S7/E34: Breaking the Chains – Practical Steps to Inner Unity

Introduction

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Welcome back to The Dog Teachings Podcast. I’m Gary Eggleton, and this is the second part of our two-episode series on ascending from fragmentation toward lasting inner unity.

In our previous episode, From Fragmentation to Wholeness, we examined the internal conflict caused by competing ‘I’s’, how this keeps us mechanically trapped in what Gurdjieff called World 96, and we introduced the ascending stages of Deputy Steward, Steward, and Master, which mark our pathway toward genuine freedom.

Today, we shift our focus from understanding to practical application. We’ll explore exactly how to weaken the grip of fragmented ‘I’s’ through direct, daily practices, sustain our ascent into stable presence, and create lasting inner unity.

We’ll cover:

• Practical exercises for self-observation and self-remembering.
• How conscious struggle transforms resistance into growth.
• The process of building the Kesdjan Body, and the role of the Three Lines of Work.
• The essential commitments necessary for sustaining unity permanently.

This two-part series marks a significant milestone as The Dog Teachings Podcast moves toward its conclusion. After more than 230 episodes deeply exploring the structured path laid out by Russell A. Smith, and thoroughly preserving his 8-day inner journey to activate Steward—the impartial observer—through The Objective Exercise, we have fully honored our commitment to safeguarding his work. To continue accessing Russell’s profound insights, TheDogTeachings.com will remain permanently available as a complete archive and ongoing resource, together with regular book readings and Q&A’s More details will follow.

In recent episodes, beginning with episode 16 of this series, we've shifted toward even deeper explorations of presence and emotional clarity. The Work itself continues and expands, delving more richly into dimensional perception, unified presence, and the practical embodiment of Gurdjieff’s Five Strivings. This new phase of our journey has a name: Martfotai.

Martfotai is not merely a continuation—it’s a fresh podcast and a new chapter, distinct in voice and broader in scope. It builds upon everything discovered here, delving deeper into the inner architecture of attention, the stabilization of a unified presence, and the active daily practice of the Work.

The name Martfotai is drawn directly from Gurdjieff’s Fifth Striving: “the striving always to assist the most rapid perfecting of other beings... up to the degree of Marfotai—that is, up to the degree of self-individuality.” This striving now stands central to our journey forward.

But before we fully transition to Martfotai, let’s ground ourselves deeply in today’s practical steps—so we can take this transformative knowledge and embody it in real life.

Let’s dive in.

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Section 1: Practical Steps to Break the Chains of Fragmentation

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Understanding fragmentation and the path to unity is one thing—applying it is another.

Knowing that we are divided into many ‘I’s’ does not make us whole. Seeing the machinery at work does not automatically free us. To truly unify ourselves, we must engage in intentional practice—moment by moment, day by day.

Transformation is not an idea. It is a process.

This section outlines five essential steps to move from fragmentation to unity. Each step weakens the influence of mechanical ‘I’s’ and strengthens the Deputy Steward, creating the foundation for real inner cohesion.

Let’s begin.

1.1 Step One: Self-Observation Without Identification

The first step is to see—not with judgment, not with justification, but with objective awareness. We are told in one of Gurdjieff’s aphorisms to not judge a man by the tales of others. We apply that here, seeing simply what is, not believing the stories of what a random “I” tells us about ourselves or others.

Most people live in identification, fully absorbed in whichever ‘I’ is present at the moment. If anger arises, they are angry. If doubt appears, they are doubting. If an impulse emerges, they follow it without question.

To break this pattern, we must observe without becoming.

 Key Practice:
- Whenever an emotion or thought arises, pause.
- Instead of reacting, watch it.
- Ask yourself: What is happening inside me?
- Which ‘I’ is speaking right now?

At first, these moments of observation will be brief. But with repetition, they create space between you and the impulse, weakening the automatic pull of mechanical reactions.

Each act of self-observation strengthens Deputy Steward—the first step toward real will.

1.2 Step Two: Stop Believing Every ‘I’ That Appears

Once we begin observing, a deeper realization emerges:

We are not our thoughts. We are not our emotions. We are not our reactions.

