Gurdjieff Bennett and the Fourth Way (2)

Introduction.
This thesis is about the problems surrounding questions of authenticity and lineage in
the esoteric tradition stemming from G.I.Gurdjieff. 1 It approaches the subject by
focusing on the career of Gurdjieff's pupil J.G.Bennett. For many years following
Gurdjieff's death Bennett engaged in a vicissitudinous search. After twenty one years
and near the end of his life he emerged as a spiritual teacher in his own right. His
connection to Gurdjieff was a major component of this authority claim. But the
majority of Gurdjieff's other followers have regarded him as heterodox and not
authentically lineal. The relationship between Bennett's final position and Gurdjieff is
undeniably problematical. However, it is my view that an investigation of the
structure of Bennett's claim to spiritual authority will shed light on the nature of the
‗Gurdjieff tradition‘ as a whole. In particular, it will help to elucidate the relevant
parameters for determining authenticity of lineage, transmission and continuity.
This chapter has a threefold purpose and is, correspondingly, divided into three
major sections. The first section establishes the fundamental problem concerning
authentic continuity in the ‗Gurdjieff tradition‘ and proposes a methodological
response to this. The second section provides an historical background introducing
Gurdjieff's senior pupils and the central players in the ‗post-Gurdjieff‘ era. This is
necessary because Bennett's position has to be understood in juxtaposition to these
others. Most importantly, it will serve to highlight the unique significance of Bennett
as a focus for investigation of the spiritual tradition associated with Gurdjieff. In the
third section I provide an introductory account of Bennett's ideas concerning the
context of his status and work as a spiritual teacher.
Specifically, this will
12