The Gurdjieff teaching, known more familiarly to its students as "the Work", offers the serious seeker a way to explore the meaning of life, and to search for a more unified world view.

Gurdjieff emphasized the necessity to develop and strengthen attention in order to bring about a new relationship between mind, body and feeling. The principles and practices of his teaching are verified through the study of exercises, through dances known as the Movements, music, the study of ideas and work with traditional crafts.

Activities such as cooking, gardening, construction and maintenance are used as a means of applying these ideas in everyday life. Members meet regularly in groups to exchange about their observations and study. They also come together periodically in conferences with participants from other cities and countries.

Gurdjieff Foundations (or societies or institutes) were established in New York, Paris, London and Caracas in the 1950's and from these centers Gurdjieff's teaching has spread to major centers of Europe, North America, South America, Australia, Israel and Cape Town, South Africa.