Dear Friend,
Gurdjieff Dance is an integral part of a holistic teaching for right organization and development of ones life according to specific and clearly defined values, aims, and beliefs, collectively referred to as "The Work." Developed by GI Gurdjieff, and further developed by JG Bennett and other of his direct students and their followers, this teaching encourages us to see our life both as a "work of art" and a "work in progress." This is the understanding we invite you to bring to this gathering of seekers.
The use and development of attention and the release and blending of energies are practices fundamental to The Gurdjieff-Bennett Tradition. Through the practice of attention, energies are released and blended according to natural organic principles. It is this work that gives vitality to the dances. Reciprocally, Gurdjieff Dance is a context for the practice of attention and inner exercises essential to human development.
Since 1991, we have experimented with a ten-day format for the sharing of these practices. We honor your participation and we welcome your experience.
Concerning our being together
Place
We meet in isolated environment free of the distractions of ordinary life, except for those distractions provided by nature and a self-regulating temporary community of like-minded people.
Intention
To make authentic practice of GI Gurdjieff's and JG Bennett's oral tradition available to those who need it and can benefit from right use of it. To create a non-hierarchical social environment for awakening and sustaining in ourselves a wish for being, a willingness to struggle, and a receptiveness to higher levels of consciousness.
What to expect
Up to 6 hours of intensive mind-body practice during the day plus evening meditations, morning attention exercises, continuous daily practice, silence, open-hearted discussion, silent buffet breakfasts and lunches. The evening meals are communal and relaxed. The practice of sensing and self-observation is the basis of the inner practices that support being in touch with the essence of our work. Building on this, we will deconstruct and explore specific Gurdjieff Dances. Intentionally introduced and/or naturally arising psychological themes will challenge the mind and develop inner and outer perceptions. The giving of observations based on present moment experiences as distinguished from intellectualizing is encouraged. When possible--depending on the seminar location--practical work activities concerned with meals and caring for the environment, activities that support direct experiencing, self-remembering, the refining of attention, and the transformation of energies, will be undertaken. Group meditation and occasional concerts of Gurdjieff Music will occur in the evening, followed by silence until after breakfast.
What We expect
On time arrival at the seminar center, and regular and full participation in all activities and classes. A mature attitude. Please leave behind expectations and preconceptions based on all past experiences and past seminars. Bring an active and impartial interest in and a value for the experiences that will arise within your body. When seen through the eye of impartiality, these experiences become our food for transformation.
First time participants unable to arrive on time because of family or job responsibilites, please explain your situation by email.
Our Agreement
Your participation in the seminar in no way implies from us or assigns to you any qualification or authorization to teach or otherwise instruct others. This seminar is offered publicly as an experiment, as research into body-mind functioning, and as an opportunity for increasing our understanding of the role of attention in the work of transformation. These seminars in no way constitutes a training or a qualification. Please make no reference to this event or to the instructors in any material, document, research, or publication of any kind without written or verbal agreement.
The Movements Hall / Work Space
To create a space for practice and inner work, social conversation is discouraged inside the work space. Silence is expected except for questions or discussion of the work at hand. Please do not take notes or keep a journal when in the work space. Writing takes attention away from practice. Practice continues when we are still; and in the stillness learning is deepened. Use the time outside the work space to make notes that are useful.
A New Paradigm
Our present time calls for a new paradigm. The old one, of student-teacher, is no longer appropriate and is fraught with difficulties. Gurdjieff realized this when he pointed out that the common relationship in the world is one of master and slave: We either possess someone or someone possess us. At best, we submit to someone purposefully. But something new is needed today.
The "new epoch"--that Mr. Bennett spoke so eloquently of in many of his talks and writings--requires a new paradigm for learning, one of cooperation between intelligence at different levels: where the lines of separation are thinned by impartiality, mutual respect, and acceptance of differences; where the traditional role of student and teacher--when required--is temporary and in pursuit of a common aim; where our conditioned tendencies to either lead or follow are actively suspended while we accept the responsibility and effort of relating as friends on the way.
We have a common aim: the right use and direct sharing of specific techniques for producing higher energies. We welcome your sharing of this aim with us. We look forward to being with you. A blessing comes from working in this way. Past seminars have shown this clearly.
