Chapter 9 Summary of "In Search of the Miraculous" by P.D. Ouspensky
- Ale Saira
- Jun 23, 2024
- 2 min read
In Chapter 9 of "In Search of the Miraculous," P.D. Ouspensky delves deeply into the concept of the "Ray of Creation," a central idea in Gurdjieff’s cosmology. This concept represents the structure of the universe as a series of descending octaves, starting from the Absolute and progressing down to the moon. The Absolute, or world 1, initiates this process. The structure continues through all worlds (world 3), all suns (world 6), our sun (world 12), all planets (world 24), the earth (world 48), and finally culminates at the moon (world 96). Ouspensky explains that the universe can be understood through three main octaves of radiations. The first octave spans from the Absolute to the sun and includes the notes do and si, separated by an interval filled by an unknown shock. The second octave stretches from the sun to the earth, with its interval filled by the shock of organic life. The third octave, from the earth to the moon, includes a third interval filled by another unknown shock. These intervals are crucial for the transmission of radiations, and they require specific shocks to facilitate their continuation throughout the universe. The human organism is compared to a three-storied factory where different types of food—physical food, air, and impressions—are processed on different levels. Each type of food undergoes a transformation governed by the law of octaves. For instance, the food octave and the air octave are explicitly mentioned. However, the octave of impressions does not naturally develop and requires conscious effort to advance. Ouspensky highlights the importance of producing "fine hydrogens," which are essential for achieving higher states of consciousness and inner development. The concept of separating the fine from the coarse is a recurring theme, focusing on the refinement of impressions and air octaves through conscious efforts such as self-remembering and creating artificial shocks at the moment of receiving impressions. The chapter also draws an analogy between the human organism and the universe. The transformation of substances within the human organism mirrors the universal processes, involving three stages of evolution: physical, emotional, and intellectual development. The transmutation of emotions, along with the proper functioning of centers with different hydrogens, is critical for personal growth. Ouspensky emphasizes the materiality of all inner processes, including thoughts and emotions, which are subject to the same laws of transformation as physical matter. Overall, Chapter 9 integrates Gurdjieff’s cosmological ideas with practical teachings on self-development. It underscores the interconnectedness between the cosmic structure and the human organism, suggesting that understanding and applying these principles necessitates rigorous self-observation, conscious effort, and the study of one’s inner processes in relation to the larger cosmos.
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