Guide to G. I. Gurdjieff
In the realm of esoteric spirituality and self-development, few figures loom as large or as mysteriously as George Ivanovich Gurdjieff. Born in the late 19th century in Armenia, Gurdjieff emerged as one of the most influential and controversial spiritual teachers of the 20th century. His life's work, often referred to as "The Work" or the "Fourth Way," continues to intrigue, challenge, and transform seekers of spiritual wisdom to this day.
Gurdjieff's teachings are a unique blend of Eastern mysticism and Western scientific thinking. He proposed that most humans live in a state of "being asleep", unaware of their true potential and the reality of their existence. He introduced a complex system of ideas and practices aimed at awakening individuals to a higher state of consciousness and self-realization.
This post is an exploration about his life, teachings, and lasting impact. I'll go into how anyone can start to access seemingly obscure writing and learn about his extensive travels across Central Asia and the Middle East. How his ideas have shaped modern spirituality and continue to resonate with those seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the universe.
If you're a newcomer interested in exploring the work of George Gurdjieff and Pyotr Ouspensky, a structured approach to reading their materials is recommended. Here's a suggested path to begin your journey:
The best introduction to Gurdjieff's ideas and methods is P.D. Ouspensky's "In Search of the Miraculous". This book provides a comprehensive overview of Gurdjieff's teachings and is widely regarded as the classic Fourth Way text. It offers a detailed account of Gurdjieff's lectures, covering a wide range of Fourth Way ideas. Gurdjieff himself recommended reading one page of this book each day, noting the most important idea, as a way to learn the concepts.
After gaining a foundation through Ouspensky's work, delve into Gurdjieff's own writings:
"Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson": This is the first book in Gurdjieff's "All and Everything" series. It's designed to "destroy mercilessly" the reader's long-held beliefs and views about the world.
"Meetings with Remarkable Men": The second book in the series, often considered the most accessible of Gurdjieff's works.
"Life is Real Only Then, When 'I Am'": The third book in the series, which provides further insights into Gurdjieff's teachings.
Additional Recommended Readings
- "Gurdjieff's Early Talks 1915-1931": A collection of posthumously published papers, notes, and transcripts.
- "The Gurdjieff Work" by Kathleen Riordan Speeth: This book presents a useful survey of Gurdjieff's core ideas.
Reading Approach Gurdjieff advised reading his books three times:
- First, read as you would any contemporary book.
- Second, read aloud as if to another person.
- Third, attempt to fathom the deeper meaning of the writings.
Remember that Gurdjieff's own books are intentionally challenging, designed to make the reader work to grasp their meaning. The goal is not just to acquire information, but to apply these ideas in practice, as Gurdjieff's system is meant to have an effect in life and build a new and better world.
By following this approach, newcomers can gradually immerse themselves in the profound and transformative ideas of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky, laying a solid foundation for further exploration and personal development.