chief characteristic

[Guest guest]

I have heard that Gurdjeff, working with his disciples, once said:

" Unless you know your chief characteristic and become aware of it, you

will not be able to enter into your true being. I will give you a few

examples. "

 

He turned to one guy and said: " Look at this man, his chief

characteristic is that he is never at home " . Everybody could see the

absent mindedness on his face, and you know what happened? The man

shrugged his shoulders and said " What did you say, Sir? "

 

Then he turned to another guy and said: " Look at this guy, his chief

characteristic is that he always points at the flaws of others instead

of looking at himself. " The man immediately protested: " How can you

say such a thing to me? You are anything but perfect! "

 

And he turned to another man and said: " Look at this man, his chief

characteristic is that he never feels understood. " The man was upset

and said: " Sir, there you are wrong! You don't know me at all! "

 

Gurdieff has often said: when you can find out what you are defending

the most you have found the key to your true being.

 

:-)

 

Stefan