Gurdjieff/Bennett 2010 Intensive
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

    About the program
  1. What will I be studying on the course?
    Answer: We will be studying the full range of psychological, cosmological and spiritual material developed by Mr. Gurdjieff and Mr. Bennett. Inner exercises, Movements, meditations, zikrs, music, history, art, cooking, gardening, construction, and many other theoretical and practical skills are an integral part of the course.
     
  2. I have many years’ experience in the Work. Is this course appropriate for me?
    Answer: Those with long experience in the Gurdjieff work generally look forward to an opportunity to "review the basics". They can also contribute their wisdom and experience to other participants. On the other hand question and answer sessions, private sessions with staff, work with the movements and so on are not limited to a "beginners level".
     
  3. I’m new to the ideas of G. I. Gurdjieff and the Fourth Way. Should I wait to participate?
    Answer: Experience with the Gurdjieff work is not a requirement. The Intensive will begin with the fundamentals of the Work and build from there.
     
  4. I am not fluent in English. Will I still benefit from the program?
    Answer: Yes, while verbal communication is important the main influence on participants happens on an experiential, non-verbal level.
     
  5. I’ve already been accepted to attend. How can I best use the time to prepare?
    Answer: We currently have an on-line study group consisting primarily of 2010 Intensive students that meets weekly. A central focus of this group is preparing students for the Intensive. Contact John Hutcherson at webmaster@campcaravan.org for more information.
     
  6. Must my spouse also be enrolled in the program to be able to join me at Camp Caravan?
    Answer: No, your spouse would not necessarily be required to be a student on the course. However, your spouse would need to be in basic harmony with the course objectives, activities and schedule. Also the group energies of the course will have an effect on anyone who is living on the property, so in some sense your spouse will be "on the course" whether he or she is enrolled or not. A discussion and approval from appropriate staff would be needed prior to moving forward with this arrangement.
     
  7. I would like to bring my young children, as well. Are there provisions for this?
    Answer: Children have always been an integral part of these courses. Rotating child care is a normal part of the house team duties.
     
  8. Are there any rules for students? Who makes the rules?
    Answer: There are very few "rules" as such. The rules we do have include such things as a strict policy against the use of illegal drugs, not leaving the property or the course without consultation with staff, no abusive behavior (physical or psychological) toward other students or staff, etc. One of the main aims of the course is the awakening of conscience and moving from a system of outward restrictions to a condition of appropriate behavior based on inner wisdom and self-discipline. Therefore, reliance on rules is held to a minimum.
     
  9. Will I have free time each day/or days or weekends off?
    Answer: There are days off (called exeats) and some free time during the day, but the normal activity schedule runs from very early morning until about 10:00pm at night.
     
  10. I’ve heard that this program can be physically demanding. Is it like a military boot camp?
    Answer: There will likely be physically demanding situations, but it is very much the opposite of a "boot camp" in that responding to these situations will come from your own initiative, not from someone else "yelling at you".
     
  11. I have some physical disabilities. Will I be able to attend?
    Answer: Yes, we have had participants with physical disabilities and some very elderly people, who have successfully completed these Intensive courses.
     
  12. I am on a special diet. Can these needs be accommodated? Can I cook my own meals?
    Answer: There are no provisions for personal cooking. Special diets may be accommodated on a limited basis. Please contact the Registrar about your situation.
     
  13. I am self-employed. Can I leave the program for periods of time to maintain my business?
    Answer: The course is designed to provide a break from our usual patterns. Maintaining contact with business, social or family obligations for the short duration of the course (six weeks) is strongly discouraged. Please contact staff about extenuating circumstances.
     
