The Rukus are ritual bows performed at the end of a morning exercise. The practice was introduced by J.G. Bennett, which he modeled after the Islamic ruku. They are the expression of an internal action. I was introduced to the Rukus in 1972 at Bennett’s school in Sherborne, England. Bennett spoke Turkish and like Gurdjieff … Read more
How can I help? “How can I help?” Is what I wish my husband would ask around mealtimes. The thing is, I need to ask that question of myself. Not about dinner, but about other kinds of food. Food that feeds something greater. Greater in myself and greater than myself. Connected to this question around … Read more
First, one must do the work. For example, when I wrote my book, I had a clear intention of what I wanted to convey. I worked very hard at this for a long time. What interests me now is that the real message, the take-away, seems to happen between the lines. It comes to light … Read more
Witness to Death and Resurrection, is Joseph Azize’s comprehensive biography of John G. Bennett. I recently finished reading it and highly recommend it. A string of pearls consisting of Bennett’s “visions” takes us through not only Bennett’s life, but his growing spiritual development. Ben Bennett’s book, I Teach How to Cook, (not What to Cook) … Read more
“Mind the gap,” is an automated announcement made in British subways when a train’s doors open. The first time I heard it (and thereafter) it tickled my funny bone. Hearing this proper British voice reminding us (clueless?) passengers to be mindful as we stepped from the platform onto the train, just seemed funny. I had … Read more
I am speaking of blending an emotional feeling with a separate physical sensation. Recently, I have realized that I’ve never given real attention to nor fully practiced the art of blending. In fact, I kind of skipped over practicing blending as such. I practiced sensation in the early days until I could call it up … Read more
Sensation is the first building block in the Gurdjieff Work. I know I am repeating myself, but I recently had a new insight. When I was introduced to the Work, a lot of emphasis was put on sensation and the ability to recognize and direct it. Why is this important? I never really thought much … Read more
In Fourth Way work, sensation is a building block. To use it, one must understand sensation differently than the common definition. The usual way of thinking about sensation is something from outside ourselves that sets off our skin sensors: heat, cold, touch, wind, water, etc. We touch a hot surface and burn our finger. We … Read more
The Gurdjieff Conference in Cambridge as a modern-day Babylon became my overriding impression of the event. Granted, I was initially piqued that Cynthia Bourgeault and Joseph Azize were on the podium with top foundation members like Roger Lipsey and Alexandre de Salzmann. What I found, right from the initial reception Wednesday evening, was an openness … Read more
I’d forgotten about returning over Labor Day weekend. That might have been why going through customs at LaGuardia in New York provided such vivid impressions of Americans. One woman, who’s orange-red hair, red lipstick, clunky jewelry, tons of luggage, and a voice as big as she was, seemed to epitomize who we were as a … Read more