An Esoteric/Mystical Critique Part IV, GI Gurdjieff

Fall 2013 Modern Science, Psychology, and the Enduring Mystery of Consciousness: An Esoteric/Mystical Critique Part IV, G.I. Gurdjieff and the Fourth Way James Moffatt Abstract those properties and faculties that they believe they possess: unity, self-mastery in the sense his article consists of a further exposition of being properly conscious and capable of T of the Fourth Way—with an emphasis on doing, and will. The ability to acquiring these the epistemological assumptions and proposi- faculties must be achieved by practicing sys- tions that distinguish Gurdjieff’s teaching on tematic self-study—in terms of an esoteric consciousness from that of modern psycholo- path of awakening—under the guidance and gy. If it is possible to attain higher states of tutelage of a teacher who has awakened. For consciousness, as the esoteric tradition main- Gurdjieff, then, we possess the possibility of tains, then there must be masters who have awakening consciousness and making it more realized those states. Most psychologists and or less permanent through a process of self- scientists dismiss that possibility a priori. The transformation, but its acquisition demands question of Gurdjieff’s status as “a master” long and difficult commitment, labor, and sac- will be examined—as it is integrally related to rifice. and elucidates various aspects of his teaching. Further, that question serves to crystallize the Gurdjieff’s method of systematic self-study radical differences in the ontological and epis- involves a coordinated effort to understand temological assumptions that underlie esoteri- oneself as a “three-brained being” which func- cism and modern psychology. Esoteric teach- tions intellectually, emotionally, and physical- ings are premised on the idea that the level of ly. By studying and working to overcome the one’s knowledge is dependent upon the level mechanical functioning of these respective of one’s consciousness and being. Gurdjieff’s “centers” of intelligence, it is possible to begin to bring them into much more harmonious and life and work shall be examined in order to 1 consider the relationship between knowledge conscious operation. The pursuit of that aim and being. involves the methods of self-observation and self-remembering. The former involves impar- Systematic Self-Study tially witnessing various psychological and physical functions within oneself; the latter is n the previous article, Part III, the basic ten- an attempt to be present—without being emo- ets of G.I. Gurdjieff’s Fourth Way teaching I tionally identified with whatever one is were presented. Gurdjieff claims that our nor- mal waking consciousness should be under- _____________________________________ stood to be, typically, a state of waking sleep About the Author and that, as such, we labor under the illusion that we are self-conscious, unified beings who James Moffatt was raised in Ottawa, Ontario, where possess will and the capacity to do. Further, he attended Carleton University and earned degrees Gurdjieff contends that people do not know in both Sociology and Psychology. For the past 35 themselves—they do not understand the essen- years, James has collaborated with Dr. Christopher Holmes in studying, writing, and lecturing about tially fragmented nature of their being and me- consciousness from an esoteric mystical perspec- chanical level of their consciousness—because tive. James resides in Toronto, where he is em- they are asleep. He also asserts, however, that ployed as a law clerk, and also works as a freelance human beings can awaken and acquire all legal and medical writer. Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly 17 The Esoteric Quarterly thinking, feeling or doing—and simply sensing self and the world. Gurdjieff explains that the and being aware that “I am here.” results of self-observation: The majority of modern psychologists give no ... upset man’s whole line of thinking and consideration to the idea that systematic self- deprive him of his most pleasant and dear- study might yield important psychological in- est illusions. He sees, first of all, his total sights or that it is essentially an empirical impotence and helplessness in the face of method. They know very little about the prac- literally everything that surrounds him. tice of “self-remembering”—as there is virtual- Everything possesses him, everything rules ly nothing remotely comparable to it within him. He does not possess, does not rule an- modern psychology. In addition, they assume ything. Things attract or repel him. All his that observations of the self are part of the dis- life is nothing but a blind following of those credited, subjective approach which the intro- attractions and repulsions. Further, if he is spectionists undertook in academic psycholo- not afraid of the conclusions, he sees how gy’s infancy and as such, are not to be regard- what he calls his character, tastes and habits ed as legitimate scientific undertakings. Thus, are formed: in a word, how his personality academic psychologists rarely consider self- and individuality are built up. But man’s observation