George Gurdjieff

A Modern Mystic and His Parallels with Buddhist Teachings

A Brief Biography of George Gurdjieff

George Ivanovich Gurdjieff (1866–1949) was a spiritual teacher, philosopher, and mystic born in Alexandropol (present-day Armenia), in the Russian Empire. He is perhaps best known for developing a unique system of thought and practices often referred to as the "Fourth Way." Gurdjieff spent much of his life traveling across Asia and the Middle East, seeking ancient wisdom and esoteric knowledge. His teachings synthesized elements of Western philosophy, Eastern spirituality, and mystical traditions.

He founded a school for his students, first in Russia and later in France, where he taught a method of personal development aimed at overcoming the mechanical nature of human existence. Unlike traditional forms of asceticism or mystical practices, Gurdjieff's system, often referred to as the "Work," sought to bring the individual to a higher level of consciousness by integrating the mind, body, and emotions.

Gurdjieff's Teachings and Their Parallels with Bu…