Gurdjieff tells us that the way of the sly man is faster than the other three ways, and this has led to a continuous pondering in my being as to why it takes so long for so many people involved in the Work. What is the missing element? How can people be involved in this powerful work for decades and not have something concrete built up?

I suggest here that this can be formulated in exact measure by study of the Laws of World Creation and World Maintenance (lwcwm). As Ouspensky suggests in his book The Fourth Way, there are three lines of work; these must be engaged for work to proceed in the correct way. The interaction of these three lines of work can be accurately pictured by studying the food diagram, which provides for shocks at the necessary points for all three octaves of food. This interaction is shown mathematically in Russell Smith's Cosmic Secrets on page 75 and is worth a thorough study. The implication is that once the three lines are balanced, there are no further shocks to hinder our progress!

So from a practical point of view, which is the only way to take the work, we need third-line work in order to gain momentum in our work. Otherwise the tidal wave of ordinary life, that is, the totality of forces that act against our self-perfecting, will constantly push us off the path, if indeed it does not stop us from working entirely. The real problem, however, is a lack of avenues for third-line work. Most people find themselves in a situation in which the teacher, or school, is nonexistent or perhaps only partially existent. In any case, the situation is far from being clear-cut.

Ouspensky suggests that we prepare ourselves to be fit for third-line work and that when an opportunity comes, we must seize it without hesitation or it will pass us, never to return again. Unfortunately, most people wait a very long time and, during this waiting, forget they are supposed to be ready. I suggest here that we are already being asked, that we do not need to wait. The work as a whole is in great need of preservation; any inspection of the current state of the work on our planet quickly shows that it is fading into obscurity at an increasing pace. All of G’s original students are near death or have died alread, and no one has risen sufficiently to carry the teaching to following generations.

There is also the question of what constitutes third-line work. Mr. Gurdjieff often said that third-line work was work for him, so we may ask ourselves what Mr. G would have us do. There have already been so many books published as to confuse matters further, although any book that clarified the purpose and means of work would certainly be useful. In recent years there has also been a proliferation of musical recordings to preserve the music he left us. What is left is the movements, which are difficult to ‘capture’ and perhaps more difficult to teach/transmit effectively. With the movements we have the essence of ‘verbal transmission,’ since drawings and video do not pass them on in a real way. The only way for them to survive is by people doing them, and entering into them well enough to pass them to the next generation. As mentioned in the first series, Mr. G’s final ‘name’ was simply a "teacher of dancing." This should be a goal for anyone who seriously works on himself.

The one thing that is not mentioned above is the direct transmission of the teaching, one-on-one, from a teacher to a student, using what Mr. G called the subjective method. For this, one must to some extent understand ‘types’ and be able to see the objective shortcomings and needs of the student. Being objective to another is simple enough, but knowing what is necessary for preparatory work comes only from direct knowledge, that is, having done the work oneself. To take the responsibility for the direction and conditions for the development of another is huge, and few dare to take on this responsibility. However, in my experience, at a certain point in one’s work, this responsibility constitutes the most effective means for moving forward. As Mr. G says, one must put someone else on his step before moving up.

For creating these conditions and direction, there are often organizations put together, which to a greater or lesser extent serve the purposes of third-line work. Since contributing financially to one of these organizations makes their work possible, putting money from one’s ordinary job at the disposal of such an organization is also a possible avenue of third-line work. In this case it would be useful to remember that, while at one’s job, a certain amount of the efforts go to the work.

Perhaps this will open some new possibilities for your own work and for work with others. Gaining momentum clears much energy for efforts in our work, and avoiding unnecessary shocks allows us to progress faster. Clearly we do not have much time for the enormous task before us, and we can use all the help we can get!

KSR 1/03/02