Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Use the following impressions to bring presence into your day. Remember yourself as you listen to Wie Melodien (Like Melodies) by Johannes Brahms: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rVSSF8_Gzus Thoughts, like melodies, Steal softly through my mind, Like spring flowers they blossom And drift away like fragrance. Yet when words come and capture them And bring them before my eyes, They turn pale like grey mist And vanish like a breath. Y

From our friend Astha in the Toronto Center Weekly Topic The Illusion of Unity: The Many 'I's The Fourth Way system informs us that we are many ‘I’s. Instead of one unified principle of consciousness, the machine is made up of four brains – the four lower centers – each thought, emotion, or sensation we experience says ‘I’. To further complicate matters, many of our ‘I's do not know the others. One minute 'I' want to clean my house, but instead 'I' watch a movie. 'I' make an

Start and Continue I want to be honest with you. Trying to be present is a peculiar pursuit. Most things that I do in life become automatic after mastering them. I have not been on a bike in a few years, but I am confident I could ride one right now. When I was young, I was able to skateboard as well, and if you put me on one today, I think I could do a few little tricks. I can write some prose and a little poetry, which comes relatively easily. Not a big lift, you might say.

This post is from our friend Lindsey V. of the New York Center. Spiritual work has a progression that can be divided roughly into two phases: first, taming the machine so that higher states can be experienced and recognized, and then learning how to sustain these states once they have arisen. I am calling this second phase training. Both are necessary for awakening. Flashes of higher states can arise at any time; the aim is to sustain them. The lower self requires education,

Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Be present to the following impressions. Listen with presence to Vocalise by Rachmaninoff: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s_mRU3QOa3M&ra=m “Enjoy the present smiling hour, And put it out of Fortune’s power.” —Horace Join the discussion Image: The Golden Bowl by Frank Cadogan

Beyond the Spark: Sustaining Presence The primary reason people do not make efforts to awaken is because they imagine that they are already awake. — The Teacher Last week’s topic – Imagination – is one of the main psychological obstacles that distorts reality and prevents us from living more consciously in the present moment. In a day’s time, I observe moments where consciousness is more prevalent, and times when I am completely in the grasp of imagination. These fluctuations

Weekly Topic The aim for us now is not to awaken, it is to stay awake. Practice in silence; it's very simple. — Robert Weekly Exercise This week when you encounter a shock either positive or negative, use that shock to be present and refrain from reacting to it. Just observe—Be. Try to be very still inside. The lower self likes to stay occupied with doing something. Presence is a simple state. Let’s try to engage shocks with presence and sustain as much presence as we can. Ma

Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Listen to Nessun Dorma (None shall Sleep) by Giacomo Puccini with presence. Allow yourself to come out of imagination as you listen: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cWc7vYjgnTs&ra=m Translation of Nessun Dorma: None shall sleep, None shall sleep! Even you, oh Princess, In your cold room, Watch the stars, That tremble with love And with hope. But my secret is hidden within me, My name no one shall know, No... no... On your mouth, I

From our friend Astha in the Toronto Center Weekly Topic: Imagination Given our current state of imagination, we are not typically present to the moment. For instance, if I’m cooking, the machine (the body) is preparing the food while the mind is busy thinking about the road trip I will be taking or about tomorrow. We are blinded by imagination. Self-remembering is a method for being in the moment. Weekly Exercise: This week, when dining, remember to set your silverware down

Dear friends, Use the following quote, image, and musical selection to bring you to a higher state. Listen to Violin Sonata No. 7, Second Movement by Beethoven with presence: https://youtu.be/HSfFrdMVRPw?si=qeE3T5gNmLHurEl_ “You are a state—the state that remembers is You.” -The Teacher Join the discussion The Virgin Mary as a Child Praying by Francisco de Zurbarán

The Steward is Golden Genius: The Six-fold Present G.I. Gurdjieff’s straightforward directive to “Remember yourself always and everywhere,” is a powerful reminder of the painful reality that I pass so much of my life in the second state of consciousness, that is, sleep. What it means to remember myself is to reclaim my rightful place in experiencing life consciously. It takes only a few moments of sincere self-observation to realize that I am going through the motions of life

Remembering to Work: Creating a Steward, Invoking Presence We talk, read, listen and see esoteric ideas but can we remember ourselves in the present? We all start with the desire to work. We make an effort to remember ourselves, the next second we drift back into imagination. Every effort we make is a step closer to consciousness. With every effort the steward gets stronger. One must train one’s steward to consent silently to presence whenever it arises. —The Teacher Weekly E

Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Use the following quote, image, and musical selection to strengthen higher centers. Be present as you listen to the wonderful sound of the trumpet! Trumpet Concerto, Third Movement by Haydn: https://youtu.be/hb5MSJcBb9o?si=jVDFlV5-YRBM27iS “I hear thee, trumpeter—listening, alert, I catch thy notes.” Walt Whitman Join the discussion Image: Paradise (detail) by Fra Angelico

