One of the world’s most famous philosophers and spiritual teachers, Gurdjieff is known for his teachings throughout the world. Gurdjieff is a name that has now become synonymous with spiritual quest and human development. His principles and ideas still remain an inspiration for self-development and awareness across the world. So, in today’s video, let us delve into the depths of Gurdjieff’s mysterious life, unique teachings and his thoughts.
Gurdjieff was born on January 13, 1866 in a small village called Alisa in Russia. His father Ivan Gurdjieff was a musician and his mother Elizabeth was a religious woman. The family was rich with a cultural outlook, in which art and music were given importance. But when Gurdjieff was only nine years old, his mother died and when he was eleven, his father also died. This unexpected grief threw Gurdjieff into an inner crisis and led to the discovery of the deeper secrets of life. These childhood traumas filled Gurdjieff with a deep curiosity about life. He was ready to find out what reality was, and why the world worked the way it did. And is there a deeper purpose behind this life? This was the first question that came to his mind, and this question kept inspiring him to keep searching for this mystery throughout his life.
Gurdjieff’s spiritual journey took him outside Russia, to countries such as Central Asia, India, Pakistan, China, Tibet, Iran and Persia. By visiting these places he not only gained a deeper understanding of religion and philosophy, but also learned about ancient spiritual practices that were far from the Western world. Gurdjieff studied the millennia-old Tantric teachings, Buddhist meditation methods, and Islamic mysticism. He saw that a common objective of all religions and spiritual systems was the advancement of the soul and the individual’s attainment of inner knowledge. He realized that true knowledge does not come only from the outside world, but from within. This was a turning point in his life, as this journey led him to a deep spiritual encounter.
Gurdjieff’s travels were not limited to Asia and Europe, but he also visited America and Britain, where he spread his teachings to the Western world. Gurdjieff made disciples in American cities such as New York and Boston and presented the principles of his Fourth Way. This was the time when deep interest in his teachings started appearing in the western world. In Britain he shared his ideas at places like Westminster and London, besides meeting his disciples. Here he showed that even in the Western world people were beginning to understand the importance of inner awareness and meditation. This was an important part of his global travel, allowing his influence to spread throughout the world.
Gurdjieff created a specific spiritual method from his experiences, which he called the ‘Fourth Way’. The main purpose of this path was to integrate the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects together. He believed that enlightenment is not achieved only through meditation or mental practice, but is possible only through physical actions and internal balance. Through this principle, Gurdjieff taught his disciples to work equally on every aspect of life instead of just getting lost in sadhana or meditation. He believed that enlightenment is not achieved by simply losing ourselves in the outside world, but for this we have to work with our entire consciousness and body.
Gurdjieff was not only a teacher but also an accomplished musician and dancer. He taught his spiritual methods to his disciples through dance and music. His practice of ‘Gurdjieff Dance’ combined with physical activity was a profound path towards meditation and enlightenment. This dance was not just a physical practice, but it was a form of sadhana, in which an attempt was made to awaken the body, mind, and spirit together. Gurdjieff believed that through physical movement one could awaken one’s inner energy and move toward enlightenment. His music was also a form of meditation and spiritual practice, leading his disciples to mental peace and spiritual purity.
Gurdjieff also presented his ideology and spiritual experiences in the form of books. His two major books, ‘Meetings with Remarkable Men’ and ‘Beelzebub’s Tales to His Grandson’, are still studied around the world. ‘Meetings with Remarkable Men’ is an autobiographical book in which Gurdjieff wrote about various important personalities he met during his travels. This book not only narrates the events of his life but also shares his spiritual experiences and struggles. At the same time, ‘Beelzebub’s Tales’ is considered a work of complex and deep philosophy. The book contemplates the complexities of modern society and Gurdjieff writes it like an epic, expressing philosophical ideas. Through this book, Gurdjieff has made deep comments on the current crisis of humanity and the need for spiritual awareness.
The life of Gurdjieff, the greatest philosopher and spiritual teacher of his time, was not limited only to spiritual practice, but many interesting incidents happened in his personal life also. After returning from his travels, Gurdjieff married Julia Ostrovska, a Polish citizen, in St. Petersburg in 1912. Gurdjieff’s relationship with Julia was not just personal, but she also became a supporter of his spiritual exercises. Gurdjieff’s marriages reflect important aspects of his life, in which spiritual practice as well as his personal relationships played a large role in his life. Gurdjieff believed that the only purpose of his life was spiritual development, and for this purpose he had to give it more priority than his family.
Gurdjieff’s life was full of struggles, but he never gave up. He challenged spiritual and philosophical views around the world and showed a new direction through his principles. His struggle was to introduce himself and others to the deeper truth that we are still searching for. Gurdjieff’s contribution was not limited to his teachings only. Gurdjieff is still guiding our lives towards awareness and deeper spiritual knowledge through his disciples, writings and books. His life and his teachings teach us that spirituality is not just a path, but it is a complete life, which requires understanding of every aspect.
Gurdjieff died in Paris on October 29, 1949. Despite the end of his physical existence, his teachings and principles are still alive. His life was an inspiration and his teachings left a deep mark in the lives of millions of people. His teachings are still being spread today by his disciples and those who are trying to understand the deeper purpose of life. Gurdjieff’s life teaches that enlightenment is achieved not by mere thought, but by action in every aspect of life. His principles still provide guidance for the mental and spiritual development of people around the world.
So friends, this was the life of Gurdjieff, which teaches us that the purpose of life is not only related to the outside world, but to our inner self. If you liked this video, please like and subscribe, if you also want to know more or adopt Gurdjieff’s teachings and ideas, then wait, we will soon release a new video of Gurdjieff’s teachings.
