  | Book Details Title: Gurdjieff: Mysticism, Contemplation, and Exercises (Oxford Studies in Western Esotericism) |
Book DescriptionReview “This is an outstanding study of the practical basis of Gurdjieff’s teaching that will form a new benchmark in scholarly studies. Through sustained examination of the exercises taught orally by Gurdjieff and his pupils, Azize shows that the ‘Work’ was primarily created as something to do in everyday life, rather than a philosophical system to be decoded. This masterly account is required reading for everyone interested in how new, alternative and esoteric traditions are actually practiced in the modern world.” — Steven J. Sutcliffe, Senior Lecturer in the Study of Religion, University of Edinburgh”This book is remarkable, a serious study of Gurdjieff’s ideas and exercises that will be of service not only to students of the fourth way but also to those who wish to better understand mysticism and contemplation in the Christian tradition. It contains unparalleled r�sum�s and analyses of Gurdjieff’s exercises and their evolution over the whole period of his teaching life. Azize points out that Gurdjieff not only drew on the work of collaborators such as Orage but he gradually embraced contemplative practice, drawing on Western orthodox methods, citing the idea: Behind ‘real I’ lies God. The author forcibly expresses the view that the real Gurdjieff exercises have been neglected and obscured and need to be restored and known. His book is one of the most substantial ever written about the actual ‘Gurdjieff work’ and deserves to be widely read and thought about deeply.” — Anthony Blake, author of The Supreme Art of Dialogue”Joseph Azize has the bright idea of collecting the basic exercises given by Gurdjieff and he concludes that their roots are in the Christian Orthodox tradition. A religious component of the Gurdjieff teaching is revealed: Gurdjieff formulated a new practical science of melding the biological emanations with the divine emanations.” — Basrab Nicolescu, author of From Modernity to Cosmodernity Read more About the Author Joseph Azize is a priest in the Maronite Catholic Church, working chiefly in the Chancery. He is also an honorary associate at the University of Sydney. For twenty-three years, he was a practicing attorney for the Commonwealth of Australia, serving at one time as acting Senior Assistant Director of Publications. He has published academically in three areas: ancient history, litigation law, and now in religious studies, and has also written some music for use in the Maronite liturgy. Read more Customers Review: The title of this book suggests an emphasis on the contemplative exercises that were so important to the latter years of Gurdjieff’s work in Europe. The emphasis is real enough, but the great value of the book for people not already attempting to practice the Gurdjieff Work is the carefully considered and meticulously presented introduction to this little understood teacher and his teaching. How valuable will the extensive information on the contemplative exercises be? That depends on what other information and guidance a person has. But, very significantly, this book will make it easier than ever for a reader to determine if they should be seeking live guidance so the exercises will lead to their intended end. For everyone else, it remains an excellent de-mystification of the man and an introduction to his Work. It is also written brilliantly and is, therefore, easily readable (not true of many of the related books). | |
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