From our friend Astha in the Toronto Center Weekly Topic: Working with a Teacher Working with an esoteric teacher is working with love personified. It is not the same love that we have for family or friends. It is love on a different level, and we must stretch to reach it. The Teacher can see us and what needs strengthening, what needs eliminating, what needs support... It is his role to lead us in these areas, and this is not always easy for him or for us. Many times, we may

Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Use the following quote, image, and musical selection to bring presence into your day. Badinerie by J.S. Bach: https://youtu.be/9aFUuHIdV1o?si=ZIUVH_nsfg42FUzD “Where words fail, music speaks.” -Hans Christian Anderson Join the discussion Image: Music by Charles Andre van Loo

From our friend Astha in the Toronto Center Weekly Topic: Chief Feature: What is my chief obstacle to awakening? What we do mechanically is mainly our chief feature. Our chief feature blinds us. A chief feature is designed to be transformed through Self-remembering into something divine: your Self. As we manage to relinquish imagination, we also relinquish features. — The Teacher Weekly Exercise: This week when you encounter a small friction in your day (a difficult person, a

Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Use the following quote, image, and musical selection to bring presence into your day. Violin Concerto in G Major by Mozart, First Movement: https://youtu.be/NKSreu0wB7M?si=awvrpBHg8Ojia22g A student asked a Zen Master, ‘I am very discouraged. What should I do?’ The Master replied, ‘Encourage others.’ —Zen Master Join the discussion Image: Two Girls in a Landscape by Johann Nepomuk Ender

From our friend Astha in the Toronto Center Weekly Topic: The Connection Between Conscience and External Consideration Commonly, conscience refers to values and acts as a moral compass. In the Fourth Way, its meaning goes beyond the ideas of right and wrong. External consideration is removing your lower self from an interaction and leaving behind your preconceived thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and attitudes, to consciously act on someone else’s behalf: that is, behaving with c

Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Make space for presence with the following quote, image, and musical selection. Piano Concerto No. 1, Second Movement by Chopin: https://youtu.be/K3h2ZcgF6Ic?si=M83A2GvKTPWFVoxM “Be grateful for the present.” -The Teacher Join the discussion Image: The Stone Bridge by Rembrandt

From our friend Astha in the Toronto Center Weekly Topic: Inner Considering Inner considering is when we identify with what others might be thinking about us, like what others think of how we dress, how we behave. In reality, others are also identified and thinking the same. The lower self actively looks for things to criticize in itself and others. — The Teacher Weekly Exercise This week try to rise above inner considering. When you see yourself having these ‘I’s try to divi

Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Use the following quote, image, and musical selection to create presence. Hold the state as you listen to the wonderful singing and music of Lascia ch’io pianga (Let me Weep) by Handel: https://youtu.be/pYPVn0wURt4?si=MDKNqBvH70a8xSEi “If you are not happy here and now, you will never be.” -Zen Master Join the discussion Image: Venus on the Waves (detail) by François Boucher

From our friend Astha in the Toronto Center Weekly Topic: Controlling the Emotional Center If we could only control the emotional center, then we could observe the unnecessary suffering that the machine generates through negative emotions. Wrong work of the emotional center can cloud one’s vision of reality. On the other hand, when the emotional center is functioning properly and connects to awakening, it can bring us closer to higher states of consciousness. A properly funct

Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Below is a quote, image and musical selection to bring presence into your day. Allow yourself to be present as you listen to Music for a While by Henry Purcell: https://youtu.be/z3Xqn2IZRd8?si=9sLMRMEyvKoz-aro “Do not remain out of tune longer than you can help.” -Marcus Aurelius Join the discussion Image: Manon Balletti by Jean-Marc Nattier

From our friend Astha in the Toronto Center Weekly Topic: Identification What imagination do we identify with and latch onto as we battle the Many ‘I’s of the Lower Self? We witness symbols of identity in our choice of clothing, footwear, hair style, and jewelry to name a few. We identify with beliefs, cultural routines, workplace norms, and social habits. We identify and are identified with the false personality that is nurtured from the moment we are named. Our identificati

From our friend Astha in the Toronto Center Weekly Topic: Intellectual Habits Uncontrolled mind activity—a bad habit of the intellectual (and moving centers)—leads to more uncontrolled mind activity. We call this mechanical manifestation imagination. Weekly Exercise This week, try to notice the distraction and associative thinking emerging from background voices around you or in your head. When you notice this mechanical distractive, associative thinking, divide your attentio

Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Use the following quote, image, and musical selection to bring presence into your day. As you listen to Serenade by Franz Schubert, let the music take you to a higher state: https://youtu.be/1viUagdHYRA?si=TF2meZsqcv03euif “Happy is he who is able to escape from the lower self, and feel the gentle breeze of friendship.” Join the discussion Image: Saint Catherine of Alexandria in Prison by Paolo Veronese

