The Sevenfold Work
J. G. Bennett
The idea of 'Work' that G. I. Gurdjieff brought to the West in this century is the idea of the supreme effort in which men and women can participate consciously. To label the purpose and character of this inspired effort is to miss the point of its essential practicality and to gloss over the hiddenness of its sources, initiatives and enablements.
The Work is resolved into a spectrum of seven lines which are applicable to past and present practice and experience, and probably valid for some time in the future. There is a feeling of wholeness and balance that is required. The Work is not all effort, nor is it to be found by receptivity and submission alone. We have something to do. but we need to understand when to submit and we must learn how to get out of the way entirely.
In front of the mutually contradictory injunctions of spiritual authorities, there is a great need tor everyone who can to understand the nature of what Gurdjieff called "harmonious development'
This book, put together around talks that J. G. Bennett gave in 1974 to students at his Academy, and edited and expanded for this new edition, by A. G. E. Blake, is an explanation of the action of the work in us through what we can experience and practice. Gurdjieff's hints are the starting point. The result is no simple codification of techniques, but an opening of doors to understanding.
The cover illustration is taken from a painting 'Specimen for a Critic' by the Finnish artist and seer Aiexandra lonowa:
J. G. Bennett
The idea of 'Work' that G. I. Gurdjieff brought to the West in this century is the idea of the supreme effort in which men and women can participate consciously. To label the purpose and character of this inspired effort is to miss the point of its essential practicality and to gloss over the hiddenness of its sources, initiatives and enablements.
The Work is resolved into a spectrum of seven lines which are applicable to past and present practice and experience, and probably valid for some time in the future. There is a feeling of wholeness and balance that is required. The Work is not all effort, nor is it to be found by receptivity and submission alone. We have something to do. but we need to understand when to submit and we must learn how to get out of the way entirely.
In front of the mutually contradictory injunctions of spiritual authorities, there is a great need tor everyone who can to understand the nature of what Gurdjieff called "harmonious development'
This book, put together around talks that J. G. Bennett gave in 1974 to students at his Academy, and edited and expanded for this new edition, by A. G. E. Blake, is an explanation of the action of the work in us through what we can experience and practice. Gurdjieff's hints are the starting point. The result is no simple codification of techniques, but an opening of doors to understanding.
The cover illustration is taken from a painting 'Specimen for a Critic' by the Finnish artist and seer Aiexandra lonowa:
J. G. Bennett
The idea of 'Work' that G. I. Gurdjieff brought to the West in this century is the idea of the supreme effort in which men and women can participate consciously. To label the purpose and character of this inspired effort is to miss the point of its essential practicality and to gloss over the hiddenness of its sources, initiatives and enablements.
The Work is resolved into a spectrum of seven lines which are applicable to past and present practice and experience, and probably valid for some time in the future. There is a feeling of wholeness and balance that is required. The Work is not all effort, nor is it to be found by receptivity and submission alone. We have something to do. but we need to understand when to submit and we must learn how to get out of the way entirely.
In front of the mutually contradictory injunctions of spiritual authorities, there is a great need tor everyone who can to understand the nature of what Gurdjieff called "harmonious development'
This book, put together around talks that J. G. Bennett gave in 1974 to students at his Academy, and edited and expanded for this new edition, by A. G. E. Blake, is an explanation of the action of the work in us through what we can experience and practice. Gurdjieff's hints are the starting point. The result is no simple codification of techniques, but an opening of doors to understanding.
The cover illustration is taken from a painting 'Specimen for a Critic' by the Finnish artist and seer Aiexandra lonowa:
