Modern Gnosticism

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Abogado del Diablo

Short version: My objection to creeds is that they are often uttered to a baseline by which all who disagree may be adjudged wrong - and that is certainly how they've been used in Thomas's posts. If someone wants to believe in a creed, it's not for me to say they are wrong. But, by the same token, that I might disagree (or more to the point, not "believe" in or accept the creed) doesn't make me wrong either.

I object to the use of creeds and dogma for ridiculing or prosecuting/persecuting others who believe differently. I disagree however that this is the intention or inevitable result of creeds. They do serve to unify belief, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. It depends upon 1) what concepts are being unified and 2) how one relates to people who choose not to accept the same thinking.

As has been pointed out, the object of Gnosticism is knowledge, while the object of Christianity (as I know it) is love. Gnosticism is individualistic, Christianity is relationship (and of course there is much overlap, the Gnostic also has community and the Christian also has interior life). You might say that by accepting the creed we are accepting a shared 'myth' but I would say that by accepting the creed we are accepting a shared experience. That's just my take on it.

It's also clear that in spite of your emphasis on gnosis as an approach, many people identify with Gnosticism as a religion, a religion that has all the trappings and more of orthodox Christianity, if not the same beliefs. At least some of those beliefs are in opposition to the teachings of Christianity. All Thomas has done, IMO, is pointed this out. Who has historical precedence and so some claim on greater authenticity may be empirically studied through whatever records remain, but ultimately that question itself comes down to a matter of personal judgement and choice.

There is nothing inherently wrong with saying, in a creed, this is what we believe. The historical fact seems to be that yes, the Christian creed was written, at least in part to say, this is what we believe as opposed to these other beliefs held by Gnostics of the day. Steadfastly sticking to one's beliefs, clarifying them in contrast to what others think those beliefs should be, is not wrong. Granted, if 'heretics' are not just debated but actually persecuted, shunned by their families, cut out from their livelihoods, thrown in jail, killed...that is wrong. If the creed/law tries to control all the practical conduct of your life in a way that interfers with personal rights (I know, a huge topic), that is wrong. But sticking to your guns and saying no, we believe this, not that, that is commendable. I hate to think of what would have been lost if all the Christian theology and philosophy of the last 2000 years had not been preserved and cultivated, diluted out of existence.

I think you've done an injustice to Thomas and prejudged him as you say he has prejudged you. I've read many of his excellent posts and he's not the rigid dogmatic you seem to think he is. Representing one's faith in a rigorous, scholarly, genuinely felt yet pluralistically sensitive way is not very common on these fora, but Thomas does this in spades. I have a lot of respect for him for this, as I respect you for your contributions here.

[Abogado del Diablo]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

As has been pointed out, the object of Gnosticism is knowledge, while the object of Christianity (as I know it) is love. Gnosticism is individualistic

This isn't a fair characterization. It isn't isn't just any knowledge, but a rather particular knowledge, and that knowledge is the path to Love.

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Who has historical precedence and so some claim on greater authenticity may be empirically studied through whatever records remain, but ultimately that question itself comes down to a matter of personal judgement and choice.

Of course. I've said as much myself several times now.

Originally Posted by lunamoth

At least some of those beliefs are in opposition to the teachings of Christianity. All Thomas has done, IMO, is pointed this out.

The ideas expressed in both of these sentences are also a matter of personal judgment and choice.

Originally Posted by lunamoth

I hate to think of what would have been lost if all the Christian theology and philosophy of the last 2000 years had not been preserved and cultivated, diluted out of existence.

For better or worse, it would have simply been something else. Humans are thinking, reasoning and creative by impulse.

Originally Posted by lunamoth

I think you've done an injustice to Thomas and prejudged him as you say he has prejudged you.

But isn't that my prerogative? You just said so yourself . . . that I should be allowed to confess a creed and stick to my guns.

Joke (sort of).

We will have to respectfully disagree with one another about that as well.

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Abogado del Diablo

This isn't a fair characterization. It isn't isn't just any knowledge, but a rather particular knowledge, and that knowledge is the path to Love.

Words fail me Abogado. Sometimes I feel like I nearly understand what you mean when you talk about a particular knowledge as the path to Love. My inability to connect with what you mean by this though leaves me exhausted and nearly in tears with frustration.

The ideas expressed in both of these sentences are also a matter of personal judgment and choice.

Yes, because I am not a robot. However, I see now where this might be considered offensive and I apologize.

