Introduction to the Gurdjieff Work (Austin, TX residents only please)

NOTE: These meetings are only for people who live in the Austin, TX area.
New participants meet over ZOOM for a few weeks, then are transitioned to in-person meetings if appropriate.
** Please RSVP no later than noon on Mondays **

If you do not live in the Austin area, you can make contact with a Gurdjieff Foundation in a city near you. Gurdjieff Foundation groups are listed here:
https://www.gurdjieff-foundation-newyork.org/affiliate2.html

In this weekly series of free, introductory meetings we will explore the aims and purpose of “the Gurdjieff Work” and how it can benefit us.

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The Gurdjieff Work is practical in nature. Gurdjieff said the 4th Way system "is for people who need it and know that they need it". These are people who have satisfied the guidance of our parents, teachers and employers, satisfied the urges for relationships and to provide financial stability for oneself, yet STILL have a deep inner feeling that there is a more profound, undiscovered meaning to our existence.

Especially important, the Gurdjieff Work can and must be verified for oneself...this Work is NOT a belief system.... nor is it a religion....nor is it a self-help / self-improvement program. It is a program for the harmonious development of Man which leads us beyond the economic and social survival skills our family and culture taught us.

The Gurdjieff Foundation of Austin exists to create conditions which increase the possibility for its members to experience our full human potential which includes levels of attention, sensation, consciousness and BEING which exceed those required by our ordinary life circumstances. These Work conditions include practicing the Gurdjieff movements (ancient temple dances), guided meditation (very specific, ancient meditation practices), working with practical inner exercises, sharing our experiences in weekly group meetings, bi-weekly day-long "Work days", work with crafts as a backdrop for inner work, and week-long retreats at facilities in NY state.

These conditions have the potential to nurture objective and impartial experiences of our highest potentials with respect to our level of BEING. Are you ready to open to the mysteries of what you really can become? Do you want to find a non-drug-induced method to move towards higher consciousness? Is there a part of you that yearns for a connection to your genuine inner self?

The Gurdjieff Foundation of Austin is comprised of men and women ranging in age from their 20's to their 70's, with diverse backgrounds. We operate under the guidance of the Gurdjieff Foundation of New York. Senior members from the NY Foundation visit us twice each year. We have the opportunity to visit NY each summer for "Work weeks" conducted at a large facility outside of NY city.

This interview will give you a good introduction before attending your first Meetup with us:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srXpavCt-E4&t=45s

People who choose to join us more than once will be asked to begin reading:
"The Psychology of Man's Possible Evolution" written by P. D. Ouspensky, available at this URL:
https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Mans-Possible-Evolution/dp/0394719433/ref=sr_1_2?crid=21RG9FA5UJT68&dchild=1&keywords=the+psychology+of+man+s+possible+evolution&qid=1629246167&sprefix=the+psychology+of+man%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-2

People who choose to join us more than 6 times will be asked to begin reading:
"In Search of the Miraculous" written by P. D. Ouspensky,
available at this URL:
https://www.amazon.com/Search-Miraculous-Harvest-Book/dp/0156007460/ref=sr_1_1?crid=195TXM0D6SZCS&dchild=1&keywords=in+search+of+the+miraculous&qid=1633274753&sprefix=in+search%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-1