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25546 |
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Date: January 22, 2018 at 21:18:19
From: ryan, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Beelzebub’s Tales to his Grandson: An Objective Impartial Criticism of |
URL: http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2010/07/beelzebubs-tales-more-complexly-profound-than-meets-the-eye/ |
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Beelzebub’s Tales: More “Complexly Profound” Than Meets the Eye?
Louis Proud July 26, 2010
When it comes to esoteric books, nothing is stranger, more cryptic and incomprehensible than Beelzebub’s Tales to his Grandson: An Objective Impartial Criticism of the Life of Man (1950), written by the Greek-Armenian mystic G. I. Gurdjieff (1866-1949).
At a whopping 1,238 pages and replete with invented words that defy pronunciation, such as “Heptaparaparshinokh” and “Almznoshinoo,” completing the book is no easy task – as I myself just discovered.
The first sentence of chapter one, The Arousing of Thought, reads:
“Among other convictions formed in my common presence during my responsible, peculiarly composed life, there is one such also – an indubitable conviction – that always and everywhere on the earth, among people of every degree of development of understanding and of every form of manifestation of the factors which engender in their individuality all kinds of ideals, there is acquired the tendency, when beginning anything new, unfailingly to pronounce aloud or, if not aloud, at least mentally, that definite utterance understandable to every even quite illiterate person, which in different epochs has been formulated variously and in our day is formulated in the following words: ‘In the name of the Father and of the Son and in the name of the Holy Ghost, Amen.’”
According to author John Chambers in an article about Gurdjieff in Forbidden Religion (2006), Beelzebub’s Tales has attracted renewed interest in recent years, with many concluding “that the novel – and its author also – may be more complexly profound than was previously thought.” Among members of the All and Everything International Humanities Conference – which includes scholars, artists and scientists from around the world – the book is a topic of extensive and serious discussion, as are Gurdjieff’s other works. (This year’s conference was held in Greece in late-March.)
The protagonist in Gurdjieff’s magnum opus is of course Beelzebub – the devil. Unlike the traditional Judeo-Christian devil, however, Gurdjieff’s Beelzebub is a redeemed being, who has, as it were, paid for his sins and attained a level of high spiritual development. Some interpret the book as an autobiography of sorts, suggesting that Gurdjieff is Beelzebub himself.
At the beginning of the book, we find Beelzebub onboard the spaceship Karnak, accompanied by his grandson Hussein, as they make their way through space towards Beelzebub’s home planet, Karatas. During the journey, Beelzebub uses the time to teach Hussein about the “three-brained beings” (humans) dwelling on Earth whom he has studied and lived among.
The book consists of long, dry talks by Beelzebub on topics of benefit to young Hussein’s education, with a focus on the various troubles of humanity. Some of the topics covered include the history of the Earth and the “fall” of humanity, hypnosis, objective art, and war. Even sexual hygiene and polygamy are covered. I even recall mention of a famous German scientist who devised a way to magically create “delicious chicken soup”…or something along those lines. (Parts of the book are so bizarre and seemingly ridiculous that the reader is left completely perplexed.)
Gurdjieff wrote Beelzebub’s Tales, from 1924 through to 1931, as an attempt to preserve his teaching (called the Fourth Way) in a form that would remain undistorted – hence the unique, coded style of his writing. Much of it was dictated by Gurdjieff, with some of his students assisting as scribes.
As to why the book is so difficult to read and understand, apparently Gurdjieff did this on purpose, in the hope that it would challenge and awaken the reader. (Gurdjieff believed that our normal waking state is a form of sleep, and that most books only encourage this state.) That the book is long and complicated also helps to ensure that those who could be bothered reading it are certain to have a sincere interest in Gurdjieff’s ideas. Gurdjieff once remarked: “I bury the bone so deep that the dogs have to scratch for it.”
Whatever one makes of Beelzebub’s Tales – a work of profound spiritual wisdom or the nonsensical ramblings of an eccentric guru – one has to agree that it’s unlike anything ever written. On a side note, I know from experience that second-hand copies of Beelzebub’s Tales are easy to find in New Age bookstores. My own copy, which I purchased second-hand, is in extremely good condition, which makes me wonder if the previous owner read it at all. Perhaps, like many spiritual seekers, they attempted to read it but quickly gave up!
