Mastery of ordinary life

[j0da]

Some time ago during discussion here on SOTT one point was brought to my attention, and as time passed, this point grew in importance, therefore I allow myself to post my questions.

Essentially, I think an 'entry point' into a school that may lead to esoteric study deals with understanding the basics of knowledge. It seems for greater esoteric understanding there first is a requirement to have a certain mastery of ordinary knowledge and ordinary life.

I’m returning to this point in order to clarify my understanding and to see if it can somehow be helpful in getting out of depression and acquiring balance in one’s life.

There are several widely promoted guidelines which tell us what does it mean “to be succesful” or “how to lead a good life” and usually they omit or disregard some areas of human life, while praising and raising importance of other areas. Some place an emphasis on material possesions, other on work, other on family, or “having fun” and “enjoying life” or “living with god” and what not. Even among these basic divisions, one could find even more alternatives and possible options. Having tried some of them I found these solutions unfulfilling at best and completely degrading at worst.

So, I’d like to ask – what constitutes “mastery of ordinary life” from an esoteric point of view? I guess a balance between various activities and factors is crucial, but what exactly are the factors? What qualities, actions, attainments should be brought into focus? In what proportions?

I ask, because I’m confused with it a bit. When I read “mastery of ordinary life” there comes an image of someone who has “all bases covered” – typical icon of “succesful man” from consumeric culture, but with no dark corners lurking behind like it usually happens in our society. Frankly – it is a bit overwhelming goal to even ponder.

Maybe it’s overwhelming because there is inner urge or conviction that it should be attained quickly while when thinking reasonably it’s obvious that such goal won’t be reached overnight. Or, maybe this image of someone who has “all bases covered” is an illusion, an impossibility and by popping up in my mind it deviously discourages me, makes me tremble and willing to drop all my hopes and dreams, walk away and be done with all this ascension stuff.

Also, to be even more specific – if this “mastery” regards also one’s own profession, a job one is doing, mode of earning money and getting some recognition – to what degree should this area be polished, what degree of mastery would be needed? At present I’m facing some really tough choices in this area.

When I think of Laura and Ark, then their work and profession (as a way for earning money) just merge perfectly with this great WORK they are doing. So, their striving to professional mastery covers many aspects of life – there is everyday reality of earning money, fullfiling professional duties and obligations, there is a fun, fulfillment, recognition and in the same this striving serves us all, helping us understand life and universe, be more aware and able to cope with life.
And when consider my own profession..well :) I’m an artist, or artisan (depending how we look at it) – I just create stuff..”you know, for kids”. I just make backgrounds for cartoons, animate cut-outs..that sort of thing. So, my striving for “mastery” in my profession can serve ME, but can it serve others in the same time? I have no illusions regarding educational value of my work – cartoons are simply entertainment, mostly stupid, unrequiring one. If I can think of something positive in my work in wider meaning – then I can only provide impression of aestetics for viewers. I may become more skilled, more creative, learn the art to some great degree, but of what use will it be in regards to serving others? I guess finding my own place, my own niche in serving others while doing what I have talent for might be another factor of “mastering ordinary life”…it may even transcend it.

I don’t know if these concerns are shared among forum members, but if that’s the case I’d be even more happy and gratefull for feedback.

 

[anart]

To my understanding, the widely promoted guidelines of what it is to be successful mean very little - for me, success has been to begin waking up, in a way that has changed my life more than I could have imagined before I began. I think, too often, we all get confused and trapped within other people's perceptions of success - within society's perception of success, which, more often than not, is the predator's perception of success. This does not mean that we should not be able to provide for ourselves and make our own way through life, it simply means that being a 'superman' may not be the point.

Somewhere in all of those descriptions of success you've provided, is there something that rings true for you in your life? For me, in my small life - and it is a small life - I have come to realize that what matters to me, what I consider personal success is pretty much as foreign to the generally accepted idea of success as possible. Success to me is an increase in understanding. It is not giving up and not letting the true horror of the situation drive me back into the caverns of depression in which I spent most of my life. It is very often what 'normal people' would consider the smallest things.

