A Series of Discussions:
                 The Teachings of 
             G.I. GURDJIEFF
                           and the 
Struggle for a Meaningful Existence

How to Understand Self-Study?

• June 27 · 6:30 PM 
• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, East Liberty
  2nd Floor Meeting Room
  130 Whitfield Street
  Pittsburgh, PA 15206 

We have scheduled two more discussions on the following dates:  July 11th and  July25th.  These meetings will also be on Tuesday evening (6:30-8:00) at the East Liberty Carnegie Library.


THE MEANING OF SELF-STUDY

A soon we begin to question ourselves about our own identity and nature, either as a result of shocks in life or under the influence of exceptional moments, the question arises as to whether, instead of giving ourselves up more or less completely to events and thus to a course of evolution which we cannot control at all, there might not be in that evolution something which depends on us and could be influenced by us.
Thus it becomes obvious that the wish to be fully himself will not leave a man completely unaffected, and his first necessity, which is as urgent as the organic need to eat, should be to-find out if something in this direction is effectively possible for him, and in what way.

In the beginning, the only thing that can be asked of a man who engages in this search is that he should understand the necessity of making his way tirelessly along the path whatever happens, and that he should understand that nothing but self-study, rightly conducted, can lead him to self-knowledge and the great Knowledge.

                                                                           -- Jean Vaysse,  "Toward Awakening"

A Series of Discussions:
               The Teachings of 
           G.I. GURDJIEFF
                      and the 
Struggle for a Meaningful Existence

What is Work On Oneself?

• June 13 · 6:30 PM 
• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, East Liberty
  2nd Floor Meeting Room
  130 Whitfield Street
  Pittsburgh, PA 15206

We have scheduled an additional three discussions on the following dates.  All of these meetings will be on Tuesday evenings (6:30-8:00) at the East Liberty Carnegie Library.

• June 27th
• July 11th
• July 25th

Previously, we began with the topic The wish to be myself; then, To be myself begins with self-knowledge; and lastly, Self-knowledge begins with work on oneself.
On June 13th, we'll continue this line of development with What is work on oneself?
Work on oneself has a number of aspects.  The realization of our possibilities first depends upon our active participation.  Intentional effort is necessary, as we open to the question, what is required?

I do not know myself. I begin to feel I must come to a moment of Presence that is more complete. What I need above all is to have an impression—as deep as possible—of myself. . . .
We need to see what is in the way, and we need to understand why receiving an impression is so difficult. It is not because I do not wish to receive it. It is because I am not able. I am always closed, whatever the circumstances of life. At times, maybe for a flash I am open to an impression. But almost immediately I react. The impression is automatically associated with other things and the reaction comes. The button is pushed and this or that thought, emotion or gesture must follow. I cannot help it, first of all because I do not see it. My reaction cuts me off from the impression, as well as from the reality it represents. This is the barrier, the wall. In reacting, I close. 

                                                            - Madame De Salzmann,  "The Reality of Being"