Psychological Commentaries on the Teaching of Gurdjieff ... (ISBN 0877289107)

Too many words:
Probably Mr. Nicoll's love of the written and spoken word kept him from BEING the words. I get the impression that Nicoll, like Orage, were too much in love with talking, and that caused them to lose themselves in their words. Although there is some valuable knowledge in these books, Ouspensky's "In Search" and "The 4th Way" are probably the greatest introductions to this system. These books can easily distract you from awakening by drowning you in words, so tread carefully.

Psychology of Inner Work:
Consisting of nearly 2000 pages of psychological gems these lectures are well worth not only for reading but also for studying. To combine expert psychological understanding with the ideas of Gurdjieff does give a new angle to both. Dr. Nicoll's approach is practical and he draws help from suitable images to illustrate the points he is making. I would say that even just one of the volumes well studied would give ample material for daily practice.

Hi:
It's been said practice does not come from theory, but theory from practice. I have from a good source what these big volumes really are - they are *private* notes taken from meetings of people learning a practical system by direct oral transmission. So, what's missing in reading these nice-looking books is the context they depend on: the individuals, their situations, and what they were learning at that time (re: a vast system contained in no book.) Since unfortnately no-one can bridge those three big gaps with pure theorizing, the lone reader may get quite confused by these lectures - almost as a faintly heard conversation one overhears and then tragically misinterprets. At least, don't be too sure! You can see the problem. In summary, the Commentaries may have less value to readers than certain works like NEW MAN and LIVING TIME or for that matter Ouspensky's NEW MODEL and TERTIUM ORGANUM.

For those willing to work:
For those who have done the "Work" of finding out for themselves and extensively going the extra yard to realize what the truth actually may be. This 6 volume set is facinating,insightful and a first hand eval of the principals of the "Work". This is not an expose or a critcal analasys but a correspondence of ideas and values. Given the current state of disillusionment and the current "spin" and False Personality we are subject to by politicians and media these days this is a welcome read.

a great source for practising the 4th way:
I bought this six volumes three years ago when my wife went to USA, it did take a big tour for my wife to bring it to China mixing with all kinds stuffs in the travel box! And it worth the price I and my wife paid!