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Gluttony and Gratitude: Milton’s Philosophy of Eating (Medieval & Renaissance Literary Studies #1)
by Emily E. StelzerDespite the persistence and popularity of addressing the theme of eating in Paradise Lost, the tradition of Adam and Eve’s sin as one of gluttony—and the evidence for Milton’s adaptation of this tradition—has been either unnoticed or suppressed. Emily Stelzer provides the first book-length work on the philosophical significance of gluttony in this poem, arguing that a complex understanding of gluttony and of ideal, grateful, and gracious eating informs the content of Milton’s writing. Working with contextual material in the fields of physiology, philosophy, theology, and literature and building on recent scholarship on Milton’s experience of and knowledge about matter and the body, Stelzer draws connections between Milton’s work and both underexamined textual influences (including, for example, Gower’s Confessio Amantis) and well-recognized ones (such as Augustine’s City of God and Galen’s On the Natural Faculties).
Gluttony and Gratitude: Milton’s Philosophy of Eating (Medieval & Renaissance Literary Studies)
by Emily E. StelzerDespite the persistence and popularity of addressing the theme of eating in Paradise Lost, the tradition of Adam and Eve’s sin as one of gluttony—and the evidence for Milton’s adaptation of this tradition—has been either unnoticed or suppressed. Emily Stelzer provides the first book-length work on the philosophical significance of gluttony in this poem, arguing that a complex understanding of gluttony and of ideal, grateful, and gracious eating informs the content of Milton’s writing. Working with contextual material in the fields of physiology, philosophy, theology, and literature and building on recent scholarship on Milton’s experience of and knowledge about matter and the body, Stelzer draws connections between Milton’s work and both underexamined textual influences (including, for example, Gower’s Confessio Amantis) and well-recognized ones (such as Augustine’s City of God and Galen’s On the Natural Faculties).
Gnani Purursh 'Dada Bhagwan' Bhag-1: જ્ઞાની પુરુષ ‘દાદા ભગવાન’ ભાગ-૧
by Dada Bhagwanપ્રત્યેક કાળચક્રમાં ઘણા જ્ઞાનીઓતથા મહાન પુરુષો જન્મ લે છે. પરંતુ તેઓની આંતરિક જ્ઞાન દશાનું રહસ્ય હજુ અક્બંધ રહી જાય છે. પ્રસ્તુત ગ્રંથ “જ્ઞાની પુરુષ” માં પરમ પૂજ્ય દાદા ભગવાનના જ્ઞાન દશા પૂર્વેના વિવિધ પ્રસંગો તથા તેમના વિચક્ષણ જીવનશૈલી સમા અદ્ભુત દ્રશ્યોનુંતાદ્રશ્ય અહીં વિગતવાર જાણવા મળે છે. એક સામાન્ય માનવી હોવા છતા એમની મહીંસમાયેલી અસામાન્ય લાક્ષણિકતાઓ રૂપી ખજાનો છતો થાય છે. તેમના જીવનના માત્ર એક પ્રસંગમાંથી અદ્ભૂત અધ્યાત્મિક ફોડનું વિશ્વ દર્શન પ્રસ્તુત ગ્રંથ દ્વારા કરાવ્યું છે. જીવન વ્યવહારમાં સચોટ નિર્ણયશક્તિની સૂઝ તથા વ્યવહારીક સમજણની અટકણોના ફોડરૂપીઅનોખી સૂઝનો ભંડાર“જ્ઞાની પુરુષ” ગ્રંથ દ્વારાજગતને પ્રાપ્ત થશે. આ પવિત્ર ગ્રંથનું અધ્યયન કરી જ્ઞાની પુરુષના જીવન-દર્શનની અદ્ભૂત સફર કરવાની અમૂલ્ય તક ઝીલી લઈએ.
