When the Self Experiences Itself

Without self-knowledge, without understanding the working and functions of his machine, man cannot be free, he cannot govern himself and he will always remain a slave.
(G. I. Gurdjieff)

                                Self            self
 
Conscious              Holiness     "I"

Subconscious        Tao         nature/soul


We spiritual travelers contemplate the Self - that's what defines a religion or a spiritual path. Yet, there is little we can consciously do to experience this Force. Except perhaps by cutting out interferences along the Way and learning how to be still. Just as the Bible says, "Be still and know that I am God."

The conscious self is our perception of the "I". We have a notion of ourself and we can  observe how this notion is changing over time. By putting God - the Self - on an altar we are unfortunately caught in the yin and yang of duality. We are bound to alternate between our notion of Heaven and hell. That's what the ego does, playing merry-go-around games with itself while drowning out the communication channel with God that is always present. Blessed are those who consciously perceive the self and are fine with what they see and experience. If you have reached this wholeness to experience that stage you probably are already walking the Way.

The subconscious Self is the Force we should keep our eyes on in the spiritual community. When we talk about the Tao - the Way - and synchronicity then that's exactly that, little nudges of connectedness that the Self sends to experience itSelf. This happens in interactions with people, "coincidences", or often as a thought or a memory that conveniently pops up just at the right time. It is a magnificent experience. Everyone who is on a spiritual journey is bound to experience this Force.

The subconscious self is harder for us spiritual travelers to deal with. We frown on some longings and fight the stuff that comes to the surface. Biological programs, suppressed longings, preferences and aversions; let's accept our nature, what else can we do anyway?
There is so much wisdom in our body - our nature is the communication channel of our soul. Honor every feeling and action just as much as you respect your thoughts.

The unconscious - by definition - is something that can't be analyzed; it can't be willed and can't be schemed. First allow the stuff the hides beneath bubble to the surface to find                                               out what it is you are dealing with. The psychologist G. I. Gurdjieff had a little trick to get this stuff out. He made a group of students completely drunk and then - with the help of creative dances and targeted provocations - helped them to "let it all hang out".

We have no problems with the "reasonable" desires and we are not shy about expressing them, yet, what about the stuff our community frowns upon? The lust, the greed, the anger or the lack of love. They too want to be expressed. Why do you think life confronts you with the situations that trigger these emotions and reactions. No one wants you to be irresponsible and act against the notion of your Self, but there also has to be an understanding that the Self is exactly that - a notion of holiness. The system beneath may have a different vision. Find a way to bring the two belief system in unity. When the Self merges with the self and when the Way becomes your nature you are finally Home.