I asked Google Gemini to write a report on ‘Practices and Experiences in a Gurdjieff Group Meeting’
It starts off like this:
George Ivanovich Gurdjieff, a figure of significant influence in the realm of esoteric spirituality, developed a comprehensive system of inner development known as the Fourth Way.1 His teachings center on the premise that individuals typically exist in a state of semi-conscious “waking sleep,” and that through specific practices and efforts, a higher state of awareness and being can be attained.3 Gurdjieff’s approach uniquely integrates the physical, emotional, and intellectual dimensions of human existence, offering a path to transformation that distinguishes itself from traditional spiritual disciplines.5 A core aspect of this path involves participation in group meetings, which Gurdjieff considered essential for fostering the necessary conditions for self-awakening."
I’m wondering if anyone has experience of Gurdjieff work at Tier 2 or beyond? Like, Ken’s religion of tomorrow but like in the 2nd ‘we space’? I’ve also read a lot about appreciative inquiry and wondered how a positive approach to working with I (ego) can work with others?
Sorry, totally random ideas all coming together here. But maybe to refine my question and I go. I’m asking. What would a Gurdjieff movement look like (for reals) when analysed using the practices suggested in Religion of Tomorrow?
Anyone go to such a group? Do they exist? In real life (Tier 2 Gurdjieff groups)
What I would find interesting is how precise the definition of “waking sleep” is, if it is clearly identifiable or more vague. Then if this state is demonstrably bad and why.
For example, many western adaptations of eastern practices seem to think that being in a floaty state detatched from reality is the ultimate goal and a sign of “enlightenment” or “awareness”. One might call these variations as “waking sleep”.
This begs the question: what is the end state to be desired? I myself find the end state of Integral “Growing Up” leaving much to be desired.
I cant remember whose methods say “start with the end in mind”. On occasion I have gone through early to mid stages of various practices only to realize that the end goal these practices were heading towards was not actually desirable.
It could be that the most popular and most successful practices (at least in terms of sales) are able to clearly identify the end state of the practice and that is able to resonate with an initiate as a desirable outcome.
Just a tangential thought that occured to me.
Are “higher states of awareness” actually a desirable outcome? Sometimes i observe people claiming to be living in this state and wonder.