Gnani Purursh 'Dada Bhagwan' Bhag-1: ज्ञानी पुरुष 'दादा भगवान' (भाग-१)
by Dada Bhagwanहरेक काल चक्र में बहुत से ज्ञानी और महान पुरुष जन्म लेते हैं, लेकिन उनकी आंतरिक ज्ञान दशा का रहस्य अभी भी गुप्त (अप्रगट) ही रह जाता हैं| प्रस्तुत ग्रंथ “ज्ञानी पुरुष” में परम पूज्य दादाभगवान की ज्ञानदशा के पहले के विविध प्रसंग और उनकी विचक्षण जीवनशैली सहित अद्भुत द्रश्यो का तादृष्य, यहाँ विस्तार से जानने को मिलता हैं | एक सामान्य मानव होतें हुए भी उनके अंदर समाहित असामान्य लाक्षनिकताओ रूपी खजाना बाहर प्रगट हुआ हैं | उनके जीवन के मात्र एक प्रसंग में से अद्भुत आध्यात्मिक खुलासे (स्पष्टिकरण) द्वारा प्रस्तुत ग्रंथ के माध्यम से विश्व-दर्शन कराया हैं | जीवन व्यवहार में सही निर्णयशक्ति की सुझ (समझ) तथा व्यवहारिक समझ की अड़चनों के खुलासे द्वारा अनोखी सुझ का भंडार “ज्ञानी पुरुष” ग्रंथ के माध्यम से जगत को प्राप्त होगा | इस पवित्र ग्रंथ का अध्ययन करके, ज्ञानी पुरुष के जीवन-दर्शन का अद्भुत सफ़र करने का अमूल्य अवसर प्राप्त करेंगे...
Gnani Purursh 'Dada Bhagwan' Bhag-2: જ્ઞાની પુરુષ ‘દાદા ભગવાન’ ભાગ-૨
by Dada Bhagwanપ્રસ્તુત ગ્રંથ જ્ઞાની પુરુષ ભાગ-૨ માં પરમ પૂજ્ય દાદા ભગવાનના હીરાબા સાથેના લગ્ન જીવન દરમિયાન એમની અદભુત વીતરાગ દશા સાથે આદર્શ વ્યવહારનો સંપૂર્ણ ચિતાર મળે છે. પરમ પૂજ્ય દાદાશ્રીને હીરાબાનો સંયોગ થયો ત્યારથી લઈને હીરાબાનો વિયોગ થયો ત્યાં સુધીના એમના ગૃહસ્થ જીવનની વાતોનું પરમ પૂજ્ય દાદાશ્રીના જ શબ્દોમાં પ્રસ્તુત ગ્રંથમાં સંકલન થયું છે. જેમાં આપણને એમનો આદર્શ વ્યવહાર, દરેક વ્યવહારમાં પોઝિટિવ દ્રષ્ટિ, એમની એડજસ્ટમેન્ટ લેવા નીકળાઓ, બોધ કળાઓ તેમજ એમની નિર્મોહી, મમતારહિત, દુઃખના પ્રસંગોમાં ભોગવટારહિત દશા અને છેવટની વીતરાગ દશા જાણવાને માણવા મળશે.એમની એક ફેર ભૂલ થયા બાદ એ પ્રસંગનું તારણ કાઢી ફરીએ ભૂલોમાંથી કાયમ માટે બહાર નીકળી જવાની દ્રષ્ટિ તેમજ સામાને સોટકા નિર્દોષ જ જોઈ અને પોતાના દોષો ખોળી કાઢી તેમાંથી મુક્ત થવાની એમની તમન્ના ખુલ્લી કરે છે. સમજણના સાંધા વડે મતભેદોથી મુક્ત થતા થતા હીરાબા સાથે સંપૂર્ણ મતભેદ વગરનું જીવન જીવ્યા, જેની આખી સફર આપણને અત્રે જાણવા મળશે. આ કાળના લોકોનું મહાન પુણ્ય જ ગણાય કે જ્ઞાનીપુરુષ નું ગૃહસ્થ જીવન જોવા મળ્યું.સઘળા એડજસ્ટમેન્ટ સાથે વ્યવહારમાં આદર્શપણાની ઉણપ કોઈ ખૂણે જણાતી નથી. પ્રસ્તુત ગ્રંથનું અધ્યયન આપણા વ્યવહારને આદર્શ બનાવી વિના અડચણે મોક્ષમાર્ગ પૂરો કરવામાં સહાયભૂત બની રહે એ જ અંતરની પ્રાર્થના.
