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'''Gnosis''' (from one of the [[Greek language|Greek]] words for [[knowledge]], γνώσις) is the spiritual knowledge of a [[saint]] or [[mysticism|mystically enlightened]] human being. In the formation of early Christianity, various [[sectarian]] groups labelled "gnostics" |
'''Gnosis''' (from one of the [[Greek language|Greek]] words for [[knowledge]], γνώσις) is the spiritual knowledge of a [[saint]] or [[mysticism|mystically enlightened]] human being. In the formation of early Christianity, various [[sectarian]] groups labelled "gnostics" by their opponents, emphasised special or secret spiritual knowledge as ''gnosis'', over [[faith]] (''pistis'') in the teachings of the established community of Christians. These sectarians emphased that the most [[essential]] part of the process of [[salvation]] was this personal knowledge in contrast to faith in [[ecclesiastical]] authority. As such these break away groups were branded [[heresy|heretics]] by the [[Early Church Fathers|fathers of the early church]]. The knowledge of these sectarian groups is contested as religio-philosophical in nature rather then [[revelatory]]. <ref>." Orthodox Dogmatic Theology: A Concise Exposition Protopresbyter [[Michael Pomazansky]] [http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0824/_INDEX.HTM]</ref> |
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Spiritual knowledge or ''gnosis'',<ref>Glossary of terms from the [[Philokalia]] pg 434 Spiritual Knowledge as the knowledge of the intellect as distinct from that of the reason(q.v.). Knowledge inspired by God, and so linked with contemplation (q.v.) and immediate spiritual perception.</ref> as well as being discussed within the context of [[Early Christianity]] and Hellenistic culture (i.e. as [[Gnosticism]]), is also discussed within the context of other religious traditions such as [[Sufism]] of Islam<ref>See for example Mostafa al-Badawi's introduction to ''The Degrees of The Soul'' by Shaykh Abd Al-Khaliq Al Shabrawi, Quilliam Press, London, 1997</ref> and [[Theravada Buddhism]].<ref>See for example the writings of Bhikkhu Nanamoli and Nyanatiloka who uses the term interchangeably with the word anna in his ''Buddhist Dictionary'', Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 1980</ref> Gnosis is not exclusive to any sectarian group as the word is a Greek technical or [[dialectal]] term. Within the culture of the term, [[Byzantine]] and [[Hellenic]] cultures respectfully, ''gnosis'' was a special knowledge or insight into the infinite, divine, uncreated rather then insight into the finite natural or material world. <ref>[http://www.psyche.gr/Metallinos.htm University of Athens - Department of Theology<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The Gnosiology of gnosis as in contrast to [[Epistemology]],<ref>[http://www.psyche.gr/Metallinos.htm University of Athens - Department of Theology<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> gnosis in some sense is a [[transcendent]] or [[Apperception|mature understanding]].<ref>[http://www.in.gr/dictionary/lookup.asp?Word=knowledge&x=0&y=0 Αποτελέσματα αναζητήσεως : knowledge<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It indicates direct experiential knowledge rather than that from rational or reasoned thinking. Knowledge as in [[revelation]] and/or [[intuition (knowledge)|intuitive]] knowledge (see [[gnosiology]]). |
Spiritual knowledge or ''gnosis'',<ref>Glossary of terms from the [[Philokalia]] pg 434 Spiritual Knowledge as the knowledge of the intellect as distinct from that of the reason(q.v.). Knowledge inspired by God, and so linked with contemplation (q.v.) and immediate spiritual perception.</ref> as well as being discussed within the context of [[Early Christianity]] and Hellenistic culture (i.e. as [[Gnosticism]]), is also discussed within the context of other religious traditions such as [[Sufism]] of Islam<ref>See for example Mostafa al-Badawi's introduction to ''The Degrees of The Soul'' by Shaykh Abd Al-Khaliq Al Shabrawi, Quilliam Press, London, 1997</ref> and [[Theravada Buddhism]].