The synthesis of cultures and quasi-historical tradition in the teachings of George Gurdjieff

Abstract

This work examines the philosophical views of the Russian mystic philosopher of Armenian-Greek origin George Gurdjieff who lived in the first half of the 20th century. The author proves that the philosophical doctrine of Gurdjieff was an offshoot of integral traditionalism, having a domestic specificity. In particular, Gurdjieff sharply criticizes modern European society, its science and culture, reproaching it for degradation and seeking to turn to the ancient correct teaching. At the same time, Gurdjieff relied on the ideas of Russian cosmism, Orthodox Christianity and the religious practices of the Central Asian Sufism, as well as a synthesis of other religions. He was not only a theoretician of integral traditionalism, but also a practitician, realizing his teachings in the Institute of Harmonious Development founded by him. The essence of Gurdjieff's teaching was that man is an integral part of nature and space, but the nature of mankind is distorted, it has degraded and has forgotten its functions in the modern world. It is necessary to apply the practices of the Fourth Way, which involved self-improvement and inner work on oneself for spiritual growth and the awakening of conscience. Gurdjieff practiced hypnosis. The tradition on which Gurdjieff relied was pseudo-historical, apparently invented by him the Sarmung Brotherhood from Central Asia, associated with the ancient Babylonian civilization. Caucasian and Central Asian folk traditions played an important role for Gurdjieff.