I also wonder about the idea that one must be 'successful in life' before beginning esoteric studies - in my experience, it was the esoteric studies that brought relief from life-long, severe depression, so without starting those studies, everyday life would be more daunting. Perhaps, it goes hand in hand in some way. One must be able to manage their life on a functional level, and, then, as they begin on an esoteric path they will gain more tools that make that life-management less daunting. I don't have the final answer on this one, but others may help shed more light.

 

[Johnno]

So, I'd like to ask - what constitutes "mastery of ordinary life" from an esoteric point of view? I guess a balance between various activities and factors is crucial, but what exactly are the factors? What qualities, actions, attainments should be brought into focus? In what proportions?

I ask, because I'm confused with it a bit. When I read "mastery of ordinary life" there comes an image of someone who has "all bases covered" - typical icon of "succesful man" from consumeric culture, but with no dark corners lurking behind like it usually happens in our society. Frankly - it is a bit overwhelming goal to even ponder.

Good post, got me pondering quite a bit.

I suppose it comes down to this, if you had mastered ordinary life.....what would there be left to do?And what constitutes an ordinary life? It's a really subjective concept. I think everyone's life is extra-ordinary in some respects..... but on the whole ordinary. Myself, I think of ordinary as "beige" and really I'm not into mastering beige.

I'll supply a quote from Orage (I'd say he got it from Gurdjieff) regarding ordinary man and taken to a logical conclusion.... an ordinary man would lead an ordinary life.

"Ordinary man is at the mercy of his organism:

1 of the instinctive (moving) centre- impressions recieved by the senses, of appetities, inertia, disease;

2 of the feelings- associations connected with people and places past and present, likes and dislikes, fear and anxiety;

3 of the mind- imagination, day-dreaming, suggestibility"

An ordinary man would be master of the above IMHO, so aiming for mastery of these would be a evolutionary death spiral if you think about it. It would be better if one was to aim about becoming a "real man" living a real life, ie one who has not only actualized potentialities but also freed from any subjectivity. That is a tough task.

 

[Ruth]

So, I'd like to ask - what constitutes "mastery of ordinary life" from an esoteric point of view? I guess a balance between various activities and factors is crucial, but what exactly are the factors? What qualities, actions, attainments should be brought into focus? In what proportions?

I'd like to quote the Cs on this one. 970503

A: Not correct concept. You do not need to "act against them," you need to act in favor of your destiny.

I'd say that acting in favour of one's destiny is a good place to start. And when it comes to observing the 'ordinary life', a person needs to look at the programs that they run. What makes them think they need to do this or need to do that?

Also, to be even more specific - if this "mastery" regards also one's own profession, a job one is doing, mode of earning money and getting some recognition - to what degree should this area be polished, what degree of mastery would be needed? At present I'm facing some really tough choices in this area.

You could start by looking at what your programs are telling you to do. Half the problem is not knowing the control that these things have over people. Lots of us spend (waste?) time trying to be square pegs in round holes. All because of programs that prevent us from 'acting in favour of our destiny'....

 

[Kashmir]

j0da,

I've never thought about your question regarding mastering "ordinary knowledge." Off the top of my head, I think a certain amount of life experience (ordinary life) is necessary, but without giving it too much thought, it seems that possessing a certain degree of mastery of "ordinary knowledge" may just as well serve to keep one happily asleep. IOW, if things are going well in a person's life, i.e. if what they're doing is working for them (in the ways that society suggests they should), they usually won't be too inclined to change things. One thing Gurdjieff said that would probably apply here (I'm paraphrasing something I haven't read for a while) was that a person has to be sufficiently dissatisfied with whatever beliefs governed their life before they would be motivated to change anything -- that the Work would just seem like nonsense otherwise.

This is the same/similar to what some of the other replies have already said.

 

[RflctnOfU]

So, my striving for "mastery" in my profession can serve ME, but can it serve others in the same time? I have no illusions regarding educational value of my work - cartoons are simply entertainment, mostly stupid, unrequiring one. If I can think of something positive in my work in wider meaning - then I can only provide impression of aestetics for viewers. I may become more skilled, more creative, learn the art to some great degree, but of what use will it be in regards to serving others.