  14. May I bring my pets?
    No, there are no accommodations for pets.
     
    15. Camp Caravan facilities
  15. May I invite my spouse or others to visit me while I am on the program? Are there accommodations for them?
    Answer: Yes, but visits should be kept short, no longer than a day or two. We recommend that, prior to having someone visit, participants spend at least a couple of weeks on the course so they can better anticipate how a visitor might best fit in. There will be very little “free” time during the day to spend with visitors. In addition, unnecessary talking during daily activities can draw one away from any internal work that is being conducted by participants. This situation may create an uncomfortable setting for those that are not interested in pursing the internal work challenges provided each day. Those taking this course that wish to have a visitor should meet with one of the course staff to discuss the visit, find accommodations, and help incorporate the visitor into course activities.
     
  16. Is there internet access? Can I check my email while I’m on the program?
    Answer: There is currently no broadband internet access (Wi-Fi for example) at Camp Caravan. Although there is no hard and fast rule concerning internet access, email, mobile phones, etc. one purpose of this course is to provide an "interruption" to old habits and routines. Participants are strongly encouraged to be "out of range" for this limited period of six weeks. Once one adopts this discipline for a short period of time, the wisdom of following this recommendation should become obvious.
  17. Are there laundry facilities for students?
    Limited laundry facilities will be available at Camp Caravan. Families with small children will be given priority in their use.
     
    18. What to bring
  18. What clothes and personal items are necessary?
    1. clothing suitable for garden work, carpentry, cooking, baking, plumbing, house painting i.e., clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. You should aim to have enough clothing to get you through about 10 days or so, although laundry facilities are available (but limited)
    2. sturdy shoes for working in a garden
    3. boots for working in muddy conditions
    4. dance slippers for working on the Gurdjieff movements
    5. towels
    6. sturdy raincoat, rain pants, rain hat and boots to wear in rain/mud (we wanted to mention the last item twice)
    7. work gloves
    8. a hat for working in the sun
    9. any toiletry supplies you might need
    10. sunscreen and bug repellent
    11. some cash or a credit card for “exeats” and for purchasing items that we forgot to add to this list
    12. bathing suit
    13. sunglasses
    14. laundry detergent
    15. any personal items that you might need or use such as vitamins, extra glasses or contact lenses, lens fluid, deodorant, etc.
    16. optional: a notebook or journal
    17. musical instruments (strongly suggested)
    18. a day pack to carry items needed for days off
    19. sunscreen and netting and/or mosquito protection
    20. optional: a book or two
     
  19. May I park my car at Camp Caravan and use it while I am on the Intensive?
    Answer: Your personal vehicle can be parked at Camp Caravan while you are on the course. However, casual use of vehicles, except on exeat days, is not part of the pattern for course participants.
  20. What is the weather?
    Answer: The weather in this part of Massachusetts during the summer can range from cool (where one might want a sweater) to extremely hot (at times reaching the mid 90s (F)). Much of the time will be spent outdoors, so you will want to have clothing that can provide protection from the sun and rain.
     
  21. Are linens supplied or do I need to bring blanket/pillow/sheets/towels?
    Answer: Where possible, please bring all of your own linen. International students can purchase these items locally.
     
  22. Do you recommend I bring appliances such as a lamp, alarm clock, hairdryer?
    Answer: Such devices may be useful, however the number and variety of such devices should be limited.
     
  23. May I bring my personal electronic devices like a camera, phone, laptop, ipod?
    Answer: Devices used for "distraction" or entertainment, (ipods for example) and especially devices which would disturb others or isolate you from the course environment are not compatible with course work here. There may be appropriate uses for cameras, phones or laptops on a very limited basis.
  24. May I bring musical instruments, art supplies, tools, books?
    Answer: Bringing musical instruments, art supplies and tools is highly recommended. Casual reading and use of Work books while on the course is generally discouraged. The reason for this will become obvious once the course starts.
     
  25. I have a special cushion I use for meditation. Do you recommend I bring it?
    Answer: Yes, a personal meditation cushion can be used by participants.
     
  26. I am an international student with limited luggage space. Are there stores nearby to purchase what I may need?
    Answer: Yes, there are nearby stores for everything you will need while on the course.
     

Do you have a question that isn't answered here? Please send an email to the registrar, and she will respond to all inquiries.