o t a su b sta n ce, n o t a fo r c e . T h e fo rce s are
resid en t in th e p r o to n a n d e le c tr o n . N o t h in g p h e n o m e n a l, b u t the
r e la tio n s h ip is a th ird fo r c e , t o w h ic h w e are b lin d . N e ith e r p o sitiv e
n o r n e g a tiv e d ete rm in e s th e t o t a lit y w it h in w h ic h w e fu n c tio n as a
w h o le . E a r th b e in g s are t w is te d . M a ca re e h a d said: w e are fo r m e d b y
and c o n sist o f th ree fo rce s:
1. P o s itiv e .
2. N e g a tiv e .
3. N e u tr a liz in g .
1. M a y b e ca lle d d e s c e n d in g an d g o o d .
2. Is n e g a tiv e fo r it resists 1 and so in r e la tio n to 1 m a y b e called
e v il. E le c tr o n m a y be c o n s id e re d as lim it in g th e fie ld o f th e p o s itiv e
and o f th e p r o to n .
3. M a y b e ca lle d sp irit, o n l y th e re la tio n sh ip . B u t th e stu p id ea rth b e in g s id e n tifie d th e m se lv e s w i t h 3 and in s te a d o f re g a rd in g 1 and 2
as e q u a lly n ecessa ry , th o u g h t o f 1 as g o o d ( w is h in g th e ir w e lfa re ) and
2 as e v il ( w is h in g harm ). N o w w e h ave c o n c e p t io n o f o n ly e x te rn a l
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g o o d an d b a d in flu e n ce s a lt h o u g h g o o d an d b a d in flu e n ces are th e m

selves an d n ecessa ry . P h ilo s o p h y is fo u n d e d o n th is.
S o m e b e in g s o f B e e lz e b u b s trib e liv e d o n th e p la n e t ea rth a n d ca m e
to be c o n s id e re d as b e in g s o f th e b e y o n d . B e e lz e b u b is n o t su re w h y
and e v e n a fte r th e y le ft th e e a r th th e b e in g s th e re fo r m e d a r e lig io n
based o n fa lse ideas o f g o o d a n d e v il in w h ic h b e in g s o f h is tr ib e fig
ured a tr a d itio n o f in v is ib le b e in g s. T h e y e v e n g a v e tr a d itio n a l n am es
to th ese s u p p o s e d d e v ils as w e ll as fa n tastic a ttrib u te s . T h e s e d e v ils are
su p p o sed t o su g g e s t c rim e s . W h e re a s w e d o th e m b ecau se o f h a b it;
becau se w e w is h o r h a ve w is h e d . I f w e h a ve a n ig h tm a re w e su p p o se
the n ig h tm a re w a s sen t in s te a d o f b e in g p r o d u c e d b y o u r s e lv e s .
F ro m fa ilu r e to assum e re s p o n s ib ility o f m a jo r ity w e in v e n t e x
cuses, fa ilin g t o rea lize th e e x te r n a l e x p e r ie n c e as an o b je c tiv e d re a m .
E x te rn a l e v e n ts are s u b je c tiv e ly d e te rm in e d . T o ch a n g e th e d r e a m w e
m u st c h a n g e th e d ream er. S u p e rstitio n s o n l y c h a n g e th e p la n e . W e
h ave s u p e rs titio n s in th e o b je c tiv e fie ld ; e a rlie r tim es in th e s u b je c tiv e .
A sa ilo r c o m e s to a n n o u n c e th a t re fle c tio n s o f th e sp here o f C a r ita s
are v is ib le . (In p r e c e d in g d iscu ssio n s w e s a w fo r an in s ta n t w h a t
C a rita sia n s are lik e . A w a k e t o th e s u b je c tiv e n a tu re o f o b je c t iv e e x
p e r i e n c e - l i g h t . ) B e e lz e b u b c o n tin u e s : T h e resu lts o f a b n o r m a l e x
isten ce o n e a r th , n o t lim it e d to ea rth , b u t w e r e b e g in n in g t o a ffe ct
b ein g s o n o th e r p lan ets in th e sam e solar sy ste m . R e la tiv e ly c o n s c io u s
o n ly o f th e p la n e ta ry b o d y ; o n ly a s u b je c tiv e c o n scio u sn ess o f th e
o th e r t w o . B u t th e o th e r t w o s h o u ld b e c o m e as o b je c tiv e and as u sa b le
as th e first. B e in g u n ab le t o u se th e m , w e m e r e ly register th e e ffe cts
o f th e ir a c t io n in e m o tio n a l a n d in te lle c tu a l states. I f th e p la n e ta r y
b o d y h a d n o e ffe c t o n th e astral and m e n ta l it w o u ld n o t b e so bad.
B u t th e y in te r a c t. W h a t th e p la n e ta ry b o d y d o e s , affects th e m e v e n
th o u g h I d o n o t re a lize t h e y e x is t. T h e y m a y b e d e fo rm e d b e fo r e w e
learn th e ir u se. B lo sso m , b u d , seed. I f th e o u t e r sh eath is u n d is tu rb e d
all is w e ll. B u t i f . . . B e e lz e b u b sig h e d d e e p ly : I f o n ly th e r e fle c tio n s
o f th e sp h ere o f C a rita s are v is ib le , w e still h a v e m u c h tim e t o discu ss
th e re a ctio n s o n th e astral a n d m en ta l b o d ie s o f th e p la n e ta ry b o d y .
B e e lz e b u b w i l l e x p la in to H a sse in in d eta il.

CHAPTER ON ELECTRICITY
B e e lz e b u b le a rn e d o f his p a r d o n w h ile o n E a rth and w e n t t o M a rs
to p rep are to re tu rn h o m e . M u s t take th e sh ip O c c a s io n t o S a tu rn
w h e r e h e w o u l d g e t th e sh ip O m n ip re s e n t t o C a rita s. W h ile w a it 303

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in g o n M a r s , h e is in c o m p a n y w it h th at M a r tia n T u f - N e f - T e f , the
e m p e ro r, w h o h a d fo r m e r ly b e e n a p e a c e m a k e r o r o n e w h o har
m o n iz e s h is th r e e c e n te rs. T h e n h e w as a c a n d id a te fo r e m p e ro r (sole
ru ler). W e m u s t h a rm o n iz e b e fo r e w e can c o n t r o l. T h o s e w h o help
o th e rs to fu lfill th e t o t a lity o f th e ir d u t y c a rica tu re s o n e a rth : d o c
to rs, a m e r r y tale.
T h e a g e d T u f - N e f - T e f in v ite s B e e lz e b u b t o ca ll and m akes a re
q u est: o w in g to his p a rd o n , h e can n o w b e c o m e w h a t he s h o u ld b e
c o m e and in th e fu tu r e w ill m e e t p e o p le o f his o w n reaso n ask h o w
to d ea l w i t h in h a b ita n ts o f M a r s . It has b e e n n o tic e d la te ly o n M ars
th at th e a b n o r m a l c o n d itio n s o n th e p la n e t E a rth h a d d ecreased th e
p o w e r o f a c t iv e in te lle c tio n o n th e p la n e t M a rs . In a b ility t o th in k
o b je c tiv e ly , th e e a rth -b e in g s c a ll it a w ill-le s s -n e s s o r n eu ro sis. P res
e n t c o n d itio n s p r a c tic a lly e n su re th e sp rea d in g o f n eu ro ses. N e u ro sis
is an e x a g g e r a te d in a b ility to th in k o b je c t iv e ly o r im p a rtia lly . It is
o n ly d u e to th e in h a la tio n o f c e r ta in su bstan ces th a t w e can p o n d e r at
all. B e e lz e b u b p ro m ise s to b e a r th e requ est in m in d . ( W h y c a n n o t w e
m a in ta in a sta te o f h ig h e r in t e lle c tio n fo r v e r y lo n g ? )
S everal d a ys a fter, he le ft M a r s fo re v e r a n d re tu rn e d to Satu rn .
B u t th e O m n ip r e s e n t had n o t a rr iv e d ; it w a s an in o p p o r tu n e tim e.
B e e lz e b u b v is it e d G o r n a h o o r H a r h a r k h , w h o w a s in tereste d in e le c
tr ic ity . G o r n a h o o r H a r h a r k h said : Y o u r e m e m b e r th e e x p e rim e n t
o f th e la m p w h ic h p ro v e d th a t a ll life is e le c tr ic a l in o r ig in ? S in ce
p r o v in g th is h e h ad to u n le a r n n o t th e fa ct, b u t th e use o f it, th an ks
to G o r n a h o o r H a r h a r k h s so n (B e e lz e b u b s g o d s o n ). S atu rn ian s are ra
ve n s in f o r m an d p e rch . T h e y fe e l g o o d o n ly w h e n a fter b o w in g , and
s u p p o r tin g th e ir w e ig h t o n th e ir o w n leg s a n d w h e n e le v a te d , h en ce
th e y p u t u p p e rch es. (E arth b e in g s h ave a c a r ic a tu r e , call p erch es,
ch u rch es.)
E le c t r ic ity , th e so u rce o f b io lo g y . E le c t r ic ity is o f th ree k in d s ; th e
b io lo g y o f a n y p la n e t is lim it e d b y th e e le c t r ic it y a va ila b le f o r that
p la n e t. T h is e a r th has so m u c h , w it h in th e so la r sy ste m . I f th r e e -c e n
te red b e in g s d e m a n d all th re e fo r m s fin d th e m s e lv e s lim ite d in o n e
o r t w o k in d s , th e y are th e n lim it e d in th e p o s s ib ility o f b e c o m in g
w h o le . A n e le c tr ic a l age (o u rs is th e secon d ) in v o lv e s an in crea se in
n eu ro ses, w ill-le s s -n e s s an d b io lo g ic a l d e g e n e ra tio n . W e sp en d th e
su b stan ce o f life in m ec h a n ic a l aids. T h e d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n B e e lz e
b u b , G o r n a h o o r H a r h a r k h a n d h is so n sh o w s th e d iffe re n ce b e tw e e n
th o se w h o h o p e f u lly b eg a n th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f e le c tr ic it y and th o se
w h o later r e a liz e th a t this d e v e lo p m e n t has b e e n at th e e x p e n s e o f life-

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T h e re is a c e r ta in g ra m m a r o f a sso ciatio n s. A v e r b a l th o u g h t is n o t h
in g m o re th a n a w o r d p a ttern .
F o rm a l t h o u g h t can be r e p r o d u c e d in a s u g g e s tiv e w a y o n l y in
w o rd s. F o r m a l th o u g h t is t h in k in g s o m e th in g , n o t th in k in g a b o u t
s o m e th in g .
T h r e e m o d e s o f sp eech :
1. E x p re s s io n o f s u b je c tiv e state th e sp ea k e r is in . It is in s tin c tiv e
speech.
2. E m o tio n (e x m o tio n , i .e . m o tio n o u tw a r d ).
3. E v o k e (e x v o ic e i.e . v o ic e o u tw a rd ). T o p r o d u c e o r e v o k e in
th e m in d o f th e h earer o r re a d e r a fo r m w h ic h b e c o m e s fo r h im a real
e x p e rie n c e .
T h e flu id it y n ecessa ry f o r fo r m a l th o u g h t re q u ire s an e m o tio n a l
heat to a tta in fo r m a l th in k in g .
B e e lz e b u b : I f I h ad k n o w n w h a t I n o w k n o w it w o u ld h a v e saved
m y s e lf m a n y y e a rs d e v o te d t o th e s tu d y o f th e p e c u lia r p s y c h e o f th e
earth b e in g s.
B rain is o u r S u n A b s o lu te .
C e lls m o v e u p th r o u g h e m o tio n s .
K aratas is a b ra in cap ab le o f im p a rtia l th in k in g , i.e . free fr o m k u n d abuffer. P u r g a t o r y is h ea rt. S u c h is th e n atu re o f o u r a tm o sp h e re th a t
all th in g s in c lu d in g scien ces, id ea s, k n o w le d g e , g o ld , etc., w ill r u s t ,
as P la to p u t it.
O n e d o e s n o t g e t rid o f c h i e f fe a tu re , o n ly s e g re g a te it fr o m in flu
ences an d in flu e n c in g .
D o y o u b e lie v e in a s tr o lo g y ?
T h e r e is a c e r ta in im p le m e n t f o r th e m a n ip u la tio n o f o n e s self. A s
i f . S en eca said E ven v ir t u e .
(It is a lm o s t c e rta in that q u e s tio n s o f th e m o m e n t a ro u sed in c it
ed b y w h a t M r . O r a g e says w i l l b e su b v e rsiv e rath er th an h e lp fu l.
C o n s id e re d q u e stio n s are a lw a y s stim u la tin g .)
W h e n c e , w h y , w h ith e r.
H a v e I liv e d b e fo r e this life ? W h y a m I h ere? W h e r e m a y I g o ?
H o w is it th a t w e k n o w v e r y w e ll h o w t o b e h a v e , y e t w e o ft e n
beh ave q u ite c o n t r a r ily to o u r c o m m o n sense?
W h a t is th e d iffe re n ce b e t w e e n sa tisfactio n a n d happiness?

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I f y o u a c c e p t b e h a v io ris t d a ta, w h a t d o y o u say can b e a c c o m

p lish e d th a t w i l l b e e x tr a b e h a v io ris tic ?
W h a t is th e h a rm o n io u s d e v e lo p m e n t o f m an ?
Q u e s tio n s n e e d n o t b e , a n d p r o b a b ly s h o u ld n o t b e, q u estio n s
w h ic h y o u are n o t able t o a n sw e r b y y o u r s e lf. C e r ta in ly , fr o m m y
p o in t o f v ie w , th e best q u e s tio n p ro p o se d last w e e k w a s W h y are
w e h e re ? (It w a s th e q u e s tio n I referre d to w h e n I said to M r . O ra g e
that th e re w a s in th e lo t o n e id e a l q u e stio n .) B u t I c o u ld h a v e g iv e n
th e a n sw e r t o th a t q u e stio n th r e e years a g o as e v e r y o n e can v e r ify
b y r e fe r r in g to an article I w r o t e w h ic h w a s p u b lis h e d in E n g la n d in
J a n u a ry o f 1925. W e w a n t t o g e t at th e r o o t o f th e su b ject w e discuss
here.
W e w a n t t o p ro p o se , s e r io u s ly , q u e stio n s, s im p ly p h rased w h ic h
are n ear to th e real final q u e s tio n o f h o w w i l l y o u phrase it?

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M ake o n e s s e l f d r u n k so th a t I c a n th in k , fe e l, ta lk , act?
B e e lz e b u b , in te n t o n his q u e s t to k n o w th e n a tu re o f th e h u m a n
species faces th e s ix th d escen t. W h a t p ro fe ssio n sh a ll h e a d o p t in o r cj er to b r in g a b o u t fo r h im th e k n o w le d g e o f th e h u m a n species? P h y
sician? P e c u lia ritie s o f these h u m a n b e in g s d o n o t lie in th e e x te r n a l
and v is ib le m a n ife sta tio n s an d are o n ly to b e d is c o v e re d in th e u n c o n
scious. O n l y w i t h a p h y sicia n o r a p riest is a h u m a n b e in g fr a n k , i.e .
o n ly w it h a r e lig io u s o r th e ra p e u tic m o tiv e w il l o n e con fess h im s e lf.
M e d ic in e s a d m in iste re d b y p rie sts: o p iu m , c a s to r o il, q u in in e .
T e r m o s e fa th e r o f M o s e s i.e . h y g ie n e sa v io r.
E special re s p e ct is a cc o rd e d t o p rie sts e s p e c ia lly i f t h e y are o ld .
M o ses h a d v e r y little tr u c k w i t h m y stic is m a n d w a s a h y g ie n ic la w
giver. H e passed m o st o f his t im e in so m e ca fe o r o th e r w h e r e o r d i
n arily n o p riests are to b e fo u n d . H is eld est so n fe ll ill, and a p h y s ic ia n
gave h im th e e n tir e c o n te n ts o f a b o ttle th e la b e l rea d : O n l y th r e e
tim es ea ch d a y o f th e w e e k . B u t T e r m o s e said la u g h in g th ree k in d s
o f m e d ic in e , o f first y o u m u st b e a little c a refu l b u t b o ttle a lw a y s h a v e
skull and cro s sb o n e s so ea sily a v o id e d . T h e o th e r t w o k in d s are a lw a y s
harm less o u t o f th e sam e b a rre l. (S k u ll and c ro s sb o n e s d o n t d o ?)
A n d th e o th e r m e d ic in e d o an d this can a ll b e lu m p e d to g e t h e r
un der th e w o r d S abbath . A l l a d v ic e is lu m p e d to g e t h e r and ta k e n o n
Sunday.
P h arm acists are p ra ctica l p s y c h o lo g is ts , i.e ., tra n sm u te rs o f e n e r
gies. H e c a m e in t o his sh o p a n d w e n t to th e b a c k o f th e p lace w h e r e
he w as e n g a g e d in p o u n d in g s o m e th in g in a m o r ta r . T h e p r e s c r ip tio n
w as D o v e r s p o w d e r , b u t th e p h arm acists p u t in n o o p iu m . S aid it
w as to o e x p e n s iv e (i.e. n o p r ie s t c o u ld p u t in t o h is a d v ice a n y th in g
real it is t o o rare). B e e lz e b u b asks: W h a t a b o u t an alysis? W h a t is
analysis? It w o u l d co st as m u c h as a th e w h o le s h o p .
T h r e e b o d ie s : m e n ta l, p h y s ic a l, e m o tio n a l. A n o b je c tiv e tr u th n o t
realized is a t h e o r y fo r us.
W h a t is an an alyst? O n e w h o gu aran tees th e p r e s c rip tio n

r e li

gio u s d o c tr in e .
I f y o u h a v e th e id ea th at a d o c tr in e is th e sa m e t o e m o tio n a l an d
'n te lle c tu a l as a d o c t o r is to o u r p h y sic a l b o d y .
P riests are ch e m ists fo r th e e m o tio n a l and in t e lle c tu a l b o d ies. P h ilso p h e rs are th e analysts. (G e r m a n s are th e in h e r ito r s o f th e a n c ie n t
G reek s th e y a re th e p rese n t a n a lysts.)

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Describing now the sort o f mind that takes up philosophy . .

Pimples are very symbolic complete education thanks to money
if one reads all these German books on chemistry, compositions.
Sight, taste and fire pragmatism.
Sometimes takes a little experimental w ork in a slaughter house
Tough work.
So one takes a compound to this analyst w ho consults a book (the
Bible). Copies out the description o f Dovers powder varying the fig.
ures a little, o f course.
Chemist still continues to make fake D overs powder and says that
they are all better because they at any rate contain no harmful ingre
dients, i.e. Christianity has been denatured. The general prescription
contains a good deal o f opium, so i f one commenced to take the real
prescription and later stopped taking the real opium, one would suf
fer a good deal.
Hypnotism is that property or quality in the earth beings from
which all their trouble proceeds. It is this that distinguishes these be
ings from all the other beings in the universe. I f they did not exist,
this property would not anywhere exist. It is called their suggestibil
ity but when accelerated it is called hypnotism.
There are only three normal forms o f consciousness. Sleep is the
absence o f the other two. Self-consciousness is a habitual awareness o f
the fact that we have a body. (Our state o f sleep is chemically condi
tioned because we receive through inhaling atmosphere and through
our senses.)
Kundabuffer has left its properties in the very air we breathe and
in our very bodies and thus we are never essential. Dimly aware at
the back that we are not behaving individually. (Have you ever been
aware that you have on occasion behaved as i f you were hypnotized?
Have your friends?)
If you show a flea to a man who is in this state and tell him it is a
rhinoceros he will believe it. And always w ill believe it, i.e. a small
irritation will appear to be a disaster. And a real rhinoceros, i.e. a dan
ger on a large scale will appear to be nothing. (For example, self-ob
servation is said to be a danger that you will get to know something
o f yourself, but this is only a flea.)
Hypnosis is produced by stroking i.e. idiocy by . . .
Man has two kinds o f consciousness on that planet. First their real
consciousness as beings biological consciousness comparable to that
o f animals. Very natural, cats have it, i.e. they are not suggestible. T h e
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second is not due to biological nature it is absolutely foreign to their

real being. And even their very behavior is so adapted that it contains
two independent regions where all impressions are deposited one
to the enhancement o f our social consciousness and the other to our
essential consciousness.
The first belongs to real being, to their essential being, and the sec
ond is only acquired during life. So they have side by side thoughts o f
their real being and thoughts that have nothing to do with this. He
was born a man and died as a sexton, a soldier, an English gentleman.
It may be marvelous, very admirable, but the person himself may
be entirely worthless. He may be unspeakable in his private life.
Shaws D evils Disciple is an example o f one who has preserved
a portion o f essence i.e. he is devil to our ordinary routine. But his
fellow officers, almost all o f them said, he had acted so as to lose caste.
He was human, humane, essential. N ow in ourselves we can find the
same thing, i.e. two forms o f consciousness essential and grafted. So
we call essential consciousness our sub-consciousness and what we
call our consciousness is something quite mortal automatically and
accidentally accumulated in a special part o f our brain and we then
identify with it. Manchester was born where? Parents school in
fluences sociological history (social history real essence) but
not my history i.e. subconscious history. I w ont tell that what I
thought o f my mother, sister, teachers, associates, etc. No! But that is
my real history.
(Watsons behaviorism was not approved by Orage, which he con
sidered some far-fetched knowledge. And Bernie Shaw was too
smart, said Orage.)
Watson said it is no matter what a child is born with, i f he can
control his infantile conditions. He can make one an artist, another a
thinker, another a scientist. But he is right to say this. Yet only that
he can graft onto any stock another chosen stock. Yet this is what has
happened to each o f us.
This so called cause really only personality; a chance collection
o f prejudices segregated in a pseudo part o f the brain, i.e. in the
formatory front part o f the brain which is entirely separated from
the back o f the brain the essential brain. These collected word as
sociations begin to churn and thoughts and opinions having no
contact with essence, continue to digest and change independently
o f essence and can be changed at any chance encounter with external
circumstances, i.e. subjective or not related to essence. Objectivity

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is in v a r ia b ly c o n n e c te d w i t h b io lo g ic a l essen ce . C e r ta in b e in g s th ere
h a ve d is c o v e re d this an d a re u s in g it fo r h e a lin g . E m ile C o u e , C h r is
tia n sc ie n ce . A n y t h in g th a t e x e m p ts a b e in g fr o m essen tial w o r k is
o n ly a s u p e rfic ia l cu re , a n d c a n b e u n cu re d b y a c o u n te r s u g g e s tio n .
A l l th e p re se n t d ay h y p n o tis ts e m p lo y o n e m e th o d , i.e ., th e y all
re q u ire th e p a tie n t to c o n c e n tr a te o r g a z e u p o n o n a b r ig h t o b je c t
( C o u e , s o -c a lle d id ea l m e d ita tio n .) F o r th e re are lite r a lly t w o m o d es
o f b lo o d c irc u la tio n c o r r e s p o n d in g to th e se t w o m o d es o f c o n s c io u s
ness. O n e w h e r e th e c e n te r o f g r a v ity is o n o n e side o f th e b lo o d
vessels a n d v ic e -v e r s a . ( W h e r e in y o u r b ra in is th e b lo o d pressure
g rea te st in d iffe re n t stages o f y o u r s e lf? I c o u ld sp in o f f b y a sso ciative
m ea n s a n d w it h o u t a p a r tic le o f t h o u g h t a v e r y g o o d le c tu r e on
a lm o st a n y su b ject. B u t it w o u ld be o f n o v a lu e to m e o r an y o n e.)
W h a t is im p o r ta n t is: W h a t is re a lly th e tr u t h a b o u t th a t su b je ct?
P la to said to o n e o f his a sso ciates: A h a ! Y o u th in k y o u are d i z z y b u t
y o u are o n l y re a lly t h in k in g . In o n e case th e re is a te n d e n c y to g o
to th e b a c k o f th e h ea d , a n d in th e o th e r, to th e fro n t o f th e head.
S tr ic tly s p e a k in g a b e in g is o n l y c o n s cio u s w h e n tr y in g to p o n d e r .
W h e n fix e d ly re g a rd in g a b rig h t o b je c t, c e rta in m u scu la r ten sio n s
b r in g a b o u t a ch a n g e o f b lo o d c irc u la tio n w h ic h affects a p a rticu la r
p art o f th e b ra in . So re a d in g th is b o o k sets u p a ce rta in m u s c u la r te n
sion th a t m a k e s th e b lo o d s tr e a m a ffect, b y c o n d itio n in g , th e w o r d
c e n te r o n l y o f th e brain . S o i f o n e hears th e b o o k read o n e has at
least a b e tte r ch an ce.
B e e lz e b u b : I b eca m e p r o fic ie n t in h y p n o tis m b y s to p p in g the
b lo o d -s tr e a m in certain h a b itu a l ch an n els a n d so c h a n g e d th e ir c o n
sciousn ess. (T h e h y ste rica l c a n n o t o b se rv e th e m se lv e s an d a su g g e s
tio n to d o so w ill p r o d u c e o n l y a n e w n o v e l c h u r n in g a n e w d o c
trin e.)
G u r d jie ff: I b e g a n m y w o r k in C e n tr a l A s ia (essence) w h e r e th ere
w a s a g re a t n e e d o f m y s e r v ic e o n a c c o u n t o f m a n y p e rn ic io u s p ra c
tices th e re . I c o lle c te d c e r ta in d ata first, an d g r a d u a lly m o v e d to w a rd s
th e W est f r o m c e n te r to c e n te r.
Q u e s t io n : W h a t w e r e th e p u lls th at d e te r m in e d a n y g iv e n situ
atio n ? (W e h a v e p le n ty o f a n sw e rs; n eed o n l y q u e stio n s c h e m ic a l
fo rm u la .)
1. A l l situ a tio n s a n sw ers D o y l e s e m e r g e n c y th e o r y .
2. C o n c is e , c o rr e c t fo r m u la tio n is h a l f th e a n sw er.
3. W h a t is th e d iffe re n ce b e tw e e n im a g in a tio n and fa n c y ? K n o w l
e d g e an d b e lie f?
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4. S u p p o s e w e th in k d u r in g th e w e e k a n d fo r m u la te q u e s tio n s fo r
v e rific a tio n o f o u r c o n c lu s io n s .
5. Q u e s tio n s s h o u ld s a tis fy y o u r s e lf, th e o th e r s and O r a g e .
6. W e o u g h t n o t to w a n t to fo r m u la te a q u e s tio n th at w e c a n n o t
a n sw er j u s t l o o k th e q u e s tio n o v e r and i f it lo o k s lik e a g o o d sta rtin g
p o in t f o r a d iscu ssio n w r it e it d o w n .
7. W r it e d o w n q u e stio n s w e w is h s o m e o n e else w o u ld ask.
8. S u p p o s e w e w r it e d o w n th e th ree q u e s tio n s th at in te re st us m o r e
than a n y o th e r s in th e w o r ld .
9. W h a t can M r . O r a g e r e a lly d o fo r u s e x c e p t to s u p p ly us w it h
q u estio n s o r b e tte r, w h e n p o ssib le to in c ite us to fo r m u la tin g o u r
o w n q u e stio n s? B e in g a b le t o an sw er q u e s tio n s is easy c o m p a r e d to
a skin g th e m .
10. D o w e re a lize th a t w e are g o in g to d ie? D o e s this r e a liz a tio n

b rin g f o r t h q u estion s?

