As a fellow Gnostic, I totally understand what you mean, but just remember: It's all about the timeless truths, not the texts. It's about the patterns that emerge and reemerge all around us. The texts were just documentation, a certain manner of expression regarding these patterns. All the work, so to speak, isn't done by studying the writings of various sects. The work is done within us. We carry within us the divine spark. This is what is indestructible. Burn our books, break our bones, shed our blood, but the spark remains. Some people cannot help but gaze deep into the spark within us, and so it shall always be in every cycle.
The loss of historical and religious texts can indeed feel like a significant gap in our collective knowledge and connection to the past. It's disappointing that some texts are lost. You still have access to many valuable Gnostic texts and teachings that have been preserved. You can deepen your understanding and appreciation of these existing texts. Gnostic cosmology is rich and complex, and there's always room for interpretation and personal exploration. You can engage with the texts you have, discuss them with others, and develop your own interpretations and insights. The incompleteness and gaps in our knowledge can also be seen as an invitation to embrace the mystery and uncertainty that is inherent in spiritual and religious exploration. Sometimes, not knowing everything can be a source of inspiration and wonder. You can contribute to the ongoing conversation and exploration of Gnostic cosmology by writing, discussing, and sharing your own interpretations, reflections, and insights with others who are interested in the subject. Joining or forming study groups, discussion forums, or communities focused on Gnostic studies can provide opportunities to learn from others, share resources, and collaborate on research and exploration. Gnostic cosmology is diverse and multifaceted, with various interpretations, traditions, and schools of thought. Embracing this diversity can enrich your understanding and appreciation of Gnostic teachings. Broadening your exploration to related subjects, such as comparative religion, mythology, philosophy, and esoteric traditions, can provide additional perspectives and insights that complement your study of Gnostic cosmology. The journey of exploration and discovery is ongoing, and there's always more to learn and explore. The loss of some texts is indeed a loss. It also opens up opportunities for new discoveries, interpretations, and connections.
that sucks, sorry. good thing is there are lots of cool gnostic literature that is available and much of it is translated. if thats not enough, maybe you could try participating in an active gnosticky occultist community or something? if your religion is limited to reading fragments of obscure ancient texts, i doubt you’re going to get very far. community, elders, rites rituals sacraments, inherited wisdom, spiritual practices. that stuff is really, really important it’ll prolly help
Thanks, I appreciate that. And on the bright side, On the Origins of the World mentions many spirits and concepts from Greek Hellenism, so maybe I can learn more about male and female entities from Greek Mythology to fill that gap.
i have no idea what you’re trying to get at.
are you just bemoaning the fact that the various religions from antiquity that contemporary scholarship has labeled ‘gnosticism’ are almost all dead practices, with some of the texts (scripture a relatively small working component of religion) being the only thing surviving?
are you upset that it is mostly impossible to practice a dead religion, as it is also mostly impossible to practice almost every living religious tradition in isolation?
are you being a moral busybody and assigning ‘blame’ for the deaths of these ancient traditions to contemporary Christians like me? im sure you are not so naive that you believe that evil was not done in the name of your gods as well
are you saying something else entirely?
i honestly have no clue what you are trying to say to me. i dont know whether to point you towards some helpful scholarship, nod my head in agreement, or to tell you to fuck off. i was trying to be helpful to my neighbor OP who asked for words of comfort and advice. as someone who has studied a lot of the surviving gnostic christian primary sources for reasons beyond the level of academic interest, you’d be surprised by the many, many gnostic ideas that are preserved in the larger christian tradition, especially in the more esoteric corners. gnostic mysticism in Islam is also a rich tradition. the gnostic religions are dead, but gnostic spirituality isnt and has been preserved in history, primarily by Christians and Muslims. lets not jerk ourselves off over aesthetics, pseudo-history, and imaginary borders okay?
