Every one of those unfortunates during the process of existence should constantly sense and be cognizant of the inevitability of his own death as well as of the death of everyone upon whom his eyes or attention rests. Only such a sensation and such a cognizance can now destroy the egoism completely crystallized in them that has swallowed up the whole of their Essence, and also that tendency to hate others which flows from it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Being constantly aware of death can help eliminate selfishness and hatred toward others.
- In plain terms
- Thinking about death every day helps stop selfishness and hate.
- What can you take from it?
- Meditate on mortality to reduce ego and increase empathy.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does thinking of death affect you?
- What would change if you died tomorrow?
Another view
Focus on death can lead to despair rather than virtue for some.
More from G. I. Gurdjieff
Hope of consciousness is strength Hope of feelings is slavery Hope of body is disease.
Permalink to quote #3 The sole means now for the saving of the beings of the planet Earth would be to implant again into their presences a new organ ... of such properties that ever…
Permalink to quote #5 Love of consciousness evokes the same in response Love of feeling evokes the opposite Love of body depends only on type and polarity.
Permalink to quote #2
Related quotes
In your teens and your 20s, you're immortal, you're untouchable. It's only later that you begin to realize you are mortal. (2004)
Johnny DeppJohnny Depp quote #1 Nature does not know extinction; all it knows is transformation. Everything science has taught me, and continues to teach me, strengthens my belief in the cont…
Wernher von BraunWernher von Braun quote #2 He is dead already who doth not feel Life is worth living still.
Alfred AustinAlfred Austin quote #4