Discovering the Teachings of Gurdjieff: A Simple Wish -- To Be

G. I. Gurdjieff gave a memorable title to his last book, "Life is real only then, when 'I am'." These words, this thought, are permanently impressive. They promise, and they ask something of us. At this month’s meeting we will try to look directly and creatively at the issues raised by these few words.

 When we are entirely captivated by the flow of life, we are asleep, not there. Life happens to us, but we feel far from it, as if it's all a blur. Our most precious treasure—our attention—is  taken from us, or we give it away unknowingly. Somehow one is aware of this unhappy situation. One feels a lack, a kind of emptiness.

We know something of this lack because when we are in nature and calm, more present, the emptiness is replaced with a quiet sense of awe, of belonging and knowing that we belong. How to understand these two vastly different experiences: the blur of my lost, inattentive life, the precious sense of “I am” at special moments?

Is there a call here? Are we called “to be”? What does it mean "to be"? How can we respond to this call? Is there a passage toward being? Is there a practical inner work, potentially available to us all?

 In this exchange, we will explore the feeling of being—or not being—present in one's own life. We’ll look at the human possibility central to the Gurdjieff work: to keep one's attention on one's own being while engaging fully in everyday life. To accompany oneself—to know oneself.

Please join us for this second meeting of our 2025-26 series of Exchanges. Let us know you plan to attend by responding here.