The Fourth Way

I have been reading some anti Work declamations, of various degrees, recently. All in all, the uniting theme appears to be a willful lack of understanding. What is interesting is that for the greater part what they find so repugnant in the Work appears mostly to be the cult element of group culture. To that end a lot of the criticism is targeted at the Fellowship of Friends, G Foundation and other G groups generally or else at personalities such as Burton, Ouspensky and Gurdjieff. School is spoken of almost interchangeably (see the essay: Thinking Of Leaving School) with group - so it needs to be said now: you cannot afford to conflate these. And what is it that is most detestable to one truly engaged in the Work? Exactly that: false teachers and the pursuit of the cult of personality. Interesting. Of course, these critical writings don't miss an opportunity to pull down some Work teachings too. Nor is it difficult. Gurdjieff had a penchant for ridiculous sounding terminology and few of the teachings can mean anything without having verified their meaning. What is especially interesting is that in almost every instance they dodge the key teachings around the foundational practise of the first conscious shock. Only in one instance have I read a criticism of self-remembering, which summarises O's description (ISOTM, Chapter 7) as being what modern clinicians describe as a type of disassociative fugue/amnesia. Clearly, most certainly, the author of that critique really hasn't understood what he read because he hasn't bothered to verify the teaching for himself but has elected to rely on the authority of (his own self choosen) modern spooks to substantiate his dismissive. Although, in anycase, the Work is hardly meant as a teaching of universal appeal. Only a small number of people are ever going to be drawn towards the Work. For some it will be meaningful and lead to something more than desultory efforts, for others looking for somewhere to camp it will be a doorway to a group and for others it will be little more than a passing interest. When Charles Manson called his gang of miscreants The Family he revealed to the whole world what it is that lost souls seek.

Of those that do engage, to whatever extent, in the teaching of the 4th Way only a few will internalise those teachings, not as a healing panacea but rather, as a tool to facilitate escape from the bindings of the mechanical. The Work is difficult, often painful, generally uncomfortable and really from a worldly perspective quite unrewarding. Yet, as with other things it can always be abused to gain more 'power and sluts' - which is my general expression for all crass, gross or infinitely subtle allurements that we encounter. Naturally such pitfalls have always existed, being quite necessary tests. Sincere, conscience-oriented Work is a direct line to the source of one's being. And this gets at another point that these critiques appear to miss: the Work does not exist within a vacuum but is especially connected to the New Testament and runs deeply into Christian theology. Yes, it shares ideas with other religious and spiritual disciplines too - as it would, they being part of General Revelation too - which I note some of the critiques attempt to use as evidence that G created some mish-mash stew to befuddle his followers. The point here is that the Work has a long history and is not merely the gobbledegook of a 20th century self-styled guru. Though I can certainly agree that G did his utmost to mask himself with all manner of obscene antics. But why are we talking about him?

The truth is that anyone in contact with the living tradition of the Work doesn't need to join or participate in a G group, doesn't need to go to Church or have anything to do with any other false types - and yet, may find such things of interest or necessary to experience. That hardly matters. Life is not without danger and spiritual warfare is a life of danger. So be it. We are here to experience the desolation of separation - we have it within us, yet also the ability to penetrate and know once again our essential self. Or, like drunken fools we may continue to play absurd roles and never know the truth of our condition. Yes, anyone can witness slum conditions but the reality of our condition is that we are designed as self developing organisms. We are nowhere near our rightful place as heirs of Royalty, nor shall anyone ever be so long as they cling to conditions of their fallen state. Level of being is entirely connected to these ideas. Spiritual truths are revealed by the Spirit, spiritual guidance is given by the Spirit. That's why blind fools write about things beyond their understanding.

1Co 2:13 - 14
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The Con
Another Black Magician