Letter from the Author

Thank you for choosing to particpate in the online course to Gurdjieff: Cosmic Secrets the TEACHING GUIDE… and, the April Fools Exercise.

Please do not share any material or post it online, as it remains copyrighted property of THEDOG Publishing.

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As my life winds down, the Teaching Guide and the April Fools Exercise are my parting gifts to humanity.  I am confident they will do for you what they have already done for so many.

The Teaching Guide can always be found on thedogpub.com website, in the April Fools section of the Archive, just in case it ever changes, or if a student or a purchaser ever loses or misplaces it.  Instructions on how to register for the website are included below.

After, personally, taking hundreds of students on the journey through Gurdjieff: Cosmic Secrets, let me explain what most of them have experienced.

Day 1

We start Chapter 1.  In the beginning, they are usually afraid of the math, but by the time they do the homework at the end of Chapter 1, and the octave worksheets, they say, “Bring it on.  This is easy.  I can do this.”

Day 2

We do Chapter 2.  They start to grasp creation; and, when we stretch and rumple the fabric of the Universe and create the Diatonic Ratios, they begin to sense that there is something very objective about this work.

Day 3

We do Chapter 3.  At the end of Chapter 3 they realize, it just might be possible for them to actually awaken.  After all, it is their right; and, they have the necessary centers/cards.  Thus, they begin to do the THEDOG exercises with great force, in order to be super prepared for the, perceived, real possibility of awakening.

Day 4

We do Chapter 4.  Harmonic stability becomes a reality, and the exquisite math of TRNA sets them a shaking.  In fact, they often utter, “Oh my God, this is incredible.”

Day 5

We do Chapter 5.  And, assisting forces appear… further putting a nail into their coffin of uncertainty…. After which, they start expecting to awake.

Day 6

We do Chapter 6.  The matrix of outer octaves unfolds before their eyes.  And, as everything in the Universe begins to finally make sense, they not only expect to awake but start to demand it.

Day 7

We do Chapter 7.  Everything that wasn’t covered in the first 6 chapters, is now unveiled.  All the knots are tied… and the bows affixed.  And, when they self-discover all the lines of supervision in an Enneagram, some folks start to tremble.  They are ready!

Day 8

After a night of polishing their centers, the ones that are needed for awakening, we meet the next day around 11 AM.  At that time, I explain the April Fools Exercise to them.  When I do… they get it, they understand it, they see its infallibility, and they know that they are going to awaken.

So, I lock the door, disconnect the phone, dim the lights, and play some, “I can barely hear that” instrumental, new age/zen type music (something that is not easily focused on nor recognized)… and then, I take them through the April Fools Exercise.  It normally takes us about 15 minutes to complete.

After which… they are silent, their thoughts stop, and they feel the presence of their Steward.  Most are afraid to move or even open their eyes… because they do not want to do anything that might cause their awakened state to go away.  Fortunately, when it doesn’t, they eventually open their eyes, look up at me, and smile. I smile back.

Then, in silence, they find their way up to their room; and, exhausted, usually take a nap.

When they awake from their nap and realize it is still there, they find their way back downstairs, smiling like the Cheshire Cat, we nod… and, they become students of THEDOG.

After which, they usually ask, “Can you show me how to awaken the Higher Mental Center, too?”

I say, “I can.”

Enjoy

Sincerely, I Am,

Russell A Smith

THEDOG