G. I. Gurdjieff on Religion & Faith

Roger Lipsey
with the participation of pianist John A. Watts performing the music of Gurdjieff / de Hartmann

“Only he who has succeeded,” Gurdjieff once said, “by persistent and conscious efforts in freeing himself from the chaos resulting from his own lack of consciousness can be aware of what religion really means.” His teaching can be understood as a guide from that chaos to understanding. He was hard on those who derive from their religious faith what he called self-calming or vehement certainty. Faith, hope, and love—yes, but he viewed them as weakened in our time. Something else is first needed before they can become real again.

Yet in his writings, in his music, and in the sacred dances or Movements he composed, there is powerful religious feeling. His critique of religion as commonly lived and understood was the preface to a new authenticity, a new way of living religion and faith. 

This afternoon we read between the lines of his teaching and look into bright, often overlooked spaces, for new insights into religious life and faith. The last half-hour of the afternoon session will experimentally derive some of the key ideas and attitudes of the Gurdjieff teaching from the music, including the majestic “Initiation of the Priestess”.

Note: Signed copies of Gurdjieff Reconsidered will be available for purchase.