In Search of Being: The Fourth Way to Consciousness by G.I. Gurdjieff

Author:G.I. Gurdjieff [Gurdjieff, G.I.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Spirituality, Philosophy, Esoteric, Mysticism
ISBN: 9781611800371
Publisher: Shambhala
Published: 2013-01-08T00:00:00+00:00

DISILLUSIONMENT

IN ORDER TO APPROACH the Fourth Way, we should first have a certain preparation, certain luggage. We should already know what is available through ordinary channels about the ideas of esotericism and hidden knowledge, about the potential for man’s inner evolution, and so on. These ideas should already be familiar in order for us to be able to speak about them. It is also useful if we have at least some knowledge of science, philosophy and religion, although being tied to religious forms without understanding their essence will get in the way. If we know little, have read and thought little, it is difficult to talk about ideas.

It can be said that there is one general rule for everybody. In order to approach the Fourth Way seriously, we must be disillusioned, first with ourselves—that is, with our abilities—and secondly with all of the old ways. We cannot feel what is most valuable in this teaching unless we are disillusioned with our own efforts and the fruitlessness of our search. A scientist should be disillusioned with his science, a religious person with his religion, a philosopher with philosophy and so on. But we must understand what this means. To say, for instance, that a religious person should be disillusioned with religion does not mean that he should have lost his faith. On the contrary, it means being “disillusioned” with the instruction and methodology only, having realized that religious instruction is not enough for him and can lead him nowhere. All traditional religious teachings consist of two parts: the visible and the hidden. To be disillusioned with religion means to be disillusioned with the visible, while simultaneously feeling the need to find and know the hidden part. To be disillusioned with science does not mean a loss of interest in the search for knowledge. It means being convinced that the scientific method as commonly understood is not only of limited usefulness but leads often to absurd and self-contradictory theories, and, having become convinced of this, to begin to search for a better method. To be disappointed in philosophy means being convinced that ordinary philosophy is merely—as it is said in the Russian proverb—pouring from one empty glass into another, and recognizing that we do not even know what philosophy means, even though true philosophy also can and should exist.

No matter what we used to do before, no matter what used to interest us, it is only when we have arrived at this state of disillusionment that we are ready to approach the Fourth Way. If we still believe that our old way could lead to something, or if we have not yet tried all of the ways, or if we still think that we will be able to find or do something on our own, it means that we are not ready for this undertaking. This does not, however, mean that the Fourth Way requires us to give up everything we are used to doing. This is entirely unnecessary. On the contrary, it is often even better for a person to continue as in the past.

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