Many I’s

We are continuing our exploration of Gurdjieff's psychological idea of many I's. As a lens for self-observation we are invited to notice what partial impulse is claiming to represent the whole of ourselves.

For instance we can look to the centers. When is it the body that speaks eg I am hungry, cold, tired, etc; when is it the emotions eg I am happy, angry, jealous, impatient etc; and when is it the mind eg I think, believe, opine, assert etc. 

I test the hypothesis by observing and seeing this phenomenon in myself. In our meeting I gave an example from my own life -- seeing myself closing the dishwasher, feeling something in the way and knowing I should slow down and find the source; at the same time another I was in a hurry and pushed the door shut, breaking off a piece of the dishwasher. At that moment, I saw both I's together and thus they were introduced to one another. With the shock of the mistake I was able to feel remorse and a wish to elevate the I that conducts more sensitivity, responsiveness, and attention. 

An aim of our work with this is to allow our will to work through the whole of ourselves rather than being usurped and fragmented by myriad, isolated impulses and features. 

To support this self study we are suggesting a being effort. Between now and the next meeting (including Thanksgiving!) avoid using the personal pronoun in speech. This effort will interrupt the mechanical processes and bring attention to what impulse is speaking for the whole in the particular instance. 

Try to set aside a regular period of time for concentrated inner work each morning. Try to sense your hands for intentional periods of time during the day. Self-observation is truly transformative but without a being-effort there is no observation, only thoughts.