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[25549] [25557] [25560] [25555] [25561] [25567] [25572] [25586] [25591] [25548] [25563] [25562] |
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25549 |
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Date: January 23, 2018 at 10:13:04
From: pamela, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Beelzebub’s Tales to his Grandson: An Objective Impartial... |
URL: Three Things You Might Not Know About C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters” |
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Reminds me sort of the Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis. First book of Lewis' I read at age 14. :) He wrote it back in early 40's.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of one of C.S. Lewis’ most important books, “The Screwtape Letters.”
Have you read it?
In this classic, Lewis re-imagines Hell as a gruesome bureaucracy where a senior demon, Screwtape, corresponds with his nephew and apprentice, Wormwood. The younger spirit’s assignment is to corrupt a newly converted Christian young man living in London during the tumultuous days of World War II. Through the letters, Lewis examines Christian morality, temptation, and good and evil.
“The Screwtape Letters” helped solidify Lewis as one of the most renowned writers of his time. The beloved masterpiece still sells about 150,000 copies every year. Here are three things about this beloved masterpiece you might not know.
1. “The Screwtape Letters” wasn’t originally a book.
The Screwtape Letters were originally released as a weekly series in an Anglican periodical, The Guardian, between May 2, 1941 and Nov. 28. The letters were an instant hit, and they were published as a book in February 1942. It’s been in print ever since.
2. C.S. Lewis refused payment for his original work on “The Screwtape Letters.”
The Guardian was to pay Lewis £2 per letter, but he refused his earnings, asking instead that his earnings go to a fund dedicated to the widows of Church of England clergymen instead.
The gesture was only one example of Lewis’ generosity. He also had a charitable trust set up – The Agape Fund – that anonymously distributed two-thirds of his royalties to help people in need. It’s estimated that 90 percent of Lewis’ income eventually went to charity.
3. Writing “The Screwtape Letters” took its toll on Lewis.
In what might have been his final interview, C.S. Lewis shared he didn’t enjoy writing “The Screwtape Letters.”
“They were dry and gritty going,” he said. “At the time, I was thinking of objections to the Christian life, and decided to put them into the form, ‘That’s what the devil would say.’ But making goods ‘bad’ and bads ‘good’ gets to be fatiguing.”
Moreover, the diabolical nature of the book pushed Lewis into a depression of sorts after writing it. Dr. Robert Banks, a leading scholar of Lewis from Australia said that, “Day after day of having the Devil as an interlocutor took its toll on Lewis.” The subject matter was almost too dark for Lewis to write about and engage with in such an all-encompassing manner.
In the last decade or so there’s been a renewed interest in the writings of Lewis, and rightly so. I was recently asked to share the top ten books I’ve ever read and I included Lewis’ classic, Mere Christianity. It’s had a profound impact on my faith. I’ve been inspired by his many other books and essays and I’ve always been intrigued by stories of his colorful and eccentric personality.
For example, my friend Graham Baird, lead pastor of Mission Street Church in Camarillo, Calif., has studied Lewis for years. He recently shared that when Lewis taught at Magdalen College in Cambridge, he had a unique way of signaling the end of the 20-minute chapel services.
Lewis’ office and rooms were just above the chapel. Before going down to the service, Lewis would set his electric tea kettle – which took about 20 minutes to heat up – and plug it in. That meant if those congregated in the chapel room below heard the loud whistle of Lewis’ kettle, they knew the service was going longer than the allotted time and it was time to wrap up! (But as much time-sensitive as Lewis apparently was for chapel, it should be noted he never missed a service.)
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Date: January 23, 2018 at 12:00:20
From: ryan, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Beelzebub’s Tales to his Grandson: An Objective Impartial... |
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i read it a long time ago...long enough to forget it...lewis, although a talented writer, is on a different level than gurdjieff imo...
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25560 |
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Date: January 23, 2018 at 13:48:15
From: pamela, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Beelzebub’s Tales to his Grandson: An Objective Impartial... |
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Yeah, different level. I was 14 when I read Lewis. lol.
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25555 |
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Date: January 23, 2018 at 11:48:04
From: et, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: some get to be fatigue by "making goods ‘bad’ and bads ‘good’ (NT) |
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Date: January 23, 2018 at 15:20:43
From: JimW, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: some get to be fatigue by "making goods ‘bad’ and bads... |
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Very true. Suggest you apply that to yourself
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25567 |
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Date: January 24, 2018 at 11:19:22
From: et, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: some get invigorated by "doing good" in a good way(NT) |
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25572 |
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Date: January 24, 2018 at 15:41:01
From: JimW, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: some get invigorated by "doing good" in a good way(NT) |
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Apply that also to yourself.
