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

MR. R. By trying and trying, one can find the right way?MR. O. One can listen.MISS D. Can one learn anything about oneself by observing other people?MR. O. Probably.MRS. I. Sometimes I notice that things I dislike in other people arereflections of things in myself. I should like help to be able to notice itmore often.MR. O. I don't know. Necessary to know exactly that you dislike thisthing, first of all.MR. U. What prevents one from knowing oneself?MR. O. Either to be too clever, or. ...MRS. E. Apart from a few accidental moments, as far as I can tell Ido not exist at all, but though I sometimes realize I do not exist, Ido not [? act upon it], and I feel some practical work upon myselfis necessary.MR. O. I don't know.MRS. J. I find great difficulty in thinking steadily. Is concentration thebest thing to help me with this?MR. O. I don't know that this is the right word. I don't know that I willuse this word with the same meaning. [To Miss Q.] Do you follow?MISS Q . [to Mrs. J.] Concentration: difficult word.MRS. J. Can I say effort instead?MR. O. I don't know. Not concentration in any case.MR. N. Every time I formulate my aim it seems to be different.MR. O. Very difficult to formulate.MR. N. It seems to be a different aim every time I think about it.MR. O. Also possible.Have you any more questions that we can discuss?MR. RU. The power is in me to develop my understanding and myawareness. How can I best use this power?MR. O. How do you know power is in you?MR. AD. Sometimes I realize that my life will not last for ever, and Iwant a process different from the gradual process of death.MR. O. [to Miss Q.] Could you follow? [Miss Q. repeats question.]Well, could you follow it?MISS Q . I don't know what you mean by process.MR. AD. Life instead of death. Process means dying.MR. O. [to Miss Q.] Well, have you got it?