If you're a fan of The Matrix, Apprentice, you might really like Gurdjieff's philosophies. The great synergy of the film with the philosophies of the great Armenian Master is not a mere coincidence considering that the film is full of mystical references.

But, after all, who was Gurdjieff?

Gurdjieff taught the philosophy of self-knowledge through self-remembering, passing on to his students what he had learned on his travels in Asia. His journey was portrayed in the movie “Meetings with Remarkable Men” which can be found on the net with ease.

But, let's go to the central points that I had the honor to learn in his great work “In Search of Being”:

We are all Machines

Gurdjieff makes a very controversial point for those who are reactive to the idea of ​​personal slavery: We are all machines.

This Master thought refers to our automated behaviors, thoughts and actions due to the personal indoctrinations we have suffered since our birth. Religions, Cultures, Schools, Governments, all these things increasingly contribute to our automation of the things we think and do.

Gurdjieff also proposes that getting rid of mechanized behavior is everyone's ultimate challenge. Those who aim to reach a state of higher consciousness must first be aware that they are machines, and then gradually relinquish that status through disciplined and self-observed actions.

We are Sleeping Most of the Time

Considering that since we are machines, according to Gurdjieff, we are all also, in a way, asleep.

As in the Matrix, human beings are parasitized while they sleep and dream of a mechanistic reality of pain and pleasure. Perhaps this mechanism is even a self-defense so that we do not feel all the responsibility and pain of the change of a greater evolution.

Gurdjieff still says in his work that in rare moments we have awakenings, where everything is very clear and we can glimpse for a moment the real essence of things. This moment can be configured as Inspiration, Illumination or Intuition, but in a brief moment we go back to sleep within our mechanical world.

The path of virtue, according to the master, is the path of complete and constant awakening.

We are many "I's" within an I

This is one of the most incredible concepts of “In Search of Being”: We are many I's, inside a single I.

For you to understand better, follow our thought:

The thinking center that is responsible for the rational side, planning and other things that are quite slow processes compared to the other centers.

The center of emotions that is responsible for affectivity, attachment, feelings and some very fast impulses that sometimes we don't even control with mastery.

The movement center which is responsible for reflexes, actions, words and any physical expression and is linked to the other centers.

What is critical here is that these centers can be *and almost always are* in conflict with one another. Who has never consciously and rationally desired something, but unfortunately can only reap the opposite through contrary emotions? Or that self-sabotage that unfortunately always gets in the way of doing something important?

Gurdjieff brilliantly quotes the chariot metaphor where the mind is the coachman, emotions are the horses, and movement is the chariot. If everyone does what they want, within their limits and habits, you never get where you should.

We are all flawed. The big goal here is to make these centers completely aligned through deep self-knowledge that can only be achieved through the fourth element: The Observer.

We need help getting out of the “Matrix”

Having said all that, Gurdjieff makes another rather strong but real statement: We need help getting out of the Matrix.

Many seek self-knowledge and learning alone, but the simplest way to conquer them is through other people. Sages, Guides, Philosophers, Advisors, Scientists... All these people, even if they are not present, can help you through books, videos and content.

Also, other people may see you better than you, so always try to enlist the help of close friends and family to give you realistic feedback about your self and add more self-awareness to your existence.

In the Matrix movie, this process is quite visible in the rescue of Neo (New, Noah) by Trinity (Holy Trinity) and Morpheus (God of Sleep). In addition, several other partners help newcomer Neo on his journey from division and frailty to the ultimate awareness that he is the One.

Well. Now that you've come this far, know this: getting out of the Matrix is ​​just the beginning.