Maurice Nicoll’s Insights on Gurdjieff’s Teachings: The Enneagram and Hydrogens
- Ale Saira
- Jul 8, 2024
- 3 min read
In the second volume of "Psychological Commentaries on the Teaching of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky," particularly in Chapter 12, Maurice Nicoll delves into the intricate and profound concepts of the Enneagram and the transformations of hydrogens.
His exposition on the teachings of Gurdjieff in Chapter 12 provides a profound insight into the intricate processes of inner transformation. By understanding and applying these concepts of hydrogens and the Enneagram, individuals can start a real journey of self-development, gradually refining their inner states and achieving higher levels of awareness and being. Nicoll's work serves as a guide for those committed to the path of conscious evolution, emphasizing the importance of continuous effort and inner work in transforming the energy within us.
Nicoll begins by explaining the crucial role of Hydrogen 384 within the Enneagram. He identifies it as the starting point for a series of transformative processes essential for human growth. This hydrogen symbolizes the digested form of food, marking the first step in the journey of transformation. Food, initially in the form of Hydrogen 768, is external and only becomes part of us after digestion, turning into Hydrogen 384, which the body can absorb and utilize.
One of Nicoll's key points is the difference between how animals and humans process and utilize these hydrogens. While animals like cows can transform food into basic energy forms suitable for their survival, humans possess the unique ability to refine these substances further. For example, cows might transform food into Hydrogen 768, but humans can take this and convert it into higher states like Hydrogen 384, 192, 96, and eventually 48.
Nicoll introduces the concept of the Octave of Food, a metaphorical scale representing the stages of energy transformation necessary for our development. Hydrogen 48 emerges as a particularly significant state, representing the energy used in thinking and conscious mental activity. However, this is not the final stage. Through conscious effort and inner work, this hydrogen can further transform into Hydrogen 24 and Hydrogen 12, representing even more refined states of energy crucial for higher mental and spiritual functions.
A pivotal aspect of Nicoll’s discussion is the First Conscious Shock, a key moment in the Enneagram located at point 6. This shock represents the conscious effort required to initiate inner transformation. Nicoll emphasizes that true development begins with this conscious shock, which involves a deliberate shift in thinking and perception. It’s about waking up to new possibilities and starting a new octave of transformation within oneself.
Nicoll stresses that the journey of transformation is gradual, requiring persistent inner thinking and self-remembering. He likens this process to the gradual change of mind, where new ideas are acknowledged and integrated slowly over time. This "slow shock" in the mental part leads to significant changes in how we perceive and interact with the world, eventually affecting our emotional and physical states.
To live the Work, as Nicoll suggests, one must continuously apply these transformative ideas, especially during challenging moments. This involves protecting one’s inner state from negative influences and striving to maintain a conscious presence. By doing so, individuals can give themselves the First Conscious Shock, leading to the creation of Hydrogen 24 and Hydrogen 12 within, fundamentally altering their thinking and being.
Nicoll also elucidates the roles of various hydrogens. For instance, Hydrogen 768 represents basic food, and Hydrogen 1536 is suitable for animal consumption. Humans, however, have the potential to transform these into much finer substances, which is essential for achieving deeper self-awareness and development. This transformation process highlights the unique capabilities of the human organism to refine and elevate basic energies into higher states of consciousness.
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