Most people believe that every thought and feeling that arises is true—that if an ‘I’ appears and says, “This is pointless,” then it must be so. But in reality, thoughts and emotions come and go like passing clouds—each ‘I’ appearing, speaking its mind, then disappearing.

We do not have to believe them.

 Key Practice:
- When a fearful ‘I’ appears—see it, but do not become it.
- When a self-doubting ‘I’ arises—recognize it, but do not let it dictate your actions.
- When an indulgent ‘I’ urges distraction—acknowledge it, but do not follow its command.

Every time we step back from an automatic ‘I’ instead of identifying with it, we weaken its hold.

This is the beginning of real choice.

1.3 Step Three: Strengthening Self-Remembering

Even after we begin observing ourselves, one problem remains—we forget.

We remember for a moment… then a few hours pass, and we realize we’ve fallen back into automatic reactions.

This is because mechanical life constantly pulls us back into identification. If we do not actively reinforce awareness, it will fade.

The solution? Deliberate self-remembering.

 One Simple Practice:
- Choose a physical object or reminder—a ring, a sticker on a door, a stone in your pocket.
- Each time you see or touch it, pause and remember yourself.
- Feel your body, your breath, your presence in the moment.
- Silently affirm: “I am here.”

Every time we interrupt identification, we strengthen our ability to remain present.

Each act of self-remembering moves us one step up the Ray of Creation, from fragmentation toward unity.

1.4 Step Four: Conscious Struggle and Intentional Effort

True change requires struggle—not against external circumstances, but against our own mechanical tendencies.

Most people avoid struggle. They seek comfort, habit, and familiarity. But in the Work, struggle is fuel.

 Using Friction as a Tool for Growth:
- When someone criticizes you—pause instead of reacting.
- When impatience arises—stay with the discomfort instead of escaping it.
- When an old habit pulls at you—watch the urge without following it.

Each time we choose presence over reaction, we grow stronger.

At first, this effort feels difficult. But over time, it becomes a new way of being.

1.5 Step Five: Building the Kesdjan Body

Gurdjieff described a deeper transformation that occurs through these practices—the formation of the Kesdjan Body.

The word Kesdjan comes from:
- “Kes” (Armenian) meaning “half.”
- “Djan” (Turkish) meaning “soul” or “life.”

It signifies a half-formed soul—one that must be completed through effort.

Most people exist only in mechanical life (World 96–48). They do not have a stable, developed being. They are a collection of temporary identities, shifting moment to moment.

But as we observe, self-remember, and struggle consciously, something begins to solidify.

A real inner presence forms—one that is no longer dictated by external forces.

This is the beginning of true individuality—the emergence of a self that does not break apart under pressure.

And without it, no further development is possible.

1.6 The Three Lines of Work – The Final Key to Progress

Gurdjieff emphasized that real transformation requires effort on three levels.

First Line – Work on Oneself
- Self-observation, self-remembering, resisting identification.

Second Line – Work with Others
- Engaging in group work provides friction, revealing blind spots we cannot see alone.

Third Line – Work for the Work
- Contributing to something beyond oneself—sustaining the teaching—ensures deeper commitment.

Why This Matters:
- Without First Line, there is no self-awareness.
- Without Second Line, there is no way to see what we miss.
- Without Third Line, commitment fades, and the Work is lost.

Only when all three lines are engaged can we fully break free from mechanical life and move toward unity.

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Section 2: Sustaining the Ascent – Beyond Fragmentation

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Recognizing fragmentation is one thing. Taking the first steps toward unity is another. But the greatest challenge is sustaining the ascent.

Many who begin the Work experience temporary clarity. They observe their shifting ‘I’s,’ practice self-remembering, and feel genuine progress—only to find themselves falling back into old patterns. Why does this happen?

Because mechanical habits have momentum. World 96 does not release its grip easily. Like an undertow, it continually pulls us back into identification. Without vigilance, our awareness fades, and fragmented ‘I’s’ regain control.

To prevent this, we need a structured approach—a deliberate way to ensure our progress does not vanish overnight. Let’s explore three essential practices designed to maintain inner unity and deepen our transformation.

