Jordan Hall and Luke Behncke - Gurdjieff and Christianity
Sep 25, 2024
auto_awesome
Luke Behncke, raised in rural Australia and a practitioner of Gurdjieff's system, engages in a deep dialogue with visionary philosopher Jordan Hall, who recently converted to Christianity. They explore the connections between Gurdjieff's teachings and contemporary Christian thought, highlighting the importance of a living faith and personal spiritual practices. The conversation touches on themes like parental vulnerability in child development, the duality of sleep in spiritual growth, and the tension between personal agency and spiritual connection, alongside the complexities of good and evil.
Gurdjieff critiques modern Christianity for its corruption, advocating a return to original insights about Christ to restore spiritual understanding.
The discussion emphasizes the challenges Christians face in embodying teachings like loving one's neighbor, highlighting the gap between belief and practice.
Community support is essential for spiritual development, offering non-traditional spaces for genuine exploration beyond established church norms.
Deep dives
Gurdjieff's Perspective on Christianity
Gurdjieff's teachings highlight a significant relationship between his ideas and Christianity. He critiques the corruption he perceives in modern churches and proposes that original insights about Christ have been lost. Gurdjieff emphasizes that, despite the church's failings, the figure of Jesus Christ remains at the core of understanding spirituality. This aligns with the nature of Gurdjieff’s work, which attempts to reconnect with these lost teachings to help individuals rediscover the essence of Christian faith.
The Practicality of Christian Precepts
The challenges of living out Christian precepts are discussed, with reflections on personal struggles to adhere to teachings such as loving one's neighbor. There is a sense of disconnect between the reasons for faith and the practical application in daily life. This experience leads to a reconsideration of what it means to embody the teachings of Christ, emphasizing that true practice involves more than ritual or dogma. The necessity of understanding how to integrate these precepts into everyday actions is recognized as critical.
Understanding Gurdjieff's Esoteric Christianity
Gurdjieff’s relationship with Christianity is framed as esoteric, suggesting that deeper insights have been overlooked. The dialogue acknowledges that while many view Gurdjieff merely as a cultural Christian, he offers a broader spiritual context that encompasses both the known and unknown aspects of faith. Discussions of being drawn into the mystery of existence reveal how esoteric teachings can complement and enhance one's understanding of traditional Christian beliefs. The challenge remains to thread the needle between orthodoxy and the more nuanced, mystical aspects of Gurdjieff's teachings.
The Role of Community in Spiritual Development
The importance of community in supporting spiritual development is emphasized, recognizing that individual journeys toward understanding can be complex and fraught with challenges. Smaller, non-traditional groups may provide a meaningful entry point for those who shy away from institutional churches. It is noted that fostering a supportive environment helps individuals explore their spirituality without the baggage of established norms. This community dynamic can create a space for genuine connection to the essence of faith and collective growth.
The Paradox of Suffering and Freedom in Spirituality
The conversation delves into the paradox of suffering in the context of spirituality, especially regarding God's relationship with humanity. Gurdjieff's cosmology suggests that God's suffering arises out of the necessity for free will, imbuing human choices with profound significance. This framing highlights that one's actions can have cosmic implications, urging individuals to recognize their responsibility in a larger spiritual context. By addressing the human experience of suffering as part of divine engagement, it becomes clear that true awakening involves acknowledging the depths of one's own condition while striving toward higher understanding.
A deep dia-logos between two Christians and a Buddhist. Gurdjieff’s Christianity (with Luke Behncke) Starts October 5th. Sign up here: https://www.parallax-media.com/courses/gurdjieffs-christianity-with-luke-behncke Bios: Luke Behncke was raised in rural and outback Australia, Luke’s background in biomedical science and physical education, with diverse interests in philosophy, religion and art - ultimately drew him to Gurdjieff’s system where he has been a practitioner working with groups and individuals from around the world since 2000. Explorations related to Gurdjieff’s Fourth Way and Christianity can be found on his blogsite at 'Faith made Flesh’ Jordan Hall is a visionary philosopher celebrated for his groundbreaking insights into the realms of collective intelligence, sense-making, and the intricate tapestry of modern civilization. With a keen intellect and a penchant for unraveling complex societal dynamics, he has emerged as a guiding light in our quest to fathom the intricacies of our rapidly changing world. He has recently converted to Christianity. Parallax: Homepage: https://www.parallax-media.com/ Academy: https://www.parallax-media.com/2024-courses-and-events Substack: https://parallax.substack.com/ Parallax Network: https://parallax-media-network.mn.co/share/ND8NVO1oMB3RjEyi?utm_source=ma
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode