THE SOURCE OF GNOSIS
WHAT IS GNOSIS?
The author of Psalm 94 describes mortals in their natural state as
perceiving"no more of reality than animals.” (Psalm 94:8) His
reference to reality relates to Jesus' statement, recorded in the
Sayings of Jesus, that"The shadows of this world are perceived by
mortals, and they think they know Truth, but the Reality which casts
the shadows is hidden from them.” (Sayings of Jesus 2:2) The
Psalmist's solution to mortals' lack of perception is to turn to the
Creator.”It is she who knows all things, and she will instruct those
who seek her in those principles which lead to gnosis. ...if they will
turn to her, she will raise their perception to view that which is
real.” (Psalm 94:10-11)
What is this gnosis, which we sometimes call the"hidden knowledge"?
One scholar who has researched gnosis in depth says of it,
Gnosis is not primarily rational knowledge. The Greek language
distinguishes between scientific or reflective knowledge ("He knows
mathematics") and knowing through observation or experience ("He knows
me") which is gnosis. As the gnostics use the term, we could translate
it as"Insight," for gnosis involves an intuitive process.... (Elaine
Pagels, THE GNOSTIC GOSPELS, New York: Random House, 1979.)
Another scholar explains it this way.
On the one hand [gnosis] is closely bound up with revelatory
experience, so that reception of the truth either through sacred and
secret lore or through inner illumination replaces rational argument
and theory (though this extra-rational basis may then provide scope
for independent speculation); on the other hand, being concerned with
the secrets of salvation," knowledge"Is not just theoretical
information about certain things but is itself, as a modification of
the human condition, charged with performing a function in the
bringing about of salvation.” (Hans Jonas, THE GNOSTIC RELIGION: THE
MESSAGE OF THE ALIEN GOD AND THE BEGINNINGS OF CHRISTIANITY, Boston:
Beacon Press, 1963)
Essentially, the Gnostic way is not to teach you a lot of answers to
your questions, but to help you rechannel your brain so that it will
be able to perceive Truth, which is already hidden within you. When
Jesus' disciples questioned him concerning the proper mode of fasting,
praying, giving alms, and eating, he didn't answer them directly, but
said,
"You must put off your love of the lie, the false way of life followed
by the children of this plane of existence, and be converted, changed
so that you hate that which you have previously loved, and love that
which you have previously hated. Then I will be able to show you all
things, for there is nothing hidden which will not be manifested when
you have put on the mind of Truth.” (Sayings of Jesus 1:11)
Gnostics seek Truth in three different ways. The first is through
studying the written word, especially that which the Body of gnostics
has accepted as illuminating the principles revealed by the Eloheim,
but also all other good books which they personally feel enhance their
perception of Truth. Those books that Gnostics accept as scripture
come through the Holy Spirit. When we say that a gnostic master has
translated a book of ancient scripture, we mean that he has translated
it from a spiritual record written on the Holy Spirit into a physical
form that can be written in a book.
Irenaeus, a second century orthodox opponent of gnosticism, criticized
the gnostic concept of scripture because its authenticity is not
claimed on the basis of its being handed down in unbroken succession
from some authority figure, but on the basis of its having been
revealed through the Holy Spirit. (Irenaeus, Libros Quinque Adversus
Haereses 2.15.3) Gnostics would say that their scriptures are true
because they open the mind of the reader to"The Reality which is God.
" (Sayings of Jesus 2:2) They would suggest that the value of a book
lies not in its age, but in its Light.
The second source of information about Truth is the oral mysteries.
These are not written, but must be learned from those who have
mastered them. When his disciple Matthew said to Jesus," Lord, I wish
to see that Place of Life where all is pure Light and darkness cannot
come," Jesus replied," Brother Matthew, you cannot see it as long as
you are centered in the physical body.”Matthew exclaimed," Lord, I
cannot see it alone; help me to gain this hidden knowledge.”
(Teachings of the Master 4:3-5) Matthew realized that he needed the
help of a master if he was going to be able to make the transition
from being centered in the physical body to being centered in the
Light. Like Matthew, we cannot see the Place of Life without help.
When Matthew asked him," How can we throw off the dominion of the dark
powers and walk in Light?”Jesus replied,
Remain steady in your search for Truth. Know that Truth is not to be
found outside yourself, but find a Master who can lead you through
your heart to find the secrets locked within it. Then you will prevail
over the dark powers; you will be able to deny your ego, change your
manner of life and, taking up your cross, follow me. When once you
know that the hidden knowledge is within you, you must seek the keys
from the Master of Assemblies, so that you can find them and rejoice
in Light. (Teachings of the Master 3:9-10)
During the discussion recorded in The Teachings of the Master, Jesus
went into the relationship of master and disciple, and its role in
opening the mind to the perception of Truth, in some depth.
Then the Master said to them," When you are masters, and disciples
come to you seeking Light, strive to lead them to salvation. Speak to
them the keys of gnosis until their minds are opened to perceive the
hidden Truth. Then they will be of one mind with you, for their minds
will be directed by the Inner Light. I tell you truly, the Living Gods
dwell in you, and you dwell in them.”
Judas said to him," Truly I desire to be a master so that I can lead
souls to Light.”
The Lord replied," Since the Living Gods exist in you, their power
will flow out of you at the proper time, and disciples will be drawn
to your Light. You need not seek disciples, for if you let your Light
shine and share the word of Life, disciples will sit at your feet to
learn the hidden knowledge.”
As they sat on the hillside, some seekers approached Mary Magdaline to
question her about Jesus' teachings. They asked the meaning of his
sayings," The problems of each day can be met that day," "The laborer
earns what he eats," and"The disciple will resemble his Master.”Mary
discoursed on these topics, leading them toward the hidden knowledge.
When the seekers had departed, the Master said," You see Light
ministering through Mary, drawing souls to itself. That is how it will
be with each of you when your time has come.” (Teachings of the Master
4:14-16; 6:1)
Again, a gnostic master is not one who will provide you with all the
answers. He or she will not be willing to take responsibility for your
life by telling you how you should live it, but he will help you
expand your mind and rechannel your brain so that it is able to
perceive the knowledge of Truth which is hidden within you, and you
will learn the principles which will enable you to walk in Light.
The third way of learning gnosis is directly from the Inner Light, the
Holy Spirit which exists as a spark in every human being and as a
flame in those who have received the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
Heracleon, a second century gnostic teacher, said," At first, people
believe because of the testimony of others, but then they come to
believe from Truth itself.” (Heracleon, Frag. 39, in Origen,
Commentarium in Johannes) One gnostic master described this process in
this way.
The Eloheim will give you, their saints, knowledge through their Holy
Spirit, yes, through the indescribable Gift of the Holy Spirit, in a
manner in which it has not been revealed during the existence of this
mortal plane. *** Whether there is One God or many Gods, they were all
to be manifested at this time. All sources of power, authority,
government, and strength will be revealed through gnosis descending on
everyone who has endured valiantly for the good news of Jesus Christ.
* * * This is according to what was decreed during the Council of the
Eternal God of All Other Gods before this world existed. (Book of
Covenants 1839-1:26, 28-29, 32)
Each of these processes reveals a different portion of gnosis, and
taken together they will lead you back into the presence of the
Eloheim.
THE ELOHEIM
Gnosis reaches us through the written scriptures, through enlightened
masters, and directly through the Inner Light, but the source of all
these is the Eloheim. This is a Hebrew term which is translated"God"
in most Bibles, but it is actually a plural form (plural in Hebrew is
indicated by im) which is sometimes more properly translated"Gods.”
However, this term too may be misleading because of our preconceptions
of what it means, so gnostics often leave"Eloheim"untranslated.
False concepts of deity result from the belief, which most people
have, that"god"or"The gods"Are something totally unrelated to
mankind. The gnostic, however, conceives of Deity as Exalted Mortal.
"On the Origin of the World," an ancient gnostic text, speaks of the
Deity (pl.) as"An enlightened, immortal humanity.”Irenaeus explained
that gnostics taught that"The Primal Father of the Whole, the Primal
Beginning, and the Primal Incomprehensible, is called Anthropos [Man]
...and that this is the great and abstruse mystery, namely, that the
power which is above all others and contains all others in its embrace
is called Anthropos [Man]. (Irenaeus, Libros Quinque Adversus Haereses
1.11.1) The Deity revealed itself to Enoch in these words," I am one
of the Eloheim. Man of Holiness is my name. Man of Counsel is my name.
" (History of Ezra 3:14) Gnostics believe that Jesus called himself
the Son of Man because he is the Son of the Man of Holiness.
This means that the Eloheim were once mortals as we are, but through
the application of the principles hidden in gnosis, they became
enlightened and immortal. If we follow the same process they did, we
can become like them; we can join the Eloheim in the celestial realm.
Jesus said to his disciples,
I have come to open the Way of Life to all mankind. I will teach you
the passageway through which the elect will pass into the presence of
the Eloheim, that same passage through which each of the Eloheim has
passed before you. (Teachings of the Master 1:2)
THE DIVINE MOTHER
Since both men and women may follow gnosis and become members of the
Eloheim, the Deity is revealed to us as both Male and Female, Father
and Mother. Jesus said," You are the sons of the Eloheim. Should the
son not be like his Father? You are the daughters of the Eloheim.
Should the daughter not be like her Mother?” (Sayings of Jesus 2:10)
Of those who unite with the Eloheim he said," These will sit on the
seat of power of the Eloheim, using instruments of power, and they
will be the Fathers and Mothers of worlds through all generations.”
