In the vast world of personal and spiritual growth, few names resonate as deeply and mysteriously as that of Georges Ivanovich Gurdjieff. This enigmatic 20th century spiritual master left a legacy that continues to inspire truth seekers around the globe. His teaching, known as the Fourth Way, vehemently refuses simple categorization, fusing Eastern wisdom with Western practices to chart a unique path to enlightenment and personal transformation.
In a recent talk between Ramiro Calle, teacher of Yogay Meditation, and Roberto Whyte, entrepreneur, writer and Enneagram expert, they broke down the most enigmatic aspects of these teachings as they intertwine with one of the most popular spiritual and profane intertwining systems today: The Enneagram of Personality of which I wouldn’t want what my personality is.
Gurdjieff’s Fourth Way and the Awakening of Consciousness
Gurdjieff proclaimed that most people live asleep, in a state of mechanical and automaton consciousness. According to Romano Calle, Gurdjieff emphasized the need for an “awakening” to interrupt this cycle and reach a complete state of consciousness. Contrary to popular belief, this “awakening” is not a single event, but a continuous process of self-observation and inner work. And this is where both teachings would have stumbled, for as Calle emphasizes: 1. “The Fourth Way of Gurdjieff is a system of teaching, practice and training that entails a constant and permanent change in the being of the person who does not go through life asleep” and 2.
Fourth Way: A Synthesis of Traditions
The fourth way is distinctive in that it is a teaching that can be practiced in the midst of daily life, without the need to abandon one’s life rather monk-like or radically change one’s life style. Robert Whyte stresses that it is a practical and accessible path, integrating work on oneself under participation in daily activities. It combines elements of Eastern esoteric traditions with the psychology of the Western tradition, seeking a balance of physical, emotional and mental work.
The Enneagram and the understanding of personality
The enneagram, an ancient system that maps nine personality types, has found special resonance with the teachings of Gurdjieff. Whyte argues that the Enneagram offers a powerful tool for self-exploration and self-knowledge, key elements in the Fourth Way. It allows people to understand how the automatic patterns of their thinking, emotion and behavior can be transformed through conscious work.
Integration and Transformation
The talk between Calle and Whyte underlines the importance of really integrating these teachings into daily life if we really seek to experience genuine change. It is not a matter of assimilating these teachings merely on a theoretical level, but of living and breathing these practices every moment and with awareness. The result is none other than an expansion of consciousness to become, over time, increasingly balanced and harmonious beings.
The truth about Gurdjieff, the Fourth Way and the Enneagram of Personality lies precisely in their ability to bring about profound inner change. Far removed from mere esoteric philosophies, these teachings provide a set of practical tools for all those who wish to achieve a deeper understanding, not only of themselves, but also of the universe in which we exist. A conversation, such as the one you will find in this program, can contribute greatly to illuminate that path.
Wake up
Wake up!