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The Way to Be Free

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Our new edition is now available with a new foreword by Anthony Blake.
The central theme of this book is the difference between "work from the mind" and "work from the essence." Work from the mind produces skillful prisoners of illusion, but prisoners all the same. Work from the essence is the way to be free. It is centered in the heart.

This book is compiled from conversations that took place between Bennett and his students, and includes several sections from previously unpublished notes that were to be used in a definitive work on a complete system of Gurdjieff study. It includes an essay on the "Octave of Salvation," written in the 40s, which shows Bennett's remarkable familiarity with the spiritual traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity and is a significant treatise in its own right. Bennett was a master of structural thinking but always remained closely in touch with the concrete detail of experience.

Compiled and edited by Anthony Blake.

The written word cannot transmit the energy of J. G. Bennett's presence, which captivated and motivated thousands of seekers after genuine spiritual wisdom. These talks were originally recorded toward the end of his life and they reflect his own unique understanding. His immense intellectual power enabled him to express profound spiritual truths without losing contact with the everyday world of ordinary people. His uncompromising honesty left no doubt about the difficulties and uncertainties of the work of spiritual transformation. If you really want to know what "freedom" means, what it costs and how the price can be paid in this lifetime, there are lots of pointers to be found in this book.

For a scientific approach to mysticism, I recommend J.G. Bennett as he speaks from experience. This is not his best book, as it is mostly compiled and edited by A.G.E. Blake from fragments, yet there is still much here to help one on the path.