Perhaps, within the context of your "mostly stupid" cartoons, you could include some of the knowledge you have attained. Maybe try to "encode" in your work, certain higher principles you may have discovered through the process of exploring your nature. Make an effort to expand the "dimensionality" of your cartoons, to include many "layers".

If nothing else, the suggestions might serve as a mental excersize to understand yourself better.

Hope this will have been helpful.

Kris

 

[Art]

Perhaps, within the context of your "mostly stupid" cartoons, you could include some of the knowledge you have attained. Maybe try to "encode" in your work, certain higher principles you may have discovered through the process of exploring your nature. Make an effort to expand the "dimensionality" of your cartoons, to include many "layers".

Waw what a great suggestion!

 

[Redrock12]

This is a wonderful topic! Right now I try to attain a balance among a number of things with a given set of priorities, the principle one being acquiring esoteric knowledge as put forth by Gurdjieff, Castaneda, and the Cassiopaeans. I also purchased THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE WORLD and, since last February when I accidentally stumbled onto this site, am in the process of reading everything there is to read in QFG and SOTT.
But I also have to take care of all the mundane things necessary to maintain body and soul. You know, pay my internet provider, phone company, landlord, hydro, transportation, groceries, smokes, clothing, Tim Hortons, books, etc.
I live in a little city called Moose Jaw in the province of Saskatchewan, having moved back here from Kamloops (pop 80,000), British Columbia (pop 5 million) eight years ago. While there are not a lot of high paying jobs to choose from in a city with only 35,000 people in a province with only 800,000 people total, the upside is that there is no air pollution to speak of, you don't need a car to get around and the cost of living is low. And, unlike British Columbia, the political climate is very stable and predictable. The job I've had for the last three years is low-status and low-paying, but also relatively low-stress with adequate compensation to meet my basic material needs, (although there is a lot of heavy lifting involved).
Which means that I can continue to devote myself to finding out what is really going on in the world. Of course nothing is perfect or ideal, but over the last 25 years-particularly the last 10 years (and I'm 60yo), my awareness has expanded exponentially. I'm starting to understand the difference between "wants" and "needs", as in needing to understand what spirituality really is.
I usually work about 32 hours per week, which gives me lots of time to be on this site and to read and study books relevant to THE WORK (Castaneda [some of them 3rd reading], IN SEARCH OF THE MIRACULOUS, THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE WORLD).
I guess you could say that my search for reality has been ongoing for the last 60 years, but I can honestly-at this point in time anyway- look back and say that it is a work in and of progress of THE GRAIL SEARCH.
Even in typing this out, I am literally amazed at what I've learned about myself and the universe I'm a part of. In fact, I am truly saddened when I see so many people in this community who I grew up with have changed-or learned-so little since they left high school. They're still trapped in the Matrix as much or moreso as they were 40 years ago.
Oh yeah, I'm off six weeks from work-with pay-due to a hernia operation, so it means that I can actually focus on what I love doing (see above). I can also sleep in, stay up late, enjoy the weather, go for long walks,as well as communicate with like-minded individuals here and in Kamloops and this forum.
Well, I'm tired but I'll see you all tomorrow. ENJOY THE ADVENTURE!
To quote the Cs: "It's fun to learn".
Garnet

 

[Green_Manalishi]

When I first thought about the "mastery of ordinary life", the first thing that came to my mind was to do enough to sustain you, leaving at the same time enough energy to read and study. This maybe be a simplistic way of seeing the problem. The other perspective would be to put the lower parts of the centres working properly (with all the implications that has in the teachings of the 4th way, or other sincere teachings that might be out there), so from that point on the "mastery of the not so ordinary life" would begin.

Like anart I believe that the views of the society, in general, regarding success are not important, what others think of you is not important. This would amount, I believe, to letting go off a bit of one's self importance (perhaps this is a step forward regarding the proper work of the lower centres and in doing so another step would be taken mastering the ordinary life).

