Question 1

What is G.I. Gurdjieff: The War Against Sleep by Colin Wilson about?

Accepted Answer

G.I. Gurdjieff: The War Against Sleep by Colin Wilson explores the philosophy of mystic G.I. Gurdjieff, who believed humans live in a state of unconscious "sleep," operating mechanically through habits rather than true awareness. Wilson examines Gurdjieff's teaching that we possess far greater powers than we realize, limited only by habitual laziness that has become an automatic mechanism. The book presents Gurdjieff's methods for awakening consciousness through intentional effort and self-observation.

Question 2

Who was Colin Wilson and why did he write about Gurdjieff?

Accepted Answer

Colin Wilson was an English existentialist philosopher and author who became famous at age 24 with his bestselling book The Outsider in 1956. Wilson focused on positive human psychology, peak experiences, and expanded consciousness throughout his career. He wrote G.I. Gurdjieff: The War Against Sleep in 1980 because he shared Gurdjieff's belief that everyday consciousness is "blinkered" and that humans need to access deeper states of awareness. Wilson saw Gurdjieff's philosophy as complementing his own work on human potential.

Question 3

Is G.I. Gurdjieff: The War Against Sleep worth reading?

Accepted Answer

G.I. Gurdjieff: The War Against Sleep by Colin Wilson is worth reading if you're interested in practical philosophy about overcoming mental autopilot and accessing hidden potential. The book is praised as "the most important and accessible account for the general reader of Gurdjieff's life and work". Wilson's competent writing makes complex mystical concepts understandable. However, readers should note that Gurdjieff's methods involving extreme physical effort have been criticized and may not suit everyone's approach to personal development.

Question 4

Who should read G.I. Gurdjieff: The War Against Sleep by Colin Wilson?

Accepted Answer

G.I. Gurdjieff: The War Against Sleep is ideal for readers interested in self-transformation, consciousness studies, and overcoming limiting beliefs about human capacity. Endurance athletes, high performers, and anyone feeling stuck in mechanical routines will find Gurdjieff's concept of the "40% rule" particularly relevant. The book also appeals to students of mysticism, existential philosophy, and those exploring peak experiences. Anyone questioning whether they're living at full capacity should consider Colin Wilson's accessible introduction to Gurdjieff's revolutionary ideas.

Question 5

What is the main concept of "sleep" in G.I. Gurdjieff: The War Against Sleep?

Accepted Answer

In G.I. Gurdjieff: The War Against Sleep, "sleep" refers to the unconscious, mechanical state in which most humans operate daily. Gurdjieff taught that people sleepwalk through life, reacting automatically to stimuli rather than making conscious choices. This sleep manifests as habitual laziness and comfort-seeking that prevents access to deeper powers. Colin Wilson explains that we "live subject to arrest by degrees of fatigue which we have come only from habit to obey", meaning our perceived limitations are self-imposed mechanisms rather than actual boundaries.

Question 6

What is Gurdjieff's principle of "super-effort" explained in Colin Wilson's book?

Accepted Answer

Gurdjieff's principle of "super-effort" described in Colin Wilson's book involves pushing beyond perceived physical and mental limits through intense, sustained effort. Gurdjieff believed that "through intense efforts a certain form of energy is created—the energy man needs for transformation". This concept relates to the "40% rule"—when you feel completely exhausted, you've actually only reached 40% of your total capacity. Wilson compares this to commando training, where individuals discover hidden reserves by refusing to accept habitual stopping points. Crisis and urgency naturally summon these deeper powers.

Question 7

How does Colin Wilson interpret human potential in G.I. Gurdjieff: The War Against Sleep?

Accepted Answer

Colin Wilson interprets human potential in G.I. Gurdjieff: The War Against Sleep using the metaphor of a massive jet airplane trying to fly on just one engine. Wilson argues that humans possess power and strength that remain invisible and unused. He emphasizes that "our apparent limitations are due to a peculiar form of laziness that has become so habitual that it has developed into a mechanism". Wilson suggests that comfort and security are "far more dangerous than uncertainty" because they prevent us from accessing our full capabilities.

Question 8

What is the 40% rule in G.I. Gurdjieff: The War Against Sleep?

Accepted Answer

The 40% rule discussed in G.I. Gurdjieff: The War Against Sleep states that when you hit "the wall" and feel completely exhausted, you've only reached 40% of your total capacity. This concept, shared by endurance athlete David Goggins and supported by Gurdjieff's philosophy, reveals that approximately 60% of your power remains untapped. Wilson explains this as evidence that we "possess greater powers than we realize". The rule demonstrates how habitual mechanisms cause us to stop far before our actual limits, supporting Gurdjieff's teaching about awakening from mechanical sleep.

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