Two Rivers Farm
A Gurdjieff Community
A Gurdjieff Group & Community in Aurora, Oregon.
Two Rivers Farm is a non-profit group dedicated to the study and practice of the teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff. The group was founded by Annie Lou Staveley, a direct student of Gurdjieff and Jane Heap. We are located on two large properties near the small historic town of Aurora, about 30 miles south of Portland, Oregon.
The spiritual teaching of Gurdjieff is often called the fourth way - a work in life - one that allows its’ pupils to sustain a spiritual practice while continuing to be an active member of society. Like all spiritual teachings it is a search for something within oneself, something that is missing in our everyday life. The practices of “the work” were passed down directly to Gurdjieff’s pupils and include study of his ideas, group work, morning sitting preparation, movements or sacred dances and music. Mrs. Staveley (our founder) breathed life into each of these practices for her pupils, and they are alive at The Farm today.
Our Spiritual Teaching
Annie Lou Staveley was an American who lived in England for many years, and traveled to Paris in 1946 to study directly with Gurdjieff. After relocating back to the states, she began groups in Portland in the 1960’s and founded Two Rivers Farm in 1974. She was first and foremost a lifelong seeker of truth. She dedicated her adult life to assisting others in realizing their individual potential through the application of Gurdjieff’s teachings. Resourceful, brilliant, fearless, hospitable, impeccable, very practical and kind touch upon a few of her remarkable attributes.
Our Founder
“The greatest thing I have learned in my life—and not just once, but many times—is the importance of work on oneself.”
-A. L. Staveley
Our Community
Group members come from all ages and all walks of life and have varied interests and skills. The common link is that we all have a shared interest in the teachings of Gurdjieff as a practical way to realize our potential as human beings—something we know we cannot do by ourselves or simply by thinking or talking about it. Our interactions with each other, in this context, offer many opportunities to see ourselves and each other in new and often unexpected ways.
