Gurdjieff Reconsidered: The Life, the Teachings, the Legacy

“This work is exceptionally well written, limpid in style, terse in expression, and clear in sense. It is more than an excellent introduction to Gurdjieff for readers who know little of him or his work; it is, in effect, Gurdjieff considered as well as reconsidered.”

“If Gurdjieff were shown this work, he probably wouldn't say, as for P. D. Ouspensky, 'Good Journalist!' but rather, 'Aah . . . objective thinking!' Or simply, 'Bravo!' More than a reconsideration, this book is a welcome reboot that renews one's vision of Gurdjieff. The stroke of genius is to summon the examples of Pythagoras and Diogenes to clarify the roots and force of the man and his teachings.”

“Tremendously literate, with a sweeping breadth of knowledge of the Western intellectual tradition. Roger Lipsey is supremely the man for the job.”

“More than Gurdjieff reconsidered, this book is Gurdjieff rediscovered. Behind us are the rumors, shadows, circular repetitions of vague and undocumented criticism. We discover a man of infinite humanity. Gurdjieff was in advance of his time. His extremely innovative thinking, his all-embracing spiritual teaching, his music and Movements are pure gold and pure light for our troubled times.”

“Lipsey's careful and insightful account of the various periods of Gurdjieff's teaching, beautifully framed by avoiding 'explanations' of his ideas, enables him to bring home to the reader the living, passionate, and grounded man himself. Lipsey's humanity and wide perspective lead him to situate Gurdjieff in the company of many humane revolutionaries, ancient and modern. An exemplary contribution to the conversation.”

“Lipsey’s Gurdjieff Reconsidered is a welcome addition to the field of Gurdjieff Studies and the field of Western esotericism, more generally. The book is an excellent introduction to Gurdjieff’s ideas, thanks to the author’s use of an abundance of primary sources.”