Journal of Gurdjieff Studies

The Journal of Gurdjieff Studies delves into the teachings and practices of George Ivanovich Gurdjieff and his followers, focusing on self-improvement, consciousness, and the interplay between personal development and universal principles. It incorporates discussions on the Fourth Way, essence and personality, conscious suffering, and practical efforts towards achieving a higher state of being.

Self-Improvement Consciousness Gurdjieff's Teachings The Fourth Way Personal Development Essence and Personality Conscious Suffering Universal Principles

The hottest Substack posts of Journal of Gurdjieff Studies

And their main takeaways

The Clever Wolf

79 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Self-discovery Inner Work
  1. The instinctive center in us is far more intelligent and knowledgeable than we realize, and it plays a crucial role in regulating the inner workings of our physical body.
  2. It's essential not to interfere with the instinctive center unnecessarily, as it signals through pain or discomfort when something is wrong with the body.
  3. Gurdjieff's concept of the instinctive center, often symbolized as 'the wolf,' encompasses the fundamental and reflex functions of the human organism, highlighting the importance of maintaining balance between the 'wolf' and the 'sheep' in our care.

(11.) Maurice Nicoll 1 - CONCEPT OF CONSCIENCE IN THE WORK and SOME THOUGHTS ON THE WAR - pp.40-46

59 implied HN points • 26 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Conscience War Religion Awakening
  1. Consciousness and Conscience are similar but belong to different spheres - one is intellectual and the other emotional.
  2. Real Conscience is the same in all individuals and speaks a consistent language, unlike False Conscience which varies based on personal beliefs and upbringing.
  3. Humanity is influenced by numerous laws and external forces, leading to events like wars; the practice of self-observation and isolating oneself from collective events can aid in personal development and awakening.

(10.) Maurice Nicoll 1 - MAN IS NOT A UNITY BUT MULTIPLE - pp.36-38

79 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teachings Awakening Observation
  1. If a man sees himself as one unity, no internal struggle or growth can occur, preventing change.
  2. Self-remembering is crucial; it involves stopping thoughts and relaxing, leading to a distinct feeling of force entering you.
  3. Practical work involves efforts on different centers: intellectual, emotional, moving, and instinctive, each contributing to self-improvement.

Orage - "HOW NOT TO GIVE ONESELF AWAY" - Morsels

79 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality
  1. The post discusses Orage's work titled 'HOW NOT TO GIVE ONESELF AWAY'.
  2. It mentions a break from Maurice Nicoll postings in the Fragments Reading Club until April 12th.
  3. The 'Journal of Gurdjieff Studies' is a reader-supported publication that offers the option to become a free or paid subscriber.

Commentary on - Orage - "HOW NOT TO GIVE ONESELF AWAY"

59 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Self-awareness Inner growth
  1. Orage emphasizes the importance of becoming transparent to oneself, suggesting that by observing our external behaviors, we can gain insight into our internal states.
  2. Orage highlights the idea of learning to control one's expressions for personal and others' happiness, recommending training to become a 'trained observer' of oneself.
  3. Orage's indirect aim in 'HOW NOT TO GIVE ONESELF AWAY' seems to be transforming one's inner negative states into something beneficial for personal growth.
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Red Musical Notes

79 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teaching Transformation Love Music Self-development
  1. Thomas and Olga de Hartmann's lives changed dramatically after meeting Gurdjieff, shifting from outer happiness to inner transformation.
  2. Gurdjieff's teachings focused on differentiating between egoistic love and real love for personal development.
  3. During Thomas de Hartmann's illness, the symbolic act of Marfousha gathering and discarding 'evil' red musical notes highlights the essence of Gurdjieff's teachings on vibrations and transformations.

A Magnetic Path

19 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Beliefs Teachings Healing Guidance
  1. The concept of a magnetic center within a person that guides them towards a certain path is discussed, emphasizing the importance of this internal guiding force
  2. Thomas and Olga de Hartmann's journey towards seeking development and transformation was influenced by a type of magnetism that drew them away from their comfortable life
  3. In the realm of spiritual growth, Maurice Nicoll highlights the necessity of having a 'Magnetic Centre' to start the journey towards self-improvement

Typhoid and Near-Death

59 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Disease Treatment Well-being
  1. The post discusses typhoid and near-death experiences in relation to Gurdjieff's Medicine.
  2. The content is for paid subscribers only, emphasizing the exclusivity of the information.
  3. There are options to subscribe or sign in as a paid member to access the full post.

(4.) Nicoll 1 - THE FOURTH WAY - pp.11-15

99 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teaching Life Practice Understanding Balance
  1. The Fourth Way is a difficult path of self-improvement practiced amidst daily life, different from the paths of Fakir, Monk, and Yogi.
  2. Adapting to changing external circumstances while maintaining inner balance and work principles is crucial in following the Fourth Way.
  3. Achieving the state of 'No. 4 man' in the Fourth Way involves developing a well-rounded, flexible, and all-sided approach to life and situations.