In relation to our jobs, and the fact that in our jobs we can do some STO, I believe that in order to help others one must first help himself. By this I mean that in the first stages of mastering ordinary life one is helping himself, in ways that have nothing to do with the general view of success by our society. So that when one gets some mastery of ordinary life, one can make the right decisions, be it changing jobs (for example change from one job that pays more but where there's no STO element, for one that could pay less but would have a STO element), cutting profits so your products are cheaper, doing what RflctnOfU suggested, etc...

In writing this I remembered a phrase from "Meetings with Remarkable Men", that Gurdjieff's father said: "became yourself then god and the devil don't matter". I believe this goes in the same direction has what Ruth posted:

I'd like to quote the Cs on this one. 970503

A: Not correct concept. You do not need to "act against them," you need to act in favor of your destiny.

 

[Tigersoap]

So, my striving for "mastery" in my profession can serve ME, but can it serve others in the same time? I have no illusions regarding educational value of my work - cartoons are simply entertainment, mostly stupid, unrequiring one. If I can think of something positive in my work in wider meaning - then I can only provide impression of aestetics for viewers. I may become more skilled, more creative, learn the art to some great degree, but of what use will it be in regards to serving others.

Perhaps, within the context of your "mostly stupid" cartoons, you could include some of the knowledge you have attained. Maybe try to "encode" in your work, certain higher principles you may have discovered through the process of exploring your nature. Make an effort to expand the "dimensionality" of your cartoons, to include many "layers".

If nothing else, the suggestions might serve as a mental excersize to understand yourself better.

Hope this will have been helpful.

Kris

This is very interesting imho.

I also work on the artistic side of things and I always try to incorpore some of my understanding or even questions to myself into my works.
If you're an artist this is a fantastic window to use and explore because your subconscious might reveal things you did not notice within yourself at first.
It might not be always shiny and bright but it's worth it.
I can look back at my previous works and see the progress I've made within myself (or lack of ;))

I think that a lot of artists have to deal with their ego/inner programs as well, it's hard to find a balance between doing something with a greater purpose and something purely for the hope of getting feedback and praise.

Gurdjeff seemed to think that there were two kind of arts, the one made by the unconscious men and the one where greater knowledge had been encoded.

As an artist I try to unlock secrets by doing pretty pictures (or showing darker ideas by making them attractive somehow), that may sound vain or arrogant but that's how I see it.

In the end, I think the best would be to try to express you're real "I" through your works.
That's another form of exercise of self observation imho but I may be wrong.

 

[j0da]

Hello. I let myself think about it a bit longer, not hurry and wait what you would have to say about matter at hand.

I think, too often, we all get confused and trapped within other people's perceptions of success - within society's perception of success, which, more often than not, is the predator's perception of success. This does not mean that we should not be able to provide for ourselves and make our own way through life, it simply means that being a 'superman' may not be the point.

Great point! While the idea of being a 'superman' may vary from person to person, in my experience it was very disempowering. This idea, whatever the contents may be, is forcing one to define too big and too much goals in too short time, thus making attainment thereof impossible. I remember reading in some thread that in order to conserve our energy we must strive for goals which we are able to achieve, considering our present condition.

Ability to provide for oneself and make one's way through life may be one of hallmarks of "Mastery of ordinary life". Thinking in this way can help one decide what is necessary and what is redundant and then act accordingly to this estimation thus effecting in "optimization" of energy expense.

In general, I found all your answers very helpfull and coming exactly when I needed them really bad. I was just starting to "chase a wild goose", but your comments, dear forumites, stopped me in my tracks and allowed me to make well thought decision which hopefully will "act in favour of my destiny". I've almost swallowed a hook of "great career opportunity" which in fact would expose me to serious risk of material scarcity, exhaustion, anxiety and confusion. I've been ready to take a ride, because a bait was oh so tempting, and the programs went into full monty.
Well, I guess I won't be "famous" illustrator or animator anytime soon, but indeed - I have some more important matters to attend to ;)

Tigersoap, RflctnOfU - I'll try what you propose. Maybe it will bring back some enthusiasm to my work!

 

[RflctnOfU]

Tigersoap, RflctnOfU - I'll try what you propose. Maybe it will bring back some enthusiasm to my work!

Great :) If you are willing, I'd like to see what you come up with.

