Understanding the Challenge of Conscious Living

In his renowned work, In Search of the Miraculous, P.D. Ouspensky highlights a truth we often overlook: it is significantly easier to live unconsciously than to exist with intention and awareness in the present moment. This realization was a difficult one for Ouspensky as he trained under the well-known mystic Georges Gurdjieff.

Gurdjieff elaborated on the difficulty of maintaining a state of mindfulness unless one possesses a technique that helps retain focus amid distractions. I will share such a method shortly, but first, let's clarify what "focus" entails.

Constructing Your Path to Mindfulness

Merriam-Webster defines focus as (1) "a point of concentration" and (2) "directed attention: emphasis." The first definition underscores the concentrated nature of focus, akin to sunlight concentrated through a magnifying glass onto a small area, igniting kindling.

The second definition implies that focus is an act of will, involving intentional attention and emphasis. It's vital to consider the self-directed aspect of focus, as many people navigate their daily lives in a state of inattention. The rare moments of deliberate concentration stand out like islands in a vast ocean of unconsciousness. Ouspensky referred to these moments as self-remembering in In Search of the Miraculous.

Self-remembering is the essential element of the method I will discuss. It serves as the bridge you must construct to transition from passive meditation to full engagement in your day-to-day life.

Without focus and self-directed attention, we risk becoming lost in a chaotic sea of unconscious actions.

Cultivating Focus Through Self-Remembering

Ouspensky explains self-remembering as follows:

> "I am speaking of the division of attention which is the characteristic feature of self-remembering." > > "When I observe something, my attention is directed towards what I observe — a line with one arrowhead:" > > I ? the observed phenomenon. > > "When I simultaneously try to remember myself, my attention is directed both towards the object observed and towards myself. A second arrowhead appears on the line:" > > I ? the observed phenomenon. > > "The challenge lies in directing attention towards oneself without diminishing the attention directed at the other object, which may be either within or outside of oneself."¹

Ouspensky himself was a student striving to achieve and sustain a constant state of focus, taught by Gurdjieff, who believed that nothing can be truly meaningful or complete without self-remembering. Gurdjieff described this phenomenon as "waking up," contrasting it with the deep sleep in which most people exist.

He asserted that civilizations have flourished, creating art and architecture, while largely remaining asleep, with only small pockets of self-awareness.

Good News Ahead

You can attain self-awareness; you can remain present; you can experience profound consciousness. However, this is only possible if you are awake. Awakening requires the act of self-remembering, and each time you forget, you drift back into sleep. The moment you recognize this lapse, you awaken again.

This cycle will persist until you take deliberate action.

Enhance Your Self-Awareness with Intent

When you commit to following a five-step process to develop self-remembering, something remarkable occurs. Your island of awareness will grow, expanding and connecting with other islands, thereby reducing the vast sea of unconsciousness.

I hope you share my enthusiasm for the potential of the following method.

Let’s dive in!

Five Steps to Foster Self-Remembering

1. Write "Self-Remembering" on multiple slips of paper or index cards. For several weeks or longer, place these reminders in visible locations (bathroom mirror, refrigerator, front door, car dashboard, etc.). Each time you see one, ask yourself, "Was I remembering myself in the last moment?"
2. Revisit Ouspensky’s explanation frequently until you fully grasp what is required of you.
3. Engage in self-remembering throughout your day; repetition is key.
4. Pause at unexpected moments during the day (while chatting, reading, walking, etc.) to note when you weren't self-remembering. Carry a small notebook to mark each instance.
5. Before sleeping, transfer your daily "notches" to a progress journal. Strive to improve each day and celebrate your successes. Noticing when you lapse is a victory in itself! If you tally a hundred notches, that means a hundred times you recognized your unconscious state, and by doing so, you awakened. Rejoice in that!

Realistic Expectations

What practical outcomes might you expect from this method? While I haven't conducted a formal study, I can share my personal experience, which may inspire you.

• After about a week of practice, I found myself more engaged with my surroundings, listening more intently and picking up on subtle details.
• I experienced a heightened clarity in my vision, which I would describe as a "glow," reminiscent of an intense clarity I felt long ago, but without the discomfort.
• My dreams became more vivid, particularly with significant imagery.

So, what about you? Is it worth dedicating a week to begin the journey of self-remembering? I guarantee that within a single day, you'll gain insight into the deep sleep that envelops most of humanity. With this understanding, you can embrace the possibility of being fully awake in your life—if you are willing to put in the effort.

I would love to hear your thoughts and any progress you make.

Thank you for reading and sharing your reflections.

Sources ¹P.D. Ouspensky’s In Search of the Miraculous