Greco-Armenian charismatic spiritual leader. He is most notable for introducing "The Work," connoting work on oneself, or the Fourth Way. He was born of a Greek father and an Armenian mother in Alexandropol (now Gumri), Armenia. Although his first tutor was a priest, he received a scientific education. To his questions: Who am I? Why am I here? he found no answer either in religion or in science, but suspected that the truth lay hidden behind what had come down from the past in religious traditions and those myths and legends which he learned from his father, a traditional bard. Inspiring like-minded companions, he set out to find in Asia and Africa the truth he sought, learning many languages, and acquiring many practical skills to earn the money for his journeys. In 1912 he brought to Moscow an unknown teaching, that was not a religion, nor a philosophy, but a practical teaching to be lived. To follow the way he proposed, nothing is to be believed until verified by direct experience and life in the world is not to be renounced. In 1919 he established what he called "The Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man", which he re-established in France in 1922. In his Institute he promoted mystical notions about the universe, which he claimed he was taught by wise men while traveling and studying in Central Asia. Starting in 1929, he made visits to North America where he took over as the teacher of pupils who were at that time being taught by A.R. Orage. He put down his insights in books Meetings with Remarkable men, All and Everything, and Beelzebub's Tales to his Grandson: an objectively impartial criticism of the life of man. The Gurdjieff Foundation has about two dozen centers, mostly in North America. He was married to Julia Ostrowska. Opinions on Gurdjieff's writings and activities are divided. Sympathizers regard him as a charismatic master who brought new knowledge into Western culture, a psychology and cosmology that enable insights beyond those provided by established science. Critics assert he was simply a charlatan with a large ego and a constant need for self-glorification. He had a strong influence on many modern mystics, artists, writers, and thinkers, including Aleister Crowley, Timothy Leary, Robert Anton Wilson and P. L. Travers. Gurdjieff's notable personal students include P. D. Ouspensky, Alfred Richard Orage and Katherine Mansfield.

Greco-Armenian charismatic spiritual leader. He is most notable for introducing "The Work," connoting work on oneself, or the Fourth Way. He was born of a Greek father and an Armenian mother in Alexandropol (now Gumri), Armenia. Although his first tutor was a priest, he received a scientific education. To his questions: Who am I? Why am I here? he found no answer either in religion or in science, but suspected that the truth lay hidden behind what had come down from the past in religious traditions and those myths and legends which he learned from his father, a traditional bard. Inspiring like-minded companions, he set out to find in Asia and Africa the truth he sought, learning many languages, and acquiring many practical skills to earn the money for his journeys. In 1912 he brought to Moscow an unknown teaching, that was not a religion, nor a philosophy, but a practical teaching to be lived. To follow the way he proposed, nothing is to be believed until verified by direct experience and life in the world is not to be renounced. In 1919 he established what he called "The Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man", which he re-established in France in 1922. In his Institute he promoted mystical notions about the universe, which he claimed he was taught by wise men while traveling and studying in Central Asia. Starting in 1929, he made visits to North America where he took over as the teacher of pupils who were at that time being taught by A.R. Orage. He put down his insights in books Meetings with Remarkable men, All and Everything, and Beelzebub's Tales to his Grandson: an objectively impartial criticism of the life of man. The Gurdjieff Foundation has about two dozen centers, mostly in North America. He was married to Julia Ostrowska. Opinions on Gurdjieff's writings and activities are divided. Sympathizers regard him as a charismatic master who brought new knowledge into Western culture, a psychology and cosmology that enable insights beyond those provided by established science. Critics assert he was simply a charlatan with a large ego and a constant need for self-glorification. He had a strong influence on many modern mystics, artists, writers, and thinkers, including Aleister Crowley, Timothy Leary, Robert Anton Wilson and P. L. Travers. Gurdjieff's notable personal students include P. D. Ouspensky, Alfred Richard Orage and Katherine Mansfield.