That reminds me...I need to get my scanner hooked up. I'd like to share a piece I did entitled "magnetic center" (although it was titled after completion)

Kris

 

[Art]

yeah! I would LOVE to get to see at least a photo of some of your work j0da under this new approach! haha sorry, it seem i am exited!
:)

AGREE: success depends on the objective one has in life..... and the size of ones life. There are those who have not meassured their lifes, and for them, "success" MOST be the size enough as to fill a glass which happens to have no bottom.
A "small life" has MANY successes!
And there is a lot of wise coments regarding having a small life like traveling with little baggage etc.
A question that usually destroys this worries, would be to answer: What is life for you? Now thats a hard one. The answer is profound: It would say what life IS NOT for you, therefore, what is the ONLY OBJECTIVE WORTHY TO LIVE FOR.
If you find it, i beg you to share! :)

 

[Renaissance]

Gurdjieff said,

"Remember that work cannot begin and cannot proceed on a level lower than that of the obyvatel, that is, on a level lower than ordinary life. This is a very important principle which, for some reason or other, is very easily forgotten."

Laura suggested in the OP thread that when Gurdjieff is talking about obyvatels, he is speaking of organic portals. I agree, and I think that the normal function of ordinary life would necessitate the proper functioning of our lower centers. Our programming has deformed our lower centers to the point that even if we have 'soul potential,' we're not even good OP's. Deformed lower centers would seem to be as G. describes "lower than ordinary life." So before we can access the esoteric we do need to work on developing the right use of these centers, osit. It's also interesting that G. uses the word 'obyvatel', of which he says is contemptuous to most people, "as though nothing could be worse." This usage may also relate to experiencing a moral bankruptcy because at this point one sees themselves as they are - which is not a pretty sight. In ordinary life humans are callous, manipulative, lie, and are immersed in the dysfunction of lower three centers. A 'good obyvatel' sees that s/he lies, manipulates and recognizes his condition for what it is. What could be more contemptuous!?


The General Law is also the driving force of deformation in ordinary life, so I think from an esoteric point of view, a mastery of ordinary life wouldn't necessarily be to perpetuate and excel in the General Law (including the norms for success) but to know its influences and weaknesses. I think this would be an apt method to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary attack while finding a means of escaping its grip. I also find this idea attractive as it deals in facing the lessons right in front of us.

So, perhaps a way of learning these lessons and mapping out an escaping from the General Law is in the discovery and activation of our normal functions. Our abnormal functions seem exacerbated by reactions to imitations of the supernormal and extraordinary. A supernormal stimulus is a topic of study in animal behavior of which I think has a great deal to do with programming and addiction to illusions. An example is that a woman wearing red lipstick and red nail polish produces 'supernormal stimuli' of greater blood circulation thereby manipulating a 'supernormal response' of attraction. I think it's relevant to extend this dynamic to work in belief systems and particularly in religion. We only have to bring to mind the irate evangelicals speaking in tongues and being hyped up on the 'rapture' based simply on a vane religious system to see how it works. Both the stimulus and reaction are out of proportion with what is normal and may even perpetuate one another. I think the reaction to the supernormal stimulus when acting from the dysfunction of the lower three centers may be a primary method of the control system to feed our false selves. I think this general idea may also be in line with Laura's thoughts on FRV, but in this instance the amplification is towards entropy because the supernormal signal and response are false.

So, if a true signal is produced it would seem to have to originate in what is normal. And 'normal' is essentially where our humanity exists.

Ability to provide for oneself and make one's way through life may be one of hallmarks of "Mastery of ordinary life".

And this is where I'm at. During the past eight months or so, my car broke down beyond repair, my computer broke beyond repair, and I lost my job. (The job and computer happened within weeks of each other and the car a couple months ago) One of the weaknesses in my life has been in first rejecting to have anything to do with 'work' in the control system and then trying to get by in a 'day to day' job. I lost my 'day to day' job and had no net. I'm just recently getting back on my feet but it gave me a small taste of what the US economy has coming. It also gave me a burning wish to DO, which provided fuel to work on something that I hope to be fruitful.

