Provenance, the place of origin, or earliest known history of something.
When it comes to Gurdjieff’s (or JGB’s) transmission of an inner exercise, I have become aware of the importance of provenance.
As younger students become the next teachers in what is called the Fourth Way, I believe provenance matters even more.
History
My most direct exposure to Mr. Gurdjieff’s teaching was from two people who had contact with him, Irmis Popoff and Mr. Bennett. I pass on the exercises they taught me. Especially at Sherborne, I experienced Bennett’s Baraka, and on at least one occasion, his wife’s Elizabeth.
One example was Elizabeth showing us a version of Bennett’s Collected State exercise. Her version has remained with me ever since. Now, when I lead an exercise, I give its provenance, “This is an exercise I was shown by Elizabeth.” Or Mr. B, or Mrs. P.
Earlier in my post-Sherborne life, I discovered that leading an exercise was the best way to “do” the exercise. Eventually there became known a written record of Mr. B’s exercises. With those, I abandoned my own notes and began to practice memorizing and transmitting the words that Bennett had used.
Provenance Holds
Once an exercise becomes one’s own, however, I find myself describing what is unfolding within me, saying what is true for me. Yet there are still certain words that were spoken by the person who transmitted the exercise which hold an energetic truth. Thus, the provenance holds.
For some of us, our own exercises arise, seated in the canon that is familiar. It’s in the passing on of these “new” exercises that provenance becomes crucial. Otherwise, the history becomes lost or confused.
There are so many spiritual advisors, teachers, and experimenters in the world these days. Anyone can hang their shingle. This is a good thing. The practice and spread of inner work in all its forms strengthens the net that may save our world. Or so I believe.
Honoring the Lineage
On the topic of diverse spiritual practices, Mrs. Popoff gave me an image once. She said to picture a wagon wheel; all the spokes are attached to the same hub. She said when we start out, we are on the outer rim of the wheel. Each spoke represents a path to the center. But if we keep jumping from spoke to spoke, we’ll never reach the center.
I don’t mean to say that the Work is a single spoke. I don’t believe it can be kept in a container or defined. It lives in a world we rarely have access to. It goes under ground and reemerges in times of need.
Yet Gurdjieff had access to that world and spent his life creating a path to help others experience the Work. Following his spoke of the wheel, I’ve tasted it too. By giving proper provenance to what I have received and to what I now pass on, I wish to honor that lineage.
I had a ‘felt’ experience of ‘providence’ speaking through you as you led an exercise I was privileged to be part of. What a blessing!
If the setting is receptive, it is a blessing for all.
The Gurdjieff Work is its own wheel with its own set of spokes.
I like that.
The way you bring attention to the most meaningful connections we’ve made with others, and combine that with the concept of Provenance is very helpful. In fact, marking these incidents and when they occurred in our lives is a great way to outline our journey: they often mark the turning points. Sometimes they occur at an initial meeting; sometimes due to a first-time recognition of someone we’ve know for a while.
The unfortunate passing of Terence Stamp has been honored by August 17 being declared “Meetings with Remarkable Men” day. There is no better work of art that demonstrates how profound provenance can be in one’s life. Right now the movie is available for free at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYhv0O0gUTk
I don’t know for how long.
May we be sensitive enough to recognize these wonderful moments of transmission as they happen, assimilate them internally, and then one day be able to sing the song that reverberates in the hills of eternity.