<ref>See for example the writings of Bhikkhu Nanamoli and Nyanatiloka who uses the term interchangeably with the word anna in his ''Buddhist Dictionary'', Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 1980</ref> Gnosis is not exclusive to any sectarian group as the word is a Greek technical or [[dialectal]] term. Within the culture of the term, [[Byzantine]] and [[Hellenic]] cultures respectfully, ''gnosis'' was a special knowledge or insight into the infinite, divine, uncreated rather then insight into the finite natural or material world. <ref>[http://www.psyche.gr/Metallinos.htm University of Athens - Department of Theology<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The Gnosiology of gnosis as in contrast to [[Epistemology]],<ref>[http://www.psyche.gr/Metallinos.htm University of Athens - Department of Theology<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> gnosis in some sense is a [[transcendent]] or [[Apperception|mature understanding]].<ref>[http://www.in.gr/dictionary/lookup.asp?Word=knowledge&x=0&y=0 Αποτελέσματα αναζητήσεως : knowledge<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It indicates direct experiential knowledge rather than that from rational or reasoned thinking. Knowledge as in [[revelation]] and/or [[intuition (knowledge)|intuitive]] knowledge (see [[gnosiology]]). |
Revision as of 17:59, 27 September 2008
Gnosis (from one of the Greek words for knowledge, γνώσις) is the spiritual knowledge of a saint or mystically enlightened human being. In the formation of early Christianity, various sectarian groups labelled "gnostics" by their opponents, emphasised special or secret spiritual knowledge as gnosis, over faith (pistis) in the teachings of the established community of Christians. These sectarians emphased that the most essential part of the process of salvation was this personal knowledge in contrast to faith in ecclesiastical authority. As such these break away groups were branded heretics by the fathers of the early church. The knowledge of these sectarian groups is contested as religio-philosophical in nature rather then revelatory. [1]
Spiritual knowledge or gnosis,[2] as well as being discussed within the context of Early Christianity and Hellenistic culture (i.e. as Gnosticism), is also discussed within the context of other religious traditions such as Sufism of Islam[3] and Theravada Buddhism.[4] Gnosis is not exclusive to any sectarian group as the word is a Greek technical or dialectal term. Within the culture of the term, Byzantine and Hellenic cultures respectfully, gnosis was a special knowledge or insight into the infinite, divine, uncreated rather then insight into the finite natural or material world. [5] The Gnosiology of gnosis as in contrast to Epistemology,[6] gnosis in some sense is a transcendent or mature understanding.[7] It indicates direct experiential knowledge rather than that from rational or reasoned thinking. Knowledge as in revelation and/or intuitive knowledge (see gnosiology).
Etymology
Gnosis is a Greek word, originally used in specifically Platonic philosophical contexts. Plato, for example, uses the terms gnostikoi’ and gnostike episteme in the text called Politikos. The word means the knowledge to influence and control, Gnostike episteme also was used to indicate one's aptitude. The terms do not appear to indicate any esoteric or hidden meaning within the works of Plato but instead expressed a sort of higher intelligence and ability akin to talent.[8] The term is used throughout Greek philosophy as a technical term for experience knowledge (see gnosiology) in contrast to theoretical knowledge which is akin to epistemology. The term is also related to the study of knowledge retainment or memory (also see cognition). In relation to ontic or ontological which is how something actually is.
Gnosis
Judeo-Christian Sectarians
Among the sectarian gnostics, gnosis was first and foremost a matter of self-acquaintance which was the goal of enlightenment. Also stated as direct knowledge of God through awareness of the divine spark within.[9] Later, Valentinius ( Valentinus), taught that gnosis was the privileged Gnosis kardias "knowledge of the heart" or "insight" about the spiritual nature of the cosmos, that brought about salvation to the pneumatics—people who believed they could achieve this insight. Gnosis was distinct from the secret teachings they only revealed to initiates once they had reached a certain level of progression akin to arcanum. Rather, these teachings were paths to obtain gnosis. (See e.g. "fukasetsu", or ineffability, a quality of realization common to many, if not most, esoteric traditions; see also Jung on the difference between sign and symbol.) Gnosis from this perspective being very akin to the same meaning as the words occult and arcana.
