Basic Self-Knowledge (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: esoteric psychology, greater mind, eastern psychology, The Work, Nicoll's Commentaries, Cosmic Plan (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Consciousness begins with ourselves. When we have basic self-knowledge, we can then break out of the molds of our everyday lives and conditioning and start to make contact with a deeper and far more satisfying level of life and understanding. This basic introduction to slef-knowledge is based on the system of esoteric development introduced to the West by Gurdjieff, with references to the writings of Krishnamurti.The only way of affecting change in our lives is to start within. Basic self-knowledge is the key to becoming more responsible for the quality of our lives, our future, and ultimately our inner peace and happiness.

Product Details

• Paperback: 167 pages
• Publisher: Red Wheel / Weiser (May 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877281629
• ISBN-13: 978-0877281627
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #799,891 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Objective self-knowledge is the key, April 20, 2001

By	Christian White "gnosticstudent" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This book is a good introduction to the basic terminology of the Fourth Way tradition. What is most essential to understand is the irreplacable and unavoidable necessity of objective self-observation; the ability to see ourselves as we really are, not as we THINK we are. Unfortunately, self-observation and self-remembering are grossly misunderstood these days and the Fourth Way is rapidly degenerating; but this text can be helpful for the serious student who is willing to genuinely seek self-knowledge, not mere book knowledge. We must be on guard moment to moment, in clear observation of the mind, the false sense of self, and be remembering ourselves, our consciousness, by being fully present, rather than being identified with thoughts, feelings and sensations. This text can help the reader understand what this means. For more information on how this is done, feel free to contact [e-mail].

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound advice for peace and enlightment., January 24, 2006

By	Jon Howard (Hedgesville, WV USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

That title sounds like some hippy, new-age mumbo jumbo in some ways. It's not. I'm a pragmatic guy, but this book is great. Reducing "self-talk", the static that keeps our minds in turmoil all day, every day, is a great way to reduce suffering that is associated with painful mind-states. Read this book. It's profound.

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, and there is more..., January 18, 2009

By	DeTales (Placerville, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

I found this book, along with others who have read and used it, to be a practical study manual that precipitated excercises that were remarkably revalatory. Truly, we are very much underutilizing our ability to view ourselves as a phenomenon and to reason and intuit from data thus discovered. The appendix on Eternality is the best treatment of the subject I've ever read, as it puts considerations about it on an actual cognizable footing.