Gurdjieff ‘The Way of the Fakir’: A Path of Will and Discipline
Introduction
Spiritual growth has taken many forms throughout human history, and one such path is what Gurdjieff, a renowned spiritual teacher, called ‘the way of the fakir.’ This route, according to him, represents the lowest but essential kind of spiritual will—one deeply rooted in physical endurance and discipline. Fakirs, particularly in India, are individuals who commit to extraordinary feats of bodily control and pain tolerance. They stand motionless for years, lie on beds of nails, or practice extreme fasting. Although their achievements can be awe-inspiring, Gurdjieff suggests that the way of the fakir is ultimately limited because it centers on the physical body rather than spiritual consciousness.
Gurdjieff’s framework provides profound insights into how the physical body can be a tool for attaining spiritual will, yet it reveals the limitations of a path focused solely on bodily discipline. Let us explore in detail what Gurdjieff meant by ‘the way of the fakir,’ its significance in spiritual development, and how it compares to other spiritual paths.
The Way of the Fakir: Discipline of the Body
‘The way of the fakir’ emphasizes rigorous control of the body to attain willpower. In India, fakirs often undergo extreme physical austerities, such as standing still for decades or never resting their limbs. To the uninitiated, such practices may seem nonsensical, but they demand immense willpower. Fakirs possess a remarkable ability to ignore physical discomfort, and this endurance creates a concentration of energy that allows them to develop certain powers—such as healing or extending their lifespan.
The key to this path lies in its focus on material control. Fakirs direct their will entirely towards mastering the body. However, this mastery comes at a cost. Over time, the body of a fakir becomes rigid, almost lifeless, as its flexibility is lost due to the constant strain. It’s essential to recognize that while fakirs may develop impressive skills, their accomplishments remain limited to the physical plane.
Attaining Power Through Physical Discipline
A fakir’s rigorous commitment to bodily practices leads to what Gurdjieff described as ‘crystallization of the lower will.’ The fakir’s willpower, though impressive, is grounded in materialism. They gain a degree of concentration that manifests in tangible results. For instance, a fakir can bless or curse with profound effectiveness because of the energy they have concentrated through their physical discipline. Their words carry weight, and their physical presence exudes a force that can influence others.
However, despite these abilities, the fakir remains on a low rung of spiritual growth. Their discipline, while extraordinary, does not lead to enlightenment or higher states of consciousness. Instead, it traps them within the boundaries of their own bodies. Fakirs often live long lives, with their bodies following their strict commands, but their souls may remain stagnant unless they are fortunate enough to find a Master capable of guiding them beyond mere physical endurance.
The Limitations of the Fakir’s Path
While the path of the fakir demonstrates the power of will over the body, it comes with significant limitations. The body is impermanent; it will age, weaken, and ultimately perish. Any spiritual achievements grounded in the body will also dissolve upon death. Gurdjieff emphasizes that without consciousness, nothing attained through the body can be carried over into future lives. This stark reality underscores the ephemeral nature of the fakir’s accomplishments.
Furthermore, fakirs are often ignorant of higher spiritual possibilities. Though they possess intense willpower, they lack the intellectual and emotional growth needed for true enlightenment. Gurdjieff referred to such individuals as ‘stupid saints’—powerful but unaware. Their concentration and energy give them certain abilities, but they are far from achieving higher levels of spiritual awareness. In essence, they are bound by their own physicality.
The Role of the Master in the Fakir’s Journey
In ancient India, it was a common practice for spiritual Masters to seek out fakirs to pull them out of their body-centric existence. These Masters understood that fakirs, though disciplined, had reached a dead-end in their spiritual journey. Without intervention, fakirs risked dying within their limited physical framework, only to be reborn without the benefits of their bodily achievements.
