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Title: Fascinating book about where Gurdjieff was coming from
Review: Among the most enriching college classes for me in the late '60s was a course entitled "Esoteric Theories of Consciousness," which focused on the system of George Gurdjieff. This engrossing book removes some of the mystery enshrouding this phenomenal man's background. Lefort's interviews with teachers and co-students uncover many fascinating aspects of Sufi research and practices, such as the use of plants for psychological screening and the existence of baraka, an energy (or substance?) that sounds like the Force in Star Wars. His interviews and conversations include tantalizing references to Sufi impacts on Morris Dancing, garden design, and contemporary music. Anyone interested in the real history of Jesus, as opposed to the Sunday school version, will also be intrigued by Lefort's discovery of connections between Gurdjieff's "dervish dancing" and similar techniques used by Jesus.
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