The Interpretation of KnowledgeSubscribe |
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Fri, 02/29/2008 - 00:21
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Manpreet
Join Date: 2004-02-17 Forum Posts: 349 |
The Interpretation of Knowledge I read for the first time this text from "The Nag Hammadi Library in English", just because the book opened on this one today. This text is introduced by Elaine H. Pagels and is translated by John D. Turner. I found this to be very inspiring text and has many good teachings, so wanted to share about this one. It draws teachings from biblical gospels, but is a gnostic text basically. The text starts with fragemented lines describing how one comes to believe. Here the belief is in the Christ being living, further it mentions: Further the importance of not being distressed in this work is emphasised, as those who get distressed can't accomplish great tasks. The physical life is akin to a prison. The most interesting is a passage where the author seems to mention about death of egos. Christ as a teacher replaces another teacher of the church. (I think church here is the physical body, not sure.) |
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Join Date: 2003-09-08
Forum Posts: 879
Thanks for posting that Manpreet, it touched something in me, and I think I needed to hear it.
I like reading things like that because it brings some of the mystery and the magic back into the Work and reminds me how much potential we have for learning and changing.
Thanks again,
David
Join Date: 2004-02-17
Forum Posts: 349
Yes, reading that I also felt similar David. I am glad that you found it useful.
Thanks
Site Administrator
Join Date: 2007-02-10
Forum Posts: 43
As you mentioned the body being a prison, there is a good text from the Apocryphon of John that mentions the body as a prison, I used to read it quite a bit eleven years ago, when the next stage to go through for me was the incarnation of the Christ, I was abandoned and very ill for months, facing death, but waiting with faith, this text meant a lot to me, it describes the incarnation of the Christ:
"I, therefore, the perfect Pronoia of the all, changed myself into my seed, for I existed first, going on every road. For I am the richness of the light; I am the remembrance of the pleroma.
"And I went into the realm of darkness and I endured till I entered the middle of the prison. And the foundations of chaos shook. And I hid myself from them because of their wickedness, and they did not recognize me.
"Again I returned for the second time, and I went about. I came forth from those who belong to the light, which is I, the remembrance of the Pronoia. I entered into the midst of darkness and the inside of Hades, since I was seeking (to accomplish) my task. And the foundations of chaos shook, that they might fall down upon those who are in chaos and might destroy them. And again I ran up to my root of light, lest they be destroyed before the time.
"Still for a third time I went - I am the light which exists in the light, I am the remembrance of the Pronoia - that I might enter into the midst of darkness and the inside of Hades. And I filled my face with the light of the completion of their aeon. And I entered into the midst of their prison, which is the prison of the body. And I said, 'He who hears, let him get up from the deep sleep.' And he wept and shed tears. Bitter tears he wiped from himself and he said, 'Who is it that calls my name, and from where has this hope come to me, while I am in the chains of the prison?' And I said, 'I am the Pronoia of the pure light; I am the thinking of the virginal Spirit, who raised you up to the honored place. Arise and remember that it is you who hearkened, and follow your root, which is I, the merciful one, and guard yourself against the angels of poverty and the demons of chaos and all those who ensnare you, and beware of the deep sleep and the enclosure of the inside of Hades.
"And I raised him up, and sealed him in the light of the water with five seals, in order that death might not have power over him from this time on.
Join Date: 2003-09-08
Forum Posts: 879
Thankyou for posting Master Belzebuub
Join Date: 2004-02-17
Forum Posts: 349
Thanks a lot ! This text is very profound and full of esoteric teachings. The last time I read I was not familiar with the style in which these texts are written, and so I was not able to understand much. I think those are the descriptions of three mountains that you quoted here.
I had some related teachings from astral last night that helped me gain an understanding.
And had an OBE later where I tried to invoke you. I called many times and then I passed the door to see raging storm and fiery rain outside before I lost that time in astral. This morning we had a dense fog in our city(no visibility at 50 feet even at 9:30 am)! This is uncanny at this time of year. Weather here is tame and predictable most of the time.
Join Date: 2004-11-30
Forum Posts: 2769
Thank you so much, Belzebuub!
After reading your post, I feel that the difficulties which I have to face are so insignificant in comparison. I know that this impression won't last long by itself, but anyway it is such a powerful help for a moment to keep moving.
Thanks a lot for this inspiration!
Thanks a lot for sharing, Manpreet!
Old Gnostic texts are complicated to read and to understand, so for me that's usually the reason to skip them, "for now".
But now I realize more how much it's possible to take out of them, even on the level where I am.
Very powerful stuff.
Join Date: 2005-01-26
Forum Posts: 865
Hi,
- Yeah, pretty much much vadim said...
And I'll throw in a thanks myself!
Join Date: 2004-02-17
Forum Posts: 349
Thanks for taking interest in the topic guys!
I can relate to what you say Vadim, and I once put the book to one side as fragmented lines and the language were discouraging, but thanks to master quoting from these texts in another post, that I again tried to look into it, and I have not stopped reading it since.