Chicago Gnosis Podcast

Fundamentals of Gnosticism 03 Gnostic Mysticism

Learn the three factors that define true spirituality within any tradition and the foundations upon which our full human potential is actualized. As one of the four pillars of the Gnostic Tradition, genuine mysticism is defined as closing the mind's eye towards sensuality, hatred, ignorance, and egotism, thereby opening the doors to spiritual insight. To be a mystic, one who knows the hidden, divine mysteries, one must comprehend the secret causes of suffering within the psyche.  Through specific training, the soul can learn to investigate the hidden truths contained within all religions, practically and definitively, through transforming the mind's attachments, cravings, desires, and afflictions. By changing ourselves, we can change humanity.

This is specifically accomplished through the application of three factors: the birth or genesis of the soul, death of psychological impurity, and selfless service for humanity. As taught in the writings of Luke, we learn to become true mystics by denying our egotistical impulses, bearing up the cross of alchemy, and sacrificing for others through following Christ's example.

This lecture explores teachings from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, the famous second birth that Jesus taught to Nicodemus, psychological and allegorical verses of the Qur'an, the writings of Manly P. Hall, Samael Aun Weor, and more.

Resources and References:

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

Fundamentals of Gnosticism 02 Gnostic Science

"…As the dawn of physical science broke into glaring daylight, the spiritual sciences merged deeper and deeper into night, and in their turn they were denied. So, now, these greatest masters in psychology are looked upon as “ignorant and superstitious ancestors”; as mountebanks and jugglers, because, forsooth, the sun of modern learning shines today so bright, it has become an axiom that the philosophers and men of science of the olden time knew nothing, and lived in a night of superstition. But their traducers forget that the sun of today will seem dark by comparison with the luminary of tomorrow, whether justly or not; and as the men of our century think their ancestors ignorant, so will perhaps their descendants count them for know-nothings." ―H. P. Blavatsky, Isis Unveiled: Chapter II, “Lost Arts”

Modern science, focused upon the investigation of material phenomena, lacks effective methods for knowing the hidden, spiritual roots of existing things, precisely due to the fact that such mystical principles can only be apprehended by conscious perception beyond the limits of physical matter.  Whereas the methods of empirical investigation end at the limits of materiality, Gnostic science begins where physical science leaves off: through the awakening and development of consciousness.  It is by cultivating the ardent faculties of the soul that one can obtain the mystical apprehension of fundamental truths.  The direct cognizance of the intelligent blueprints of nature is therefore born from the scientific procedures beyond the reach of the five physical senses.

Learn how the ancient schools of mysteries, whether from Rome, Chaldea, Persia, Tibet, India, etc., secretly cultivated a profound, hidden, and superior knowledge rejected and ignored by present day scientific dogma.  You will also learn how the modern Gnostic tradition is based upon the study and application of three esoteric sciences: Egyptian  الكيمياء‎ Alchemy, Hebraic קבלה Kabbalah, and Greek ψυχολογία Psychology or dialectics.  This lecture introduces these three sciences in accordance with the doctrines of Plato, Nietzsche, H.P. Blavatsky, Samael Aun Weor, and other philosophical and esoteric writers.

Resources and References:

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

Fundamentals of Gnosticism 01 Introduction

Throughout history, the Gnostic tradition has flourished in all parts of the world in accordance with the language, customs, temperaments, and idiosyncrasy of specific cultures. Gnosis, the essence of spiritual experience, has manifested through the actions of all the greatest saints, prophets, yogis, philosophers, and luminaries of mankind, whose traditions span all continents and profess the legacy of their authors: how to change fundamentally within one's being in order to alleviate suffering for oneself and for humanity.

Learn the fundamentals of Universal Gnosticism: the prerequisites for actualizing our most intimate potential, the need to change psychologically in order to know the truth, and the different ways such transformative knowledge has been presented throughout both Eastern and Western traditions. This lecture specifically examines excerpts from the Judeo-Christian Bible, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Qur'an and Sufi writings, and the Buddhist scriptures.  

You will also learn the four pillars of Gnosticism: science, mysticism, art, and philosophy, and how they constitute the fundamental depth of all the most ancient mystery schools. Through an etymological analysis of the terms science, mysticism, art, and philosophy, you will also learn how these pillars constitute an integral teaching: how to unite with the divine through practical works.

Resources and References:

https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/fundamentals-of-gnosticism