The evolution of man is the evolution of his consciousness, and 'consciousness' cannot evolve unconsciously. The evolution of man is the evolution of his will, and 'will' cannot evolve involuntarily.
G. I. GurdjieffRead
Religion is doing; a man does not merely think his religion or feel it, he 'lives' his religion as much as he is able, otherwise it is not religion but fantasy or philosophy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Religion is an active practice rather than just thoughts or feelings.
This quote emphasizes the idea that true religion is demonstrated through actions and a way of living, rather than through mere belief or emotional experience. It suggests that without active participation in and embodiment of religious principles, one's understanding of religion may be superficial, akin to philosophical speculation rather than lived experience.
Themes
ReligionActionBeliefPhilosophyPractice
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of active faith, one might say, 'As G. I. Gurdjieff stated, Religion is doing; we must live our beliefs.'
More from G. I. Gurdjieff
All quotes →Conscious faith is freedom. Emotional faith is slavery. Mechanical faith is foolishness.
G. I. GurdjieffRead
Remember you come here having already understood the necessity of struggling with yourself — only with yourself. Therefore thank everyone who gives you the opportunity.
G. I. GurdjieffRead
It is the greatest mistake to think that man is always one and the same. A man is never the same for long. He is continually changing. He seldom remains the same even for half an hour.
G. I. GurdjieffRead
Laughter relieves us of superfluous energy, which, if it remained unused, might become negative, that is, poison. Laughter is the antidote.
G. I. GurdjieffRead
If a man could understand all the horror of the lives of ordinary people who are turning around in a circle of insignificant interests and insignificant aims, if he could understand what they are losing, he would understand that there can only be one thing that is serious for him - to escape from the general law, to be free. What can be serious for a man in prison who is condemned to death? Only one thing: How to save himself, how to escape: nothing else is serious.
G. I. GurdjieffRead
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Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man living in the sky.
George CarlinRead