Reading gnostic gospels

Reading gnostic gospels Subscribe
	Fri, 08/24/2007 - 12:53
Gabrielle Join Date: 2004-09-05 Forum Posts: 1332	I have a hard time appreciating the Gnostic gospels. It is hard for me to make sense of them. When I read them, I often find myself trying to make what I read fit with what I already know (e.g., oh, he must be talking about eliminating the egos here). I would like to learn how to approach the gospels better. One problem is that I have a limited understanding of the Bible and religious texts in general. Does anyone have any advice on how to approach these studies? Thanks
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Fri, 08/24/2007 - 15:05

Vadim

Join Date: 2004-11-30
Forum Posts: 2618

Hi Gabrielle,

For me, it is a lot about putting together information from the courses, my experiences, previous intellectual knowledge with a simple efforts to be clear, aware, here and now.

See what is really there and not what is in my mind.
Trying not only to be intuitive but to trust it.

Another thing, which helps for me, is to treat reading the Gospels as a spiritual practice.

I find that with my overall spiritual work many things from Gospels are just getting more clear and this is a good encouragement for me to keep going!

Mon, 08/27/2007 - 01:52

Gabrielle

Join Date: 2004-09-05
Forum Posts: 1332

Thanks, Vadim.

I like that - "treat reading the Gospels as a spiritual practice."

#3	Tue, 08/28/2007 - 09:49
Vadim Join Date: 2004-11-30 Forum Posts: 2618	It's not easy though, I find. Habbits of "usual reading" demand some time to break them.
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Fri, 08/31/2007 - 13:51

Roos

Join Date: 2006-07-10
Forum Posts: 39

I would suggest to gain a better understanding of the Gnostic Gospels try reading the official Orthodox Bible along with them. Start by reading Romans, Acts, John, Mathew etc. That way you will gain a better knowledge of the Gnostic Gospel.

Peace Be With You

Roos Ashoka

Sat, 09/01/2007 - 17:35

David G

Join Date: 2003-09-08
Forum Posts: 868

Hey Gabrielle,

It's been awhile since I read anything from the bible or the Gnostic gospels, but it seems to have a lot to do with feeling moreso than thinking the meaning of what you're reading, put together with understanding the symbolism of the work, and also with whatever understanding we can gain from daily life.

That said, often I can feel there is a deeper meaning to something but I can't quite grasp what it is. If I think about what things mean I usually end up more confused than anything else.

I'm in the same boat as you, with limited understanding of the bible of religious texts (I wish I had have paid more attention in Sunday school now!).

Sometime they seem a bit like they're written in another language. Maybe the more we learn about ourselves the easier it is to speak it..

David

Tue, 09/04/2007 - 10:08

Gabrielle

Join Date: 2004-09-05
Forum Posts: 1332

Yeah, there are often large pieces of text that I am unable to understand, so it makes it difficult to gain any coherent understanding of a gospel. I feel like, before I am able to step back and just feel the deeper meaning behind those teachings, I have to understand what the words mean at a literal level, first...Otherwise, it really is like looking at something that is written in a different language and trying to feel the meaning of it, for me. Maybe I just need to invest the time into learning the language.

Yes, I definitely should have paid more attention in Sunday school, as well, David!

Thanks Roos and everyone for the suggestions,

Gabrielle