Gnosis according to Hans Jonas
Philosopher and pioneering scholar of gnosticism, Hans Jonas, wrote concerning gnosis:
'As for what the knowledge is about, the associations of the term most familiar to the classically trained reader point to rational objects, and accordingly to natural reason as the organ for acquiring and possessing knowledge. In the gnostic context, however, "knowledge" has an emphatically religious or supernatural meaning and refers to objects which we nowadays should call those of faith rather than of reason. Now although the relation of faith and knowledge (pistis and gnosis) became a major issue in the church between the gnostic heretics and the orthodox, this was not the modern issue between faith and reason with which we are familiar; for the "knowledge" of the Gnostics with which simple Christian faith was contrasted whether in praise or blame was not of the rational kind. Gnosis meant pre-eminently knowledge of God, and from what we have said about the radical transcendence of the deity [in gnosticism] it follows that "knowledge of God" is the knowledge of something naturally unknowable and therefore itself not a natural condition. Its objects include everything belonging to the divine realm of being, namely, the order and history of the upper worlds, and what is to issue from it, namely, the salvation of man. With objects of this kind, knowledge as a mental act is vastly different from the rational cognition of philosophy. On the one hand it is closely bound up with revelationary experience, so that reception of the truth either through sacred and secret lore or through inner illumination replaces rational argument and theory (though this extra-rational basis may then provide scope for independent speculation); on the other hand, being concerned with the secrets of salvation, "knowledge" is not just theoretical information about certain things but is itself, as a modification of the human condition, charged with performing a function in the bringing about of salvation. Thus gnostic "knowledge" has an eminently practical aspect. The ultimate object of gnosis is God: its event in the soul transforms the knower himself by making him a partaker in the divine existence (which means more than assimilating him to the divine essence). Thus in the more radical systems like the Valentinian the "knowledge" is not only an instrument of salvation but itself the very form in which the goal of salvation, i.e., ultimate perfection, is possessed. In these cases knowledge and the attainment of the known by the soul are claimed to coincide—the claim of all true mysticism. It is, to be sure, also the claim of the Greek theoria, but in a different sense. There the object of knowledge is the universal, and the cognitive relation is "optical," i.e., an analogue of the visual relation to objective form that remains unaffected by the relation. Gnostic "knowledge" is about the particular (for the transcendent deity is still a particular), and the relation of knowing is mutual, i.e., a being known at the same time, and involving active self-divulgence on the part of the "known." There, the mind is "informed" with the forms it beholds (thinks) them: here the subject is transformed (from "soul" to "spirit") by the union with a reality that in truth is itself the supreme subject in the situation and strictly speaking never an object at all.'[10]
Heresiologist
Among heresiologists, gnosis (or specifically false gnosis) denotes different Pagan, Jewish or Christian belief systems (i.e. like the Eleusinian Mysteries) and their various teachings of a religio-philosophical knowledge such as, first and foremost, Gnosticism and other dualist systems from the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. but also potentially Rosicrucianism, Kabbalah, etc. Sectarian groups that taught that the creator of the cosmos referred to as demiurge was not the true God but a fallen being and even sometimes the personification of evil. This in specific was reference to the creator gods of the Jewish old testament (Yahweh) and Hellenistic pagan philosophy creator (Zeus). The sectarians taught that the cosmic creator and ruler was a tyrant or despot some groups even accusing the creator of the being Satan or evil. The cosmos that the "creator" had fashioned (see the Sethian and Ophite gnostic sects) was evil and or a prison. That the true God of these various sectarian groups was a purely spiritual God and did not fashion the material world. These various cults were not called gnostics or followers of gnosticism per se, but were either named after the groups' various founders or the various religio-philosophical associations common at the time throughout the Mediterranean and Mideast. Gnosticism here not being a genuine belief system per se but more of a set of techniques (dialects) applied by the sects to counter established beliefs, held by the sectarians' respective targets. Syncretic in nature these sectarians through various exclusive associations sought to reconcile and or conform many of the Mediterranean and Mideastern religious traditions with their own religio-philosophical knowledge, or understanding. Much at the expense of the distinct qualities or uniqueness of each of their target traditions (see religious egalitarianism). Early Christian community leaders accused these multiple groups of fabricating various text (as a negative form of Declamatio), in order to undermine the teaching of the existing Christian community. Text fabricated to remove or counter aspects of the targeted communities' teachings that did not conform with the various sects pre-Christian religio-philosophical knowledge held by the sectarian groups. These techniques (dialects) were then countered by individuals of the targeted traditions such as Hebrew philosopher Philo of Alexandria[11] (see minuth), the Christian Bishop Irenaeus (see On the Detection and Overthrow of False Gnosis) and later the Hellenic philosopher Plotinus (see Neoplatonism and gnosticism). These individuals, among others all condemned the actions, teachings and techniques (dialects) of these various groups as unethical, iniquitous and or amoral (see antinomianism).