(9.) Maurice Nicoll 1 - COMMENTARY IV—ON A, B and C INFLUENCES (Part II.) - pp.33-36

19 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teachings Consciousness
  1. Value and meaning are crucial components in deriving force from self-improvement work. If tasks lack significance, they lose their impact and provide no force for personal growth.
  2. Different levels of humanity exist, evolving from mechanical individuals to conscious beings. Understanding and applying teachings can lead to increased consciousness and positive change.
  3. Work on self-improvement aims to increase consciousness, initiating a journey of awakening. Following instructions, like avoiding identification, can bring about transformative shifts in perception and behavior.

Nicoll 1 - (2.) Letter to Mr. Bush [1.b] - p.4-8

99 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teachings Development Personality
  1. Religion focuses on developing essence after personality has been formed, aiming for a passive personality so essence can grow.
  2. Man's development involves three stages: first education through life experiences, formation of personality, and making personality passive for essence growth.
  3. Understanding the significance of essence and personality helps in recognizing the different influences in life and the potential for further development.

(7.) Maurice Nicoll 1 - COMMENTARY III - ON WORK ON ONESELF - pp.25-29

39 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Consciousness Teachings
  1. Work on oneself should start today, as each day reflects one's life - change requires active effort on a daily basis.
  2. Circumscribe practical self-work to the present day, focusing on observing and changing reactions to daily events.
  3. Insulate oneself from external influences to foster inner growth and development, especially in challenging times like war.

(3.) Nicoll 1 - Letter to Mr. Bush - [2.] - pp.8-11

59 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teachings Spiritual growth
  1. Maurice Nicoll emphasizes the importance of self-work and self-awareness, highlighting the need to work on oneself with joy and positivity.
  2. The teaching discusses the concept of essence coming from the stars and the importance of being conscious of one's own flaws and working to overcome them.
  3. The letter stresses the beauty and liberation in understanding the work, comparing it to being offered a key to unlock the doors of a prison, symbolizing the opportunity for self-liberation from negative emotions and identifying with one's true essence.

Nicoll, Commentaries, Vol.1 - Letter to Mr. Bush [1.a] - p.1-4 - Reading Club posting

59 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Teaching Growth Development
  1. Man's level of being attracts his life - the idea suggests that the circumstances and experiences people face are connected to their level of being, not just random events.
  2. Focus on changing one's being - the work mentioned involves a transformation of one's level of being, which can happen by conscious actions in the present moment.
  3. Development stages of man - the text discusses different stages of man's development from essence to personality and then to further growth of essence, emphasizing the importance of inner growth over external success.

(8.) Maurice Nicoll 1 - COMMENTARY IV - ON A, B and C INFLUENCES - (Part I.), p.29-33

19 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teachings Inner Work Transformation Ancient Wisdom
  1. Understanding the system of teaching involves connecting all its parts and understanding the whole. Every detail of the system is interconnected, requiring real and relative knowledge.
  2. The teachings of self-justification, inner work, and awakening are not new but have roots in ancient ideas. By grasping the deep meaning, one gains emotional force and understanding.
  3. There are two types of influences in life, A and B. A influences stem from worldly matters, while B influences come from spiritual teachings. Recognizing and working with B influences is crucial for inner transformation.

Empty or Full Knowledge?

39 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🚌 Education Knowledge
  1. The post discusses the concept of empty or full knowledge.
  2. It is from a paid subscription website about Gurdjieff studies.
  3. The post includes images and links to related content.

What can understanding do?

39 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Understanding
  1. The post discusses the power and impact of understanding.
  2. Understanding is highlighted as a key theme in the content, prompting readers to consider its significance.
  3. The post seems to focus on the concept of deeper comprehension and its implications.

Starch Gives Everything

59 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teachings
  1. The concept of 'Starch Gives Everything' is discussed in the post.
  2. The post mentions related topics like 'Greens and Mentation' and 'Further on Greens - Growing, Quickening and Aiding the Animation.'
  3. The content is for paid subscribers, and there is an option to subscribe for more access.

Sweet and Bitter

19 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Art history
  1. The post is titled 'Sweet and Bitter' and is for paid subscribers only on journalgurdjieffstudies.substack.com.
  2. The post includes a beautiful image of a red rose painted by Frants Diderik Bøe in 1888.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe or sign in to access the full content of the post.

Can One Will Health?

79 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellness Gurdjieff
  1. The post discusses the question of whether one can will health.
  2. Background knowledge on Gurdjieff's teachings and writings is assumed for readers.
  3. The post is specifically meant for paid subscribers.

