Provenance of the Exercises

Though not as much as their efficacy, the origin of the spiritual practices we work with does matter. I have learned spiritual exercises, sittings, and meditations from many teachers, but primarily from J.G. Bennett at his school in Sherborne, England in 1974. Bennett learned from many teachers, but primarily from G.I. Gurdjieff. Yet, to be clear, I did not learn the exercises and meditations presented on the innerfrontier.org website from J.G. Bennett, or anyone else.

Nevertheless, many of the fundamental components from which the Inner Frontier exercises are built are elements that were included in the exercises and meditations taught by Bennett. For example, stillness, attention to the breath, drawing active elements/energies from the air, attention to thoughts, emotions, and body sensations, sensing our body, generating mental images, blending energies, emptying and opening to the higher, repeating sacred names or prayers inwardly or aloud, and so on, were some of the building blocks used in the Sherborne exercises. The same or similar elements are employed in the practices of a wide range of spiritual paths and religions, both ancient and modern. These elements are like the words of a language, the language of inner work. Just as the meaning of a sentence depends on the words it contains and their order, the purpose and efficacy of spiritual practices depend on the selection, application, and pattern of their basic elements. That is what makes each exercise unique.

The Inner Frontier exercises arise out of my own inward search for ways to deepen my inner work. There is only one spiritual mountain, but perhaps as many paths up that mountain as there are travelers on those paths. We learn what we can from other people and practice it as given. Later we adapt it to our own particular and evolving nature. In the process, we become ourselves. The Inner Frontier exercises emerge from such adaptation, from seeking the essence of each exercise, from exploring approaches to go beyond current limitations, and from exchanges with people with whom I have shared these exercises. Ultimately, spiritual exercises can serve as steppingstones toward the Reality that is beyond all exercises, meditations, contemplations, and prayers.

Joseph Naft

January 6, 2024

About Inner Frontier                                    Send us email 

Copyright © 2001-2024 Joseph Naft. All rights reserved.