The first time I heard the phrase I AM, it resonated deeply within me. Although I didn’t fully understand its meaning at the time, it felt as though it connected with something at the core of my being. My introduction to this concept came through the teachings of the spiritual philosopher George Gurdjieff, whose work emphasises the importance of self-awareness and the power of the I AM. In fact, one of Gurdjieff’s most famous works, Life is Real Only When I AM, explores this very idea, presenting I AM as central to experiencing true reality.
One of the pivotal moments in my spiritual journey was reading The Fourth Way by P.D. Ouspensky, a student of Gurdjieff. This book, which is based on the teachings of Gurdjieff, laid the foundation for my own awakening. In The Fourth Way, Ouspensky outlines a system of spiritual development designed to awaken individuals from the state of unconsciousness that most of us live in. According to the doctrine, awakening comes through self-knowledge, conscious awareness of oneself and the world, physical movements, and most importantly, the practice of self-remembering—a heightened state of awareness where one remains present to their inner and outer worlds.
The term The Fourth Way refers to a path that integrates different types of spiritual practices, making it more adaptable to modern life. Traditional spiritual paths—like the path of the monk, the fakir, and the yogi—require withdrawal from daily life, but the Fourth Way encourages self-development while participating in everyday experiences. The ultimate goal is to rediscover the forgotten part of ourselves and awaken from the illusion of waking consciousness—a state that, paradoxically, is more like another form of sleep.
A Deeper Understanding of the ‘I AM’
My understanding of the I AM concept deepened when I encountered the work of Matías De Stefano. His teachings provided a broader, cosmic perspective on the nature of existence, helping me grasp that everything in existence is simply a reflection of one singular reality—a pulse or heartbeat that sustains the universe. In this framework, I and AM represent two heartbeats: one flowing inward, the other outward. This duality lies at the foundation of all existence, dividing reality into an inner world (where we discover ourselves) and an outer world (where we explore what we are capable of accomplishing). One is the question, the other is the answer, and yet both are aspects of the same oneness.
De Stefano’s teachings show how this duality operates on a cosmic level. When I divides into We, and I AM becomes We Are, the Cosmos expands and gives rise to the Universe. But as the Universe seeks order amidst its fragmentation, it eventually returns to the source—the Cosmos. During this process, We merges back into I, and We Are transforms into I AM once again. This cosmic dance mirrors the eternal cycles of expansion and contraction, where the point (the origin of everything) becomes the sphere (creation), and the sphere returns to the point (the source).
This imagery of cosmic cycles reveals how the I AM Path connects us not only to ourselves but to the greater rhythms of the universe. By working with these principles, we can better understand our role within the greater whole and deepen our sense of spiritual self-realisation.
The Ongoing Journey of the ‘I AM’ Path
Although I have gained much insight into the I AM Path through the teachings of Gurdjieff, Ouspensky, and De Stefano, there is still so much more to learn. Spiritual self-realisation is not a destination but a continuous journey—one where each step reveals new layers of understanding. The I AM Path is ever-evolving, guiding us towards a deeper connection with the self and the universe.
For now, I leave this reflection here, knowing that as I continue on this path, new insights will unfold, allowing me to grow in my understanding of the I AM.
References:
- Gurdjieff, George: Life is Real Only When I AM (a key work exploring the I AM as a central concept in self-realisation).
- Ouspensky, P.D.: The Fourth Way (based on Gurdjieff’s teachings, it provides a structured approach to spiritual awakening through self-knowledge and conscious awareness).
- Matías De Stefano: Teachings on YoSoy.red (exploring the cosmic understanding of I AM and its role in the universe).
Sacred Cosmic Path 