(Testimony of Mary 2:7) He also taught his disciples to pray in this
manner"Hear us, our Father and Mother who are on the heavenly plane.”
(Teachings of the Master 1:5)
The word Eloheim, itself, is a predominantly feminine form.
...female imagery of the divinity persists throughout large portions
of the Bible, perhaps starting with the plural form of the name of the
divinity in Genesis one, ELOHIM, which is probably derived from the
feminine form of the name for divinity, ELOAH.... (Leonard Swidler,
WOMEN PRIESTS, p. 169)
It is their failure to acknowledge The Motherhood of Deity which has
led many to regard"him"As a fierce, tyrannical, judgmental, vengeful
tyrant who is looking for a chance to trip them up and throw them into
hell. Only when we understand The Motherhood, as well as the
Fatherhood of the Eloheim, can we begin to perceive the meaning of the
scriptural assertion that God is Love.
PRIESTHOOD
When Jesus was teaching Mary Magdaline, he said," Yes, that soul who
lives by the revelations and ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood will
pass through the gate of the celestial world. *** That soul who lives
by the revelations and ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood will
pass through the gate of the Mansion of the Gods. *** That soul who
lives by the revelations and ordinances of the Patriarchal Priesthood,
will pass through the gate of the Mansion of the Parents.”
Yes, that soul who lives by the revelations and ordinances of the
Aaronic Priesthood will pass through the gate of the celestial world.
*** That soul who lives by the revelations and ordinances of the
Melchizedek Priesthood will pass through the gate of the Mansion of
the Gods. *** That soul who lives by the revelations and ordinances of
the Patriarchal Priesthood, will pass through the gate of the Mansion
of the Parents. (Testimony of Mary 2:5-7)
Unlike the orthodox, gnostics do not view the Priesthood as an elite
body which governs the"laity.”Rather, Priesthood is a function of
gnosis. We ascend through gnosis step by step, and these steps are
divided into levels of Priesthood. Consequently, every follower of
gnosis enters the Priesthood Order as part of that pursuit, and
progresses from the Aaronic Priesthood, to the Melchizedek Priesthood,
the Patriarchal Priesthood and beyond as he or she advances in the
hidden knowledge.
Since every follower of gnosis passes through the levels of the
Priesthood, it is not limited to men as it has traditionally been in
the orthodox churches. This equality of men and women in the
Priesthood was one of the most objectionable features of gnosticism to
the orthodox in the first centuries of Christianity. As Tertullian,
one of the orthodox spokesmen, exclaimed,
These heretical women—how audacious they are! They have no modesty;
they are bold enough to teach, to engage in argument, to enact
exorcisms, to undertake cures, and, it may be, even to baptize!
(Tertullian, De Praescr 41)
Even among Jesus' immediate disciples, the role of women on an
equality with men was difficult to accept. Mary Magdaline records that
after the resurrection, Peter said of her to the other disciples,
"Would the Savior really reveal these precious things to a woman, and
not to the Twelve, whom he called and ordained under his own hands?
Are we to have a woman to instruct us? No, I will only believe what I
heard from Jesus' lips with my own ears.”*** John said to Peter,
"Peter, you have always been quick to judge, and your judgment isn't
always appropriate. *** It is the satans who lead you to contend
against the woman Mary, for if Jesus has raised her above you, who are
you, really, to reject her? Surely the Lord knows her and the strength
that is in her. That is why the Lord loved her more than all of you.
(Testimony of Mary 3:2, 4)
Gnosis, then, comes to us from the Eloheim in three ways, through the
written word in the scriptures, through the spoken word of enlightened
masters, and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Inner Light.
The Eloheim are Exalted Mortals, those who have preceded us in
following gnosis and, through its power, have become enlightened and
immortal. Men and women equally may follow gnosis, and consequently
the Eloheim are both male and female, Fathers and Mothers on the
Heavenly Plane. The Priesthood is available to all as they advance
through gnosis, giving them opportunities to use the knowledge that
they have gained in blessing the lives of others.
Jesus said to his disciples,
The time has arrived, Beloved, when you should leave behind the cares
of this plane of existence and enter into a state of rest, for the
person who enters into rest in this life, will remain in a state of
rest forever. I tell you that the heavenly realm must exist within
you, before you can enter into it, but I have given you my peace, and
if you walk with the Angel of Peace, the heavenly realm will be in
you, and you will be in the heavenly realm. (Teachings of the Master
1:1)
As you pursue gnosis, you will commence a walk with the Angel of
Peace, and all the other angels, who will lead you back to the
presence of the Eloheim. As, Jesus promised,
If you continue to follow my teachings, you are my true disciples, and
you will learn Truth, which will free you from the illusions of
darkness. Then you will have access to the Father and Mother through
your prayers, and you will have power to establish the realm of Light
on the mortal plane as it exists in the Mind of the Eloheim.
(Teachings of the Master 1:3)
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