Gnani Purursh 'Dada Bhagwan' Bhag-3: જ્ઞાની પુરુષ ‘દાદા ભગવાન’ ભાગ-૩
by Dada Bhagwanપ્રસ્તુત ગ્રંથ જ્ઞાની પુરુષ ભાગ-3માં દરેક માણસોને એમના લેવલે જે જીવનમાં તકલીફો પડતી હોય, તેમાં આત્માના જ્ઞાનમાં રહી સમતાભાવે કર્મ પૂરા કરી શકે અને નવા કર્મ બંધાય નહીં, એવું કંઈક અનુભવજ્ઞાન અને સમજ આપવાની પરમ પૂજ્ય દાદાભગવાનની તીવ્ર ભાવનાની ઝાંખી થાય છે. તે ભાવનાના આધારે પોતે પૂર્વે બુદ્ધિના આશયમાં કંઈક એવું માગીને આવેલા હશે, કે એવો ધંધો જોઈએ છે કે જેમાં બધી જ જાતના સંસાર વ્યવહારના અનુભવો થાય કે જે સામાન્ય માણસ અનુભવતો હોય.તે એવો જ કન્ટ્રાક્ટનો નંગોડ ધંધો એમને ભેગો થયો.જેમાં મજૂરથી માંડી મોટા પ્રધાનો, પ્રેસિડન્ટો, કોન્ટ્રાક્ટરો, શેઠિયાઓ, એન્જિનિયરો, મોટા ઑફિસરો બધા જ ભેગા થાય.પોતે એ જ બધા વ્યવહારમાં જ્ઞાનપૂર્વક રહી, સાચી સમજણ ગોઠવી, કેવી રીતે સંસારવ્યવહાર પૂરો કરી અને અંદર પોતે વીતરાગતામાં રહી શક્યા, એનું વિવરણ જ્ઞાની પુરુષ ભાગ-૩ ગ્રંથમાં મળે છે! દાદાશ્રીના અંતર આશયના ફોડ, એમની આંતરિક દશાની સમજણ, સીમિત ન રહેતા સહુ કોઈને સુલભ થાય અને વાંચનારના હૃદય સુધી સ્પર્શી તે રૂપ થવાની શ્રેણીઓ ચઢાવે એવો નમ્ર પ્રયાસ અહીં કરવામાં આવ્યો છે.
Gnani Purursh 'Dada Bhagwan' Bhag-4: જ્ઞાની પુરુષ ‘દાદા ભગવાન’ ભાગ-૪
by Dada Bhagwan‘જ્ઞાની પુરુષ’ શ્રેણીના આ ચોથા ગ્રંથમાં, પરમ પૂજ્ય દાદાશ્રીના જ્ઞાન પૂર્વેના વિવિધ જીવનપ્રસંગો આવરી લીધા છે. પરમ પૂજ્ય દાદાશ્રીના જીવનપ્રસંગો થકી એમના દરેક વ્યવહાર પાછળની આગવી સમજણ, એમની પ્રકૃતિના વિવિધ પાસાઓ તથા તેઓશ્રીનું ઉચ્ચ ઉપાદાન અહીં ખુલ્લું થાય. પરમ પૂજ્ય દાદાશ્રીનો નાનપણથી જ અપકાર કરનાર પરેય ઉપકાર કરવાનો સ્વભાવ, કોઈ દુઃખીને જોઈ જ ન શકે, એને હેલ્પ કરવા સર્વસ્વ હોડમાં મૂકી દે એવા હૃદયમાર્ગી! વળી શૌર્યતા, નીડરતા જેવા ગુણોને લીધે અતિમુશ્કેલ પરિસ્થિતિમાં પાછા ન પડે ને ઉકેલ લાવી નાખતા. ઘણા પ્રસંગોમાં અહંકાર અને માનના સૂક્ષ્મ પર્યાયોનું જે રીતે તેઓશ્રી વર્ણન કરે છે, તે જોતા જ્ઞાન થતા પૂર્વેનું એમનું ઊંચું ડેવલપમેન્ટ સ્પષ્ટ દેખાઈ આવે છે. નવીનતમ બોધકળાઓ, એમની વ્યવહારુકતા, વિપુલમતિ, અસામાન્ય કોઠાસૂઝ, વિચક્ષણ સમયસૂચકતા, બે વ્યક્તિ વચ્ચે વેલ્ડિંગ કરવાની અનોખી કળા ઈત્યાદિ વિશિષ્ટતાઓ રસપ્રદ પ્રસંગો દ્વારા અત્રે જાણવા મળે છે.
