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

give up, there is no will. Another moment we have a strong desire thatis against work, and if we stop it, it means we give up will. It is notevery moment that we can give up will, but only at special moments.And what does it mean 'against work'? It means against rules andprinciples of the work, or against something you are personally told todo or not to do. There are general and personal conditions. There arecertain general rules and principles. Afterwards, when one is supposedto have understood the fundamental things, people may have separateconditions.MR. C. Much more effort is needed on the psychological side?MR. O. It is all psychological.MR. L. Is it against school if one tries to study other systems?MR. O. It depends what systems. Mathematics is harmless, study ofastrology is stupid.MR. L. Systems that increase our knowledge?MR. O. If you run after two hares, you lose both.MR. H. Why have you given up your time to us?MR. O. The question is about you, not about me.MR. B. Is laziness—work against system?MR. O. Laziness may have different manifestations. I did not meanthat.MRS. W. Should one ask for further personal directions?MR. O. Yes, but if one asks, one must obey. One is not obliged to doanything if one does not ask. But if one asks, one must obey. So beforeasking one must think twice.MR. J. If one is prepared to obey, will you give directions?MR. O. If opportunity offers. It must be a moment when you have will.MR. J. The moment of asking is will?MR. O. No, it may be curiosity. There must be a definite desire to dosomething that affects work or other people. Usually we have bad will.We very seldom have good will. If you have good will, I don't speakabout it; I simply say, go on, continue, learn.There are many things mixed here. You don't know how to thinkabout it. On one side you realize you are machines, but the nextmoment you want to act according to your own opinion. Then at thismoment you must be able to stop, not to do what you want. But notat moments when you have no intention of doing anything. You mustbe able to stop if it goes against rules, or principles, or against what