The Five Being-Obligolnian-Strivings
From Beelzebub's Tales pp. 385 (1950 edition)
Comment from a student on the five strivings...
"If I was to be allowed only a page of Mr. Gurdfjieff's writings, if I was allowed only a page of ANY writings, this is what I would take with me:"
And it proceeded in the following way:
"All the beings of that planet then began to work in order to have in their consciousness this divine function of genuine Conscience, and for this purpose, as everywhere in the Universe, they transubstantiated in themselves what are called the 'being-obligolnian-strivings' of which there are five, namely:
First Striving: "To have in their ordinary being-existence everything satisfying and really necessary for their planetary body."
Second Striving: "To have a constant and unflagging instinctive need for self-perfection in the sense of being."
Third Striving: "The conscious striving to know ever more and more concerning the laws of World-creation and World-maintenance."
Fourth Striving: "The striving from the beginning of their existence to pay for their arising and their individuality as quickly possible, in order afterwards to be free to lighten as much as possible the Sorrow of our Common Father."
Fifth Striving: "The striving always to assist the most rapid perfecting of other beings, both those similar to oneself and those of other forms, up to the degree of the sacred Martfotai, that is, up to the degree of self-individuality."
"These are found in Mr. Gurdjieff's 'Beelzebub’s Tales to His Grandson’, p. 385-386, in the chapter "The Organization for man's existence created by the Very Saintly Ashiata Shiemash. If you have not already read this book, then may reading it be your goal. It is not an easy read, but that is the point of it. Mr. Gurdjieff gave instructions on how it should be read on page 2, under the title "Friendly Advice":
"I find it necessary on the first page of this book, quite ready for publication, to give the following advice:
“Read each of my written expositions thrice:
Firstly—at least as you have already become mechanized to read all your contemporary books and newspapers.
Secondly—as if you were reading aloud to another person.
And only thirdly—try and fathom the gist of my writings.”
Only then will you be able to count upon forming your own impartial judgment, proper to yourself alone, on my writings. And only then can my hope be actualized that according to your understanding you will obtain the specific benefit for yourself which I anticipate, and which I wish for you with all my being."