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

MR. H. Is effort the key to our difficulties?MR. O. Sometimes, but not always.MISS A . Is there any time when one should not make efforts?MR. O. Plenty of time, but it depends on people. Cannot speak ingeneral. One case, one better; in another case, another.MRS. J. Can one learn in one's own case?MR. O. Yes, certainly. Only in your own case. You can learn only foryourself.MR. A . How can one learn?MR. O. Different. That is what I say. How can I say? Impossible todescribe.MRS. D. I feel method and discipline are necessary.MR. O. There is no method, and no discipline.MR. CO. Is our chief trouble ignorance?MR. O. Some people think different. They don't think at all.MR. V. How is it possible to start work?MR. O. One must know what one wants.MR. M. If one starts with 'Thy will be done' and the Lord's Prayer,what effort can one make to make that more real?MR. O. I don't know. I never quote New Testament, and cannot repeatit.MISS P . When trying to self-remember, do you use the intellectual partof emotional centre?MR. O. Who said I am trying to remember myself? I never said that.MR. F. Have we a common basis, a common want?MR. O. No, no—all different.MR. F. How can one become more conscious?MR. O. We don't know. We don't have even this small point fromwhich it could come.MISS T . Why is it so difficult to realize what one wants? I know what Iwant to get away from but my aim is not good enough, I know.MR. O. Then there is nothing to speak about.MR. H. Must one start by thinking, and if so what is thinking?MR. O. [Gesture of 'I don't know'.] We have . .. too long to explain.Cannot spend time like that. How people can spend time on anythinglike that! Well?Q . I want to learn how to think properly all the time.MR. O. [to Miss Q.] Do you understand the question?