Thursday, November 22, 2007
from the Gospel of Philip
It is not possible for anyone to see anything of the things that actually exist unless he becomes like them. This is not the way with man in the world: he sees the sun without being a sun; and he sees the heaven and the earth and all other things, but he is not these things. This is quite in keeping with the truth. But you saw something of that place, and you became those things. You saw the Spirit, you became spirit. You saw Christ, you became Christ. You saw the Father, you shall become Father. So in this place you see everything and do not see yourself, but in that place you do see yourself - and what you see you shall become.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Archonic Gnosticism
Gnostic paths are always imperfect. One of the major wrong turns in Gnosticism's history has been a love-affair with the Buddhistic concept of surrender of body and even individual self. Nirvana and reunion in the Pleroma are synonymous, interchangeable. Both are wrong turns.
I argue that one can become so enlightened that they rationally decide to halt their so-called "spiritual progress" toward reunion with some esoteric Ground of All Being. Instinctually, the more refined intellect is repelled by this conception of dissolution of self and the baring of one's soul before all of Existence.
To my mind, Nirvanic/Pleromatic reunion is highly overrated, like family reunions. Where we come from needn't necessarily be better than from where we have ended up. On the contrary, there is so much charm to being in these demiurgically weaved bodies and our consciousnesses being filtered through these homonid brains that it would be insanity to throw it all away! I wouldn't even hazard "reunion" for one micro-second, lest it tear me asunder from my Ape-suit for eternity!
Admittedly, it is a matter of taste - but I argue that given enough time, most souls would be well-adjusted enough to prefer to be in the afterlife with this Ape body, that they would prefer that this accursed "rip" in the tide that drags us toward self-dissolution would melt away and leave us to our own devices. Why do you assume this pull is either irresistable or a good thing? The reasoning mind can see it is rather a trade-up, and if there is no refund and you aren't even allowed to know if you will get one (a refund) until after the fact - see where this is going?
It is far wiser to remain Archonic, so to speak. Archonic, yes, but with one's eyes open. Enlightened Archonism.
I argue that one can become so enlightened that they rationally decide to halt their so-called "spiritual progress" toward reunion with some esoteric Ground of All Being. Instinctually, the more refined intellect is repelled by this conception of dissolution of self and the baring of one's soul before all of Existence.
To my mind, Nirvanic/Pleromatic reunion is highly overrated, like family reunions. Where we come from needn't necessarily be better than from where we have ended up. On the contrary, there is so much charm to being in these demiurgically weaved bodies and our consciousnesses being filtered through these homonid brains that it would be insanity to throw it all away! I wouldn't even hazard "reunion" for one micro-second, lest it tear me asunder from my Ape-suit for eternity!
Admittedly, it is a matter of taste - but I argue that given enough time, most souls would be well-adjusted enough to prefer to be in the afterlife with this Ape body, that they would prefer that this accursed "rip" in the tide that drags us toward self-dissolution would melt away and leave us to our own devices. Why do you assume this pull is either irresistable or a good thing? The reasoning mind can see it is rather a trade-up, and if there is no refund and you aren't even allowed to know if you will get one (a refund) until after the fact - see where this is going?
It is far wiser to remain Archonic, so to speak. Archonic, yes, but with one's eyes open. Enlightened Archonism.
Sublime Hatred in Gnosticism
Let us not mince words - Gnosticism is foremost a religion of hatred, a rebellion of the noblest instincts of humankind (biological, mental and spiritual/paranormal) against the obscenity of Judaism, Judeo-Christianity and Islam.
Gnosticism as a "Hate" spirituality - strange words, you say? I am hardy denying that most Gnostic texts speak of profound Love as one of the most important, if not the most important of the "guiding lights" in ancient Gnosticisms. However - I agrue that intrinsically wedded to this Love is a profound Hatred.
Love and Beauty are revered as Ideals in Platonic thought, and the goal of the spiritual aspirant is to largely shun ephemeral beauty, appreciating the divine beauty that is reflected in the imperfect things of our mortal Kosmos. Well then, why not divining with one's intellect that which is reprehensible in all ephermal things, and tracing them back to concepts, "ideas" transcendant from our own particular kosmos of chaos?
Hatred in Gnosticism is implicit, rather than explicit, of course. I argue that the ancient Gnostics were unaware how lovingly and passionately they hated! Try as they might, I see them for who and what they were and mourn the loss of what they might have been, if their intellectual honesty had been more consistent. Ah, but such is the constant shortcomings of people and "isms".
Gnosticism is supposed to be about war! A passionate struggle to the death against ingnorance, lies, weakness and oppression. Taken this way, Gnosticism (despite its psychedelic mythology) can be seen as a healthier, saner spiritual path to Buddhism etc. Note I say spiritual, not religious. Gnostic texts are to be drawn on for spiritual nourishment, not venerated as the texts of your "religion"! Especially in the 21st century, to label Gnosticism as one's actual religion is very, very stupid.
Gnosticism is Anarchic, Shamanistic. The diverse Gnostic Mythos are a combination of guilless psychonautic adventures, but also a refined form of spiritual rebellion. The looming authoritarian behemoth of Rome could not hold a candle to Judaism's vileness, which is why Gnosticism focusses exclusively on Judaism. Of course, hypothetically given more time (extra centuries to spread their wings) one can easily imagine Gnostic polemical texts (philosophical and mythological) branching out to slander similar religions, concepts and systems of control (lesser evils to Judaism, but evils nonetheless). Yes, even the Roman Empire itself.
Gnosticism as a "Hate" spirituality - strange words, you say? I am hardy denying that most Gnostic texts speak of profound Love as one of the most important, if not the most important of the "guiding lights" in ancient Gnosticisms. However - I agrue that intrinsically wedded to this Love is a profound Hatred.
Love and Beauty are revered as Ideals in Platonic thought, and the goal of the spiritual aspirant is to largely shun ephemeral beauty, appreciating the divine beauty that is reflected in the imperfect things of our mortal Kosmos. Well then, why not divining with one's intellect that which is reprehensible in all ephermal things, and tracing them back to concepts, "ideas" transcendant from our own particular kosmos of chaos?
Hatred in Gnosticism is implicit, rather than explicit, of course. I argue that the ancient Gnostics were unaware how lovingly and passionately they hated! Try as they might, I see them for who and what they were and mourn the loss of what they might have been, if their intellectual honesty had been more consistent. Ah, but such is the constant shortcomings of people and "isms".
Gnosticism is supposed to be about war! A passionate struggle to the death against ingnorance, lies, weakness and oppression. Taken this way, Gnosticism (despite its psychedelic mythology) can be seen as a healthier, saner spiritual path to Buddhism etc. Note I say spiritual, not religious. Gnostic texts are to be drawn on for spiritual nourishment, not venerated as the texts of your "religion"! Especially in the 21st century, to label Gnosticism as one's actual religion is very, very stupid.
Gnosticism is Anarchic, Shamanistic. The diverse Gnostic Mythos are a combination of guilless psychonautic adventures, but also a refined form of spiritual rebellion. The looming authoritarian behemoth of Rome could not hold a candle to Judaism's vileness, which is why Gnosticism focusses exclusively on Judaism. Of course, hypothetically given more time (extra centuries to spread their wings) one can easily imagine Gnostic polemical texts (philosophical and mythological) branching out to slander similar religions, concepts and systems of control (lesser evils to Judaism, but evils nonetheless). Yes, even the Roman Empire itself.
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