Current list of posts from Maurice Nicoll, Commentary, Vol. 1

19 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📚 Literature Commentary Reading club Self-Observation Conscience
  1. The post shares a list of current posts from Maurice Nicoll's Commentary, Vol. 1 on journalgurdjieffstudies.substack.com, with a focus on self-observation and inner work
  2. There are multiple entries discussing various aspects like additional means of self-observation, work on oneself, the concept of conscience in the work, and thoughts on self-remembering
  3. Each post contains a brief description and a link to read the full story, providing readers with a comprehensive exploration of Nicoll's writings and insights

Sugar and Mr. Bonbon

19 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Literature Fiction
  1. The post is about 'Sugar and Monsieur Bonbon' on a specific date. It seems to require a paid subscription to view in full
  2. There are related posts like 'Candy in Damascus' and 'Starch Gives Everything' by different authors, but 'Sugar and Monsieur Bonbon' seems to be behind a paywall
  3. To access the full story about 'Sugar and Monsieur Bonbon,' it appears that one must subscribe to the platform or be a paid member

Nature Will Help You

79 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality
  1. Nature can provide assistance and support in various ways.
  2. The post is for paid subscribers only, indicating exclusive content.
  3. The author seems to focus on the teachings of Gurdjieff and their application in daily life.

Fragments, Chapter 18, pp.369-375 - Reading Club posting 66

19 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs Leaders Practices Community
  1. The reading club delves into "Fragments" by P.D. Ouspensky, going through the book systematically.
  2. The narrative follows the experiences of a group of people around G. in various locations during turbulent times, detailing interactions and decisions.
  3. The protagonist undergoes an inner struggle, leading to a decision to separate from G.'s work, emphasizing the importance of finding a spiritual leader whose path aligns with personal beliefs and goals.

Further on Greens - Growing, Quickening and Aiding the Animation

19 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs Traditions Practices
  1. Gurdjieff emphasized the consumption of fresh and raw greens like herbs and lettuce, highlighting their importance in his cuisine.
  2. Certain greens like cress and mustard were praised for their quick growth, symbolizing a deeper allegory of renewal and growth, especially during festive occasions.
  3. The significance of consuming green vegetables raw right after harvest may tie back to their active elements and the connection with nature.

Orage's "Active Mind" - Introductory Thoughts

59 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Teachings Meditation Self-development Beliefs
  1. Orage's work involves psychological exercises and essays that relate to Gurdjieff's teaching.
  2. Orage's exercises focus on intellectual development through manipulation of numbers and words, observation, and visualization.
  3. Orage's writings explore the relationship between different centers of the brain and emphasize the importance of self-observation in psychological development.

Fragments, Chapter 17, pp.358-363 - Reading Club posting 64

19 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teachings Exercises Evolution Beliefs
  1. Gurdjieff showed exercises in attention, breathing, and physical movements, emphasizing great knowledge, effort, and help as crucial in the journey.
  2. Physical exercises like breathing techniques and movements were part of the practice, illustrating the importance of extreme fatigue in transitioning control to the moving center.
  3. Different ways of personal evolution were discussed, highlighting the 'subjective' and 'objective' ways, and the value of being a good 'obyvatel' in personal development.

Chapter 17, pp.346-351 - Reading Club posting 62

19 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Self-Improvement Mind-Body Connection Control Practices Human nature
  1. Gurdjieff emphasizes the necessity of schools in working on oneself due to man's inability to keep watch on all aspects of himself without assistance.
  2. Man is described as the slave of his body, highlighting the importance of controlling muscular tension and the need for schools to help in this effort.
  3. Control over the body starts with acquiring control over muscular tension, beginning with the relaxation of facial muscles according to Gurdjieff's teachings.

SURE-ing

39 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Understanding
  1. The post discusses the concept of 'SURE-ing', which involves doing with faith to gain understanding.
  2. The articles assume prior knowledge of Gurdjieff's writings and related literature, providing resources for further reading and understanding.
  3. The post is available for paid subscribers, with an option to subscribe for more content.

Commentary on Orage's "HOW NOT TO BE BORED"

19 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Literature
  1. The post discusses a commentary on Orage's 'HOW NOT TO BE BORED', emphasizing methods to avoid feeling bored.
  2. The content includes a link to the full story, directed to paid subscribers, highlighting exclusivity for those who wish to access more information.
  3. The post indicates that the information is tailored for paid subscribers, encouraging readers to subscribe to gain full access.

Fragments, Chapter 16, pp.333-340 - Reading Club posting 60

19 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
📚 Literature Reading club
  1. The concept of cosmoses helps understand the laws of the universe; each cosmos has its own laws and intelligence.
  2. The speed and complexity of inner processes in human organisms, from molecules to electrons, hint at remarkable physiological workings.
  3. Applying mathematical formulas like the Minkovski formula can provide insights into the relationship between time and different cosmoses, offering a unique perspective on dimensions and life spans.

Under the Power

19 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Mind Identity Body Connection
  1. When faced with a negative state or fear, we can choose to either not identify with it or will ourselves to face it.
  2. Separating from identification with negative emotions allows for inner growth and the possibility of uniting inner forces through willpower.
  3. Observing bodily manifestations of emotions and intentional relaxation can aid in freeing oneself from identifications and negative states.