In Search of P. D. Ouspensky: The Genius in the Shadow of Gurdjieff

by Gary Lachman

P. D. Ouspensky's classic work In Search of the Miraculous was the first to disseminate the ideas of G. I. Gurdjieff, the mysterious master of esoteric thought in the early twentieth century who still commands a following today. Gurdjieff's mystique has long eclipsed Ouspensky, once described by Gurdjieff as "nice to drink vodka with, but a weak man." Yet Ouspensky was a brilliant, accomplished philosopher in his own right, and some consider his meeting with the charismatic "Mr. G." the catastrophe of his life. Indeed, in subsequent years Ouspensky tried hard, with limited success, to break away. This book moves Ouspensky's own story center stage, against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution, the dervishes of Constantinople, and a cosmopolitan Europe entre deux guerres. The archetypal encounter it describes echoes that of Don Juan and Castaneda, or perhaps Mephistopheles and Faust. One of the great mystical adventures of our time, it will fascinate everyone interested in the farthest reaches of what it means to be human. The paperback edition includes a new chapter on Gary Lachman's own former work in Gurdjieff's psychology.

Genres: Biography, Philosophy, Occult, Religion, Nonfiction

340 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Gary Lachman is an American writer and musician. Lachman is best known to readers of mysticism and the occult from the numerous articles and books he has published.

Reviews

[Cynde Moya]

I'd long been curious about what the deal was between those two, Gurdjieff and Ouspensky. In addition to providing an introduction to the concepts of the work, Lachman clearly illuminates for me the sadomasochism in the esoteric teacher-student relationship. I have experienced that state of mind myself, where the mind whirrs in circles trying to interpret the teacher's demands -- what I mostly learned is that my mind has an endless ability to create unusual gestalts from limited teaching input.

Lachman, once a student of the work, does not editorialize, but rather allows the story to reveal the lessons of this occult relationship. It's much better that way. Lachman allows the ambivalence of Gurdjieff's character to emerge -- was he a classic kind of charlatan, what with his history as a hypnotist and his cruel techniques? Or was this questionable self-presentation part of his teaching, which was genuinely rooted in a deep esoteric understanding? Whatever the case, Gurdjieff did gather and use a lot of enthusiastic students as his guinea pigs, and he must have learned something valuable from them as a group.

As for Ouspensky, Lachman makes much of his turnabout at the end of his life. I myself read this part of the biography with astonishment. Because Ouspensky finished his career with a bizarre repudiation of the work, telling his students shocking things like: There is no system. Who tells you that you are mechanical, that you are asleep? All that is necessary is that you know what you want, and aim for that. Think for yourself.

[David Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book which explores the enigma of the student-guru relationship between two very individual, unique and equally independent thinkers of the early-to-mid 20th century. Ouspenky's contribution to intellectual thought, I believe, is more palatable than Gurdjieff's obscure works. I also particularly enjoyed the atmosphere generated around the time Ouspensky and others discussed the fourth-dimension in St. Petersburg's cafe, The Stray Dog. Lachman evokes a sense of intense intellectual development and gives a wonderful insight into the zeitgeist of the times.

Lachman presents Ouspensky as an interesting and pioneering philosopher in his own right; cementing Ouspensky as an important figure on his own terms, rather than being merely the first port of call for anyone who wants to understand Gurdjieff's 'System'. The author of Tertium Organum and A New Model of the Universe is here presented as a genuine visionary and an honest seeker of higher-states of consciousness. I found this to be one of Lachman's most literary and evocative of biographies that I've read so far.

[Sumit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely readable biography of P D Ouspensky.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Intensively researched, well-written and sagely presented.

A remarkable American once said, "There's a seeker born every minute." Someone also said, "Seek wisdom even as far as China." However, it may be the fruits of a life well-lived can be found in the realm of Malakut, where "flow rivers of wine, delicious to those who drink, and no headache will they have therefrom, nor will they be intoxicated."

[Fred Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lachman provides a warmly sympathetic treatment of Ouspensky, ultimately viewing him more as a victim than a student of Gurdjieff. He is thoroughly familiar with the published sources, both primary and secondary. Most of the book, in fact, summarizes and paraphrases the works of Ouspensky and his contemporaries. Lachman stays in the background much of time (with the notable exception of the epilogue), rarely giving opinions or conclusions.

[Robert K.]

Very good book, well written and well researched, led me to begin to read all the theosophists...

[Mike Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched and expressed view of Ouspensky. It helped relocate my view of Gurdjieff too into something more reasonable and perhaps, accurate. After reading Ouspenski's work over the years it left me feeling quite sad for the man.

[Frank Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author provides an introduction to mystical literature that doesn't go "too far" and thus allows you to learn some things without feeling like someone is trying to convince you of something.

[Elda]

In Search of P. D. Ouspensky: The Genius in the Shadow of Gurdjieff
by Gary Lachman (Goodreads Author