Chapter 24

Why Groups Are Formed

“Groups are only for preparation of individuals as candidates for Work.” (p.57)

“A man of the Work can take on the obligation to form groups for a short period of time, prepare a few people for Work and then dissolve the group. A group is not meant to be carried on endlessly. Once a few individuals are found who can be prepared, the group is no longer necessary.”(p.57)

“I do not offer anything personal, only the possibility of becoming a candidate for Work.”

Early on, when first associating with the School, I heard the following question posed.

How can you put yourself in a position, whereby your personal transformation is a necessity for the Work?

At some point the work on Self becomes impersonal. It is no longer carried on for the purposes of helping someone “feel better” about themselves. The process is an objective venture – like with any profession. There are standards of measure that exceed the individual and hover about as a standard.

From time to time, we can see that standard when the Group forms. It is a mirror that asks us to bring forth our highest and our best.

Audio Recording Class #10    2017_05_24

Chapter 25

On Questions

There seems to be a universal chant out there about questions. The teacher or presenter tries to encourage the group to speak, to get involved. They say in a cheerful inviting voice – “Okay what questions do you have?  – No question is a stupid question.”

Well maybe that is true. But, it is not true in all circumstances. Sometimes the situation calls for us to work to formulate a question arising from genuine effort. But, let me digress.

When you are working with self-observation you are in the mode of observing the operations of your machine and its interplay with the essential self. Now, first observe the mechanism that operates in you when pass up a question. What I mean by that is can you notice when a question arises and can you begin to notice when a question is buffered away fully out of recognition? What is the blip in your energy field that calls forth a question? … and often,  sadly a question never posed.

There are two basic types of questions, questions asked of us and questions arising in us. Okay – In many of the ancient venues, including the Temple of Delphi was the phrase  – Gnothi Seauton – Know Thy Self. This leads to a question – Who am I? It seems simple enough – ‘Hey! I’m the guy your talking to buddy.’ But if you ponder this query, seriously for a few moments, you are launched into the unsteady grounds of the unknown. The sea becomes roiled with uncertainty. Okay… those are questions coming from ‘without.’

But, what then are the markers for questions arising from within? What barriers do we face in even acknowledging those questions. A little unnerving right?

Audio recording for Class #11   2017_05_31

Chapter 26

The title of the chapter is Knowledge is Free – but E.J. is drawing the distinction between Knowledge and Understanding. Can you sense the distinction?

Chapter 27

Here, in this Chapter – The Ways – E.J. is introducing the idea of a School. In a few short paragraphs, he only opens the topic – it is our job, in time, to unravel and to discover its meaning.

Chapter 28

Knowledge is Substance

“Those who possess knowledge do everything in their power to transmit it and to prepare candidates for receptivity on the greatest scale, but knowledge cannot be transmitted by force.” (p.67)

This small chapter talks about Knowledge as an actual substance. What does EJ mean by that. My body is an actual substance, this chair is an actual substance, how can knowledge also be a substance. This is one of those concepts that we ‘know’ to be true, but explaining it is a different story.

The author is interweaving this concept with Work of Groups – “One cannot awaken by himself. But, twenty people can make an agreement with each other to awaken each other and keep themselves at least alert, if not exactly awake. ” (p.67)

Audio Recording for Class # 12 2017_06_07

Chapter 29

“Initiation is generally thought to be transmission of knowledge from on man to another which then becomes the property of the other man without effort on his part. This is of course impossible. Only self-initiation is possible; by resonating, to awaken in another what is already in him but sleeping.” (p.70)