"In speaking of evolution it is necessary to understand from the outset that no mechanical evolution is possible. The evolution of man is the evolution of his consciousness. And 'consciousness' cannot evolve unconsciously. The evolution of man is the evolution of his will, and 'will' cannot evolve involuntarily. The evolution, of man is the evolution of his power of doing, and 'doing' cannot be the result of things which 'happen.'”
— Gurdjieff, ISOTM
THE ALCHEMY OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Gurdjieff’s system teaches a way of Self-Evolution -- a Self-Evolution carried out primarily through the increase of one’s Consciousness. That is, a follower of the Fourth Way develops his Consciousness, in order to raise the level of his Being and Knowledge. Consciousness, according to Gurdjieff, is a material substance, and Gurdjieff lays out specific steps one can take to increase Consciousness. The first step for greater Consciousness is to “Remember Oneself”, aka. “the first conscious shock".
What is Remembering Oneself? It is an intentional action involving one’s Perceptions, wherein one is Aware of oneself in daily life. Essentially, it requires a “doubling” of one’s Consciousness; of being simultaneously aware both outwardly towards one’s environment, and also at the same time back in towards one’s Self. It is this doubling which provides the so-called “shock” — or necessary energy — needed to allow “impressions” to be “digested”, or rather “transmuted”. In other words Self-Remembering allows us to better perceive or “see” what we are focusing on. And our focus can be on the environment outside of us, or on our Mind within us.
Initially, in attempting to Self-Remember, it is easiest and most convenient to be Self-Aware of one’s physical body. We are attempting to Remember our “Self”, and one’s body is the most obvious representation of one’s Self. But Gurdjieff’s system is about the development of the Inner Man, the inner Self, and ultimately in Self-Remembering the idea is to redirect one’s Awareness inwards to one’s Mind.
Along with Self-Remembering, or as a part of it, it is also necessary to “Observe Oneself”. Observing Oneself and Remembering Oneself go hand in hand; and are the keys which begin the process of gaining a greater Consciousness and elevating one’s Being and Knowledge. Self-Observation is a method of self analysis with which Self-Remembering is entwined, both actions affecting the other within one's psychology.
THE ALCHEMY OF SELF-REMEMBERING
"…in order to become free, man must gain inner freedom.”
— Gurdjieff, In Search, chapter 6
“Remembering Oneself” is an alchemy of the body and mind — both of which are made up of matters, which Gurdjieff calls “Hydrogens”. Specific Hydrogens are involved in the process of “Self-Remembering” itself, and other new Hydrogens are created as a result of Self-Remembering. Ultimately, in order to create Higher Bodies (the Astral, Mental, and Divine) for onself, one must understand the whole process of Self-Remembering (the internal alchemy). One must also be able to sense the different parts of one’s mind involved, and be able to isolate and recognize the Hydrogens acting inside one’s body, and know them by name (e.g. “Do 192”, or “carbon 12”).
All of these names of Hydrogens can be found on the Food Transformation Chart, in Ouspensky’s In Search of the Miraculous (p. 190). The Food Transformation Chart is a diagram which summarizes the digestion or “transmutation” of the three “Foods” which Man takes in. These “Foods” are: ordinary food, air, and impressions. Ouspensky’s exposition of the Transmutation of Foods is difficult to follow for beginners, I have found. I recommend instead, first turning to Maurice Nicoll, and reading the five chapters called “On Hydrogens”, starting at p. 181 (vol. 1) of his Commentaries. This is a much easier introduction for deciphering Ouspensky’s Food Chart.
The Foods Transformation Chart of Gurdjieff above. There are three levels, denoting the three levels of a human being: lower, chest, and head. The syllables “do”, on the left side, represent the intake of a “food”: edible food (do 768) in the stomach, air (do 192) in the chest area, and impressions (do 48) in the head.
Self-Remembering is essentially a solution to a very serious problem: that we are not truly aware of the impressions which enter us. We generally acknowledge the environment around us, but we are basically just marking time, rather than completely engaging — intellectually, emotionally, and physically — in the symphony around and within us.
The reason we aren't aware, according to Gurdjieff’s system, is because of one fundamental thing: we lack a certain specific “chemical” at a point in our mind, that’s needed to transform the impressions we receive. That is, we can’t “digest” our impressions (the Food of impressions).
