The number of writers included in this book is 43 and the number of articles even more than that. Many of these writers have not written about Gurdjieff elsewhere.

The best in this book is that it presents many views of the people who had worked with Gurdjieff himself or those who were around him and carried his work on. Many of the articles are based on direct experience of the Work and only a few are speculative and theoretical. The tone of the book is positive; if you are looking for a critical approach to Gurdjieff and his ideas you will have to look elsewhere.

People are different and so are their reflections. Some of the articles are brilliantly written both in content and expression; some are badly translated from French, vague and with very little content.

About 70% of the book is on the Gurdjieff psychology and philosophy, 15% on the Movements and the music and 15% on cosmology.

St. Benedict is to have said: "Always, we begin again". The older I get, the more I know this to be true..especially in light of the urgency I feel for that Truth within Christianity that I know to exist- but how often it eludes me! Prof. Needleman lead me through his own search for possibility. "Occult Christianity", "New Religions", the emptiness of philosophy without a change of Heart,..read and know you DON'T have to look to an Eastern religion for that Kingdom of Heaven within. (I also recommend Robin Amis' "A Different Christianity")

This book has a few good quotes, but alot of junk too. The Christian stuff is mostly mushy pulp, and the selections from Buddha are pretty superficial compared to the rest of what he supposedly said. There are a few good talks from Zen Masters, but only a few. I wouldn't recommend it. The wisdom in this book doesn't compare to other books of a similar nature, and you can probably pick this one up at a used book store dirt cheap. If you do find it there, though, save it for someone who is a near hopeless materialist. It might help them out abit. Other than that, save your money and buy a copy of the Tao Teh Ching, or Kahl Gibran or a book of pithy quotes.

A book that had potential--but missed the mark. There are a few jems inside but over all there are much better compilations out there...so just skip this one.

Now here is a book that will keep you pondering about the ultimate meaning of life itself - it is a compilation that extols the spiritual life. In its pages you will find the writings of the greatest spiritual luminaries, who have graced this world with words of immortal bliss. It brings together the essence of the minds of the mystic visionaries, and it makes one feel that we are all brothers and sisters in truth. No matter what your spiritual practice, preference, or inclination, this book has much to offer its readers.