Conscious Labor and Intentional Suffering

A Journey into Gurdjieff’s Transformative Practices

From Cynthia Bourgeault’s 2019 Wisdom School at Claymont
Mr. Gurdjieff Meet Mr. Teilhard: Teilhard and Gurdjieff in Conversation
Thursday Afternoon Teaching, December 5, 2019

Key Themes:

Introduction to Conscious Labor and Intentional Suffering

• Historical roots in Gurdjieff’s and Teilhard’s teachings
• How these practices fit within global spiritual traditions
• Relationship to conscious transformation and the “great Trogoautoegocrat”

Understanding Conscious Labor

• Definition and key principles (three-brained attention, presence, mindfulness)
• The role of divided attention vs. unified awareness
• Practical examples of conscious labor in daily life
• Moving beyond comfort zones and automatic pilot

Exploring Intentional Suffering

• Distinction between “stupid suffering” and intentional suffering
• Bearing as sustaining and birthing
• The collective dimension—lightening the sorrow of our common father
• Connections to Christian piety and Buddhist Tonglen practice

Practices for Conscious Labor and Intentional Suffering

• Bearing unpleasant manifestations of others
• Transforming life’s hardships into intentional offerings
• Breathing practices and inner postures of acceptance
• Case studies of individuals taking on intentional suffering

Inner Freedom and the Choice to Bear

• Working from a non-identified, uncoopted center
• Choosing rather than reacting
• How deep will and free choice can neutralize harmful circumstances

Cosmic Context and Human Role

• Navigating between the finite and the infinite
• Human beings as translators between two worlds
• The alchemical work of transforming life conditions into spiritual nutrients

Fruits of the Work

• Coating the interior being-body
• Offering goodness, endurance, joy, and peace to the planet
• The health of the cosmic system as dependent on these “subtle substances”