Publications

Books by G.I. Gurdjieff:

Beelzebub’s Tales to His Grandson
Preferably the 1992 edition. The most difficult of Gurdjieff’s books to approach, a work that remains vitally relevant and constantly revealing new depths throughout a lifetime of study.

Meetings With Remarkable Men
An autobiography of Gurdjieff’s early years, although the accuracy of the account is always of secondary importance to the message that he wishes to convey. Contains much material that is “buried deep” in the stories, whose value often surfaces long after the first reading.

Life Is Real Only Then, When I Am
Also called “The Third Series”, an unfinished collection of talks and lectures, containing unique gems, but perhaps best studied after having worked in the groups for some years.

Views From the Real World, Early Talks of Gurdjieff
Talks from different periods and places; very valuable because it is Gurdjieff’s own voice, and an entirely different approach from the systematic structure laid out by Ouspensky.

Gurdjieff’s Teaching:

In Search of the Miraculous, Fragments of an Unknown Teaching, P. D. Ouspensky
The clearest and most accessible presentation of almost all the system of knowledge that Gurdjieff brought. This is where any discussion of Work ideas begins.

The Psychology of Man’s Possible Evolution, P. D. Ouspensky
Five introductory lectures given by O., a rather succint introduction to the work ideas.

Venture With Ideas, Kenneth Walker
By an English student of Ouspensky. A clear exposition of the Gurdjieff’s teaching.

Towards Awakening, Jean Vaysse
A very accessible introduction to the ideas.

Personal testimonials:

Our Life With Gurdjieff, Thomas and Olga de Hartmann
A very personal and touching account of years of intensive work with Gurdjieff. De Hartmann was the musician responsible for giving form to Gurdjieff’s music.

Childhood With Gurdjieff, Fritz Peters
The account of a young boy who spent summers with G. A joy to read and contains precious insights as well.

Gurdjieff – A Master in Life, Tcheslaw Tchekhovitch
Recollections of a long-time pupil of G. A non-intellectual view of Gurdjieff the man and his Work.

Heart Without Measure, Ravi Ravindra
A contemporary account of Ravindra’s contacts with Jeanne de Salzmann, who was responsible for the groups after Gurdjieff’s death.

Notes on the Next Attention, (Michel de Salzmann) by Fran Shaw
A day-to-day account of Work sessions with Michel de Salzmann, at Chandolin in the Swiss Alps. An intimate portrayal of group sessions 1993 through 2000

Books by Gurdjieff’s direct pupils:

The Reality of Being, Jeanne de Salzmann
Contains very profound insights into different aspects of the Work. Should not be read as a “book” but rather to be referenced from time to time as a true support for working on one’s own questions.

Inner Octaves, Michel Conge
More than any other pupil, Conge digested Gurdjieff’s ideas in life and invites the reader to partake in the wonder and mystery of inner search. An invaluable aid but should only be approached after one is familiar with the system of ideas.

The Taste for Things That Are True, Henri Tracol
Talks, recollections, interviews with one of G’s most eloquent students.

Opening, William Segal
Segal came to Gurdjieff from Zen, and he brought a simple yet resounding call to open, to be in question.