The Gurdjieff Movements: A Communication of Ancient Wisdom

by Wim van Dullemen

Overview

Scores of books exist about the life and teachings of the Russian spiritual visionary G.I. Gurdjieff (~1866-1949), yet few devote significant coverage to “the Gurdjieff Movements.” These several-hundred precise and mostly asymmetrical gestures, arranged into detailed choreographies for groups of practitioners, were designed by Gurdjieff himself. This new book reconsiders the eminent role of the Movements, revealing them as a vital yet often-neglected component in the transmission of Gurdjieff’s legacy. Van Dullemen, whose first Movements’ teacher received her instruction from Gurdjieff himself, is in a unique position to offer background, theory and first-hand experience about this subject. He is a professional musician and a long-time practitioner of the Gurdjieff work who trained in these Movements and served as a master accompanist for the practice for over thirty years. “No book can teach the Movements,” the author clearly asserts. And, he makes no such attempt here. Far from an instruction manual, The Gurdjieff Movements, A Communication of Ancient Wisdom, offers invaluable insight into and greater understanding of the whys and wherefores of this fourth arm of the vast teaching that comprises Gurdjieff’s complete communication: his books, his oral teachings, his music and finally his Movements. Along with fascinating stories of his own journey of discovery, van Dullemen has skillfully integrated: – autobiographical descriptions of the master Gurdjieff – interviews with direct pupils of Gurdjieff – diligent research within a wide range of firsthand sources – descriptions of the scientific, cultural and social climate during Gurdjieff’s time, and – the relationship between these and his teaching. The book is also a rare accomplishment. While highly authoritative, it is nonetheless written in a direct style with clear language, making it accessible to the public at large who may have interest, but little background, in this esoteric science and practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781942493433
Publisher:	Hohm Press
Publication date:	05/18/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Wim van Dullemen is a musician who studied with the Dutch composer & piano virtuoso Wolfgang Wijdeveld. He met the Gurdjieff work in 1964 & for 20 years played the Gurdjieff-deHartmann compositions for Movement classes led by direct pupils of Gurdjieff. Interviewed widely on this subject, his numerous articles have been published both in the U.S. & Europe. Since 1995 he has devoted himself entirely to this work. Presently, he leads a group on Gurdjieff's teachings & regularly gives courses & performances in Movements in many countries, most recently in Turkey during the yearly festival of Mevlevi Dervishes.

Read an Excerpt

My first experience of the Movements felt like I had participated in a ritual. In the first place, the Movements teacher, in this case Ms. Claustres, who fulfilled the task of leading the ritual in such a way that direct and physical contact with the energetic source of Gurdjieff's teaching could be brought about, made possible for her through her lengthy contact with Gurdjieff and her knowledge of the Movements. As a second element, a group of participants oriented in the same spiritual direction and who together executed complex movements fitting for the ritual. The final attribute of this ritual was the music, at that moment played by a participant in this Movements class. In this particular case, it was music composed by Gurdjieff himself, something that is somewhat of an exception in Movements classes. I have wondered if my experience may have been different if the music by another composer had been played. I am almost certain that this would have been the case, which confirms for me how pure the ingredients in this alchemy must be, and how expertly, accurately and conscientiously these ingredients must be dosed to achieve a good result.
A striking difference with other religious or spiritual rituals was the absence of ecstasy. However gripping the view of another reality was in this experience of Movements, it was not at the cost of normal functions. Movements are so constructed that these normal functions must remain continuously active. Different perceptions occur simultaneously — a tangible component of Gurdjieff's discipline: the simultaneous contact with thoughts, emotions and the physical body, for example, or the experiencing of our inner world without us losing contact with the world around us.
Movements are a ritual created by Gurdjieff, and it is this ritual that Ms. Claustres calls the "practical approach." Gurdjieff's teaching is experienced directly through the body and not as a theory. It must be emphasized that both Ms. Claustres and myself describe Movements from the perspective of a practitioner, from participation in the process and not from observing them. Watching a Movements class can leave a lasting impression, but this is less effective. Watching a film also leaves an impression, but this bears little relation to practicing Movements yourself.

Editorial Reviews

"...worth waiting for! The best presentation of Gurdjieff Movements published." — Reijo Oksanen, Gurdjieff Internet Guide

"Demands a significant place in the exposition of Gurdjieff's genius." — Paul Beekman Taylor, G. I. Gurdjieff: A New Life

From the Publisher