The Practice of Contemplation in the Work of Gurdjieff

In Beelzebub’s Tales to his Grandson, Gurdjieff writes of the critical importance of "Aiëssirittoorassnian-contemplation" for the formation of the "soul". First, I discuss some definitions of "meditation" and "contemplation" in relation to Gurdjieff’s practice...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal for the study of new religions
Main Author: Azize, Joseph 1957- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: equinox 2015
In: International journal for the study of new religions
Year: 2015, Volume: 6, Issue: 2, Pages: 139-156
Further subjects:B Contemplation
B Gurdjieff
B New Religious Movements
B Meditation
B P. D. Ouspensky
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Summary:In Beelzebub’s Tales to his Grandson, Gurdjieff writes of the critical importance of "Aiëssirittoorassnian-contemplation" for the formation of the "soul". First, I discuss some definitions of "meditation" and "contemplation" in relation to Gurdjieff’s practices with a view to determining the most appropriate term. Second, commencing with Beelzebub, but ranging across Gurdjieff’s oeuvre, I explore his understanding of the "soul", and "Aiëssirittoorassnian-contemplation". I then examine Gurdjieff’s first recorded contemplative technique, the "I Am" exercise, thus illuminating an under-appreciated aspect of Gurdjieff’s practice. It transpires that Gurdjieff’s contemplative techniques are more significant to his practical teaching than previously suspected.
ISSN:2041-952X
Contains:Enthalten in: International journal for the study of new religions
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1558/ijsnr.v6i2.28944