What does the work look like for you?

[SOTTREADER]

Hello forumites

I have a question - what does the work look like for you? What do you do?

In recent years, I find that focus has shifted to keeping on top of current events and trying not to be overtaken by the unrelenting propaganda. With focus having shifted in this direction (at least for me) I find that I have become more prone to forgetting myself and falling to A influences (the force of everyday life). So I am wondering if people are undertaking certain practices or setting themselves reminders to essentially not forget themselves and their "esoteric" development?

In terms of "STO" aspirations, are people consciously doing anything in this direction? I can't say I am like volunteering or you know, going out of my way to be a saint or good samaritan... All I can say I do is I try my best not to make the lives of those near me difficult or stressful but at the same time being protective of myself and my boundaries. I take all the experiences I have had from people who have caused me pain or stress and I use that as a reference to determine what/how I don't want to be to others but at the same time I don't go out my way to sacrifice myself in the name of being "good". I realise this is how "normal" people should act and so it's not a biggy but I think it becomes a challenge when you factor in trauma, programs, lack of awareness and perhaps even knowledge of certain situations.

Anyways, just curious what others are doing work wise or if you are just sort of existing and letting things take their own course.

 

[Revolucionar]

Hello forumites

I have a question - what does the work look like for you? What do you do?

In recent years, I find that focus has shifted to keeping on top of current events and trying not to be overtaken by the unrelenting propaganda. With focus having shifted in this direction (at least for me) I find that I have become more prone to forgetting myself and falling to A influences (the force of everyday life). So I am wondering if people are undertaking certain practices or setting themselves reminders to essentially not forget themselves and their "esoteric" development?

In terms of "STO" aspirations, are people consciously doing anything in this direction? I can't say I am like volunteering or you know, going out of my way to be a saint or good samaritan... All I can say I do is I try my best not to make the lives of those near me difficult or stressful but at the same time being protective of myself and my boundaries. I take all the experiences I have had from people who have caused me pain or stress and I use that as a reference to determine what/how I don't want to be to others but at the same time I don't go out my way to sacrifice myself in the name of being "good". I realise this is how "normal" people should act and so it's not a biggy but I think it becomes a challenge when you factor in trauma, programs, lack of awareness and perhaps even knowledge of certain situations.

Anyways, just curious what others are doing work wise or if you are just sort of existing and letting things take their own course.

Great question.
I've become a lot more easy going in some regards, but at the same time a lot more ruthless with myself.
I came to the conclusion that Gurdjieff's obyvatel proposal (basically that any Work can only start at or above the level of having your ordinary life in order) was what I needed to guide myself by.

Thinking and experimenting somewhat with more esoteric concepts is fine and it provides context for what I do, but I tend to occupy myself with putting my life in order and doing the best that I can for my family and immediate surroundings in terms of material and emotional security.
For me this manifests as working to grow my business and improving relations with my wife, my son and with myself.
I don't have a lot of time to participate in the forum or do much reading, but I get by, and I believe I can be more useful down the line by focusing on what I'm doing right now than by diluting my efforts by trying everything at once.

Generally, I think any kind of real sacrifice; "real" meaning giving up something that you would actually miss doing, is a step in the right direction if you're also using that time to further some obviously beneficial goal.
We do live in a material world and I think there's nothing more beneficial one could do than providing for people around oneself.
And this can mean many different things.
Some people can write books or create content that serves millions, or at least the few who understand it, but I think it's no use if that person becomes a pauper in the process and drags their loved ones along with them.

In terms of STO, the best we can do, IMHO, is to make sure that whatever we're doing is benefitting the people around us, as well.
Since dopamine equals motivation, we just can't get around the fact that whatever we're motivated to do is what our brain perceives will release dopamine, which means it's going to be selfish to some extent. At the same time, we do have the ability to reframe our brain's perceptions to extend that benefit to others, as well.
You could try to force yourself to do things you don't perceive as personally beneficial, but that is destined to fail. You have to make yourself enjoy it at some level.

I think I can summarise my views with this observation: Taking on really difficult assignments has changed my life completely and for the better.

 

[SOTTREADER]

Great question.
I've become a lot more easy going in some regards, but at the same time a lot more ruthless with myself.
I came to the conclusion that Gurdjieff's obyvatel proposal (basically that any Work can only start at or above the level of having your ordinary life in order) was what I needed to guide myself by.

Thinking and experimenting somewhat with more esoteric concepts is fine and it provides context for what I do, but I tend to occupy myself with putting my life in order and doing the best that I can for my family and immediate surroundings in terms of material and emotional security.
For me this manifests as working to grow my business and improving relations with my wife, my son and with myself.
I don't have a lot of time to participate in the forum or do much reading, but I get by, and I believe I can be more useful down the line by focusing on what I'm doing right now than by diluting my efforts by trying everything at once.