Gnani Purush 'Dada Bhagwan' Bhaag-5: જ્ઞાની પુરુષ ‘દાદા ભગવાન’ ભાગ-૫
by Dada Bhagwanજ્ઞાની પુરુષ ‘દાદા ભગવાન’ ભાગ-૫, આ ગ્રંથમાં દાદાશ્રીના જ્ઞાન પૂર્વેના વિવિધ પ્રસંગો આવરી લેવામાં આવ્યા છે. જે વાંચ્યા બાદ મુખ્યત્વે દાદાશ્રીને જ્ઞાન થયું તે પહેલા એમની અહંકારની વધતી જતી બળતરા, જાગૃત દશાના કારણે એ અહંકારની કૈડ સહન ન થવાની સ્થિતિ તેમજ સંસારમાં ચોગરદમ વધતી જતી વૈરાગ્ય દશા, ને જ્ઞાનદશા તરફ વધારે ને વધારે ઢળતી જતી આંતરિક દશાની ઝાંખી સ્પષ્ટપણે જોવા મળે છે. આ ગ્રંથમાં દાદાશ્રીના જ્ઞાન પૂર્વેના ઘણા પ્રસંગો સામાન્ય માણસના જીવનમાં બનતા હોય એવા જ છે, જેમાં એમનાથી પણ એવી જ ભૂલો થઈ હોય. પણ વિશેષતા એ છે કે એકવાર ભૂલ સમજાયા પછી એના પર અસ્ખલિત તેમજ અસામાન્ય વિચારધારા, મનોમંથન, સંશોધન અને તારણો આ બધું જ એમનામાં જ્ઞાની પુરુષના લક્ષણોની ઝાંખી કરાવી જાય છે. દાદાશ્રીને ધંધાની બહુ પડેલી નહીં, પણ તેઓ મોક્ષમાર્ગના પાકા વેપારી હતા. પોતાને ભેગા થતા દરેક સંજોગોનું ચોગરદમથી એનાલિસીસ કરી (તારણ કાઢી), એમાંથી કુદરતના ગૂઢ સિદ્ધાંતો શોધી કાઢવાનો શોખ પણ એમને નાનપણથી જ હતો. ટી.વી., રેડિયો, એર કંડિશન, ઘડિયાળ જેવી અનેક વસ્તુઓ કે જેને જગતે મોજશોખ અને સુખના સાધનો ગણ્યા છે, એમાંની એકેય વસ્તુ એમણે વસાવી નથી. ‘જીવ શી રીતે બંધાય છે? છૂટાય શી રીતે ? આ જગત કયા આધારે ચાલે છે ?’ વગેરેની નિરંતર વિચારધારા ચાલુ જ રહેતી. કલાકોના કલાકો આત્મા સંબંધી વિક્ષેપ રહિત વિચારધારા ચાલે. ભગવાને એને ‘જ્ઞાનાંક્ષેપકવંત દશા’ કહી છે. બહુ ઊંચી દશા કહેવાય આ ! જેના પરિણામ સ્વરૂપે આ આત્મજ્ઞાન પ્રગટ થયું. આ ગ્રંથનો અત્યંત વિનયપૂર્વક અભ્યાસ કરી અતુલ્ય એવા જ્ઞાની પુરુષને ઓળખીએ અને એમની સમ્યક્ સમજણને જીવનમાં ઉતારી જ્ઞાનશ્રેણીઓ ચઢીએ એ જ હૃદયની ભાવના !
