Chicago Gnosis Podcast

Introduction to Gnostic Studies | The Work of the Artist

The creation and perfection of the soul is a lifelong work of art. However, to attain such spiritual realizations, the individual must learn to awaken, develop, and master their complete potential through specific means. Through fulfilling the requisites of meditation, the consciousness begins to perceive its true nature and understand the reality of divinity. See how through the four pillars or foundations of Gnosticism: science, mysticism, art, and philosophy. Many thanks to our guest lecturer who made this event possible!

The Voice of the Silence 02 The Three Halls

"Three Halls, O weary pilgrim, lead to the end of toils. Three Halls, O conqueror of Mara, will bring thee through three states into the fourth and thence into the seven worlds, the worlds of Rest Eternal. If thou would'st learn their names, then hearken, and remember." ―The Voice of the Silence

Enclosed within the opening stanzas of The Voice of the Silence is a profound teaching on the four states of consciousness within gnostic psychology. Learn the fundamental make-up of cognizant experience: the ephemeral states of conditioned, sleeping consciousness, as well as the awakened state of alert perception and its unification with the Innermost, our divine being.

Guided Practices | Mantras for Mental Healing (S M HON)

Initiates explain that the physical brain is not the mind nor the originator of thought. The brain is a vehicle, the intermediary between internal psychological processes and physical life. Initiates also demonstrate how the mind is a form of matter, energy, and perception within subtler dimensions of nature. This is most evident when we dream within the fifth dimension, either in the famous Theosophical astral body (कामरूपा kama rupa) or mental body (मनस् manas), the latter which grants us the capacity to think.

However, when the mental body becomes sick, physical illness is the outcome. The mind or mental body is a useful instrument when it is healthy, strong, and aligned with divinity. But when it is sick or depleted of vital energy, it cannot operate optimally, nor serve in the spiritual work.

The mantras S M HON help heal sicknesses of the mental body. In combination with professional treatment, the mantras S M HON can help alleviate symptoms of mental illness, since they transmute sexual energy into the mental body and procure its regeneration. Be mindful that these mantras only work in combination with chastity, meditation, and deep psychological work upon the ego. Through the conservation and transmutation of sexual energy, these mantras radically empower the consciousness, allowing it to control, balance, and heal the mind.

Resources

• Mantras for Mental Healing PowerPoint

Guided Practices | The Rune Laf (ᛚ)

The Rune Laf (ᛚ) is the rune of life, laughter, joy, and hope in the spirit. It is also deeply related with the sexual energy, since the power of generation, creation, creativity and life is in sex. On the 27th of each month, you can awaken and greet the morning sun, performing this rune to receive special assistance with any spiritual, emotional, or psychological problem. By relaxing the mind, heart, and body in this posture, you can pray for divine aid, experience profound insights, and receive inner strength for your spiritual work.

Resources

• The Rune Laf PowerPoint

The Voice of the Silence 01 Initiation

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness (בַּמִּדְבָּר be'midbar), Prepare ye the way of יְהֹוָה (Iod-Chavah, Jehovah), make straight in the desert a highway for our God (אֱלֹהִים Elohim). Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of יְהֹוָה shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of יְהֹוָה hath spoken it."  ―Isaiah 40:3-5

What is the Voice of the Silence according to the kabbalistic teachings? It is the Christ, Logos, or Word (דָבָר dabar), our profound, innermost divinity who can be accessed through the path of meditation and initiation. Learn how to experience the Word (דָבָר dabar) through traversing the wilderness (בַּמִּדְבָּר be'midbar) of life. By transforming our daily sufferings through the path of initiation, we can in turn enter into the development and experience of the truth within our consciousness, becoming true, enlightened human beings endowed with cognizance, insight, and divine love. This lecture explains the kabbalistic, alchemical, and psychological contexts for interpreting The Voice of the Silence, especially through the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche and Samael Aun Weor.

Guided Practices | The Rune Fah (ᚠ)

Learn about runic yoga, an ancient mystical practice encoded within the Nordic alphabet (Futhark ᚠᚢᚦᚨᚱᚲ). By imitating the runes with our bodies, utilizing sacred sounds, prayers, and visualization, we assimilate Christic energy. The Rune Fah (ᚠ) initiates this sacred language, since it is the creative fires of divinity permeating nature. Through this rune, we accumulate the solar light of the Father within the marvelous laboratory of our bodies and psyche, thereby transforming ourselves into experts of spiritual judo.

Resources

• The Rune Fah PowerPoint

The Sufi Path of Self-Knowledge 09 The Nature of Being

This lecture was given during a gnostic meditation retreat from the tradition of Samael Aun Weor. By uniting serenity and insight within various spiritual exercises, meditators directly perceive their own true nature. Such a process is beautifully encoded within the first and most recited surah of the Qur’an (Al-Fatihah: The Opening), which synthesizes the entire Tree of Life. By meditating on this map in relation to these famous verses, initiates can access divine reality within themselves, here and now.

Guided Practices | Tonglen Meditation with the Mantra Talitha Cumi

Tonglen (Tibetan: "giving and taking") is an exceptional practice within Mahayana Buddhism. Meditators can visualize, assimilate, and transform another person's illness through conscious love. Afterward, the practitioner sends the patient light, love, and healing at no cost to oneself. This exercise is complemented by the Biblical or Aramaic mantra Talitha Cumi (Mark 5:41), whereby the Christic force of enlightened compassion radically expedites convalescence and spiritual empowerment. By healing others, we gain divine favor.

Resources

• Tonglen Meditation with Mantra Talitha Cumi PowerPoint

Gnostic Gospels | Possess Your Souls

Mainstream Judaism, Christianity, and Islam emphasize the reality of an immortal soul. However, Jesus of Nazareth indicated that within us are many souls, which must be possessed through patience (Luke 21:19). The gnostics present a more nuanced perspective on this issue, in that immortality is not guaranteed, but must be earned through precise methods. See how through a gnostic scripture known as “The Three Forms of First Thought.”

Guided Practices | Simple Observation Practice with Two Plants

How to utilize the faculty of self-observation to connect with the wisdom of nature and divinity. To perform this exercise, you will need two plants of any two distinct varieties.

Resources

• Simple Observation Practice with Two Plants PowerPoint