2.1 Avoiding the Trap of Relapse into Mechanical Life

The biggest threat to lasting progress is forgetting—not in terms of memory, but in the sense that after a strong period of awareness, we mistakenly believe our transformation is complete. We assume we’ve permanently overcome fragmentation, only to discover days or weeks later that old patterns have quietly reasserted themselves.

This isn’t failure; it’s natural. Just as a muscle weakens without regular exercise, our awareness fades without continual reinforcement.

The Daily Review Practice
Each evening, take five minutes to reflect:

• How often did I genuinely remember myself today?
• Where did I slip back into identification?
• Which ‘I’ dominated my thoughts and emotions?
• What can I do differently tomorrow?

Writing down these reflections reveals patterns over time, helping us catch mechanical tendencies before they fully regain control. Daily self-reflection prevents unconscious relapse and consistently reinforces inner unity.

2.2 Turning Struggle into Conscious Effort

Most people perceive struggle as a problem to avoid. But in the Work, struggle is essential fuel for growth. Every moment of internal resistance—each impulse toward mechanical reaction, each discomfort or challenge—is an opportunity for deeper transformation.

Rather than viewing these struggles as obstacles, we use them consciously for growth:

• When irritation arises, pause and observe it rather than reacting immediately.
• When frustration emerges, remain present with that discomfort instead of avoiding it.
• When the urge to procrastinate appears, acknowledge it but do not follow it.

Each instance of choosing presence over habitual reaction builds permanent inner strength. Initially, this requires willpower, but over time, conscious effort naturally becomes a new way of being.

2.3 Beyond Fragmentation – Living Free

As we continue these practices, subtle yet profound changes unfold:

• Inner noise diminishes.
• Emotional swings lessen.
• Thoughts become clearer and more purposeful.
• A stable sense of inner presence emerges.

At first, these changes may feel slight. Yet gradually, they reshape our entire experience. Life feels richer, more vivid, and meaningful. Emotional reactions become deliberate choices rather than automatic responses. Inner contradictions and struggles between competing ‘I’s’ begin to dissolve. Presence shifts from something we must consciously remember to something we naturally embody.

This transformation is not theoretical. It is observable, measurable, and experienced directly by anyone sincerely engaging in the Work. When sustained, this state opens the possibility of even higher consciousness.

You now stand at a threshold, having glimpsed the structure that governs both fragmentation and unity. The way upward isn’t random—it follows precise, repeatable principles. But the Work only exists through continuous action and commitment.

At every moment, the choice remains yours:

• Will I continue observing myself or slip back into mechanical habits?
• Will I apply self-remembering or let life carry me unconsciously?
• Will I embrace struggle as opportunity or retreat into comfort?

The path upward is always open—but only you can choose to walk it.

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Section 3: The Three Commitments of Conscious Life

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Having glimpsed the path beyond fragmentation, a key question arises: How do we make this transformation permanent?

To truly shift from momentary insight into lasting change, we must consciously commit to principles that sustain our presence and prevent mechanical habits from regaining control. Real growth is not a single moment of realization—it’s a lifelong process of refinement.

Here are three essential commitments that solidify our ascent and ensure lasting unity:

• Daily Awareness – The Mirror of Self-Observation
• Intentional Struggle – Turning Resistance into Growth
• Living the Work – Embodying the Teaching, Not Just Understanding It

Each commitment reinforces the others, creating a self-sustaining cycle of conscious development.

Commitment #1: Daily Awareness – The Mirror of Self-Observation

The greatest danger we face is drifting back into identification without realizing it. We may remain present for days or weeks, then slowly slip into unconscious patterns.

To prevent this, we must never let a day pass without conscious reflection.

The Evening Review Practice:
Each night, take a brief moment and ask yourself:

• Where did I remain present today?
• Where did I fall into identification?
• Which ‘I’ dominated my thoughts and actions?
• What will I do differently tomorrow?

Even a short reflection every evening significantly strengthens your presence, building inner stability day by day.

Commitment #2: Intentional Struggle – Turning Resistance into Growth

Most people avoid struggle, believing growth should feel effortless. But in this Work, struggle is our greatest ally.