From our friend Astha in Toronto Weekly Topic: Outside Help Awakening from sleep to higher consciousness is facilitated by the help of others. Gurdjieff uses the metaphor that escaping from prison is only possible with the help of others who have escaped. Realizing one is asleep and learning to ask for help are some of the first steps in the Work, first steps in escaping from the prison of sleep. Weekly Exercise This week, be attentive to simple opportunities for outside help

Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Below is a quote, image, and musical selection. Be present as you listen to Romance without Words, Op. 17, No. 3 by Gabriel Fauré: https://youtu.be/kHbqp9L61ZE?si=dDY8tAso3lZuaM44 “Feel that sweetness which cannot be known unless it is experienced.” —Dante Image: The Fountain of Love by Jean-Honoré Fragonard

From our friend Astha in Toronto Weekly Topic Non-identification: Keeping an Even Mind How do you keep an even mind in times of fear, anger, happiness, sadness - some of the many forms of identification? To have light in the heart, regardless of the challenges, is the answer. This requires internal strength. Weekly Exercise To build ‘inner strength muscles,’ pick an area of personal identity, such as your job, and try for a week to not talk about it after work hours. Most peo

Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Use the following quote, image, and musical selection as a reminder to be present. Symphony No. 2 by Jean Sibelius is often associated with struggle and triumph and Sibelius even described this symphony as “a confession of the soul.” As you listen, have the courage to be present. Symphony No. 2, Finale by Jean Sibelius: https://youtu.be/rVzJDgDnKLI?si=WoSbhvfkhiLt2EFa “Being present to your life is real courage—conscious courage.

From our friend Astha in Toronto Weekly Topic: Courage As students, it is courage that opens us to learning and understanding through the exercises, self observation, self-remembering, transformation of suffering, payment, acceptance, gratitude, humility, love, and so many other experiences. With courage we are able to grow and be present to the conscious being within. Undoubtedly, it takes courage to begin the walk and commitment on this path to awakening. Later it takes cou

Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Below is a quote, image, and a musical selection to bring presence into your day. Concerto for Lute in D Major by Antonio Vivaldi: https://youtu.be/S9Edi7MZjTI?si=o_Q9CnfR67LXiE6e “The beauty of music lies in its power to transcend words and touch the soul directly.” —Antonio Vivaldi Join the discussion Image: Damsel with Lute by Wilhelm Nerenz

From our friend Astha in Toronto Weekly Topic Enlightened Men and Women G.I. Gurdjieff, the person most responsible for bringing the Fourth Way to the West, is considered an enlightened Conscious Being. His teachings of Self-Remembering and other exercises have brought students down the path to higher consciousness. As Gurdjieff’s teachings rippled through the Western world, we still see man a century later, as a machine that needs to be awakened to a state of Presence. A pho

Evoke Presence with Impressions Dear friends, Use the following quote, image, and musical selection to create presence. Hold the state as you listen to Prelude in C Major by J.S. Bach: https://youtu.be/iWoI8vmE8bI?si=Nip29AtkmjPrF4Mu “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” J.S. Bach Join the discussion Image: San Giobbe Altarpiece (detail) by Giovanni Bellini

The Grammar of Awakening: A B C Influences Man is a machine. We are like puppets governed and operated by influences in the universe. P.D. Ouspensky categorizes these as A, B, and C Influences. A Influence is created in life like interest in entertainment, cars, fashion, money, politics, career. B Influence is when one is tired of all the desires of life and becomes interested in philosophy or religion. C Influence is a conscious influence and comes from a conscious teacher w

Dear friends, Use the following quote, image, and musical selection to create presence. Let the music take you to a higher state. Etude Op. 25, No. 1 “Aeolian Harp” by Frederic Chopin: https://youtu.be/rrNE9aHJlzw?si=NvuKsG16r3SpjHYS “The soul has been given its own ears to hear things the mind does not understand.” —Rumi Join the discussion Image: La Scapigliata by Leonardo da Vinci

Weekly Topic : Rising Above External Chaos Everyday we are exposed to the noise of external chaos which stirs within us imagination and so many I’s. A maelstrom of negativity, judgment, anger, intolerance… so many emotions of the Lower Self. It is only when we disengage and rise above the noise that our reactions come from a world of Presence. “A man should eliminate not only useless actions, but also useless thoughts” Marcus Aurelio “Be clever and Remember yourself in a univ

From our friend, Jean, in Canada Dear friends, listen to Handel’s beautiful Harp Concerto in B flat major with presence: https://youtu.be/N0ApD6p6IaU?si=Q61OAY3oNMIUW6td Beauty is for the eyes and fades in a while, But goodness is a beauty that lasts forever. — Sappho Join the discussion Personifications of Music and Painting, Andrea Casali

