George Gurdjieff 1887-1949 - mystic and philosopher to some, charlatan to others, he was interested in awakening individual consciousness and self-awareness. One beginning method was focused attention. For example, Gurdjieff would instruct his students to spend many days digging massive holes in the ground without knowing why or for what purpose. He would then suddenly tell his students to cease what they were doing, to their relief, then instruct them to fill the craters back in. He said a reason and a purpose was not needed, it was an exercise in individual focused attention.

Q has a good deal of similarities. Dig, Dig, Dig.