The Death of Gurdjieff

The search for a path through the fog

One has perchance heard stories over the years about how Gurdjieff died. Those few who were there say it was extraordinary.

There’s a folk tale about the matter, however, that’s told in secret, late at night when everyone else is asleep. It can only be properly heard in the wee hours of the morning, when everything is dark and still.

Shhh.

Immediately after Mr. Gurdjieff died, he met his old friend Beelzebub, who of course took him straight to the devil.

This was necessary because no one can pass into heaven without visiting the devil for a thorough examination; the devil is best at this for he loves details. Even before Saint Peter, his closest confidant on matters of placement, he evaluates the candidate to see whether he suits his particular needs or not.

After that, of course, a recommendation is made; and while Saint Peter's decision on matters is of course final, he never grants a soul entry to heaven without taking the devil's opinion on the matter into account.

And herein lies the rub, you see—in a certain definite sense, after a soul reaches purgatory the devil gets first pick. In this regard, the tellers of tales do not report on exactly how Mr. Gurdjieff’s evaluation was resolved, but rumors of a disagreement and a toss-up still circulate.

In any event, when Mr. Gurdjieff met the Devil, he offered the keys for his work to him, presumably in order to keep them in safe hands—because, as Mr. Gurdjieff himself always said, the devil you can trust.

The Devil took the keys.

And here is what happened after that.