Working with Fourth Way Movements

Perspectives

Gurdjieff Movements are a form of Objective Art

In terms of ‘Fragments of an Unknown Teaching’ (the way Ouspensky describes the ‘Work’), the movements are a very important ‘fragment’. It does not seem possible (or desirable) to be involved in the ‘Fourth Way’ system without having some exposure to these extraordinary dances. The accompanying music is in itself quite ‘out of this world’, and unlike any other. I always feel that I am in the presence of something from a higher world. My ordinary life is a shock by comparison – I see my ‘inner life’ in vivid outline – like a bright light is suddenly shone on all the old reactions, all those aspects of my ‘personality’ which normally demand all my attention. But now my attention is on the movement – on the demand to be precise, trying to allow something new…suddenly everyone on the dance floor moves in harmony, and a unique moment of belonging to a form of ‘objective’ art appears. Then I am connected to something bigger than myself – and for a moment I am not driven by personality. Something inside rejoices – that ‘inner self’ so cut off, driven to hide away by the gross world – I am myself again. Every time I am on a Movements floor, I experience this re-connection.

RB

A Mirror to Myself

The effect of dancing these dances is to produce changing energies which create aliveness and I feel alert and awake. They evoke the unusual, the ancient whilst cleansing and clearing in the “here and now”. They offer a mirror to myself, an opportunity to notice minutiae of internal experience.I and We: Connection inside my body:

Connection with the whole group:

Connection with rhythm and music:

The group strives towards a common goal and individually we strive for our own perfection.

On the dance floor, I do not know what comes next. How shall I meet it? Can I let go and find the confidence to trust that I will be able to face the task? Will my body show me wisdom?

I do know that I have to let go of critical, internal dialogue; my judgmental inner commentaries, so that I can get on with the task which is to be here “now”, working with myself and with the others.

GM

Here Lies Great Knowledge

In attempting to perform Gurdjieff`s movements one`s whole inner world can be thrown into chaos, and the outer shell of personality is no longer in charge. One has the feeling that here lies great knowledge, but that it can’t be approached in any ordinary way. They are unlike anything else.

CM

Thoughts on the Importance of Movements

Engaging in the movements can produce in me an experience of real attention. In these moments my mind can become truely quiet.
With precision and effort I can experience a momentary or prolonged divide of attention.
When I remember myself in these movements I can experience real self-observation and it is in these moments of observations that I start to see and experience the relationship between my mind, body and emotions.
In the movements class I can observe the relationship between myself and those participating. In this moment I can experience selflessness and that my connectedness is not just a solitary action within me but to that outside of me; to my fellow participants; to all and everything; to something greater.
With effort I strive to hold onto this experience for a period of time after a movements class has ended and maybe, if I’m blessed, I might see that within the movements is ‘The Work’.

PO

In Search of the Elixir of Personal Transformation: The Philosophy of Movements

In search of the elixir of personal transformation

What is the Nature of Movement?

Movement and dance are a neglected aspect of philosophy, but here the author explores movement from the perspective of meaning and value.

20th century teachers such as Alexander, Dalcroze, Laban and Gurdjieff have explored avenues ranging from the aesthetic and the healing arts to the spiritual, which effectively elevates movements into the philosophical domain. In this book, Jan Ellan Bows takes us on a journey of exploration, often with direct personal experience of the forms in question.

Movements carry subtle influences, especially when accompanied by music. Schools both ancient and modern, have used music and movement to promote healing through re-establishing harmonic balance (Pythagoras), and have “the ability to transmit an unknown, non-verbal language” (Gurdjieff).

Buy from Amazon https://amzn.to/2ZWEWNR

Leave a Reply