[D aly K in g speaking ?]
T h e f o l l o w in g sta te m en ts m a y b e ju d g e d fo r th e ir c la r it y , tr u th
and p o n d e r a n c e o r w e ig h t . F r o m m y p o in t o f v ie w so m e a re false,
som e tr u e , an d so m e p a rt fa lse and part tr u e . W h a t is y o u r n a tu r a l a t
titu d e o r r e a ctio n to th e m i f any?
1 . G o d c re a te d th e u n iv e r s e fo r th e b e n e fit o f m an o n e a r th w h o is

the o n ly a n d o r ig in a l c o p y o f G o d .
2. G o d is lo v e , (a) G o d ta k es his rest an d sle e p lik e a n y m a n a fte r a
hard d a y s w o r k .
3. G o d is o m n ip o te n t, n e v e r n e e d in g h e lp a ll lo v in g , a n d w is e , (a)
G o d is a b e a rd e d p a tria rch , w h o rules th e e a r th b y a sy ste m o f p o s t
m o r te m r e w a rd fo r g o o d b o y s an d girls, an d p u n ish m e n t fo r b a d o n e s
in e v e r la s tin g h ea v en o r h e ll.
4. M a n is an a u to m a to n .
5. M a n is an an im al w h o s e m in d and e m o tio n s are lim ite d to an ap
paratus o n l y cap ab le o f p r o v id in g a d ju s tm e n t fo r h im s e lf t o v a r y in g
c ircu m sta n ces.
6. M a n is a sh eep , th e L o r d is his sh e p h erd .
7. M a n is a n atu ral a n im a l d is c h a rg in g a n a tu ra l fu n c tio n in th e o r
gan ic k in g d o m w h ic h at th e sam e tim e has c a p a c ity fo r s u p e rn a tu ra l
d e v e lo p m e n t.
8. M a n is e v o lv in g in t o a c o s m ic b u tte r a n d e g g m an.
9. M a n s d e v e lo p m e n t o f ste am , gas an d e le c tr ic it y p o w e r a n d its

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1928

a p p lic a tio n to la b o r sa vin g d e v ic e s w ill g iv e m a n th e tim e an d o p p Qr_

tu n ity to d e v e lo p h im s e lf t o th e fu lle s t e x te n t. (S h a w .)
10. A n o n - p r o d u c tiv e a ris to c r a c y sh o u ld b e e lim in a te d fr o m so ci
e t y b eca u se its leisu re an d a b se n ce o f n e c e s s ity to w o r k fo r its l iv
in g m a kes it tu r n to w a s te fu l a n d in d iv id u a lly v ic io u s and d e g en era te
p u rsu its.
11. T h e u n iv e r s e is a rath er b a d ju m b le o f p la n e ts and suns w h ic h
u p to th e p re se n t tim e la ck s th e c iv iliz in g in flu e n c e o f m a n . L ife is a
g y m n a s iu m . (B e fo re O r a g e c a m e to G u r d jie f f h e w a s in v o lv e d w it h
th e S h a vian s in S h a w and w a s la te r n o t p r o u d o f it.)
12. T h e u n iv e r s e is a p e r p e tu a l m o tio n m a ch in e .
13. T h e u n iv e r s e is an e v a s io n o f th e w e a k m a n .
14. P y t h a g o r a s w a s a so cia l c lim b e r , Jesus w a s a f o o l, B u d d h a w a s a
w o r d j u g g l e r , C o n fu c iu s th e first R o ta r ia n .
15. A r t is th e scien ce o f e v o k in g e m o tio n . A r t is an a tte m p t to c o n
v e y b y a la n g u a g e o th e r th a n a v e rb a l o n e , s o m e th in g n o t e x p ressib le
in w o rd s . It is p r e o c c u p a tio n w i t h art w h ic h m a k e s th e a tta in m en t
o f c o n s cio u s n e s s o n th e p a rt o f th e c o n t e m p o r a r y artist p r a c tic a lly
im p o s sib le .
16. A r t is th e o u tw a r d sig n o f th e sh in in g s p irit w it h in m an.
17. A r t is a re su lt o f fru stra te d desires.
18. B e l i e f is th e c h ild o f k n o w le d g e .
19. K n o w le d g e is th e c h ild o f b e lie f. (G o d c a n b e k n o w n th r o u g h
th e h eart a lo n e .)
20. T h e in t e lle c t is th e h ig h e s t fu n c tio n o f m a n an d b y c o n c e n tr a t
in g o n its d e v e lo p m e n t , m a n w i l l b e c o m e g o d lik e .
21. T im e is th e fo u r th d im e n s io n .
22. T im e is th e so u rce o f o u r e x is te n c e .
23. M a n is m o r e e m o tio n a l th a n w o m a n w o m a n is m o re in t e lle c
tu a l th a n m a n .
24. W o m a n is th e slave o f m a n .
25. M a n is th e slave o f w o m a n .
26. E v e r y m a n is p e rs o n a lly resp o n sib le fo r a ll o th e rs o n ea rth .
27. E v e r y m a n is resp o n sib le f o r h im s e lf a lo n e .
28. M a r r ia g e is G o d s m o st h o l y sacram ent.
29. M a r r ia g e is a d e v ic e o f th e d e v il.
30. S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n req u ires t o o m u c h tim e a n d takes a w a y m y e n
e r g y fr o m u s e fu l an d n ecessa ry w o r k .
31. I f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n re q u ires a n y tim e o r in a n y w a y d iv e rts e n
e r g y fr o m o u r a c tiv itie s , it is n o t, in fa ct, s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n .
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32. S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n w il l m a k e o n e a b ig g e r a n d b e tte r a u to m a to n .
33. In o r d e r to d o th is w o r k o f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n o n e m u st g iv e u p all
o rd in a ry a m b itio n s , all w o r l d l y ties and o b lig a tio n s , and all r e lia n ce
u p o n o n e s o w n e x p e rie n c e in life .
34. N o n -id e n tific a t io n w it h o n e s o rg a n ism m e a n s th at o n e w i l l n o
lo n g e r fee l, t h in k o r act.
35. T h is m e t h o d fo r d e v e lo p m e n t im p lie s id e n tific a tio n w it h o n e s
orga n ism an d th e sim u lta n e o u s d e v e lo p m e n t o f o n e s soul.

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beelzebub: D o y o u h a p p e n to k n o w a n y th in g a b o u t th e planet

R e m o r s e o f C o n s c ie n c e ? Y e s, I k n o w th a t it is re m o te a n d called
th e cu rse d p la n e t, and th e re , all pro cesses p r o c e e d b a c k w a r d o r re
v e rs e !
orage: H e r e , fo r e x a m p le , th in g s p r o c e e d o n certain o c c a sio n s ac

c o rd in g to a r h y th m ic , d e v e lo p m e n ta l ru n o f w h a t w e c a ll c o in c i
d en ce . B u t o n K aratas, fo r e x a m p le , su ch a se q u e n c e o f p ro v id e n tia l
o c c u rr e n c e s w o u ld be a lw a y s in e v id e n c e a n d w o u ld in all cases p r o
c e e d as life w o u ld in a g o o d sc h o o l.
T h e w o r k o f th e in s titu te is to m a k e s u ch a c h a n g e in o n e s e lf that
n o th in g c a n o c c u r that d o e s n o t agree w i t h o n e s o w n q u a litie s. T h e
th ree m e a n s o f ta k in g su b sta n ces in to o u r s e lv e s are fo o d , air, an d im
pressio n s. N o w it m u st b e re a liz e d that o u r e x p e rie n c e s in life are d e
te rm in e d b y th e fo o d , air, a n d im p ressio n s w h ic h w e ta k e in o r are
ta k en in . S o w it h air, w e can in c u r p s y ch ic in d ig e s tio n , b lo o d p o is o n
in g o r w h a t else. S o w it h p e rc e p tio n s . I f I g o a lo n g F ifth A v e n u e and
lo o k w i t h e n v y at th e th in g s I see, o n e d a y I shall w a lk in t o a sh o p to
b u y , fo r n o a p p a ren t reaso n , s o m e th in g I b y n o m ean s w a n t.
T a k e a ca sh ie r w h o a b sco n d s. H e has w it h c o m p le te (as h e th o u g h t)
in n o c e n c e lo o k e d c o v e to u s ly o n m o n e y n o t h is, u n til o n e d a y h e ab
scon ds. S o a series o f u n o b s e r v e d p e rc e p tio n s m a y result in a n y sort
o f u n e x p e c te d acts. A n d it c a n o n ly b e u n d o n e a fte r a lo n g p e r io d o f
rem o rse. O r b y a sh o rt c u t, h e m a y re d u ce i t b y c o n s cio u s o b s e rv a
tio n .
B y th e w a y

this p la n e t c a lle d ea rth is a ll th e se p la n ets. A p la n e t is

a state o f c h e m is tr y . T h e r e are o n p la n e t R e m o r s e o f C o n s c ie n c e
t h ir ty - n in e so u ls and o n e M a c a re a n . T h e la w s th a t g o v e rn o u r b o d ies
are e x a c t ly th e sam e as th e la w s th a t g o v e r n o u r u n iv erse. T h e r e is in
ea ch o f us a c o rr e s p o n d in g it e m e le m e n t, m il k y w a y , p la n e t, sun,
stars.
G u r d jie f f sp eaks o f a n e u tr a liz in g f o r c e a n d h e sp eaks o f it as a
fo r c e . B u t th e re is n o e v id e n c e o f this th ird fo r c e . T a k e a h y d ro g e n
a to m

o n e p r o to n and o n e e le c tr o n , w h ic h is t o say p o s itiv e and n e g

a tive fo r c e s , b u t so m e th in g h o ld s th e m to g e th e r . W h a t is this? G o o d
and e v il a re n o t ev e r o u ts id e o n e s self.
P o s itiv e is d e sc e n d in g o r

good,

arisin g f r o m th e cen ter. N e g a tiv e

is r e p e llin g o r e v il fo r c e sin ce it is a lim it in g fo r c e a c tin g o n the

p o s itiv e fo r c e .

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M e n are sm a ll co sm o se s in w h ic h th e re is a lw a y s o n th is p la n e t, a
d is p r o p o rtio n a te q u a n tity o f th r e e sorts o f su b sta n ces. T h u s w e h a v e
all o u r b e h a v io r e x p la in e d , w h e t h e r c rim in a l o r n o t. D re a m s w e r e
u n til r e c e n t ly reg a rd e d as b e in g sen t a so rt o f v o o d o o . W e still sp ea k
o f e x t e r n a lly cau se d e x p e r ie n c e . B u t it is as su b je c tiv e as a n o c t u r
nal d re am . A s s u m p tio n o f r e s p o n s ib ility f o r e x t e r n a l b e h a v io r an d
e x p e rie n c e is th e first s y m p to m th a t o n e has r e a ch e d o n e s m a jo r ity .
K aratasian s are b e in g s lik e o u r s e lv e s w h o h a v e re a liz e d that a ll e x p e r i
en ce w e n o w k n o w is as s u b je c tiv e as a n o c t u r n a l d ream .
W e h a v e th r e e b o d ies b u t w e are o n ly o b je c t iv e ly c o n s cio u s o f o u r
ph ysical b o d ie s . B u t o u r a stral an d m en ta l b o d ie s sh o u ld b e as o b je c
tive, and w e s h o u ld b e a b le to use th e m as o b je c t iv e ly as o u r p h y s i
cal b o d y . A t p rese n t it is a lm o s t p o ssib le to re g a rd th e p o ssib ilitie s o f
th e e m o tio n a l an d in te lle c tu a l b o d ie s as b e in g in th e c o n tro l o f o n e s
p h ysical b o d y .
T h e ru le r o f M a r s w h e r e a s o n all p la n e ts h e w a s se le cte d fr o m
a m o n g th e p e a c e m a k e rs i.e . o n e w h o h a r m o n iz e s his th ree c e n te rs ,
a d o c to r is m e r e ly a tr a n q u iliz e r , i f a n y th in g .
It m ig h t b e th a t o n e w o u ld h a v e a grea t w is h t o th in k c le a r ly , b u t i f
la c k in g a su b sta n ce n ecessa ry fo r a ctiv e in t e lle c tio n , he ca n n o t.
B e e lz e b u b t o o k th e sh ip O c c a s io n to th e p la n e t S atu rn , t o a w a it
th ere th e in te rste lla r sh ip O m n ip r e s e n c e . T h e r e h e asked G o r n a h o o r H a r h a r k h w h y th e p e r io d o n th e p la n e t M a rs , d u rin g w h i c h it
is n o t p o s s ib le t o en g a g e in a c tiv e in t e lle c tio n , w a s in cre a sin g . (O n
Satu rn th e b e in g s are in th e f o r m o f ravens.)
E le c t r ic ity is th e so u rce o f all b io l o g y th r e e fo rm s

so m en

are c o m p o s e d o f th ree fo r m s o f e le c tr ic ity . T h e r e is n o t an in fin ite

a m o u n t o f e le c tr ic it y a v a ila b le . D u r in g an e le c tr ic a ge n eu ro sis, w il llessness a n d in a b ility to e n g a g e in im p a rtia l in t e lle c tio n w ill in cre a se .

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C h a p te r e n title d T e rm o se s A r m e n ia n fo r M o s e s , k e y to a lle g o r y in
ch ap ter.
B e e lz e b u b o n s ix th d e sce n t c h o o s e s a p r o fe s s io n w h ic h w i l l en able
h im t o u n d e rs ta n d th e h u m a n p s y c h e . It c a n n o t b e u n d e rs to o d fro m
e x te rn a l th in g s , so h e c h o s e t o b e a p h y sic ia n b e ca u se h u m a n b ein g s
are fr a n k o n l y t o priests a n d p h y sicia n s; th a t is, o n e can o n ly te ll th e
tr u th a b o u t o n e s e lf fr o m r e lig io u s o r th e ra p e u tic reasons.
P h y s ic ia n : o n e w h o h elp s o th e r s to fu n c tio n .
A l l w o m e n , priests a n d sp iritu a l healers h a v e r e a lly o n l y three
m e th o d s :
1. P o p p y s e e d .
2. C a s t o r -o il.
3. Q u in in e .
C o n s id e r th r e e fo rm s o f s p iritu a l h ea lin g .
B e e lz e b u b w a s first to ld o f th ese th ree r e m e d ie s b y an A r m e n ia n
p riest. C o n s id e r th at M o se s a p p e a red la r g e ly as an h y g ie n ic la w -g iv e r .
B e e lz e b u b w a s in search o f an o ld m a n u scrip t. H e lp e d b y T e rm o se s,
a c u rio u s w i t t y ch aracter. C u s t o m o n ea rth o f h o n o r in g a g e d priests
and a s k in g th e ir b lessin g . B u t T e rm o se s a lw a y s re b u ffe d th o se w h o
asked b le ssin g . I f y o u h a v e a n y th in g im p o r ta n t, o u t w it h it. I f n o t,
o f f w it h y o u . Y e t th e y all lo v e d h im . G u r d jie f f h as a lik in g f o r M o ses,
n o m y s tic is m . T e rm o se ss s o n w a s sick. T h e d o c t o r p re scrib e d . T e r
m o ses g a v e h is so n th e w h o l e b o ttle in stead o f th r e e s p o o n fu ls a day.
B e e lz e b u b w a s su rp rised , b u t T e rm o se s e x p la in e d . O n e m a rk e d w it h
sk u ll an d b o n e s , c o n ta in in g a lit t le p o iso n . T h e o th e rs are all th e sam e,
fr o m th e sam e b arre l. T h a t e v e n in g T e r m o s e s s so n h ad d ia rrh e a and
w a s p u r g e d ; th e n e x t d a y h e w a s cu re d d u e to t w o k in d s o f m e d ic in e :
1. M a r k e d w it h sk u ll an d cro ssb o n es, p re fa c e d b y d o n t .
2. T h o s e m a rk e d D o , p ra y e rs e tc., th re e tim e s d a ily .
A n o t h e r m a n w h o w a s e x p la in e d to B e e lz e b u b as a p h arm acist
(dealt in su b stan ces), p e rh a p s a p ra ctica l p s y c h o lo g is t, a J e w . B e e lz e
b u b fo u n d h im in his la b o r a t o r y c ru s h in g b u r n t su g a r in a m o r ta r fo r
D o v e r s p o w d e r fo r c o u g h s (im p e d im e n t in air, referen ce to secon d
fo o d ). B u t B e e lz e b u b n o tic e d th e p r e s c r ip tio n c a lle d fo r o p iu m and
n o t su g ar in stea d . S in ce o p iu m w a s to o c o s t ly th e p h a rm a cist used
b u rn e d su g a r fo r p o p u la r u se. (P riests c o u ld n o t d isp en se th e bless-

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APRIL I 9 2 8

jn gs in th e q u a n tity d e m a n d e d i f th e y in c lu d e d a n y th in g rea l.) S o th e

p h arm acist uses th in g s th a t are ch ea p an d e a s y to o b ta in a n d e a s y to
take. H e m a k e s a p o w d e r o f t h e sam e c o lo r a n d taste as th e rea l th in g .
B e e lz e b u b a sks: B u t d o e s n t an alysis e x p o s e y o u ? T h e p h a rm a c ist a n
sw ers th at a n a lysis w o u ld c o s t to o m u c h . B e sid e s (B e e lz e b u b ) d o es
n o t k n o w h o w th ese a n a lysts (priests) are tra in e d . B ecau se his m o th e r
om its to te ll h im ce rta in th in g s in his y o u t h , h e is p im p le d a n d i g
n orant o f h is b e h a v io r (acts m e c h a n ic a lly ). H e studies c h e m is tr y in
b o o k s o f G e r m a n savants (g e ts a th o r o u g h th e o lo g ic a l tra in in g ).
S u g g e s tio n h ere o f a c h e m is tr y o f th e e m o tio n s and m in d . A d o c
trin e has su b sta n ce lik e d ru g s . A s d ru g s a ffe c t o u r p la n e ta ry b o d y , so
w e are c o n s ta n tly b e in g e x p o s e d to tr e a tm e n t b y q u ack s. P rie s ts
ch em ists fo r th e o th e r t w o b o d ie s . P h ilo s o p h e rs are o f th e sa m e o r
der, s ta n d in g as e x p e rts o n th e v a lu e o f r e lig io n s . G e r m a n s are
sp oken o f as o u r a u th o r itie s in c h e m is tr y G u r d j ie f f p e rh a p s t h in k
in g o f K a n t a n d H e g e l. G u r d j ie f f is c a r ic a tu r in g th e ty p e o f p s y c h o l
o g y in p ro fe s s io n a l p h ilo s o p h e rs . A stu d e n t le a rn s fo r m u la e ; h a v in g
fin ish ed his tr a in in g h e b e c o m e s r e c o g n iz e d as an a n a ly tic a l c h e m is t.
N o w su p p o se o u r c h e m ist is b r o u g h t o n e o f th e D o v e r s p o w d e r s .
H e c o n s u lts a G e r m a n t e x t b o o k (B ible) an d c o p ie s o u t th e a n a lysis.
T h e r e are n o c o m p la in ts f o r o u r D o v e r s p o w d e r s . T h e y h a v e s o ld it
fo r t h ir t y y ea rs. A l l this is n e e d e d i f a r e m e d y t o b e g o o d s h o u ld b e so
r e p o rte d . A n d o u r im ita tio n s are r e a lly b e tte r b e ca u se th e y c o n t a in n o
h a rm fu l e le m e n ts . T h e r e are m a n y d a n g e ro u s th in g s in th e B ib le b u t
m o d e rn p a rso n s g iv e h a rm less in o cu la tio n s . T h e g e n u in e p r e s c r ip tio n
calls fo r o p iu m ; b u t i f o p iu m is ta k en fo r a t im e it c an n o t b e a b a n
d o n e d w it h o u t bad effe cts. B e e lz e b u b d e c id e d to b e c o m e a p h y s i
c ia n - h y p n o tis t. H assein asks, W h a t is h y p n o tis m ? B e e lz e b u b says,
A n am e g iv e n to that p r o p e r t y o f th e m selv e s f r o m w h ic h a ll th e p e
c u lia rities o f th e p s y c h e p r o c e e d . T h is p r o p e r t y o f b e in g s u b je c t to
th e h y p n o tis m o f o th e rs, d is tin g u ish e s th e m f r o m all o th e r b e in g s in
th e u n iv e rse . T h e ir w h o le lif e m o v es u n d e r th e sp ell o f s u g g e s tio n .
T h e o n ly d is tin c tio n b e tw e e n h y p n o tis m an d life is that life (a w a k in g
state o f co n scio u sn ess) su g g e s ts ch an ges s lo w ly . W h e n ch a n g e s c o m e
w it h absu rd r a p id ity , th e y c a ll it h y p n o tis m .
T h e r e a re o n l y th ree n o rm a l states o f c o n s cio u s n e s s:
1. S le e p in g .
2. S elf.
3. C o s m ic .

