Acharya Prashant describes the teachings and methods of Gurdjieff as being very practical and precise, centered on the observation that man is a programmed machine. He explains that Gurdjieff focused on exposing the hidden mechanics of human functioning, which are often obscured by the belief in consciousness. By making this programming obvious, Gurdjieff believed something new could happen, though he was primarily a master at devising ways to expose the machine's functioning rather than defining that new state. Acharya Prashant notes that Gurdjieff used methods that were often perceived as cruel, such as conducting extreme experiments on his own body, including deliberately crashing his car to see if he could remain centered and witness the fracturing of his own bones. These experiments required a deep sense of faith. Furthermore, Gurdjieff was highly selective with his students, often testing their commitment by making them travel long distances only to find him elsewhere. As a pattern breaker, he would intentionally provoke individuals to act against their self-proclaimed virtues, such as forcing an abstinent person to consume alcohol or provoking an even-tempered person to anger. His controversial life and methods inspired many, including Osho and Ouspensky, the author of The Fourth Way.