Gnani Purush Kee Pahachaan: ज्ञानीपुरुष की पहचान
by Dada Bhagwanकभी ज्ञानीपुरुष मिल जाए, जो मुक्त पुरुष हैं, परमेनन्ट मुक्तिहै, ऐसा कोई मिल जाए तो अपना काम हो जाता है। शास्त्रों के ज्ञानी तो बहुत है, मगर उससे तो कोई काम नहीं चलेगा। सच्चा ज्ञानी चाहिए, मोक्ष का दान देनेवाला चाहिए।
Gnosis: The Secrets of Solomon's Temple Revealed
by Philip GardinerAn examination of the alluring mysteries surrounding the ancient temple, revealing answers to questions that have puzzled generations.Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem—reputed to be the source of the most esoteric knowledge in human history—has fascinated scholars, seekers and dreamers for centuries. Generations of scholars and researchers have tried in vain to discover the fabled Temple of Solomon, only to be confronted by one problem after another. All the problems raised by these disparate and often desperate people have now been fully answered and can be revealed to the world.Through his own involvement in secret societies and his tenacious spirit, Philip Gardiner has unearthed the secrets of the Temple. From the Queen of Sheba and the arcane secrets of the Christian Gnostics to the Muslim Sufi and Hindu Avatars, Gnosis weaves a tale that is both profound and precise. Gardiner declares that the truth of Solomon’s Temple has been known all along within the realm of esoteric understanding. Only one question remains: Is the world ready for the truth?Find the true secret of the Knights Templar and the mysteries of the ancients. Find the truth for yourself in Gnosis.Praise for Gnosis“Controversial, provocative, even profoundly “irritating” to some. . . . Gardiner eruditely challenges us all with this refreshing study . . . from the Garden of Eden into more modern times.” —Dr. Karen Ralls, medieval historian and author of The Templars and the Grail“Gnosis is a refreshing creation of true spiritual teaching—as well as being a damn good read. Gardiner possesses that rare ability to weave history, mythology and spiritual tradition into writing that is both understandable and enjoyable. Gnosis will fascinate readers with its complex insights into spirituality.” —Gnostic Communications internet magazine“In this remarkable and thought-provoking book, Gardiner has literally undressed the sacred mystical language of our ancestors and reveals one of the most profound Biblical concepts to be exposed in recent times.” —Ernest Scott, author of The People of the Secret
The Gnosis or Ancient Wisdom in the Christian Scriptures or The Wisdom in a Mystery: Or The Wisdom In A Mystery
by William KingslandUncover the hidden layers of spiritual wisdom embedded within the Christian Scriptures with William Kingsland's The Gnosis or Ancient Wisdom in the Christian Scriptures or The Wisdom in a Mystery. This enlightening work delves into the esoteric teachings and mystical insights that have been veiled in the sacred texts of Christianity, offering readers a profound exploration of the ancient wisdom tradition known as Gnosis.William Kingsland, a respected scholar of esoteric Christianity, presents a compelling argument that the teachings of Jesus and the early Christian writers are deeply rooted in the universal principles of Gnosis. Through meticulous analysis and thoughtful interpretation, Kingsland reveals how the Christian Scriptures convey profound spiritual truths and timeless wisdom that transcend orthodox religious doctrines.The Gnosis or Ancient Wisdom in the Christian Scriptures illuminates key biblical passages, uncovering their deeper symbolic meanings and esoteric significance. Kingsland explores themes such as the nature of the divine, the process of spiritual awakening, and the journey of the soul, providing readers with a richer and more nuanced understanding of Christian teachings.Kingsland’s work bridges the gap between traditional Christian theology and the broader mystical traditions of the ancient world, highlighting the connections between Christianity and other wisdom traditions such as Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, and Eastern philosophies. By doing so, he invites readers to appreciate the universality of spiritual truths and the shared heritage of human wisdom.This book is an essential read for those interested in esoteric Christianity, comparative religion, and the mystical dimensions of spiritual practice. Kingsland’s erudite and accessible writing makes complex metaphysical concepts approachable, offering readers a pathway to deeper spiritual insight and personal transformation.
Gnostic Apocalypse and Islam: Qur'an, Exegesis, Messianism and the Literary Origins of the Babi Religion (Iranian Studies)
by Todd LawsonOf the several works on the rise and development of the Babi movement, especially those dealing with the life and work of its founder, Sayyid Ali Muhammad Shirazi, few deal directly with the compelling and complex web of mysticism, theology and philosophy found in his earliest compositions. This book examines the Islamic roots of the Babi religion, (and by extension the later Baha’i faith which developed out of it), through the Qur’anic commentaries of the Bab and sheds light on its relationship to the wider religious milieu and its profound debt to esoteric Islam, especially Shi'ism. Todd Lawson places the two earliest writings of the Bab within the diverse contexts necessary to understand them, in order to explain why these writings made sense to and inspired his followers. He delves into the history of the tafsir (Qur’an commentary) genre of Islamic scholarship, situates these early writings in the Akhbari, Sufi and most importantly Shaykhi traditions of Islam. In the process, he identifies both the continuities and discontinuities between these works and earlier works of Shi’i tafsir, helping us appreciate significant elements of the Bab’s thought and claims. Filling an important gap in the existing literature on the Babi movement, this book will be of greatest interest to students and scholars of Qur'an commentary, Mysticism, Shi'ism, the modern history of Iran and messianism.
