P.D. Ouspensky | The Fourth Way - Chapter 1

The Fourth Way is an approach to self-development developed by George Gurdjieff over years of travel in the East (c. 1890 - 1912). Students often refer to the Fourth Way as "The Work", "Work on oneself", or "The System". The exact origins of some of Gurdjieff's teachings are unknown, but various sources have been suggested.
The term "Fourth Way" was further used by his student P. D. Ouspensky in his lectures and writings. After Ouspensky's death, his students published a book entitled The Fourth Way based on his lectures. According to this system, the three traditional schools, or ways, "are permanent forms which have survived throughout history mostly unchanged, and are based on religion. Where schools of Fakirs, Monks and Yogis exist, they are barely distinguishable from religious schools. The fourth way differs in that "it is not a permanent way. It has no specific forms or institutions and comes and goes controlled by some particular laws of its own."
The Fourth Way addresses the question of humanity's place in the Universe and the possibilities of inner development. It emphasizes that people ordinarily live in a state referred to as a semi-hypnotic "waking sleep," while higher levels of consciousness, virtue, and unity of will are possible.
CHAPTER 1:
What the system is about-Study of psychology-Incompleteness of man- Study of the world and study of man-"Principle of scale-Possible evolution- Self-study-Many 'I's-Division of functions-Four states of consciousness- Self-observation-Self
remembering-Two higher functions-Wrong work of the machine-Imagination-Lying-Absence of will-'Lack of control- Expression of unpleasant emotions-Negative emotions-Change of attitudes - Observation of functions-Identification-Considering-Sleep-Prison and escape-Seven categories of man-Mechanicalness-Law of Three-Law of Seven-Illusions-We cannot 'do'-Good and evil-Morality and conscience- Only a few can develop-A, B and C influences-Magnetic centre-We live in a bad place in the universe-Ray of Creation-Orders of laws.
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[@Sophia-bo2mj]

What stood out to me the most the first time I listened to this reading is when Ouspenski talks about Lying. He says that man "lies more than anything else; and as a matter of fact, he cannot speak the truth." What a challenging statement! It's like a piece of bait at the end of a think pole. Maybe some of what Christ meant when he said he would make his disciples "fishers of men." Then he talks about how, in imagination, we ascribe powers to ourselves that don't exist. And there it is. Who doesn't see that they have ascribed powers to themselves in their own imagination? This is how we lie to ourselves. And while that goes on unchecked how could it not govern how we speak to others? We are at the mercy of our own lying tendencies, and likewise at the mercy of everyone else's! Though Ouspenski qualifies this by stating that it is not intentional. Because we are not fully conscious beings. Yet, even though not intentional, it is the usual state of man. A sleeping, lying, imprisoned creature. A fool. That's us. But what a shaft of light it brings to begin to see this!

[@ravenomega2443]

I couldn't agree more. Idk if you're familiar with David Goggins but he's talked about how all he could do was lie and how he made a goal for himself to go just 1 day without lying. Fast forward in his life years later and he said that through things like sheer will he became TRUTH. Meaning that he knows fully what he is and isn't capable of. He knows the power he has and doesn't have. And like Gurdjieff's teachings, Goggins also unlocked parts of himself that at one time he didn't even know were there.

[@drewprice8468]

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you doing this. It’s wonderful to have a real voice reading this.

[@bookclub5291]

You are very welcome. It’s such an important text, and I’m looking forward to working through it moving forward 🙏

[@davidwebber6314]

I've connected with this book , (my first in the gurdjieff school of teachings ) more than any other. I love the Q & A format

[@Sophia-bo2mj]

For me the experience of self-remembering, or what exemplifies an experience of entering an altered state of consciousness is never the same. It happens from making efforts of self-observation and efforts of self-remembering though rarely at the time of making those efforts. These moments of awakening seems to come into being because of making those efforts, though they never happen when expected or when anticipated, and they last a very short time but are uniquely unforgettable forever after. They are stark in their differences, no two remotely alike, yet unmistakable in the fact that they are of something "other worldly," not something usual at all. Then they are longed for forever after. But the work to achieve them grows in difficulty with time.

[@bookclub5291]

😊🙏❤️

[@sherrilawrence662]

Thanks so much 🙏 I have been listening for a few days

[@bookclub5291]

You’re very welcome! I’m pleased that you are enjoying the reading 🙏

[@Atthalassia]

Funny that you release a video about this book today, I bought this book yesterday 😂, can't wait to read along!

[@bookclub5291]

Wow! Quite a synchronicity. Enjoy the text as we work through it! ❤️📚

[@rezanaeim-abadi4677]

OMG you started reading The Fourth Way. THANK YOU, THANK YOU 🙌

[@bookclub5291]

You’re very welcome 😊🙏 I too am looking forward to working through this great text!

[@rezanaeim-abadi4677]

@@bookclub5291 Just one thing, your voice is too low! Even on headphones if I'm outside I have trouble hearing you. Not all your videos are like that though! I would highly appreciate it if you could look into it! 💙

[@h92o]

I think text and spoken together gives me much greater understanding.. I am always being dyslexic so that reversing of letters and words is always going on the both hear and see is best for me.. thanks so much..

[@bookclub5291]

You are welcome! I think for anyone in general text and audio together are the best way to consume the information. There are two other projects in the channel in this format if you are interested. Plato’s Republic, and In Search of the Miraculous. Check them out 🙏

[@h92o]

@@bookclub5291 I am working thru in search of the miraculous... it is really good... thanks for these projects ... 🙏✍🤳

[@Ieueseuei]

Great job

[@bookclub5291]

Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😊🙏