Struggle of the Magicians: Exploring the Teacher Student Relationship

Of all relationships, that between teacher and student is the most mysterious, most rewarding. That between Gurdjieff and Uspenskii (P. D. Ouspensky), two of the seminal spiritual figures of the twentieth century, was titanic, archetypal. By closely observing their interaction, we come to understand the pattern of discoveries, resistances, and rebellions – the deep inner and outer struggle that marks every teacher-student relationship, whatever the path.

How and why a student of Uspenskii’s caliber broke with his teacher, his slow descent, but ultimate breakthrough, offers a deep and profound study that reveals the defining moments and trigger events intrinsic to the process of transformation. The material in this book, much of it new and drawn from original sources, published and unpublished, along with the author’s insights and original reading of documents, provides a new and revolutionary dimension to the understanding of Gurdjieff, Uspenskii, and the Fourth Way work.

Gurdjieff came to the West because, as he said, "Unless the ‘wisdom’ of the East and the ‘energy’ of the West meet and are used harmoniously, the world will destroy itself". He came to establish an ancient teaching, newly formulated for our time, one specifically calibrated to the stress and uncertainties of the technological world, Unlike the traditional three ways which focus on the body, emotions, or the mind, the Fourth Way uses the ordinary world to work. A rational and scientific approach – shorn of all "religiosity" and presented in an objective language – the Fourth Way uses the shocks, negativity and suffering of ordinary life to come to real Life.

A lucid and compelling account of conflict and charlatanism surrounding one of the most important alternative spiritual movements. -- Robert S. Ellwood, Chairman, School of Religion, University of Southern California

Quite remarkable. I have read it with great pleasure. -- Colin Wilson, author, From Atlantis to the Sphinx

[D]eals with esoteric teachings in a modern context. [Raises] universal questions about the nature and transmission of spiritual truth. -- Publishers Weekly