The Work: Esotericism and Christian Psychology

by Rebecca Nottingham

This book is an organized presentation of the psychological Work of the Fourth Way System, derived from Maurice Nicoll’s “Psychological Commentaries on the Teaching of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky. The “Commentaries” are five volumes of Nicoll’s teaching to his students on a wide range of Fourth Way topics. However, they are arranged by date and don’t follow any structured approach to this priceless esoteric system of instructions for the student seeking the means for self-change. Although there are other aspects of the Teaching, this book is focused on the verifiable ideas and practices of the psychological Work, presented in an understandable progression for both the novice and those who are already studying the system. It is the author’s hope that students at any stage can use this reference to find guidance into the intended aim of The Work, in order to carry it forward as the sacred path it was meant to be. It is based on the inner dimension of Christ’s teaching, but because it expresses the psychological level of understanding, it applies to anyone who is seeking meaning and an authentic path that leads to real personal development.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2018

Reviews

[Aleksandar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is based on Dr Maurice Nicoll's commentaries on the teaching of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky.

It mostly leaves out the cosmology, energy/food levels and various other concepts, that are important, but not as important as the main methods that constitute the Work - self-observation, non-identification, self-remembering, inner silence and more.

All the most important tools for mental and spiritual transformation - metanoia, are outlined in the book and explained clearly.

I would recommend "The Work" to everyone that needs guidance how to start his cycle of awakening, death and rebirth, but also to anyone doing any kind of spiritual/psychological work, because the concepts outlined are useful to every single person on Earth.

[John Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many moons ago, I was on a wide spiritual search that included many paths, including exploring the "Fourth Way" as taught by Gurdjieff, Ouspensky (Mouravieff briefly), and Nicoll. Many of the Work Ideas and Practices made a lot of sense, but the information was scattered over several sources, and I didn't trust any of the groups that were teaching "The Work". I did have some good correspondence with Ted Nottingham (the author's husband) and a few others.

27 years ago, I narrowed my search to the Orthodox Church. 12 years prior, I had been on a retreat, pleading for God to show me the way, and the answer was given in a five-volume set of books called the Philokalia. It took me 12 years to unpack that answer, and it could be said that I am still in the beginning of unpacking it. Another retreat, closer to my entrance to the Orthodox Church, I was finding links between the Fourth Way and Orthodox Christianity, but I set those aside in favor of plunging in deeply to the instructions by the Holy Fathers and Saints.

Now 30 years later, I have been discovering again, the ground of commonality between the Work of the Philokalia, 19th Century Russian saints, and the Work of the Fourth Way. This book is one of the better that I have read in that it simplifies and nails down the essence of practical work which may be verified by the practioner. Nottingham has restricted her study chiefly to the "Psychological Commentaries" by Nicoll, providing a clear and concise summary of the best of those 5 volumes, sticking with the basics, and avoiding the more ponderous and speculative material.

Any work on the fourth way will wander off into gnosticism and universalism, and ideas that an Orthodox Christian will avoid, but are easily filtered. The work of Nicoll that is summarized by this book is Christian and Gospel-Centric in character. I find that where the circles of a Venn diagram meet, between the 4th way and between the Philokalia and its tradition, provides a lot of material to work with, and this book fits there very nicely.

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Withholding my personal opinions on this strain of Christianity. The book is written in a way that I’m not a huge fan of. It front loads a lot of religious teachings and outlines the philosophy of the work without getting into the work of the book. When you do finally get to what the work is though, the latter half of the book, it’s mostly fluff and doesn’t sound too different from what a therapist might teach someone.

Other than the above issue, it seems to be a good primer into what the work is and an introduction into the teachings of this strain of esoteric Christianity. But I’m not convinced this is the book one should read if they’re interested in spiritual development; someone like Alan Watt and Echart Tolle would do a great idea and be far less confusing.

Still interested in reading her other books though.

[Elizabeth Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a practical, thought-provoking introduction to the practice of self-observation and how it transforms one's psychology. Giving it four stars out of five because I was distracted by Nottingham's negative use of the word "self-love," whenever what she meant was egotism. Self-centeredness is not loving to oneself, and I think keeping that distinction is important. However, the description of how to practice self-observation, and the quotations from the Commentaries, were very valuable to me in beginning to see what it actually means to be virtuous, to "purify the emotional center."

[Ray Boshers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Introduction to the Work

Mrs. Nottingham does an excellent job of taking the teaching called "The Work" and making it understandable for the novice. By taking this teaching and making it understandable she also makes it easy to apply the teaching known as "The Work." I highly recommend this book.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gurdjieff Ouspensky Nicoll Goddard Nottingham

Advanced work for those seeking a breakthrough in self discovery. Practical steps, insightful wisdom, and a continuous path to higher being.

[Andrew Maggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A path of real change

This is a wonderful book that plainly describes the work of the Fourth Way that if applied correctly will lead to real inner and therefore outer change.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca Nottingham's book

A wonderfully organized compliment to Maurice Nicoll's Commentaries. Studying the Work without a group has been very challenging indeed. Thank you.