A Concise History & Perspective
Boticelli's Primavera
The Fourth Way is a system of practical philosophy, psychology, and body-centered practices derived from various sources of ancient knowledge in Central Asia, and adapted to contemporary Western life by Gurdjieff, Ouspensky and others.
Most other ways of self-development are predominantly oriented in one of three ways: either intellectually, emotionally or physically.
The
Fourth Way creates a powerful synergy by combining
all three orientations into a balanced, comprehensive
approach, and is thus the "Fourth Way."
During Gurdjieff's lifetime and even more so after his death in 1949, many lineages
of groups working with Fourth Way principles and practices have emerged. The
variations are endless, including:
-
the "Gurdjieff Foundation" which appears to
take the orthodox fundamentalist position in the spectrum (i.e., often secretive,
exclusive, critical of other groups which also have direct connections traceable
back to Gurdjieff, claiming to be the only "authentic source", etc.);
- various Ouspensky based
groups emphasizing the more intellectual teachings of Peter Ouspensky
who split away from Gurdjieff decades before his death;
- various Bennett based
groups who joined in John Bennett's intellectual elaborations and social/community
experiments that grew from some apparently brief direct contacts with Gurdjieff;
- many groups started by others who studied directly with Gurdjieff
such as Stavely, Nyland, Bidler, Claustres, or "second generation" students
such as VanDulleman, Nichols, Goodwin, Reyes;
- various groups that started through sympathetic teachings or disciplines
that incorporated some or most of Gurdjieff teachings or methods such as Osho
(Bagwhan Rajneesh), School of Practical Philosophy, Taliesin Fellowship, Church
of Conscious Harmony, Discover Institute; and
- groups with
a distant or no direct connection with Gurdjieff himself but sometimes manifesting
a more authentic embodiment of the Fourth Way principles that those with direct
ties ( ... and of course sometimes not!).
The flavors of these
mostly independent, self-defined groups range from humanistic, community-based,
academic, service-based, quasi-religious, quasi-scientific, cultish or exploitative,
monastic or ascetic, traditional fundamentalist, secretive or elitist, activist,
popularized or commercialized .... you name it!
There are also many other resources and/or publications related to the Gurdjieff
work,
that although not formally organized to "teach students," offer much
of interest to those sincerely seeking to learn about Gurdjieff's work.
One organized
by Dushka Howarth (see www.Gurdjieff-Heritage-Society.org)
would be of particular interest to those seeking connection with primary source
materials related to Gurdjieff Movements and music, as well as benefit from the
founder's perspective of a lifetime of personal connections and knowledge of
the diverse world-wide Gurdjieff community as a whole. The memoirs entitled "It's
Up to Ourselves" - A Mother a Daughter and GURDJIEFF by Jessmin and
Dushka Howarth is expected to be published in 2009, providing unique intimate
eye-witness accounts with over 950 previously unpublished photos, covering
Gurdjieff's early years to his death in 1949, and aspects of the continuation of
the Work thereafter.
These specific references above are not intended to be comprehensive. Rather
they include some of the meaningful contacts that present and former members
of Summa Foundation have had the good fortune to make directly or indirectly.
The point is that any seeker
is advised to explore any study group or other resource with the active conscience
and critical mind that Gurdjieff himself urged, regardless of any claims or lack
of direct lineage, verifying for themselves rather than deferring to "authority" or
believing.
"By
their fruits ye shall know them" ... which requires looking with the heart as
well as the intellectual mind. The
great variety also allows seekers to find appropriate support
for their own individual inner work corresponding to their own life circumstances, "type" and/or
phase of personal evolution. Best wishes in finding your allies and friends in
the Work.
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