Someone asked me a good question: “How would you define “the inner work”? When the soul is weary enough of living in a world that is clearly inadequate, it begins to stir in its sleep. My mother first put me on the path when I was in my early thirties. I had begun to read “The Autobiography of a Yogi,” by Paramahansa Yogananda, which she had given to me. She also gave me a Joel Goldsmith book. Having read them I was eager to read more and began to devour spiritual books.
At age 32, I learned that my little girl was dying. I put aside my studies in the wake of such a devastating occurrence. By the time I was 35 she was dead. My soul stirred because of the grief and I begin to become thirsty for living water. Nothing less than the truth would do.
In 1980 we moved into our new house and I have lived in it ever since. I begin to do the inner work in earnest. My late husband and I began to study Vernon Howard and in 1984 we flew to Las Vegas, Nevada to attend one of his classes. He taught in a little town outside of Vegas. Before going out there I had a big dream where we were in the desert outside of Vegas and ended up in a class that protected windows.
Vernon Howard WAS the Work begun by G. I. Gurdjieff, although he had modified the teachings to fit American students. They carried his books at some point but had stopped by the time Bob and I arrived.
As Vernon taught it, the inner work is already inside each of us, but it is dormant until such a time as fate deems it appropriate to begin it. Many years later, I can say that Sufi teachings are also in line with what Gurdjieff taught. But it was Vernon that engaged my heart and mind until his death in 1992.
The Work is any and all inner work you do on yourself, whether under the guidance of a teacher or not. Vernon’s secretary told me that I had just gotten in under the wire, that I was one of his “dodo’s.”
It is a rough no-holds barred kind of inner work. Vernon would rouse us to fear, anger, rage, etc. It was his job and only a real teacher can do it. I am just writing essays! My arm is getting tired now, so I shall stop and sum up what I just said. The inner work is not guided by your ego but by your soul, and may God have mercy on you when you take it up. Why do I say that? Because the temptations of Christ will begin and continue on indefinitely. Do not be disheartened by what the world has done to you; it can be undone. Selah.
Vicki Woodyard