STRUGGLE OF THE MAGICIANS - Softcover

Gurdjieff, G. I.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0985134631 ISBN 13: 9780985134631

Publisher: BEECH HILL, 2014

Synopsis

This title presents the synopsis of Gurdjieff's planned ballet, The Struggle of the Magicians, which was edited from two extant manuscripts by David Kherdian. In 1914 a notice for the Struggle of the Magicians appeared in a Russian newspaper. It was aptly subtitled "Scenario of the Ballet," for it was never performed. In this surreptitious manner Gurdjieff had just taken the first steps in the founding of the Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man. The ballet would never be performed but it would figure prominently in the lives of his pupils for some time to come. Although there has been a great deal of speculation about this ballet, there has been no consensus as to how it was written, why it was written or by whom it was finally committed to paper. Nor do we know if Gurdjieff ever "wrote" it out himself, and if he did, what language he composed it in. In fact, none of this is important. What matters is that the text was preserved, and for those of us who were not there to receive the teaching from the Master, a different link is now created, and reading the words we are connected again to the man who gave us so muchfor he was, and continues to be, our example and our teacher. Cover art by Nonny Hogrogian.

About this title

From the Back Cover

"My ballet is not a mystery. The purpose of it is to present an interesting and beautiful spectacle. Of course, under the visible forms a certain sense is hidden, but I did not aim at demonstrating or emphasizing it. The chief position in this ballet is occupied by certain dances. I will explain this to you briefly. Imagine that in studying the laws of movement of the celestial bodies, let us say the planets of the solar system, you have constructed a special mechanism for the representation and recording of these laws. In this mechanism every planet is represented by a sphere of appropriate size and is placed at a strictly determined distance from the central sphere, which stands for the sun. You set the mechanism in motion, and all the spheres begin to turn and move in definite paths, reproducing in a lifelike way the laws which govern their movements. This mechanism reminds you of your knowledge.

"In the same way, in the rhythm of certain dances, in the precise movements and combinations of the dancers, certain laws are vividly recalled. Such dances are called sacred. During my journeys in the East, I often saw dances of this kind executed during the performance of sacred rites in some of the ancient temples. These ceremonies are inaccessible, and unknown to Europeans. Some of these dances are reproduced in The Struggle of the Magicians. Further, I may tell you that at the basis of The Struggle of the Magicians lie three thoughts; but, as I have no hope that they will be understood by the public if I present the ballet alone, I call it simply a spectacle."

--Views from the Real World: Early Talks of Gurdjieff

Edition details

• Publisher: BEECH HILL
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0985134631
• ISBN 13: 9780985134631
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English