Rating: 
Summary: A guide pinnochio would keep by his bedside
Review: This is one of the dumbest books on spirituality ever written, though it might have been one of the best, if Gurdjieff had been an honest broker of the matters concocted as esoteric teachings. But like old chess games, this nonsense has confused so many people you almost have to study it to be wary of it. And it has wrecked the understanding of too many. In fairness, the responsibility lies with this Gurdjieff who seems to have made this up from whole cloth, for reasons of his own. Ouspensky broke with Gurdjieff because he discovered he was dishonest, but ended up a frontman for this 'enterprise'. He was not aware of the later 'Beelzebub' game. What a way to treat an author. A really tremendous injustice. Keep in mind then the author of this book was fooled, and a fool. Gurdjieff was a wolf indeed. The harm done to endless numbers who become snared in this baited trap of false conceptions is considerable and this operator seems indifferent to this fact. It has gone on for almost a century and operates like a gresham's law.
Ouspensky faithfully reports the material he was given, which shows signs here of becoming a mechanical rendition. But this fantastic scheme of the law of three and seven, cosmic hydrogens, and the rest, is surely complete nonsense of no use to anyone. Did Gurdjieff even care? The real problem is Gurdjieff then, and the fabrication of a system by an occultist ambitious it seems to corral a revolving door of those scared into thinking they have missed the main chance, an esoteric school. These people are sharks in the worst shadows of the sufi world.The division into exoteric and esoteric is based on deception, and could never be spiritual.
This system is nonsense, and one can only throw up one's hands at the most obvious tactic of using mumbojumbo to create followers.
In all fairness, the idea of a 'fourth way' can easily be derived from general principles and corresponds to the factor of 'will'. The last answer in the world is to surrender this 'will' to the wolf. Don't do it. You don't suspect what this G is up to.
The result here of the 'fourth way' idea is a sterile series of psychological concepts that seem intriguing but lead nowhere and are belied by the standard and true simplicites of meditation. Watch out for these tactics, the motive of such should be obvious upon reflection, but never seems to strike those who fall under the spell of this sufism. The technique of self-remembering is very ancient. To mint this in a copyrighted version such as this simply spoils an idea.
Its codification here in such a species of poppycock about cosmic hydrogens and a hierarchy in a spiritual food chain is grotesque, and trying to figure one's cosmic hydrogens in order to be conscious is breathtakingly stupid and leaves most so confused they can never meditate again until they simply puke it our and pass on.
The fourth way schools described by Ouspensky never existed, as you can tell from the place suggested in history. Gurdjieff seems deep, but his confusion about history was great, and the account of great achievements in history which he ascribes to some esoteric process such as a fourth way school is baloney.
Gurdjieff seems to have succeeded in his tactics, use moonshine to trojan horse a mini-tradition of confused instant converts. That, if you see the sly man, is a valuable asset. Don't be a victim. Remember, Gurdjieff never speaks of enlightenment. Only of the work. You never get lucky with this man. Don't be a slave. Everything essential you need is in the public domain. Don't get suckered in.
Rating:
Summary: Essential, but ONLY if you have valuation of its concepts
Review: This should NEVER be the first book bought or read about "The Work," or "The Fourth Way"--which is why its title is so problematic. It is preferable to start almost ANYWHERE else, even (though not preferably, in my opinion) that bizarre opus known as "All And Everything." However, for those who know and are serious about these ideas in their more practical form, and who try to incorporate them into their daily life, this is a treasure. PDO was able to take any of his students' questions and with laser-like precision, and a total lack of obfuscation, elucidate upon anything critical to Work. Whenever I feel stuck, or need a jolt of inspiration in my efforts I can use the index in the back and instantly re-connect with the ideas in their most sharp relief. To read this through the first time will almost certainly prove trying, especially for those who have no valuation of this as anything above "B influence" work (or in non-Work language, all other "spirituality" and "literature") from elsewhere. But if you need knowledge, it's in these pages and you can refuse it or accept it in any form you see fit--linear or non-linear.
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