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
Remember you come here having already understood the necessity of struggling with yourself β only with yourself. Therefore thank everyone who gives you the opportunity.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and gratitude for life's challenges.
G. I. Gurdjieff's quote suggests that we enter life aware of the inner struggles we will face. It encourages us to appreciate those who challenge us, as they provide essential opportunities for personal growth and self-awareness. Recognizing that our greatest battles are often within ourselves allows us to thank those who play a role in our development.
In practice
Use this quote in a motivational speech about overcoming personal obstacles.
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.
Conscious faith is freedom. Emotional faith is slavery. Mechanical faith is foolishness.
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.
Laughter relieves us of superfluous energy, which, if it remained unused, might become negative, that is, poison. Laughter is the antidote.
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.
In order to understand the interrelation of truth and falsehood in life, a man must understand falsehood in himself, the constant incessant lies he tells himself.
You can fool a lot of yourself but you can't fool the soul.
Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.
Our 'normal' 'adjusted' state is too often the abdication of ecstasy, the betrayal of our true potentialities.
Our business in life is not to succeed, but to continue to fail in good spirits.
I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.
A man of sense only trifles with them, plays with them, humors and flatters them, as he does with a sprightly and forward child; but he neither consults them about, nor trusts them with, serious matters.
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