From a public talk given by a senior member of the Toronto Gurdjieff Group as one of a series of such talks from 2016.

Mr. Gurdjieff said, “Man’s possibilities are very great. You cannot conceive even a shadow of what man is capable of attaining. But nothing can be attained in sleep.”

Happily for us, there is a way for man to wake up and begin to work toward realizing his potential… A way that doesn’t call for the monastic or contemplative life that is required of a yogi or a monk or a fakir. There is a fourth way…a ‘way in life’ – a science that takes into account the laws and forces that operate on a cosmic scale and on a planetary level, and that takes into account the structure of man, our weaknesses, our conditioning, our situation as it now stands. The Fourth Way is the science of developing all centers at once.

But to follow the fourth way a school is necessary - by oneself nothing very much is possible.

Gurdjieff called his school at the priory in France the “Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man”. What was called for in that school was work of a special nature, and his pupils have carried this work forward to groups world-wide. Present day Work in a Gurdjieff Foundation Group consists of a number of key aspects which would include exchange in groups, Movements, sitting, the study of ideas and what we might call practical work. For tonight I will speak about the first two.

When one begins this work, the first efforts are toward what is called ‘self-observation’, as has been mentioned. But to simply observe ourselves, without reaction, without changing anything, without flinching, turns out to be harder than it seems.

We are initially helped by simple practical exercises that are undertaken together, week after week. These exercises, if undertaken whole-heartedly, can help us to confront our conditioning, struggle with habits, to see ourselves without sugar-coating.

Our struggles with these exercises are shared at regular meetings. One person’s insight, sincerely shared without embellishments, can help everyone in the group in their own work.

The one requirement in a group, aside from regular attendance, is sincerity. And that is no small thing. It can’t be achieved all at once for a person accustomed to lying to oneself and others from a very early age.

In a group with others who are also trying sincerely, an ear for the truth, of recognizing it when one hears it, can be developed. After much work together the collective, attentive quiet of a group begins to be felt. This shared attention is enormously helpful—in the presence of others also trying to work it is possible to recognize the lie when I speak it.

Initially there is a great deal of enthusiasm, energy and willingness to work on oneself, perhaps fueled by the magnetic centre. Little by little one becomes convinced of the truth one has suspected about oneself, and at the same time the faculties needed for a struggle with one’s mechanical habits are slowly developed, strengthened.

But it doesn’t get easier. The pressures of ordinary life do not disappear, and it seems that as family, career, socializing and so on make more demands, my initial enthusiasm for the Work fades.

At first a real burning question about the meaning of life and the thirst for truth fuels me. Later, it might simply be knowing that in order to be part of the group I need to ‘pull my weight’… I will be part of an exchange at the end of the week on the exercise given, and so I had better at least try the task. And then I’m renewed by the exchange in a group, perhaps a taste of another reality within me, and the weak, flickering light of my search is given new life.

There are many obstacles. At critical points in the path help is needed, or we drift off into dead ends, we give up and fall into the distractions of “real life” and forget our initial question. We deny our interest. We scoff at our former ‘childish’ enthusiasms.

Or we pretend to work, and imagine that we are making progress, and we believe our lies. This is hard to do for long in a real group, but there comes a point, not once but many, many times, when we are faced with a tough decision and need to re-affirm our aim.

♦

Another aspect of the Work world-wide, is that undertaken together in the study of the Gurdjieff Movements. In the beginning the demand in Movements is uncomfortable and annoying. I’m asked to move, or take positions with my arms and legs and head, in a way I would never usually do. I am required to be with others, in a tempo that perhaps goes against my nature. I’m not able to do it, and being someone who is usually capable, I don’t like it.

But after a while and to my surprise, I notice that I do have a sensation of my feet on the floor while my arms are in movement. There is an attention available that can be divided, part of my attention on what limb must be moved, where and when, and perhaps part on my Self. I am able to meet the demand of taking a particular sequence of postures. I begin to see the unnecessary tensions and let go of them, and to experience a new energy. My functions begin to work together in a coherent fashion. And as in the practical work, the work in Movements is undertaken in the light of my search. Without that, it would just be empty calisthenics.

At the same time the pragmatic effect of this work becomes evident as ordinary posture is little by little improved, as balance and alignment are enhanced. The mind is cleared and focused in a way that is unusual in our modern life. And I won’t speak of the feeling that can be invoked while working with some of these sacred dances. If you have seen any of the films, you may sense a little of what is taking place for those doing the Movements, though the dancers’ faces reveal nothing.

There are other aspects of Group Work such as sittings and practical work, and the study of the ideas. This is the case for those groups attached to the founding groups established by Mr. Gurdjieff or his direct pupils, I do not speak of other groups that come and go under the direction of who knows who!

Suffice it to say that one needs to exercise care: is this the right path for me? Is this the right group? I need to exercise prudence and discrimination if I don’t want to waste valuable time and effort. Mr. Gurdjieff urged us to “verify for myself” and in this day of on-line esoterica, and so many ‘spiritual leaders’ that advice is especially true.

Now we time for questions from the audience.