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

Monday. July 25th 1938. (Warwick Gardens.)[Written questions handed in.]MISS T . I have great difficulty in trying to realize that I have not gotone central 'I' that is behind everything I say and do. I know thatdifferent impressions cause varied reactions and moods, but I alwaysfeel I have one 'I'. This is wrong, I know, but at present I can make noprogress towards thinking about this.MR. O. This is as if you looked at different things and people andthought they were the same things and people. Try to see contradic­tions, and you will see that it is not the same 'I'.MISS B, I am trying to fight considering and feeling tense with otherpeople by preparing myself beforehand, but although it may be betterto begin with, I have not yet been successful. Directly I forget myselfit is on me. Is this method of fighting it worth persevering with, and isthere any other?MR. O. No, that is the only method. You must understand whatconsidering means and how absurd it is, and think right beforehandand not justify yourself.MISS B. Is it possible to develop magnetic centre after one comes intothe work?MR. O. No, it is then too late. Magnetic centre collects influences Bbefore you come to the work, and afterwards it ceases to be magneticcentre and becomes definite personality which is interested in the work.MISS C. I have often observed intellectual centre interfering with movingcentre, and emotional centre interfering with the others. In the case ofintellectual interference, trying to work more quickly seems to help, andwith emotional interference it seems better to try to go more slowly. ButI do not know why this is so. I do not properly understand what I amtrying to do or what principle to apply. Please can you explain morewhy this interference takes place and how one should work against it?MR. O. You must collect more material. This may be quite right, orlater you may find things that contradict it.