Every moment of internal friction—every urge toward mechanical reaction, every discomfort—is an opportunity for conscious transformation.

Reframing Struggle:

• When irritation arises, pause and observe rather than reacting impulsively.
• When fear surfaces, acknowledge it without allowing it to dictate your actions.
• When old habits reassert themselves, witness the urge but choose not to follow it.

Each conscious encounter with struggle builds lasting inner strength, gradually transforming effort into natural being.

Commitment #3: Living the Work – Embodying, Not Just Understanding

The Work is not simply an idea or a practice we occasionally remember. True transformation occurs when self-awareness, self-remembering, and intentional effort become our default way of being.

At first, these practices feel like conscious tools we apply. Yet at a certain point, a profound shift happens:

• We no longer remind ourselves to observe—we simply see clearly.
• We no longer need to force presence—it naturally remains with us.
• We no longer struggle for unity—we embody it effortlessly.

This is what it means to live beyond mechanical life:
No longer reacting unconsciously, but consciously choosing; no longer shifting and fragmented, but stable and whole.

The way upward is open, but it exists only through your continuous commitment and action.

The choice to continue is always yours.

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Wrap-Up: The Rising Trinity of Consciousness – From Hell to Heaven

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We have explored fragmentation, the path to unity, and the practical steps needed to sustain it.

Through this journey, we've uncovered:

• Why fragmentation keeps us divided, contradicting ourselves at every turn.
• How competing ‘I’s’ prevent real will and keep us trapped in reaction.
• The structured ascent—from Deputy Steward, through Steward, to Master—the Rising Trinity of Consciousness.
• The practical tools of self-observation, self-remembering, and intentional struggle that dissolve mechanical fragmentation.
• How true transformation is not a single event, but an ongoing process of refinement.

Ultimately, one realization remains:

We were never meant to remain fragmented, to live as shifting identities lost in contradiction.
We were always meant to unify, to rise, and become whole.

The Choice That Awaits You

Now, the choice is yours.

You've glimpsed the structure governing both fragmentation and unity.
You know the way upward follows precise, repeatable principles.

So ask yourself:

• Will I continue observing, or fall back into automatic reactions?
• Will I actively practice self-remembering, or drift unconsciously?
• Will I embrace struggle as an opportunity, or retreat into comfort?

The path upward remains open, but no one can unify for you.
It requires your conscious decision and committed action.

Thank You for Listening

As The Dog Teachings Podcast enters its final episodes, a new chapter begins: Martfotai—a new podcast and platform dedicated to emotional clarity, dimensional perception, and stabilizing the permanent “I.”

If this Work has helped you grow in presence or insight, I invite you to continue the journey with us. The first Martfotai episode drops next week! You’ll find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms—just search “Martfotai.”

In the meantime, visit TheDogTeachings.com to further explore objective teachings aligned with Gurdjieff’s Third Striving: “the conscious striving to know more and more about the laws of world-creation and world-maintenance.” There, you can order The Blueprint of Consciousness—a practical, verifiable guide to inviting a permanent impartial observer into your being, containing the Objective Exercise, which unifies your lower centers and activates the Higher Emotional Centre, providing a stable foundation of presence.

After completing the Objective Exercise, you can deepen your Work further. By memorizing 1,001 words precisely, you qualify to learn the Master Exercises and the advanced Double or Nothing Exercises, Parts 1 and 2. These powerful tools can help activate the Higher Mental Centre, allowing you to reach states of genuine impartiality, pure reason, and true self-individuality.

But activating these centers is only the threshold. Beyond lies the greater Work: consciously living the Fourth and Fifth Strivings—paying for one’s arising and individuality by lessening the sorrow of our Common Father, and assisting the rapid perfecting of other beings up to the degree of Marfotai: true self-individuality.

For many, reaching this degree requires deeper assistance—and that is precisely why Martfotai now begins.

You can also join our weekly Zoom classes for direct guidance and shared practice during this transition.

We still have a few more Dog Teachings episodes ahead, and I hope you'll walk with me to the threshold.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Until next time, stay rooted in your awareness, hold fast to your unified presence, and let your true self guide each step.

Goodbye.

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