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Lesson 22 Review and Synthesis of Self Knowledge

Organize the following data on a personal card for yourself:

Self-Knowledge Card

Present situation (synthesis): Roles (basic attitude): Values (compensations): Self-Image (compensations): Primary Reveries (compensations): Reverie Nucleus (basic compensation): Biography (accidents): Biography (repetitions): Biography (changes of stage): Biography and Reverie Nucleus (relations):

It is best to write considerations on your card that are as short and precise as possible. When you complete your card, compare each point on it to the other ones, and write the results of this in your notebook. You have now reached a condition to begin to make changes regarding your past “mechanical” or automatic tendencies, and your future projects. To comprehend this in a short and synthetic way, organize a second card which you will use in relationship with the first card.

Projects Card Important projects on a short-term basis: Important projects on a medium-term basis: Important projects on a long-term basis: Motivations for the projects (based on the previous card): Possible deviations of projects (based on the previous card): Corrections and adjustments needed for the projects: Comments:

Once a person begins to understand how their reveries and projects are compensations for their deficiencies, they often realize they have been suffering from some self-deceptions. They discover that their most interesting and positive qualities are being “suffocated” precisely by their imaginary compensations or reveries! While Self Knowledge does propose an approach to negative factors, the fundamental idea is to particularly reinforce those positive qualities smothered by the compensatory reveries. Generally, images or projects based on compensatory reveries will provide a certain temporary release of tension, and the human being clings to them just because of this. But as time passes, the reveries may move further and further away from the real situation a person actually lives in; they do not meet one’s true needs, and this generates suffering and contradiction. A correct work of Self Knowledge does not simply leave you in a situation of understanding your basic defects, but also stimulates you to make resolutions for change. These resolutions are not just more imaginary compensations, but are thoroughly studied and are based on this work on yourself. The lessons on Relax, Psycho-Physical Gymnastics, Operative, and Self Transference are the precise tools of work on oneself we offer all those who desire profound and positive changes in their lives.

SECOND PART OPERATIVE

1. Review of Previous Works In the subject of Relax, we began by working on external physical, internal, and mental relaxation. We then went on to further developments in the use of images in the experience of peace, in converting or transforming tense daily images, and in transforming tense biographical images. The theme of Psycho-Physical Gymnastics had as a basic element the improvement of bodily postures. It also contained a series of exercises to mobilize the vegetative, motor, emotional and intellectual centers of response. Our primary concern was to detect and improve any difficulties or weaknesses in each of the centers and their parts. We also did practices to improve attention. In general, we recommended that you overcome any difficulties found in each test exercise by repeating the same exercise until you mastered it. In the subject of Self Knowledge you studied your present situation, your roles, your values, and your self-image. In addition, we gave special importance to writing your autobiography and to the study and work on reveries. Before beginning the difficult subject of Operative, we recommend that you go over all three courses and make a written review of them. This will allow you to see what you have understood, and integrate and complete this previous stage.

Review Exercises 1. Quickly repeat the lessons on Relax so you completely understand all the techniques and can use them at will. Should you find any technique particularly difficult, work on it until you master it. 2. Quickly repeat the lessons on Psycho-Physical Gymnastics and see whether you have mastered them correctly. A clear indicator of this is if you now use correct body posture and have also overcome the principal difficulties you detected during all the exercises of Psycho-Physical Gymnastics. We recommend that you continue to practice any difficult exercise until you have mastered them. 3. Compare your Self Knowledge Card with your Projects Card. Reconsider the resolutions for change you made at the time and modify them if you need to. Once you have completed these three review exercises, and before you go on, carefully reply to the following question: “Why do you want to continue with this work?”

Written Review Questions Answer the following questions as accurately as you can: 1. What are the practices of Relax useful for? 2. What are the lessons on Psycho-Physical Gymnastics useful for? 3. What is the purpose of Self Knowledge? 4. In what techniques does our system of Relax differ from other systems, and why are these differences important? 5. How does our Psycho-Physical Gymnastics system differ from conventional gymnastics systems and sports, and why? 6. What is the difference between our Self Knowledge system and other systems, and why is this important? 7. What different kinds of tension are there? 8. Where does one register tensions and how? 9. What is the function of images? 10. What is the relationship between body posture and emotional state? 11. How are breathing and emotional state related? 12. What are the centers of response and what does each center do? 13. How does each part of each center work? 14. How are the functions of the centers related to each other? 15. Why is it important to develop one’s attention,? 16. What is the difference between a tension and a climate? 17. What are roles? 18. What is a value or “area of prestige?” 19. What is one’s self-image? 20. What are reveries and what functions do they have’, 21. What are the levels of consciousness? 22. In what ways is the present conditioned by past biographical events? 23. How is the present conditioned by one’s future projects and goals? Check with the lessons on these subjects to verify the accuracy of your answers.

II. Introduction to Operative

When you complete the review of the three previous themes you are prepared to begin the study and practice of the subject of Operative. What is the Operative system useful for? It has two major purposes served by two main systems of practices. By means of a system known as “catharsis” Operative eliminates the excessive “charges” on mental contents that create tension and disturb the normal operation of the consciousness, that is, it reduces excessive tensions. Operative also gives greater order and coherence to the functioning of the consciousness by means of a second system known as “transference.” The Operative system may be defined as the set of techniques directed at normalizing the psychological functions so the consciousness will be in a condition with the free energy to significantly amplify its possibilities. The function of Operative is not a therapeutic one because it does not attempt to solve problems of psychological dissociation or abnormality; these concerns fall into the terrain of Psychiatry. Operative is based on the fact that in today’s world, the human being is not internally integrated. This lack of integration does not lie in the functions of the consciousness; this would be a pathological case outside the interests of Operative. Rather, we are referring to a lack of integration in the contents of the consciousness; the biographical events, the situations one lives in, one’s goals, fears, etc. Integrating all these contents gives coherence to one’s internal world, and therefore also to one’s behavior in the world. It is not coherent for one to think in one direction, feel in another, and act in still a different direction. And yet this happens each day to everyone. This is not a pathological phenomenon; it is a common one, even a habitual one. Yet although it is habitual, it is nonetheless painful. In order to be able to think, feel, and act in the same direction, it is necessary first to balance the charges on the contents of the consciousness (through Catharsis), and second to reorganize these contents (through Transference). The whole system of Operative basically gives one internal coherence, and thus opens possibilities for the evolution of the mind.

Recommendations 1. Study each of these lessons with other people and carry out pedagogical practices as examples for the group. 2. Once you have studied and discussed each lesson, begin to work on it with only one other person. This is an important point: Study, discuss, and even carry out group pedagogical practices, but never do real and profound practices with more than two people. The two participants will have a relationship of the nature of “guide” and “subject.” 3. In each practice alternate the roles of guide and subject so both participants learn to understand and master the proposed techniques. 4. The same two people should work together throughout the whole course as much as possible. 5. Pay attention to your affinity for the other person when you select a guide. One needs to be able to rely on complete mutual discretion with respect to everything which is said and done in the working sessions. 6. Master each lesson perfectly before going onto the following one. This means that the number of working sessions dedicated to each lesson may vary from person to person.