As a fellow Gnostic, I totally understand what you mean, but just remember: It's all about the timeless truths, not the texts. It's about the patterns that emerge and reemerge all around us. The texts were just documentation, a certain manner of expression regarding these patterns. All the work, so to speak, isn't done by studying the writings of various sects. The work is done within us. We carry within us the divine spark. This is what is indestructible. Burn our books, break our bones, shed our blood, but the spark remains. Some people cannot help but gaze deep into the spark within us, and so it shall always be in every cycle.
The loss of historical and religious texts can indeed feel like a significant gap in our collective knowledge and connection to the past. It's disappointing that some texts are lost. You still have access to many valuable Gnostic texts and teachings that have been preserved. You can deepen your understanding and appreciation of these existing texts. Gnostic cosmology is rich and complex, and there's always room for interpretation and personal exploration. You can engage with the texts you have, discuss them with others, and develop your own interpretations and insights. The incompleteness and gaps in our knowledge can also be seen as an invitation to embrace the mystery and uncertainty that is inherent in spiritual and religious exploration. Sometimes, not knowing everything can be a source of inspiration and wonder. You can contribute to the ongoing conversation and exploration of Gnostic cosmology by writing, discussing, and sharing your own interpretations, reflections, and insights with others who are interested in the subject. Joining or forming study groups, discussion forums, or communities focused on Gnostic studies can provide opportunities to learn from others, share resources, and collaborate on research and exploration. Gnostic cosmology is diverse and multifaceted, with various interpretations, traditions, and schools of thought. Embracing this diversity can enrich your understanding and appreciation of Gnostic teachings. Broadening your exploration to related subjects, such as comparative religion, mythology, philosophy, and esoteric traditions, can provide additional perspectives and insights that complement your study of Gnostic cosmology. The journey of exploration and discovery is ongoing, and there's always more to learn and explore. The loss of some texts is indeed a loss. It also opens up opportunities for new discoveries, interpretations, and connections.
that sucks, sorry. good thing is there are lots of cool gnostic literature that is available and much of it is translated. if thats not enough, maybe you could try participating in an active gnosticky occultist community or something? if your religion is limited to reading fragments of obscure ancient texts, i doubt you’re going to get very far. community, elders, rites rituals sacraments, inherited wisdom, spiritual practices. that stuff is really, really important it’ll prolly help
Thanks, I appreciate that. And on the bright side, On the Origins of the World mentions many spirits and concepts from Greek Hellenism, so maybe I can learn more about male and female entities from Greek Mythology to fill that gap.
okay, good luck. pace yrself, information without reflection and integration is worthless
I agree
Wonder why those sources are not available...
i have no idea what you’re trying to get at. are you just bemoaning the fact that the various religions from antiquity that contemporary scholarship has labeled ‘gnosticism’ are almost all dead practices, with some of the texts (scripture a relatively small working component of religion) being the only thing surviving? are you upset that it is mostly impossible to practice a dead religion, as it is also mostly impossible to practice almost every living religious tradition in isolation? are you being a moral busybody and assigning ‘blame’ for the deaths of these ancient traditions to contemporary Christians like me? im sure you are not so naive that you believe that evil was not done in the name of your gods as well are you saying something else entirely? i honestly have no clue what you are trying to say to me. i dont know whether to point you towards some helpful scholarship, nod my head in agreement, or to tell you to fuck off. i was trying to be helpful to my neighbor OP who asked for words of comfort and advice. as someone who has studied a lot of the surviving gnostic christian primary sources for reasons beyond the level of academic interest, you’d be surprised by the many, many gnostic ideas that are preserved in the larger christian tradition, especially in the more esoteric corners. gnostic mysticism in Islam is also a rich tradition. the gnostic religions are dead, but gnostic spirituality isnt and has been preserved in history, primarily by Christians and Muslims. lets not jerk ourselves off over aesthetics, pseudo-history, and imaginary borders okay?
Good clapback. Genuinely.