| John Godolphin Bennett (1897 - 1974) was an English mathematician, scientist, military intelligence agent, and philosopher who integrated these fields of research with the studies of Asiastic religions, spirituality, and languages. He is best known for his prolific books on the Gurdjieff-inspired 'Fourth Way', many of which are of value to the serious student and practitioner, in particular 'Gurdjieff: Making A New World', 'Gurdjieff: A Very Great Enigma', 'Enneagram Studies', 'The Masters of Wisdom', and his autobiography 'Witness'. Bennett studied with practitioners of the Mevlevi Sufi Order whilst stationed in Istanbul in 1919, where he encountered G.I. Gurdjieff and P.D. Ouspensky. His long 'Fourth Way' studies reached their peak with the elaborate 'Fourth Way' cosmologies in his four volume magnum opus 'The Dramatic Universe' (1956-66). Many of the individual 'memes' present in this work - humanity as custodian of the biosphere, the importance of conscious labors and intentional suffering, the role of hazard and chaos in determining natural structures, demiurgic wisdom, the coming crisis for Humanity, and the needs of New Age communities - influenced the cultural under-currents of the 1960s and 1970s Human Potential movement, and led to subsequent projects such as Biosphere 2. He later developed 'Systematics', which is primarily concerned with semiotics, systems theory, and the symbolic/archetypal nature of natural numbers. 'Systematics' and the 'Enneagram' process model have been applied to a wide range of areas, including management models, organizational change, group dynamics, biospherics, and psychotherapy. Later influenced by his encounters and dialogue with a diverse range of spiritual teachers, including 'Pak' Subuh (Subud) and the Shivapuri Baba, Bennett established several 'continuous education' environments in the early 1970s, including Sherborne House and the Claymont Society for Continuous Education. These 'initiatory schools' and the rapidly growing Bennett community were to play an integral role in the dissemination of his ideas in the late Twentieth Century. Since his death, many of his central ideas and concepts have entered into popular culture and language. Bennett's pioneering quest for the significance and meaning of human life on a finite planet laid the groundwork for later empirical studies of contemporary spirituality. He presciently foresaw the growth in chaos theory, dynamic/evolving values systems, and optimal psychology. Research by Alex Burns
alex.burns@disinfo.net |
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Idiots In Paris: A Review
A short review of Elizabeth and John Godolphin Bennett's book 'Idiots In Paris', a collection of diary anecdotes and observances that depict Gurdjieff's last days, and the re-organization of the spiritual movement shortly after his death. Interesting biographical insights.
Bennett Books
Founded in 1987 in Santa Fe, this publisher has fought to keep many of J.G. Bennett's titles in print, including many of the more rare or obscure volumes. The definitive source for Bennett's work and thought, including the incredible Bennett tape archives, which vividly portray Bennett's life-long search for the meaning and significance of human existence. You can also order most of the key 'Fourth Way' texts from this publisher.
Die deutschen Gurdjieff Seiten
One of the better Gurdjieff/Bennett foreign web-sites, with essays, commentaries, quotes, and bibliographies in German. Features perspectives and insights different to American and British derived books.
The Dramatic Universe: A Review
A review of the four volume 'The Dramatic Universe' (1997) magnum opus from the context of the 'Spiral Dynamics' system developed by Don Edward Beck and Christopher C. Cowan. Discusses links with other relevant movements, theorists, and web-sites.
Discipline Global Mobile
A small, mobile, independent record company established by King Crimson co-founder Robert Fripp, who studied the 'Fourth Way' at J.G. Bennett's 'Sherborne House' (International Academy for Continuous Education) in 1975, later using samples of Bennett on the excellent 'Exposure' (1979) solo recording. These studies influenced Fripp's later solo career as guitarist and producer, his subsequent criticism of record industry politics, and the curriculum of his 'Guitar Craft' school. This site features extensive writings, monographs, aphorisms, artist biographies, and road diaries. Multimedia selections include photo and album cover galleries, and recording sample archives from a diverse range of artists on DGM's roster. This site illustrates how Bennett's practical philosophy of living can be put into action in the business world and creative/artistic spheres. A daring experiment by a master craftsman.
