Uploaded April 2020 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
Delving deeper into some of G.I. Gurdjieff’s ideas and practices, we continue our discussion with Father Joseph Azize, author of the recently published book "Gurdjieff: Mysticism, Contemplation, & Exercises”. Among a broad range of related topics covered, Fr. Azize describes the esoteric dynamics of prayer as it relates to the 4 Ideals exercises and the types of impressions that we may access and ‘digest’ as a result. The detrimental effects of ‘negative emotions’ are also examined - as they relate to the growing irrationality that surrounds us, and the necessary work of growing one’s consciousness and conscience to counter these manifestations for one’s self, and for others. Further to this is an increased awareness of one’s own thinking and feeling centers and how strengthening these ‘bodies’ plays such a large part in the growth of an individual.
On today’s MindMatters we look back to the remaining fragments of G.I. Gurdjieff’s teachings and exercises so that they may not be lost to obscurity, and forward, because this time we’re living in necessitates their use. In addition to these issues, Fr. Azize speaks of his own synthesis of these ideas regarding his work in the priesthood and the Christian tradition. Finally, a brief but informed survey of some other important Gurdjieff books. In these times of accelerated change, what if anything can Gurdjieff’s work do to assist us in our response to it, and our working on ourselves?
"Gurdjieff: Mysticism, Contemplation, & Exercises"
-OUP (30% discount code: AAFLYG6): global.oup.com/academic/product/gurdjieff-9780190064075
-Amazon: smile.amazon.com/Gurdjieff-Mysticism-Contemplation-Exercises-Esotericism-ebook/dp/B082DHRTVB
-Also check out Fr. Azize's previous book, George Adie: A Gurdjieff Pupil in Australia: bythewaybooks.com/pages/books/22844/george-adie-joseph-azize/george-adie-a-gurdjieff-pupil-in-australia
show mp3: media.sott.net/srn/20200408mnd-interview-with-joseph-azize-pt-2-the-usefulness-of-gurdjieffs-teachings-for-our-times.mp3
Suggestions for a Basic Gurdjieff Bibliography (courtesy of Fr. Azize)
Gurdjieff (essential):
Beelzebub’s Tales to His Grandson
Meetings with Remarkable Men
Life Is Real Only Then, When “I Am”
Gurdjieff’s Early Talks, 1914-1931
Transcripts of Gurdjieff’s Meetings 1941–1946, 2nd ed.
Paris Meetings 1943
Ouspensky:
In Search of the Miraculous (essential)
The Psychology of Man’s Possible Evolution
The Fourth Way
A Record of Meetings
A Further Record
Biographical Records:
John G. Bennett, Witness: The Story of a Search
Solange Claustres, Becoming Conscious with Mr Gurdjieff
Thomas and Olga de Hartmann, Our Life with Mr Gurdjieff
Kathryn C. Hulme, Undiscovered Country
Dorothy Philpotts, Discovering Gurdjieff
Irmis P. Popoff, Gurdjieff: His Work on myself … with others … for the Work
Tcheslaw Tchekhovitch, Gurdjieff: A Master in Life
Gurdjieff and the Women of the Rope
Approaches to the Teaching:
John G. Bennett, Gurdjieff: Making a New World
John G. Bennett, A Spiritual Psychology
Jane Heap, Notes
Maurice Nicoll, Notes Taken at Meetings January 18, 1934 to April 28, 1934
Maurice Nicoll, Selections from Meetings in 1953
Maurice Nicoll, Simple Explanation of Work Ideas
Jeanne de Salzmann, Reality of Being
A.L. Staveley, Themes I, II, and III
Jean Vaysse, Toward Awakening
Gurdjieff’s Emissary in New York, Talks and Lectures with A.R. Orage 1924-1931
By The Way Books: bythewaybooks.com
Book Studio: bookstudio.co.uk
Fr. Azize's blog: josephazize.com
Delving deeper into some of G.I. Gurdjieff’s ideas and practices, we continue our discussion with Father Joseph Azize, author of the recently published book "Gurdjieff: Mysticism, Contemplation, & Exercises”. Among a broad range of related topics covered, Fr. Azize describes the esoteric dynamics of prayer as it relates to the 4 Ideals exercises and the types of impressions that we may access and ‘digest’ as a result. The detrimental effects of ‘negative emotions’ are also examined - as they relate to the growing irrationality that surrounds us, and the necessary work of growing one’s consciousness and conscience to counter these manifestations for one’s self, and for others. Further to this is an increased awareness of one’s own thinking and feeling centers and how strengthening these ‘bodies’ plays such a large part in the growth of an individual.
On today’s MindMatters we look back to the remaining fragments of G.I. Gurdjieff’s teachings and exercises so that they may not be lost to obscurity, and forward, because this time we’re living in necessitates their use. In addition to these issues, Fr. Azize speaks of his own synthesis of these ideas regarding his work in the priesthood and the Christian tradition. Finally, a brief but informed survey of some other important Gurdjieff books. In these times of accelerated change, what if anything can Gurdjieff’s work do to assist us in our response to it, and our working on ourselves?
"Gurdjieff: Mysticism, Contemplation, & Exercises"
-OUP (30% discount code: AAFLYG6): global.oup.com/academic/product/gurdjieff-9780190064075
-Amazon: smile.amazon.com/Gurdjieff-Mysticism-Contemplation-Exercises-Esotericism-ebook/dp/B082DHRTVB
-Also check out Fr. Azize's previous book, George Adie: A Gurdjieff Pupil in Australia: bythewaybooks.com/pages/books/22844/george-adie-joseph-azize/george-adie-a-gurdjieff-pupil-in-australia
show mp3: media.sott.net/srn/20200408mnd-interview-with-joseph-azize-pt-2-the-usefulness-of-gurdjieffs-teachings-for-our-times.mp3
Suggestions for a Basic Gurdjieff Bibliography (courtesy of Fr. Azize)
Gurdjieff (essential):
Beelzebub’s Tales to His Grandson
Meetings with Remarkable Men
Life Is Real Only Then, When “I Am”
Gurdjieff’s Early Talks, 1914-1931
Transcripts of Gurdjieff’s Meetings 1941–1946, 2nd ed.
Paris Meetings 1943
Ouspensky:
In Search of the Miraculous (essential)
The Psychology of Man’s Possible Evolution
The Fourth Way
A Record of Meetings
A Further Record
Biographical Records:
John G. Bennett, Witness: The Story of a Search
Solange Claustres, Becoming Conscious with Mr Gurdjieff
Thomas and Olga de Hartmann, Our Life with Mr Gurdjieff
Kathryn C. Hulme, Undiscovered Country
Dorothy Philpotts, Discovering Gurdjieff
Irmis P. Popoff, Gurdjieff: His Work on myself … with others … for the Work
Tcheslaw Tchekhovitch, Gurdjieff: A Master in Life
Gurdjieff and the Women of the Rope
Approaches to the Teaching:
John G. Bennett, Gurdjieff: Making a New World
John G. Bennett, A Spiritual Psychology
Jane Heap, Notes
Maurice Nicoll, Notes Taken at Meetings January 18, 1934 to April 28, 1934
Maurice Nicoll, Selections from Meetings in 1953
Maurice Nicoll, Simple Explanation of Work Ideas
Jeanne de Salzmann, Reality of Being
A.L. Staveley, Themes I, II, and III
Jean Vaysse, Toward Awakening
Gurdjieff’s Emissary in New York, Talks and Lectures with A.R. Orage 1924-1931
By The Way Books: bythewaybooks.com
Book Studio: bookstudio.co.uk
Fr. Azize's blog: josephazize.com