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O u r w a k in g state o f co n s cio u s n e s s is a p s e u d o fo r m o f slee p ar

tific ia lly in d u c e d u n d e r s u g g e s tio n , th a n k s t o su bstan ces w e b re ath e
and p e r c e iv e d u r in g in fa n c y . C h e m ic a lly a b n o r m a l (air a n d p e rc e p
tion s) h a v e b e e n taken in t o o u r b o d y , su b sta n ces c o m p a ra b le to o p i
u m , h e n c e w e are n eve r e ss e n tia l. W e g o th r o u g h life in a so rt o f
s o m n a m b u lis m , d im ly a w a re th a t w e are n o t b e h a v in g in d iv id u a lly
A r e th e re a n y o f us w h o c a n n o t recall p e rio d s w h e n w e b e h a v e d w it h
s o m n a m b u lis tic id io c y ? W h e n w e o u rse lv e s fe e l as i f w e w e r e b e h a v
in g as i f m a d ? A lw a y s a little d o p e d ; s o m e tim e s e x c e s s iv e ly . T h e o n ly
th in g w h ic h p re v e n ts m o r e o p e n ly id io tic c o n d u c t is th e a b se n ce o f
n ecessa ry ch e m ic a ls. Y o u c a n te ll a n y th in g t o a p e rso n in th is h y p
n o tic sta te a n d i f y o u h a p p e n to b e th e s o r t o f p e rso n t o w h o m he
is s y m p a th e tic , h e w ill b e lie v e y o u . I f y o u s h o w h im a flea an d say
it is a r h in o c e r o s h e w il l b e lie v e . T rifle s (fleas) th a t w e k n o w to be
trifles are y e t c o n s id e re d ca la m itie s. W e are o ft e n c o m m ise ra te d w it h
fo r ca la m itie s w h ic h w e k n o w to be trifles. ( T h in k o f su ch th in g s in
y o u r e x p e r ie n c e .) C a n in d u c e rap id h y p n o tis m ; o n e o f th e m e th o d s,
s t r o k in g , ca n p r o d u c e m a d n ess. B u t th e y d o n o t k n o w w h a t h y p
n o tis m r e a lly is. T h e c h ie f rea so n fo r p o ssessin g th is p e c u lia r ity is that
w e h ave t w o k in d s o f c o n s cio u s n e s s:
1. T h e ir real co n scio u sn ess as b ein g s. T h is is c o m m o n to th e m as to
all o th e r b e in g s , in c lu d in g th o s e o n th e ir o w n p la n e t, an im a ls, birds,
etc. B io lo g ic a l co n s cio u s n e s s, n ativ e o r essen tial o r real. S o m e a n i
m als, e .g ., cats w e ad m ire b e c a u s e th e y are n o t so ea sily su g g e s tib le .
2. A s e c o n d k in d n o t re la te d to th e ir s tr u c tu r e b u t im p a rte d to
th e m . E v e r y b ra in n o w has t w o separate r e g io n s in w h ic h e v e r y p e r
c e p tio n is s im u lta n e o u s ly d e p o s ite d . E n h a n ces s o c io lo g ic a l c o n s c io u s
ness, i f it is at all a real co n s cio u s n e s s.
1. B e lo n g s to essence.
2. S e g re g a te d f o r m a t o r y p a rt o f th e b ra in an d asso ciated c h ie fly
w it h w o r d s , e a s ily e d u ca ted .
In th e b ra in s o f these b e in g s , t w o k in d s o f th o u g h ts e x is t sid e b y
side, real a n d fo r e ig n . H e w a s b o rn a m a n a n d d ie d as a c h u r c h w a r
d e n . C o n s id e r th e E n g lish o ffic e r . H e is as i f a s e c o n d b e in g h a d b een
g ra fte d o n t o h im . A n e x tr a o r d in a r y c re a tio n , in its w a y q u ite a d m i
rable, w h ile e ss e n tia lly h e m a y b e w o rth le s s . O r co n s id e r th e E n g lish
o ffic e r an d g e n tle m a n s id e a o f h o n o r ; t o b e c o u n te d o n in p u b lic
situ a tio n s a n d n o t in p riv a te . R e a d S h a w s D e v i l s D is c ip le f o r a p ic 318

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cure o f B u r g o y n e at tim es s h o w in g essen ce t h r o u g h s o c io lo g y . R e a d

c o n te m p o r a r y c riticism s passed o n B u r g o y n e f o r his h u m a n e c o n d u c t
in A m e ric a . W h a t S h a w c o n s id e rs a v ir tu e , h is f e llo w o fficers c o n s id e r
as signs o f h a v in g lo st caste. T h is is th e p r o fe s s io n a l sense p r o d u c e d b y
special h y p n o t ic tra in in g . T h e y call th e ir ess e n tia l, real co n s cio u s n e s s
their s u b co n s c io u s , and w h a t th e y call th e ir c o n scio u sn ess is m e r e ly
the t o t a lit y o f th e p e rc e p tio n s th e y h ave a c c id e n ta lly and a u to m a ti
cally a c c u m u la te d in a c e r ta in p a rt o f th e b ra in an d w it h w h ic h th e y
id e n tify th e m se lv e s. T h is c o n scio u sn ess is c o m p le t e ly a lie n t o th e ir
essence, as m o r ta l as th e ir b o d y and e n v ir o n m e n t . W h a t is th e h is
to r y o f M o rr is ? (I say: b o r n at su ch and s u c h , w e n t to su ch a n d su c h
sch o o l, rea d su ch and su ch b o o k s etc.) N o t h in g b u t s o c io lo g ic a l h is
to ry , e v e n ts, p e rc e p tio n s e t c ., a n d w e id e n t if y th is w it h o u r n a m e and
call it o u r p e rs o n a lity . W e s e ld o m speak o f o u r real h is to ry , th e h is
to r y o f o u r s u b co n scio u s.
W a tso n says h e can ta k e th e c h ild o f a n y h e r e d ity and tr a in it in
the b e lie f th a t it is w h a te v e r t y p e he w is h e d it to be. N o t t o u c h in g
here a n y essen tial d e v e lo p m e n t b u t g u a r a n te e in g to gra ft a n y d e sired
p e rs o n a lity th r o u g h w h ic h essen ce w ill o n l y a p p e a r at tim e s in th e
su b co n scio u s. (B u t W a ts o n im a g in e s h e is c o v e r in g th e w h o le fie ld .)
F o r m a to r y c e n te r at th e fr o n t o f th e b ra in in stea d o f b e in g c o n
tro lled an d re g u la te d b y th e c e n te r at th e b a c k o f th e brain (th e c e n
ter o f essen ce , th e su b co n scio u s) is c o n t r o lle d b y th e in s tin c tiv e an d
the e m o tio n a l cen ters. T h o u g h t s , o p in io n s e tc . e m e rg e b u t h a v e n o
co n ta ct w i t h essen ce; th e y are m e r e ly th e re su lt o f c o m b in a tio n s an d
p e rm u ta tio n s o f im p ressio n s a c c id e n ta lly r e c e iv e d . A n d sin ce o p in
ion s h a ve b e e n fo r m e d b y p e rs o n a l co n ta c ts w i t h n o re la tio n t o es
sence, th e y are su scep tib le t o b e in g c h a n g e d b y sim ilar fo rce s t o th o se
that fo r m e d th e m . H e n c e th e su b je c tiv e is n o t related to th e essen ce
and h e n c e n o t related to th e o b je c t iv it y th a t is b io lo g ic a lly c o m m o n .
H e n ce : n o w i l l o f th e ir o w n .
H a v in g d isc o v e re d th is, i t is u sed fo r h e a lin g : d o c to r , h y p n o tis t .
(C o u e , C h r is t ia n scie n tist a n y th in g w h ic h e x e m p ts o n e f r o m all
essential p o n d e r in g .) C o u n t e r s u g g e s tio n w i l l u n d o w h a t has b e e n
do n e. H e has r e c e n tly d is c o v e re d certain n e w m e th o d s (refers t o th e o so p h ists, S te in e r etc.), o n e m e t h o d co n sists in h a v in g p a tien ts l o o k
fix e d ly at a sh in in g o b je c t. A l l e g o r y fo r g a z in g u p o n w h a t w e c a ll an
ideal. B y th is m e th o d s o m e p e o p le cast th e ir h y p n o t ic state.
S in ce th e re are t w o o rg a n s o f c o n scio u sn ess th e re are t w o fo r m s o f
b lo o d strea m .
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Not sufficiently expert in self-observation to distinguish su l

things. Can you tell where the center o f gravity is in the head duriC
different states o f thinking?
n8

[ Or age can tell the difference between association and thinking, though
sociation may be very vivid and give the impression of thinking.]

Contrast association with the effort to arrive at some personall

understood truth. Must scrape down. D ont lie, Morris. What d^
you really think about this? Out with some associated idea. Don
lie. One effect is likely to be a momentary light-headedness, a shift
o f center o f gravity. Blood tends to go to the back o f the head. Pon
dering is a method o f giving the back o f the head a blood-bath. There
is a different circulation for associative and for real thinking. We are
really conscious only when we are trying to ponder. But when gaze
is fixed on a certain shining object the muscles are tensed and the state
o f consciousness is changed by muscular means in a trance. Sugges
tions then made will be accepted and afterwards carried out. The
whole trick lies in the skill o f changing the blood circulation. All the
tricks o f educators, artists etc., all who influence us are reduced to
what muscles in us they employ.
The method Beelzebub used was the stopping o f the flow o f blood
in certain familiar channels and the state o f consciousness became
different. Unfortunately this method cannot be used on those who
are hysterical, they must be o f certain normality; the hysterical can
not practice self-observation, merely take in new verbal associations
and by churning, turn out new combinations o f doctrine. Beelzebub
began his career as a healer in Asia (essence) and gradually moved
westward. He reached Russian Turkestan, affected by the gratitude
o f those he helped. He worked hard until he grew tired and went to
Egypt to rest. Hejourneys back to Russia and sets up the first institute
for the cure o f hypnosis suggestibility.

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7 M A Y 1928

REVIEW OF THE GURDJIEFF SYSTEM

W ill r e q u ire c o o p e ra tio n . W ill rea lize h o w m u c h y o u h a v e h ea rd .
W ill r e a liz e h o w little y o u h a v e rea lize d . K n o w le d g e c a n n o t b e c o n
ve rted in t o real k n o w le d g e w it h o u t e ffo rt.
E .g ., th e m o s t illu m in a tin g sta te m en t in th e d o c trin e : In essen ce ,
m an is a p a ssio n fo r th e u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th e m e a n in g a n d a im o f
e x iste n ce . I f P la to had m a d e th is sta te m e n t it w o u ld h a v e c h a n g e d
h isto ry so u rc e . B u t it m ea n s little to us. W e h a v e little e x p e r ie n c e o f
p a ssio n , e x c e p t in s tin c tiv e . N o passion o f u n d e rs ta n d in g , c u r io s it y
etc. W e h a v e little in terest in m a n as a p r o b le m , e x c e p t as in d iv id u a ls
or fo r a t w o - f o r - a n ic k le - r e fo r m . O n ly o n e in a m illio n has an in te re s t
in m an as a b e in g o n th is p la n e t.
T h e m e a n in g and a im o f e x is te n c e th is seem s fo r m o s t o f us,
o n ly an a ca d e m ic q u e s tio n , b e y o n d w h e t h e r w e are g e ttin g o n w e ll
o r n o t. W e are c h ild re n in re g a rd to this. Y e t th e se sta te m en ts a re d i
rected to u s. A r e w e p re p a re d to p a y th e p r ic e o f a tte m p tin g t o u n d e r
stand th e m b y th e m e th o d p re scrib e d w h ic h seem s so sim ple?
S e lf-a w a re n e ss f e w o f us h a v e m a d e a n y serio u s e ffo rt t o in crea se
the c o n t in u it y o f aw aren ess o r to in crease th e field o f s e lf-o b s e r v a
tio n . Y e t ra isin g th e rate f r o m 48 (in te lle c tu a l u n d e rsta n d in g ) to 24
(personal u n d e rsta n d in g ) is th e o n ly w a y t o m a k e this o f a n y v a lu e
e x c e p t as p r o v id in g m o re d re am s and fa n c ie s. S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n n e x t
y ea r fo r a ssim ila tio n .

[For the next four weeks, instead of any ordered survey, Orage has pre
pared a list of about one hundred topics. Each term has a definite meaning. He
suggests that we keep such a list, and when we have spare time, purposively
direct the mind to them with the purpose of being clear about them.]
Man. T r y to assem ble u n d e r this h e a d in g , a ll th at w e h a v e in m in d
c o n c e r n in g h im ; as i f m a n w e r e a p r o to n a n d y o u r essen tial u n d e r
stan din gs a b o u t h im w e r e ele c tro n s.

Sex.
Consciousness.
The world.
The universe.
Nature.
God. Is th e re a b e in g ? W h a t is in th e c o s m o lo g ic a l th e o r y ?
The three foods. Is air fo r y o u a real su b sta n ce? Is b re a th in g
321

e a tin g ?

MAY

1928

C a n y o u c o rr e la te ce rta in states w it h c e rta in w a y s o f b re a th in g ? D o

y o u k n o w y o u are in c a p a b le o f cle ar t h o u g h t i f b o t h n o s trils are n o t
clear? D o e s th e sta te m en t th a t im p ressio n s are a fo o d m ea n a n y th in g
to y o u ? C a n y o u d is tin g u is h and e x p e r ie n c e b e tw e e n im p ressio n s
ta k en u n c o n s c io u s ly an d c o n s c io u s ly ? I f so , y o u w o u ld n o t n e e d any
stim u lu s t o se lf-o b s e r v a tio n . L is te n in g to th e to n e o f v o ic e is stim u
lu s. T h e e x p e r ie n c e is n e ce ssa ry . O t h e r w is e th is is o n ly th e o r y . In the
absen ce o f th e c o n s cio u s t a k in g in o f im p re ssio n s, th e e m o tio n a l and
in te lle c tu a l life c a n n o t g r o w .

The three bodies. H a v e y o u a re a liz a tio n o f th e d e fin ite , c o n c re te

m o v e m e n ts o f th e m e n ta l b o d y as o f th e in s tin c tiv e ?

Hypnotism . W h y are w e , a lo n e , o f th e th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g s , h y p n o tiz a b le ? W e h a ve n o tr u e w a k in g state o f co n s cio u s n e s s partial

h y p n o sis.

The three centers. T o b e d isc rim in a te d fr o m th e th ree b ra in s, w h ic h

are th e p h y s ic a l orga n s o f t h e th re e cen ters, w h ic h are s im p ly fo cu ses
o f a tte n tio n .

The method. C a n y o u c le a r ly state w h a t p s e u d o m e th o d s resem ble?

W h a t m isu n d e rsta n d in g s a lw a y s arise w h e n first p resen ted ? W h a t are
th e step s: s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n ; p a rticip a tio n ; e x p e r im e n ta tio n ? S eco n d
stage: v o lu n t a r y su ffe rin g ? T h ir d : c o n s c io u s la b o r. W h a t d o these
m ea n t o y o u ? It has b e e n said, th e m in d is a d ra g o n . T o c o m e to term s
w it h it, t o g iv e cle ar fo r m u la tio n o f essen tial tr u th , is to sla y it. T h e
G r e e k le g e n d o f s la y in g th e d ra g o n o f m in d .

Religion and religions. W e are a ll ash am ed o f b e in g r e lig io u s . W h y ?

T h e parap h rases w e are ig n o m in io u s ly d r iv e n to use w it h o u r n e ig h
b o rs to c o n c e a l th at w e are p r o fo u n d ly in te r e s te d in a n y th in g ; esp e
c ia lly th e a im and m e a n in g o f e x is te n c e . R e lig io n s : B u d d h a , C h r is t,
P y th a g o r a s , C o n fu c iu s . W h a t w a s th e serio u s p u r p o s e o f th e se m a n ly
m en ? A p s y c h o lo g ic a l u n k n o w n w it h a g rea t o b je c t.

A rt. W h a t d o e s it m ea n , p a in tin g p ictu res? W e m ig h t as w e ll b u ild

sand castle s o n th e sh o re a w a itin g th e tid e , i f th is is all th e re is to it.
T h e r e is n o im m o r ta l w o r k o f art b u t o n e a r t w h ic h is m a k in g a
c o m p le te b e in g o f o n e s e lf, tr a n s fo r m in g o f c h e m ic a ls to a h ig h e r o r
d er, to m a k e a la s tin g w o r k o f art w h ic h w o u ld o u tliv e th e accid en ts
o f th is p la n e t.

Science. A r e scien tists m e r e ly t r y in g to a n a to m iz e th e c o rp s e o f this

u n iv erse? T h is is o f grea t v a lu e b u t th o se w h o w is h to u n d e rsta n d the
liv in g fu n c t io n as o p p o s e d t o m e ch a n ics m u s t a p p ro a ch fr o m a n o th e r
an gle.
322

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I928

Knowledge and belief. T r y to d isc rim in a te in y o u r o w n e x p e r ie n c e

b e tw e e n s a y in g : I k n o w th is is so and I b e lie v e . G e n e r a lly sp ea k
in g n e v e r say I b e lie v e . B e lie f is a l u x u r y fo r th o se w h o k n o w ,
f o r th e rest o f us it is a m a tte r o f p la u sib le o p in io n .

The threeforms o f reason. In s tin ctiv e : w e sh are w it h an im als. A s s o c ia

tiv e: d e p e n d s m a in ly o n w o r d s . O b je c t iv e : m u s t b e a cq u ire d .

The law o f the octave. T h e p r o b le m has p r a c tic a lly n o m e a n in g f o r us.

E .g. o n e stan ds in a c e r ta in re la tio n to a n o t h e r p e rso n ; g o e s o v e r th e
case to fa m ilia r iz e o n e s e lf w i t h th e facts m e r e ly . R a n g e o r re so n a n ce
o f th e s itu a tio n do . U n t il w e h ave c o m p le t e re a liza tio n o f th e su b
je c t w e c a n say n o th in g .
N e x t : re. A tte m p t t o d is c o v e r o n th e p a rt o f th e o th e r p e rs o n
w h a t th e y ess e n tia lly w is h (o fte n d iffe re n t f r o m w h a t th e y t h in k th e y
w ish ).
N e x t : mi. T o see i f th e p ra ctica l s itu a tio n ad m its th e g r a tific a tio n
o f th e w is h (fo r n o t all e ssen tial w ish e s c a n b e gra tified w it h in o u r
tim e; m a n y , n ever).
It m a y b e th a t at th is p o in t o n e can d o s o m e th in g . I f p r e p a r e d to
a d m it th e im p o s s ib ility o f g iv in g a d v ic e n e c e ssa ry at m i w h ic h
m eans t h e y m u st b e p re p a re d to take it th e m s e lv e s . (N o o n e h as a r ig h t
to g iv e a d v ic e w h o has n o t ta k e n th e sam e th e m s e lv e s and w o r s e ; and
also to stan d b y and see th e a d v ic e p r o p e r ly ta k en and c a r rie d o u t.
T h is m a y ta k e years.) A f t e r th is, a p e rs o n s in d iv id u a lity w i l l d ire c t.
O c ta v e : W r itin g a b o o k : re a liza tio n at th e b e g in n in g d o . P la n
n in g a v a c a tio n , a r e a liz a tio n o f w h a t it s h o u ld b e, o c ta v e o f lig h t,
c o lo r, m in e ra ls etc.

L aw o f three and law o f seven. E ssence an d p e rs o n a lity . I n d iv id u a lity ,

c o n scio u sn ess and w ill.

" I And it . W e are n o t y e t s u ffic ie n tly c o n s cio u s b e h a v io r is ts .

W e resea rch c e rta in e x p e r ie n c e s fr o m it fo r I . R u s s e lls c r itic is m o f
W a tso n : th a t h e is still p r e p a r e d to th in k o f e n titie s . N o o r g a n is m in
this r o o m ; n o r o o m . A ll th a t w e call life is b e h a v io r . W h a t beh aves?
N o t h in g . T h is is essen ce. E ssen ce is th e fie ld in w h ic h b e h a v io r o c
c u rs . U lt im a t e ly all o u r e x p e rie n c e s w ill h a v e to g o in to i t .

The three yogas. O n l y o f in te re s t to th o se w h o h ave b een in te r e s te d

in th e o c c u lt . A ll can b e r e d u c e d to th ree m e th o d s . C a n d e f y a n y o c
cu ltist o r o rie n ta lis t to d isp la ce his cla ssifica tio n :
1. T h e saint.
2. T h e in te lle c tu a lis t.
3. T h e a sce tic.

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T h e fo u r t h w a y o f w h ic h th e re is n o tr a d itio n , n o s c h o o l, n o lea d
ers. Y o u d o n o t g e t th e f o u r t h b y a d d in g th e first th ree. H a s a n y o n e
read th e c o m m e n ta r y b y P r o c lu s o n T im a e u s ? A d ia lo g u e b e tw e e n
th ree p e o p le , h ere th e re w e r e to h a ve b e e n f o u r ; b u t th e fo u r t h did
n o t c o m e . S o cra tes: O n e , t w o , th ree , w h e r e is th e fo u r th ? L o o k at
m a n ; th r e e ce n te rs. W h e r e is I ? D if f ic u lt y o f sp e a k in g o f I w it h
o u t r e fe r r in g to parts. W h o le n e s s c a n n o t b e w r it t e n a b o u t. G u r d jie ff
says th e u n iv e rs e is m a d e u p o f seven h y d r o g e n s; each h y d r o g e n is
m a d e o f th r e e p arts: c a r b o n in te lle c t; o x y g e n in s tin c tiv e ; n itro
g e n e m o tio n a l. W h e n th e th r e e are b le n d e d w e h ave m a n . N u m b e r
o f th e h y d r o g e n in th e u n iv e r s e is 24.

Force.
M atter.
Energy.
Radiation.
Em anation.
T h is g lo s s a r y sh o u ld ta k e t w o fo rm s:
1. A s a c c u r a te ly r e c o lle c te d .
2. P e rs o n a l sig n ifica n ce .
O u s p e n s k y s a id : W h e n lis te n in g to th ese id e a s, im a g in e t w o b o w ls .
In o n e p a rt, p u t th e ideas as h e a rd (c o m p e te n t re p o rtin g ), in th e o th e r,
w h a t y o u u n d e rsta n d . K e e p th e se d istin ct. C a n say th e y s a y ; an d I
u n d e rs ta n d .

Electricity. F it in tw o fo r m s : a n o d e and c a th o d e . B u t th e re is a third

w h ic h is th e fie ld w h e r e th e se t w o are rela ted . L e v e r, w e ig h t , w h a t is
th e fu lc r u m ? T h e e m o tio n a l c e n te r is th e n e u tr a liz in g fo r c e o f m in d .
In te lle c t is th e p o s itiv e ; in s tin c tiv e th e n e g a tiv e . E m o tio n a l c en ter,
b e in g is n e u tr a liz in g . ( C o n s id e r later in c o n n e c tio n w it h k n o w in g ,
d o in g , b e in g . B e in g m an ifests o n ly th r o u g h k n o w in g and d o in g .) W e
are e le c tr ic a l apparatu ses. W h e n th in k in g , w e are p o s itiv e ly ch a rg e d ;
w h e n d o in g , n e g a tiv e ly . O u r b e h a v io r is an e le c tr ic a l p h e n o m e n o n .
It is p o s s ib le to co n sid e r m a n c h e m ic a lly , r e d u c e d to a f e w p ile s o f
ch e m ica ls, d is tr ib u te d in t w o a n d a h a lf b u c k e ts o f w a te r. O r p o s s ib ly
to c o n s id e r m a n p h y s io lo g ic a lly ; o r b io lo g ic a lly , o r p s y c h o lo g ic a lly .
I f w e c o n s id e r h im fr o m th e se v a r io u s asp ects o n e gets an id e a o f the
v a r ie ty o f uses m a n can b e p u t to . O n e fu n c tio n is th a t o f tra n s fo rm a
tio n o f c h e m ic a l e n e r g y : m a n u re .

