MEETINGS
WITH BERYL POGSON
A
Guide to the Fourth Way
Edited by Bob Hunter
Beryl Pogson (1895–1967) was a respected teacher of the Fourth Way, which is the renewal in this era of the physical, psychological and spiritual Work that has played an essential, although hitherto unrecognised, role throughout the history of humanity. While that inadequate description depicts the discipline on a high scale, practice of its principles is of value to anyone who wishes to discover more possibilities in life than those derived from ordinary experiences.
She made it possible for her students to see for themselves the truth of Work principles. More than that, she helped them to appreciate the conviction of her own teacher, Maurice Nicoll, that even at the highest level the Truth is superseded by the Good, and that only a merging of both has real relevance in self-development.
If her pupils were attracted by the beauty of their group house, The Dicker, and its surroundings, they were reminded of this further advice from Dr Nicoll: ‘The Work is not a building, a place, a book, a system, dogma or tradition. The Work is something that lives in the hearts of men and women – if they can find it.’
Mrs Pogson’s teaching offers the knowledge of how to find this treasure – and shows why only effort by the recipients themselves can transform knowledge into understanding. Her instructions are based on the Fourth Way perception that progress towards human normality and states beyond depend on raising one’s level of Being, which is the sum total of what one is at present.
She shows that the way for people to attain this is by perceiving and separating from states that waste energy, by developing the power to direct attention, by observing and ‘remembering’ themselves, by recognising that how they receive the often disturbing influences of life depends on their habitual inner states and attitudes, and in overcoming egoism by (among other practices) considering the wellbeing of others rather than oneself.
Long-standing members
of her group attributed the captivating nature of Beryl Pogson’s
talks to the value she placed on every word. Half a century on, her words
in print can still be inspiring.