The act of Remembering Oneself is an “artificial” way to intentionally overcome the blockage in our perceptions, and help us to become more conscious. However the process of Self-Remembering is also dependent on a continuous supply of this specific missing “chemical”, which it uses in its “alchemy”. So again, we are faced with the hurdle of this particular missing substance, in carrying out our Self-Development.
THE ALCHEMY OF SEX
“Q. Do we have to produce Carbon 12, or is it in the organism?
A. …we must bring [Carbon 12] from one part of the machine to another part—and this means special effort. We will not know we are doing it, but by making this special effort we will be bringing Carbon 12 from one place to another. But, of course, if there is not enough in the body we cannot bring it there. If you have money, you can put it in one pocket or another, but if you have none you cannot—it is quite simple.”
— Ouspensky, The Fourth Way
The Fourth Way system generally doesn’t say a lot about the Alchemy involved in Self-Remembering, and the "chemical" or “Hydrogen” which is missing at that point. There are hints in the literature here and there; but ultimately one must use one’s inner experience to discover the nature of the Alchemy of Self-Remembering, not to mention the pathway to Higher Bodies. Certainly one can refer to Ouspensky's Food Chart to track the movement of Hydrogens; but what exactly is this missing Hydrogen?
The substance is called "carbon 12": "carbon" meaning it has a positive charge or force to it, and "12" referring to the level the substance is at. However, for now this information concerning the missing "chemical" is unimportant. The real question is, where can this substance be found? The answer is that it is in the human body; however it is not in the head, where it needs to be, in order to help us perceive impressions. This “12” substance is all located in the lower part of the body; and it is the substance or energy which fuels the Sex Center.
The human body, according to Gurdjieff’s system, can be divided into three levels. The first level, everything below the level of the chest, initiates the digestion of ordinary food. The second level at the chest level breathes, and thereby initiates the transformation or “digestion” of air. And the third level or level of the head takes in “impressions”, initiating their “digestion” or transformation.
What is the missing substance called “carbon 12”? To make things simple, the digestion of ordinary food is the only natural process which creates something called a “12” Hydrogen. All of that 12 Hydrogen ends up located in our first level or the lower part of the body. However it is the top, head level, unfortunately, which needs some of that “12” substance to facilitate the digestion of our incoming impressions (called Do 48).
So there are really three problems to solve: making sure there is a sufficient supply of “Si 12” — or Energy of Sex — in the first place; then bringing the “12” substance up to the top, head level where it’s needed; and finally making it accessible for use in our mind. Since “Si 12” is the energy primarily used by the Sex Center, it’s therefore not a suitable substance for use, in that particular form, with the innermost parts of our Mind. When Si 12 (Sex Energy) is brought in to the area of the mind, it’s nature must be changed into a form of psychic energy — having no more characteristics of the energy of sex in it at that point. This is a primary reason for retaining a substantial degree of “brahmacharya” in one’s life.
Why is H 12 (or “Hydrogen 12”) so important? Well two reasons. H 12 is the highest, most spiritual substance made by the body on its own, and it is used for all of our higher functioning. Also, it’s the primary energy which the Sex Center works with. It’s a very powerful energy, which is one reason why humans spend so much of their time thinking about sex. But, as the act of producing a child is also known as a “Sacred Act”, the Sex Center needs the highest, most spiritual energy available in order to function at that high level. A child is none other than a being from on High! However one can as well use the energy of H 12 to make a different kind of “sacred child”, within oneself: that is, one can create a “Higher Body”.
SELF-EVOLUTION: STARTING OUT
“For there are eunuchs who were born that way,
and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—
and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.
The one who can accept this should accept it.“
— Jesus
Gurdjieff expressed definite views concerning sex, in Ouspensky’s In Search. As well, Gurdjieff’s own sex life has received much publicity, nothing of which I will repeat here. In the end, I have found it most productive to think for myself and develop my own views on sex. Likely, the reader has little interest in my views on the subject, especially considering I have as many flaws as the next man. But I do feel led to say something about the relation of sex to Self-Evolution. No, I’m not going to say that a completely evolved Man (a man on level 7 or even 8) never has sex. Though, that could be the case.
What is logical and (perhaps) self-evident within Gurdjieff’s system, however — and which one can try for oneself, if one wants — is that there is a conscious choice one can make; to either use the energy of Si 12 for ordinary sex, or to use it for the process of Self-Remembering, as carbon 12. It is a matter of where one decides to direct one’s energy. Certainly there is a way to balance the requirements of a committed relationship with the requirements of Spiritual Work. But whether in a relationship or single, there should preferably be a space for any person to develop one’s Inner Self. If a person is healthy spiritually, then he/she will also be happy; and those to whom he/she is connected will then feel happier as well.
