G.I. Gurdjieff startled the European intelligentsia of the early 20th century, arriving as if from another era with a comprehensive teaching of deep, ancient origin. Presenting what he called the "Fourth Way," he taught that humanity exists in a state of waking sleep, and that through intense inner work—a struggle between 'yes' and 'no'—one could awaken to a state of objective consciousness and true being.

His methods were unconventional and demanding, attracting a following of accomplished artists, doctors, and writers who recognized the profound authenticity of his presence. He established schools, most famously at the Prieuré des Basses-Loges in France, where practical work, sacred dances, and psychological shocks were used to strip away the mechanical layers of personality and reveal the essential self. His work can be seen as a practical parallel to the esoteric philosophies of his contemporary, Eliphas Lévi.