The Gnostic Bible: Revised and Expanded Edition
by Willis Barnstone Marvin MeyerGnosticism was a wide-ranging religious movement of the first millennium CE--with earlier antecedents and later flourishings--whose adherents sought salvation through knowledge and personal religious experience. Gnostic writings offer striking perspectives on both early Christian and non-Christian thought. For example, some gnostic texts suggest that god should be celebrated as both mother and father, and that self-knowledge is the supreme path to the divine. Only in the past fifty years has it become clear how far the gnostic influence spread in ancient and medieval religions--and what a marvelous body of scriptures it produced. The selections gathered here, in poetic, readable translation, represent Jewish, Christian, Hermetic, Mandaean, Manichaean, Islamic, and Cathar expressions of gnostic spirituality. Their regions of origin include Egypt, the Greco-Roman world, the Middle East, Syria, Iraq, China, and France. Also included are introductions, notes, an extensive glossary, and a wealth of suggestions for further reading.
The Gnostic Discoveries
by Marvin W. MeyerThe Meaning of the Nag Hammadi, now in paperback opens the with the thrilling adventure story of the discovery of the ancient Papyrii at Nag Hammadi. Muhammad Ali, the fellahin, discovered the sealed jar, he feared that it might contain a jinni, or spirit, but also had heard of hidden treasures in such jars. Greed overcame his fears and when he smashed open the jar, gold seemed to float into the air. To his disappointment, it was papyrus fragmenst, not gold, but for scholars around the world, it was invaluable.Meyer then discusses the pre-Christian forms of wisdom that went onto influence what Christians believe today. In addition, some Nag Hammadi texts are attributed to Valentinus, a man who almost became Pope, and whose rejection changed the church in significant ways. Text by text, Meyer traces the history and impact of this great find on the Church, right up to our current beliefs and popular cultural fascination with this officially suppressed secret knowledge about Jesus and his followers.
The Gnostic Faustus: The Secret Teachings behind the Classic Text
by Ramona FradonThe Faust legend seen as a transmission of core Gnostic teachings disguised as a morality tale • Shows the 16th-century Faust text to be a coded, composite Gnostic creation myth • Identifies the many Hermetic, alchemical, and Tantric symbols found in Faust that signify worship of the divine feminine through sacramental sexual practices • Reveals a mystical process of spiritual salvation, as distilled from esoteric traditions In The Gnostic Faustus, Ramona Fradon shows the legend of Doctor Faustus to be a composite Gnostic creation myth that reveals the process of spiritual salvation. Nearly every element of the original 16th-century text is a metaphor containing profound spiritual messages based on passages of Coptic and Syrian Gnostic manuscripts, including the Pistis Sophia and The Hymn of the Pearl. Fradon identifies many Hermetic, alchemical, and Tantric symbols in the Faust Book that accompany the story of Sophia, the goddess of wisdom, whose troubled journey to salvation is a model for human spiritual development. Extensive line-by-line text comparisons with these Gnostic manuscripts show that Faustus’s corruption by the Devil and his despair parallel Sophia’s transgression and fall, and that his tragic death is a simple reversal of her joyful rebirth, so written in order to make an otherwise heretical story palatable to Church authorities at that time.Fradon demonstrates that the Faust legend is a vehicle for transmitting antiquity’s secret wisdom. It provides an account of spiritual initiation whose goal is ecstatic revelation and union with the divine. The elements of alchemy, sacramental sex, and worship of the divine feminine that are encoded in the Faust Book reveal the same hidden goddess-worshipping tradition whose practices are hinted at by the writings of Renaissance magi such as Cornelius Agrippa and Giordano Bruno.
The Gnostic Gospel of St. Thomas: Meditations on the Mystical Teachings
by Tau MalachiOf all the "lost" gospels of the early Christian Bible, the Gospel of St. Thomas is the most well known. According to Tau Malachi, each verse of this Holy Scripture is like an "endless well of Wisdom." Drawing upon the Holy Kabbalah, contemporary Christian thought, and wisdom of the gnostic tradition, Malachi guides the reader into a true gnostic experience-a first-hand and completely unique exploration of the sacred secrets and spiritual insights in this important gnostic text.Both intuitive and interactive, the gnostic approach to faith is a sacred quest for greater knowledge, understanding, and wisdom—a deeper penetration of the Mystery. This path leads to a higher degree of the enlightenment experience, or gnosis. The Gnostic Gospel of St. Thomas reveals how the reader can use each verse in this scripture as a source of daily contemplation and spiritual growth, while exploring the secrets of resurrection and ascension, the true role of St. Mary Magdalene in the early church, and other mystical and magical teachings.
