John G. Bennett

""This is a fine study of the mystical visions of John G. Bennett, an English polymath best known as writer and teacher in the Gurdjieff and Ouspensky lineage. Bennett is an emblematic figure whose trans-religious and 'esoteric' interests span the spectrum of twentieth century sources for seekers from Gurdjieff to neo-Sufism to Catholicism. Joseph Azize, the pre-eminent international scholar on Gurdjieff, has written a meticulously researched commentary on Bennett's experiences which will be the standard source for many years to come. No one in this field can afford to miss this."" -Dr. Steven Sutcliffe, senior lecturer in the Study of Religion, The University of Edinburgh ""Joseph Azize has produced a mystical biography of a major esoteric teacher and paradigmatic spiritual seeker of the twentieth century-a charismatic, inspiring, wildly original person in his own right, a soldier, scientist, artist, linguist, adventurer, and civil servant; a formidable autodidact whose competence ranged over many diverse fields. As a teacher he influenced hundreds if not thousands. Azize's compelling narrative is structured around twenty-four 'visions' Bennett experienced, and adds much to our knowledge of esotericism, spirituality, and religious questing in Western modernity. The book is supremely readable, a tale of adventure and human experience, set against a backdrop of dramatic social change, spanning most of the twentieth century."" -Carole M. Cusack, professor of religious studies, The University of Sydney