title: The Work Life: Based on the Teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff, P.D. Ouspensky and Maurice Nicoll
author:  Beryl Pogson 
description: The esoteric teaching known as "the Work" was introduced to the West by Gurdjieff early in this century. Pogson studied "the Work" for many years with Dr. Maurice Nicoll. Here she gives an account of how the principles of fully applying one's knowledge to one's daily life can be put into action.
zlib_text: Talks by Madame Ouspensky
  Notes Taken by Robert S. deRopp
  
   June 1939
   All work is based on watchfulness.  The man who works realizes he is a machine and fears his machine.  Therefore he 
  watches.  While there is a guardian at the door those who go in and out can be scrutinized.  Acceptance, rejection; yes, 
  no; this is the basis of true work.  A healthy cell does this work by itself.
   A man who knows what is profitable will not steal from himself but saves his energy, knowing that nothing can come 
  without energy.  All things have their own materiality and, according to their materiality, there they belong.
   To be collected in oneself is essential, but it is necessary to be collected in the right place.
   This is X’s difficulty.  He collects himself in the wrong place and thinks this is work.  One must be relaxed to be 
  properly collected.  One must hold on nowhere.  X cannot do this since, if he did, he would cease to exist.
   It makes no difference whether one says this is so or this 