Fundamentals of Gnosticism

Homo Nosce Te Ipsum: Man, know thyself, and you will know the universe and the gods! ―Oracle of the Temple of Delphi

The Greek word γνῶσις gnosis indicates perceptual, experiential wisdom born from the awakening and liberation of consciousness. Therefore, gnosis is not strictly limited to any particular faith, religion, tradition, or philosophy, but is the soul's direct knowledge of the truth based on factual evidence and a practical, demanding and rigorous spiritual discipline.  It is the origin from which religious doctrine emanated, constituting the intimate knowledge the soul acquires of itself and divinity through the understanding and application of four pillars: science, art, mysticism, and philosophy. These four pillars of knowledge, while in conflict and disagreement today, were once studied and practiced within the ancient schools of mysteries in an integral way.  

This course will introduce you to the foundations of gnostic science, art, mysticism, and philosophy as developed and maintained within the most secretive schools of esoteric knowledge, in which figures like Jesus, Moses, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, and others participated. Discover how the four pillars of scientific, artistic, philosophical and mystical knowledge relate, unify, and explain the profound wisdom at the heart of all of our most venerated and respected traditions.

Related Books: Fundamentals of Gnostic Education, Introduction to Gnosis

"Gnosis is lived upon facts, withers away in abstractions, and is difficult to find even in the noblest of thoughts." ―Samael Aun Weor, The Revolution of the Dialectic

Synonyms for Gnosis γνῶσις (knowledge)

• Jñāna  ज्ञान (Sanskrit)
• Da’ath דעת (Hebrew)
• Dharma धर्म (Sanskrit)
• Torah תּוֹרָה (Hebrew)
• Marifah المعرفة (Arabic)

Introduction to the Fundamentals of Gnosticism

Throughout history,  the Gnostic tradition has flourished in all parts of the world in accordance with the language, customs, temperaments, and idiosyncrasy of specific cultures. Gnosis, the essence of spiritual experience, has manifested through the actions of all the greatest saints, prophets, yogis, philosophers, and luminaries of mankind, whose traditions span all continents and profess the legacy of their authors: how to change fundamentally within one's being in order to alleviate suffering for oneself and for humanity.

Learn the fundamentals of Universal Gnosticism: the prerequisites for actualizing our most intimate potential, the need to change psychologically in order to know the truth, and the different ways such transformative knowledge has been presented throughout both Eastern and Western traditions. This lecture specifically examines excerpts from the Judeo-Christian Bible, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Qur'an and Sufi writings, and the Buddhist scriptures.  

​You will also learn the four pillars of Gnosticism: science, mysticism, art, and philosophy, and how they constitute the fundamental depth of all the most ancient mystery schools. Through an etymological analysis of the terms science, mysticism, art, and philosophy, you will also learn how these pillars constitute an integral teaching: how to unite with the divine through practical works.

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"[In the Gnostic Path] we live practically in the most complete equilibrium. We study Alchemy and Kabbalah. We work on the disintegration of the psychological 'I.'" ―Samael Aun Weor, The Perfect Matrimony

Fundamentals of Gnostic Science

"…As the dawn of physical science broke into glaring daylight, the spiritual sciences merged deeper and deeper into night, and in their turn they were denied. So, now, these greatest masters in psychology are looked upon as “ignorant and superstitious ancestors”; as mountebanks and jugglers, because, forsooth, the sun of modern learning shines today so bright, it has become an axiom that the philosophers and men of science of the olden time knew nothing, and lived in a night of superstition. But their traducers forget that the sun of today will seem dark by comparison with the luminary of tomorrow, whether justly or not; and as the men of our century think their ancestors ignorant, so will perhaps their descendants count them for know-nothings." ―H. P. Blavatsky, Isis Unveiled: Chapter II, “Lost Arts”

Modern science, focused upon the investigation of material phenomena, lacks effective methods for knowing the hidden, spiritual roots of existing things, precisely due to the fact that such mystical principles can only be apprehended by conscious perception beyond the limits of physical matter.  Whereas the methods of empirical investigation end at the limits of materiality, Gnostic science begins where physical science leaves off: through the awakening and development of consciousness.  It is by cultivating the ardent faculties of the soul that one can obtain the mystical apprehension of fundamental truths.  The direct cognizance of the intelligent blueprints of nature is therefore born from the scientific procedures beyond the reach of the five physical senses.

Learn how the ancient schools of mysteries, whether from Rome, Chaldea, Persia, Tibet, India, etc., secretly cultivated a profound, hidden, and superior knowledge rejected and ignored by present day scientific dogma.  You will also learn how the modern Gnostic tradition is based upon the study and application of three esoteric sciences: Egyptian  الكيمياء‎ Alchemy, Hebraic קבלה Kabbalah, and Greek ψυχολογία Psychology or dialectics.  This lecture introduces these three sciences in accordance with the doctrines of Plato, Nietzsche, H.P. Blavatsky, Samael Aun Weor, and other philosophical and esoteric writers.

