Summary
Meetings with Remarkable Men is the second volume in G.I. Gurdjieff's All and Everything trilogy, presented as his autobiographical reminiscences of encounters with various "remarkable men" such as his father, Pogossian, Soloviev, and Prince Lubovedsky, who join as "Seekers of Truth" traveling Central Asia in pursuit of ancient wisdom, brotherhoods, and esoteric knowledge. The narrative weaves tales of miracles, hidden maps like "pre-sand Egypt," and spiritual quests, serving as teaching stories rather than strict history. Wikipedia, Gurdjieff.org
Project Relevance
Deeply connects to initiation through quests for truth and spiritual destinies, mystery traditions via encounters with hidden brotherhoods like the Sarmoung, esotericism in miracles and ancient knowledge, consciousness via the idea that ordinary people live "asleep" like machines needing awakening, and hidden knowledge/power through access to lost wisdom traditions. Relevant to Russian esotericism given Gurdjieff's background and figures like Prince Lubovedsky. Wikipedia
Key Themes
Key concepts: human unconscious "sleep," Seekers of Truth, Sarmoung Brotherhood (mystery school), esoteric phenomena/miracles; figures: Gurdjieff's father (Epic of Gilgamesh), Pogossian, Soloviev, Prince Lubovedsky (Russian prince)—ties to mystery schools, Russian esotericism, Eastern traditions; no direct AI/US intelligence links. Wikipedia
Scholarly Reputation
Influential in esoteric studies as a core Gurdjieff text and modern esotericism (alongside Blavatsky, Steiner), inspiring New Age spirituality; controversial due to semi-fictional/symbolic nature, debated sources (Sufi, Christian), and biographical obscurity; subject of academic papers but not mainstream canonical. Academia.edu, Equinox Journal