Because there are learned people on here and because I've never had the chance to hear opinions about this from outside the US, I'd like to know a) if anyone is familiar with the works of writer GI Gurdjieff and b) what your thoughts on him might be.

I'm a little familiar with the writing myself. I've read one of his books, Meetings with Remarkable Men.

Frankly, I do have a very hard time giving a fair opinion - because at the time I had read this book, a good friend of mine was reading books by Ouspensky, and my friend's overly ready acceptance of the things in these books had made me doubtful of both writers. I have spoken to people on both sides of this, and I've drawn my conclusions, but I'm curious what others think.

Also there is a lot said about Gurdjieff as being a phony. I'm interested to know what the world' opinion is - if anyone's even heard of these two.