In Search of Being: The Fourth Way to Consciousness (The Fourth Way of Gurdjieff: Toward a New Being)

Same material as Openskys Search for the Miraculous, but the tone and perspective in which this is presented is better.

The first read of this book is just the beginning. For me the work will take a life time. To be read over and over again.

A thoughtful interpretation of Mr. Gurdjieff's work, which was and remains a monumental clarion call to anybody fortunate enough to encounter his splendid gift to serious seekers. Take what you can from this volume and move on, never stopping nor pausing if possible. The work Gurdjieff granted us is an extraordinary opportunity for those who take note of it and continue on.

I ordered my copy June 20, 2012, received it Friday, Jan. 11. Coming in late Friday I began the book Saturday morning and read up to page 41 before reading the first review, now up to page 67. OK, I've broken the first rule in writing, leave out the superfluous. I would normally finish a book before review, but that almost seems unnecessary here. If you are new to this teaching, the Work, the Fourth Way, you can buy the book. If you have read In Search of the Miraculous, this book doesn't seem to be necessary. There is only one reason to read the Forward and the Introduction, page xii states that "this book restates less than one-third of In Search" (of the Miraculous) "and even less of Views" (from the Real World), "leaving the original sources as required reading for a complete picture of the teaching". Continuing, "the text consists almost entirely of Gurdjieff's own words.....delivered at different times and on different occasions, hav(ing) been modified, mostly in style and voice, where necessary for a consistent presentation in a single book". pg xiii In other words, the editor and writer of the Forward, Stephen A. Grant has erased the broken English and familiar voice of Gurdjieff. My first impression upon reading that the book restated one-third of Ouspensky's In Search of and less of Views was that 'this' In Search of would contain additional supplementary material. Reading up to page 67, this so far seems not to be the case, therefore I don't understand the reason for this restatement of the two earlier mentioned books, in addition to portions of Ouspensky's excellent book about the ideas of this teaching, The Psychology of Man's Possible Evolution also being restated. (If I encounter new material upon further reading I will edit this review). If it not yet apparent, my suggestion would be to read In Search of the Miraculous, and The Psychology of Man's Possible Evolution previous to reading this book, and if further interested, Gurdjieff's own specifically crafted writings, in the order they were written. So, this review seems to have come to a sudden halt, except for two things. The teaching that came through Gurdjieff is extraordinary, unique, especially the inner teaching, not written (as indicated in Ouspensky's In Search of, page 201). The second thing might seem trivial but it really stuck out to me to such an extent I feel obligated to point out the error so that it can be corrected in subsequent editions of the book, or even right now, as the cost would be minimal. Gurdjieff introduced the symbol the enneagram, shown on the cover of the book, to the public. However, the picture on the cover is not an enneagram. I'm sure some person in graphics absentmindedly whipped up the cover. The top of page 235 gives information as to why the "enneagram" on the cover is not an enneagram. Did no one with The Gurdjieff Foundation get final approval of the cover art? stardustpilgrim

This book really helped change my life for the better. As I read it I felt so much of it applied to different times in my life. Truly grateful I bought it.

Good book, not your basic's here. It will take time to get through. Personally it took me way longer just due to shear frustration.

As real and relevant as it gets. To be or not to be is the question examined here. Not for the faint of heart.

A very hard read, but informative.

I agree with the previous Review. Having received this book, and started reading the first few chapters, it is clearly NOT in the voice of writings I have of Mr Gurdjieff. The only obscure reference to this books real origin is hidden in the forward written by Stephen A. Grant, who, it would seem is the real author of this book. In my opinion, this is a shameful masquerade to try and sell a book on the back of the Master. No where on the sleeve is there reference to its real authorship. Had this book been honest and published who the real author was, I may still have ordered it, but in view of the dubious marketing, and the poor representation of Mr G's writings, as I have experienced ( some in manuscript form - available from the Library of Congress) I returned my copy also. Having read some of it, it lacks depth and heart. It is like the real meaning of the work has been ripped out and what remains is an 'ego' version of the work. Interestingly, whatever else might be said of Mdme De Salzmann, her book, "The Reality of Being" published posthumously, does have heart and depth. Anyone wishing to taste a flavor of the real Gurdjieff, would be advised to by the books, actually written by him.

If I took a year to think about the worst possible way to explain the forth way to someone, I would not come up with anything half as bad as this book. It's mostly recycled bits from "in search of the miraculous" but less coherent. If you want real Gurdjieff there's no way around it - read the tales, meetings with remarkable men and life is real, these are true masterpieces. I'm happy that Gurdjieff is not alive to see what his idiot followers did to his work.

Beautiful book

Most people today believe that our best and brightest minds are working to save us from ourselves. World Peace is just around the corner and a new age of enlightenment will usher in. What if the truth was totally opposite. That the least conscious people were governing our lives and by their very nature were "asleep" to the reality of this situation. They were seeking to make change through waging world wars of annilhilation on others just as asleep as themselves. G.I. Gurdjieff sought change spiritually, transforming consciousness within himself, his nature raising in awareness to a point transcending the mind. This inner awakening would change our understanding of the universe and our relationship to it. This he called the fourth way to Consciousness. All of his principles and methods are presented in this book. Enabling the seeker to align themselves to divine will and in the process of being, saving themselves, and saving the World. This book is only for those who are determined to reach a higher level of being. Who already have the strength of will to devout their energies to the task of personal transformation. This book will also show you how to adjust your awareness to the abilities of those who seekers you encounter along the way. Self observation, conscious evolution, and states of consciousness. How to work independently if you are unable to find a living Master. To use this book as it was intended you must have already come to a certain point of perception through self diagnosis.

Excellent and unique insight into the 4th way process, beautifully written. It's so profound it took multiple reads, not always in order of the pages, to get some grasp of the content. It's not a book of fiction or of an outsider's commentary. Highly recommended.