Gurdjieff: Mysticism, Contemplation, and Exercises (Oxford Studies in Western Esotericism)

The title of this book suggests an emphasis on the contemplative exercises that were so important to the latter years of Gurdjieff's work in Europe. The emphasis is real enough, but the great value of the book for people not already attempting to practice the Gurdjieff Work is the carefully considered and meticulously presented introduction to this little understood teacher and his teaching. How valuable will the extensive information on the contemplative exercises be? That depends on what other information and guidance a person has. But, very significantly, this book will make it easier than ever for a reader to determine if they should be seeking live guidance so the exercises will lead to their intended end. For everyone else, it remains an excellent de-mystification of the man and an introduction to his Work. It is also written brilliantly and is, therefore, easily readable (not true of many of the related books).

Who hasn't read Gurdjieff and thought to themselves, "That's great but what do you actually want me to do ?". This book is an attempt to answer that question by examining and categorizing a huge selection of exercises that came directly from Gurdjieff and from various Gurdjieff groups. Other reviewers have commented that the author seems to de-emphasize the work of Jeanne De Salzmann. I would say, rather, that he is attempting to find some kind of balance, a counterpoint so he didn't have to rely on a single group's interpretation. There are big differences between how Gurdjieff taught early in his career and later. But if you go too far into De Salzmann, I think you can really miss the strings that tie together the whole. The author seems to rely most on Martin Benson and George Adie (neither of whom I have read) to reach a broader perspective on some of the later exercises. But the reach of his scholarship is very, very broad and he touches on every major phase of Gurdjieff's career. He also spends time outlining the connections between Gurdjieff and Eastern Orthodox systems of prayer - a *very* rich vein to mine. Does the book engage in speculation ? Yes ! But it's always informed by what people in contact with Gurdjieff have said and did. It is never wild baseless speculation and the speculation serves a purpose: he is trying to explain his own intuitions and feel for the work (which in turn ultimately guides his analysis). And when it comes to Gurdjieff's own history and deeper thinking, scholarship alone isn't going to bridge the gap. Intuition and short leaps are the best we're going to get. But at least the author does his best to explain why and how his leaps are made.So this book is both a wonder and wildly practical - almost a catalogue of the broad types of exercises that Gurdjieff groups engaged in along with an analysis of the differences between groups regarding specific exercises.

In the 70 years since Mr Gurdjieff passed, his techniques have not only been shrouded in the secrecy of the Foundation groups, worse yet, they have been altered, added to, or simply ignored, by the host of groups who somehow profess a lineage to him. For the first time, Joseph Azize has brought into one volume all of the Gurdjieff exercises that can be verifiably sourced to him, without alteration. His commentary places these exercises in context, not just within the Gurdjieff Work as a whole, but also in the context of Western mysticism, Mount Athos in particular. But even if the reader does not accept the theory of Athos as being a source of many of Gurdjieff's exercises, this book is an invaluable resource to enable one to practice exercises as Gurdjieff himself intended.The writing is serious, meticulous, precise, and thought-provoking. Gurdjieff intended his Work for mankind, and now between his own writings and this book, serious seekers can access his teaching, even in the absence of a group or experienced leader.

This exhaustive work is to be commended. It is the only book of its kind and brings new material and inner relationships to light. Closer editing of the chapter "The Reality of Being" would have made the work impeccable. Azize is influenced by his extensive work with George and Helen Adie, who were obviously extraordinary and vital people. Through Azize's accounts I have been inspired to read his book, George Adie: A Gurdjieff Pupil in Australia. It is unfortunate that after their death Azize was subsequently exposed to the worst aspects of the ensuing bureaucracy from "official" quarters and its effects on others. As a result the author carries a bias against Jeanne de Salzmann and work within communities, particularly the Gurdjieff Foundations. His association with Oxford Press and the book's scholarly nature give it an air of authority, and with no "fact checking" readers will swallow it whole. In some cases understanding requires participation with others, and no amount of meticulous written archives can substitute for it.Particularly, Azize is convinced that there is a stark division between the work practices before and after Gurdjieff's death: Gurdjieff and...not Gurdjieff. It just isn't that simple. Different, yes, but cast out? The conclusion is too hasty. In the service of this argument, he says that Madame de Salzmann instituted "the New Work." This expression comes from a specific scholarly book which attempts to categorize in an encyclopedic manner every available reference to Gurdjieff's teaching. Other than that, no such classification exists. An alternative to scholarly categories is to explore what is currently being presented and see how it resounds in our experience. Armed with the kind of accounts and presentations which are available today, we may find it easier to inquire...but possibly harder to persist.

To really appreciate this book we need to be already well acquainted with Gurdjieff's Work. Azize has the knack of expressing truths we already know in a way that deepens our understanding of them.A classic publication, of enormous value to those of us who are endeavoring to practice the Fourth Way.Highly recommended!

Spedizione perfetta e consegna velocissima.Qualità prezzo ottimo. Da una prima panoramica testo accurato, con numerosi e puntuali riferimenti bibliografici. Si coglie la ricerca ed il lavoro personale di Joseph Azize. Acquistato dopo aver visto l'interessante presentazione/intervista dell'autore su youtube.Ora si prova a vivere/applicare il "Sistema".