Gurdjieff Society of Atlantic Canada
Halifax, Nova Scotia
There do exist enquiring minds, which long for the truth of the heart, seek it, strive to solve the problems set by life, try to penetrate to the essence of things and phenomena and to penetrate into themselves.
- G. I Gurdjieff
About Us
Welcome to the Gurdjieff Society of Atlantic Canada Halifax, Nova Scotia
“There do exist enquiring minds, which long for the truth of the heart, seek it, strive to solve the problems set by life, try to penetrate to the essence of things and phenomena and to penetrate into themselves. If a man reasons and thinks soundly, no matter which path he follows in solving these problems, he must inevitably arrive back at himself, and begin with the solution of the problem of what he is himself, and what his place is in the world around him.”
(Gurdjieff, Views from the Real World)
Teachings and Events
The Gurdjieff Society of Atlantic Canada, also called GSAC or the Atlantic group, is a group of people who are engaged in the study and practice of the teaching of G.I. Gurdjieff, which is also called ‘The Work’ or ‘The Fourth Way’.
The teachings of Mr. Gurdjieff are based on the esoteric wisdom of the great spiritual traditions adapted by him for contemporary sensitivities and needs. The aim of the Work is the conscious evolution and transformation of human beings. This requires the harmonious development of the entire person – body, mind and soul. The practice of the Work includes meditation, sacred dance, music, study of psychological and cosmological ideas, impartial self-observation and work with others. To his pupils from a Christian background, he described his teaching as “esoteric Christianity” but it is possible to describe it as “esoteric Buddhism” or “esoteric Islam” or, more generally, as “esoteric wisdom.”
Following his death in 1949, a core group of pupils, under the direction of Madame Jeanne de Salzmann, undertook responsibility for the transmission of the teaching. This group established centers throughout the world.
The Gurdjieff International Review website www.gurdjieff.org is a good resource for further general information about the Gurdjieff teaching.
What We Do
WORK IN MEDITATION
Meditation is an important part of the Gurdjieff Work. It helps us see our inner state more directly. It allows us to test for ourselves the validity of the ideas of the Work.
GROUP MEETINGS
Our efforts require not only attention but also intention. Our work needs to be organized and not accidental. It is by coming together with others and submitting to an intentional order that we reveal our desire to learn to work.
MOVEMENTS
Gurdjieff brought a spiritual teaching to the West in the first half of the twentieth century through ideas, music, practical methods of self-study and development and the Movements.
MUSIC & BOOKS
After traveling through the Near and Middle East and Central Asia, George Ivanovich Gurdjieff arrived in Europe in 1913 to present and develop his teaching which was to bring together the esoteric understanding of the East and the knowledge of the West.
COSMOLOGY
One of the important practices of the Gurdjieff practice is group discussion of the Work ideas. This large body of psychological and metaphysical ideas, brought forth by Mr. Gurdjieff after spending a long period of time searching for spiritual understanding in central Asia, is the framework behind all of the various forms of the Work.
ACTIVITIES
Working together in teams is an important aspect of the Gurdjieff teaching. This includes sustenance activities (cooking group meals, washing dishes, repair and maintenance of the workplace and grounds) and creative activities like writing, art, and various craft projects.