The Duversity: Gurdjieff, Bennett, Systematics, The Enneagram
Anthony Blake founded 'The Duversity' in 1998 as a non-profit organization to explore the legacies of John Godolphin Bennett, George Gurdjieff, physicist David Bohm, and other seminal thinkers developing emergent models and cognitive maps of higher intelligence, creativity, organization, management, and communication. He has interacted with many spiritual and organizational process leaders, including Pak Subuh, Idries Shah, Joseph Rael, Robert Fripp, and Ted Matchett. Blake personally studied with both Bennett and Bohm; and is considered to be one of the leading holistic thinkers today. He worked with John Allen on the Biosphere II Project and edited the extensive published writings of John Godolphin Bennett, including the four volume 'Dramatic Universe' (1997) series. This site features extensive essays, book reviews, interviews, and cultural archives exploring conceptual tools including the Enneagram, N-Logue, Mental Energies, Structural Communication, and the Dialogue Process. It was founded upon principles of hazard, dialogue, and integration without rejection. Blake advocates 'The Fifth Way': self-initiation capable of assimilating information from any source.
The UniS Institute
Founded in 1985, The UniS Institute has been at the forefront of disseminating Systematics, the structural communications model developed by John Godolphin Bennett, Anthony Blake, and others. This site contains applications of General Systems tools to economics and toponomics, journals, essays, and other resources. Introductory resources include a Systematics Primer, and a UniS discussion e-list on related topics and real-world applications.
The Claymont Society for Continous Education
The Claymont Society for Continuous Education was established in the 1970s by John Godolphin Bennett to explore inner-work within a real-world educational setting, and to facilitate direct experience of holistic models relating to environmental studies and sustainable living programs. Claymont published many monographs by Bennett, and was custodian of his taped lectures. Claymont is now widely known for its distinctive approach to early childhood development and education, placing an emphasis on standard requirements, but also including gardening, animal care, aquaculture, environmental studies and rural crafts programs. Despite management criticisms from some leading Fourth Way iconoclasts, Claymont continues its lecture and workshop series, and the site includes a virtual tour of the rural surroundings. Claymont is an historical and conceptual legacy of John Godolphin Bennett's attempts to create 'New Age' communities which shift from exploitation to co-operation.
A Call For A New Society
This is a seminal 1974 essay written by John Godolphin Bennett which embodied his experiments with Continuous Education within the Gurdjieff legacy. It served as the Mission Statement for the Claymont Society for Continuous Education for many years. Offers an insight into Bennett's constantly unfolding Vision.
The Moon of Hoa Binh
A mind-blowing conceptual novel by authors Cong Huyen Ton Nu Nha Trang & William L. Pensinger which uses the Vietnam War as a backdrop for contemporary explorations of the psychology and cosmology of George Gurdjieff and John Godolphin Bennett. The site includes excerpts, discussions of character's psychological profiles, and the diverse models contained in Bennett's landmark four volume 'The Divine Universe' (1997) magnum opus. Recommended by Anthony Blake and other teachers in the Gurdjieff/Bennett legacy.
Gurdjieff International Review - John Godolphin Bennett (1897 - 1974)
A very well-researched and authoritative biography of John Godolphin Bennett edited by scholar Walter Driscoll. This should be the starting point for studying John Godolphin Bennett's thoughts on the Internet. Contains the rare articles 'Gurdjieff: The Unknown Teacher' and 'The Struggle "To Make Something" For Oneself', as well as a directory of the various Bennett organisations on the Internet, and photographs. The 'Gurdjieff International Review' frequently reprints rare and out-of-print monographs and articles. A valuable research resource.
Biosphere II
Anthony Blake, one of the leading pupils of John Godolphin Bennett and an editor of his published work, served as a consultant on the 'Biosphere II' project under John Allen. Now the western campus of Columbia University's Earth Institute, this excellent site contains graphics, research data, history, and the current activities. An ongoing application of many of John Godolphin Bennett's ideas about the maintenance of living systems in the real world.
Guitar Craft
Guitar Craft first began in March 1985 when Claymont Society for Continuous Education requested guitarist Robert Fripp to present a series of seminars. This was the beginning of an international instructional movement designed to examine the relationship between the musician, hir music, and the world. Regional Guitar Craft circles and the various incarnations of 'The League of Crafty Guitarists' have adopted various aspects of John Godolphin Bennett's ideas and philosophy(amongst many other influences) as part of a diverse training repertoire.
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