According to Osho, enlightenment has no degrees: Gurdjieff and Lao Tzu are equally realized. Their differences are of method and milieu—Lao Tzu’s natural, effortless simplicity suited a simple age; Gurdjieff’s demanding, even strategic “lies” and superhuman effort suit the neurotic modern West. Intense effort ripens you until effort drops by itself, where Lao Tzu’s effortless way becomes meaningful.
They’re equally awake; they just help different kinds of people with different methods—one gentle and effortless, the other tough and effortful.