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One of man's important mistakes, one which must be remembered, is his illusion in regard to his I. Man such as we know him, the 'man-machine,' the man who cannot 'do,' and with whom and through whom everything 'happens,' cannot have a permanent and single I. His I changes as quickly as his thoughts, feelings and moods, and he makes a profound mistake in considering himself always one and the same person; in reality he is always a different person, not the one he was a moment ago.

G. I. Gurdjieff#21

SelfConsciousnessChangeIdentityIllusion

About this quote

What does it mean?
Humans are not a single permanent self; the 'I' changes constantly with thoughts and moods.
In plain terms
You are not one fixed person; your identity shifts all the time.
What can you take from it?
Recognize that your sense of self is fluid.

Where it applies

  • self reflection
  • identity crisis
  • psychological study

Putting it to work

  • journaling
  • mindfulness
  • observation

Questions to consider

  • Are you the same person you were yesterday?
  • How do you know you are one self?

Another view

It challenges legal and social concepts of identity.

More from G. I. Gurdjieff

  1. In speaking of evolution it is necessary to understand from the outset that no mechanical evolution is possible. The evolution of man is the evolution of his c…

    Permalink to quote #20
  2. Man has no permanent and unchangeable I. Every thought, every mood, every desire, every sensation, says 'I'.

    Permalink to quote #22
  3. Man such as we know him, is a machine.

    Permalink to quote #19

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