There are dozens of authors who have added to the body of Fourth Way literature since Gurdjieff first revealed his ideas to the world. Much of it is more of a distraction than a benefit to a student. These are the sources that we recommend and use in our school.
Books
G. I. Gurdjieff
Beelzebub’s Tales to His Grandson
More than simply a book, Beelzebub’s Tales to His Grandson is a tool for self-work. To make the best use of his writings, Gurdjieff himself offers the “friendly advice” to read each of his books three times.
“Firstly—at least as you have become mechanized to read all your contemporary books and newspapers.
Secondly—as if you were reading aloud to another person.
And only thirdly—try and fathom the gist of my writings.”
Meetings with Remarkable Men
Typically regarded as the most accessible of Gurdjieff’s books. Meetings with Remarkable Men is also the book most often encountered by people who aren’t members of a Fourth Way School.
Life is Real Only Then, When ‘I Am”
The Herald of the Coming Good
Gurdjieff’s Early Talks 1914-1931
Paris Meetings 1943
P. D. Ouspensky
Ouspensky is one of Gurdjieff’s most well known (and possibly most notorious) students. Ouspensky broke with Gurdjieff and went his own way. His greatest contribution was as an excellent note taker.
In Search of the Miraculous
In Search of the Miraculous is regarded by nearly everyone as the classic Fourth Way text. Ouspensky provides a detailed account of Gurdjieff’s lectures that cover a wide range of Fourth Way ideas.
The Fourth Way
This book is included mainly for its extensive discussion of negative emotions.
J. G. Bennett
Bennett was a prolific and capable writer who expounded upon and expanded many of Gurdjieff’s ideas.
Gurdjieff: Making a New World
Enneagram Studies
The Way to Be Free
Deeper Man
Kathleen Riordan Speeth
The Gurdjieff Work
Speeth’s The Gurdjieff Work presents an unusually useful survey of Gurdjieff’s core ideas.
Robert Earl Burton
Burton appears to be an interesting character. If any of the many rumors surrounding him are true, then he might be thought of as yet one more example of an imperfect vessel delivering important truths. We make no apologies or excuses for the man’s actions. That said, neither this school nor any of its members have ever had any dealings with Robert Earl Burton, his schools, or his students.