Evolution of Consciusness(Post 26)-Multiple 'I' & Gurdjieff's Self Remembering

Multiple 'I' and Gurdjieff's Self Remembering

 

In the last post we saw about False Personalities and the Self Remembering as a tool to

fix it.

As we have already mentioned, one can not begin with ‘what is True I or True-Self?’

It is only an idea or concept.

So, one should begin with what one is – Multiple  I or  Personalities.

Practically everyone has Personalities, Roles based on the culture and society.

It is unavoidable and necessary as a survival strategy.

Problem is identifying them as the Self itself beyond their purpose and utility.

What we call False Personalities is, which are uncontrollable, Mechanical, Strong Likes

and Dislikes, imaginary needs  and also self-images based on ideas, interests and

ambition.

They are considered false for:

What is Uncontrollable can not belong to the person.

What is Mechanical can not be ‘conscious’.

Strong likes and dislikes create prejudices, the perception is not ‘Actual’ or ‘Fact’.

Imaginary Needs are not actual Needs but learnt or cultivated.

Self Images are imaginary, imposed or cultivated and limiting factors – limiting the

perception of a situation and subsequent Response.

Let us consider some imaginary simple situations.

If one is Thirsty, actual need is Water; one may LIKE to drink COKE. -  An imaginary

need.

Wrist watch is a needed accessory but a Diamond studded watch could be based on

advancing one’s Self-Image.

A Car could be a necessity but buying a premium luxury car beyond the means could be

based on the Idea of Social Status with respect to a neighbor.

Real life situations are numerous, many of them complex, but most of the

decisions are based on ‘images’ and the actions are mechanical.

We are not suggesting abstinence or austerity of any kind but only to become conscious

(Self Remembering).

Normally, a person is completely enveloped by the Personalities, whatever he sees, hears

or do are through the personalities according to its prejudices, likes, dislikes and images.

And, most of the responses are Mechanical – not aware.

This aspect has to be realized by the person - what he perceives is not necessarily   

‘Actual’ but could be a ‘View’ of the personality.

If the Personality is modified, then the view changes.

So., it is ‘Personalities’ that make decisions, that rejoices and also suffer.

Now,

If one is surrounded by theses Images, one require a vantage point from where detached

Observation is possible.

For that,

Among the multiple ‘I’s and Personalities, one can establish one more ‘I’.

 Its feature is ‘I, not to be I ‘– that is, it won’t yield or resist the Personalities but

Will watch.

This will serve as a vantage point to observe the other ‘I’s in action.

This is an aid to ‘Self-Remembering’.

Initially, it won’t be present all the time, but gradually it will become stable.

One has to work on it; UNDER ANY situation first thought should be ‘Self-

Remembering’, even while reading this text.

Over time,

This ‘I’ will establish itself and act as a Watch Tower without being influenced.

This will prepare the ground for the True “I” to appear.