Biography of the influential teacher of the Fourth Way.

In 1922, Maurice Nicoll (1884–1953) left his successful psychiatric practice in London and his immediate studies with Carl Jung, moving with his family just outside Paris to the Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man, a center recently opened by the philosopher, mystic, and spiritual guru G.I. Gurdjieff, founder of the esoteric system that became known as the "Fourth Way."

Nicoll evolved into one of the most passionate teachers of the Fourth Way, dedicating the last three decades of his life to teaching the "Work" in his own unorthodox way. In this revealing biography, Gary Lachman draws from recently discovered diaries to explore the unusual, synthetic approach Nicoll brought to teaching the Fourth Way.

Lachman shows how Nicoll is unique, having taught for Jung, Gurdjieff, and Ouspensky and personally known each of these important figures in esoteric history, although he was not a blind follower. The author highlights how he incorporated elements of Jung's psychology and the mystical teachings inspired by Emanuel Swedenborg into the exploration and teaching of the ideas of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky, as well as in his most well-known work, Psychological Commentaries on the Teachings of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky.

Lachman reveals the unorthodox side of Nicoll in more detail than ever, through excerpts from recently shared diaries, in which Nicoll included detailed descriptions of his own solitary experiments in "self-sexuality" to achieve visionary states, as well as records of his dreams and other personal and secret thoughts. At the same time, the social details of Nicoll's life are examined, including vivid portraits of the esoteric scene in the early to mid-20th century and the communal living conditions in which Nicoll once resided.

Drawing on his knowledge from hermetic practices and his personal experiences with the "Work," Lachman extensively explores Nicoll's significance and the uniqueness of his thinking, offering a deep, essential, and sympathetic yet critical study of this man who was crucial to the development and legacy of the Fourth Way.

Pages: 464, Year of Publication: 0718, Dimensions: 15.2x15.2cm.