Maurice Nicoll

Maurice Nicoll

Maurice Nicoll (19 July 1884 – 30 August 1953) was a British psychiatrist, author, and noted Fourth Way teacher. He is best known for his work in the field of psychology and his association with George Gurdjieff and P.D. Ouspensky.

Early Life and Education

Maurice Nicoll was born in Kelso, Scotland. He was the son of Sir William Robertson Nicoll, a prominent Scottish Free Church minister, journalist, and editor. Maurice Nicoll studied at Eton College and later attended Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied medicine. He completed his medical training at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London.

Career

After completing his medical studies, Nicoll worked as a neurologist and psychiatrist. He served as a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War I, where he worked with soldiers suffering from shell shock (now known as post-traumatic stress disorder).

Association with Gurdjieff and Ouspensky

In the early 1920s, Nicoll became interested in the teachings of George Gurdjieff and P.D. Ouspensky. He became a student of Ouspensky and later met Gurdjieff. Nicoll was deeply influenced by their teachings, which combined elements of Eastern philosophy, Christian mysticism, and psychological insights.

The Psychological Commentaries

Maurice Nicoll is best known for his five-volume work, Psychological Commentaries on the Teaching of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky. These commentaries provide a detailed exploration of the Fourth Way teachings and offer practical advice for personal development and self-awareness. The volumes are considered essential reading for students of the Fourth Way.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1931, Nicoll established his own study groups to teach the Fourth Way principles. He continued to write and teach until his death in 1953. His work has had a lasting impact on the study of psychology and spirituality, and his writings continue to be studied by those interested in the Fourth Way.

Selected Works

• Psychological Commentaries on the Teaching of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky (5 volumes)
• Living Time and the Integration of the Life

See Also

• Fourth Way
• George Gurdjieff
• P.D. Ouspensky
• Psychology
• Spirituality