Generally, I think any kind of real sacrifice; "real" meaning giving up something that you would actually miss doing, is a step in the right direction if you're also using that time to further some obviously beneficial goal.
We do live in a material world and I think there's nothing more beneficial one could do than providing for people around oneself.
And this can mean many different things.
Some people can write books or create content that serves millions, or at least the few who understand it, but I think it's no use if that person becomes a pauper in the process and drags their loved ones along with them.

In terms of STO, the best we can do, IMHO, is to make sure that whatever we're doing is benefitting the people around us, as well.
Since dopamine equals motivation, we just can't get around the fact that whatever we're motivated to do is what our brain perceives will release dopamine, which means it's going to be selfish to some extent. At the same time, we do have the ability to reframe our brain's perceptions to extend that benefit to others, as well.
You could try to force yourself to do things you don't perceive as personally beneficial, but that is destined to fail. You have to make yourself enjoy it at some level.

I think I can summarise my views with this observation: Taking on really difficult assignments has changed my life completely and for the better.

Focussing yourself on providing for your family and actually getting some traction in this direction I think does lead to some character developments and ultimately "esoteric" development. It's interesting, as a guy, there is that drive to provide for your family but also to prove yourself in the material world and ability to survive in it. Sometimes the two become the same drive and you can't tell apart one from the other - I speak from personal experience and can't say whether others have experienced the same.

In terms of STO "aspirations" and aligning that to doing things you like to do but making sure these things convey benefits to others, I think that is a good "hack". I mean, what's the harm if the outcome is positive all around? Now I must think what it is I like doing that can also bring benefit to others

Amongst the above I think there is still something to say about character and how we come across when we inevitably meet the challenges and situations that put us on our back foot, not only from the outside, but also from within, when our programs, lack of awareness, personality defects etc come to the foreground to challenge us and remind us we are resoundingly human. I think this whole area is a key battleground to any sort of real development and fighting this battle doesn't necessitate us escaping mundane everyday life but rather, I think, the opposite.

 

[axj]

In recent years, I find that focus has shifted to keeping on top of current events and trying not to be overtaken by the unrelenting propaganda. With focus having shifted in this direction (at least for me) I find that I have become more prone to forgetting myself and falling to A influences (the force of everyday life). So I am wondering if people are undertaking certain practices or setting themselves reminders to essentially not forget themselves and their "esoteric" development?

Meditating every day and going deep into Self-Remembering or Self-Presence makes it easier to not forget yourself as much during the day. As far as motivation to keep doing the Work, what can help is to remember and tune into that deep urge or "desire" that brought you to this path in the first place. That will make it stronger and motivate you more.

In terms of "STO" aspirations, are people consciously doing anything in this direction?

I think the more you are "present" (Self-Remembering) and act from your Authenticity and Integrity (instead of programs or habits), the more what you do is naturally STO. At our core being that is who we are.

It also helps a lot to follow heartfelt desires regarding what to do with our lives, what we dedicate our time to, etc. It can be as simple as being there for one's family, friends or community. Or you may feel that you want to contribute to life in some other way, be it creative projects, writing, teaching, healing, etc.

Those heartfelt desires are a sort of navigation system and come directly from the Higher Self / Source. It guides you towards what you are personally meant to do and towards what brings you personally the most fulfillment.

 

[BlueKiwi]

Hi @SOTTREADER

Since you asked, I have can try to be succinct in how I go about this on a daily basis.

I guess the easiest way is to give a list of tenets I currently go by.

* Respect the free will of everything in existence.
- This makes gardening kind of hard. Killing bugs ? Killing weeds ? yeah..
- I see my cat killing a skink ? Let it be so. He will just be killing more when I leave.

* From Ra : When observing or interacting with anything in existence, or regard self, see the Creator.
- By interacting with anything in existence, you interact with yourself.
- Everything that exists is unified consciousness. You are not as spearate as you think you are.

* Intervention is violation of free will, unless you have been aked to.
- Tough, since most of us aren't psychic, and can't hear the calls of the skink for us to rescue him.
- Yes - you should stop your child from drinking that bleach though. You should have put it out of reach.

* When you see someone in need, ask them if they want your help.
- Could be a violation of free will - not sure on this.

* When someone asks for your help, do so to the best of your ability.
- Not sure on this. Could the help they are asking for end up making things worse for them ?

* Try to understand everything in the most balanced and objective way you are able to.
- There's always numerous sides or versons to a story you may learn about. Learn all of them, not just one.

* Put youself in someone elses position to understand them better.
- If you ask about and learn thier thinking and reasons for thier beliefs, and respect that, there will be no conflict.

* All must be balanced.
- You see this in nature and happening around you everyday. You just have to observe.

* Take time to still thy mind
- Don't let "monkey brain" take over and control your thoughts.
- Take time out to "be in the now" and contemplate your current situation.

* You are in school
- All there are is lessons
- Seek the truth
- Have fun in class !