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It takes courage to read this book, since it challenges all notions of freedom, justice, and even salvation. "All the people you see, all the people you know, all the people you may get to know, are machines, actual machines working solely under the power of external influences, as you yourself said. Machines they are born and machines they die." A bleak assessment of modern life, but it offers a solution. New Age big-mouths have been stealing Ouspensky's ideas and his former mentor Gurdjieff's ideas for decades. These would-be gurus are now in the process of distorting these ideas, turning them into pop-psychology, even jewelry of the most superficial type. But the original ideas are still there, and the possibility of escape from this illusion still exists. The work is dense and at times difficult. There is a corresponding tradition within the international groups that carry on The Work, but a good first step is to read the books and then learn to doubt. Here is an electrifying quote from Gurdjieff to move you out of your chair: "You do not realize your own situation. You are in prison. All you can wish for, if you are a sensible man, is to escape. But how? No one can escape from prison without the help of those who have escaped before. An organization is necessary."Read full review
This book makes Jesus Christ more accessible by helping one see through the illusions about oneself thereby enhancing clarity of understanding of reality. One can awaken to see life from a level of consciousness significantly above that of everyday life. Man is currently asleep but he can awaken to a state of real consciousness. Because man is currently asleep, he is blind to just how asleep he is..
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This book is really a must-read for anyone interested in esoteric spirituality. Ouspensky does a great job of being objective and sharing his doubts as he learns about the miraculous within. This allows the reader to form their own questions instead of accepting anything blindly. The ideas in this book are not meant to be accepted as beliefs but to be considered as possibilities that sharpen the mind. Of course the book points to an inner evolution far beyond just the mind, but Ouspensky starts from an intellectual standpoint. Ouspensky's conversations with Gurdjieff are always thought-provoking. Just the effort to understand the essence of what is said on the pages of this book will open the mind to new ideas, new questions, new perspectives.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Reading this is, without any doubt, the second most life changing books I’ve ever read but beware, knowledge is not always easy to receive or assimilate.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This book remains one of the most life-changing experiences in my life!I read it when I was in my early 20s.It lead me to acquire and read(several times, all of George Gurdjieff's books).I have read Castaneda's work(all books,4 times).In my early 30s I took Silva Mind Control,then many NLP courses (and books).About 7 yrs ago I started reviewing the NLP courses and got involved with alanon.Several months ago I joined Toastmasters.I don't know what is ahead,but i feel these experiences have already given me several lives and noticably increased my personal power. Dale(or as I call myself in certain situations DARE).
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