Teachings and teaching methods Fourth Way

1 teachings , teaching methods

1.1 basis of teachings
1.2 use of symbols
1.3 working conditions , sacred dances

teachings , teaching methods
basis of teachings

the fourth way focuses on conscious labor , intentional suffering.

conscious labor action person performing act present doing; not absentminded. @ same time striving perform act more efficiently.

intentional suffering act of struggling against automatism such daydreaming, pleasure, food (eating reasons other real hunger), etc... in gurdjieff s book beelzebub s tales states greatest intentional suffering can obtained in our presences compelling ourselves endure displeasing manifestations of others toward ourselves

to gurdjieff these 2 basis of evolution of man.

self-observation

this strive observe in oneself behavior , habits observed in others, , dispassionately 1 may observe them in others, observe thoughts, feelings, , sensations without judging or analyzing observed.

the need effort

gurdjieff emphasized awakening results consistent, prolonged effort. such efforts may made act of after 1 exhausted.

the many s

this indicates fragmentation of psyche, different feelings , thoughts of ‘i’ in person: think, want, know best, prefer, happy, hungry, tired, etc. these have nothing in common 1 , unaware of each other, arising , vanishing short periods of time. hence man has no unity in himself, wanting 1 thing , another, perhaps contradictory, thing later.

centers

main article centers (fourth way)

gurdjieff classified plants having 1 center, animals 2 , humans three. centers refer apparati within being dictate specific organic functions. there 3 main centers in man: intellectual, emotional , physical, , 2 higher centers: higher emotional , higher intellectual.

body, essence , personality

gurdjieff divided people s being essence , personality.

essence - natural part of person or born ; part of being said have ability evolve.
personality - artificial has learned , seen .

cosmic laws

gurdjieff focused on 2 main cosmic laws, law of 3 , law of seven.

the law of 7 described gurdjieff first fundamental cosmic law . law used explain processes. basic use of law of 7 explain why nothing in nature , in life occurs in straight line, there ups , downs in life occur lawfully. examples of can noticed in athletic performances, high ranked athlete has periodic downfalls, in graphs plot topics occur on time, such economic graphs, population graphs, death-rate graphs , on. show parabolic periods keep rising , falling. gurdjieff claimed since these periods occur lawfully based on law of 7 possible keep process in straight line if necessary shocks introduced @ right time. piano keyboard example of law of seven, 7 notes of major scale correspond it.
the law of 3 described gurdjieff second fundamental cosmic law . law states every whole phenomenon composed of 3 separate sources, active, passive , reconciling or neutral. law applies in universe , humanity, structures , processes. 3 centers in human, gurdjieff said intellectual centre, emotional centre , moving centre, expression of law of three. gurdjieff taught students think of law of 3 forces essential transforming energy of human being. process of transformation requires 3 actions of affirmation, denial , reconciliation.

how law of 7 , law of 3 function said illustrated on fourth way enneagram, nine-pointed symbol central glyph of gurdjieff s system.

use of symbols

in explanations gurdjieff used different symbols such enneagram , ray of creation. gurdjieff said enneagram universal symbol. knowledge can included in enneagram , of enneagram can interpreted ... man may quite alone in desert , can trace enneagram in sand , in read eternal laws of universe. , every time can learn new, did not know before. ray of creation diagram represents earth s place in universe. diagram has 8 levels, each corresponding gurdjieff s laws of octaves.

through elaboration of law of octaves , meaning of enneagram, gurdjieff offered students alternative means of conceptualizing world , place in it.

working conditions , sacred dances

to provide conditions in attention exercised more intensively, gurdjieff taught pupils sacred dances or movements performed group, , left body of music inspired heard in visits remote monasteries , other places, written piano in collaboration 1 of pupils, thomas de hartmann.

gurdjieff laid emphasis on idea seeker must conduct or own search. teacher cannot student s work student, more of guide on path self-discovery. teacher, gurdjieff specialized in creating conditions students - conditions in growth possible, in efficient progress made willing. find oneself in set of conditions gifted teacher has arranged has benefit. gurdjieff put it, must realize each man has definite repertoire of roles plays in ordinary circumstances ... put him different circumstances , unable find suitable role , short time becomes himself.