Series IV is composed of papers related to the Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man. Subseries 1: Dictations and Meetings is the largest. It contains typed lectures and notes, most likely given by Gurdjieff and then recorded and translated by students. These papers are organized geographically and chronologically as the institute moved from the Caucasus to France. After 1933, the Institute was disbanded, though Gurdjieff continued to host students in Paris. The post-1933 material is stylized as Q&A sessions, and often the students are anonymous.
Subseries 2: Sacred Dances contains some written material related to the origins of the sacred dances and performance scripts. It includes a typed transcript of an "evening program," potentially the performance given by Gurdjieff's students of the "movements" in New York in February 1924 at the Neighborhood Playhouse. Most notably, it includes performances of the sacred movements by members of Taliesin. It includes a script for a performance at Taliesin where Frank Lloyd Wright and Iovanna Lloyd Wright gave introductory speeches, followed by a description of each movement, as well as a lecture on Gurdjieff's music, possibly given by Olgivanna Lloyd Wright to students at Taliesin, though authorship is not attributed. Also included is a program for a presentation on Gurdjieff's rituals (prayers and movements) held by Taliesin in November 1951 at the Unitarian Church of Madison.
Box 5 Folder 5 Pre-France (1918-1922), 1918-1922
Includes transcripts of Gurdjieff's teachings and philosophy, most likely recorded and translated by his students. Dictations were given during his stay in Essentuke (Yessentuki, Russia) in 1918 and in Berlin in 1921. Some read more as notes whereas others could have been lectures. He addresses fears, identifications, the movements, digestion and organisms, Christianity, among other topics. Numerous copies are included of each and are categorized as A, B, C, etc.
Box 5 Folder 6 Fontainebleau (1922-1933), 1922-1923
Includes transcripts of Gurdjieff's teachings and philosophy, most likely recorded and translated by his students. Dictations were given during the Institute's time at Le Prieuré near Fontainebleau, France. Included is his "stop exercise", teaching on "one-sided development", body, essence, and personality. Some read more as notes whereas others could have been lectures. Numerous copies are included of each and are categorized as A, B, C, etc.
Box 5 Folder 7 Paris (1933-1949), Questions Dialogue: 1941-1943, 1941, 1943
Includes transcripts of dialogue of Gurdjieff responding to anonymous questions ("Q") pertaining to the whole range of his teachings. Questions most likely were asked by students and relate to their struggles with the exercises or for clarifications on his philosophy. The year 1942 is omitted. Numerous copies are included of each and are categorized as A, B, C, etc.
Box 6 Folder 1 Paris (1933-1949), Questions Dialogue: 1944-1945, 1944 to 1945 May 10
Includes transcripts of dialogue of Gurdjieff responding to anonymous questions ("Q") pertaining to the whole range of his teachings. Questions most likely were asked by students and relate to their struggles with the exercises or for clarifications on his philosophy. Numerous copies are included of each and are categorized as A, B, C, etc.
Box 6 Folder 2 Paris (1933-1949), Other Transcripts and Excerpts, 1941-1944
Includes dialogue transcripts between Gurdjieff, Madame de Salzmann, and students; a transcript dialogue between Gurdjieff and identified students; and "excerpts."
Box 6 Folder 3 Undated Lectures and Notes, circa 1933-1949
Includes transcribed notes, lectures, and dialogues. Lectures included are a "General Introduction"; "Lecture"; "The Meaning of Life"; "Ecstasy of Revelation"; and "Lecture on Symbolism." Numerous copies are included of each and are categorized as A, B, C, etc.
Box 6 Folder 4 Performance Scripts, circa 1924, 1930
Includes typed transcript of an "evening program," potentially the performance given by Gurdjieff's students of the "movements" in New York in February 1924 at the Neighborhood Playhouse. The announcer (who according to The Gurdjieff Institute was Alfred R. Orage) explains the movements and philosophy to the audience, which is followed by an explanation of each type of dance. Two copies. Also included is another partial introduction to what appears to be another performance, as well as various accompanying notes.
Box 6 Folder 5 Sacred Dancers, circa 1930s
Includes three copies of typed manuscript related to Gurdjieff's discovery of the Sacred Dancers under the guidance of Prince Liubovedski. Manuscript likely part of Series II but was included with Performance Scripts (Subseries 5, Performance Scripts: Box 6: File 4).
Box 6 Folder 6 Taliesin Performances, circa 1950s
Includes order form for "Music of G.I. Gurdjieff" arranged by Thomas de Hartmann. Includes script for a performance at Taliesin where Frank Lloyd Wright and Iovanna Lloyd Wright gave introductory speeches, followed by a description of each movement (two copies). Also included is a lecture on Gurdjieff's music, possibly given by Olgivanna Lloyd Wright to students at Taliesin, though authorship is not attributed. Lastly, there is what appears to be a sermon that blends Christian teachings on Jesus and Gurdjieff's philosophy of the "vegetable universe;" no author attributed. Also included is a program for a presentation on Gurdjieff's rituals (prayers and movements) held by Taliesin in November 1951 at the Unitarian Church of Madison. The cover is an enneagram.
Box 6 Folder 7 Institute Ephemera, circa 1922-1933, 1949
Includes booklet outlining the program of the Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man, its history and methodology, as well as a "historometrical individual record" for pupils and patients, potentially as an intake form or record of their progress. Also included is a partial 1949 circular letter from Gurdjieff to all his former pupils related to the publication of Series I.
Sketches and Diagrams, circa 1922-1949
Includes various hand-drawn sketches and diagrams of Gurdjieff's "law of the trinity," enneagrams and "law of the creation of the universe"; octaves and "rays of the universe"; as well as a table of formations. Some material is in French.