Films

Follows Gurdjieff's search for pre-sand Egypt beginning with the Sphinx and Great Pyramid, to Thebes and the Temple in Man and Karnak, to the Valley of the Kings, the Temples of Edfu and Abu Simbel, and into Ethiopia where he unexpectedly discovers the origin of the ancient teaching of The Fourth Way.

Having read all of Gurdjieff's works, the new conclusions in this video were a revelation, and yet I understood their rightness. It was shocking to learn about things in his books that I had read but never before noticed or had overlooked-they were right there all along. The perceptions offered in Gurdjieff in Egypt are immense. I also found astonishing the new evidence of the Sphinx's date of carving that goes so far back in antiquity that it took geologists to see and prove it. Such a different picture of these early Egyptians from the usual, such a high civilization. This video brings these ancient peoples, our "spiritual ancestors," and many ideas to life. It's also beautifully done and enjoyable to watch.

—Karata Swahibu

"Patterson draws the viewer into the esoteric meaning of many of the great treasures of the temples of ancient Egypt, decoding the art, architecture, hieroglyphics, and statuary. He brings particular understanding to the relationship between Horus and Set and the essential tension that binds light to dark, the spiritual to the material. He also comes to the astounding conclusion that prehistoric Egypt was Christian in its teachings, principles and ideas, many thousands of years before the actual birth of Christ. Highly recommended for the serious student."

Shot on site in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Constantinople, London, Fontainebleau-en-Avon, New York and Lascaux, this documentary video—narrated by William Patrick Patterson and based on his book Struggle of the Magicians—retraces Gurdjieff's mission to introduce the teaching to the West. P.D. Ouspensky's and J.G. Bennett's enigmatic relationship with Gurdjieff are explored. Particularly stressed are the "St. Petersburg Conditions" and Gurdjieff's technique of "divine acting." The video vividly demonstrates Gurdjieff's warning to America of the rise and challenge of the East with footage recalling the 9/11 attack and its aftermath. Only available at this site.

"I not only liked it, I admired it. It's a first-rate documentary from a technical and artistic angle, but more importantly it succeeds in vivifying and condensing without distorting what is-of course-a very important story. Moreover, it acts as a useful teaching vehicle; and for some people it may be their first introduction to a few of the ideas discussed, and to the Gurdjieff/de Hartmann music."—Jeffrey Zaleski, Reviews Editor, Publishers Weekly

"For years now, Patrick Patterson has been the most interesting and substantial of Gurdjieff's biographers. Gurdjieff's Legacy is absolutely gripping, and the best yet."
—Colin Wilson, author, The War Against Sleep

Shot on site in Paris, Avon, Mont. St. Michel, Lascaux, London, New York, and New Haven, the documentary traces Gurdjieff's life from his near-fatal car crash through to his giving meetings during the Nazi-occupation of Paris to his death in 1949. Examined in depth are the writing of his Legominism All and Everything and his relationships with Orage, Ouspensky and Bennett. Also included is the Rope and his final trip to the Caves of Lascaux.

Owing to the circumstances of my life not dependent on me, I have not personally seen the grave where the body of my dear father lies. . . . I therefore, bid any of my sons, whether by blood or in spirit, to seek out, when he has the possibility, this solitary grave.

     —G. I. Gurdjieff
         Meetings with Remarkable Men

William Patrick Patterson undertook a 21-day pilgrimage to visit Mr. Gurdjieff's father's grave in Gyumri, Armenia. Travelling backward in time, he revisited Gurdjieff's life:

• Gurdjieff's grave and the Prieuré in Avon, France
• Kumbaraci and Yemenici streets in Istanbul, where Gurdjieff and his students lived
• Prinkipo Island on the Sea of Marmara, where Gurdjieff often visited P. D. Uspenskii
• Tiflis, where Gurdjieff opened his Institute at 22 Nikolas Street and first named it the Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man
• Kars, Gurdjieff's home in the medieval quarter and the Kars Military Cathedral where he sang in the choir
• Ani, the ancient city where the Sarmoung manuscript was discovered
• Sanahin Monastery, Armenia, where Gurdjieff served as an acolyte
• Gyumri, Armenia, where Gurdjieff was born in the Greek Quarter at 222 Matnishyan Street
• Gyumri's Old Cemetery and Mr. Gurdjieff's father's grave