Diploma Course in Gurdjieff Studies

During the first decade of the twentieth century G.I.Gurdjieff brought his ideas to the West. For the first time it was possible to follow a 'transforming way' which could be lived in the normal circumstances of life. Indeed the responsibilities and friction's of ordinary life formed the perfect environment for this new 'Fourth Way'.

In his long search Gurdjieff discovered the inner teachings of the great religions throughout the world and became expert in their practical techniques to achieve transformation. His astonishing versatility and remarkable knowledge of human psychology allowed him to develop a comprehensive 'way' - that he refined over forty years in his Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man. .

The great questions of life and death are answered - we can see clearly our place in the Universe - and most important know what we are to do to fulfil our full potential as human beings. We are given a path which can lead to immortality and allow us to render a really significant service to our fellows.

Why should anybody be denied this treasure that has been in our midst for fifty years?

Gurdjieff died in 1949 but he had laid a strong foundation through his followers and his own astonishing books. Today people meet in small groups all over the world to study and work with his brilliant Fourth Way. For those who first encounter his ideas there usually follows an irresistible urge to know more - and this is not so easy. Much can be learned from books but the standard written word has no regard for where a person starts.

Gurdjieff's Fourth Way is also called 'the Work'. It can only be understood if we involve ourselves in its practice. Following national publicity we at the Institute of Universal Energies were approached by many people who could not find a Gurdjieff Group or were isolated geographically or found they were making little progress. We were already teaching goldsmithing by correspondence - as an extension of our apprentice training programme and knew excellent results were possible. We created a comprehensive programme covering all Gurdjieff's ideas and broke them into twenty one studies proceeded by an assessment module. As the course proceeded we realised that through IUE we had created a new group that had its members throughout the world.

After fifteen years, and many refinements, we have a method oflearning and practice which will give the individual a tuition that is tailor-made and starts precisely from where they are in terms of their life experience and circumstances.

The structure of the correspondence course

All inner teachings start with a need to 'know yourself. Our course starts with a series of specially created self-assessments that accelerate the process of 'self discovery'. This information is vital for the participant and is needed - in part - by the tutor.

Once the initial stage is complete the course proceeds with twenty one studies that cover all the main aspects of Gurdjieff' s ideas.

During the entire course the tutor is available bye-mail and will, if asked, give career advice in addition to help with the particular study. In practice members of our correspondence course group find this advice very valuable. (The Institute of Universal Energies is one of the UK's most prestigious training organisations for entreprenerial and leadership skills)

Starting the correspondence course

All members are under the personal tuition of our Principal. Naturally this brings limits to the number of people who can take part. For this reason we ask each applicant to complete a resume which is similar, but much broader than, the usual CV. Once this process is completed, and the Principal has accepted the new correspondence group member, registration takes place and the assessment phase begins. Only ftom this stage are fees payable. .

Cost of the course

The course is subsidised ftom the normal commercial activities of the Institute. Nevertheless there are costs in both time and material that have to be covered to allow the correspondence group to continue. We follow the established pattern ofthe UK's Open University in which each module of the course is given a points value. Fees are based on 'cost per point'.

The Diploma Course in Gurdjieff Studies is set at the level of an Honours Degree.
Following the practice outlined above th~ requirement for the Diploma is 120 academic points. As at June 2001 fees per point are £ 15 (or the equivalent in local currency).

Schedule of fees

Phase 1. Assessment - 15 points

Phase 2. Quarter terms - 10 points per term (payable at the start of each term)

Phase 3. Studies - 5 points per study (payable in advance of each study)

Notes.

No fees are payable until the applicant for membership of the correspondence course group is accepted. All fees are in advance of the phase. The total cost of the course in the academic sense is 120 points at £15 per point. A discount is available for forward payment. In practice members often pay the Institute in cash - in local currency.

Quarter terms are a continuous administrative cost. The total cost depends on the time it takes the member to complete the course.

Study costs also include a free subscription to the Institutes magazine 'Transformation' and the tutor will include articles from other Gurdjieff journals as appropriate to the study.

Diploma Course Programme

Phase 1. Assessment

Phase 3. Studies

Study 1. The Meaning of Life. The tree of the Universe, Man eats and is eaten.

Study 2. The Human Situation. Kundabuffer, the causes of war, the five strivings.

Study 3. Man the Machine. Energy systems, sleep, roles and buffers. Lunatics and tramps.

Study 4. The Psychology of Man. Essence and personality, the seven centres. Attention.

Study 5. Man's potential psychology. Man 1-7, crystallisation and immortality.

Study 6. Fate, accident and will. Morality, conscience, good and evil, hidden knowledge.

Study 7. Main aim and main feature. Aims discussed, groups and the ascending ladder.

Study 8. The Law of Three. The triad, worlds- of three forces, materiality.

Study 9. The Law of Seven. Vibrations, intervals, deviations, subordinate octaves.

Study 10. The Law of Reciprocal Maintenance. Essence classes, heat energy, cosmic love.

Study 11. Hydrogens and other gasses. The passage of forces, the human chemical factory.

Study 12. Learning and groups. Harmonious training, physical work, personal exercises.

Study 13. The Enneagram. Uncertainty, examples and conscious shocks. Transformation.

Study 14. Self Observation. Wrong working of centres, habits, building the observer.

Study 15. Identification and inner considering. Making accounts, two rivers of behaviour.

Study 16. Effort and supereffort. Aims and methods, choosing efforts, conscious labour.

Study 17. Knowledge and Being. Fragmented will, egoism, handling the false ego.

Study 18. Self Remembering. Attention, creation of the third presence, difficulties.

Study 19. Subjective, objective and Relativity. Objective art, arts of lower man, examples.

Study 20. Cosmoses. Zero to infinity, dimensions four five and six, cosmoses beyond.

Study 21. Time. Dimensions of time. mathematical relationships. days work and breath.