Masters like Shankaracharya, Buddha, and Mahavir traveled across the country, searching for fakirs in need of guidance. These compassionate teachers recognized the potential of fakirs to ascend to higher spiritual levels if only they could be freed from their physical bonds. This intervention was essential because fakirs were often so deeply entrenched in their bodily practices that they could not seek help on their own. Spiritual guidance allowed them to channel their willpower into more meaningful, lasting spiritual development.
Meher Baba, a modern spiritual teacher, also engaged in this compassionate work. He spent years traveling across India, seeking out fakirs and offering them guidance towards higher consciousness. His efforts were part of a long tradition of Masters who recognized the value of fakirs’ willpower but sought to elevate their spiritual journey beyond the physical plane.
The Way of the Monk: Bhakti Marg
While the fakir’s path focuses on the body, the second path described by Gurdjieff is ‘the way of the monk,’ also known as Bhakti Marg or the path of devotion. This route is rooted in emotions and feelings, where spiritual seekers express their love and devotion to the divine through prayer, tears, and deep emotional outpourings. The way of the monk moves beyond the physical and taps into the power of emotion as a tool for spiritual growth.
Devotees on this path are often deeply emotional, driven by their love for God and their desire to connect with the divine. They weep, they pray, and they express their emotions with great intensity. In doing so, they achieve a higher spiritual state than fakirs, but they are still limited by their emotions. Just as fakirs are bound by their bodies, monks are bound by their feelings. They may experience profound love and devotion, but they remain attached to their emotions, which can cloud their spiritual vision.
The Way of the Yogi: Intellectual Pursuit
The third path identified by Gurdjieff is ‘the way of the yogi,’ which centers on the intellect. Yogi practitioners use their minds as the primary tool for spiritual development. They engage in deep philosophical contemplation, intellectual discourse, and mental discipline. By focusing on the intellect, yogis seek to understand the nature of reality and the self.
While this path offers greater clarity and insight than the paths of the fakir and the monk, it also has its limitations. Yogis, like philosophers, can become trapped in their minds, caught in endless cycles of thought without ever reaching true spiritual freedom. They may understand many spiritual truths, but intellectual knowledge alone is not enough to attain enlightenment.
The Fourth Way: Gurdjieff’s Unique Approach
Gurdjieff believed that none of the first three paths—the way of the fakir, the monk, or the yogi—could lead to true spiritual freedom on their own. Each path, whether it focuses on the body, emotions, or the intellect, is ultimately incomplete. To attain true spiritual growth, one must transcend all three. This transcendence forms the basis of Gurdjieff’s ‘fourth way,’ a path that combines elements of the previous three but goes beyond them.
The fourth way emphasizes awareness and mindfulness. Rather than focusing solely on the body, emotions, or intellect, practitioners of the fourth way aim to be fully present in each moment, observing their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without becoming attached to them. This path requires a high degree of self-awareness and the ability to witness one’s inner experiences without identifying with them.
FAQs
What is Gurdjieff’s ‘way of the fakir’?
Gurdjieff’s ‘way of the fakir’ is a spiritual path focused on the mastery of the body through extreme physical discipline, which develops a certain willpower but remains limited to the physical realm.
What are the limitations of the fakir’s path?
The main limitation is that it focuses only on physical discipline, which cannot lead to spiritual enlightenment or carry over into future lives, as the body is impermanent.
How does the way of the monk differ from the way of the fakir?
The way of the monk, or Bhakti Marg, is based on devotion and emotions rather than physical discipline. While it reaches higher spiritual states, it still binds practitioners to their feelings.
What is the fourth way according to Gurdjieff?
The fourth way is Gurdjieff’s unique approach to spirituality, combining aspects of the body, emotions, and intellect, but focusing on mindfulness and self-awareness to transcend all three.
Can fakirs achieve spiritual enlightenment?
Fakirs can potentially achieve spiritual growth, but only if they receive guidance from a Master who can help them transcend their physical focus and move towards higher consciousness.
What role do spiritual Masters play in the fakir’s journey?
Spiritual Masters often guide fakirs out
