Energies: Material, vital, cosmic

by J.G. Bennett

A series of public lectures presented in 1956 in London, and published in volume form with additional material in 1964. Bennett’s Theory of Universal Energies was first presented in his great work THE DRAMATIC UNIVERSE. In this new book he has written a popular but complete account which can be understood by those without specialized scientific knowledge or training who are nevertheless interested in scientific interpretations of personal experience. He shows how depth psychology, mysticism and religious experience connect with modern theories of Energy, Field Forces and Vital Structures, and the later chapters devoted to Consciousness, Creativity and Love open new vistas towards understanding man and the universe as a complete harmonious structure. The book contains hitherto unpublished results of the researches by Mr. Bennett and his colleagues at the Institute for the Comparative Study of History, Philosophy and the Sciences. Although the original lectures were presented after the publication of the first volume of "The Dramatic Universe", and before the author's introduction to the Subud practice, the author draws heavily on elements of G. I. Gurdjieff's teaching. When the lectures were published in 1964, the author had spent four years intensively involved with Subud, and had already left the Brotherhood, had been converted to Catholicism and encountered three teachers who would for different reasons assume a pivotal position in the author's life - the Shivapuri Baba, in India, Hasan Shushud in Turkey and Idries Shah in England. This volume is numbered 12 in the series of The Collected Works of J.G. Bennett. The publication policy applied to this series is to make no alterations or updates to the original text, nor are footnotes included, unless added by the author himself or original editor. The first edition of this book was made by Coombe Springs Press, which was low-budget facility operating with untrained printers or publishers and typesetting was with the use of an IBM Executive electric typewriter. The graphics included in the original edition were hand-drawn and somewhat crude and have been recreated using modern technology, but not altered in style or content.

121 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1989

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

[Umang · Rating 5 out of 5]

JG might be the link to the lost half of "Life is real only then, when I am" by G.I. Gurdjieff. I see signs of a man with certain inner experience, not merely theoretical.

[Guillermo Vásquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly the kind of understanding I am looking for.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enlightening description of all the energies of the Universe

This book offers a very beautiful and realistic system for understanding all energies, their significance, and the ways in which they relate. Many of Gurdjieff's views on reality are elegantly explained and expanded upon. Highly recommended for anybody interested in the fundamental workings of the Universe, from the microcosm to the macrocosm. Ideal for the occultist, the seeker of spiritual truth, and the theoretical physicist alike. Brilliant!!!