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 ...

In the first four decades of his life as a Trappist monk, Thomas Keating created a comprehensive, unified psychospiritual pathway leading from healing to holiness and from contemporary psychological wellness to classic mystical sanctity and beatitude. As one of the key innovators of the meditative practice of Centering Prayer, he fashioned a powerful on-ramp to the Christian contemplative tradition. Yet, as beloved author and Keating disciple Cynthia Bourgeault shows, that was not the end of Keating’s story.

"My ballet is not a mystery," replied Mr. G. "The purpose of it is to present an interesting and beautiful spectacle. Of course, under the visible forms a certain sense is hidden, but I did not aim at demonstrating or emphasizing it. The chief position in this ballet is occupied by certain dances. I will explain this to you shortly".

Detailed, practical application of the Fourth Way system of psychological self-awareness and the process of living from higher levels of consciousness. The Teaching is a specific methodology for the perennial wisdom from Christianity and other religions on the "purification of the heart". Based in part on actual teaching transcripts, this book offers a rare opportunity for readers to apply and experience healing and transforming ideas that have the power to profoundly change their perspectives and their lives.

These lectures were intended by Ouspensky as introductory material for people interested in the work in England. This material is still unmatched as a brief statement of the work's psychological ideas. Designed to be read aloud at weekly meetings of small groups of people interested in the work, they are almost a basic primer of Gurdjieff's psychological ideas on consciousness and spiritual development.