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"Before the Soul can see, the Harmony within must be attained, and fleshly eyes be rendered blind to all illusion." ―H.P. Blavatsky, The Voice of the Silence

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." ―Luke 9:23

Fundamentals of Gnostic Mysticism

Learn the three factors that define true spirituality within any tradition and the foundations upon which our full human potential is actualized.  As one of the four pillars of the Gnostic Tradition, genuine mysticism is defined as closing the mind's eye towards sensuality, hatred, ignorance, and egotism, thereby opening the doors to spiritual insight. To be a mystic, one who knows the hidden, divine mysteries, one must comprehend the secret causes of suffering within the psyche.  Through specific training, the soul can learn to investigate the hidden truths contained within all religions, practically and definitively, through transforming the mind's attachments, cravings, desires, and afflictions.  By changing ourselves, we can change humanity.  

This is specifically accomplished through the application of three factors: the birth or genesis of the soul, death of psychological impurity, and selfless service for humanity. As taught in the writings of Luke, we learn to become true mystics by denying our egotistical impulses, bearing up the cross of alchemy, and sacrificing for others through following Christ's example.  

This lecture explores teachings from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, the famous second birth that Jesus taught to Nicodemus, psychological and allegorical verses of the Qur'an, the writings of Manly P. Hall, Samael Aun Weor, and more.

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"When religion becomes artificial, art has a duty to rescue it. Art can show that the symbols which religions would have us believe literally true are actually figurative. Art can idealize those symbols, and so reveal the profound truths they contain…I believe in God, Mozart and Beethoven, and likewise their disciples and apostles; —I believe in the Holy Spirit and the truth of the one, indivisible Art; —I believe that this Art proceeds from God, and lives within the hearts of all illumined men; —I believe that he who once has bathed in the sublime delights of this high Art, is consecrate to Her for ever, and never can deny Her;—I believe that through Art all men are saved." ―Richard Wagner

Fundamentals of Gnostic Art

"The ancients knew these powers so well, that, while concealing their true nature under various allegories, for the benefit (or to the detriment) of the uneducated rabble, they never departed from the multiple object in view, while inverting them. They contrived to throw a thick veil over the nucleus of truth concealed by the symbol, but they ever tried to preserve the latter as a record for future generations, sufficiently transparent to allow their wise men to discern that truth behind the fabulous form of the glyph or allegory. They are accused of superstition and credulity, those ancient sages; and this by those very nations, which, learned in all the modern arts and sciences, cultured and wise in their generation, accept to this day as their one living and infinite God, the anthropomorphic 'Jehovah' of the Jews." ―H.P. Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine, Volume I, iv. “The Four Elements"

Art is an expression of consciousness; therefore the level of being of an artist is expressed through his or her work.  The great artists of humanity have always been profound mystics and apostles who taught how to unite with divinity through their music, writings, and paintings.  Unlike modern art that is divorced from spiritual principles, ancient and classical forms of art embody the highest ideals attainable by mankind, and only those who awaken consciousness can recognize such divine principles within great literature, sculptures, etc.  The mystery schools of Universal Gnosticism disseminated their secret knowledge through the veils of allegory, symbolism, and artistic mediums, so as to evade persecution and provide their knowledge to other initiates without openly giving away their secrets.

Learn how esoteric mysticism, science, and philosophy were taught within ancient art forms: sculpture, poetry, drama, theater, opera, classical music, and more. This lecture explains hidden teachings given by Beethoven, Mozart, Wagner, and other classical composers, as well as through the mystical dances of the Sufis, the architecture of the Egyptians and Mayans, and more.

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Fundamentals of Gnostic Philosophy

In its purest form, philosophy signifies the love (philos) of wisdom (sophia), a Greek term denominating the experience of the truth within the innermost depths of the soul.  Etymologically, this term points towards the relationship of the consciousness with the divine, a distinction ignored by modern philosophical systems. Genuine philosophy is the soul's ardent inspiration, knowledge of and connection to the Innermost, the Being, the spirit, a feat achieved through transcending and transforming the mind, placing it at the service of the divine. This methodology contrasts with mere scholasticism, theories, concepts, and the sophistries of universities, which only use the intellect to be clever and theorize. Rather than seeking to play with the intellect, it is better to go beyond the mind in order to know the spiritual realities beyond the limitations of matter.

Learn how the fourth and final pillar expresses the mystical science, wisdom, and art of the complete human being: an individual who is fully aware and manifesting the spiritual truths contained within the universe.  Through loving the divine and placing the intellect at the service of the spirit, we can in turn gain genuine philosophical knowledge based on our own experience.