The Gnostic Gospels: Including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene
by Alan JacobsThe selections made in this volume shed light on these esoteric doctrines revealing intimate conversations between Jesus and his Disciples. The Gospel of Mary Magdalene throws new light on his relationship with this favourite disciple. The Gospel of Thomas contains concentrated mini-parables, containing deep inward and symbolic meaning, many of which are not found in the New Testament. The texts chosen are relevant to many of the perplexities of contemporary life and deal with the questions of good and evil, sin and suffering and the path to salvation.
The Gnostic Gospels: Heracleon's Commentary On John (Modern Library 100 Best Nonfiction Books)
by Elaine PagelsDiscussion of early church writings discovered in 1945, and of how Christianity evolved.<P><P> Winner of the National Book Award
The Gnostic Gospels
by Elaine PagelsAs discussed in The Da Vinci Code... Long buried and suppressed, the Gnostic Gospels contain the secret writings attributed to the followers of Jesus.In 1945 fifty-two papyrus texts, including gospels and other secret documents, were found concealed in an earthenware jar buried in the Egyptian desert. These so-called Gnostic writings were Coptic translations from the original Greek dating from the time of the New Testament. The material they embodied - poems, quasi-philosophical descriptions of the origins of the universe, myths, magic and instructions for mystic practice - were later declared heretical, as they offered a powerful alternative to the Orthodox Christian tradition. In a book that is as exciting as it is scholarly, Elaine Pagels examines these texts and the questions they pose and shows why Gnosticism was eventually stamped out by the increasingly organised and institutionalised Orthodox Church.
The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus: The Definitive Collection of Mystical Gospels and Secret Books about Jesus of Nazareth
by Marvin W. MeyerFor all those readers curious to read the actual texts of the Gnostic Gospels, here is the definitive collection of all the Gnostic Gospels and Gospel-like texts. o Marvin Meyer, premier scholar of Gnostic and other Christian literature outside the New Testament, presents every Gnostic Gospel and Jesus text with a brilliant overall introduction, introductions to each text, and notes that explain everything the reader needs to know to understand the text. He includes his latest translations of not only the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Philip, the Gospel of Mary, but other texts such as the Secret Book of John, which some scholars regard as the second part of the New Testament Gospel of John. The material is largely from the discovery at Nag Hammadi, freshly translated and introduced, but also includes texts found elsewhere. The texts, especially taken together, present an image of Jesus as the ultimate wisdom teacher, a kind of mysterious Jewish Zen master, who scandalized listeners by his radical egalitarianism (regarding women, slaves, the poor, the marginalized as of equal status, or more, with establishment male believers) and his insistence on living the message, spiritual experience, vs. outer observance only. o For those wanting to learn more after reading The Da Vinci Code. This book provides the definitive next book for those looking for expert presentation of the alternative Gnostic stream of Christianity, in which there is no talk of crucifixion and Mary Magdalene is presented as the disciple that Jesus loved best. "Marv is one of the original secret gospels scholars who has done an enormous amount of work to bring these texts to light. All of his research on the Nag Hammadi texts is having an incredible impact on our knowledge of early Christian history--it is virtually redefining it." --Dr. Elaine Pagels, Princeton University
The Gnostic Gospels of Thomas, Mary & John
by Katherine JohnCollected here are three gnostic writings from Thomas, Mary, and John. These books that were left out of the New Testament shed light on the life and relationships of Jesus Christ and his friends and family, especially his mother Mary.
