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There are two struggles - inner-world struggle and outer-world struggle, but never can these two make contact, to make data for the third world. Not even God gives this possibility for contact between inner- and outer-world struggles; not even your heredity. Only one thing - you must make intentional contact between outer-world struggle and inner-world struggle; only then can you make data for the Third World of Man, sometimes called World of the Soul.

G. I. Gurdjieff#57

GrowthIntegrationSoulStruggle

About this quote

What does it mean?
The soul emerges from intentional contact between inner and outer struggles. Only purposeful integration creates higher consciousness.
In plain terms
Connect inner and outer struggles to build your soul.
What can you take from it?
Bridge your internal and external conflicts.

Where it applies

  • spiritual practice
  • personal crisis
  • leadership

Putting it to work

  • reflection
  • journaling
  • dialogue

Questions to consider

  • How do your struggles connect?
  • What is your third world?

Another view

Intentional contact may not yield spiritual results.

More from G. I. Gurdjieff

  1. Take the 'wisdom' of the East and the ''energy' of the West and then seek.

    Permalink to quote #56
  2. Those who have not shown anything during their responsible life will have nothing to reap in the future.

    Permalink to quote #58
  3. Self-observation brings man to the realization of the necessity of self-change. And in observing himself a man notices that self-observation itself brings abou…

    Permalink to quote #55

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