Secrets of the Fourth Way

Download or read book Secrets of the Fourth Way written by Alan Francis and published by . This book was released on 2016-04-15 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the author: For many years now, I have sought out and spoken to people who actually knew Gurdjieff, and others whom I respect for their dedication to the Work. Of course I asked them questions that were important to me personally, but I also tried to find out what in the Work was most vital for them. What was, in their opinion, the most important idea, method, form, direction, meaning, and how did they weight them? Finally, what was the sense and aim of this Work? Why does it, and why should it, continue to exist? What is, as Michel de Salzmann asked, the specificity of the Work? What does the Work touch and develop that the many other teachings do not? This inquiry inevitably led to trying to understand this particular phase of our Work and what is required of you and me if the Work is to evolve, that is, to continue. This moment is connected with the whole life of the Work, yet it cannot all be lumped together. It is like building a house or raising a child; each phase must be attended to and respected. . . . As to what is most important, that is, the state of the Gurdjieff Work, and to, so-to-say "stir-up" in each reader the cognition that it is their personal duty to assure its continuation, along with some digressions into related areas that might interest him or her, that is the subject of this book. It reflects my viewpoint, nothing more and nothing less.