A Record of Meetings held by P.D. Ouspensky - HolyBooks.com

this needs observation. When we ran distinguish the difference betweencertain perceptions and feelings we shall be able to understand whichhydrogen is working.Our aim is to come back to psychology again, but with bettermaterial and better weapons, so as to be able to establish the positionof each phenomenon in relation to other phenomena.***Q . Why do you employ terms carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen?M R. o. You must try to understand it yourself. They are not used inthe ordinary meaning, but very near it. These names are not accidental.Try to think what is the real reason for employing them.Q . Is it connected with the four elements?MR. O. It is the same thing. Personally I think that earth is H; fire is C;air is N, and water is O. But this is my personal interpretation.Q . Where do you get the energy necessary for the special effort neededfor the first shock?MR. O. Impressions 48 are colourless impressions. If you make theeffort to be conscious, by this effort you can bring carbon 12 to thenecessary place, C12 can produce a certain emotional state and a certainstate of consciousness. This moment of consciousness transforms col­ourless impressions into colourful impressions. We have enough energyfor this effort if only we limit ourselves a little —limit our fantasy, theexpression of negative emotions, etc.Q . Do impressions vary in colourfulness and intensity?MR. O. Impressions vary depending on how conscious they are. Impres­sions 24 are emotional to a certain extent. Impressions 12 are veryemotional. Revelation of St. John is written with H6. Impressions varydepending on the element of emotion and element of consciousness inthem. We spend all our energy in negative emotions, and this preventsus from having emotional impressions. It is all very simple, constructedaccording to very simple principles. If we could control two or threesmall things in ourselves all would be different. The question is how tocontrol them? We are accustomed to let things happen. Control meanseffort at every step.