Source Text
The word work for us means active attention, free from all my concerns, and subtle enough, perhaps, to join for a moment the Intelligence of the cosmos. Seeing objectively, being present, related to higher energies—all these are prominent themes.
All my thoughts, feelings, ideas are nothing compared to this precious treasure, this quality of energy that is not mine but what I AM.”
“There is a secret consciousness contained in the silence, hidden from ordinary mind. Recognize what is there—I AM—this life-energy coming into me. This tree… when I am quiet in myself, and I look at this tree,” here he smiles, “we are already in Paradise.” At dinner he speaks of “an original state for human beings: active attention in the mind, a sensitive body, vibrating feeling.” He adds, “This is normal man. This is conscious man. But something must come from me—intensity of attention, capacity to stay.”
“Freedom is first of all freedom from identification…. To learn not to identify, man must first of all not be identified with himself.” When is it ever not about me?
Jean-Claude says, “There is no problem with the higher consciousness. It is always there. But it is blocked. The space is always occupied by beliefs, thoughts, emotions; protecting my image of myself. Beliefs are of no use. Only this active awareness.” Can the energy animating my body become more important than my thought? “Direct perception instantly bypasses all the old channels,” Jean-Claude continues. “True silence: silence of the mind. Receptive to a finer material, this force, which requires an activation of consciousness. A mobilization again and again. The rest is ideas, philosophy. Mr. Gurdjieff was a very smart man. He put out the bait, but the bait has poison in it.”
Peter Brook says, “We have become experts in what isn’t. Now we begin to see what is. And everything is different.”
“I need to come every second to a deep, strong contact with this Intelligence. Submit to it, let it penetrate you,” says Jean-Claude. “…Always it’s about quality of effort. From that, quantity will come. If the quality is not there, mind goes back to yesterday’s memories, imagination, psychology—but am I present now?”
Seeing at each moment: not so easy when talking or moving, but something sees how I am. Then it becomes possible for Attention to flow through. A level of intensity can come by opening again and again to Presence. If I am near, I go deeper into that dimension. If I am far away, I come back.
All My Beliefs Are Nothing I do not need to “get something.” That is not it. Not something in the future. But the process of opening to the Attention now. Must respect this finer Intelligence, aware of it. We have the structure to receive it. And then can respect it in others—sacred community—caring for this common treasure. Must respect that in myself, in others, not demanding, not pushing. Consciousness in everything.
All my ideas, beliefs, about Work are nothing. It is all just ordinary mind, not what transforms.
AI Summary
Being Attention by Fran Shaw presents key insights from the Gurdjieff tradition. The 10 passages above capture the essential teachings.
Core Themes:
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Key Passages: Highlights 1, 3, and 10 are particularly representative.
This entry was generated from Readwise highlights. Expand with additional context as appropriate.