The Bible. T r y to m a k e u p y o u r m in d as t o w h a t y o u th in k o f th e

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bible, it is c e r ta in ly n o t h is to r y , e x c e p t a c c id e n ta lly . A l l th e so c a lle d

sacred b o o k s , w h a t w a s th e p u r p o s e o f th e c o m p ile rs ?

Good and evil.

Time. W h a t d o es th e p h ra se T im e is th e u n iq u e su b je ctiv e m e a n ?
O r T im e is th e p o te n tia lity o f e x p e r ie n c e .

Incarnation.
Reincarnation. C h r is t ia n it y has a lw ays stressed th e m y s te r y o f in c a r
n atio n , s a y in g n o th in g o f r e in c a rn a tio n . B e c o m in g aw are is m e r e ly
s u rv e y in g th e b o d y in w h ic h w e in te n d t o in c a rn a te . R e in c a r n a tio n
can h a ve n o m e a n in g to o n e w h o has n o t y e t u n -in ca rn a te d .

Spiritualism . A serio u s s tu d e n t co m es to th e c o n c lu s io n th a t th e re
is n o th in g in it e x c e p t s o m e th in g d a n g e ro u s (trivia litie s). M a n ife s ta
tion s o f o n e fo r m o r a n o th e r o f n eu ro ses. T h is is n o t to say th a t th e
snakes a m a n sees in d e lir iu m h a ve n o r e a lity f o r h im . B u t t o g e t th e
D e lir iu m T r e m e n s fo r th e sake o f in v e s tig a tin g snakes?

Objective reason, objective conscience, objective art, objective science. E .g .,

a flo c k o f sh e e p k ep t fo r th e ir m u tto n a n d w o o l . T h e y m a y g a m b o l
p le a sa n tly o n th e h ill u n a w a re o f th e ir o b je c tiv e fu n c tio n , th e ir raiso n
d etre. C o n s id e r th e e x p e rie n c e s o f a b la c k s h e e p , w h o g lim p s e d th e ir
use. W e are b la c k sheep. W e b e g in to su sp ect th a t o u r su b je c tiv e v a l
ues are n o t o b je c tiv e . B y c o o p e r a tin g , w e m a y c h e a t this.

Law s o f association. M e n ta l, e m o tio n a l an d in s tin c tiv e . M e r e ly p h y s i

cal law s o f sp e cific g r a v ity . T h o u g h t s an d e m o tio n s h ave w e ig h t . A s
th e y are p re se n te d to us, t h e y so rt th e m se lv e s o u t a c c o r d in g t o th e ir
w e ig h t. T h e y sin k to c e rta in cen ters, and w e fin d th e m th e re a fte r as
sociated . O u r th in k in g , fe e lin g and p e rc e p tio n s h ap p en a c c o r d in g
to asso ciatio n s. T h e c o r r e s p o n d in g lev els in e a c h cen ter are re la te d .
T h e s e in te r re la tio n s m a k e u p th e to ta l a sso c ia tiv e p s y c h o lo g y o f m a n .
G o o v e r th e list, a sse m b lin g a ll y o u can t h in k a b o u t e ach . T h e m o r e
y o u t h in k , r o u n d a b o u t, th e m o r e asso ciatio n id ea s w ill fo r m a n d g iv e
a rich e r su b sta n ce in d e e p e r le v e ls. T h e m a te r ia l fo r essen tial u n d e r
stan din g.

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SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT ROSETTA o n EAL STUDIO

Y o u r e m e m b e r I said th a t I w o u ld a tte m p t to m a k e a r e v ie w o f the
ideas fo r y o u r use. T r y to r e a liz e h o w m u c h y o u have h ea rd an d c o n
trast it w i t h w h a t y o u h a v e u n d e rs to o d . N o t h in g in th is w o r ld can
c o n v e r t k n o w le d g e in to u n d e rs ta n d in g , i.e . real k n o w le d g e . T h e
m o st illu m in a t in g sta te m e n t in th e b o o k is: M a n is an o r g a n is m for
u n d e rs ta n d in g th e aim an d p u rp o s e o f h is e x is te n c e . B u t w e h a ve no
p assio n , e x c e p t in s tin c tiv e p assio n . W e are d e fe c tiv e in o u r re a liza tio n
ev en o f p a s s io n . N o t m o r e th an o n e in a m illio n has m o r e than
this. W e a re 99 p e rce n t a n im a l, so this m ea n s fo r us, ju s t th e su m o f
in s tin c tiv e a d va n ta ge s. A r e w e w e ll- s u c c e e d in g p le a s a n tly related to
o u r associates? N o , w e are n o t o n th e p la n e w h e r e th e se th in g s w e
sp eak o f h e r e h a ve a n y m e a n in g . A r e w e r e a d y t o p a y th e p r ic e , i.e . b y
th e m e a n s o f th e m e th o d so s im p ly p r e s c r ib e d to gain a real u n d e r
s ta n d in g a n d k n o w le d g e , o f th e m e a n in g a n d a im o f e x is te n c e ? V ery
f e w h a v e m a d e m u c h e ffo r t t o in crease th e e ffo r t and th e fie ld o f their
aw aren ess. A c o n v e rs io n o f p e rc e p tio n s f r o m 48 to 24, i.e . an o c ta v e o f
d iffe r e n c e is n ecessary. A n d it c a n o n ly c a n b e g a in e d b y an in crea sin g
o b je c t iv it y . Y o u w ill h a ve so m u c h m a teria l in th e n e x t f e w w e e k s and
a m e t h o d g u a ra n te e d to e n a b le y o u to assim ila te it, that y o u w ill be
able to g o o n fo r a year, i f n ecessa ry , and b y th is tim e y o u w ill find,
e ith e r in y o u r s e l f o r o u ts id e , an im p u lse th a t w i l l c a r ry y o u on .
I h a v e p re p a re d h ere a lis t o f a b o u t a h u n d r e d d iffe re n t su b jects and
n e x t w e e k I w i l l ask y o u t o s u g g e s t h e a d in g s o f su b jects I h a v e o m it
ted . I w i l l c o m m e n t o n th e se b rie fly .
T h e w o r d cen ters has f o r ea ch o f us a d e fin ite m e a n i n g w h a t
do es it m e a n to y o u ? Is it, f o r m e , an e x a c t te rm ?
H a v e a list su ch as th is f o r u se in spare t im e d u rin g w h ic h y o u r
m in d w i l l o th e r w is e ro t.
1. M a n . T r y to a ssem b le u n d e r this w o r d a ll y o u h a ve h ea rd said,
and set it d o w n v e r y b r ie fly so th at it w ill b e a n u cleu s o n w h ic h the
sta te m en ts w ill b e as e le c tr o n s i.e . a so la r sy ste m .
2. S e x .
3. C o n s c io u s n e s s g e t at y o u r essen tial u n d e rs ta n d in g o f this
w o r d : sle e p , w a k in g , c o s m ic .
4. T h e w o r l d d o y o u m e a n p la n e t, so la r sy ste m , m ilk y w a y ?

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5. T h e u n iv e r s e (u s u a lly m ean s t w o o r th r e e h u n d red w h i t e p e o

ple).
6. N a tu r e .
7. G o d . I f y o u c o n c e iv e o f n o G o d , w h a t is y o u r c o s m o lo g ic a l
th e o ry ?
8. T h r e e fo o d s . Is a ir f o r y o u a fo o d ? C a n y o u n o te c h a n g e s o f
r h y th m in b re a th in g ? C a n y o u te ll h o w y o u b re ath e w h e n h a p p y ,
dep ressed e tc.? C a n y o u n o te th e c o r r e s p o n d in g ch a n g e o f b r e a th
in g in re sp e ct o f ch a n g e s in e m o tio n a l in t e lle c tu a l states? W h a t d o
im p ressio n s r e a lly m ean ? W e are ta k in g th e m at th e rate o f 30,000
per se c o n d . C a n y o u d is tin g u is h th e d iffe r e n c e b e tw e e n l o o k i n g at a
lan d scap e w h e n y o u a w are o f y o u r s e lf a n d m e c h a n ic a lly , i.e . u n c o n
scio u sly ? I f y o u d id , y o u n e v e r w o u ld n e e d a n y o th e r s tim u la n t to
aw aren ess. L is te n in g to y o u r o w n v o ic e is m o r e s tim u la tin g th a n a n y
o th e r th a t y o u c o u ld m e c h a n ic a lly take. In th e absence o f th e c o n
scious t a k in g in o f air an d im p ressio n s n o g r o w t h is p o ssible.
9. T h e th r e e b o d ies. D o y o u , b y e x p e r ie n c e , rea lize th a t an in t e l
le c tu a l f a c u lt y is as d e fin ite a n o rg a n as a n y p h y s ic a l o rgan ? A s a b o d y
w a lk in g a cro ss th is r o o m , a m e n ta l b o d y s h o u ld p ro c e e d t o a c o n
c lu s io n as r h y t h m ic a lly a n d as d e fin ite ly . L ife in th e p h y sic a l b o d y
giv es u s m o v e m e n t, o u r e m o tio n a l b o d y e m o tio n s , o u r m e n ta l b o d y
th o u g h ts .
10. H y p n o t is m . W h y a re w e , o f all th r e e -c e n te r e d b e in g s, h y p n o tizable? T h e o th e r t w o states o f c o n s cio u s n e s s s e lf-co n scio u sn e ss
and c o s m ic -c o n s c io u s n e s s are im p o s sib le b e c a u s e o f h y p n o tis m .
11. T h e th r e e c en ters m e r e ly fo c u s o f a tte n tio n .
12. T h e m e th o d . C a n y o u p r o d u c e a cle a r s ta te m e n t o f th e m e th o d ?
W h a t d o e s it co n sist o f ? W h a t p seu d o m e t h o d s resem b le it? W h a t
m isu n d e rsta n d in g s are lia b le to o c c u r in th e firs t h e a rin g o f th is m e t h
od? W h a t are th e v a r io u s step s o f th e m e th o d ?
a. S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n , p a rticip a tio n , e x p e r im e n t.
b . V o lu n t a r y su ffe rin g .
c. C o n s c io u s lab o r. It has b een said in In d ia that th e m in d is an
o c t o p u s and to sla y th is d ra g o n y o u m u s t g iv e cle a r a n sw e rs
o f e ssen tial tr u th to its q u estio n s. W a tc h h o w y o u r m in d sh irks
g iv in g a cle a r y es o r n o .
13. R e lig io n and r e lig io n s . W e are all a sh a m e d o f b e in g t h o u g h t
re lig io u s w h y ? W h y d o w e d isgu ise f r o m o u r n e ig h b o rs th a t w e
are p r o f o u n d ly in te re ste d in a n y th in g e s p e c ia lly in th e m e a n in g
and a im o f e x iste n c e ? B u d d h a w a s n o t a h ig h b r o w Jesus w a s n o t a

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1928

f o o l C o n f u c iu s n o t ju s t a w o r d th r o w e r P y th a g o r a s n o t a clim b e r
T h e y w e r e p s y c h o lo g ic a l w o r k m e n e n g a g e d in a e u g e n ic la b o r.
14. A r t . W h a t do es art r e a lly m ean ? T h e a rt o f m a k in g a c o m p le te
h u m a n b e in g o f o n ese lf. T h e art o f c o n v e r tin g ch e m ica ls in t o an en
d u rin g w o r k o f art. (P erh ap s th e v a rio u s fo r m s o f art are v a lu a b le in
th is art.)
15. S c ie n c e . E n g a g e d in m a k in g an a n a to m y o f th e u n iv e r s e and so
far as it g o e s it is o f e n o r m o u s v a lu e . B u t i f y o u w is h to u n d e rstan d
life , y o u m u s t a p p ro a ch it f r o m an e n tir e ly d iffe r e n t an gle.
16. K n o w le d g e and b e lie f. T r y to d is tin g u is h b e tw e e n th e c o n
sciou sn ess o f k n o w le d g e a n d th e co n s cio u s n e s s o f b e lie f. I f so , y o u
w ill say g e n e r a lly : n e v e r w i l l say I b e lie v e . I t is a llo w a b le o n ly to
th o se w h o r e a lly k n o w th e n it is a l u x u r y a p la u sib le o p in io n .
17. T h e th r e e fo rm s o f rea so n :
a. In s tin c t iv e an im a l.
b . A s s o c ia tiv e v e rb a l.
c. O b je c t iv e to b e a c q u ir e d to b e p o n d e r e d o v er.
18. T h e la w o f th e o c ta v e . It has p r a c tic a lly n o m e a n in g fo r us. F o r
e x a m p le I stan d in a c e rta in re la tio n to a n o th e r p e rso n . I d ia g n o se
th is. I at o n c e say s o m e th in g a little in t r ig u in g t o p o s tp o n e a d iscu s
sion . T h is is th e n o te d o . A cle a r u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th e fa cts o f the
case, y o u h a v e n o t d e c id e d y e t to d o a n y th in g . Y o u are m e r e ly ac
q u a in te d w i t h th e reso n an ce o f th e n o te d o . S u p p o se I h a v e n o t
c o m p le te d m y re a liza tio n o f th e n o te d o I lite r a lly can say n o th
in g . T h e n w e g o o n to th e n o t e re w h ic h is a n a tte m p t to re a liz e the
essen tial w is h o f th e o th e r p e rs o n . (D o , re, m i th e n space, th e n fa.)
T h e n n e x t , m i , to see i f th e p ra ctic a l s itu a tio n a llo w s o f its g ra tifi
c a tio n w it h in a tim e a llo w a b le . P erh ap s it a p p e ars th at it can n ever
b e g ra tifie d . S a y a m an a n d a w o m a n are m a r r ie d and th e w o m a n
b e c o m e s ill o r g o e s m ad. T h e m a rria g e s h o u ld b e e n d e d b u t p erh ap s
d u e to c h ild r e n o r o th e r reaso n s th is c a n n o t b e . O r a d a u g h te r w it h a
b e d rid d e n m o t h e r she is tie d . L e t h e r t r y t o e sc a p e she w i l l n o t be
able. T h e n it is t o d ecid e w h e t h e r th e essen tial w is h can b e gra tified .
M i i f it ca n , th e n y o u m a y , i f y o u w ill, assu m e th e re s p o n s ib ility to
a d vise th e p e rs o n . B u t n o o n e has th e r ig h t to a d v ise a n y o n e unless
he can ta k e th e sam e a d v ic e o r so m e th in g m o r e d ifficu lt. A n d i f he
d o es, h e m u s t stand re a d y e v e n f o r years to assist th e c a r r y in g o u t o f
th e s u g g e s tio n . T h is m e th o d is a k e y fo r h a n d lin g situ a tio n s. T r y to
assem ble a ll th e re g u la r p h ases th r o u g h w h ic h a p r o p e r ly o rch e stra te d
s y m p h o n y s h o u ld pass.
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19. T h e la w s o f th ree a n d seven .
20. P e r s o n a lity and essen ce .
21. I n d iv id u a lity , co n s cio u s n e s s and w ill.
22. I a n d i t . T o th is d a y w e su b tract f r o m it and g iv e to I .
W e are n o t y e t su fficien t b e h a v io rists. W a ts o n is still an in c o m p le te
b e h a v io ris t. (R e a d B e r tra n d R u s s e lls p h ilo s o p h y .) E ssence is th e field
w ith in w h ic h b e h a v io r o c c u rs .
23. T h e th re e y o g a s:
a. H a th a y o g a in s tin c tiv e y o g i.
b . B h a k ti y o g a e m o tio n a l saint.
c. R a ja y o g a in t e lle c tu a l ascetic.
T h e f o u r t h w a y . N o s c h o o l, n o teach ers. G u r d jie f f = f o u r t h w a y .
B u t y o u c a n o n ly a rrive at it o u ts id e , y e t in c lu d in g these, b u t n o t a d d
in g th e m to g e th e r .
T h e w h o le n e s s F a th e r, S o n , and H o l y G h o s t is n o t a n y o f th e
parts o n e , t w o , th ree, b u t w h e r e is fo u r?
T h e w h o l e o f th e u n iv e r s e con sists o f s e v e n h y d ro g e n s i .e . car
bon

(in te lle c tu a l c e n te r) o x y g e n

(in s tin c tiv e cen ter) a n d

n it r o

gen (e m o tio n a l cen ter) e q u a lly b le n d e d . M a n is h y d ro g e n 24. B u ild

a ro u n d th is id e a as a n u cle u s .
24. F o r c e , m a tter, e n e r g y , rad ia tio n , e m a n a tio n .
A ll th is s h o u ld b e p u t in t o t w o fo r m u la t io n s :
a. W h a t has b een t o ld to y o u .
b . W h a t y o u y o u r s e l f h a v e re a lly p r o v e d .
Say y o u h a v e t w o b o w ls in t o o n e p u t a ll u n tr ie d t h e o r y in t o th e
o th e r a ll th a t w h ic h y o u r e a lly u n d erstan d .
25. E le c t r ic ity .

Anode

and

c a th o d e b u t

th e re is also

a th ird

fo r m n a m e ly th e field w it h in w h ic h th e p o s itiv e and n e g a tiv e fo r m s

are re la te d to ea ch o th e r. A n y e x h ib itio n o f e le c tr ic ity m ea n s a re
la tio n sh ip su c h as th at b e t w e e n th e w e ig h t a n d th e fu lc r u m a n d th e
lev er. T h e e m o tio n a l c e n te r , o r essen ce, o r b e in g is th e f u lc r u m in
m an. K n o w in g is p o s itiv e , d o in g is n e g a tiv e , b e in g is n e u tr a liz in g . In
th e a b sen ce o f k n o w in g a n d d o in g , b e in g d o e s n o t e x ist. T h e sta te o f
b e in g is th a t w h ic h w e c a ll fe e lin g . O n e can re g a rd m an as an a n im a l
o r as a c o lle c t io n o f c h e m ic a ls d ilu te d in t w o b u c k e ts o f h2o . B io l o g i
c a lly , p s y c h o lo g ic a lly , c h e m ic a lly . C o n s id e r th e v a rio u s uses o f m a n
fr o m th e se p o in ts o f v ie w . M a n is a m e d iu m f o r c o lle c tin g c h e m ic a ls

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fr o m th e a ir t o o fin e fo r th e p la n ts, an im als, e tc . S o G u r d jie f f calls us
m a n u re f o r th e p la n e t ea rth .
26. T h e B ib le (and all th e o t h e r so -c a lle d sacred b o o k s ). W h a t d id its
c o m p ile rs in te n d ?
27. G o o d a n d e v il.
28. T im e . T im e is th e u n iq u e su b je ctiv e ? P o t e n t ia lit y o f e x p e rie n c e ?
29. In c a r n a tio n and re in c a rn a tio n . T h e o n e t h in g th a t th e C h ris tia n
re lig io n c a n b e p r o u d o f, is th a t it em p h asize s th e m y s te r y o f in c a rn a
tio n and n o t re in ca rn a tio n . T o b e c o m e a w are o f o u rse lv e s is sim p ly
s u r v e y in g th e b o d y in to w h ic h w e are to in c a rn a te . In o u r case, it is
p o ssib le t o s u r v e y b e fo re b ir th , th e b o d y w h ic h w i l l b e o u rs i f w e are
b o rn . T h e n w e p ra ctice as i f w e w e r e in c o n t r o l. T h e n e x p e r im e n t,
w h e r e in w e c o m m e n c e to see w h a t w e can d o w it h th is b o d y b y
c h a n g in g its h a b its. T h is is th e p r im e d o c tr in e o f C h r is t ia n ity . S u ch
a re v iv a l o r ren aissan ce o f th e real C h r is t ia n ity w o u ld m a k e a b is h o p
o f a n y o n e.
W e are lik e c h ild re n w h o are g iv e n m illio n s o f m o n e y an d w e d o n t
k n o w w h a t to d o w it h it.
R e in c a r n a tio n is a p r o b le m su b seq u en t to in c a rn a tio n .
S p iritu a lis m , o n e o r a n o th e r f o r m o f n eu ro sis.
D e lir iu m T re m e n s. D r u n k s e x p e rie n c e th is f o r th e p u r p o s e o f
s tu d y in g sn akes an d is e x a c t ly c o m p a ra b le t o sp iritu a lis m f o r th e sake
o f s tu d y in g gh o sts. W h a t d o y o u u n d e rsta n d b y : o b je c tiv e reason,
o b je c tiv e c o n s c ie n c e , o b je c tiv e a rt, o b je c tiv e scien ce?
F o r m a n it is m u tto n an d w o o l . T r y to im a g in e th e e x p e r ie n c in g o f
a b la c k sh e ep b r o u g h t u p b y th e d a u g h te r o f th e b u tc h e r. H e catch es
glim p ses o f th e real fu n c tio n s o f th e k in d ly s h e p h e rd and b u tc h e r.
T r y to im a g in e h o w he w o u ld a ct, and h o w th e o th e r sh eep w o u ld
rea ct, w h e n h e h a d g r o w n u p a n d w a s tu rn e d b a c k to p astu re. W e can
ch eat th is o b je c t b y th e m e th o d .
30. L a w s o f a sso ciatio n . M e n t a l and e m o tio n a l an d in s tin c tiv e are
s im p ly th e la w s o f sp ecific g r a v ity . A l l o u r t h o u g h ts , e m o tio n s and
acts h a ve th e ir o w n sp ecific g r a v ity . A s th e y o c c u r to us, th e y sort
th e m se lv e s o u t an d b e c o m e g r o u p e d b y id e n t it y o f sp ecific w e ig h t.
A l l o u r t h in k in g is a c c o r d in g t o asso ciativ e p e rc e p tio n s so fe e l
in g so in s tin c tiv e p e rc e p tio n s . D e e p a n sw ers to d eep . S o in th e
G u r d jie ff-m o v e m e n ts e a ch o n e stirs a c o r r e s p o n d in g t h o u g h t and
fe e lin g . T h is in te r re la tio n o f th e th ree ce n te rs is a to ta l asso ciativ e
p s y c h o lo g y o f m an .
I f y o u e n c o u n t e r this m e t h o d and th ese id ea s it is e x a c t ly an a lo 330

MAY

1928

gous to p u t t in g a m a tch t o a p ip e o f t o b a c c o u n less y o u h u f f an d

p u ff it w il l n o t b u rn m o re th a n an in stan t.

33i

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Pondering. T r y to recall w h a t in y o u r e x p e r ie n c e , p o n d e r in g im p lies
as a p ro cess. D ista n c e b e tw e e n p o n d e r in g a n d th in k in g . T h in k in g is
a c o m p a ris o n b e tw e e n liken esses and d iffe r e n c e s ; b u t p o n d e r in g is a
w e ig h in g o f v a lu es. It p re su p p o se s th at t h in k in g has a lr e a d y taken
p la ce a n d lo g ic a l d e d u c tio n s h a ve b een m a d e . P o n d e rin g w e ig h s these.
T w o k in d s o f p o n d e r in g :

P e rs o n a l, d ire cte d t o d is c o v e rin g o n e s essen tial re la tio n to ideas,

a situ a tio n , a p e rso n e tc . I n te r r o g a tin g o n e s e lf as to o n e s deep est,

m o st sin ce re , p e rso n a l r e la tio n : e .g . w h e r e shall I sp end a va ca tio n ?
O r in re g a rd to p e o p le , w h a t is th e w e ig h t o f m y lik in g ? T h is is apart
fr o m a n y o b je c tiv e v a lu a tio n and is s u b je c tiv e .

