Scores of books exist about the life and teachings of the Russian spiritual visionary G.I. Gurdjieff (~1866-1949), yet few devote significant coverage to "the Gurdjieff Movements." These several-hundred precise and mostly asymmetrical gestures, arranged into detailed choreographies for groups of practitioners, were designed by Gurdjieff himself. This new book reconsiders the eminent role of the Movements, revealing them as a vital yet often-neglected component in the transmission of Gurdjieff’s legacy.

Van Dullemen, whose first Movements’ teacher received her instruction from Gurdjieff himself, is in a unique position to offer background, theory and first-hand experience about this subject. He is a professional musician and a long-time practitioner of the Gurdjieff work who trained in these Movements and served as a master accompanist for the practice for over thirty years.

“No book can teach the Movements,” the author clearly asserts. And, he makes no such attempt here. Far from an instruction manual, The Gurdjieff Movements, A Communication of Ancient Wisdom, offers invaluable insight into and greater understanding of the whys and wherefores of this fourth arm of the vast teaching that comprises Gurdjieff’s complete communication: his books, his oral teachings, his music and finally his Movements.

Along with fascinating stories of his own journey of discovery, van Dullemen has skillfully integrated:

• autobiographical descriptions of the master Gurdjieff
• interviews with direct pupils of Gurdjieff
• diligent research within a wide range of firsthand sources
• descriptions of the scientific, cultural and social climate during Gurdjieff’s time, and
• the relationship between these and his teaching.

The book is also a rare accomplishment. While highly authoritative, it is nonetheless written in a direct style with clear language, making it accessible to the public at large who may have interest, but little background, in this esoteric science and practice.

A BOOK FOR BOTH NEW AND LONGTIME STUDENTS OF THE GURDJIEFF WORK AND OTHER TRANSFORMATIONAL/SPIRITUAL PATHS, PRACTITIONERS OF DANCE AND BODY-MOVEMENT TECHNOLOGY, MUSICOLOGISTS, SCHOLARS AND HISTORIANS. A VALUED ADDITION TO BOTH UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC LIBRARY COLLECTIONS.

BOOK REVIEW:

The teachings of the Russian spiritual visionary G.I. Gurdjieff (1866-1949) are still being studied by an ever-growing number of people worldwide. While scores of books exist about the man and his teaching methods, few devote significant coverage to “the Gurdjieff Movements”.  These dozens of precise and mostly asymmetrical gestures, arranged into detailed choreographies for groups of practitioners, were designed by Gurdjieff himself. They are sometimes practiced accompanied by a haunting and highly-rhythmic piano music-developed by the master, with the assistance of Thomas de Hartmann, a distinguished professional composer and one of his earliest students.  “The Gurdjieff Movements: A Communication of Ancient Wisdom” by Wim van Dullemen reconsiders the eminent role of this vital yet often neglected component in the transmission of Gurdjieff’s legacy. Dullemen, whose first Movements’ teacher received her instruction from Gurdjieff himself, is in a unique position to offer background, theory and first-hand experience about this subject. He is a professional musician and a long-time practitioner of the Gurdjieff work who trained in these Movements and served as a master accompanist for the practice for over thirty years.  No book can “teach” the Movements, as Dullemen candidly admits, since the cosmology they rest within can only be learned in an experiential context from a teacher who has incorporated them at a level far beyond ordinary familiarity. Dullemen makes no such attempt to detail them within the pages of this study. Far from an instruction manual, “The Gurdjieff Movements: A Communication of Ancient Wisdom, offers invaluable insight into and greater understanding of the whys and wherefores of this third arm of the vast teaching that comprises Gurdjieff’s complete communication: his books, his oral teachings, and finally his Movements. 

 An insightful, informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking contribution to the growing library of Gurdjieff studies, “The Gurdjieff Movements: A Communication of Ancient Wisdom” is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to both community and academic library Sacred Music & Dance collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that “The Gurdjieff Movements” is also available in a digital book format.   

-Mary Cowper, Cowper's Bookshelf, Midwest Book Review  http://www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/aug_18.htm#cowper