Chicago Gnosis Podcast

Introduction to Gnostic Studies | Psychological Death

Life and death are two sides of the same thing. For our soul to live, our egotism must die. Learn about the importance of psychological death for spiritual life as well as practical ways to achieve it.

Resources and References:

https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/psychological-death

Introduction to Gnostic Studies | The Spiritual Seed

The individual is a seed, an embryo with the potential to develop into a fully enlightened being. This can only be accomplished, however, through actualizing the proper conditions and precise methods for its development. Discover the three essential spiritual sciences that lead towards the perfection of the human being: Hebraic kabbalah, medieval alchemy, and spiritual psychology. See how through an explanation of well-known myths and stories, including the Bible and Pinocchio by Carlos Collodi, whose meanings have eluded scholars, but are comprehensible to the practical meditator and awakened consciousness.

Resources and References:

https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/the-spiritual-seed

Introduction to Gnostic Studies | Liberation from the Mind

"It is clear that at each moment we have to become more and more independent from the mind. The mind is certainly a dungeon, a prison where all of us are prisoners. We need to evade that prison if indeed we want to know what liberty is; to know that liberty which does not belong to time, that liberty which is not of the mind." —​Samael Aun Weor, The Revolution of the Dialectic

Meditation is the science of liberation from suffering. By comprehending how the mind limits, conditions, and produces affliction, the meditator can access true states of serenity, bliss, and contentment. This lecture explores some essential dynamics for beginning meditators, such as the distinct difference between consciousness / perception and mind / thought. You will also learn techniques for developing concentration and awakening consciousness within practical, daily life.

Resources and References:

https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/liberation-from-the-mind

Introduction to Gnostic Studies | The Multiplicity of Self

"It cannot be asserted emphatically enough that the Doctrine of the Many Selves is 100 percent Tibetan and Gnostic in origin. It is not at all pleasant to find out that within each person lives hundreds and thousands of psychological people." —​Samael Aun Weor, The Great Rebellion

Esoteric psychology reveals that the causes of suffering originate from the ego, which, contrary to popular belief and modern studies of mind, is multiple, not unitary. The many "I"s continually battle for control of our mind, emotions, and body, producing all the sorrow and afflictions of life. This lecture explains scriptures and myths that illustrate the doctrine of the many "I"s and teach us how to overcome this internal multiplicity to attain true individuality, serenity, and lasting happiness.

Resources and References:

https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/the-multiplicity-of-self

Introduction to Gnostic Studies | Intrinsic Awareness

Divinity cannot be known except through the innate faculties of the consciousness, which religions have designated soul, buddha nature, or the seed of enlightenment. Through nakedly perceiving our own psychological limitations, we open the doorway to genuine spiritual experiences and the awakening of our complete potential.

Resources and References:

https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/intrinsic-awareness

Introduction to Gnostic Studies | Cultivating Self-Knowledge

"Man, know thyself, and thou shalt know the universe and its gods." —​The Oracle at Delphi

Self-knowledge is essential to every religion, spiritual path, or mystical tradition. Yet while such systems explain the need to know oneself and thereby gain access to the divine mysteries, they often do not provide practical techniques for how to achieve such a goal.  Learn how to know your true identity through the practices of Self-observation, Self-remembering, and the Key of SOL (Subject, Object, Location) in order to discover the truth in a radical and revolutionary way.

Resources and References:

https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/cultivating-self-knowledge

Introduction to Gnostic Studies | Consciousness, Ego, and Personality

"The revolutionary psychology of the gnostic movements, in a clear and precise manner, makes an in-depth distinction between the ego and the Essence. Only the beauty of the Essence manifests through the child during the first three or four years of life. Then, the child is tender, sweet, and beautiful in all his psychological aspects. However, when the ego begins to control the tender personality of the child, then all the beauty of the Essence begins to disappear and the characteristic psychological defects of every human being bloom in its place." —​Samael Aun Weor, Fundamentals of Gnostic Education

This lecture explains how consciousness, personality, and ego function in the teachings of gnostic psychology. When we understand, through experience, the true unconditioned nature of consciousness, we can begin to distinguish it from the conditioning of ego that causes suffering. By going beyond the terrestrial personality (from the Latin persōna, signifying a "mask"), the consciousness can work upon and transform the self. This lecture explains essential practices for developing spiritually, so that you can experience the full awakening and liberation of consciousness.

