The Thousand Natural Shocks

The Thousand Natural Shocks

“Schools are for ordinary people” says Peter Ouspensky. This unassuming observation carries far-reaching and profound implications on the nature of transformation of suffering. To reach higher centers, nothing else is needed other than ordinary people living ordinary lives, subject to ordinary difficulties. Our habitual mechanical way of thinking - formatory thinking - hears the expression ‘transformation of suffering’ and charges it with such emotional energy that we fail to see the trees for the woods. In other words, we believe that by entering a school we’ll be subject to all sorts of unusual difficulties that require some sort of herculean effort to overcome.

Even without a school, while it is true that calamities do indeed happen to us, they are few and far between. It’s the small, seemingly inconsequential moments that make up most of our lives that offer the golden opportunities for conscious evolution. By using these abundant moments of small contradictions, either from what what we observe in ourselves or the world around us, when large difficulties present themselves, we are prepared; we understand what to do with the energy they produce.

This is where a conscious school becomes a necessity for anyone wishing to escape a mechanically habitual existence. Because as well as the ‘thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to’ a school provides more opportunities to transform shocks and contradictions. For example, we are asked not to express negative emotions. Another opportunity for transforming suffering is when working on the third line of work, to do what one is asked, and rather than indulge in one’s self-will. These examples, and more, are what makes schools successful in creating consciousness in it’s members.

Self-remembering and transforming suffering go hand-in-hand. Ouspensky also observed that the best time for us to remember ourselves is when all emotional and instinctive tendencies go against it.

There are efforts that can be made immediately. For example, are You dividing your attention while reading this? It’s that simple.

Join the discussion