Online Classes with Gwynne Mayer for more info:

https://www.theosophical.org/programs/webinars/current-webinars

Fourth Way Online Work Group

Facilitators:  Gwynne Mayer, Harry Gray and Jeff Tripodi
Every Wednesday, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. CST [UTC-06]  
January 8 – March 25 
The practical teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff (1866-1949) require ongoing self-observation over many years. The purpose of such self-observation is gradual freedom from our identification with fears and desires in their many forms. This approach to self-development, known as the Fourth Way, harmonizes traditional schools based on the body, the mind, and the emotions. We come to realize that we are not the body-brain-ego organism we have been conditioned to believe is our true identity. Rather, we are spiritual beings having an earthly experience.

Fourth Way students typically organize themselves into groups that meet regularly to share their self-observations and to support efforts to remember themselves in their daily practice. This ongoing effort is known as the “Work.” In this weekly online group, we read and discuss selections from the works of Sy Ginsburg and Maurice Nicoll, both authors and practitioners of Fourth Way concepts. Our primary focus is practical rather than intellectual, and facilitators design exercises based on the source material. In addition, we connect our work to Theosophical principles.

Group members are committed to attend most meetings, work on weekly exercises, and share their experiences with the group. Group size is limited to 15 to facilitate discussion, and a wait list is available when we reach capacity. If you would like to see if the group is right for you before registering, email webinars@theosophical.org to ask about sitting in.

Registration includes access to recordings of the meetings.

$40 suggested donation (minimum fee $5)

If you are unable to pay the minimum fee due to hardship, please email webinars@theosophical.org for assistance.

Register here

Gwynne Mayer, a psychotherapist and educator for over 45 years, has 30 years of post-graduate work in the areas of world religions, cosmology, and esoteric traditions. Over the past 20 years, Gwynne has worked toward an online presence in Jungian studies, dream work, Theosophical studies, and cosmology and divination.

Jeff Tripodi is a student of the Fourth Way and Theosophy, and is also a student and practitioner of Kriya Yoga.

Harry Gray a long time student, studied with Ms. Popoff, Keith Buzzel and leaders in the All and Everything conferences.

In memoriam. This study group was co-founded in 2019 by Sy Ginsburg, who began facilitating and advising Theosophical Society online programs in 2011. Sy became a member of the Theosophical Society in 1978 and served as president of the Miami Branch. He was the author of several books, including Gurdjieff Unveiled: An Introduction to the Teachings of Gurdjieff.

Group Topics

FORMAT FOURTH WAY ONLINE WEDNESDAYS

New participants should have a copy of Sy’s book GURJIEFF UNVEILED and Nicoll’s SIMPLE EXPLANATIONS OF WORK IDEAS.  Participants should have some understanding about the Work and a brief idea of its history and Gurdjieff.  Questions are welcome from the above literature and the participant is encouraged to read on his own.

There will be some readings from Nicoll’s Commentaries and other resources from Gurdjieff’s students including Mr. Gurdjieff’s early talks.

Themes will be presented and discussed around Work Ideas.  Tasks will be given based on the themes.  Tasks give the participant an opportunity to Work on themselves each day and they will share their experiences at the following meeting.  Questions are most important that a participant can bring to a meeting so questions are encouraged.

Themes and tasks may be planned in advance or be spontaneous.  One question may determine the course of a meeting and discussion.

Questions are welcomed during the week by email but should be related to what has been discussed or a clarification of the task.

AUTHOR REFERENCES:  Sy Ginsburg – Maurice Nicoll –  John Bennett – Wilhem Nyland – and others.

Group Resources

Click here to download Gurdjieff Unveiled by Sy Ginsburg.

Click here to access recordings of the online course, “Gurdjieff Unveiled: An Introduction to Gurdjieff’s Teaching.”

Psychological Commentaries on the Teaching of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky: Vol. 1-5 by Maurice Nicoll

Meeting Format

1. Short meditation (2 to 5 minutes) for sensing and feeling
2. Brief check-in regarding personal experiences with previous week’s exercise
3. Short reading from Ginsburg and/or Nicoll
4. Discussion of personal connection to the Work based on the reading
5. Assignment of this week’s exercise