In the Work, relationship is important. Work relationship is impossible without external considering. In general we must approach one another through the medium of the Work. The Work and its teachings must lie between you and the other person. You must look at one another through the common window of the Work. You must be related through the common valuation of the Work—but quite practically—by working.
When two people in the Work quarrel, they have a great deal of work to do. They may not be ready for it, in which case sore places will be made, just as in life. They may refuse to work on themselves or in connection with one another: they then will both internally consider, both think they are owed, both think that the other should apologize. Of course if you do not work on yourself and just live and do nothing extra, the Work cannot become Third Force for you. Third Force is relating force. In this case life will be Third Force and life divides, whereas the Work should unite.
Maurice Nicoll, “Internal Considering and External Considering” in Psychological Commentaries on the Teaching of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky (Vol. 1, p. 267).
Working Note: For Today’s Inner Effort
Orientation: Bring the Work between yourself and another person.
What to Notice:
A quarrel continuing inwardly after it is over.
Waiting for the other person to change first.
Feeling owed an apology.
Internal considering replacing remembrance of the Work.
Work Effort for Today:
In a moment of friction, remember the Work.
Observe your own reaction first.
Do not make an internal account.
Leave space for external considering.
Remember: Bring the Work between yourself and the other person.