For better or worse, it would have simply been something else. Humans are thinking, reasoning and creative by impulse.

Excellent point. This occurred to me as well as I was writing but it seemed like too big of a tangent to go off on. I've been thinking of Taoism, and how that has survived as a philosophy, a way, for centuries without the 'benefit' of a central authority. Maybe another thread?

But isn't that my prerogative? You just said so yourself . . . that I should be allowed to confess a creed and stick to my guns.

See my point above about exactly what the creeds are about. But yes, we can all judge each other and we can all express those judgements. I expressed my judgement that I disagreed with your creed. *Joke (sort of)* Of course, all of this judging is not the Kingdom of God, in my judgment.

We will have to respectfully disagree with one another about that as well.

Respectful disagreement is not a problem, and yes we can leave it at that. However, I would like to apologize for any insensitivity anyone may feel I've displayed in this thread. My intention was to learn more about Gnosticism, but I really feel that I've failed in this. I'm certain this reflects more on me than anything about the quality of the replies, which were all appreciated.

Thank you everyone for your replies.

lunamoth

[Abogado del Diablo]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Words fail me Abogado. Sometimes I feel like I nearly understand what you mean when you talk about a particular knowledge as the path to Love. My inability to connect with what you mean by this though leaves me exhausted and nearly in tears with frustration.

I apologize as well. Sometimes I feel like the circumstances require me to be obtuse. I should know better with you. I sent you a PM.

[Gnosteric]

Originally Posted by earl

Hey Gnosteric & welcome. I consider myself a "neo-gnostic," zen kind of dude

Hi Earl. Thanks for the greeting. Every so often I google "Zen Gnosticism" and remain surprised that nobody has done some development of the combo. Maybe we are all off other places enjoying the absurdity of it all.

I tend to think, however, that what we are called to is not so much a "knowing" but a quality of "not knowing" which enables a fuller flowering of being.

I think that the "knowing" is for those brief moments of Gnosis and (we hope) its lingering after effects while the "not knowing" is best when we are up to our eyeballs in the illusion and can't get out of our own way. It's better being in the state of "not knowing" than being trapped in the illusionary (or Archonic) "blind or fake knowing."

[Gnosteric]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

My intention was to learn more about Gnosticism, but I really feel that I've failed in this. I'm certain this reflects more on me than anything about the quality of the replies, which were all appreciated.

Don't assume it is your fault when it comes to understanding and/or describing something that is ultimately so subjective, mystical, mythical, intuitive....... and greater than reason itself.

Thank you everyone for your replies.

Thank you for the initial question. I was thrilled to read that you wanted to hear from Gnostics in order to better understand our philosophy, methodology, psychology, and/or religion. It is very common for Christians to argue with us (or try to change us), but rare (in my own experiences) for Christians to try and develop some empathy. It gives me some hope.

BTW, sorry if I failed to use the needed number of winkies to properly express myself. I do not think this thread has risked any of my previous Gnostic gains.

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Gnosteric

Don't assume it is your fault when it comes to understanding and/or describing something that is ultimately so subjective, mystical, mythical, intuitive....... and greater than reason itself.

Thank you for the initial question. I was thrilled to read that you wanted to hear from Gnostics in order to better understand our philosophy, methodology, psychology, and/or religion. It is very common for Christians to argue with us (or try to change us), but rare (in my own experiences) for Christians to try and develop some empathy. It gives me some hope.

BTW, sorry if I failed to use the needed number of winkies to properly express myself. I do not think this thread has risked any of my previous Gnostic gains.

Thank you Gnosteric, Looking forward to more discussions with you.

lunamoth

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Abogado del Diablo

I apologize as well. Sometimes I feel like the circumstances require me to be obtuse. I should know better with you. I sent you a PM.

Thank you Abogado, no worries. See you around the forum.

luna

[path_of_one]

I haven't had a chance to read everything yet, but I just wanted to say thank you to Lunamoth for thinking of this thread, as I've long been curious about this topic myself. I've had a few people ask me if I was gnostic, and I've generally replied... I don't think so. At least, if I am, I did not knowingly choose to be, since I only vaguely have a conceptualization of what gnosticism is. It will be useful to read from more knowledgable (pun not intended! ) people about the topic.

Also, thank you in advance to all of you for your replies- I'm sure I will learn quite a bit from this thread.

[RubySera_Martin]

Originally Posted by path_of_one

I've had a few people ask me if I was gnostic, and I've generally replied... I don't think so. At least, if I am, I did not knowingly choose to be, since I only vaguely have a conceptualization of what gnosticism is.