I am doing the same and applying it to myself.
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[25586] [25591] |
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25586 |
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Date: January 25, 2018 at 10:58:19
From: et, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: when one applies it to oneself first what one does reflect it |
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when one applies it to oneself first
what one does reflect it
I learned a long time ago in a conversation with 'you' that
even when I am right and correct and 'you' is neither right nor
correct telling them about what be not right would feed what
be not right; while stating what be correct, would feed what
be correct. Even though it may be a fact that 'you' is neither
right nor correct, it be better to focus on what be correct and
right and do so in the better and best possible manner via
focusing on recognizing situations exploring considerations
and realizing the realizations worth manifesting and
cultivating.
The astute ones will recognize from this a technique worth
having and employing to deal with situations. Such astute will
realize that the words each states and professess reflects
what it be they consider worth manifesting and cultivating.
Please note that if one claims they did what they did because
the other made them do it, instead of because they choose to
do it, such a one is seeking to shift the responsibility that they
hold for what they did over to the others or towards the
situation, instead of opting to bear such responsibility for
what they opted to do... I have observed how this choose
may be projected in what may seem to some as subtle shifts
in terminology and forms employed. Thus instead of using
the form "I consider this action had to be done" resort to
employ a different form "this action had to be done". Now if
it be true and correct that this action had to be done, and
such a one considered what had to be done accordingly to
what had to be done and did to such an action as better and
best be done there is little relevance as to using one form or
the other form...The thing is that based on what I have seen
sensed and perceived often individuals will make an
assertion that does not correspond accordingly to what
better be done and knowingly or not make claims that are not
factually true instead of being factually true... I often ask "is
that thus, or is that just claimed to be thus? why is that
claimed to be thus instead of thas or thos or thes or this? I
find often individuals choose the characterizations they find
worthwhile to use (because they think/feel/realize whatever
even if such characterization involve the opposite and not so
agreagle of what be worthwhile better and best). I do hope
each one reading this will manage to make proper sense of
this and manage to recreate agreagle worthwhile better and
best of what be...I imagine some will do it and some will not
do it... as for me I am at peace knowing what I did do and did
not do. be well and do good well henceforth.
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[25591] |
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25591 |
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Date: January 25, 2018 at 18:46:23
From: JimW, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: when one applies it to oneself first what one does reflect it |
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25548 |
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Date: January 23, 2018 at 10:09:02
From: et, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Can one redeem oneself and actually pay for the sins done? |
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Maybe a better question would be:
Can one pay for love without prostituting love?
(Hint: nay, forgiveness is neither bought nor sold nor traded)
though one can give and receive love willfully and
appreciatively.
Please be mindful and careful of the ways that come and go
controlled by some particular laws of its own, instead of
guided by and in line with precice ideals of principles and
values based on what ought to be, what better be, what will
be pursued by them who know understand and seek what be
best and better be accomplished. Do the work and rest and
play as better be done, as best be done, and combine and
harmonize what the three established traditional "ways" or
"schools" show and go beyond those of the mind, emotions,
and body into the appropriate dance and music and moves.
Do develop and quire better levels of consciousness, virtue,
unity of will as for what be possible and desirable desires.
Maybe have already stated too much here and now... and
some will act to smother it out... each be accountable for
what they do and do not do...
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Date: January 23, 2018 at 18:25:46
From: Just Forum Fan, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Can one redeem oneself and actually pay for the sins done? |
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No, we cannot redeem ourselves. Heck, most of us can't change ourselves, either. Human nature is to be weak in the way we end up acting out of raw emotions, drinking, eating, using pleasures to escape what's eating at us.
We can, though deliver our psyches and hearts to the Spirit that can and does redeem folks.
All that is required is sincerity and honesty within, and stillness.
We are then often magically changed and as we look back we aren't quite sure when the change started, or how it came about.
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25562 |
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Date: January 23, 2018 at 15:24:00
From: JimW, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Can one redeem oneself and actually pay for the sins done? |
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I read it twice. Very chaotic, but lots of confusing
advice and counsel.
Basically a confusing sermon.
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