I've recently been reading an edited collection of essays about Gurdjieff.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._I._Gurdjieff
he was a fascinating character, and I'm wondering if anyone here is familiar with his work, or that of Ouspensky and/or Bennett. (I believe they're what could be called two of his better known disciples.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._D._Ouspensky
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_G._Bennett
Is it possible to follow Gurdjieff's "Fourth Way" teachings AND be a Christian?
Gurdjieff
Moderator: Moderators
Re: Gurdjieff
Post #2It depends what you mean by Christian? If you refer to its normal usage or Christendom, then their goals are different. Christianity is about re-birth. Gurdjieff taught what it meant "to be" and how to become able "to be." Christian re-birth strives for the same as I see it.niftydrifty wrote:I've recently been reading an edited collection of essays about Gurdjieff.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._I._Gurdjieff
he was a fascinating character, and I'm wondering if anyone here is familiar with his work, or that of Ouspensky and/or Bennett. (I believe they're what could be called two of his better known disciples.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._D._Ouspensky
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_G._Bennett
Is it possible to follow Gurdjieff's "Fourth Way" teachings AND be a Christian?
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niftydrifty
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Re: Gurdjieff
Post #3my church membership is of the Protestant variety. I was speaking about me. I'm a Christian.Nick_A wrote:It depends what you mean by Christian?
I don't understand what you mean when you say that "their goals are different," but that they also "strive for the same."Nick_A wrote:If you refer to its normal usage or Christendom, then their goals are different. Christianity is about re-birth. Gurdjieff taught what it meant "to be" and how to become able "to be." Christian re-birth strives for the same as I see it.
isn't this a contradiction?
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Catharsis
Post #4
>>Is it possible to follow Gurdjieff's "Fourth Way" teachings AND be a Christian?<<
Hello,
I think anyone should be able to pick up a book, any book, and read it with an open mind. It is difficult to judge a person, or his/her spiritual ideas and methods, and dismiss him as 'incompatible' with Christianity, or Islam, etc. Perhaps the person was just searching for himself and for the 'truth', just like you are, or maybe he had ulterior motives or an agenda. Who knows?
I think the question you pose should be addressed to somebody experienced, or if not, "test everything" yourself, do more research, pick up other books, read. The world doesn't stop with Gurdjieff. If your intentions are honest that's all that matters.
IMHO, a person should be watchful of self-proclaimed spiritual 'masters' or 'gurus' such as Gurdjieff. Just my 2 cents.
Regards
Hello,
I think anyone should be able to pick up a book, any book, and read it with an open mind. It is difficult to judge a person, or his/her spiritual ideas and methods, and dismiss him as 'incompatible' with Christianity, or Islam, etc. Perhaps the person was just searching for himself and for the 'truth', just like you are, or maybe he had ulterior motives or an agenda. Who knows?
I think the question you pose should be addressed to somebody experienced, or if not, "test everything" yourself, do more research, pick up other books, read. The world doesn't stop with Gurdjieff. If your intentions are honest that's all that matters.
IMHO, a person should be watchful of self-proclaimed spiritual 'masters' or 'gurus' such as Gurdjieff. Just my 2 cents.
Regards
