Phase 1 - January 8th

Session 1:

During the meeting we constructed a "Word Picture" (monad) of a normal human being.  The results are here.

Links to the Webex recording of the session are available to logged in participants here.

==================================================

Purpose: To obtain a clear picture of what is possible for us, individually and as a group.

Approach: Discussion, visualization and use of the monad as a tool for seeing. Increasing our confidence level that what we are seeking is within reach.

Preparation: As part of our preparation for this meeting I asked participants to generate three questions about Systematics and three questions centered around selfhood. Follow this link for those questions and responses to those questions.

Quote from Gurdjieff: "Go slow, go far."

About the  (so-called) 4th Way: A question was asked as to whether one particular element of our study was "4th Way". The 4th Way is a path of self-development and spiritual development that takes place in life. It can and does creatively use anything and everything that leads toward those aims. Unlike fixed religions, dogmas, philosophies, etc. it simply flows on, changing itself according to time, place and circumstance.

Beelzebub's Tales to his Grandson: This is truly an extraordinary book, if indeed it can even be called a book. Some have referred to it as the only new mythology that has been created in the last 2000 years. It was put on a list of the 100 most influential books ever written. Another noted researcher said that certain aspects of the book could not have originated on this planet. My own teacher, John Bennet,t said that he had read it cover to cover at least 40 times, and found a deepening source of wisdom with each cycle. 

To complete the entire book in the next three months, we will need to read about 125 pages per week... less than 20 pages a day. If you have set yourself to read the first of the three books, a pace of 40 pages per week should complete your aim. I can assure you it is well worth the effort.

For next week:
=== Try to get a clear picture of yourself as you wish to be. In moments of self-conscious begin to see where you are manifesting exactly as you wish to be, and also times where it hasn't been as you wish to be.  At this point, don't try to change anything... just observe.