do you think...Subscribe |
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Sun, 06/03/2007 - 00:12
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nabsdabs
Join Date: 2007-02-21 Forum Posts: 30 |
that people who pratice gnosticism today tend to ignore some of the fundamental concepts originally stated in the nag hammadi texts? I only say this because iam new to gnosticism myself but I was under the impression that the astral plane was thought to be under the control of dark forces, ie, the demiurge. |
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Join Date: 2004-02-17
Forum Posts: 347
I am yet to find out what are the fundamental gnostic concepts in Nag Hammadi Texts. The texts are so diverse that sometimes I wonder if they are belonging to groups with different theologies(at times they seem opposing yet complametary). Some texts have been categorised as belonging to Sethian gnostics, some have been classifieds as Valentinian, some as Proto-sethians etc.
The fact that they were discovered together seems amazing.
It is important not to get overwhelmed by the information given in these texts, and to keep the focus on gaining the knowledge we need for ourselves at a given stage.
This world and the astral plane provide to us the oppurtunity to learn and we need these so that we can work, yet these are illusionary worlds in a sense. The psyche can be an instrument of dark forces or of consciousness. Our actions, circumstances, our outer/inner worlds are controlled by what is within - darkness(subconscious) or consciousness.
Hope this helps,
manpreet
Join Date: 2003-08-28
Forum Posts: 19
I would bet there are people that say they are gnostics but ignore or don't even understand the concepts in the nag hammadi texts.
Indeed, due to the cryptic and symbolic nature of these texts, the real meaning of the texts can be different to what it seems to be. For instance, an author of modern gnosis Samael Aun Weor writes that beings like "Adamas the Tyrant" or the "Tyrants of the Archons" are actually symbolic references to the spiritual beings that administer karma, placing difficult situations in life for the initiate so he can pay for and learn from past errors. The initiate can feel oppressed by this process, but it is a necessary part of awakening. Other people however would probably interpret such passages differently.
Although I'd encourage people to read Samael's books offered on this site (especially the more practical psychological ones), I find that to gain real knowledge of what gnosticism is about, you have to gain your own esoteric experience, not relying on what others say, but carrying out an inner search to experience the divine in life. The courses here give practices to do that, but it is up to us to see if these practices actually work. I've personally found great benefit from these courses, for instance, I was able to experience spiritual peace for the first time. All the best with your search.