O b je c t iv e , m o re d iffic u lt, and is rega rd le ss o f y o u r p e rso n a l rela

tio n , e .g . t h e o r y o f b e h a v io r is m . W h a t d o y o u th in k it is? H o w d o
y o u w e ig h its v a lu e r e la t iv e ly to o th e r th e o rie s? Irre sp e ctiv e o f y o u r
self. O r y o u set o u t to m a k e a scale o f v a lu e s an d th e w e ig h t y o u at
ta ch to e a ch . P o n d e rin g has as its a im to w e ig h as to v a lu e . T o c la r ify
is th e a im o f th o u g h t; to v a lu e , th at o f p o n d e r in g . N o r m a l m a n is
e x p e c te d t o sp en d h a lf his e n e r g y in p o n d e r in g , g e ttin g th e o b je c tiv e
s ig n ifica n ce o f ideas a lr e a d y d e fin e d a fu n c t io n o f n o rm a l m a n . T h e
n o rm a l m a n is a m easu re o f va lu es.

Purposive thought (aim or goal). W h e r e are y o u g o in g ? A im less

th o u g h t is b y a ccid en t a n d is brain r o t, d a y -d r e a m in g . P u rp o siv e
th o u g h t: to w h a t en d are y o u th in k in g ? A r e y o u tr y in g to a rriv e at an
a n sw e r to a q u estio n ? Is th e p r o b le m a s p e c ific o n e? G e n e r a lly sp eak
in g th e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r is g o in g s o m e w h e r e d e fin ite ; b u t th e m in d
is s tr o llin g in th e p a rk , su b je c t to a ccid e n t. D o n o t lea rn to th in k . I f
y o u s tr o ll, y o u w ill stro ll in circles, d o -r e -m i d escrib es an arc. U n less
p u r p o s e is in tro d u c e d at m i , it w ill ru n d o w n to d o a g a in , in a
circ le . T h e e ffo rt to m a k e liv e s th e o n ly real e x e rcise o f th e m in d .
P u rp o s iv e th in k in g s h o u ld ta k e p la ce d u r in g th e w h o le o f th e w a k in g
life . It m ea n s u sin g th e m e n ta l b o d y . A lt h o u g h it in v o lv e s e ffo r t, it is
less w a s te fu l th an d a y -d r e a m in g . N o t h in g is m o r e fa tig u in g th a n d a y
d re a m in g an d n o th in g is m o r e s tim u la tin g th a n p u r p o s iv e th in k in g .
A g e n e ra l la w : d ire cte d e n e r g y is less w a s te fu l th an id lin g , in the
sm allest as w e ll as th e g re a te s t th in g s.
E x p e r im e n ta tio n is c h a n g in g o rd e r in little h a b its, n o t to d o b ette r
b u t to a ct p u r p o s iv e ly . S e le c t th e side o f th e stre e t; o b s e rv e p e o p le for
a sp ecific fe a tu r e etc. A lw a y s w it h a p la n . T h is b rin g s a b o u t a m o re

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c o m p le te in c a rn a tio n th a n d riftin g . P lo t y o u r d a y in a d v a n c e ; it w ill
req u ire a c o n tin u a l im p r o v is a tio n .

Playing Roles. W h a t a sso cia tio n s h a ve y o u w i t h this? Is th e r e a d is

tin c tio n b e tw e e n p la y in g ro les and h y p o c r is y ?
A r g u m e n ts : W e are a lw a y s p la y in g ro le s ; b u t u n fo r t u n a te ly w e d o
this u n c o n s c io u s ly . T h e r e is n o such th in g as sin ce rity . O n e is a lw a y s
an a c to r b u t o u r roles are d e te rm in e d b y e n v ir o n m e n t an d c h i e f fea
tu re. T h e sam e c h ie f fe a tu r e m a y u n d e r d iffe r e n t c irc u m sta n c e s p la y
serv ile o r b u lly in g . T r y t o d e fin e th e c h a ra cte r w h ic h y o u e s s e n tia lly
are; th e n w a t c h y o u r s e lf, e s p e c ia lly in th e p re se n ce o f th o s e w h o m
y o u c o n s id e r c le a r ly in fe r io r o r c le a r ly s u p e r io r ; th o se c o n g e n ia l and
th o se u n c o n g e n ia l.
T o th e su p e rio r and u n c o n g e n ia l are y o u stan doffish? T o th e su
p e rio r an d c o n g e n ia l d o y o u to a d y ? T o in fe r io r s b o th c o n g e n ia l and
u n c o n g e n ia l are y o u p a tr o n iz in g ?
P la y in g ro les is to m a k e w h a t w a s u n c o n s c io u s b e c o m e c o n s cio u s .
T o c a r r y o u t c o n d u c t y o u h a v e p la n n ed . Y o u w ill in g e n e ra l b e in
clin ed to p la y c o n s c io u s ly , ro les w h ic h a re d iffe re n t fr o m w h a t y o u
w o u ld e s s e n tia lly p la y u n c o n s c io u s ly . B y o b s e r v in g , lea rn m o r e .
B e in g cast fo r roles u n c o n s c io u s ly , th e e ffo r t to p la y c o n s c io u s ly is
m o re l i k e ly t o a ch ie ve a p u r p o s e ; e .g . an im p o r ta n t in t e r v ie w p la n n e d
in c o ld b lo o d . In p re se n c e th e w o rd s m a y see m u n su ita b le b u t say
th e m ( w it h tre p id a tio n ). Y o u w ill be su rp rise d to see h o w e ffe c tiv e .
(O r a g e te lls th e s to r y o f h is in t e r v ie w w h e r e h e w as a lm o s t scared
o u t o f it b y a m a n s b ea rd .) Y o u can d e v is e a b e tte r p la y th a n y o u can
im p r o v is e u n d e r pressure.
N e x t ste p : S u p p o se y o u p la y th e r o le o f an o ld er b r o t h e r i.e.
ch a n g e o f a ttitu d e (p o n d e r a ttitu d e). C a s t y o u r s e l f fo r a r o le a n d p la y
it in p r iv a te an d p u b lic. C a s t y o u r s e lf in r e la tio n to th e rest o f h u m a n
it y as o ld e r b ro th e r. (In E n g la n d , s u rp risin g e ffe ct o f p r o m o t io n to
th e p e e ra g e , v e r y o fte n w h o l e sets o f lik e s a n d dislikes a re c h a n g e d .
W h y ? C h a n g e o f a ttitu d e . W h y ? M o re resp o n sib ilitie s.) Im a g in e that
y o u h a v e h a d c o n fe rre d u p o n y o u in r e a lity th e title o f o ld e r b ro th e r.
S e lf-h y p n o s is .
F u rth e r ste p : G r e e k d ra m a . R e c a ll th e c h a p te r. N o g o d s . A c to r s
w h o cast th e m se lv e s so c o m p le t e ly in e x tr a o r d in a r y roles, th a t it p r o
d u ce d c h a n g e in e m o tio n an d th o u g h t as w e ll as in in s tin c tiv e b e
h a v io r. T r y t o c o n c e iv e th e b e in g o f a c o n s c io u s m an as i f y o u w e r e
a p la y w r ig h t , a b e in g w h o w a s a lw a y s a w a r e o f w h a t he w a s d o in g ,
fe e lin g a n d th in k in g . T h is is r e la tiv e ly e a sy t o c o n c e iv e in t e lle c tu a lly .

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H a v in g c o n c e iv e d , cast y o u r s e lf. (T h o m a s a K e m p is trie d to c o n c e iv e
h im s e lf as C h ris t.) B u t y o u are a d v ised n o t t o m o d e l y o u r s e l f o n any
w e ll k n o w n fig u r e b u t to m a k e o n e s o w n c o n c e p tio n o f a c o n s cio u s
b e in g . W h a t w o u ld a c o m p le t e ly c o n s cio u s b e in g d o in th is situ a tio n ?
P la y in g ro le s is th e a ctiv e a lte rn a tiv e to h y p n o t ic b e h a v io r. O u r pres
e n t b e h a v io r is th e re su lta n t o f tw o fo rm s o f c o n d itio n in g in essence
and e n v ir o n m e n t. M e c h a n ic a l b e h a v io r is n e ith e r sin cere n o r in sin
cere. S in c e r ity is p o ssib le o n l y to th e c o n s c io u s . P la y in g ro le s is the
b e g in n in g o f sin ce rity .

Parables. E .g . H y m n o f th e R o b e o f G lo r y . M e n ta l b o d y . A cq u irin g
th e c o n s c io u s use o f th e m in d w a s w in n in g th e R o b e o f G lo r y .
M a n m a n n e rs m in d .
W e h a v e th ree w a y s o f m e e tin g r e a lity . E x is te n c e im p lie s s o m e
th in g w e can sense o r fe e l o r th in k . C a n y o u d is tin g u is h th e th ree
pro cesses? I f so, can y o u d is tin g u is h th e th r e e cen ters? W h e n each
o n e is d e v e lo p e d and in d e p e n d e n t, each o n e m e e tin g re a lity . G e n e r
a lly s p e a k in g , w e m a k e c o n t a c t w it h th e w o r ld th r o u g h th e senses.
A r tis ts a re b e g in n in g t o m a k e c o n ta c t w it h th e w o r ld o f e m o tio n s
(o n ly b e g in n in g ; w h e n d e v e lo p e d th e w o r ld o f e m o tio n s is as va ried
and c le a r ly d e fin e d as th e w o r ld o f o b je cts). In te lle c tu a ls w o u ld be
so, to th e w o r ld o f ideas. A c o m p le te p a rab le is o n e w h ic h sim u lta n e
o u s ly p re se n ts a sta te m e n t o f id e n tica l c o n t e n t to th e th re e d iffe re n t
resp o n ses. G u r d j ie f f s b o o k is a p arab le, u s in g n o t even ts o f o r d in a ry
life b u t o f te ch n ica l e x p e r ie n c e (m ach in es, d ru g s , etc). A n a tte m p t
to in t e r t w in e th e d ra m a tic w i t h th e p a ra b o lic. T h e ch ara cters in the
b o o k are lik e ch aracters in a p la y , e .g . A s h ia ta S h iem a sh ; b u t th eir
w o r d s are p a ra b o lic (germ s f o r th e p r o fo u n d e s t essays in years). H o w
m u c h w o r k h a ve y o u d o n e in th e past w e e k ?

Psychoanalysis. W e w i l l h a v e to co m e t o g r ip s w it h th is s o o n e r or
later. H o w w o u ld y o u e p it o m iz e y o u r a ttitu d e to w a rd s th e in te lle c
tu a l th e o r y ? R e la tiv e ly cle a r. It assum es c e r ta in th in g s as tr u e w h ic h
th e G u r d j ie f f sy ste m d isp u te s. C o u ld y o u s h o w th a t ta k in g his o w n
sy ste m as a base (n ot o p p o s in g a n y o th e r sy ste m ), his syste m is fa llib le?
A n d s e c o n d ly , c o u ld y o u th e n fo r m u la te a n o t h e r system ?
B r ie fly s u m m a riz in g t w o m a jo r p r o p o s itio n s o f p s y ch o a n a ly sis:
1. P s y c h o a n a ly s ts h a ve n o c le a r c o n c e p t as y e t, as to th e o r ig in and
c o n te n ts o f th e s u b co n scio u s. In regard to th e co n te n ts , th e y are at a
loss to e x p la in h o w th e y c a m e to b e th e re (re s u ltin g in m a n y sp ecu la
tio n s, su c h as J u n g s a n cestra l m e m o r y etc). G u r d jie f f o p p o se s to
these s p e c u la tio n s th e b e h a v io r is t p o in t o f v ie w , w it h th e a d d itio n

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that o u r p e rc e p tio n s at th e rate o f 30,000 p e r seco n d o f w h i c h perh ap s
o n e is c a p a b le o f b e in g r e c a lle d . T h e su rp rise is n o t that o u r s u b c o n
scio u s is so r ic h b u t etc.
2. T h e seco n d p r o p o s itio n is th at th e m o s t e ffe ctiv e b r in g in g to
lig h t o f th e se p e rc e p tio n s is th e d ire c t a n a lysis o f m a n ife sta tio n s.
E x a m in e fo r m s o f u n c o n s c io u s b e h a v io r , d re am s etc. T h is is n aive.
G u r d jie f f o p p o se s: T h e s h o rte st c u t t o th e d isclo su re o f t h e u n c o n
sciou s is th e e n la r g e m e n t o f th e field o f c o n s cio u s p e r c e p tio n and
d ire cte d at th o se o f c u r r e n t p e rc e p tio n . W h il e w id e n in g th is fie ld it
d ee p en s th e aw aren ess o f th e u n c o n s c io u s . I f in stead o f b e in g aw are
o f 1 o n e c a n b e aw are o f 2, o n e b egin s t o r e c o lle c t a b u rie d p e rc e p tio n
o n e d e g re e lo w e r , e tc. in p r o p o rtio n .

M ysticism , Occultism and words o f that kind. P ro cess o f d e b u n k in g

these w o r d s . A m y stic is a p e rso n w h o striv e s to attain a n en la rg e d
co n s cio u s n e s s. N o t e I d o n o t say: h ig h e r , d e e p e r, co sm ic e t c . T h e s e
p o e tic m e a n in g s are a d d e d b y a m ateu rs. A s u sed b y p r a c tic a l p e o
p le e n la r g e d c o n s cio u s n e s s, e n la rg e d o f w h a t? O f w h a t e v e r y o u can
be c o n s c io u s o f. S e lf-o b s e r v a tio n is th e b e g in n in g o f m y s tic is m . O c
c u ltis m is th e te c h n iq u e o f e n la r g in g co n s cio u s n e s s o f w h ic h m y s ti
c ism is th e w is h . M y s tic is m is th e t h e o r y ; o c c u ltis m is th e p ra ctice .
R e lig io n is th e sam e t h in g : an a tte m p t t o increase co n s cio u s n e s s.
K e e p th e se term s cle a r in y o u r m in d a n d d o n o t le t lo o s e p o p u la r
m e a n in g s c o n fu s e y o u .

Evolution and involution. E v e r y th in g in th e w o r ld o c c u p ie s a certain

p la ce in a c e rta in scale, o r o c ta v e ; and at a n y g iv e n m o m e n t a n y th in g
(b e in g o r o b je c t) is in th e pro cess o f p a ssin g u p o r d o w n th e o cta v e .
I f d o w n : in v o lv in g ; i f u p : e v o lv in g . I n te lle c tu a lly c o n s id e re d th ere
is n o q u e s tio n o f s u p e r io r v a lu e , m e r e ly a ch a n g e o f fo r m . F o r h u
m an p o n d e r in g th ere is a q u e s tio n o f v a lu e . In te lle c tu a lly , th e re is no
g o o d n o r e v il, th e re is m e r e ly a d iffe r e n c e o f d e fin itio n . T h e r e are
t w o p la ce s in th e o c ta v e w h e r e an e x te r n a l a g e n c y is r e q u ir e d , w h ic h
are n o t s u p p lie d . I f e v o l v in g w ill in v o lv e ; i f in v o lv in g w i l l e v o lv e :
d o - r e - m i, m i-r e -d o , a n d o v e r again. A l l o b je c ts , a ll b e in g s . (C irc u la r
m o v e m e n t o f d a y -d r e a m in g .) T h e t w o in te r v a ls c o rr e s p o n d to tw o
c o n s c io u s e ffo rts , e ith e r f r o m w ith in o r f r o m w ith o u t .

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Transmutation o f substances. A co sm ic c h e m is tr y . T r a n s m u ta tio n o f v i
b ra tio n . S t r ic t ly s p e a k in g , th e re are n o su b sta n ce s; o n ly o u r w a y o f
p e r c e iv in g rates o f v ib r a tio n . C h a n g e o f k e y w h ic h w e p e r c e iv e as
so u n d , c o lo r , fo r m etc. E v o lu tio n and in v o lu t io n are c o m p a ra b le to
r u n n in g u p an d d o w n th e scale. C h a n g e s in p s y c h o lo g y d u e t o eith er
m e c h a n ic a l o r c o n s cio u s c h a n g e o f rates o f v ib ra tio n . T h is m e th o d
a tte m p ts t o raise th e rate o f v ib ra tio n o f c e r ta in m a ster p a rts o f th e
o rg a n is m . T a k e n in c o n n e c tio n w it h th e o c ta v e th e re are o n ly th ree
p o in ts at w h ic h th e re is c o n s c io u s e ffo rt: d o , fa , si. E ach b rin g s a b o u t
a m e c h a n ic a l ch a n g e o f t h e th r e e n o tes u n d e r it.

Sun Absolute, suns, planets, moon. T h e r e a re th r e e ord ers o f suns, or

th ree o c ta v e s o f v ib ra tio n :
F irst o c ta v e : S u n A b s o lu t e in te llig e n c e .
S e c o n d o c ta v e : Suns o f t h e first d e g re e (o u r sun).
T h ir d o c ta v e : Suns o f th e seco n d d e g re e , p la n e ts o n th e w a y to
b e c o m in g sun s o f th e first d e g re e . J u st as sun s o f th e first d e g re e are
o n th e w a y to b e c o m e p a r t o f th e S u n A b s o lu te .
T h e s e th r e e o cta ve s are th e th re e cen ters o f th e u n iv e rse , w h ic h is a
b e in g w i t h th re e cen ters c o rr e s p o n d in g to o u r o w n .

Center o f gravity. In m u s ic , a b so lu te p it c h (strik in g p u r e , n o w a

v e rin g ) is th e c e n te r o f g r a v it y o f th at n o te . A n y t h in g o f f is a b n o r
m al. E v e r y b e in g has its o w n p it c h o r c e n te r o f g r a v ity (o rch estra l also
each ce n te r). P erm a n en t d w e llin g p la c e o r h a b itu a l c e n te r .
O n e o f th e d is tin g u is h in g m a rk s o f th e c h i e f fea tu re. W it h in an y
o f y o u r c e n te rs , is y o u r p it c h a b so lu te , o r are t h e y a ll a little o ff?
E v e r y f o r m o f o b je c tiv e a rt w o u ld be an a tte m p t to p r o d u c e a b so
lu te p it c h in c o n s c io u s ly m o d e le d fo rm s.

Cosmic laws. A c c o r d in g t o G u r d jie f f th ese are tw o :

L a w o f three. E v e r y th in g o r b e in g is c o m p o s e d o f th ree fo r c e s : p o s i
tiv e , n e g a tiv e and n e u tr a liz in g . N o t h in g can o th e r w is e e x is t. T o th e
d e g re e th a t th e th in g is d e v e lo p e d , th e th r e e fo rce s are s p e c ia lize d
in to th re e c e n te rs, d iffe re n tia te d and e q u ip p e d w i t h o rgan s. T h e th ree
fo rce s are in a sto n e b u t are n o t d iffe re n tia te d . T h is la w is c o n fin e d to
e v e r y e x is tin g th in g .

L a w o f seven. T h e p r o g re s s io n o f th in g s a c c o r d in g to a series o f s e v
en. E v e r y n o te is th r e e fo ld ; e v e r y series o f n o te s is s e v e n fo ld .

Trogo-auto-ego-crat. L a w o f m u tu a l fe e d in g . L a w b y v ir t u e o f
w h ic h all th in g s , in c lu d in g b e in g s , fe e d o n e a c h o th e r. T r o g o I eat,

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1928

(G reek ); a u to (efto , R u s s ia n sp ellin g), e g o m y s e lf, cra t s y s te m o f

g o v e rn m e n t.

L aw offusion o f similarities. G r o u p in g w it h in th e cen ters o f e x p e r i

ences. H o w d o es a sso c ia tio n o f w o rd s ta k e p la ce ? A ttr a c tio n o f sim i
lar rates o f v ib ra tio n . E ffo r t o f s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n is an a tte m p t t o strike
a ce rta in rate o f v ib r a tio n ; w h a te v e r b y a c c id e n t in past e x p e r ie n c e o f
the sam e rate a ttracte d . A fr e q u e n t e x p e r ie n c e o f th o se r e a lly d o in g
this is u n e x p e c te d r e c o lle c tio n s o f past r e a d in g , th in k in g , e tc .

Law o f Aeeioua. T h e h ig h e s t rate o f v ib r a tio n in a n y g iv e n fie ld ten d s

to raise o th e r s in th e sa m e fie ld . T h e y are le d t o aspire t o a h ig h e r
rate. P s y c h o lo g ic a l e x p e r ie n c e s : h o p e , a sp ira tio n ; e n d e a v o r, m a k in g
v o w s , e tc ., a w aren ess o f c h a n g e s in c h e m ic a l p ro cesses an d o t h e r law s.

Birth.
Life.
Love.
Suffering.
Pain.
War.
Death.
T h e s e p r a c tic a lly c o v e r th e se v e n fo ld t r a g e d y o f life . E t y m o lo g y
o f t r a g e d y n o t traced t o g o a t b u t c o n n e c te d w it h b a r le y , w in e ,
ecstasy. A s o r ig in a lly p la y e d , tr a g e d y w a s th e c o n te m p la tio n o f th e
se v e n fo ld tr a g e d y o f life , seen fr o m ecsta sy . A d is tin c tio n b e tw e e n
th e a n c ie n t classic d ram a a n d th e dram a w e h a v e . E cstasy r e p la c e d b y
d ream . O u r dram a o p e n e d p e r io d o f d re am .

Birth. N a t u r e r e g u la tin g th e s u p p ly o f m a c h in e s fo r tra n s m u ta tio n

o f c o s m ic su bstan ces. W h e n th e a verage e ffic ie n c y is lo w , th e b ir th
rate is h ig h .
Life. T h e e x p e n d itu r e o f a c h a rg e o f p o te n tia l e x p e r ie n c e , p o te n
tial e x p e r ie n c e w e call tim e .
Suffering and Pain. D is tin g u is h b e tw e e n th e se . S u ffe rin g is th e c o n
flict o f c e n te rs. N o b o d y is r e c o m m e n d e d t o in c u r p ain ; b u t it is e n
c o u ra g e d to b r in g a b o u t th e c o n s cio u s c o n flic t o f ce n te rs. P u ttin g
o n e s e lf in situ a tio n s w h e r e o n e o r ev e n t w o ce n te rs are a ttra c te d and
tw o o r o n e re p e lle d . O v e r c o m in g o f h a b its is th e c o n q u e s t o f o n e
ce n te r b y o th e rs .
War. W a r is n o t a p h e n o m e n o n w it h in h u m a n c o n tro l; it is r e g u
lated b y n a tu re in resp o n se t o o cca sio n a l sp ecia l d em an d s f o r sp ecial
substances. A c t in g m e c h a n ic a lly w e fin d rea so n s fo r th is, i.e . c o n v e r -

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MAY 1 9 2 8

sation s b e tw e e n C h u r c h ill a n d o th e r m e m b e r s o f th e B ritish C a b in e t

in 1919.

Autom atic or conscious. T h e o n ly c o n s c io u s a ct o f w h ic h w e are at

first c a p a b le is se lf-o b s e r v a tio n . T h is is th e le tt e r A o f a c o n s c io u s al
p h a b e t. E v e r y th in g else is th e u n w in d in g o f p o te n tia l e x p e r ie n c e . B e
cau se e x te r n a l even ts w h ic h are u n w in d in g in us d o n o t fa ll in t o easily
in t e llig ib le o r d e r , w e h a v e th e im p re ssio n th a t life is an a d v e n tu r e or
th at w e c a n c o n tr o l th e o r d e r . T h is is w h y w e d o n o t learn fr o m e x p e
rie n ce . W e c o u ld learn o n l y i f th e re w a s o r d e r . H o w little w o u ld y o u
lea rn o f a n y te ch n iq u e i f steps d id n o t c o m e t o y o u in o rd er?

Behaviorism. C o m e to s o m e c o n c lu s io n s a b o u t this. T h e b e st cri

tiq u e is in B ertra n d R u s s e lls p h ilo s o p h y , b u t it do es n o t g o far
e n o u g h . B e a ble to p o in t o u t b o th to W a ts o n an d R u ssell w h e r e th ey
fall in to fa lla c y .

