To Stay Out of the Way
How do I stay out of the way? To practice the work for others, it can’t be about myself, but that’s tricky. I need to move aside so something can come thru me instead.
Sherborne Memoir
Abundance
“I want to come from a place of abundance rather than negativity.” This was the answer someone gave about why they weren’t drawn to the Gurdjieff work. The emphasis was on “Man cannot Do.” “Struggle with likes and dislikes.” “Man is asleep.” “Stand in front of your Lack.” In short—struggle, effort, intentional suffering, etc. Familiar … Read more
The Master Idea
The Master Idea of the New Epoch is the name of a talk Mr. Bennett gave to students on the third course at Sherborne House, in 1974. The year before, he’d given a similar talk on my course. At the time, I heard it as a forecast of things soon to come. As a child … Read more
Interview about Real People and COS
Chrissie Mann asked if she could interview me about Real People and the Course Of Study offered at Claymont this coming August. I highly recommend you consider taking the COS (Course of Study) It’s an invaluable experience and a way to acquire skills that will stand you in good stead during these turbulent times as well … Read more
The Rukus
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
Manifesting the Work
*Today we would be manifesting our Work. It was a perfect day in June. Sweet perfumes floated on the air as a fitful sun played hide and seek amongst the clouds. Green grass glistened with the brilliance of dew. Sherborne House was hosting a Spring Fête. Besides the Spring Fête, today was June 8, Mr. … Read more
I Attended a Real Life Hogwarts
I Attended a Real Life Hogwarts is the tile of an interview Rebekah Berndt had with me for her new podcast, The Unfolding, Faith Without Borders. The interview centers around Gurdjieff, Bennett, and my experience at Sherborne. It also includes an overview of Claymont. There is an extended part of the interview which is accessible … Read more
Journal Entries—Sherborne Memoir
The following journal entries are part of my memoir, Real People, about the inner journey of discovery I went on during J.G. Bennett’s Second Basic Course at Sherborne House when I was in my early 20s. Journal Entry December 2, 1972— Something in me is percolating. Like air bubbling up through the muck of a … Read more
The Master Game
It all started with The Master Game, by Robert de Ropp, who threw out the first crumbs about the Work that kids in the 1960s picked up on. De Ropp was associated with Timothy Leary and other UC Berkeley professors who were beginning to experiment with mind-altering psychedelic drugs. The scene in my book, Real … Read more
Mr. Bennett’s Words
Mr. Bennett’s words were ringing in me as I woke up this morning. “Everyone must understand that this is the greatest opportunity that has existed for many thousands of years in the Work. Because not for thousands of years has there been such a need for people who could work.” For instance, look at this … Read more