Western Massachusetts Group
This group draws its inspiration from the teaching of Gurdjieff and J.G. Bennett. Mr. Bennett was one of Gurdjieff's leading exponents, and after a lifetime of search he set up the International Academy for Continuous Education at Sherborne House in Gloucestershire, England, modeled after the Prieure where Gurdjieff had his Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man in Fontainebleau, France. From 1971 to 1975 five 10-month Basic Courses were offered, designed to immerse students in the discipline of inner work. The foundation was Gurdjieff's teaching: psychological and cosmological studies, Sacred Dance (Movements), inner exercises of various kinds, meditation, and techniques for self study in activities of practical work, cooking, and other tasks. Every year the Basic Course manifested to the surrounding community, hosting a Fete and a play.
Mr. Bennett also drew on other sources which he encountered after Gurdjieff's death in 1949. The Shivapuri Baba, from Nepal, taught Swadharma (Right Life); Hasan Shushud, a Turkish Master, taught fasting and zikr. The Venerable Bhante Dharmawara from Cambodia taught color meditation and healing; and the chief abbot of the Benedictine of St. Wandrilles, France, taught Gregorian Chant.
In 1974, shortly before his death, Mr. Bennett acquired a large estate in West Virginia. Claymont Court was to be a permanent community, offering a children's school and living quarters for a large number of families dedicated to study of the Fourth Way. Eight Basic Courses were offered at Claymont to candidates.
Many of the present members of the Western Massachusetts group attended the Basic Course at Sherborne and Claymont. The group was founded in 1976 in the Boston area, but by the early 1980's many members had moved to Western Massachusetts, in order to pursue their work in a rural setting. Presently the community has about 25 members, living within a 10 mile radius. Contact is also maintained with members who continue to live in the Boston area.
The group has engaged in a number of activities over the years. A Basic Course was offered in 1990. Work weekends, and seminars, open to visitors are offered on a regular basis. There have been a number of weekly study groups introducing the teaching of Gurdjieff and J.G. Bennett. Four years ago a large property was acquired with a number of buildings, which is being used as a center of activity.
The aim of this work is threefold: work on oneself, to develop the latent potential of the individual; service to the group and local community; and the attempt to align oneself with the needs of mankind through co-operation with a higher intelligence at this period of transition in which we live.
If you are interested in contacting us, please send a letter to:
The Registrar
P. O. Box 101
Royalston
Massachusetts 10368
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