Early Christianity
In early Christianity a positive use of the word gnosis (related to the Greek religious meaning not the sectarian groups) also carried over from Hellenic philosophy into Greek Orthodoxy as a critical characteristic of asceticism, via St Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Hippolytus of Rome, Hegesippus, and Origen. Gnosis meaning intuitive knowledge, spiritual knowledge, heart knowledge (kardiognosis) or memory of an experience of God, as such it is not secret knowledge. Maturing knowledge derived from the contemplation (theoria from heychasm) of God.[12] In relation to theosis (deification/personal relationship with God) and theoria (vision of God).[13] According to Greek Orthodox theology[14] and biblical scripture[15] Jesus proclaimed that he did not teach any secret or hidden knowledge (religio-philosophical knowledge). Early church tradition was that gnosis carried these meanings regardless of if the individual professing them was honest or not about their mystical experiences.
Hellenic philosophy
The Neoplatonic philosophers including, Plotinus rejected followers of gnosticism as being un-Hellenistic and anti- Plato due to their vilification of Plato's creator of the universe referred to as the demiurge. Plotinus also rejected the use of misotheism as an answer to the problem of evil. (see Neoplatonism and Gnosticism). Plotinus did express gnosis (as the truth) was the highest goal of the philosopher.
Hinduism
The term Gnosis is related to the Sanskrit jnana (as in Jnana Yoga) and to the Hebrew daath, which is the hidden sphere in the Kabbalah, or that knowledge which was only given to the initiated.
In the teachings of Sri Aurobindo, the Gnostic being refers to the future supramental state of divinised humanity, living a spirit-filled existence[16]. He speaks of a Gnostic Community, a collective Gnostic life that will establishe a gnostic Supernature.[17] Author Patrizia Norelli-Bachelet discusses the Gnostic being and the 'rise and establishment of a Gnostic society' in terms of the Supramental Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother of Pondicherry.[18]
Buddhism
Gnostic ideas of salvation were similar to Buddhist conceptions of jñāna and Bodhi. The former word is from similar Indo-European roots. In general, the realization of jñāna is the culmination of the process of the path, namely: moral discipline, concentration, knowledge and release as jñāna.
Etymological and Intercultural associations
The meaning of gnosis is well understood among the mystical traditions of the world religions and the term is used interchangeably with equivalent concepts in other mystical traditions. For example in Indian religions experiential knowledge of the unconditioned ground (Brahman - the Hindu concept of the Godhead) is called jnana (pronounced nyana). The term jnana (often spelt nyana or nana) is also found in Buddhism.
The word gnosis is actually cognate (from Proto-Indo-European) with Sanskrit jnana. In Theravada Buddhism the word for gnosis is añña (lit. 'highest knowledge') which is again from the same root[19]. Similarly, within the context of gnosticism, the word gnostic may refer to a follower of one of the gnostic sects or may be used as equivalent to the term pneumatic, that is to say one who has attained gnosis. Outside the context of gnosticism gnostic is often used in this latter sense.[20] This is comparable to the term Jnani in Sanskrit and Hindi meaning one who has attained jnana. It is interesting to note in this context that in the Forest Sangha tradition of Ajahn Chah the word Buddha (technically meaning one who has awakened) is taught as meaning 'one who knows'[21].
