Chapter 1: The Enigmatic Pyotr Demianovich Ouspensky

In an age marked by a sense of complacency, Ouspensky's urgent plea for self-awareness serves as a powerful reminder of our potential for growth. He once stated, "The evolution of humanity is tied to the evolution of consciousness, which cannot progress without awareness. Similarly, the evolution of our will cannot occur involuntarily." So, who exactly was P.D. Ouspensky?

Born on March 5, 1878, in Moscow, Pyotr Demianovich Ouspensky was a notable Russian philosopher, author, and spiritual educator who significantly influenced modern spiritual thought in the early 20th century. From a young age, he pursued esoteric knowledge and enrolled in the prestigious Second Moscow Gymnasium, where he excelled in mathematics and science. However, his academic journey was cut short when he was expelled for vandalizing a wall during a school inspection at the age of 16.

Despite this setback, Ouspensky's curiosity led him toward unconventional ideas, igniting a lifelong quest for esoteric wisdom. His name is often mentioned alongside that of George Gurdjieff, a charismatic figure who profoundly impacted Ouspensky's life. Although they did not meet until 1915, Ouspensky had already published "The Fourth Dimension" in 1907, where he discussed the potential of dimensions beyond our three-dimensional perception to foster spiritual development.

Ouspensky's exploration of higher consciousness was influenced by the works of British mathematician and science fiction writer, who was known for coining the term "fourth dimension" and developing methods to visualize higher-dimensional geometry. Following the Russian publication of "Tertium Organum" in 1911, Ouspensky gained considerable recognition as an author and lecturer on metaphysical subjects. The English version released in 1920 further established his reputation in both England and America.

He met Gurdjieff in Moscow, who claimed to possess ancient wisdom from hidden Eastern sources. Ouspensky was deeply impressed and became Gurdjieff’s student. Even though he had traveled to the East in search of esoteric truths, he believed Gurdjieff had unlocked secrets he had been unable to discover.

Under Gurdjieff's guidance, Ouspensky delved into the concept of self-remembering, which emphasizes maintaining an acute awareness of one's thoughts and actions in the present moment. This principle later became central to his teachings.

After escaping Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution, Ouspensky reunited with Gurdjieff, leading to the establishment of the Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man in France in 1922, a school dedicated to Gurdjieff's spiritual ideas, as Gurdjieff was then barred from settling in England.

However, by 1924, Ouspensky grew weary of Gurdjieff's domineering demeanor, a sentiment he had harbored since 1918. Following their split, Ouspensky refrained from criticizing his mentor, a courtesy not reciprocated by Gurdjieff. Their final encounter took place in 1930.

Ouspensky relocated to London, where he founded the Study Society in 1930. In 1931, he launched the Historico-Psychological Society, teaching his "Fourth Way" system, which integrated concepts from Gurdjieff and various esoteric traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Kabbalah.

Central to this system was the notion that most individuals live in a state of "waking sleep," mechanically navigating life without genuine self-awareness. Ouspensky advocated that through self-remembering and similar practices, one could achieve a higher level of consciousness.

The years following his separation from Gurdjieff marked Ouspensky's most fruitful period, as he continued to write and teach, gathering a dedicated following of seekers of spiritual enlightenment. His lectures attracted notable literary figures, including Aldous Huxley, a nine-time Nobel Prize nominee, as well as various writers, journalists, and medical professionals.

His influential book, "A New Model of the Universe," which he thought was lost during the tumult of the Bolshevik Revolution, was reprinted in 1931 without his consent. It serves as a widely regarded authoritative text on metaphysics, attempting to reconcile ideas from natural science and religious studies with esoteric teachings, while also addressing sexuality and distinguishing between erotica and pornography.

Among Ouspensky's most impactful works is "In Search of the Miraculous," published posthumously in 1949. This book recounted his time with Gurdjieff and introduced Western audiences to Gurdjieff's teachings, leaving a lasting mark on spiritual thought.

Ouspensky’s insights have inspired numerous spiritual movements and teachers. His focus on self-remembering and human evolution resonated strongly with the human potential movement of the 1960s and 70s, influencing figures like Oscar Ichazo and others involved with the Enneagram of Personality.

His ideas permeated popular culture, inspiring artists and writers, including those behind the science fiction classic "Stranger in a Strange Land," which is often seen as reflecting Ouspensky's philosophical principles.

Despite their estrangement, Ouspensky acknowledged the significance of Gurdjieff's influence on his life. In "In Search of the Miraculous," he expressed, "I encountered a completely new system of thought that surpassed everything I had previously known. This system illuminated psychology and clarified aspects of esoteric knowledge that had eluded me."

A key concept in Ouspensky's teachings is the existence of multiple "I's." He proposed that rather than possessing a singular, cohesive self, individuals comprise various "I's," each with distinct desires and behaviors. The objective of the Fourth Way is to harmonize these disparate selves into a unified whole. He emphasized the importance of attention and awareness in spiritual development, teaching that controlling one’s focus can facilitate awakening from the "waking sleep" of mechanical living.

Initially, Ouspensky viewed the state of self-remembering as fleeting, but with practice, it could be extended and deepened, serving as a pathway to more permanent awakening—a transition from automatic reactions to conscious actions.

Throughout his teachings, Ouspensky highlighted the significance of practical self-work. He regarded spirituality as an endeavor requiring continuous effort and application in everyday life, rather than merely a matter of belief or intellectual comprehension.

Achieving this potential is undoubtedly challenging, demanding a commitment to inner exploration and self-reflection. Nonetheless, Ouspensky reminds us, "When a person begins to know themselves even slightly, they will uncover many unsettling aspects within. If an individual is not horrified by their own nature, they truly understand nothing about themselves."

Ouspensky believed that our existence is a journey along a repeating spiral, where the aim is to transform and enhance this spiral, thus avoiding the repetition of past mistakes. Only by recognizing our limitations and illusions can we begin to rise above them.

Description: In this video, Gary Lachman discusses P.D. Ouspensky's contributions to spiritual thought and his relationship with George Gurdjieff.

Description: This video features insights from P.D. Ouspensky about George Gurdjieff, exploring their philosophical exchange and Ouspensky's teachings on consciousness.