George Ivanovich Gurdjieff
The Evolution of Man is the Evolution of His Consciousness
The journey of personal and spiritual development, according to George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff, revolves around the fundamental growth of consciousness. This growth is marked not only by an expansion of awareness—linear and ripple-like as it spreads—but also through a deep cultivation of resourcefulness, restraint, and conduct. A remarkable individual distinguishes themselves through the adept use of their mental faculties, managing their innate characteristics with control and equanimity, while simultaneously addressing others with justice and tolerance.
“A remarkable man stands out from those around him by the resourcefulness of his mind, and who knows how to be restrained in the manifestations which proceed from his nature, at the same time conducting himself justly and tolerantly towards the weaknesses of others.”
Three Centers: Mind, Body, & Feeling
Gurdjieff posits that human beings operate through three primary centers: the mind, the body, and the feeling. These centers are the engines of our actions and reactions, through which the evolution of consciousness manifests. The harmony or imbalance among these centers greatly influences one's ability to navigate life's complexities.
Two Cosmic Laws: The Law of Three and The Law of Seven
Central to Gurdjieff's philosophy are two cosmic laws that explain the dynamics of universal and personal change. The first, the Law of Three, identifies that every whole phenomenon is a confluence of three forces: Active, Passive, and Reconciling (or Neutral). This triadic structure suggests that every outcome or reality is born from a dynamic interplay between these fundamental forces.
The second, the Law of Seven, or the law of octaves, provides a framework for understanding the inevitable fluctuations in any process of development or evolution. It explains why nothing in nature or life follows a straight line but is rather characterized by a series of ascents and descents, growths and regresses—each step influenced by preceding actions and the inherent properties of the cycle itself.
Sincerity and Inner Freedom
At the core of Gurdjieff’s teachings is the notion of sincerity, defined as being free from pretense or deceit and proceeding from genuine feelings. This sincerity is crucial for the individual's pursuit of inner freedom—a state of being where one is not unduly influenced by external pressures or internal conflicts, but is guided by a true self that is in harmony with the greater laws of existence.
The Fundamental Striving of Every Man
The ultimate aim, as Gurdjieff sees it, is for each person to cultivate an inner freedom that allows them to face the vicissitudes of life with equanimity and to prepare for a fulfilling and serene old age. This entails a life-long endeavor of understanding and aligning oneself with the cosmic laws and learning to act not out of compulsion or unconscious impulse, but from a place of deep awareness and understanding.
In summary, Gurdjieff's philosophy offers a comprehensive framework for understanding human behavior and potential, emphasizing the importance of conscious growth, the balancing of life's energies through understanding cosmic laws, and the pursuit of a sincere and authentically lived life.