The Gnostic Heresies of the First and Second Centuries
by Henry Longueville ManselHenry Longueville Mansel’s "The Gnostic Heresies of the First and Second Centuries" is a profound and scholarly exploration of the diverse and often enigmatic Gnostic sects that emerged during the early Christian era. With meticulous research and insightful analysis, Mansel delves into the origins, teachings, and impacts of these early heresies, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of their place in religious history.Mansel’s work begins by setting the historical context of the first and second centuries, a period marked by intense theological debate and the proliferation of various interpretations of Christian doctrine. He carefully examines the roots of Gnosticism, tracing its influences from pre-Christian thought, including Platonic, Jewish, and Eastern philosophies. Through this historical lens, Mansel elucidates how Gnostic beliefs diverged from orthodox Christianity.Central to "The Gnostic Heresies of the First and Second Centuries" is Mansel’s detailed exposition of the key tenets of Gnostic thought. He explores the Gnostic worldview, characterized by a dualistic perception of reality, the concept of secret knowledge (gnosis), and the belief in a divine spark within humans seeking liberation from the material world. Mansel provides clear explanations of these complex ideas, making them accessible to both scholars and general readers.Mansel also delves into the major Gnostic sects, such as the Valentinians, the Basilideans, and the Marcionites, detailing their distinctive beliefs and practices. He highlights the theological conflicts between Gnosticism and emerging orthodox Christianity, illustrating how early church fathers, such as Irenaeus and Tertullian, responded to and refuted Gnostic doctrines."The Gnostic Heresies of the First and Second Centuries" is an invaluable resource for students of early Christianity, theology, and religious history. Mansel’s rigorous scholarship and engaging writing provide a thorough and balanced perspective on the Gnostic movements, emphasizing their significance in the broader context of Christian development.
The Gnostic Jung and the Seven Sermons to the Dead
by Stephan A. Hoeller"Gnosticism like mysticism pursues the inner way; its authority is not external but internal--a living personal experience--but without denying the outer world. Under the guise of Basilides, a second-century AD Gnostic sage, Jung wrote in 1916 the Seven Sermons to the Dead after he had received intense psychic experiences..The author [Stephan Hoeller]..has made his own translation of the sermons and sets forth a lengthy explanation and far-ranging commentary on Jung, Gnosticism, and the present condition of the Western individual."---Choice Review
The Gnostic New Age: How a Countercultural Spirituality Revolutionized Religion from Antiquity to Today
by April DeConickGnosticism is a countercultural spirituality that forever changed the practice of Christianity. Before it emerged in the second century, passage to the afterlife required obedience to God and king. Gnosticism proposed that human beings were manifestations of the divine, unsettling the hierarchical foundations of the ancient world. Subversive and revolutionary, Gnostics taught that prayer and mediation could bring human beings into an ecstatic spiritual union with a transcendent deity. This mystical strain affected not just Christianity but many other religions, and it characterizes our understanding of the purpose and meaning of religion today.In The Gnostic New Age, April D. DeConick recovers this vibrant underground history to prove that Gnosticism was not suppressed or defeated by the Catholic Church long ago, nor was the movement a fabrication to justify the violent repression of alternative forms of Christianity. Gnosticism alleviated human suffering, soothing feelings of existential brokenness and alienation through the promise of renewal as God. DeConick begins in ancient Egypt and follows with the rise of Gnosticism in the Middle Ages, the advent of theosophy and other occult movements in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and contemporary New Age spiritual philosophies. As these theories find expression in science-fiction and fantasy films, DeConick sees evidence of Gnosticism's next incarnation. Her work emphasizes the universal, countercultural appeal of a movement that embodies much more than a simple challenge to religious authority.
The Gnostic New Age: How a Countercultural Spirituality Revolutionized Religion from Antiquity to Today
by April D DeconickGnosticism is a heretical tradition that revolutionized the practice of Christianity. Before Gnosticism emerged in the second century, passage to the afterlife required obedience to God and king. Gnosticism proposed that human beings were manifestations of the divine, unsettling the hierarchical foundations of the ancient world. Subversive and revolutionary, Gnostics taught that prayer and mediation could bring human beings into an ecstatic spiritual union with a transcendent deity. This mystical strain affected not just Christianity but many other religions, and it characterizes our understanding of the purpose and meaning of religion today.In The Gnostic New Age, April D. DeConick recovers this vibrant, underground history to prove that Gnosticism was not suppressed or defeated by the Catholic Church long ago, nor was the movement a fabrication to justify the violent repression of alternative forms of Christianity. Gnosticism alleviated existential suffering for millions, soothing feelings of brokenness and alienation through the promise of renewal as God. DeConick begins in ancient Egypt and follows with the rise of Gnosticism in the Middle Ages, the advent of theosophy and other occult movements in the Victorian era and early twentieth century, and contemporary New Age spiritual philosophies. As these theories find expression in science-fiction and fantasy films, DeConick sees evidence of Gnosticism's next incarnation. Her work emphasizes the universal, countercultural appeal of a movement that embodies much more than a simple challenge to religious authority.