Inter-relations o f centers. P h y s ic a l m o v e m e n ts . T h e r e is a jiu jit s u o f

all th re e ce n te rs. T h is im p lie s an a b ility to m o v e each o f th e three
b o d ies. T h is in tu rn im p lie s an aw areness o f th e m . A n y n o te s tr u c k in
o n e o c ta v e te n d s to e v o k e a c o rr e s p o n d in g n o te (vib ra tio n ) in o th er
o cta v e s. P h y s ic a l m o v e m e n t o f a n o te o n t h e lo w e s t o f th r e e octaves
has o v e r to n e s o r ech o e s in o th e rs. T h is p r in c ip le can b e u se d . I f one
can esta b lish relatio n s b e tw e e n p o stu re , g e s tu r e , e tc. y o u can aid the
p r o d u c tio n o f e m o tio n a l o r m e n ta l states w h i c h are d esired , a n d v ic e
versa. T h is is a su b ject fo r e x p e r im e n t.

Positiveforces, negativeforces, neutralizing forces. T h e n e u tr a liz in g is the

field w it h in w h ic h th e p o s itiv e and n e g a tiv e a ct. In o n e sense it can be
said n o t t o e x is t. T h e d iffic u lt y in d e fin in g c o n scio u sn ess is th a t it is
th is fie ld . A l l th e c o n te n ts o f co n scio u sn ess c a n b e d efin ed o b je c tiv e ly .

Sociological influences. S o m e o f th e e x te r n a l s tim u li that u n w in d the

p o te n tia l e x p e rie n c e .

Astrology. S u b je c t in c lu d e d h ere to recall s e rio u s tre a tm e n t in ch ap

ter o n a n c i e n t ------. A t th e m o m e n t o f c o n c e p tio n , p r e c ip ita tio n (as
b e in g , n o t d iffe re n t at th is m o m e n t fr o m a seed at th e m o m e n t o f
c o n c e p tio n o n ly m o r p h o lo g ic a lly ) is a c t u a liz in g certain p o te n tia li
ties. E le m e n ts c o n ta in e d in th a t seed, said t o b e th e fa te o f th a t b e
in g . B u t a s tr o lo g y has n o t d e v e lo p e d a n y s c ie n ce fo r p r e d ic tin g the
o rd e r o f a c tu a liz in g . It is im p o s sib le to a rr iv e at a c e r ta in ty o n this
little p la n e t in a c o rn e r o f th e m ilk y w a y .

Psychological exercises. D e v ic e s fo r o b ta in in g fr e e d o m o f m o v e m e n t
fo r th e e m o tio n a l and m e n ta l b o d y . E ffo rts o f a b a b y to c r a w l are

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in s tin c tiv e b u t th e astral b o d y d o es n o t c r a w l in s tin c tiv e ly . C o l l e c t
these and t r y th e m .

Potential.
Actual.
Real.
Ideal.
T h e r e is an in d e fin a b le th in g called p o te n tia l: that w h ic h b eca u se
o f g iv e n e x te r n a l o r in te rn a l c o n d itio n s can c h a n g e a p o te n tia l in t o an
actual. W e are a ctu a liz e d b e ca u se o f ce rta in p o te n tia ls o f th e seed . B u t
w h a t o th e r s w e r e p resen t? W e are v is ib ly r e c o rd e d reco rd s o f tu n e s
played u p t o d a te. B u t o u r n u m b e r o f p o te n tia litie s is lim ite d . N o t h
in g c o u ld h a v e m a d e that seed d e v e lo p in to an o a k o r a c r o c o d ile . T h e
id e a liz e r c o n tra d ic ts th e lim ita tio n o f p o te n tia litie s . W e e n te r ta in
tw o k in d s o f w is h e s : a c tu a liz a b le and u n a c tu a liz a b le . T h e la tte r sap
th e life e n e r g ie s th a t m ig h t a c tu a liz e th e fo r m e r . E v e r y id e a l e n
terta in e d p r e v e n ts th e a c tu a liz a tio n o f a p o te n tia lity . A p a rasite lik e
m istle to e , t h in k o f th e D r u id ic ritu a l o f c u t t in g a w a y th e m is tle to e .
L ist y o u r w is h e s and c la s s ify w h e t h e r a c tu a liz a b le o r n ot.

Sleeping consciousness, w aking consciousness, self-consciousness, cosmic

consciousness. O u r w a k in g sta te is a b n o rm a l; w h e n th e slee p er a w a k
en s. S e lf-co n s c io u s n e s s is co n s cio u s n e s s o f self. S e l f is that p a rt o f th e
seed th at has b e e n a c tu a liz e d , i.e . th e b o d y . C o s m ic -c o n s c io u s n e s s is
n o th in g m y s tic a l b u t is an aw aren ess o f o th e r p la n e ts, suns e t c . ; and
that th e y are c en ters o f a b e in g . C o n s c io u s n e s s o f th e b o d y o f G o d .

C h ie f feature. T r y to d is c o v e r th e c h ie f fe a tu r e o f o th e rs n o t b y
elabo rate a rra n g e m e n t o f c e n te rs b u t b y o ffh a n d h a p p y p h ra se. St.
J o h n E r v in e s re m a rk o n G . B . S h a w : H is b ra in s have g o n e t o his
h e a d . In te lle c tu a l c o n c e it; p r e o c c u p a tio n w i t h v a lu es o f th e in t e l
le c tu a l c e n te r d e te rm in e s a ll his relatio n s. O r N a p o le o n s a m b itio n ,
to w h ic h h e w o u ld sa crifice a n y th in g o r a n y b o d y . H e c e r ta in ly lo v e d
J o se p h in e a n d su ffe red at th e d iv o r c e , b u t s a crifice d h er to a m b itio n .
E ach o f us has su ch a d e it y t o w h ic h in a p in c h , w e w o u ld sa crifice
a n y th in g e lse ; b u t it is u n fo r t u n a te ly an u n k n o w n d e ity . P ic tu r e a
stage w it h a p ro c e ssio n o f h is to r ic fig u res a n d assign to th e m a sin g le
w o r d o r p h ra se. T h e n s u d d e n ly ad d y o u r s e lf to th e parad e. M a y b e
th e ir m o m e n tu m w ill h e lp y o u . A p s y c h o lo g ic a l tr ic k , lik e th e tr ic k
to r e m e m b e r s e lf-o b s e r v a tio n b y an e m o tio n a l n e e d fo r it. I w is h to
re m e m b e r m y s e l f ; w it h y o u r m o st v iv id m e m o r ie s asso ciated w it h
each w o r d . A f t e r m a k in g asso ciatio n s y o u h a v e d e fin ite e x p e r ie n c e s

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lin k e d a r tific ia lly to g e th e r , p r o d u c in g fo r c e . T h is is a m a n tra and is

useless i f m e c h a n ic a l rep e a ted .

Horse emotional.
C arriage instinctive.
D river intellect.
Passenger I .
In a n o r m a l m a n th e d r iv e r d rives at th e b eh est o f th e p assen ger
T h e p a sse n g er d o es n o t d r iv e b u t is n o t m e r e ly c o n te m p la tiv e (the
a esth e tic p o in t o f v ie w ). In th e a verage m a n , th e p a ssen g er is asleepand th e d r iv e r is d ru n k , w i t h th e reins fa lle n fr o m his hands. H e sits on
th e b o x a n d d ream s th at h e is d r iv in g . T h e h o rse is tim id a n d k n o w s
n o th in g o f th e ca rt; starts at e v e r y s tim u lu s, dashes first o n e w a y and
th e n a n o th e r (fa n cy , like s, dislikes, etc). T h e cart is so o n d a sh ed to
p ie ce s. T h e d r iv e r can a lw a y s say th at w h e r e th e cart g o es is w h e r e he
w a n te d to g o (ra tio n a liza tio n ). H o w to w a k e th e p a ssen ger? A n y rate
o f v ib r a tio n (th o u g h t) in te r c e p te d b y d riv e r . F in d s o m e th in g n eith er
d riv er, c a rt n o r h o rse can d o . P assen ger w a k e s and d o es it. D r iv e r
b e c o m e s a w a re th a t he s h o u ld b e d r iv in g s o m e w h e r e ; th e n lea rn s to
c o n tr o l th e h o rse . B e h a v io r is th e s te p p in g d o w n o f e n e r g y th ro u g h
o cta ve s d r iv e r ; h o rse ; cart (b eh a vio r).

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Black sheep. M u t t o n , w o o l; o b je c tiv e stan dards su b je ctiv e stan dards.
S h eep a ttitu d e to sheep a n d th e ir o b je c tiv e u se t o m en .
T h e s h e e p s su b jectiv e stan dards are u seless w it h o u t m u tto n and
w o o l. T h e s e are th e last t h in g th e sheep is lik e ly to b e aw are o f. T a k e
o u r classical stan dards, in t e lle c tu a l d istin ctio n s b e tw e e n us, in v i e w o f
a su p e rio r sp ecies. M a n to sh e e p , and m o o n t o us. P erh ap s w h a t w e
despise fo r v a lu e , w h a t w e v a lu e is d esp ised . A c h e m ic a l p u r p o s e fo r
w h ic h w e a re raised and b re d . T h e la m b th a t b e c o m e s a w are o f th e
sh ep h erd a n d th e b u tch e r. B la c k sh eep b u t a little n earer th e tr u th .
P erh ap s th is ju s tifie s o u r in te r e s t in th e d e v il, th e reb el; b e c a u s e he
had an in k lin g o f m u tto n a n d w o o l v a lu e s. H e h a d in c id e n ta lly ar
rived at o b je c t iv e valu es.

Succession and simultaneity. O n l y these t w o , fo r th e re is n o w o r d fo r

th e th ird d im e n s io n . T im e is th e p o te n tia lity o f e x p e rie n c e . S u cc e s
sion is th e e x p e r ie n c e o f o n e p o te n tia lity . C a r r y in g o u t th r e e fu n c
tion s in su cce ssio n , s im u lta n e ity , y o u a p p r o a c h a su rface. (S u ccessio n
o f lin e s = p la n e .) I f r e a liz in g a ll p o te n tia litie s , th ird d im e n s io n is a
solid. T h e u n iv e rs e is th e t h ir d d im e n sio n o f tim e .

M eaning and aim o f existence. T h e p r e o c c u p a tio n o f n o rm a l m a n . I f

o n ly o c c u p a tio n , p h ilo s o p h y , a rt etc. A c t iv e p o n d e r in g c o n t in u o u s ly
carried o n ; in th e b ack o f th e h ea d w h ile th e th re e cen ters c a r r y o n .
W h a t is o u r c o s m ic v ie w ? W e im p lic it ly a ct o n o n e w h ic h is th e c h ie f
p a ttern o f o u r in te lle c tu a l c e n te r ; this is im p lic it in o u r stan dards etc.
It is in fa n tile and it is se cre t in its in flu e n c e , b r in g it o u t a n d le t it
grow up.

Conditional immortality. C o n tr a s t w it h n a tu ra l im m o r t a lit y ; and

im m o r ta lity as an im p o s s ib ility . M o s t p e o p le are in o n e c a m p o r th e
o th e r o f th e s e tw o . T h e n e u tr a liz in g v i e w is th a t it is p o te n tia l b u t n o t
a ctu al, d e p e n d e n t o n e ffo r t. P o te n tia lit y an d re s p o n s ib ility are c o n d i
tio n ed . W h a t p art o f m a n s p o te n tia lity is im m o r ta l? O n l y h is th ird
b o d y , w it h in th e p e rio d o f t h e m a n ife sta tio n o f th is u n iv e rs e ; cap ab le
o f m a in ta in in g itse lf. It is said th at d ia m o n d s are im m o r ta l o n this
p la n e t f o r t h e y can s u r v iv e a ll n atu ral h ea ts; b u t o n o th e r p la n e ts it is
n o t so. N o sam e su bstan ces n o r rates o f v ib r a tio n .

Various definitions o f m an. M a n is h y d r o g e n 24; m a n is th e m in d o f

G o d ; m a n is a passion fo r th e u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th e m e a n in g an d aim
o f e x is te n c e .

Purgatory, hell, paradise. T h e s e can o n ly a p p ly to souls w h ic h s u r v iv e

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th e d e a th o f th e p la n e ta ry b o d y . O n ly su ch so u ls can s u r v iv e th a t have
an astral b o d y s u ffic ie n tly d e v e lo p e d . M e n ta l b o d y c a n n o t e x p e rie n c e
b e in g e t c ., h e n c e w o rd s a p p ly o n ly to th e astral b o d y an d are o f n o
im m e d ia te c o n c e r n to us.

D oing (instinctive), being (emotional), knowing (intellectual). B e in g is

m e r e ly th e resu lta n t o f th e c o n flic t b e tw e e n d o in g an d k n o w in g .
M u s t t r y t o k n o w and to d o , in o rd e r to b e. C o n f lic t raises th e scale o f
b e in g . W h y is m a n a s u p e rio r species? K n o w in g an d d o in g at h ig h e r
in te n s ity a n d h e n c e a h ig h e r b e in g . S am e as in in d iv id u a l m en .
B e in g ; th a t w h ic h fee ls, g ra d a tio n o f b e in g a c c o r d in g t o ra n g e and
in te n s ity o f fe e lin g , w h ic h a re d e te rm in e d b y q u a n tita tiv e fa cto rs o f
k n o w in g a n d d o in g . M u s t a im at b e in g , n o t d ire c tly , b u t th r o u g h
k n o w in g a n d d o in g . E rr o r o f u su al sch o o ls o f m y stics, o c c u lt is m etc.
re s u ltin g in p s y c h ic d e v e lo p m e n t and im a g in a r y fe e lin g s ; w h e re a s
tru e fe e lin g s are th e resu lt o f p o s itiv e and n e g a tiv e . T h e p s y c h ic b o d y
is lik e an u m b ilic a l c o rd b e tw e e n th e p la n e ta r y b o d y a n d th e tw o
h ig h e r b o d ie s , v is u a lly c o n fu s e d in th e o s o p h y a n d lite ra tu re w i t h th e
tru e astral b o d y . S p iritu a lism , c la irv o y a n c e a n d a u d ie n c e are fu n c tio n s
o f th e p s y c h ic o r e th e ric b o d y . B u t sin ce it is m e r e ly an u m b ilic a l co rd
it is th e m o s t p e rish a b le o f b o d ie s . A l l th e p s y c h ic arts an d exercises,
b re a th , c la irv o y a n c e , ex e rcise s f o r d ire c tio n o f h ig h e r fa c u ltie s are
b o th fu tile an d d a n g e ro u s. S p e cia l s ig n ifica n ce o f w o r d e m o t io n .
T h r e e fu n d a m e n ta l e m o tio n s : fa ith , h o p e a n d lo v e . G ra d a tio n s o f
b e in g s w h e n fa ith , h o p e an d lo v e are o b je c tiv e (g r o w th o f ) .

Language. E a ch w o r d w e u se has o n ly th e m e a n in g w e g iv e it, b y

a ccid en ts o f o u r e x p e rie n c e . A n t h o l o g y o f o u r associatio n s.
W h a t a w o r d m eans in i t s e l f is im p o s s ib le fo r us; it is so c o n
d itio n e d b y a sso ciatio n s. O n e a im o f a s c h o o l is to estab lish a lan
g u a g e . In th e p ra y e r b o o k th e re is o n e A n g lo - S a x o n an d o n e L atin
w o r d W h e n w e a ssem b le a n d m e e t t o g e t h e r . T h is is c o m m o n in
E liz a b e th a n w r it in g . W h e n p o n d e r in g th e re is n e e d fo r e x a c titu d e ,
e .g . e m o t io n fa ith , h o p e a n d lo v e ; th e g r o w in g ends o f essen ce.
Pass th r o u g h th re e stages ( tw o su b je ctiv e , o n e o b je c tiv e ) O u s p e n sky. F ra g m e n ts o f a F a ith F o r g o t t e n . H o w to d isc rim in a te b e tw e e n
fa ith , h o p e an d lo v e .
S p h in x :
H e a d rep re se n te d lo v e .
W in g s h o p e .
L e g s o f L io n c o n fid e n c e o r fa ith .
C o n fid e n c e is n o t b e lie f. M a n y o f o u r n e g a tiv e e m o tio n s are fr o m

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w e a k le g s ; a b ility to w a lk . H o p e is n o t a w is h th at it m a y b e so b u t
effo rt. L o v e is s u b je c tiv e in lo v e o f s e lf o r o f s e lf in o th e rs. L o v e is
su b je ctiv e in lo v e o f o th e rs an d o f o n e s e lf in th e m . L o v e w h ic h is o b
je c t iv e m a k e s lo v e o f o n e s e lf and o f o th e rs a b y - p r o d u c t o f lo v e , th e
p u rp o se f o r w h ic h w e w e r e cre a te d . N ie t z s c h e : M y s e lf I sa crifice to
m y lo v e a n d m y n e ig h b o r as m y s e lf. I n d iv id u a lit y is co n s cio u s n e s s
o f p o ssessio n o f w ill and is a n in te lle c tu a l d is tin c tio n ; b u t fa ith , h o p e
and lo v e are essen tial d is tin c tio n s o f e m o tio n s .

Objective critique o f man. T h is is th e s u b title o f G u r d jie f f s b o o k . E f

fo rt to lo o k at m an as a b io lo g ic a l sp ecies, s u b s e r v in g fu n c tio n s o f all
species; b u t sp e c ia lly a d a p te d to o n e fu n c t io n w o u ld b r in g a b o u t a
m o m e n tu m w h ic h i f s u d d e n ly tu rn e d o n i t s e lf w o u ld b r in g a b o u t an
o b je c tiv e a ttitu d e . (P h ysics; m o m e n tu m to w a r d so m e th in g o b je c tiv e ;
th en tu r n o n s e lf). P arad e o f ch ara cter e tc . E x e rc is e o f s e e in g p la n e t
fro m a d ista n ce w h e r e t w o th o u sa n d m illio n b e in g s c ra w l. C o n t in u e
this fo r te n m in u te s w h ic h m a y g iv e y o u te n seco n d s o f n o n - id e n tifi
ca tio n ; a fe e lin g o f sh am e w h e n y o u d is c o v e r y o u r c h ie f fe a tu r e , in d i
cates th a t y o u are still id e n tifie d . A b ilit y t o say th e tru th a b o u t o n e s e lf
w it h o u t e m o tio n . C a n o n e say u n e m o tio n a lly : H e (p la n e ta ry b o d y )
is n o t th e so rt o f p e rso n I lik e ? O n ly i f w e are u n id e n tifie d c a n w e
b e g in t o c h a n g e . P la in in t e lle c tu a l e ffo rt t o sta te th e tru th a b o u t m a n
as a sp ecie s h elp s o n e to c o m e to th e in d iv id u a l case. H u g h asks, I f
o n e is a m u se d ? A m u s e m e n t is n o t tru e e m o tio n . E m o tio n lea d s to
a ctio n . H u m o r is a c h a n c e c o m b in a tio n o f e m o tio n and id e a s, c o r
r e s p o n d in g in e m o tio n t o in t u itio n in t h o u g h t.

Kundabujfer. H o w to e x p re s s this idea? C o m p a r e th e d if f ic u lt y o f

e x p re s sin g an id ea o f r e la t iv it y in p o p u la r te rm s. W e m u st le a rn to
ex p ress th e se ideas w it h o u t u sin g te ch n ica l te rm s. (W h e n p e o p le in
L o n d o n m a d e p ro p a g a n d a in te ch n ica l te rm s , O u s p e n s k y sa id : H o w
p r o v in c ia l. T h is is a p e d a n ts h a b it. B u t th e in t e llig e n t m a n , w h o uses
th e v e rn a c u la r, co n cea ls h is p e d a n tr y , b y h is v e r y e x a c t itu d e . ) W h a t
is th e rea so n fo r o u r to u c h in e s s , etc? W h a t n ip p e d us in th e cra d le ?

H armonious development o f man. A n a ll-a r o u n d m a n m u st b e e q u a lly

at h o m e in a ll th ree ce n te rs. T h is rules o u t a ll th e sp e c ia lize d y o g a s;
and all th e m o n stro u s g e n iu s e s o f o n e c e n te r o r a n o th er. H o w to su m
u p th e c o n t r ib u tio n o f G u r d j ie f f to life in th e s e cen ters? O u s p e n s k y
su g gests: A t te m p t to m a k e o b je c tiv e w h a t has b e e n s u b je c tiv e im
p a rtia lity . O n l y w h e n im p a rtia l to th e p la n e ta r y b o d y can th e j u d g
m en t b e tr u s te d o n a n y o p in io n . I n tr o d u c t io n o f this o n e id e a in t o th e
arts an d sc ie n ce w o u ld ca u se a renaissance (e .g . p s y c h o lo g y , th e o b ser-

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v a tio n s o f th e p s y c h e are a lr e a d y co lo re d ). O r ta k e art. O b je c t iv e art

(applies t o a n y o b ject) p r o d u c e s th e sam e e ffe c t o n th e su b je ct as selfo b s e r v a tio n . C o n s id e r th e r e p o rts o f th o s e w h o h ave o b s e r v e d the
p y ra m id s, T a j M a h a l, c e rta in cath ed rals. T h e s e are id e n tica l responses
to th o se f r o m th e d ese rt, H im a la y a s e tc. I fe lt m y n o th in g n e s s - a
m o m e n t o f n o n -id e n tific a tio n . O b je c t iv e art is d esig n e d to p r o d u c e
b y a rtific ia l m ea n s a m o m e n t o f n o n -id e n tific a tio n . O b je c t iv e b e
cau se it p r o d u c e s o b je c t iv it y ; c o n s c io u s b e c a u s e it can b e p r o d u c e d
o n ly b y a c o n s c io u s b e in g .

Being, existence, non-being. B e in g and n o n - b e in g are th e t w o o p

p o sites w i t h e x is te n c e m o v in g b e tw e e n . E v o lu tio n and in v o lu tio n .
A ll b e in g s a re gra d ed b e tw e e n th ese t w o a b s o lu te s . Scale o f b ein g s,
lo w e s t m e ta l. M a n is th ird f r o m th e h ig h e s t, h y d ro g e n 24. H ig h e st
v ib r a to r y rate is 6 solar g o d s , n e x t o c ta v e 12 (a c h e m ica l fo r m o f
m a tte r; b e in g s w h o s e b o d ie s are c o m p o s e d o f p la n e ta ry g o d s , 24)
48 m o n k e y ; 96 v e rte b ra te ; 192 in v e rte b ra te . ( O u r astral b o d y is
in th e in v e r te b ra te stage, air, h y d ro g e n 192) 384, 768, 1536, 3072. Scale
o f b e in g s in re la tio n to th e scale o f h y d ro g e n . B io lo g ic a l scale in rela
tio n to p h y sic a l.

Difference between effort and relaxation. R e d u c e to p e rso n a l e x p e r i

en ce. L ift in g h e a v y w e ig h t a n d th e n r e la x in g . O u g h t to k n o w w h e t h
er m a k in g e ffo r t b y this c o m p a ris o n . E ffo rt: t r y in g to c o m p r e h e n d
s im u lta n e o u s ly o n e s o w n b e h a v io r and th e b e h a v io r o f th e e x te r
nal w o r ld . M a k in g e ffo rt w h e r e y o u are p re s s in g against th e c o lla r
(team o f h o rses) lik e a h o rse d r a g g in g a lo a d u p h ill, tr y in g t o d ra g the
u n c o n s c io u s u p in to co n s cio u s n e s s. N o t b y s u d d e n je r k s . L ife con sists
in su stain ed e ffo r t to in c lu d e in c o n scio u sn ess m o r e and m o r e p h e
n o m e n a (in c lu d in g a g re a te r n u m b e r o f p h e n o m e n a than th e n atural).

Standard o f values. W h a t d istin g u ish e s m a n f r o m m an? Q u a n t it y and

ran ge o f co n s cio u s n es s. A l l o u r ju d g m e n ts are im p lic it ly based o n this.

[End o f series. Orage goes West.]