If AdD is a fair example of what a gnostic is, then I'm a thorough-bred gnostic. Have always been; will always be. I've been walking this earth for nearly half a century and I never knew what a gnostic is, either. I do know that two or three years ago when I took a course on Christianity after the New Testament, we came to some Gnostic readings. I was hooked!

I did my paper on Gnostics view of the crucifixion. Didn't do too good a job but I did get to read most of the Nag Hammadi Library in English translation, plus some of Elaine Pagel. The Gospel of Thomas and a few others were assigned course readings.

Earlier this week I met with a Pagan to learn more about that religion because I felt a need for some kind of spiritual identity. He pretty much pin-pointed that Gnosticism may well be my identity. Now I read AdD's posts. Never has man spoken my language better.

For what it's worth, AdD, I am glad you wrote that piece that you apologized for. IT spoke the truth. THAT was something I could identify with. I'm sorry it caused luna so much distress but I am not sorry you wrote it.

[pohaikawahine]

Hi Lunamoth - love your new picture and your statement that "we have to get back to the garden" .... seems to me, in my humble opinion, that this is what we all seek and one of the great messages in any dialogue on comparative religions .... to my thinking gnosticism and/or mysticism are paths that take us within ourselves to "get back to the garden" .. I use the term deep meditation, but it can also be prayer, chant, etc .... the way of the mystic takes us through stages of understanding the path within and moving along letting go of the emotions that keep tripping us up .... there are many paths that take us to the same place .... what a beautiful world for our children and our children's children if we could open the doors to the "garden" .... I posted this little story before, but it is relevent to the garden concept ....

The Garden of Life by David Gardner

Three people were walking through a forest when they came upon a beautiful garden. "What an awesome place this is," said the first one. "I wonder who's responsible for such an incredible looking garden."
"But it's not just the way it looks," said the second excitedly, "there's a special feeling here, a very unique and powerful feeling. I wonder what it is."
The third one grabbed his companions by the arms,stopping them short. In a hushed tone he said, "You know, things like this don't just happen. It might be a trap. We'd better be careful."
Shortly they happened upon an old man in white robes sitting near a fountain at the center of the garden, and the first one asked, "Oh, Wise One, can you tell us what this marvelous looking garden is?"
The old man replied in a sage and sprightly voice, "What this is the Garden of Life. Haven't you ever seen the Garden of Life before?
"But, Wise One,what is that special feeling that's here?" asked the second one. "Why, that's the feeling of life. Haven't you ever felt the feeling of life before?" replied the old man.
Then the third one said, "But tell me sir, is there any danger here that we should watch out for?"
"Oh yes," replied the wise man narrowing his eyes and lowering his voice dramatically.
"I thought so!" exclaimed the third man with a start. "I'm outta here." And in the blink of an eye he was gone.
"Well," said the old man, "now that the danger is gone, let's enjoy this beautiful garden together."

Walking the path to the garden .... aloha nui, pohaikawahine

[Chela]

Gnosis is a natural function of the consciousness, a Perennis et Universalis Philosophy.

True gnosis is found when those artifacts within one’s psyche or soul that normally distort the image of truth are removed in either a temporal or absolute fashion. When the true nature of reality can be direct experienced: this is Gnosis. Gnosis is undoubtedly direct mystical experience of the ultra. It is absolutely clear, profound and inexorably shakes the very foundations of one’s inner constitution.

Gnosis means knowledge, yet not intellectual knowledge. As astounding as it may sound, anyone can study the scriptures, even “Gnostic” scriptures, and not have an inkling of true gnosis. Likewise, a strictly intellectual study of such scriptures as Gospel of Thomas, The Thunder Perfect Mind, or The Pistis Sophia (Books of the Savior) is similar to someone attempting to reconstruct a meal from the ashes of a stove. The Bread of Wisdom is found in the Heart. The Doctrine of the Heart is gnosis. The Doctrine of the Eye is everything else.

Those who have nourished themselves on the Heart Wisdom intuitively understand the sublime truths of ancient texts even though no empirical evidence can prove to those who follow the Doctrine of the Eye of such truths. Jesus, throughout the Bible, is always condemning the Pharisees because they are the ones who are following the Doctrine of Eye. They don’t understand Jesus because he was teaching the Doctrine of the Heart.

