The Mystery of Individual Development: Understanding in the Work

You may be sure that once your evaluation of the Work is strong enough and you hear it enough and reflect upon it enough, you will see gradually unfolding the mystery of your own development. This mystery is different in each person. That is why it is so important not to compare yourself with other people. A great deal of negative emotion arises from comparison. Remember always that the Work is equally difficult for everyone and that it does not become easier. It is always difficult. And yet it is not too difficult if one will remember enough and maintain a certain inner strength of will in regard to it.

The greatest force that we can create in the Work is understanding. You must build your inner Work on yourself up on the affirmation of the moments of understanding that you have had and not let yourself be shaken too much by outer events, whether in the Work or in life, that seem to contradict what you understand yourself. In no other way can the individual development take place. Remember that a growth of understanding can only come when new knowledge is applied to your own being.

Maurice Nicoll, “A Note on Buried Conscience” in Psychological Commentaries on the Teaching of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky (Vol. 3, p. 959)