The term solioonensius, from Gurdjieff’s book All and Everything, seems to be at work in today’s world. This is one of many words Gurdjieff made up so that readers would come to new understandings without the associations we attach to familiar words. Solioonensius represents the notion of large catastrophic events which affect the human psyche, … Read more
What is meant by the term relaxation in Fourth Way work? Here is another word that we “think” we understand, but do we? Typically, when stressed and tense, we think in terms of taking an external action to address the issue. Exercising, vegging out with a book or a movie, taking a yoga or meditation class. … Read more
I’d like to share how to work with an inner Theme. Every week on my course at Sherborne House, Mr. Bennett presented themes . However, DONE is my own theme, which came to me unbidden. The Concept of a Theme “Live each moment as if it were your last.” Mrs. Popoff, my first teacher in … Read more
What is my relationship with my moving center, as Gurdjieff calls one’s physical body? Why does Gurdjieff say each center has its own brain? [See the last two blogs on feeling center and intellectual center.] My Relationship to Moving Center I’ve always thought of myself as a Man #1 primarily centered in my physical self. … Read more
What does Gurdjieff and the 4th Way have to offer when it comes to the feeling center? Gurdjieff presented the idea that, “Man is a three-brained being.” That each of our centers— moving, thinking and feeling, have their own intelligence. The problem is, we don’t recognize the truth of this. We don’t allow our centers … Read more
Gurdjieff uses the word “mentation” when referring to what he calls the intellectual or thinking center in man. When it comes to intellect, I’ve always had a bit of an inferiority complex. My sister was the brainy one, I had to struggle for my A’s in school. My relationship with the thinking center started early-on … Read more
OUSPENSKY AND SMALL ACCUMULATORS Before talking about Gurdjieff’s Great Accumulator, let’s review Ouspensky’s introduction to the Small Accumulators. The notion that we can collect and store energy in ourselves. To fill our small accumulators, we plug “leaks” – avoid gabbing, a certain tone of laughter, nervous gestures, spinning daydreams, etc. We each have our own … Read more
Mrs. Popoff introduced me to the practice of morning ablutions sometime around 1971. Living weekends at her home in Long Island, I worked to earn money towards the second Basic Course at Sherborne House in England and attended group meetings Monday evenings. Tuesday mornings I returned to school in New Jersey. Jack, my boyfriend, lived … Read more
In Dramatic Universe, Volume 3, Bennett speaks about the stages of life. Of particular interest is what he has to say about the final stage of life. He puts the notion of “retirement” on its head, recommending that during this stage, one “retires” to a less outwardly active life. Dedicating part of each day to … Read more
Sometimes a “real person” is hidden behind the exterior. I’ve kind-of known David Kherdian, almost twenty years my senior, for thirty years. He and his wife, Nonny, are Armenian-Americans. That in itself lends a mystique, as Gurdjieff was half Armenian. David’s grandparents died in the Turkish massacre of Armenians way back when. That history still … Read more