in its esoteric context: that is, as a self-observation, however sincerely and se- method of acquiring self-knowledge through riously it may be carried out, by itself can- the disciplined application of a sophisticated not draw for him an absolutely true picture psychological system. Unfortunately, psy- of his internal mechanism.3 chologists have dismissed what is perhaps the Rather than comprising some soft-headed in- most important and effective method of study- dulgence in “self-examination,” then, Gurd- ing consciousness. jieff’s approach to self-study and the acquisi- In an unsparing assessment of the necessity of tion of self-knowledge is rigorous, unflinching, properly formulating self-observation, Gurd- and empirical. But, as he cautions, self- jieff described the demanding level of com- observation can only lead so far; in order to mitment that his pupils must be willing to as- overcome the more entrenched habits and sume. In addition, he began by cautioning that sources of sleep, a teacher’s special instruction self-observation: and intervention are required. Awakening is such an arduous and demanding process that it ... is not so simple a thing as it may seem at requires a teacher’s higher understanding of first sight. Therefore the teaching puts as the nature of sleep and external vigilance. the foundation stone the study of the principles of right self-observation. But before A “Conscious Actor” passing to the study of these principles a man must make the decision that he will be n the introductory Fourth Way article in this absolutely sincere with himself, will not I series, Part III, the author touched briefly on close his eyes to anything, will not turn the wide and perplexing diversity of opinions aside from any results, wherever they may that have been expressed regarding George lead him, will not fear any deductions, will Ivanovitch Gurdjieff—who has been called not limit himself to any previously erected everything from a charlatan and fraud to a walls. For a man unaccustomed to thinking master and a “Messenger from Above.” In a in this direction, very much courage is re- Time magazine article, Gurdjieff was described quired to accept sincerely the results and as seeming “to have been a remarkable blend conclusions arrived at.2 of P.T. Barnum, Rasputin, Freud, Groucho Marx and everybody’s grandfather.”4 That is a While self-observation demands a singular wonderfully evocative—albeit entirely superfi- level of commitment, the rewards are com- cial—description which succinctly captures the mensurate with the effort involved. For sys- extreme range of impressions that Gurdjieff tematic self-observation can dramatically and generated. But any serious questioning of who irrevocably alter one’s understanding of one- Gurdjieff was and what his mission may have 18 Copyright © The Esoteric Quarterly, 2013. been confronts one with questions regarding With his appearance in Moscow in 1913, his status as “a master.” That question leads, in Gurdjieff began to disseminate his teaching; turn, to questions regarding the enduring mys- working with select groups of pupils. From the teries posed by the nature of human conscious- time that he met P.D. Ouspensky—his most ness which, in coming full circle, leads to a prominent pupil—in 1915, until his death, in further examination of his teaching. Quite Paris in 1949, Gurdjieff’s work with his pupils simply: examining Gurdjieff informs his teach- was continually changing in terms of its ing; studying his teaching informs one’s ap- presentation and its emphasis. In addition to proach to addressing the many mysteries that lecturing on the psychological and cosmologi- his life and work represent. cal aspects of the Fourth Way, he worked in- tensively with his students to develop physical Any attempt to come to grips with Gurdjieff awareness and consciousness by instructing must begin with an acknowledgment that the them in highly sophisticated movements, “sa- facts surrounding the first forty some years of cred gymnastics,” and Eastern dances. His ex- his life are shrouded in mystery. In addition, pertise with respect to dance and movement those “facts” are largely derived from his own was such that even professional dancers who accounts—most notably from his autobio- studied with him acknowledged that the graphical tale, Meetings with Remarkable movements he was teaching were extremely Men.5 While there are certainly details within sophisticated and both demanded and devel- that work which appear to be factual, it is oped a level of awareness and a state of pres- equally true that there are numerous stories and ence which was quite unique in their experi- claims that are clearly not historically accurate, ence. Indeed, the many public demonstrations nor are they to be understood as such. In my of the dances and movements that Gurdjieff opinion, the book is an allegorical tale, in the taught were greeted with widespread approval guise of autobiography, in which Gurdjieff and fascination amongst audiences in Asia, describes the courage, sacrifice, and commit- Europe, and the United States.

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