From our friend Astha in Toronto Weekly Topic: Payment On the spiritual journey, payment is first-Later the reward. Payment is accepting what life has brought you in any given moment for the purpose of being present to it and not lost in it. Suffering is a form of payment and the transformation of that suffering in Higher Centers is the reward. “Not all storms come to destroy your life, some come to clean your path.” Seneca “We do not suppress suffering, we appear, transformi

Dear friends, listen to the following music with presence. Impromptu Op. 90, No. 3 by Franz Schubert: https://youtu.be/LUp2u9wI1fY?si=vD9F2f-IcZpynQmd If you understand, things are just as they are. If you do not understand, things are just as they are. —Zen Master From our friend Jean Z of the Toronto Center. Join the discussion Six Persimmons, Muqi

From our friend Astha in Toronto Center Weekly Topic: Knowledge and Being Knowledge and Being are like two parallel lines. It is Knowledge that we amass but it is Self-Remembrance that raises our level of consciousness and level of Being. Understanding emerges as a result of Knowledge and Being. Our teacher, through his knowledge and Presence, shares understanding and Being. “Knowledge is the food of the soul.” Plato "Working with esoteric knowledge little by little every day

From our friend, Jean Z. Dear friends, use the following music to raise your state and bring you to presence. Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C Minor by J.S. Bach: https://youtu.be/ZIaiB9X2LGs?si=mJcllDPA4WB8ZnYN “The higher one’s state, the sweeter and simpler it is.” -The Teacher Join the discussion Image: Spring (detail) by Botticelli

From our friend Astha in Toronto Center Weekly Topic: Functions vs State All our life, the Lower Self is lost in functions. Each of the four centers execute movement, emotion and thought. A State is consciousness that is not impeded by the mechanics of our self and its functions. It is an experience that transcends the Lower Self and is higher and unique to each of us. “Our Higher Centers are not our lower functions. Surprisingly, they make their way because they are real and

From our friend, Jean Z. Dear friends, be present as you listen to An die Musik by Franz Schubert: https://youtu.be/0wn5xM4II7M?si=APKKdibl1w6AnCwa Text of An die Musik (To Music): Beloved art, in how many a bleak hour, when I am enmeshed in life’s tumultuous round, have you kindled my heart to the warmth of love, and borne me away to a better world! Often a sigh, escaping from your harp, a sweet, celestial chord has revealed to me a heaven of happier times. Beloved art, for

From our friend Astha in Toronto Center Weekly Topic: Moving Center The movements of our body, instinctual in nature, are in fact learned behaviors beginning in infancy. In any given moment, it is nearly impossible to be aware of the mechanicality of the Moving Center. Can we be intentional in our movements? Do we actually notice our steps; our arms gestures (gesticulation); the use of so many of our motor skills? Do we go through our daily activities asleep to what we do and

From our friend, Jean Z. Dear friends, be present as you listen to Mozart’s Divertimento in D Major: https://youtu.be/qVKpF8KNoOA?si=-PU-eISHzNnfpVh2 “When you accept yourself, the universe accepts you.” -Lao Tzu Join the discussion Image: Portrait of a Young Woman by Sandro Botticelli

Fresh Efforts If you asked me to choose the most important effort in the Work, I would have to say it is self-remembering. The effort to remember myself is always a priority, and under most circumstances, I need to initiate it. It requires effort, a fresh effort to start it. Resolve to be always beginning—to be a beginner! ─ Rainer Maria Rilke The idea of beginning, making a new beginning, making things afresh, connects to self-remembering because such efforts are recurring.

From our friend, Jean Z. Dear friends, let us make an effort to be present with the music. Strike the Viol by Henry Purcell: https://youtu.be/9M838EiInnQ?si=S5mV6ZNR4cicFC1q Strike the viol, touch the lute, Wake the harp, inspire the flute. Sing your patroness’s praise, In cheerful and harmonious lays. -Nahum Tate Join the discussion Image: La Camargo Dancing by Nicolas Lancret

From Our Friend Astha in Toronto Center Weekly Topic: Useless Talk When we speak, the tone of our words often reveal our emotions at any given moment. For most of the day, our words are mechanical and are spoken in sleep. When we are in Presence, we are able to be the observer of our words. Do we talk with clarity, love and compassion? Or do we tend to espouse our view until we are satisfied that we are heard? Is unnecessary talk an obstacle to presence? As our teacher says,

From our friend, Jean Z. Dear friends, listen to the music with presence. Sicilienne for Cello and Piano by Fauré: https://youtu.be/aDAqLoyjTuA?si=2UlcbHggOAnOZWqd “Practice the sweet music of an active life.” -Aristocles Join the discussion Image: The Musicians by Caravaggio