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T h e seed shares th e fa te o f th e p la n t i.e . i f th e p la n t dies b e fo r e th at
seed is sep arated fr o m th e p la n t, th at seed w i l l d ie to o . I is lik e th at
seed, in th a t it w il l share th e fa te o f y o u i f y o u d ie b e fo r e I is
separable.
D u a l co n s cio u s n e s s, i.e . th r o u g h y o u r s e lf, y o u are c o n s c io u s o f
o th e r th in g s w h ile also c o n s c io u s o f y o u r s e lf, i.e . y o u r b o d y (o r a sk in
fu ll o f c h e m ica ls). It is d is g r a c e fu l that n o o n e c a n say w h a t h e r e a lly
w ish es . . . th a t h e g r o w s p r e m a tu r e ly o ld , n o t o n l y in th e b o d y b u t
in e m o tio n a l a n d in te lle c tu a l a b ilit y and h e c a n n o t p e r fo r m th e o n e
h u m a n f u n c t io n th at o f k e e p in g in o n e s c o n s cio u s n e s s b o th th a t b e
h a v io r o f th e e x te r n a l w o r ld a n d o f o n ese lf.
N e v e r b e a b so rb e d in a n y e x te rn a l o b je c t. W h ile re g a rd in g this
r o o m be also a w a re o f y o u r p o s tu re , g e stu re s, fa cia l e x p re s s io n and
m o v e m e n t. A n y a esth e tic e m o t io n y o u m a y d e r iv e fr o m a w o r k o f art
w il l b e te n tim e s as g rea t i f y o u are s im u lta n e o u s ly aw are o f y o u r o w n
five fo r m s o f e x te r n a l b e h a v io r .

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RECEPTION, BLANCHE GRANT

N o t h in g is t o b e said to th e m u sicia n s a b o u t G u r d j ie f f s m u s ic o r his
c o n n e c tio n w i t h G u r d jie ff.
R h y t h m p h ra se d is c o rd co n s o n a n ts c o n c o r d v o w e ls .
I f y o u h e a r th e b o o k in m u s ic y o u w ill u n d e rsta n d it e m o t io n
a lly th e n h a v in g u n d e rs to o d it also w it h th e m in d w e shall have
real u n d e rs ta n d in g o f it.
A p p r o a c h e s to th e w o r ld a re:
M in d E d d in g to n .
E m o tio n s a rt o r r e lig io n , b e a u ty o r lo v e .
T h e n t h r o u g h senses i.e . c o m m o n sense.
T h e b o o k a n d th e m u sic p lu s o b s e r v a tio n ta k e n to g e th e r w i l l b rin g
a b o u t a fo r t h ce n te r. U n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e w o r ld s . D e H a rtm a n n .
K n o w h o w m u s ic is related t o th e b o o k .
L a w o f th e o cta v e .
N o w is m a n at th e n o te C (?)
N o w , h a v e an im als th e p o t e n t ia lit y o f d e v e lo p in g fu lly th e first
t w o b o d ie s , i.e . th e o cta ve s, in th e absen ce o f a th ird ce n te r o r o cta ve ?
(S o m e a n im a ls h ave a lr e a d y d e v e lo p e d a se c o n d b o d y , said O ra g e .)
M a n is a th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g e tc.
M a n is a b e in g th at can d o a ll o th e r b e in g s are d o n e .
M a n is p o t e n t ia lly a th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g , b u t th e m a n o f to d a y has
o n ly o n e f u l l y a ctu a liz e d c e n te r , o n e less th a n h a lf-a c tu a liz e d and the
th ird h a r d ly at a ll a ctu a liz e d .
A s t r o n o m y an d c o s m o g o n y b y Jean.
M a n is a re p re se n ta tio n o f th e u n iv erse, as a s till c o sm o s is rep re
sen ta tive o f t h e u n iv erse as a m o v ie .
In s tin c tiv e c e n te r n a tu re is o n th e m o o n .
E m o tio n s o n th e earth .
In te lle c t o n th e su n M a n is H 2 4 .
T h e w o r ld co n sists o f a series o f gra d ed h y d ro g e n s in e x tin c t io n ,
th a t a c t iv e ly n e u tra l state w h e r e in it can b e a c tu a liz e d .
A n a to m o f w i l l an a to m o f in d iv id u a lity an a to m o f c o n s c io u s
ness.
H 3 is H is E ndlessn ess.
M a n w i l l b e u sed fo r th e u n iv e rs a l a im b u t i f h e p a ssiv e ly serves,
h e w ill d e g e n e ra te in th e p ro c e s s ; i f a c tiv e ly , h e w il l d e v e lo p .

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M a n is m e c h a n ic a l b e c a u s e h e lives o n ly in h is in s tin c tiv e c e n te r.
T h e o th e r t w o are u n c o n s c io u s . It is as i f o u r t w o h ig h e r c e n te rs w e r e
c o m m u n a l p o ssessio n s and th a t these tw o are c o n t r o lle d n o t b y u s, y e t
th e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r is c o n t r o lle d b y these t w o . N o w o u r o b je c t is to
take th e c o n t r o l o f o u r first t w o cen ters o v e r f r o m nature.
E ven in s e x , o u r en tire b e h a v io r is c o n t r o lle d b y n atu re o u r t w o
h ig h e r c e n te rs are n o t y e t in d iv id u a liz e d .
O b s e r v a t io n first b rid g e .
V o lu n ta r y s u ffe rin g s e c o n d b rid g e .
C o n s c io u s e ffo r t th ird b r id g e .
W h e n p r o p e r d is ta n c e , a ttitu d e , an d e n d e a v o r h ave b e e n es
ta b lish e d , th e n th e first b r id g e is fin ish ed a n d v o lu n t a r y s u ffe rin g m a y
be b e g u n .
T h e p h y s ic a l b o d y is an u n fa ilin g re p re s e n ta tio n o f o n e s e n tir e h is
to r y . In te lle c tu a l, e m o tio n a l an d in s tin c tiv e . . . T h e n ece ssity o f o b
s e rv in g th e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r a lo n e .
P o s itiv e e m o tio n a l eq u a ls a g re e a b le , eq u a ls p r o m is e o f m o r e b e in g .
N e g a tiv e e m o tio n a l eq u als d isa g re e a b le , e q u a ls th rea t less.
A ll im p re ssio n s w h ic h w e c a n n o t a v o id e y e s o p e n m u s t see
han d o n ta b le m u st to u c h a n d so fo r th are n o g o o d . B u t e v e n i f it is
th e sam e sen se w e use, say h e a r in g w it h ear o n e s o w n v o ic e th is w i l l
b e y o u r s fo r e v e r if:
R e c e p tio n = passive im p re ssio n s.
P e r c e p t i o n im p ressio n s a tte n d e d to .
C o n c e p t = m en ta l im a g e t o b e recalled at a b se n c e o f o b je c t.
A p p e r c e p t io n = im p re ssio n o f b o d y d u r in g th e se three.

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PARABLES

T h e m e a n in g s fo r all th e w o r d s in this sy s te m h a ve th e ir o r ie n ta tio n .

F o r u s, a ll th e w o rd s h a v e a m e a n in g r e la tiv e t o co n s cio u s n e s s c o n
n ected w i t h th e m .
A p a ra b le is a ve rb a l f o r m in te n d e d to p r o d u c e a ce rta in e ffe ct.
T h e p a ra b le as used in th is s y ste m is n o t t o estab lish a n a lo g y . It is to
estab lish a tr u th in at least t w o cen ters and g e n e r a lly in th ree . It is n o t
ju s t th e sa m e th in g as th e m o v in g c e n te r p r o d u c in g rep e rcu ssio n s in
th e o th e r t w o cen ters, th e p a ra b le strikes th e ce n te rs s im u lta n e o u s ly .
T h e r e is an o rg a n ic r e la tio n s h ip sta rted b e tw e e n th e c e n te rs b y a
p a ra b le . (M ik e R o b in s o n .)
T h e fig u r e s in th e b o o k are m y th o lo g ic a l an d th e ir la n g u a g e is
p a ra b o lica l.
[Someone asked a question about The Odyssey. Answer: The Odyssey
is written infable, not parables.]
T h e la n g u a g e o f th e se b e in g -c r e a te d fig u r e s c a n n o t b e o r d in a ry ,
th e p a rab le is th e ir la n g u a g e . T h e m y th o lo g ic a l fig u r e is c re d ite d w it h
th e co n s cio u s n e s s o f a th r e e -c e n te re d b e in g . (Jesus, a m y th o lo g ic a l
fig u re , sp o k e in parables b e c a u se he h ad a th r e e -c e n te re d d e v e lo p
m en t.)
T h e d e v e lo p e d c o n s cio u s b e in g p u ts m o r e in t o his sp e e c h th an a
m e c h a n ic a l b e in g and so m o r e is read in to w h a t h e has to say. T h r e e
m e a n in g s, o n e fo r each c e n te r . E x a m p le : th e t e x t o f J o h n , it is said,
can b e rea d in sev en fo r m s b y a c o n s cio u s b e in g . It can b e rea d as an al
le g o r y , a p a ra b le ; th e th ird , fo u r t h , fifth an d s ix th w a y s are n o t g iv e n ;
and th e s e v e n th can be, tra n s c e n d e n ta lly . It m a y b e read in its sim p lest
fo r m a lle g o r ic a lly and so o n till it b e c o m e s a n o ra cle .
q u e s t io n
orage:

: C a n p arable b e u n co n scio u s?

Y e s , th e p arab le has n o t o n ly th e lin e o f th e s to r y b u t the

state o f th e p s y c h e o f th e w r it e r . It is n o t a w o r k o f art u n le ss d o n e
c o n s c io u s ly . G u r d j ie f f s B e e lz e b u b is a m y t h o lo g ic a l c h a ra cte r w it h
p a ra b o lic u ttera n ce s.
In th e s t o r y o f th e h is to r y o f th e races in th e b o o k , G u r d jie f f does
n o t a lw a y s p u r p o r t to p u t d o w n facts. W h a t h e has in m in d is th ree
cen ters in t a lk in g o f races. H e says: I d o n t c la im it is r ig h t b u t y o u
can t p r o v e it is w r o n g . W h y w a s th e k in g s n a m e in a n c ie n t A tla n tis
A p p o lis ? W e c a n t p ro v e th a t it w a s n t.

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193 0

Jesus t o o k v e r y fa m ilia r e x p e rie n c e s as illu s tra tio n s. In th e go sp e ls

th ese b e c a m e m o re c o m p le x . A m ira cle is n o t to be taken as fa c t, b u t
as p la u s ib le . F iv e lo aves a n d t w o fishes m ig h t h a v e m ea n t fiv e d ia g ra m s
and t w o statem en ts. T h e tr u t h w as p u t in t o sim p le sto ries a n d w o r d s
b ecau se a s to r y is m o re lik e ly to be h a n d e d d o w n and its m e a n in g m a y
be k e p t in ta c t, w h ile less sim p le w o rd s w o u l d b e d o c u m e n ts w h ic h
w o u ld lo s e m o r e q u ic k ly th e ir m e a n in g a n d p r o b a b ly b e tu c k e d a w a y
in a rch iv e s.
M e a n in g s in th e o ld fa ir y tales: H o p - o - M y - T h u m b w a s th e se v
e n th so n , th e m o st d esp ise d , th e sm allest, b u t saved all th e o t h e r six.
L it tle B o y B lu e , fu ll o f m e a n in g , w a s t o ld t o p ro p a g a te s a fe ly the
tr u th it c a rrie s th e tr u t h w a s th e r u n n in g d o w n h ill o f th e th r e e cen
ters. M u c h th e sam e m e a n in g as th e s to r y o f t h e slee p in g p a sse n g e r in
th e s t o r y o f h o rse, c o a c h , d r iv e r and s le e p in g passenger.
T h e m a g n e tic c e n te r o f y o u n g c h ild re n b e g in s to be fille d b y fa iry
tales. T h e n e w fa iry tales d o n o t d o th at. P e rh a p s A lic e in W o n d e r la n d
is th e o n e e x c e p tio n . T h e r e are n o g o o d m o d e r n fa iry tales as n o o n e
has th e d e v e lo p m e n t to w r it e o n e w it h m e a n in g . A ls o th e r e a d in g o f a
S t o r y w i t h in n e r sig n ific a n c e has n o m e a n in g w it h o u t u n d e rs ta n d in g
in th e rea d e r. R e a d in g a p a ra b le is an act o f u n d e rsta n d in g .
T h e passages in th e b o o k a b o u t B o ls h e v is m taken lit e r a lly are
c ru d e , b u t th e y are to b e ta k e n as a n a lo g ie s o f r e v o ltin g c e n te r s . T h e
m e a n in g o f these passages a n d in d eed th e e n tir e b o o k is n o t t o b e ar
riv e d at b y th e m in d b u t b y a species o f n e w u n d e rs ta n d in g . A m in d
w h ic h p o n d e r s is cap ab le o f u n d e rs ta n d in g m o r e m e a n in g . K in g d o m
o f h e a v e n , b re ad , u p p e r r o o m e tc., all h a d a te ch n ica l m e a n in g at th e
tim e o f th e ir use. S o m e c u rr e n t w o rd s o f scie n ce used in th e b o o k
such as a n o d e and c a th o d e m a y be n o m o r e u n d e rsta n d a b le in a fe w
h u n d re d y e a rs th an th e w o r d s lik e e lix ir o f lif e o r p h ilo s o p h e r s sto n e
u sed b y th e alch em ists o f th e past are u n d e rs ta n d a b le b y c h e m is ts to
day.
It is n o t safe to ta k e lit e r a lly th e m e a n in g o f th e b o o k . T h e w o rd s
are u se d o n l y as p la tfo r m s f o r th e c o n te n t th a t is to b e u n d e r s to o d .
q u e s t io n
an sw er

: H o w d o es o n e g o a b o u t g e t t in g th e k e y to a p a rab le?

: T h e s u p p o s itio n is th at s o m e th in g m u st b e k n o w n o f a

m e th o d b a c k o f it. T h e k e y to th e B ib le w a s e n tir e ly lo st o r s w a llo w e d

up b y th e c h u rc h .
T h e B ib le : T h e O ld T e s t a m e n t d o , re, m i. T h e tw o tria d s o f th e
o c ta v e . T h e N e w T e s ta m e n t sol, la, si.
T h e in te r v a l b e tw e e n (fa) w a s th e h is t o r y o f Jesus and th e h is to r y

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o f his b e c o m in g C h r is t. C h r is t w a s b o rn b e tw e e n th e t w o triad s, the
in te r v a l.
T h e in te r v a l is th e in c a rn a tio n o f th e u n iv e rs e . See th e u n iv e rse in
a gra in o f sand. T h e d e w d r o p d o es n o t slip in to th e sea, b u t th e sea
in to th e d e w d r o p .
C h r is t w a s a c o n s cio u s cre a tu re .
In th e O l d T e s ta m e n t th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f m a n ; d o , re, m i; para
b o lic h is t o r y o f m an w it h th r e e lo w e r cen ters.
In th e N e w T e s ta m e n t th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f m a n ; sol, la, si; para
b o lic h is t o r y o f m an w h e n h e b e g in s s e lf-c o n s c io u s ly to c h a n g e in his
p s y c h e , o r it m ig h t be w h e n his p s y c h e b e g in s to d e v e lo p .
St. P a u l ta k es certain sto rie s fr o m th e O l d T e s ta m e n t a n d translates
th e m in t o th e N e w T e s ta m e n t: he calls th e se sto ries a lle g o rie s .
P r o m is e u sed in th e B ib le has th e sam e m e a n in g as p o te n tia li
ties in th e b o o k .
B e in g s w it h p ro m is e m e a n t b e in g s o n th e ro ad to th e d e v e lo p
m e n t o f th e h ig h e r cen ters. V e r y s e ld o m in th e O l d T e s ta m e n t is a
b e in g s p o k e n o f as a b e in g o f p r o m is e . It w a s w it h A b r a m th a t the
p ro cess b e g a n . A b r a m c h a n g e d to A b r a h a m . H a m w a s th e m a scu
lin e fo r th e E g y p tia n g o d R a . Isaac, th e fe m a le g o d o f th e B a b y lo
nians.
T h e e x o d u s o f th e J e w s , th e cro s sin g o f th e red sea, are n o t su b
sta n tiated in h is to ry . T h e r e m a y n eve r h a v e b e e n su ch o c c u rre n ce s
b u t c e rta in fa cts m ig h t b e tr u e an d th e sto rie s w e r e u sed p a ra b o lica lly .
Ju st as th e B ib le m u st b e re g a rd e d as p a ra b o lica l so m u st G u r d j ie f f s
b e ta k en as a k in d o f B ib le .
T h e d isc ip le s asto n ish ed th o s e a b o u t th e m b y th e th in g s th e y did.
H e w ill p r a c tic e this m e t h o d , w ill h im s e lf b r in g o u t o f his trea su ry
th in g s b o t h o ld and n e w .
quest io n : W h y

is th e m e t h o d g iv e n in p a rab le and n o t in fact?

O n e rea so n can be fo u n d in th e parable o f th e so w e r. W e m a y g iv e

a s to ry th a t m a y b e r e m e m b e re d and ca rrie d d o w n ev e n t h o u g h the
h ea rer d id n o t u n d e rsta n d . Its fo r m w o u ld b e ca rrie d , r e a d y fo r u n
d e rs ta n d in g in th e fu tu r e . (A lla n B r o w n .) I f w r it t e n d o w n as fa ct it
w o u ld le a d t o v e rb a liz a tio n a n d in t e lle c tu a liz in g an d w o u ld n o t lead
to fo r m u la tio n an d u n d e rs ta n d in g . (B. B . G .)
orage : I b u r y th e b o n e f o r th e d o g to sm e ll an d d ig it o u t . U n til

y o u h a ve d u g o u t th e m e a n in g , y o u h a ve n o t a cq u ire d th e a b ilit y fo r
u n d e rs ta n d in g . B y use o f th e m e th o d y o u r senses b e c o m e m o r e keen .

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G u r d j ie f f is afraid h e h as g iv e n to o m a n y k e y s to th e b o o k . H e has
p u t a k e y fo r e v e r y l o c k b u t h e has n o t p la c e d th e k e y b y th e lo c k .
T h e o r g a n ic reason f o r u s in g stories as p a rab les is th at th e re is no
la n g u a g e f o r th e e m o tio n a l c e n te r n o r th e in s tin c tiv e c e n te r.
T h e b o o k m akes n e ith e r sense n o r n o n s e n s e b u t s o m e th in g n e u
tr a liz in g .
allan b r ow n : A th ird rea so n fo r u sin g p a rab les is fo u n d in th e fact

that a su b sta n tia te d t r u t h is th ree d im e n s io n a l, it can t b e e x p re s se d

lite r a lly in e x p lic it la n g u a g e , its p resen ce c a n o n ly b e in d ic a te d b y a
fig u re .
orage : Y o u r m in d m u s t d riv e th e h o rs e b u t n o t be c o n c e r n e d w it h

th e h o r s e , th e h o rse m u s t p u ll th e cart b u t n o t be in te re ste d in th e

cart.
W e s h o u ld b e able t o re a d th r o u g h th e im a g e s in parables t o g e t th e
c o n te n t, b u t w e are lik e c h ild r e n , i f th e r h y m e jin g le s , t h e y d o n o t
lo o k f o r m e a n in g .
W e a re j u s t as in c a p a b le o f w r it in g a p a ra b le as w e are o f w r it in g a
fa iry ta le.
A lle g o r ie s are p arables a n d sp eak to th e m in d . Illu s tra tio n S w ift s
T a le o f a T u b .
T o l s t o y s sto ries are a c c e p te d as h a v in g sp iritu a l v a lu e , t h e y h a ve
o n ly p s y c h o lo g ic a l.
F a b les are d isto rtio n s o f facts.
P arab les are d is in te g r a tin g to th e o r d in a r y paths o f a s s o c ia tio n as
th e y sp e a k to th ree c e n te r s .
A p a ra b le has as its c o n t e n t a co sm ic tr u th .
T h e o ld d e fin itio n : A n e a r th ly s to r y w i t h a h e a v e n ly m e a n in g . It
w o u ld b e tr u e r to say, A h e a v e n ly s to r y w i t h n o e a rth ly m e a n in g .

[T h is brought a laugh.]

35i

20 J A N U A R Y
C o n v e r s a tio n s m a y be r e p o r te d a c c o r d in g e ith e r to th e gis t o r a c c o r d
in g to th e e x a c t. I f y o u m a k e a s u g g e s tio n in a w e a k w a y , y o u lose
caste a n d it ten d s to set u p a h a b itu al te n d e n c y to reject y o u r su g
g e stio n s.
W e c a n n o t re m e m b e r o u r s e lv e s b ecau se it is o n ly w it h th e m in d
th at w e t r y th e tw o o th e r ce n te rs h ave n o in te re st in it b u t th e y
m u st c h a n g e . F o r to ta l c h a n g e is p o ssib le o n ly th r o u g h th e e m o tio n a l
and in s tin c tiv e c en ters y e t th o s e t w o ce n te rs m u st be c h a n g e d , b u t
th e y h a v e n o la n g u a g e (i.e. m in d c a n n o t address th ese e v e n t h o u g h it
w ish es). Y e t m in d a lo n e is n o t a h u m a n b e in g a n y m o re th a n a d riv e r
a lo n e is a w h o l e eq u ip a ge .
T h e c e n te r o f g r a v ity o f c h a n g e is in th e e m o tio n a l and in s tin c tiv e
ce n te rs b u t th ese are c o n c e r n e d o n ly w i t h th e p resen t. M in d lo o k s
ahead b u t th e d esire to c h a n g e m u st b e in o u r e m o tio n a l c e n te r and
th e a b ilit y t o c h a n g e m u s t b e in o u r b o d y . Y e t reaso n is n o t a to ta l
stran ger to th e fe e lin g s an d th e b o d y , b u t it m u s t lea rn th e ir la n g u a g e .
T h is is th e w o r k o f se lf-o b s e r v a tio n .

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THE FIRST ADVANTAGE

T h e first a d v a n ta g e o f s e lf-r e m e m b e r in g is th a t o n e m akes fe w e r m is
takes in life . T o c o m p le t e s e lf-r e m e m b e r in g , th ree c e n te rs are n e c
essary a n d all m u st b e a r tific ia lly s tim u la te d . T h e in t e lle c tu a l fro m
o u ts id e , th e o th e r t w o f r o m in sid e. D is tin g u is h b e tw e e n sen sa tio n ,
e m o tio n an d th o u g h t. T h e r e a fte r say to e a c h sen sation , e m o t io n and
th o u g h t , re m in d m e t o r e m e m b e r y o u .
H u m a n w o r k is w i t h th re e cen ters, a n y o th e r is su b h u m a n . F or
th is re a so n , it is th o u sa n d s o f tim es m o r e p r e c io u s to th e h u m a n soul
to sc ru b a flo o r c o n s c io u s ly th a n to w r it e a h u n d re d m a ste rp ie c e s u n
c o n s c io u s ly . C o m b in e d th re e -c e n te re d w o r k is im p o s sib le u n til each
c e n te r has b e e n ta u g h t t o w o r k b y itse lf.

FOURTH LECTURE
F r e e d o m is th e u ltim a te g o a l o f all s c h o o ls c o n s c io u s ly o r u n c o n
s c io u s ly . T h e r e are t w o fr e e d o m s , th e g r e a te r fr e e d o m f r o m o u tsid e
in flu e n c e s an d th e lesser fr e e d o m f r o m in n e r in flu e n ces.
T h e c h i e f o b sta cle s t o th e lesser fr e e d o m are se lf-p rid e a n d v a n ity .
V a n ity refers to th e b o d y , se lf-p rid e refers t o in te lle c tu a l a c c o m p lis h
m en ts. S e lf-p r id e o f th e real k in d b e g in s w i t h th e w o r k o f I . H e
w h o has real se lf-p rid e is a lr e a d y h a lf-fr e e .

