Chicago Gnosis Podcast

Gnostic Kabbalah 02 The Doctrine of Soul and Spirit

This lecture builds on Kabbalah: The Yoga of the West, outlining the cultural, psychological, and spiritual contexts of Jewish mystical traditions. Kabbalah possesses a rich corpus embodying multiple levels of meaning and practice, codified within introductory, intermediate, and advanced knowledge. Discover these three tiers of instruction through the writings of Gershom Scholem, Manly P. Hall, Dion Fortune, Samael Aun Weor, and the Zohar.

Guided Practices | Candle Concentration Practice

Fire possesses mystical properties, which is why many religious traditions, cultures, and mythologies equate it with the divine presence. Through serene observation of a candle, practitioners can develop preliminary concentration. While watching the flame in the beginning, the mind will start to think and wander. However, with continuity of application, we establish profound attention without exertion or thought. The beauty of this simple practice is to become cognizant of our perception's qualities: are we attentive and clear, or clouded and distracted? Gently recalling the practice, again and again, we redirect, clarify, and strengthen our attention, thereby preparing our consciousness for authentic meditation.

Guided Practices | Conjurations and Invocation for Spiritual Protection

"The black magicians of the Black Lodge struggle to swerve initiates off the path. This is why it is necessary, urgent, that the devotees defend themselves from the attacks of the tenebrous ones. Thus, it is urgent to learn how to do so... We must chant these mantras with all of our soul. We must chant them with profound emotion. This is how we defend ourselves from the tenebrous ones." —Samael Aun Weor

Learn how to defend yourself against negative forces through the power of prayer, faith, and divine remembrance. This practice conveys the Conjuration of the Four (a means of balancing psychological elements and purifying our environment), the Conjuration of the Seven (a potent technique for rejecting intense negativity), and the Invocation of Solomon (a prayer for receiving superior guidance from the spiritual hierarchies)  

Resources:

• Conjuration of the Four Video
• Conjuration of the Seven Video
• Invocation of Solomon Video
• Explanations for Conjurations of the Four, the Seven, and the Invocation of Solomon

The Voice of the Silence 03 The Stages of Meditation

“The pupil must regain the child-state he has lost ere the first sound can fall upon his ear. The light from the ONE Master, the one unfading golden light of Spirit, shoots its effulgent beams on the disciple from the very first. It’s rays thread through the thick dark clouds of matter. Now here, now there, these rays illumine it, like sun-sparks light the earth through the thick foliage of the jungle growth. But, O Disciple, unless the flesh is passive, head cool, the soul as firm and pure as flaming diamond, the radiance will not reach the chamber, its sunlight will not warm the heart, nor will the mystic sounds of the Akasic heights reach the ear, however eager, at the initial stage.” —The Voice of the Silence

This sacred scripture provides a didactic teaching on the essence of spiritual practice: dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (comprehension, ecstasy), which was practiced within the most ancient schools of mysteries and presently within gnostic institutions founded by Samael Aun Weor. Learn how to initiate, sustain, and perfect the stages of meditation, so as to experience the highest reality and end the psychological causes of suffering.

Guided Practices | Relaxation, Imagination, and Introspection

A brief, guided relaxation practice to open the doors of imagination (perception of non-physical imagery) and psychological introspection (the internal analysis of oneself). By combining deep breathing with the study of the mind, practitioners can access a state of meditation (the in-depth understanding of any perceived phenomenon).

Guided Practices | Elemental Magic of the Aloe

All living beings from the inferior kingdoms have an elemental soul, including plants. Elementals of the plant kingdom are innocent, chaste, and powerful, since they have not left their paradisiacal state and retain their ability to consciously influence nature. The elemental of the aloe is exceptional for spiritual healing, protection, past life recall, and meditation. By learning to ethically command the elemental of the aloe, the initiate receives divine aid, the empowerment of a superior level of being, and the moral edification of others.

Resources:

• PowerPoint for Elemental Magic of the Aloe
• "Elemental Magic of the Aloe" from Igneous Rose by Samael Aun Weor

Guided Practices | Third Eye and Heart Chakra Meditation

A brief meditation on the nature of spiritual perception and personal reflection. Through visualizing light and deep breathing, we relax the mind, heart, and body. By raising creative energy up to our midbrow then down to the heart, the consciousness stills negative emotions and awakens the higher faculties of the soul: sublime compassion, serenity, wisdom, and understanding.

The Secret Teachings of Opera | Attila (Acts II and III)

In the final stages of the path, the spiritual master is purged of all impurity through intense ordeals. To reach perfection, such bodhisattvas are always tested because they must pay all their debts before the divine law. They must suffer for having betrayed the heavenly kingdom, since every resurrection is preceded by death. Likewise, Attila faces poison and the sword (symbolizing a terminal, karmic sickness) before he can reach the heights of self-realization. Divinity conspires against the bodhisattva’s ego through Uldino (the voice of conscience), Ezio (the Tree of Knowledge), Foresto (the elemental forces of the Being) and Odabella (the sword of Kundalini). Discover how every master completes the spiritual work through the last two acts of this powerful opera!

The Secret Teachings of Opera | Attila (Act I)

Upon taking the direct path to liberation, the warrior bodhisattva Attila must face conspiracy, plots, and intrigue. The elemental forces of the Being (Foresto) and the Kundalini sword of divine justice (Odabella) plot his (psychological) death. Karma besets the initiate at every step, for the barbarian king must confront his weaknesses and conquer his ego. However, due to pride, Attila will not bow to divine intercession until his path to Rome (amore, love) is barred by Pope Leo (the Lion of Judah, the Intimate Christ, the terror of love and law). Discover how Attila (Tiphereth, the human soul) receives oneiric premonitions and must learn to fulfill divine will (Kether, the supremacy of God).

The Secret Teachings of Opera | Attila (Prologue)

Giuseppe Verdi was a Freemason who encoded the spiritual path of kabbalah, alchemy, and initiation in his operas. In this seminal work, Attila—the warrior of the spirit—must conquer the kingdom of Rome (amore, love) within himself for the redemption of the psyche. However, his pride, anger, and ego are very alive. All defects must die for the spiritual master Attila (Thelema, divine will) to become perfect. Discover what happens to a warrior bodhisattva, an incarnation of the Martian Christ, upon taking the direct path to the Absolute, the contexts, requisites, obstacles, and dramas symbolized in Attila's choice to conquer Rome.