No one can do this Work without understanding something about it. What is the good of doing anything without understanding ? If you try to work without any understanding of the Work you can get no result. Only when the Work becomes emotional can you begin to understand it.

The first line of Work is to make us know our state of being and state of knowledge. Otherwise we cannot change. To observe is the first thing, but it must be without criticism or analysis. It has been said, on one occasion, that you can change nothing until you know all yourself.

Observation and separation are necessary all your life. Yes, but can you BE the Work? In short, can you live the Work, not merely remember it? If you try to live it, it will feed you all your life.

"Can you give me examples of what personal aim means?" On the side of knowledge, personal aim means to become familiar with the ideas of the Work. On the side of Being, personal aim means to observe yourself in the light of the knowledge of the Work and apply it to yourself.

This system promises nothing. But if you work, you will get something. Let us say, you will receive leather with which to make shoes. But you must make the shoes yourself, so that they fit you. They must be your own shoes—not borrowed shoes.