Some Work wisdom from the art of war...

Carl von Clausewitz:

"The conception of the defence is warding off; in this warding off lies the state of expectance [until the enemy arrives and action is called for], and this state of expectance we have taken as the chief characteristic of the defence. [...] The defensive consists, therefore, of two heterogeneous parts, the state of expectancy and that of action."

After you accumulate energy doing the first conscious shock you then are in a defensive state (a state of expectancy) -- expecting a backlash or unpredictable event.

So you have to realize this. The defensive tactic at that point is the state of non-identification (corresponding to the demands of the state of expectancy). It is more of a passive practice, as opposed to the more active and 'offensive' practice of self-remembering. A subtle difference, but a difference.

Then, once the 'enemy' arrives (and action is called for) your state of expectancy has to become a state of action. This calls for the Work practice of Active Reasoning (which includes 'new thinking') - and - External-Considering.

This is SO easily forgotten when in the midst of the 'storm.' The necessity and effectiveness of New Thinking and robust Active Reasoning ('active reasoning' is a Gurdjieff phrase, it means just simple effortful, attentive thinking regarding what is happening and how you should think about it, respond to it, how you should see it in the 'light of the Work' generally, and it requires a quick, honest, active effort of attentive thinking *in the moment*).

These are two active, offensive practices: new thinking and external-considering, and they are powerful practices and necessary when in the midst of battle with false personality and mechanical, negative features manifesting.

So, the two parts of the defensive are: Non-Identifying (when in the state of expectancy) and Active Reasoning plus External-Considering (when action becomes necessary).