Everyone has a "root theme” in their life. It can be a simple or complex topic composed of different components. Working on it is a life's work.

The root theme has been given to us since birth. However, it is covered up, wrapped in experiences so that it can reveal itself. Its «blueprint» is made visible through experience. It is often concealed by compensation, which makes becoming aware of it more difficult.

First of all, inner work means to become aware of the "packaging”, to see through it in order to be able to get to the bare content.

After this, we can work directly on the redemption of the given theme. This means that from then on it is no longer a question of dealing with the supports through which we have had the experience. It no longer matters what experiences led us to the root theme. From then on it is a matter within us. The substance which is retained in the root theme can then be made free. The princess will be freed from the evil dragon.

What does it mean to “work” on it?

The realization of what is at stake is already there. Mentally, the topic is «unpacked» - raised to the light of consciousness through recognition. The first phase of the redemption happened. In the emotional sphere, it takes longer for transformation to take place. The inertia of the substance of our feelings is greater than that of recognition. Recognition is the first step, but there is a long way until this knowledge also carries us.

This means that the feeling of the root theme still invades us despite the realization. It floods us. Then it is time to keep working on it.

2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and pool and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. (Joh. 5, 2-9)

«I» must first get into the water before a part of me gets in. Before - for example - the helpless child or despair enters. «I» can get up, get in and say: “I know you”. And then I breathe in and out the familiar feeling. «I» breath it in, “it” cleanses itself through my «mental digestive system» and with breathing out I release «it».

Thus, the “nutritious” raw material is transformed «in portions», the purified substance becomes the food of our being and the precipitated slag becomes food for the earth.

The body consists of even denser, heavier substance: When a is emotionally worked on, “it is still in the bones”. Or "in the stomach". Today we would define even more clearly: It is still in the genes. Patience and perseverance are needed before a change occurs in the genes.

A reconstruction takes place in all three phases. First in the brain, then in the “abdominal brain” and then in the genes.

We experience such «reconstruction» phases as crises. As a desert or "Dark Night of the Soul". In such times, we lose our identity, mentally, emotionally, even the loss of bodily sensations. In such times, only trust and realization can transfer to us. Common psychology does not help in such states.

In these three phases of the way, it makes sense to retreat from life - and go to a retreat. These inner processes need all the energy we have at our disposal. For support, it is best if we have a simple, structured everyday life during this time, without major challenges. Guidance by someone who knows the process - the desert – or a group where there is an understanding of metamorphosis.

It takes a long way to dig up our root theme. It hardly helps that someone tells us what it is - we cannot make the way shorter in this way.

In the Gurdjieff teaching, the root theme is called “Chief Feature” or “Chief Fault”.