G.I.Gurdjieff

Distinguishing degrees of materiality allows us to examine the relation between man’s functions and the planes of the universe. The principal difference between the centers is that they work with substances of different materiality. The thinking center is the slowest of the three lower centers, operating with a substance on the level of world 48. The moving center works faster with a substance of world 24 that is many times lighter and more mobile. The feeling center can work with a substance of world 12, an even lighter material, although in practice it very rarely does so. The higher feeling center works with a substance of world 12, and the higher thinking center with a substance of world 6. As discussed above, the different degrees of materiality explain why the
higher centers cannot be connected with the lower. In order to obtain a correct and invariable connection between the lower and the higher centers, it is necessary to regulate and quicken the work of the lower centers.

On an individual basis man serves as an apparatus for development pursuant to the Law of Octaves. Nature made us for a certain purpose—to evolve. We eat not just for ourselves but for an outside purpose, because food cannot evolve by itself without our help. We eat bread, and also take in air and impressions, each of which then develops according to the Law of Octaves. Bread enters as do, which contains the possibility and momentum to rise to re and mi without help. But it cannot become fa unless it is mixed with air, which brings energy needed to pass a difficult interval. After that, it needs no help until it reaches si, but it then can go no further by itself. Our aim is to help this octave to completion. Si is the highest point in ordinary animal life, and is the matter from which a new body can be formed.

Our evolution is the evolution of our consciousness. And “consciousness” cannot evolve unconsciously. It is the evolution of our will, and “will” cannot evolve unwillingly. It is the evolution of our power of doing, and “doing” cannot be the result of things that are simply “done.”