Force and Thought (Bennett)

We are enslaved by the thoughts which correspond to our weaknesses. If we allow ourselves to live in daydreams, we become idlers and dreamers. But if we want to achieve, it is not sufficient to think. We have also to put force into our thoughts.

Not every idea has power to change our life.  I do not find that if I think noble thoughts or entertain fine projects in my mind that they have a corresponding effect on my behavior.  We must distinguish between the thoughts that act upon us while we remain passive and the thoughts which become effective only in so far as we ourselves give them force.

-- J.G. Bennett, from Is There 'Life' On Earth?

Illusion of Freedom (Nicoll)

We have the idea and feeling that we are free, not machines. It is possible to dissolve the machine of personality and become free. For this it is necessary to pay for a long time. The Work is to make this payment right. It begins with Self-Observation.

When you think of the meaning of 'freedom,' you must ask: Freedom from what? What do you want to be free from?

One of the most marvelous experiences is to realize how much useless Second Force (Resistance) we create in ourselves due to our imagination, and how endless forms of Second Force arise simply because we possess attitudes which we do not observe, which complicate everything in our lives, creating unnecessary Second Force. To separate oneself a little from one's ingrained attitudes and buffers is to experience a degree of freedom.

We must put ourselves under more laws to become free [of lower laws.] One must put oneself under the laws of the Work to reach any development. All freedom in the esoteric sense is due to inner development on Knowledge and Being. This forms a new level of Understanding.

Your level of Being attracts your life.

A higher level of Being is always freer than a lower level.

-- Maurice Nicoll, from Psychological Commentaries on the Teaching of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky Vol. 2