God and microbe are the same system, the only difference is in the number of centers. Our development is like that of a caterpillar that develops into a butterfly. We must die as caterpillars and be reborn as the chrysalis that becomes the butterfly. It is a long process, and the butterfly in the end lives only a day or two, but the cosmic purpose is fulfilled.
To know the sense and aim of our existence we must suffer consciously, deliberately and with an aim, but as we are now we cannot really suffer for one franc and to know even a little of the real world as it is we must suffer for a million francs. We must destroy our buffers, and do many other things.
-- Gurdjieff, from Views from the Real World
