The Enneagram of G. I. Gurdjieff

Mathematics, Metaphysics, Music, and Meaning

By Christian Wertenbaker

Subjects: Theosophy, Mysticism
Imprint: Distribution Partners
Paperback : 9781930337947, 144 pages, November 2017

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Table of contents

Preface, major sources, acknowledgments

1. Introduction

2. The basic mathematics of the enneagram

3. The meanings of symbols

4. One, two, three, and four

5. Five and ten

6. Six and symmetry

7. The unique properties of the number and its relationships with the number 3

8. The law of seven and the seven-tone scale

9. Eight, nine, and the symmetry groups of the enneagram

10. The creation of the world and the three dimensions of time

11. The triangle and eternity—3, 6, and 9

12. More on the triangle, and the mingling of dimensions

13. The mirror symmetry of the enneagram

14. The four normed division algebras

15. Fermions and bosons—space and time

16. The inner and outer worlds, and the multiple intertwined aspects of the enneagram

17. The enneagram in movement(s)

18. More on the law of three

19. More on the law of seven

20. Conclusion

Glossary
References

Explores the meanings of G. I. Gurdjieff’s enneagram.

Description

This book is an attempt to explore various aspects of the enneagram, the symbol that G. I. Gurdjieff introduced to the modern world, and which he stated represented a complete description of the laws governing the universe. Because of the importance he attached to it, it has long intrigued followers of his teaching, and others, yet the understanding of its meanings remains very incomplete. In particular, how it relates to modern mathematical and scientific descriptions of the laws governing the universe has largely been unexplored. This book tries to find connections between these two approaches to the truth, while also recognizing and exploring the differences between knowledge based on symbols and that based on scientific theories and mathematical formulae.

Dr. Christian Wertenbaker was a practicing physician for forty years, with post-graduate training in neurology, ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, and neurophysiology. Recently retired from active practice, he has turned his attention to continuing his lifelong search to better understand the ideas of G. I. Gurdjieff and is the author of Man in the Cosmos: G. I. Gurdjieff and Modern Science. He is also a musician.