Abstract

This well-known psychologist/parapsychologist reflects upon a basic theme of G.I. Gurdjieff's teaching, "Man is asleep." Analysis of our ordinary state of consciousness or "waking sleep" shows it to be full of tension and stress for which we habitually develop a variety of defense mechanisms. These psychological buffers allow the adequate functioning of the culture as a whole but cause enormous amounts of unnecessary suffering. Understanding these processes may help in understanding consciousness and in self-observational work to enable us to become more fully awake.