Gnosis is synonymous with equivalent terms in other spiritual/mystical traditions. Examples include:
- Enlightenment - Buddhism
- Moksha - Hinduism
- Kingdom of Heaven - Christianity
- Rapture - Plato (in the sense of ecstasy, not the Christian Rapture)[citation needed]
- Irfan, Marifah - Islam, especially Sufism
- Inner Light and Sound Sant Mat
- Advaita
- Rigpa
- Vidya
Influences on contemporary culture
- Gnosis was the name of magazine, subtitled a "Journal of the Western Inner Traditions," published between 1985 and 1999 in California and covering traditions of spirituality and mysticism. It was a project of the Lumen Foundation.[22]
- Among certain modern occult movements, esp. chaos magic, gnosis refers to an altered state of awareness in which the will is "magickally" effective.
- Philip K. Dick was very interested in gnosticism, and several of his novels deal with the subject. Perhaps most notable is his VALIS trilogy.
- In the cult hit musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Hedwig's protege/lover/rival takes the stage name "Tommy Gnosis".
- In the novel The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow, the central theme is the experience of gnosis by Mary Magdalene and her companion a fictional version of Jesus Christ. It is also the central theme of her novel about Hypatia of Alexandria, now nearly completion.
- The ghostly enemies of the Xenosaga series of videogames on the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS are known as The Gnosis.
- The anti-virus protection program created by the Codemasters and used by the Guardians in Reboot is called Gnosis. Found only in the first web-comic by Rainmaker Entertainment.
- Gnosis is a song by Ulver from their 1999 EP Metamorphosis
- The Gnosis is also the name of a ship from the city Zion in the movie The Matrix Reloaded.
See also
- Plato
- Socrates
- Epistemology
- Aristotle
- Numenius of Apamea
- Proclus
- Iamblichus
- Amelius
- Enneads
- New Thought Movement
- History of Gnosticism
- Samael Aun Weor
- Eric Voegelin
- Obnosis Slang
References
- ^ ." Orthodox Dogmatic Theology: A Concise Exposition Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky [1]
- ^ Glossary of terms from the Philokalia pg 434 Spiritual Knowledge as the knowledge of the intellect as distinct from that of the reason(q.v.). Knowledge inspired by God, and so linked with contemplation (q.v.) and immediate spiritual perception.
- ^ See for example Mostafa al-Badawi's introduction to The Degrees of The Soul by Shaykh Abd Al-Khaliq Al Shabrawi, Quilliam Press, London, 1997
- ^ See for example the writings of Bhikkhu Nanamoli and Nyanatiloka who uses the term interchangeably with the word anna in his Buddhist Dictionary, Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 1980
- ^ University of Athens - Department of Theology
- ^ University of Athens - Department of Theology
- ^ Αποτελέσματα αναζητήσεως : knowledge
- ^ Cooper, John M. & Hutchinson, D. S. (Eds.) (1997). Plato: Complete Works, Hackett Publishing Co., Inc. ISBN 0-87220-349-2.
- ^ Anderson, Robert A., (2006). Church of God? or the Temples of Satan - A Reference Book of Spiritual Understanding & Gnosis, TGS Publishers, ISBN 0-9786249-6-3.
- ^ Citation from 'The Nature of Gnostic "Knowledge"' pp34-35, The Gnostic Religion by Hans Jonas, Beacon Press, Boston, 1958/1963
- ^ On the Migration of Abraham 86-93
- ^ Glossary of terms from the Philokalia pg 434 the knowledge of the intellect as distinct from that of the reason(q.v.). Knowledge inspired by God, and so linked with contemplation (q.v.) and immediate spiritual perception.
- ^ The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church, SVS Press, 1997. (ISBN 0-913836-31-1) James Clarke & Co Ltd, 2002. (ISBN 0-227-67919-9) pg 218
- ^ St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church
- ^ (John 18:20)
- ^ Sri Aurobindo, The Life Divine, bk II, ch.27
- ^ Sri Aurobindo, The Life Divine, p.967, 1030-1, 1064-5, Sri Aurobindo Ashra Trust, 10th ed., 1977
- ^ Norelli-Bachelet, Patrizia. "The New Way, Volumes 1 and 2". Summary. Patrizianorellibachelet.com. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ Nyanatiloka, Buddhist Dictionary, 4th Ed. Buddhist Publication Society, ISBN-955-24-0019-8
- ^ See Introduction to Al-Shabrawi op. cit.
- ^ See any one of numerous teachings of Ajahn Chah or his disciples
- ^ Gnosis Magazine