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"Toward Awakening" provides a clear, chapter-by-chapter summation of the major points of Gurdjieff's teachings. In accessible language, author Jean Vaysse first expresses the meaning and possibility of an inner life, then follows a logical exposition of the path to be traveled in order to move in that direction. That process, he explains, begins with an exposition of the key ideas of the structure of humans, the practices of "self-observation" and "self-remembering," the concept of presence, and the dual roles of essence and personality in determining the overall nature of each individual. The author outlines the obstacles to awakening, as well as the first steps toward awakening. Missing in most books about the Gurdjieff teaching is the key role played by sensation, a topic that Vaysse covers with a clarity based on his personal experience.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
A worthwhile book for those looking for something more concrete about our existence. Jean Vaysse has captured an understanding of self study with unique precision. A welcome introduction whether you are familiar with the Gurdjieff teaching or not.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Toward Awakening is a good size book to take anywhere. Although the information within is an excellent comment on the Gurdjieff work it is at times rather complex and requires a degree of quiteness to fully take in the concepts put forward.
The author, a student of Gurdjieff, is fully aware of the necessity of self awareness and self observation as the primary functions to the work of awakening.
The author, a student of Gurdjieff, is fully aware of the necessity of self awareness and self observation as the primary functions to the work of awakening.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
approachable Gurdjieff
8 Dec 2009
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The teachings of twentieth century mystic/philosopher GI Gurdjieff are a difficult but rewarding journey. Central to his ideas is the concepts that we are all asleep, we are all machines, incapable of Will or free choice. Also that we are predominantly false personality and have forgotten our Essential nature. Those who doubt these words have only to look at the world around them (and by extension, themselves). G himself wrote "Beelzebub's Tales to his Grandson, All and Everything" but this work is unbelieveably difficult to read with G's constant use of run-on sentences and foot-long, made-up words to express his difficult to understand ideas.
The most well known text of Gurdjieff's ideas was written not by G himself, but by his student PD Ouspensky, "In Search of the Miraculous". Ouspensky recounts, in chronological order, what he learned at the master's feet. This book is brilliant and reading it (with proper understanding with practice exercises from a Work group) is a life changing experience. Gurdjieff's ideas are nothing less than the central, common points behind all mysticism and the esoteric traditions of major religions.
Now back in print is a new translation of Frenchman Jean Vaysse's book "Toward Awakening" where another Gurdjeiff directly-taught student further renders down the psychological aspects of G's teaching in a clearer form with words more readers will understand. Vaysse does not discuss to cosmological ideas and thus narrows his focas. Vaysse discusses how to awaken. Topics include indentification, self-remembering, centers and their functioning, essence and personality, and more.
As with "In Search", and other G books, it is said the student will get NOWHERE without being part of an authentic Work group and getting study exercises. This will only lead to misunderstanding and speculation. But Vaysse has done us a great service to provide these G Work psychological ideas in the clearest terms available, to date.
This book has been out of print for years. Serious Gurdjeiff students will get it while they can.
The most well known text of Gurdjieff's ideas was written not by G himself, but by his student PD Ouspensky, "In Search of the Miraculous". Ouspensky recounts, in chronological order, what he learned at the master's feet. This book is brilliant and reading it (with proper understanding with practice exercises from a Work group) is a life changing experience. Gurdjieff's ideas are nothing less than the central, common points behind all mysticism and the esoteric traditions of major religions.
Now back in print is a new translation of Frenchman Jean Vaysse's book "Toward Awakening" where another Gurdjeiff directly-taught student further renders down the psychological aspects of G's teaching in a clearer form with words more readers will understand. Vaysse does not discuss to cosmological ideas and thus narrows his focas. Vaysse discusses how to awaken. Topics include indentification, self-remembering, centers and their functioning, essence and personality, and more.
As with "In Search", and other G books, it is said the student will get NOWHERE without being part of an authentic Work group and getting study exercises. This will only lead to misunderstanding and speculation. But Vaysse has done us a great service to provide these G Work psychological ideas in the clearest terms available, to date.
This book has been out of print for years. Serious Gurdjeiff students will get it while they can.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
A Practical Introduction
14 Nov 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Anyone interested in gaining a basic overview of the ideas of Greek-Armenian philosopher/composer/dance instructor/writer G.I. Gurdjieff will find Toward Awakening as the most reader-friendly and practical of any of the large body of works devoted to Gurdjieff that were written by actual long-time pupils. The Gurdjieff Foundation of Louisiana has been using this book for nearly 25 years to present Gurdjieff's language and approach to self-study (such as identification, self-remembering, attention, states of consciousness, etc.). Each of the fundamental ideas that are found in the seminal book In Search of the Miraculous are presented here, but with an emphasis on practical application and without the cosmology and math found in In Search...that often make the Gurdjieff Work appear to be impenetrable.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
An excellent introduction to personal growth.
19 Feb 2012
Format:Hardcover
I found this book by accident in a "bargain bin" in a New Age store. It is obvious that people didn't know what a gem this book really is. It is an excellent introduction and primer into the Gurdjieff Work, Fourth Way, and authentic spiritual traditions in general. You can believe everything the author says, since he not only worked directly with Gurdjieff and the first authentic groups himself, but was an amazing surgeon in France and clearly understands how the human body and psyche work.
The book hones in on several points such as how the energy centres work, the hypnotic/sleep like state most people live in daily, and how individuals might approach awakening and spiritual growth. The author exposes key delusions we all entertain in thinking we are free and able to actually guide our own future path. Key points that are stressed include the need to gain awareness over ourselves, and especially our body and its sensations, the necessity for help or group work when starting out on the path to self-awareness, and the need for an authentic teacher or guide along the path.
The book hones in on several points such as how the energy centres work, the hypnotic/sleep like state most people live in daily, and how individuals might approach awakening and spiritual growth. The author exposes key delusions we all entertain in thinking we are free and able to actually guide our own future path. Key points that are stressed include the need to gain awareness over ourselves, and especially our body and its sensations, the necessity for help or group work when starting out on the path to self-awareness, and the need for an authentic teacher or guide along the path.
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