GURDJIEFF'S CURIO CABINET

Many of the writers on Gurdjieff miss some items that might be not only interesting but contain some things seldom considered. Most of the writers,and rightly so, concentrate on his teachings or other important events in his life and that of his pupils, so they tend to overlook some things that I,personally, would like to mention and also to know more about,not just from idle curiousity, but because of my 'unique' experience(s). IN VIEWS FROM THE REAL WORLD, The EarlyTalks of Gurdjieff,in the edition I have, it says on page 11,or rather describes a number of things that to the average reader might seem unimportant and 'staged' by G to create a certain effect, to arouse some kind of emotions, and to allow certain impressions to emerge. While this might be very well true, the items listed are merely mentioned and not discussed, and if the description of such is correct and honest and true,then some consideration of them might demonstrate what I sense about this. As a martial arts enthusiast, the listing of 'ancient weapons' to include :"some slings,yataghans,daggers,and other things" on one of the walls caught my eye as such are not usually found decorating walls except when it comes from having been in places usually where such things are found and used(except in some cases where they do serve as mere decoration). The other description mentioned on the same page concerns some'small ivory statues of different sizes' which the writer of the story,"GLIMPSES OF TRUTH" claims to have recognized as: CHRIST,BUDDHA,MOSES & MAHOMET! The others he did not recognize simply because he probably couldn't see them clearly or didn't know what they meant or were about. SURPRISINGLY, no one has discussed this as to why such statues were there and what it implies. First, a statue of Christ might well be indicative of ordinary Christianity,religion,etc. that is often found in many homes around the world but to be in the company of BUDDHA is another matter,and many statues of this type are called 'buddhas' when obviously they are not always that but represent other figures in Buddhism,Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism,etc. The statue of MOSES might well be most identifiable as 'a bearded figure with two tablets of the Law clutched to his breast or held in his arms. If so, this figure is more of a Hebrew icon, although some Christian groups might well possess or have such a representation of Moses. Were these mass produced by the way? One can find innumerable statues of saints,madonnas,apostles,etc. of course. The last figure is one that nowadays would provoke much discussion and controversy,namely a FIGURE OF MOHAMMED(Mahomet is another way of spelling). If the sources of Gurdjieff's teachings were from all three sources then it has a great significance,indeed, if one cares to 'unlock the mystery' and to trace the ancient sources of these four figures. The exoteric aspect of these four religious figures is,of course, apparent. IT IS THE ESOTERIC ASPECTS THAT ELUDE THE OBSERVER,that is, the teaching that are hidden but suggested by these figures.