The Way To Be Free: Talks and Conversations with Students

by J.G. Bennett, Anthony Blake (Foreword)

The central theme of this book is the difference between "work from the mind" and "work from the essence." Work from the mind produces skillful prisoners of illusion, but prisoners all the same. Work from the essence is the way to be free. It is centered in the heart. This book is compiled from conversations that took place between Bennett and his students, and includes several sections from previously unpublished notes that were to be used in a definitive work on a complete system of Gurdjieff study. It includes an essay on the "Octave of Salvation," written in the 1940s, which shows Bennett's remarkable familiarity with the spiritual traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity and which is a significant treatise in its own right. Bennett was a master of structural thinking but always remained closely in touch with the concrete detail of experience. This 2006 edition has a new foreword by Anthony Blake and was compiled and edited by Anthony Blake.

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 1992

About the author

John Godolphin Bennett (8 June 1897 – 13 December 1974) was a British mathematician, scientist, technologist, industrial research director and author. He is perhaps best known for his many books on psychology and spirituality, particularly on the teachings of G. I. Gurdjieff. Bennett met Gurdjieff in Istanbul in October 1920 and later helped to co-ordinate the work of Gurdjieff in England after Gurdjieff's arrival in Paris. He also was active in starting the British section of the Subud movement, and co-founded its British headquarters.

Reviews

[Sonic · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a scientific approach to mysticism, I recommend J.G. Bennett as he speaks from experience. This is not his best book, as it is mostly compiled and edited by A.G.E. Blake from fragments, yet there is still much here to help one on the path.