A PORTRIAT OF GURDJIEFF

Some years ago when I read some of the various books on Gurdjieff and especially that of OUSPENSKY, I also came across a 'portrait' or photograph of Gurdjieff that I will now discuss. The first reference to this photo in Ouspensky's IN SEARCH OF THE MIRACULOUS in which he mentions seeing this portrait that some years afterwards I was able to see in another book by another author. In the edition of ISOFTM on page 341, O writes, and I quote,"there was an interesting portrait of G" and goes on to say, "G's portrait determined for me .....what his profession was at the time." This revelation by O about G intrigued me and I immediately jumped to two conclusions, that is, assumptions that might have 'undoubted accuracy': one, he was a 'pimp' or procurer or 'white slaver' or some other related activity of the time; two, he was a 'priest' or in the seminary,etc. In other works, the photo is displayed as that of 'hypnotist' or possible 'healer' or whatever, either that of a 'charlatan' or 'mountebank' since the pose is sort of "Napoleonic' in that G has his right hand inside his jacket and over his heart(center). His feet are in a sort 'military' stance.

THE TRAVELS OF GURDJIEFF CONTINUED

In the same NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE(December 2009) that I mentioned in my blog THE WAY OF THE MONK, there is an article on the UYGURS, a Chinese Moslem group, that is under scrutiny as well as persecution, somewhat similar to that the Tibetans are undergoing, it would seem, by the Chinese government that seeks,of course, to exploit the underlying wealth in the reserves of oil, minerals,etc. and to open the land up for industrialization ,etc. This area is also known as TURKESTAN but the section of it is called CHINESE TURKESTAN(East) and includes some of Gurdjieff's old stomping grounds" KASHGAR, a city to the western part, and the TAKLA-MAKAN(Taklimakan) DESERT. This is part of the Chinese province of SINKIANG. The Uygurs are not Han Chinese, of course, and since they are Moslem and speak a different tongue, of which a knowledge of Turkish would allow communication, they are probably some of the people from whom Gurdjieff learned some of his martial arts which he placed under a certain name which I have mentioned in the topic,GURDJIEFF & THE MARTIAL ARTS in this blog. The area is also important for other reasons, namely, the various 'healing' methods that Gurdjieff picked up which I will deal with another time, probably under another topic.

GURDJIEFF'S PANTRY

Mention of his PARIS PANTRY can be found in many works on G and also in works by his disciples that are frequently cited, but very little attention has been paid or payed to the actual contents of this closet/pantry save for a few passing references to spices,etc. that some claim came from Tibet,etc. The photo(s) that show it are not exactly clear in the books and need to be amplified or 'blown-up' to see what is exactly on them. Right now I do not have the time or means to exactly do this sort of 'investigation' which many will,undoubtedly,consider a complete waste of time and energy to show WHAT? To my bent of mind and to my 'peculiar inclination(s)',however, I think this area has been much neglected because one can often tell a good deal about people from what is upon their shelves(another term for what they might contain,if you get my drift). In this case, I am not looking for 'skeletons' but spices and other 'ingredients', unusual 'foods' and herbs,etc. that might well be seen in this pantry that G assembled and used for other things besides mere 'cooking'!

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.

DEGREE & SCALE

These ideas of scale and degree will enable one to determine certain things about oneself if one is honest. Take a statement,, like, 'I LIKE ANIMALS' and try to see what it really means in relation to yourself,personally. Do you like all animals, do you like them only in certain situations or environments,like zoos, farms, pet shops? Do you like them enough to stop eating them, (those that you eat daily or whatever) or killing them,from shooting, running over them in your cars, stepping on bugs,etc. that do belong to the animal kingdom so to speak? Then take a statement, "I like cats" DO YOU? Or do you only like certain cats? Do you like all cats and where do you like them: in pet stores or on TV or in your house and if you do the latter, how many cats can you stand in your house? (We read stories,horrendous somtimes of animal abuse by old ladies enarmoured of cat care). Do you like your cat when he or she claws,scratches, or bites you? do you like your cat to cough up hairballs on your bed or sofa or nice expensive rug? Will you cry when your cat dies? By 'slot substitution' that is, placing other nouns in the subject space, you can perhaps arrive at what is being said here. If you put in "I like---------" such as, dogs, horses, cows, pigs, apes,children, people,etc. all kinds of classes and orders what will you see? By considering the notion of SCALE going from your house, your car, your neighborhood, your city,state, nation,continent,etc. you will see what is involved and how everyone actually lies when they make these all-inclusive,umbrella,blanket assertions, statements, claims,etc. From the scale of my house and my living room,etc. I can say,honestly,"I tend to like my cat" but from the DEGREE aspect, this might not be true. For example, I might not like my cat when she jumps on the table or when she claws the carpet or bits my leg and I certainly do not want the big cats, lions and tigers in my living room or attic! Most people when they say they like animals, cats, dogs,etc. never think of the poop to scoop, the place where they live or roam(like jungles and deserts and mountains,etc.) For anyone to say, I like lions is another big lie unless you like them in cages or on TV documentaries or photos or in circuses. The degree and the scale of things must enter into our considerations but they only do when we are trying to actually survive and avoid certain things. We all say,"I hate crime, I hate war, I hate poverty,etc. etc." but such statements are virtually meaningless and only serve to assist the negative impressons and influences that exist,especially when we endow them with our energy. Those of you who are reading this can supply your own examples and are intelligent to see this but the problem is that most of you will forget it as soon as you stop reading this and will not apply it to your daily life.

MiRACULOUS SCHOOLS

On page 5(five) of my edition,Ouspensky mentions the notion of 'SCHOOLS' and set out on his journeys to find some. These particular schools are ESOTERIC and the record of his success in Asia is in this book. The important thing I think is that Ouspensky does not make the claim to find PERSONS who might show him the things he is looking for apparently or TEACHERS per se but SCHOOLS as if he could enroll in a class curriculum in esoteric studies. This intellectual approach is heady stuff and not to be ignored but there are other things that are important. Upon reading other works by Ouspensky and others who worked with Gurdjieff, no matter how slightly, one comes away with a feeling that Ouspenksy never ever or hardly ever, got the 'message' or was on the same 'wave-length' as Gurdjieff except on an intellectual basis that need some study if one is to understand that this feature of Ouspenksy perhaps blinded him to actual possibilites and experiences.

IN SEARCH OF THE MIRACULOUS, PART I

This book by P.D. Ouspensky is an account that G.I. GURDJIEFF in his special way acknowledged as being a good record of sorts about what happened when Ouspensky was first introduced to the FOURTH WAY. As fascinating as it is, one has to see beyond what is said, even if one thinks one understands or senses certain aspects,for there are certain levels to be looked at that are not apparent. For example, in other works that can be read with some purpose and from which some things can be gleaned also, Gurdjieff says that if OUSPENSKY 'really understood what he had written' then he, G, would bow down to him,but the implication is that neither Ouspensky or those who read him understand what is written there. SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? It means that without the 'practical' work that Gurdjieff included one will only go as far as those appreciative intellectuals that gathered around both Ouspensky and Gurdjieff, and also some of those who gathered around the so-called 'lesser lights', like Bennett,etc.