Outer Streams, George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff Part 7 of 7

Part 7 of 7: This week on Science and the Outer Streams, Peter Shor explains the philosophy of spiritual teacher George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff. Gurdjieff is arguably "the most colorful, enigmatic, and charismatic man of the 20th Century." Gurdjieff's basic teaching is that human life is lived in waking sleep, and transcendence of this state requires a specific inner work. This leads to otherwise inaccessible levels of vitality and awareness. Mr. Shor has been working with Gurdjieff's teachings since 1976. He is the president of the Claymont Society, an organization that directs Claymont Court, a community and school founded by J.G. Bennett, a principal student Gurdjieff's . Andy Nesky, President of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Theosophical Society, is the host.

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[loudwaters9]

Cult?

Any body with a ounce of rational could observe it is not a cult.

I only enjoyed my time in the work.

It was always, prove it to yourself.

[NerkhiDanser]

More shows Nesky.:) ...You are doing great work ... very sympathetic and a very talented interviewer...Ahau

[ghahandi]

Very good interview. Thanks for the post. I like the fact Peter isn't emphasizing any particular school. That should be a personal quest. (The Claymont Society is not a fourth way school)

But google "fourth way bookstores" as a start. You may find something that strikes an inner chord.

[ghahandi]

There are different factions of Gurdjieff schools. I am aware of two of the more well known schools. One employs a work weekend;. one can attend a Saturday or Sunday...or both. Another offers one Sunday workday per month. Gurdjieffians come in all flavors. As serious as the concept of self-awakening is, I find some the younger students often times are bit too extreme; as they have jumped in with both feet. The tenured folks seem to age well...and enjoy life more. I personally like the ideas.

[Gnothean]

Maybe you would be less hostile toward your experience had you came to it of your own volition rather than being born into it, your interaction would likely be different. But then perhaps a distortion snuck into your group and took root, thus causing further distortions and thus leading away from the teachings of actual value to you.

Just a thought.

Pax tecum.

[OpenMind00]

I apologize if you took my response as saying you were a liar.

I was stating that from my own experience it has not been anything resembling that.

Being born into that situation seems a bit much, I would agree.

[PeripheralMan]

"they do not ask for allegiance or anything resembling a cult. I don't know what u were involved in but it sounds like not a genuine Teaching."

Not so. You must attend their meetings and participate if you wish to investigate. For the entire period spanning the 1970's and 80's, the Toronto Group always met on Sundays for the entire day.

[PeripheralMan]

"they do not ask for allegiance or anything resembling a cult. I don't know what u were involved in but it sounds like not a genuine Teaching."

Not so. You must attend their meetings and participate if you wish to investigate. For the entire period spanning the 1970's and 80's, the Toronto Group always met on Sundays for the entire day.

[PeripheralMan]

I belonged to the Children's/Young People's group for all my developing years. We met on Sundays for the entire day as well, doing primarily crafts and creating dramatic presentations for special occasions, including Good Ol' Gurdjieff's birthday on January 13th.

[PeripheralMan]

"Your statement is false, Most groups meet during the week and those that meet on Sundays meet later in the day so it does not interfere with any other activities"

You have the AUDACITY to say that I'm lying? Read below.

Listen, I was BORN into the "work". My father was a founding member of the Toronto Group, so I am not stating falsehoods. They met ALL day on Sundays from 9am to about 4pm or 5pm, week after week. We enjoyed leftover food from the lunch provided for the day at "The Hall".