Introduction
The following text comes from a documentary made by a
Gnostic institution that quotes Gurdjieff explaining why it is difficult for
the human being to realise that he or she is many rather than one.
Gurdjieff Explains
“Before it all, man
must know that he doesn't have a single, permanent and immutable ‘I’. Before it
all, man must know that he is not one and always the same but that he is many.
This idea is difficult to assimilate, but fundamental to a correct interior
work. In reality, there isn't a psychological unity in man. There is neither
one centre of command nor a unique ‘I’ or permanent ego.
What creates the idea
of unity or integrity in man is partially the sensation of his physical body,
partially his name that doesn't usually change and lastly his mechanical
immutable habits implanted in him by education or acquired by imitation.
By always having the
same physical sensations, always being called by the same name , finding
himself with the same habits and inclinations that he has always known, he
imagines to remain and be always the same. However, the man as we know changes
continuously, in one moment he is one and in the next he's another, later a
third one and so on and so forth.”
Summary
In summary it is the same physical sensations, the same name
and the same habits that make the human being think or believe that he or she
is always the same that is has just one ‘I”.
End (829).
Comments
Post a Comment