Lessons from Gurdjieff: Speaking from Being, not just the mind

I just watched Meetings with Remarkable Men, a fascinating film based on the book by Greek-Armenian mystic G.I. Gurdjieff (1866–1949). Both the book and film explore Gurdjieff’s early experiences and his encounters with several “remarkable” individuals who shaped his understanding of life and spirituality.

One scene in the movie really stood out to me. Gurdjieff is in a monastery, and the head monk describes two preachers who regularly visit: Brother Seth and Brother Al.

The monk explains that Brother Seth delivers eloquent speeches, “like beautiful birds singing in Paradise.” In contrast, Brother Al speaks clumsily, almost indistinctly. But here’s the twist:

“The stronger the impression made by Brother Seth, the quicker it evaporates until there’s nothing left. Brother Al makes almost no impression at first, but what he says penetrates into the heart and remains there.”

The monk reflects, “We all came to the conclusion that the sermons of Brother Seth came entirely from his mind, and acted only on our minds. Whereas those of Brother Al came directly from his Being, and acted on our Being.”

A Teaching Worth Remembering

As someone who teaches and shares ideas, this wisdom hit home. It’s easy to get caught up in how polished or eloquent we sound, but true impact doesn’t come from the mind alone. It comes from the depth of our Being. What we say from that place resonates on a deeper level—it lingers, it transforms.

This is something I want to remember in my own work: to speak from my Being, to trust the message itself rather than worrying about how “perfect” the delivery might be. Beneath the surface, there’s always something real waiting to be expressed.

Applying This Wisdom

For anyone who teaches, leads, or communicates, the story of Brother Seth and Brother Al offers a profound reminder:

• Focus on Authenticity: Speak from your own truth, rather than trying to impress.
• Trust the Message: What matters most is the essence of what you’re sharing, not how polished it is.
• Aim for Connection: Words from the heart—or Being—create a lasting impact.

If we remember these principles, we can stop worrying so much about appearances and start focusing on what truly matters.

P.S. My book on teaching, Getting Messy, will be available soon! It dives deeper into how authentic teaching can transform not just what we teach, but how it’s received. Stay tuned!