Many people believe in God, yet who has really experienced this intelligence? Many people believe in the subtle bodies and the higher planes yet how many of us have directly left their physical body and experienced the Heavens? Many believe of the Masters of humanity, yet how has spoken with them?

Many people hold on to very incipient and nominal experiences as if they were the absolute experience of the transcendental. I do not want to underestimate such these experiences, yet I think many people accidentally, haphazardly experience something and suddenly feel as if they have been enlightened with gnosis. There is a level of gnosis there, in these random experiences; yet we (Gnostics) need to be more profound in these studies. Let us go much deeper into meditation, transform the vague into the precise. The light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness does not understand. So you must go deeper. The Light is the awakened consciousness, the darkness is the unconsciousness. Thus, to enlighten one’s self is to give gnosis to one’s self.

Because few people who study the Gnostic scriptures actually have any real gnosis, the interpretations of their doctrines have been very limited. People believe that the Demiurge is some insane God that is living in the outside world. Yet, the real Demiurge lives within one’s own self. The false creation of the Demiurge is one’s ego; the Demiurge is you and I.

The Twelve Repentances of Sophia is directly related with the Twelve Labors of Hercules, the Twelve Hours of Apollonius, and the Twelve Keys of Basil Valentine. Thus, these repentances are something that one must work in order to perform within each one of us.

The 13 Aeons are directly related with the 12 plus one, that is to say, 10 emanations plus the three aspects of the absolute (Ain, Ain Soph, Ain Soph Aur). This invites us to reflect on the profound kabbalistic symbolism that no scholar I have ever seen even suspect. Who really knows what the 13 Aeons are? The empirical scholars do not know, they only debate and speculate; where is the gnosis they study so much about? Anyone who studies their own inner self knows very well.

The Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden is the Tree of Gnosis. Under this tree Satan (Demiurge-Logos) tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. The mystery of the cooperative antaganism of Christus-Lucifer is being displayed here. Lucifer (Carrier of Light) is what gives light, knowledge (gnosis) yet only when one overcomes him, like in the story of Job. But in story of Adam and Eve, they did not overcome, thus they fell into the opposite of gnosis: ignorance.

Daath in the Kabbalah means Knowledge, Gnosis. Daath is the hidden knowledge or gnosis. Daath is related with the Seal of Solomon (The Star of David) which itself is tantric knowledge. Remember that tantrism is not coition per se, yet, certainly the phenomena arising from intercourse is obviously tantric. The cross on which Christ saves is tantric, the cross is where knowledge, gnosis forms. This is why “Adam knew Eve” in the sexual act. The tantric-gnostic crossing of Wisdom and Compassion is the foundational basis of Buddhism, the crossing of Imagination and Willpower through skillful means is the basis of meditation.

Redemption is within gnosis because it is under the Tree of Gnosis that one fell into ignorance (without gnosis). With ignorance, Buddha said, comes suffering. This is why Buddha meditated under the Tree in order to awaken from ignorance. Gnosis is the auto-discovery of one’s own self. The wisdom of the Word is stored within your own subconsciousness. Liberating the Word allows one to utter the mystery. I am speaking in code, what this means is related with the fact that God speaks in order to create. Remember, Daath is located at the larynx of God. The larynx of God is like a uterus that fecundates the Verb through the Waters of Life. God said through his masculine principle, “Let there be light!” and then it was reflected back through his feminine principle, “And there was light!” This is tantric, this is gnosis. This is why the highest levels of Buddhism are tantric. This is what created the universe, thus to gain gnosis is to understand not only your self, but that which your self is a reflection of, all of Creation.

[Chela]

(double post)

[moseslmpg]

That certainly is an interesting interpretation of things. One question though: Where are you getting the number of Aeons to be 13?

[Chela]

Originally Posted by moseslmpg

That certainly is an interesting interpretation of things. One question though: Where are you getting the number of Aeons to be 13?

There are many different categories of "Aeons." In the Pistis Sophia we find the 12 Aeons spoken of many times, and the 13 Aeons other times. The 13th Aeon is where the 12 additional Aeons emanate from.

The 13th Aeon is so distant from the other 12 Aeons that they appear like a speck of dust from the point of view of the 13th. See chapter 84 of the Pistis Sophia.

Jesus (The Intimate Christ) descends from Barbelo (The 13th Aeon; Ain; The Absoulte Abstract Space) into the 12 Aeons: Ain Soph, Ain Soph Aur, and the 10 emanations of the Tree of Life. These regions are within one self and outside of one's self.