We recommend that new members of the forum read Laura's
Wave series before wading too far in with posting, as the ideas and concepts presented in that work form the basis for most discussions on the forum. Her
Adventures With Cassiopaea would be an excellent follow-up. In the meantime, it's a good idea to bookmark the Cassiopaea
Esoteric Glossary and the
Cassiopedia, as they are very useful references that can be used when you encounter concepts/terminology that you may not be familiar with.
The ideas of
Gurdjieff are also integral to this forum. If you're not familiar with Gurdjieff, you can read some basic information about his
4th Way teaching, generally referred to here as "the Work", by clicking on the links in this paragraph. It is a method of self-examination recommended to and practiced by most members of this forum, as a way of seeing ourselves, others, and the world around us from the perspective of
OBJECTIVITY, rather through the distorting prism of our own
SUBJECTIVITY -- i.e., our emotional issues,
programs, mechanical behaviour,
buffers,
sacred cows, and
wishful thinking. The Work benefits from active participation in a group/network like this, where others also involved in the Work can provide feedback and act as a
mirror in which we can see ourselves more clearly.
You'll also find frequent references on the forum to the following "Big Four" psychology books, which are extremely helpful tools towards acquiring a basic understanding of your own "machine". Should you wish to explore any of these books at some point, please note that Laura suggests that they be read in the following order:
The Myth of Sanity by Martha Stout;
The Narcissistic Family by Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman & Robert M. Pressman;
Trapped in The Mirror by Elan Goulomb; and
Unholy Hungers by Barbara Hort.