Resources and References:

https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/consciousness-ego-and-personality

Introduction to Gnostic Studies | The Four Paths to Immortality

The four paths to immortality refer to three common spiritual paths and the fourth way of conscious equilibrium. You will learn about the three brains or energetic centers within the human being and how these relate to common approaches to spiritual development. The discussion of the fourth way, the path of balance, will relate to direct observations of our personal psychological imbalances and predispositions. Finally, you will learn about a practice through which you can study imbalanced states and transform them into the psychological equilibrium necessary for conscious awakening.

Resources and References:

https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/the-four-paths-to-immortality

Fundamentals of Gnosticism 05 Gnostic Philosophy

In its purest form, philosophy signifies the love (philos) of wisdom (sophia), a Greek term denominating the experience of the truth within the innermost depths of the soul. Etymologically, this term points towards the relationship of the consciousness with the divine, a distinction ignored by modern philosophical systems. Genuine philosophy is the soul's ardent inspiration, knowledge of and connection to the Innermost, the Being, the spirit, a feat achieved through transcending and transforming the mind, placing it at the service of the divine. This methodology contrasts with mere scholasticism, theories, concepts, and the sophistries of universities, which only use the intellect to be clever and theorize. Rather than seeking to play with the intellect, it is better to go beyond the mind in order to know the spiritual realities beyond the limitations of matter.

Learn how the fourth and final pillar expresses the mystical science, wisdom, and art of the complete human being: an individual who is fully aware and manifesting the spiritual truths contained within the universe. Through loving the divine and placing the intellect at the service of the spirit, we can in turn gain genuine philosophical knowledge based on our own experience.

Resources and References:

http://chicagognosis.org/lectures/fundamentals-of-gnostic-philosophy

Fundamentals of Gnosticism 04 Gnostic Art

"The ancients knew these powers so well, that, while concealing their true nature under various allegories, for the benefit (or to the detriment) of the uneducated rabble, they never departed from the multiple object in view, while inverting them. They contrived to throw a thick veil over the nucleus of truth concealed by the symbol, but they ever tried to preserve the latter as a record for future generations, sufficiently transparent to allow their wise men to discern that truth behind the fabulous form of the glyph or allegory. They are accused of superstition and credulity, those ancient sages; and this by those very nations, which, learned in all the modern arts and sciences, cultured and wise in their generation, accept to this day as their one living and infinite God, the anthropomorphic 'Jehovah' of the Jews." ―H.P. Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine, Volume I, iv. “The Four Elements

Art is an expression of consciousness; therefore the level of being of an artist is expressed through his or her work.  The great artists of humanity have always been profound mystics and apostles who taught how to unite with divinity through their music, writings, and paintings.  Unlike modern art that is divorced from spiritual principles, ancient and classical forms of art embody the highest ideals attainable by mankind, and only those who awaken consciousness can recognize such divine principles within great literature, sculptures, etc.  The mystery schools of Universal Gnosticism disseminated their secret knowledge through the veils of allegory, symbolism, and artistic mediums, so as to evade persecution and provide their knowledge to other initiates without openly giving away their secrets.

Learn how esoteric mysticism, science, and philosophy were taught within ancient art forms: sculpture, poetry, drama, theater, opera, classical music, and more. This lecture explains hidden teachings given by Beethoven, Mozart, Wagner, and other classical composers, as well as through the mystical dances of the Sufis, the architecture of the Egyptians and Mayans, and more.

Resources and References:

http://chicagognosis.org/lectures/fundamentals-of-gnostic-art