Gurdjieff: An Introduction to His Life and Ideas

by John Shirley

A dramatic and literate introduction to one of the twentieth century's most influential and intriguing spiritual teachers.

Born in the shifting border between Turkey and Russia in 1866, G. I. Gurdjieff is a man who would continually straddle borders-between East and West, between man and something higher than man, between the ancient teachings of esoteric schools and the modern application of those ideas in contemporary life.

In many respects-from the concept of group meetings to the mysterious workings of the enneagram to his critique of humanity as existing in a state of sleep-Gurdjieff pioneered the culture of spiritual search that has taken root in the West today. While many of Gurdjieff's students-including Frank Lloyd Wright, Katharine Mansfield, and P. D. Ouspensky-are well known, few understand this figure possessed of complex writings and sometimes confounding methods.

In An Introduction to His Life and Ideas , the acclaimed novelist John Shirley-one of the founders of the cyberpunk genre-presents a lively, reliable explanation of how to approach the sage and his ideas. In accessible, dramatic prose Shirley retells that which we know of Gurdjieff's life; he surveys the teacher's methods and the lives of his key students; and he helps readers to enter the unparalleled originality of this remarkable teacher.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History

301 pages, Paperback

First published March 30, 2004

About the author

John Shirley won the Bram Stoker Award for his story collection Black Butterflies, and is the author of numerous novels, including the best-seller DEMONS, the cyberpunk classics CITY COME A-WALKIN', ECLIPSE, and BLACK GLASS, and his newest novels STORMLAND and A SORCERER OF ATLANTIS.

He is also a screenwriter, having written for television and movies; he was co-screenwriter of THE CROW. He has been several Year's Best anthologies including Prime Books' THE YEAR'S BEST DARK FANTASY AND HORROR anthology, and his nwest story collection is IN EXTREMIS: THE MOST EXTREME SHORT STORIES OF JOHN SHIRLEY. His novel BIOSHOCK: RAPTURE telling the story of the creation and undoing of Rapture, from the hit videogame BIOSHOCK is out from TOR books; his Halo novel, HALO: BROKEN CIRCLE is coming out from Pocket Books.

His most recent novels are STORMLAND and (forthcoming) AXLE BUST CREEK. His new story collection is THE FEVERISH STARS. STORMLAND and other John Shirley novels are available as audiobooks.

He is also a lyricist, having written lyrics for 18 songs recorded by the Blue Oyster Cult (especially on their albums Heaven Forbidden and Curse of the Hidden Mirror), and his own recordings.

John Shirley has written only one nonfiction book, GURDJIEFF: AN INTRODUCTION TO HIS LIFE AND IDEAS, published by Penguin/Jeremy Tarcher.

John Shirley story collections include BLACK BUTTERFLIES, IN EXTREMIS, REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY WEIRD STORIES, and LIVING SHADOWS.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up to learn more about G and his connection to the Enneagram. While I learned a bit in general about who G was, I do question the veracity of the book. The author is quite smitten with G. I slogged on when things started getting odd, but I closed the book on page 254 after reading, “. . . dominant women were something he regarded as a regrettable abnormality typical of modern life.” I will continue to research G in an objective manner, but I don’t need to finish this book written from the perspective of an acolyte to a man with whom I disagree on some deep levels. (Also, the Enneagram is barely mentioned, though there is a small portion regarding the 3 centers of being.)

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author John Shirley intended this book for absolute beginners to George Ivanovich Gurdjieff (c. 1866 - 1949), which I am. It is still far, far too early for me to tell whether Gurdjieff was merely a cult leader or actually the greatest mystic of modern times, especially as Gurdjieff himself made his work purposefully difficult to understand and laden with absurd words so as to confuse and disappoint his students and readers. I would have to (and just might) read another shelf of primary and secondary material on and by Gurdjieff, passing the "intervals" of pain and resistance necessary for understanding of this initiate, Gurdjieff, so referenced by every other modern mystic (in that respect, Shirley's book is a great starting point). The Great Beast, Crowley himself, turns up in July 1926 at Gurdjieff's Paris Institute: "Crowley is said to have left white-faced and shaking" (pg. 252)
Promisingly, the very first book referenced by Shirley is Robert Anton Wilson's 'Cosmic Trigger', so I felt I was in good company. Whether I will read all of 'All And Everything: Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson', Gurdjieff's masterwork, the requisite three times, at least, as prescribed, remains to be seen. Perhaps I will start with Ouspensky and see what happens. An easy and illuminating read.

[Smiley III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shirley's exposition of Gurdjieff's ideas (an "Introduction" for me, personally; I happened across this title, at Powell's, looking for other Shirley books) comes as an eye-opener to the One Clueless Person You Never Heard Of (again: if you're like me ... ) Who Somehow Managed to Actually Live in the 20th Century. (Whew! That should be a sub-title ... )

ANYHOO: As a "walk-through," Clive Barker's famously-quoted take on Shirley's fiction seems to equally apply, here. The Man is qualified.

(I'll leave everything else out, and let the book speak for itself — and, to the extent it's possible — for G. I. Gurdjieff. You won't leave these pages unchanged, and — shall we say — "uncharged"!)

Essential reading.

(Catch up — don't fall behind!)

[David Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to Gurdjieff and his ideas. It is probably the best book for beginners, for it has a particularly excellent Appendix listing some excellent further reading. John Shirley, unlike many in the The Work scene, takes a balanced, sincere approach to this enigmatic and powerful mind. . .

[J. Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from the library and after 45 pages, ordered myself a copy. This is the kind of book I've been seeking. I'm itching to highlight, underline and dogear. This is one of the true mystics that the others quote and emulate. How splendid this and other works are readily available! One hundred years ago one would have to travel to the Orient, India, attend ashrams etc. as Gurdjieff did in search of answers. Now they arrive in a book in the mailbox!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid introduction to Gurdjieff. Shirley babies you a bit a first but you appreciate this once your on to more complex Gurdjieffian ideas. If you're still interested (and I am) the book offers a number of different investigative leads-- people to explore and books to read.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This guy was an awesome spiritual teacher who found enlightenment through work. The key here is 'never rest and always get the job done' and you will gain more insight into your own being than anyone or anything else can teach you. A little drawn out, though.

[Chris Estey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Religious cults and small businesses -- music genres and corporate cultures?

[Lucinda Winslow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great modern biography, beautifully written, carefully researched and offered sincerely as one solution to the gathering challenges of our times. A must read for all who love Gurdjieff's Work.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read everything I can find about Gurdjieff.

[Trilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really accessible biographical account of a fascinatingly impenetrable character.