Gurdjieff did not have a clue

In today’s world the word “cult” carries with it many negative connotations. So naturally, Lee Santa, being a loyal follower of G.I. Gurdjieff, would insist that Gurdjieffism is not a cult. After all, who wants to be thought of as a cultist?

But cults can be identified by certain traits or “marks,” one of them being “insider language.” Insider language is generally a type of lingo used inside the cult to communicate from member to member. Lee Santa gives us a perfect example at the beginning of his My Turn column of Dec. 6, 2022, when using such phrases as: “The greatest barrier to consciousness is the belief that one is already conscious.” This statement can only be fully understood by members (insiders) of the Gurdjieff cult.

“Furthermore, cult-like behavior is more commonly identified through excessive control, manipulation, and esoteric teaching of a group where the group’s members are often isolated and indoctrinated into special teachings and practices.” (https://carm.org/about-religions/what-are-some-signs-and-practices-of-a-cult/) Since Santa emphasizes “esoteric teaching” as part of his beliefs (Daily Bee, Aug. 7, 2022) we can safely assume that he claims to have special knowledge that no one else has, even though he denies this in his most recent My Turn column. After all, the meaning of esoteric is secret or hidden knowledge.

To be fair, Gurdjieffism is not so much a religious cult as a psychological or self-help cult. It is all about self-improvement and the exaltation of human consciousness, which is not necessarily a bad thing, except in the way they go about it. Putting one’s self above all else is hardly a humble thing to do.

Santa states, “Those who use the crutch of faith do so because of their fear of death, which is THE motivation [emphasis is his] for people’s religious beliefs.” But his statement is demonstrably false. Psychologists and anthropologists around the world agree that there is no one single reason for people to accept religious beliefs. There are many reasons, fear of death being only one of them.

Of all people, Christians have no reason to fear death.

Although the Christian faith teaches that suicide is a sin, it also teaches that it is far greater to be at home with the Lord than to live life in this earthly existence. Paul says in Ephesians chapter one: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” (New International Version) Paul knew that there was no reason for the Christian to fear death. But he also knew that he had a job to do and that God would call him when it was his time.

Gurdjieff did not have a clue.

MONTE HEIL

Sagle