As may easily be seen, this difficulty also extended into study and sharing in the Work here.

 

[Art]

Edit: I have realized this post is an attempt from me to see if I did understand your post, Shane. Thats why I seem to be transcribing your ideas.

Beautifully explained, Shane.
Also, the EXTERIOR promeses of "progress" are supernormal stimulus, and a damping on the which we are retained: "It will come... work with diligence and maybe next year.... who knows", they say.
It is the INTERIOR ACTS of progress the ones that are not supernormal, since the obyvatel knows its size, it's meassure, it's reaches.... IF, as you explain, this obyvatel has developed the right use of the lower centers.
This developing gives sight. This development seems to me the focusing (arranging) of the SEEing and the tuning of the frecuency. Yet, the Lye is so deep, this posibility is trully difficult to contemplate and then of course to achieve since the general discourse in schools, work places, TV, films etc do points to the EXTERIOR meassurement of what it is a "succesful" life, as our dear friend Joda has expressed with sight.
This is a wall, when one comes to such a divergence. And as Shane and Joda explains, one can only hope for it to be fruitful. And in this cauldron is where the work takes place: When one has realized about the ends of the supernormality and the ways it operates on the one who has decided for a esoteric advancment... or 'progress', offered as, precisely, a overcoming of normality as a meassuring device to recognize, and aim for, 'success'.
That is the way it is offered. A promotion. A increment on the salary. A re-location to another place. A car. Maybe another car. Maybe another house. Maybe one hour less on the shifts. More recognition... a woman...
Supernormal stimulus.
But, who with a sane mind would reject this 'promotions'?

So, if a true signal is produced it would seem to have to originate in what is normal. And 'normal' is essentially where our humanity exists.

Supernormality escandalizes the lower centers, amplifying the STS frecuence, dampening our soul potential, rendering an apparently 'normal' person (who is after what is suposed to be normal adquisitions) into a product designed to set it's aims for supernormal goals.
This, perceived as 'ordinary life', is a deformation of the 'ordinary life'.
The General Law.
But... what then, instead of a 'mastery' of ordinary life? What then, instead of this global scale panorama?: The aim to activate the normal functions. And this work will develop SEEing, to degree at least instinctual, which is already a lot to say given the actual dysfunctional state of our instinctual body.
So it is about the mastery of one's self, not about the exterior 'ordinary life'.

Both the stimulus and reaction are out of proportion with what is normal and may even perpetuate one another. I think the reaction to the supernormal stimulus when acting from the dysfunction of the lower three centers may be a primary method of the control system to feed our false selves.

I heard once, first on the mouth of a person, then on TV, then on radio and then on magazine, the next postulate which became incredibly popular due to the 'wiseness' it apparently offers since it is, apparently, as simple and, because of that, as contundent as the 'real truth' is or should be: The intelligence of a person is directly proportional to the amount of money this persons can manage to obtain.
All this sources were explaining the 'deep truth' within such a postulate, and the main argument was to express the obvious lye of someone who claims to be very intelligent, yet has no money, so what good for is that 'great intelligence' of such a person?
So this postulate became in a sort of 'premium advice' in every sphere and for every person in position to advice anything to anyone. And the one receiving this advice would fall, with a open mouth and wide eyes, into a rather ominous silence, expressing the rationality of the advice, or the own stupidity -i never was very shure which one was the 'realization' being expressed by this reverent silence, but the effect was (still is) to put into motion something in this person who, ideally, would go ahead to start to obtain as much money as it's intelligence allows him/her to.
Well, I think that, reacting in such a way to this postulate, does, in the best of the scenarios, demonstrate a severe lack of 'intelligence' because it first of all demonstrated a dysfunction on the lower three centers, as Shane explain on the quote i made of her right above.
This postulate do aims to achieve the supernormal, by any means. This postulate perpetuates both the stimulus abd the reaction. This postulate is a primary methode of the Control System to feed our false selfs. This postulate is not a signal originated in what is normal.
And those who apply this postulate do engage with a frame of mind (FRV) distant from the hope to perform a fruitful work and a burning wish to DO, such as the one you have gived me with this your powerful post, the which i thank.