BECOMING A “NEW MAN”
“Brahmacharya brings material progress and psychic advancement. It is the basis for morality. It is the basis for eternal life. It is a spring flower that exhales immortality from its petals. It is the shield for waging war against the internal Asuras—lust, anger and greed. It serves as a gateway to the bliss beyond. It opens the door of Moksha.”
— Sri Swami Sivananda
I will also say a little here about emotions and sex. Gurdjieffians talk a lot about negative emotions, and for good reason. The theory goes (in the system) that the Emotional Center doesn’t actually have a negative side. And that our “negative” emotions we manifest do harm to ourselves. There is a truth to this, in that the so-called “negative” actions or words or even thoughts we express end up getting stored away in our bodies and minds, where they exist as tensions. And also in that these stored negativities eventually come out again and again as further negative actions, words, and thoughts.
This is the psychological version of samsara: the Buddhist ever-turning wheel of life and death, which one can never escape. And which is fueled by the three poisons of ignorance, anger, and lust. The Fourth Way system doesn’t refer to this Buddhist wheel, of course. However Gurdjieffians do, surprisingly, often refer to “metanoia”, or repentance, or as Nicoll likes to translate it, “a change of mind”. Metanoia is a technique for addressing the negativities stored in the body and mind, which originate from one’s past actions. Metanoia, or repentance, is a way to become conscious of the negative predispositions within oneself, confront them, and then to resolve them.
I personally have found that metanoia is most effective, although also most difficult, when I search within my emotions for these stored “past deeds”. Although a “change of mind” is important to carry out intellectually, the emotions also definitely harbor the effects of one’s past indiscretions. The problems we store in the Emotional Center are often unconscious, I’ve found. And resolving these unconscious “emotional knots” helps to also resolve issues in the Intellectual Center, and the Sex Center.
TAKING THE FIRST STEPS
“What may be called the 'astral body' is obtained by means of fusion, that is, by means of terribly hard inner work and struggle. Man is not born with it. And only very few men acquire an 'astral body. Fusion, inner unity, is obtained by means of 'friction,' by the struggle between 'yes' and 'no' in man. If a man lives without inner struggle, if everything happens in him without opposition, if he goes wherever he is drawn or wherever the wind blows, he will remain such as he is. But if a struggle begins in him, and particularly if there is a definite line in this struggle, then, gradually, permanent traits begin to form themselves, he begins to 'crystallize.'”
— Gurdjieff, ISOTM
The best Aim one can have initially in the path for Higher Bodies is simply to try to Remember Oneself. Then adding the benefit of Self-Observation is also important. Next, attaching the power of “metanoia” to that clears up the body and mind, and increases the potency of Self-Observation. Finally, instituting a minimum amount of sexual continence stabilizes one’s Mind, allows it to turn inwards, and facilitates the storage and flow of the necessary energy. These would make up a good tool box for any start on the Fourth Way. For a textbook, one could purchase the Commentaries by Nicoll and resolve to read one of his essays a day.
“A man must work from love of the work. This brings Hydrogen 12 up to the place of incoming impressions. Incoming impressions are Hydrogen 48. Hydrogen 12 is not present naturally at this point in the human machine. It has to be brought up to this point. If a person takes life as usual, in the ordinary way—that is, always receives impressions in the same mechanical way and speaks from them in the same mechanical way and acts from them in the same mechanical way—then nothing can change in the person. Such people cannot evolve. They do not see where the point of working on themselves lies. They think work is something outside them. A person must bring a very powerful hydrogen to the point where impressions are coming in. This is Hydrogen 12.”
— Nicoll, COM p. 60
I hope this essay somewhat clarifies the first steps in the path to Higher Bodies. These are some of the mechanics of the Alchemy of Self-Remembering. Self-Remembering is a method to begin to transmute our Consciousness, Thoughts, and Emotions. In the next blog, I’d like to write about what I call the Metaphysics of Self-Remembering. There is a structure to the mind I’d like to talk about, which one should know about for Self-Remembering. Self-Remembering has the ability to make positive aspects of our Mind permanent, if we so desire. And Self-Remembering has within it the seed of the secret “Second Conscious Shock”, which I will begin to unveil next time.
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