George Gurdjieff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Gurdjieff
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Gurdjieff between 1925 and 1935
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George Ivanovich Gurdjieff
1866–1877 Alexandropol, Erivan Governorate, Russian Empire (present-day Gyumri, Armenia)
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| Died | 29 October 1949 |
| School | Fourth Way (the "Gurdjieff Work") |
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Main interests
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Notable ideas
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George Ivanovich Gurdjieff (c. 1866–1877 – 29 October 1949) was a special kind of teacher, a philosopher, and a composer. He was born in Gyumri, Armenia, which was then part of the Russian Empire.
Gurdjieff believed that most people live in a kind of "waking sleep." He thought we don't fully use our minds and bodies. He taught a way to "wake up" and become more aware. He called this method "The Work" or "the System." His ideas combined parts of different spiritual paths, like those of a fakir (who focuses on physical challenges), a monk (who focuses on devotion), and a yogi (who focuses on knowledge). Because it combined these, his student P. D. Ouspensky called it the "Fourth Way."
After Gurdjieff passed away in 1949, many groups were formed to continue his teachings. These groups are now connected by the International Association of the Gurdjieff Foundations.
Contents
Biography
Early life and travels
George Gurdjieff was born in Alexandropol, a city in the Russian Empire. His father was Greek, and his mother was Armenian. We don't know his exact birth year, but it was likely around 1872. He grew up in Kars, a diverse area with many different cultures and religions. He learned several languages, including Armenian, Greek, Russian, and Turkish.
As a young man, Gurdjieff became very curious about hidden truths. He felt that science and common religions didn't explain everything. This led him to travel widely across Central Asia, Egypt, Iran, India, and Tibet. He wrote about these journeys in his book Meetings with Remarkable Men. In this book, he described meeting many interesting people who were also searching for truth.
Starting his work in Russia
In 1912, Gurdjieff returned to Russia and began to gather his first students in Moscow. He married Julia Ostrowska that same year. By 1915, he had about 30 students, including famous writer P. D. Ouspensky and composer Thomas de Hartmann. Gurdjieff's teachings at this time were deep and complex.
As the Russian Revolution began, Gurdjieff moved his group to safer places in southern Russia. He worked closely with his students, teaching them his methods. In 1918, Ouspensky decided to teach the Fourth Way on his own in England.
In 1919, Gurdjieff moved to Tbilisi and then to Istanbul. In Istanbul, he and his students saw the famous sema ceremony of the Whirling Dervishes. He also started his first "Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man" in Tbilisi.
The Prieuré in France
In 1922, Gurdjieff moved to France and set up his institute at a large estate called the Prieuré near Fontainebleau. This place became a center for his work. Students lived there and learned through lectures, music, dance, and hard physical work. Gurdjieff believed people needed to develop their bodies, emotions, and minds all at once.
During this time, the famous writer Katherine Mansfield came to the Prieuré. She was very ill with tuberculosis. She died there in 1923. Some people unfairly blamed Gurdjieff, but those who knew her said she was already dying and that Gurdjieff helped make her last days peaceful and happy.
Later years and writings
In 1924, Gurdjieff had a serious car accident but slowly recovered. While recovering, he began writing his main book, Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson. This book is long and written in a special way to make readers think deeply. He even wrote it in noisy cafes to help him focus more!
Gurdjieff also made several trips to North America to raise money for his work. His mother passed away in 1925, and his wife died of cancer in 1926.
In 1932, the Prieuré closed, and Gurdjieff started a new teaching group in Paris. He continued teaching small groups of students throughout World War II. He also helped his neighbors who were struggling during the war.
Gurdjieff had another car accident in 1948 but recovered again. He finished his plans for publishing Beelzebub's Tales. He passed away from cancer on October 29, 1949, in France. He is buried in the cemetery at Avon.
Children
Gurdjieff is believed to have had six children:
- Nikolai Stjernvall (1919–2010)
- Michel de Salzmann (1923–2001), who later led the Gurdjieff Foundation.
- Cynthie Sophia "Dushka" Howarth (1924–2010)
- Eve Taylor (born 1928)
- Sergei Chaverdian
- Andrei
Gurdjieff's Ideas
Waking up to reality
Gurdjieff taught that most people don't truly see reality. He believed we live in a kind of "waking sleep" because our minds are often distracted. He said, "Man lives his life in sleep, and in sleep he dies." He thought that because we are in this state, we see things only from our own point of view. Gurdjieff believed that people can "wake up" and become more aware.
His idea of "self-remembering" is similar to the idea of "mindfulness" in some Eastern traditions. It means being fully present and aware of yourself and your surroundings at the same time.
The Fourth Way
Gurdjieff felt that many old spiritual traditions had lost their true meaning. He thought they only helped people develop one part of themselves, like their emotions, body, or mind, but not all three together. This led to people being unbalanced.
He introduced the "Fourth Way," a path for modern people. Unlike traditional paths that might require leaving everyday life, the Fourth Way could be practiced while living a normal life. It aimed to develop the body, mind, and emotions all at once, creating a balanced person.
Gurdjieff called the effort needed for this change "The Work" or "Work on oneself." He said, "Working on oneself is not so difficult as wishing to work, taking the decision."
Methods of The Work
Gurdjieff used many different ways to help his students develop. These included:
- Meetings: Where students discussed ideas and learned from Gurdjieff.
- Music: Gurdjieff, with composer Thomas de Hartmann, created music inspired by sounds from ancient cultures. This music was meant to help people focus and feel different emotions.
- Movements: These were special "sacred dances" or exercises. Gurdjieff said they helped people observe themselves in new ways. By taking unusual body positions, students could become more aware of their inner state.
- Writings: His books, especially Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson, were meant to challenge readers and make them think deeply.
Gurdjieff's methods were designed to shake people out of their usual habits and help them gain new insights. He believed that this inner development was the start of a journey to become a more complete human being.
