What we’re about
"It is remarkable that a man who was clearly one of the major spiritual masters of the 20th Century is still largely unknown to the general public... his legacy of ideas, literary works, and a body of sacred dances and musical compositions is certainly sufficient to place Gurdjieff squarely in the pantheon of great spiritual teachers of our time". - Laurence Rosenthal, pianist and composer
Georges Ivanovich Gurdjieff was born in 1866. From early on in life, Gurdjieff carried a burning question: What is the meaning and purpose of existence, and in particular, what is the aim and purpose of life on earth? As a young man, he traveled throughout the Trans-Asian world in search of answers to his questions. After many years of great adventures and great difficulties, often swimming against the vast current of "progress", he made his way to the western world, ultimately settling in Paris, France in 1922. There, he spent the remainder of his life teaching and sharing with all who wished to benefit from the knowledge and understanding acquired by Gurdjieff through his own indefatigable efforts.
Today Gurdjieff continues to challenge us with essential questions, such as: Who am I? What am I living for? Why am I the way I am? Am I free? If not, why not? He tells us we live our lives in a state of "waking sleep". If we accept the fact that we are asleep, how then can we awaken?
Willem Nyland was a preeminent student of Gurdjieff, and was in direct contact with him from 1923 until Mr. Gurdjieff's passing in 1949. Authorized by Gurdjieff as a leader of groups, Mr. Nyland was a founding member of the Gurdjieff Foundation in New York following Mr. Gurdjieff's death. From 1957 onward Mr. Nyland had his own groups all around the country. Since Mr. Nyland's death in 1975 his students have continued to focus on continuing the direct transmission of Gurdjieff's teachings as received through Mr. Nyland.
The Tucson Gurdjieff/Nyland Group is presenting a series of introductory meetings taking place using the Zoom format on Tuesday evenings. These meetings are primarily intended to benefit those who are new to the ideas of Gurdjieff, but all who have a serious interest in this teaching are welcome to attend.
