Oops. I accidentally sent this out as paid yesterday. Here it is for all.
Now let us take an example of the application of the Work-ideas to yourself. You are told, for instance, to observe and not identify with negative emotions. Such work on oneself belongs to the First Line of Work. But if you never really observe yourself, you are perhaps sure that you are never negative, and unless you see that you are negative you cannot begin to work on yourself.
Remember that if you become negative, say, full of envy, hatred, malice, etc., it is always your fault, not the fault of the person who, say, said something unpleasant. When my wife and I went to the Institute in France we were told: "Remember here Personality has scarcely any right to exist." And the saying put up in the theater that we built ourselves all through a harsh winter was: "Always remember you are here having already understood the necessity of contending only with yourself. Thank everyone who affords you the opportunity."
Maurice Nicoll, “The Work Teaching About Man as a Self-Developing Organism” in Psychological Commentaries on the Teaching of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky (Vol. 4, p. 1260).
Working Note: For Today’s Inner Effort
Orientation: Take negative reactions as material for Work.
What to Notice:
Blaming another person for your state.
Inner justification of resentment.
Wanting recognition or agreement.
A negative emotion beginning after a small friction.
Work Effort for Today:
Do not justify the negative state.
Pause and observe it as your own.
Thank the moment inwardly before speaking.
Remember that Personality need not answer everything.
Remember: The opportunity for Work appears through friction with others.