FIFTH LECTURE CHRISTIANITY

U n t il a m a n separates h im s e lf fr o m h im s e lf, he can n e ith e r d o a n y
th in g h im s e lf n o r b e h e lp e d . W e h ave t w o a im s to sep arate I fro m
it a n d th e re a fte r to g o v e r n it u n a id ed (fre e ly ). A n a d u lt is o n e w h o
s e r io u s ly w is h e s to sep a ra te h im self. M in d an d essence liv e separate
lives. E ssen ce is a lw a y s c h a n g in g w it h f o o d , p e o p le , w e a th e r , e tc . A t
p re se n t, m in d su b m its t o s e r v in g this c h a n g in g essence.
M in d is g o v e rn e d b y a d e v il (b y a c h a n g in g essence). D o n o t let
y o u r m in d b e a slave f o r y o u r essen ce. T h e th in k in g c e n te r is C h r is
tia n th e e m o tio n a l c e n te r is p r e - C h r is tia n th e b o d y is p a g a n . E m o
tio n a l c e n te r w it h b o d y m a k e th e d e v il, w h ic h th e t h in k in g ce n te r
m u st le a rn to c o n tro l,
i . P a r e n ta g e b ir th .

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MARCH

2. In fa n c y .
3. C h ild h o o d , y o u th , m a tu r ity , o ld a ge, d e a th .
T r y in g t o d o c o n s c io u s ly w h a t p s y ch o a n a ly sis d o e s a tte m p t:
1 . H o w w e ca m e to b e w h a t w e w e r e b o rn . L o c i.
2. W h a t p e o p le w e r e a ro u n d y o u ?
3. S c h o o ls , c o m p a n io n s, fa m ily , e tc ., th e k in d o f w is h e s y o u
h a d w h o m d id y o u lik e d islike?
D a ily R e v ie w :
1. P ic to r ia lly .
2. S e n s u a lly (seven senses, re-sen se p r e v io u s sensations).
3. E m o tio n a l r e v ie w e m o tio n a l h is to r y d u r in g th e day.
4. T r y t o r e v ie w w h a t y o u h a v e th o u g h t d u r in g th e day.
5. T r y t o j u d g e th e d a y f r o m a sta n d p o in t o f y o u r a im (i.e. d e v e l
o p m e n t o f w i l l, in d iv id u a lity a n d co n scio u sn ess).
F o r m u la te th e v a rieties o f w o r ld v ie w s , c o s m o lo g ie s . C o l l e c t as
m a n y v ie w s as p o ssib le fr o m o th e rs.
B e g in t o th in k o f th e j u jit s u a lw a y s in s u re th a t y o u r o p p o n e n t
s h o u ld u se his stre n g th a g a in st h im se lf. B u t c a r r y th is a lo n g fr o m
th e p h y sic a l to th e e m o tio n a l a n d in te lle c tu a l. E v e r y v a r ie ty o f n e g a
tiv e e m o tio n a l a tta ck can b e tu r n e d so th a t it w i l l a tta ck th e a tta c k
e r and so w i t h an im p e r tin e n t o r o th e r k in d o f in te lle c tu a l a tta ck .
Say a p e rs o n c o m e s to y o u a n g r y say: O h , c o m e o f f it. L e t s g o
h a ve a d r in k . (P erhaps it d o e s n t w o r k this m e a n s y o u have u se d th e
w r o n g ju jit s u .) P ro b a b ly y o u c o u ld h ave o v e r a g re e d and su c ce e d e d .
I f y o u u se th e r ig h t w o rd s y o u r a d v e rsa ry w i l l re a ct again st h im s e lf
o r his id ea o r p u rp o se .
P re fa c e c o n v e rs a tio n o n sh ip .
1. S t o r y o f B e e lz e b u b s e x ile an d p a rd o n .
2. D e s c r ip tio n s o f souls a n d o th e r p lan ets.
3. C a p ta in discusses ships.
4. H a sse in asks w h a t he ca n d o . O n c o n s c ie n c e .
5. G e n e s is o f m o o n .
6. W h y m e n are n o t m en .
7. D e s c e n t t o A tla n tis.
8. R e la t iv e u n d e rs ta n d in g o f tim e . A r c h -a b s u rd . A l l ev en ts. R e a d
in g figu res.

354

25

MARCH

O c t o b e r i s t resu m e.
S u n d a y s O c t o b e r an d N o v e m b e r series o f p u b lic le c tu r e s : b e
h a v io rism , fu n d a m e n ta lis m , r e lig io n , can s c ie n ce te ll us a n y th in g ?
M o n d a y s discu ssio n s o f p r o b le m s w h ic h h a v e h ith e rto b e e n b e t
te r d iscu ssed o n l y in p r iv a te w it h m e p e rs o n a l p ro b le m s. O u r d is
cu ssio n s w i l l b e serio u s m u s t b e p r iv a te th is w i l l e lim in a te c e rta in
ty p e s.
T u e s d a y s fo r n e w m e m b e r s o n ly and fo r th o s e w h o are n o t ad
m itte d to M o n d a y s .
W e d n e sd a y s class fo r th o s e w h o w is h to d e v e lo p th e art o f e x
p ressio n , e v e n tu a lly to b e u se d in e d u c a tio n .
W e d n e sd a y , T h u r s d a y , F rid a y , S a tu rd a y classes in m u s ic , m o v e
m en ts, p a n to m im e , m o d e lin g , p a in tin g , j e w e l r y , etc.

355

CH APTER

17 T H E A R C H - A B S U R D

T h e su n m a y b e la c k in g in h e a t and lig h t . S till th e th re e -b ra in e d b e

in g s o n e a r th th e y call sc ien tists e x p la in n ig h t an d d ay, .h e at a n d c o ld ,
and all o th e r p h e n o m e n a a risin g o n th e ir p la n e t as b e in g a lr e a d y m ade.
In r e a lity , th e sun m a y b e co v e re d w it h ic e .
O s k ia n o m ean s e d u c a tio n .
E v e r y t h in g in th e u n iv e r s e e x ists an d is m a in ta in e d b y th e co sm ic
a u to a fto e g o c r a tic pro cess.
T h e u n iv e r s e is a c tu a liz e d o n tw o la w s o f t h e first o r d e r : ep tap aras h in o c h an d tr ia m a z ik a m n o .
B e fo r e th e cre a tio n o f th e m e g a lo c o s m o s th e re e x is te d th e se tw o
sacred la w s .
E p ta p a ra sh in o ch is th e la w o f sev en th e co u rs e o f a s tra ig h t lin e
b reak s sev en tim es and d e fle c ts and re u n ite s. T h e s e p o in ts o f d e fle c
tio n are c a lle d sto p in d e rs, a n d are c en ters o f g r a v ita tio n . T h is is the
la w o n w h ic h all m a n ifests.
T r ia m a z ik a m n o is th e la w o f th ree. E v e r y w h e r e all th a t m an ifests
in th re e asp ects. H o ly a ffirm in g , h o ly d e n y in g , h o ly r e c o n c ilin g . T h is
la w a lw a y s flo w s in to a c o n s e q u e n c e . T h e n e w a risin g m ix e s w i t h o k id a n o k h e le c tr ic ity . O k id a n o k h o w e s its a ris in g to th e S u n A b s o lu te ,
is an a c tiv e e le m e n t, an d is o m n ip re se n t.
S cie n tists say w e h a ve t w o fo rm s o f e le c tr ic it y . G u r d jie f f says there
are th r e e fo r m s , and to m a k e th e d is tin c tio n , calls e le c tr ic it y o k id a
nokh.
T h e n e w a risin g is c a lle d h a rn e lm ia tz n e l. T h e co sm ic la w aieioi-

uoa (m e a n in g rem o rse) is th e p ro cess o f o n e p a rt w h ic h has b e c o m e ,

e n te r in g a n o th e r , p art o f its w h o le . T h is p r o c e e d s in h a rn e lm ia tz n e l
o k id a n o k h .
E th e r n o k r iln o is th e p r im e so u rce o f c o s m ic su b stan ce. C o s m ic
su b sta n ce is th e fo u n d a tio n o f all a risin gs a n d m a in ta in in g . (See ch a p
te r 18.)
A lw a y s g u a rd a gain st su c h p e rc e p tio n s as m a y im p a ir y o u r th ree
b ra in s. F irs t b rain is fo u n d in h e a d th e h o l y a ffirm in g . S e c o n d brain
is sp in al c o lu m n h o ly d e n y in g . T h ir d b ra in h o ly r e c o n c ilin g . T h e
p la ce o f th is b rain in m a n is n o t lo c a liz e d in a m ass b u t is lo c a liz e d in
d iffe re n t p la ce s o f th e p la n e ta r y b o d y . E a r th b e in g s call th e m n erv e
n o d es a n d th e y are la r g e ly lo c a liz e d in th e ir breasts and c a lle d the
solar p le x u s .

356

CH A PTE R

18 T H E A R C H - P R E P O S T E R O U S

T h e p u r p o s e o f th e c h a p te r to u n d e rsta n d th e th ree p a rts o f e le c

tr ic ity a n d th a t th e y c a n n o t b e sensed.
T ir z ik ia n o : a h u g e e le c tr ic la m p glass w a lls w h ic h are im p e r v io u s
to all rays. A ta b le an d t w o ch airs in s id e ; o v e r th e ta b le a n e le c trica l
la m p ; u n d e rn e a th , th re e e x a c t ly a lik e; m o m o n o d o o a r s an d o th e r
u n k n o w n in s tru m e n ts . O u ts id e are t w o sp ecia l a p p lia n c e s called
life c h a k h a n s o r d y n a m o s o r k h r ik h ir k h is .
A n o t h e r esp ecial a p p lia n c e a v a c u u m p u m p b egin s to w o r k w h e n
to u c h e d b y th e le ft w in g , w h ile th e r ig h t w in g starts th e d y n a m o .
T h is d y n a m o d raw s th e sep arate parts o f e le c tr ic it y la te r t o b e c o l
le c te d in th e ge n e ra to r. (C e r e b e llu m .)
It th e n flo w s in to a n o th e r d y n a m o , w h e r e it is sep arated an d each
part c o n c e n tr a te d in an a c c u m u la to r f r o m c o n ta in e rs; o f th e seco n d
o rd e r, h e takes ea ch a c tiv e p a rt o f e le c tr ic ity .
Sacred in k o ts a r n o :

B irth .

Sacred ra sco o a rn o :

D e a th .

H arak h rak h ro o k h ry:

H e a d o f g o v e r n m e n t o n S a tu rn .

G o rn a h o o r H arh arkh :

N a m e o f B e e lz e b u b s frie n d .

T eskoo an o:

In stru m e n t f o r o b s e rv a tio n .

K h rkh :

A w orksh op.

L ife c h a k h a n s :

C ir c u la tio n o f m a g n e tic c u rre n ts a ro u n d

life c e n te r (solar p le x u s).

S o lo o k h n o r a k h o o n a :
Prana:

V a c u u m -p u m p (heart).
L ife flu id ( e le c tr ic it y in its d iffe r e n t as
pects).

P arijra h atn a tiu s:

P ari = e q u a lity o f n atu re.

R a h b a t = p ra n a (breath).
N a t io n = to b e b o rn .

H a rh rin h ra h :

H e a rt.

P h y s io lo g ic a l d e s c r ip tio n o f th e a c tio n o f c ir c u la to r y sy s te m as
g iv e n b y S ir A r t h u r T h o m p s o n .
T w o p u m p s v e n tric le s side b y side. R i g h t p u m p d riv e s im p u re
b lo o d to th e lu n g s. P u re b lo o d retu rn s to th e le ft a u ric le . P u rifie d
b lo o d passes fr o m le ft a u ric le to le ft v e n t r ic le . L e ft v e n t r ic le d riv e s it
to arte rie s an d cap illa rie s. T h e n in to v e n o u s cap illa ries, v e in s , rig h t
a u ricle.

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CHAPTER

l 8 ---- T H E A R C H - P R E P O S T E R O U S

L e ft p u m p also d rives p u r e b lo o d to h ea rt its e lf, sto m ach , in testin es

k id n e y s an d h e a d , tr u n k a n d lim b s.
Im p u re b lo o d co m e s to r ig h t a u ricle fr o m h e a d b y s u p e rio r v e n a
cava, fr o m p o s te r io r b o d y b y in fe r io r ve n a cav a. A ls o in to th e p o s te r i
o r v e in passes (b y th e renal v e in ), b lo o d filte r e d b y k id n e y , b y h e p a tic
v e in fr o m liv e r an d fr o m h e a r t itse lf.
A ll v e in s c a r r y im p u re b lo o d e x c e p t p u lm o n a r y ve in s fr o m lu n g s
w h ic h b r in g p u r ifie d b lo o d f r o m lu n g s in to le ft a u ricle.
PARTIAL V O C AB U LAR Y,

CHAPTERS

I TO

20

CHAPTER

A ie io iu o a :

l 8 ---- T H E A R C H - P R E P O S T E R O U S

R e m o rse .

Such

a pro cess w h e n

an y

p a rt w h ic h has a rise n fr o m a n y o n e h o ly
so u rce o f th e sacred tr ia m a z ik a m n o re
v o lt s , as it w e r e , a n d c ritic iz e s th e fo r m e r
u n b e c o m in g p e rc e p tio n s and c o n t e m p o
r a ry m a n ife sta tio n s o f a n o th e r p a rt o f
th e w h o le , a p a rt o b ta in e d f r o m th e re
sults o f a n o th e r h o l y so u rce o f th e sam e
fu n d a m e n ta l sa cred co sm ic la w tr ia m a z i
kam no.
T h r e e b e in g - f o o d s :

O r d in a r y fo o d fo r th e p la n e ta r y b o d y .
A ir fo r th e astral o r e m o tio n a l b o d y , im
pressio n s f o r th e p o te n tia l m e n ta l b o d y .

P a r tk d o lg d u ty :

D u t y in th re e la n g u a g e s ; i.e . d u t y in each
c en ter.

T r ia m a z ik a m n o :

H o l y a ffirm in g , p o s itiv e , fa th e r . H o ly
d e n y in g , n e g a tiv e , m o th e r. H o l y r e c o n
c ilin g , c h ild , n e u tr a liz in g .

R a d ia t io n is a v ib ra tio n o f th e eth er. E m a n a tio n is an o u t f lo w o f

p a rticles.

B e e lz e b u b fin d s an essen ce frie n d .

E th e r n o k r iln o is th e p r im e so u rce o f a ll su bstan ces s u b -e th e r -p o te n tia l m a tte r -m o th e r o f m a tte r.
E th e r n o k r iln o w a s c o n v e r te d in to a c t iv it y b y th e fo r c e o k id a n o k h th r e e fo rm s o f e le c tr ic it y . T h is w a s th e first w o r k o f th e Sun
A b s o lu te .
E th e r n o k r iln o is n o t d e s tro y e d w h e n p la y e d u p o n b y o k id a n o k h .
O k id a n o k h fo r m s th e c o n n e c tin g tissues o f th e p r im e o r d e a l. E th
e r n o k r iln o in ea ch u n it fo r m e d , fr o m an a to m to th e m o r e e v o lv e d
fo rm s, u p t o m a n ; o rg a n s b e g in to b e fo r m e d fr o m th ese th r e e fo rm s
o f o k id a n o k h . T h e s e th r e e o rg a n s o r lo c a liz a tio n s are c a lle d th e th ree
brains. Im p u lse s c o rr e s p o n d to v o lts in e le c tr ic cu rren ts. T h e v o lta g e
o f t w o o f o u r a cc u m u la to rs is d e te rm in e d b y h e r e d ity a n d e n v ir o n
m e n t. O n l y o n e a c c u m u la to r ev e r a c t u a lly a cc u m u la te s; th e o th e r
tw o sp en d . T h e th ird a c c u m u la to r, in s tin c tiv e c en ter, has a n e x te rn a l

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CHAPTER l 8 --- THE ARCH- PREPOSTEROUS

dynamo and can go on; the dynamo o f this is nature. The result is that
instinctively man goes on developing. Our bodies go through youth,
middle life and old age. We never ripen emotionally nor intellectu
ally. The instinctive center can still be stimulated by society after the
other two centers have ceased to be stimulated. Life is then producing
morons. There is simply superimposed culture, as there is no more
power o f initiative in emotional and intellectual centers.
This chapter has significance and suggestion in both physics and
psychology. In certain circumstances a vacuum can be produced in
which I is so isolated that literally nothing o f the sensible universe
appears to exist. This is the state o f I-am-ness, it means God before
the world manifested. Gods fear was o f going into this state and nev
er again being. This is one o f the emotional high spots o f the book.
The aim o f this chapter is to produce in the reader the effects o f the
experiments described. It must be read with both the physical and the
psychological interpretations. Realization o f this fear o f non-being,
o f having burned all ones bridges behind one, is comparable to the
fear o f loss o f life, but from the other side o f nothingness. That is,
there is always fear o f non-being. The difference between existence
and being: to exist is to depend on the outside. To be is to be without.
john riordan: An individual in the state o f I-am-ness would still
be subject to time.
orage: Yes, that was Gods state when he warded off the wearing
away o f I-am-ness by time, by means o f re-establishing contact with
existence by manifesting the world.
There is no relation between the feeling people have o f being es
sentially alone, we are all essentially alone, and the realization o f
aloneness in nothingness. In I-am-ness there is not even memory.

360

L. S. M . O N B E E L Z E B U B
The group, I fear, is on the wrong track when it tries to divine the
significance o f the use o f Armenian in the book by looking up the
language in the encyclopedia. Didnt Orage make some suggestions
in the notes you have as to the possible meaning o f the different lan
guages referred to? His guess, as I recall, was that Gurdjieff had in
mind the different forms o f language we all continually use besides
words; such as our postures and gestures, etc. in short, our behav
ior. For our outward expressions o f behavior, like our thoughts and
feelings and our verbal languages, begin early in life to be so cor
rupted by the sociological influence o f custom (i.e. what Gurdjieff
calls the bon ton language, or the language o f the grammarians,
which has no relation to our real natures) that it becomes impossible
to express anything essential in them. I think Gurdjieff set the pe
riod o f corruption o f Armenian at forty years-i.e. the period from
birth to middle age, with the implication that by the time a man has
lived that long he is hopelessly entangled in the artificial language o f
sociology. And when Gurdjieff said that i f he wrote in his native
tongue Greek, there would be no one to translate his words, he was
certainly not thinking o f dictionary meanings.
The Sunday night Orage was at Pelham, we talked a little about
the book, and Orage reminded us that he had often suggested look
ing at it as one looks at a political cartoon. W hen a cartoonist draws a
grotesque picture o f an elephant, he is not interested in the anatomy
o f that group o f mammals known as the Proboscidea: the implica
tion he has in mind is something about the Republican Party. He is
gaily indifferent to his drawing, from the ordinary point o f view, and
quite willing to stick the trunk on the wrong end i f doing so will
emphasize his meaning. Similarly, Gurdjieffs drawing, if you like, is
terrible; he w ill not only put the trunk on the wrong end but put two
or three o f them there if he thinks it will add zest to the cartoon. He
doesnt expect his reader to examine the details o f the elephant, but
to divine ( smell is the word he constantly uses in that connection)
the implication, about the Republican Party. Orage added that he was
still in the position o f the child examining the elephant curiously, and
missing the Republican Party.
Gurdjieffs own attitude towards the book seems to be, like the
cartoonists, both serious and gay. At heart he is apparently so con
vinced o f its importance that he lets nothing in its way: people, mon361

L. S. M. ON BEELZEBUB
ey , tim e a n d his o w n s tr e n g th h ave b een p o u r e d in to it lik e w a te r
and h e asserts th a t its p u b lic a tio n is g o in g t o strik e e x is tin g va lu es
lik e a c y c lo n e . B u t w h e n a n y p art o f it is rea d a lo u d in h is p resen ce
he fr e q u e n t ly c h u ck le s an d h is eyes ro a m o v e r th e so lem n fa ces o f the
listen ers w i t h a tw in k le to see w h o is g e t t in g th e m a lic io u s im p lic a
tio n s a b o u t th e R e p u b lic a n P a rty .
I th in k I v e q u o te d to y o u b e fo re his re m a r k th at h e has b u rie d
ce rta in b o n e s in th e b o o k f o r d o g s to d ig at, an d th at th e c u r io u s th in g
is th at in d ig g in g th e y b e c o m e m e n .
T h e o n l y th in g that a p p e ars ce rta in a b o u t th e w h o le p e rfo rm a n c e
is th a t h e is n o m o re in te r e s te d in th e c o m p a ra tiv e s tu d y o f la n g u a g e
or, say, w a te r clo sets, th a n in th e e le p h a n ts tr u n k . T h e k e y t o th a t pas
sage a b o u t w a te r clo sets, a n d p e rh a p s to th e w h o le r e v o lt in g A m e r
ic a c h a p te r , seem s to m e to b e th at p h ra se rep e a ted several tim es in
c o n n e c tio n w it h th e w a te r c lo se ts , w it h o u t b e in g - e f f o r t . Y o u m ade
th e n a tu ra l m ista k e, w h ic h e v e r y in te llig e n t rea d e r w ill m a k e , fr o m
th e c h e a p h o r s e -p la y a b o u t p r o h ib itio n , e t c ., th a t h e w as c o n c e r n e d ,
lik e S ie g fr ie d o r K e y s e r lin g , w it h so cial c o n d itio n s . B u t a ll th r o u g h
that p a rt o f th e b o o k , G u r d j ie f f p u t th e n am es o f c o u n trie s in q u o ta
tio n m a rk s, t o in d ica te th a t h e m eans s o m e th in g d iffe re n t f r o m th e ir
literal m e a n in g (th o u g h w h y h e d o esn t p u t q u o te s a ro u n d e v e r y o t h
er w o r d in th e b o o k I d o n t k n o w ) , fr o m h is referen ce s to th e G e r
m a n s, w h o m h e calls th e m o d e r n d escen d a n ts o f th e G r e e k s . I th in k
he m ea n s b y th e m o u r in te lle c tu a l in g e n u it y in m e ta p h y s ics. (W h a t
M ilto n in s p e a k in g o f th e p h ilo s o p h ic a l d eb ates o f th e d a m n e d calls
p le a sin g s o r c e r y . ) A n d m y g u ess is th at A m e r ic a m ean s in ge n e ra l,
o u r m o d e r n , h ig h ly s o c io lo g ic a l, p ro p a g a n d a -fille d and m a te ria listic
c iv iliz a tio n , w e a lth y and m a g n ific e n t to lo o k at, b u t h o l l o w w i t h
in . T h e fr u its , w h ic h are th e larg e st and m o s t h ig h ly c o lo r e d in the
w o r ld b u t w it h o u t savor, b e in g o u r in n u m e r a b le re lig io n s , w i t h th e ir
b e a u tifu l b u ild in g s , e x p e n s iv e p la n ts, e tc. . . . T h e im p lic a tio n in th e
can n e d fo o d s , w h ic h are n o t ta k e n fresh b u t lo n g a fter th e y h a v e b een
sep arated f r o m th e liv in g s ta lk , is p r o b a b ly to b e fo u n d b y r e m e m
b e r in g th a t im p ressio n s a re a fo o d . T h e c lu e to th e h ig h b u ild in g s ,
w h e r e th e a ir is to o rarefied fo r h u m a n u se, is g iv e n b y th e re fe re n ce
to C h r is t ia n scien ce.
T h e stress o n w a te r c lo s e ts e tc. ap p ears to b e b ecau se G u r d jie f f
co n sid e rs th a t, w h e re a s s o m e c iv iliz a tio n s h a v e p e te re d o f f in in t e l
le c tu a l o r e m o tio n a l c o r r u p t io n , m o d e r n c iv iliz a t io n is k illin g itself
in its b e lly an d se x o rga n s. H e has said th at th e A m e r ic a c h a p te r is
362

L. S. M. ON BEELZEBUB
in te n d e d to lea ve th e re a d e r w it h a fe e lin g o f d isgu st fo r o u r cu rre n t
c iv iliz a tio n .
I c a n o n l y say th a t, h o w e v e r e stim a b le an in te n tio n , th e ch a p ter
n e v e r seem s to h ave th a t e ffe c t. It strik es e v e r y b o d y as a c r u d e and
c lu m s y a tte m p t to b e w i t t y .

363