What is Gnosticism?: A Brief Answer
“Gnosticism” is a term primarily used to describe a variety of related movements in the ancient Hellenistic culture around the Mediterranean. The primary precursors of these movements were the Jewish Apocalyptic (visionary) tradition, ancient mystery religions (ritual and symbolic transformative spiritual practices), and platonic philosophy (note that ancient philosophy was a way of life, not an abstract theory).
The combination of these three major precursors into an early form of Gnosticism (or proto-Gnosticism) can be clearly seen in the teachings of Jesus that appear in the canonical gospels. Contrary to naïve assertions that Greek philosophy, or mystery practices were later alien influences upon the purportedly isolated Jewish origins of Christianity: historically we see a great deal of influence in ancient Palestine from the conquest of Alexander, and continuing under Roman rule. Philo of Alexandria, is a prime example of the Jewish Platonist movement that sent teachers into Palestine, just prior to the time of Jesus. There was also a Jewish Gnostic movement associated with Seth the son of Adam, which exhibits even more obvious platonic influences.
The prophet John the Baptizer was the person Jesus went to for initiation. This is a simple relationship of mystagogue and initiate, that the gospel writers go to great lengths to re-frame so that Jesus has primacy. The followers of John have continued to this day as the Mandeans, a Gnostic group. So these precursors and closely related movements can be traced to the origins of Christianity. The majority of Gnostic movements were Christian and traced their origin through apostles to Christ. However, their emphasis was on the “living Christ,” the continued experienced presence of Christ, rather than on an historical connection.
Gnostics sought personal transformation, this is the metanoia ('turning of mind'; often somewhat mistranslated as “repentance”) that Jesus taught (and John, and philosophers like Plato before him), that would lead to spiritual liberation. The method they used for transformation was referred to as “Gnosis”: an inner or spiritual knowing by means of direct acquaintance or apprehension that is transformative in that it is liberating/redemptive. Sometimes this was written as a Gnosis of Gnosis, or a Gnosis of Gnoses (the plural form). This is not simply the common use of the Greek word gnosis, but a type of metagnosis, which in Greek is related to metanoia. The adjectives “perfect/complete” and “eternal” are also used at times to distinguish this redemptive Gnosis. It is also described as the Gnosis of the divine, or the Gnosis that is possessed by the divine, yet is is also Gnosis of oneself. Gnosis is often linked closely to truth and to freedom, and is the knowing of the truth that sets free. Most often is is described as light, or as the light of the mind, or intellect.
Gnosis was sought within the structure of a symbolic/mythological environment, a loose diagnostic system that could be applied to experiences. The myths and symbols were not literal, nor exact maps: more a topology than a topography. Giving accounts and means of recognizing the various phenomena one experiences in the process of attaining Gnosis. The creation myths, for example, give accounts of the emanation of the divine and into the world, and so provide a sort of guide back to the divine. A similar form can be seen in the sefiroth of the Kabbalah, in that the tree of life structure is both the emanations of God into creation and a sort of map back to God.
In seeking this transformation, Gnostics made use of the techniques of the mystery religions. Using symbolic ritual practices to offer opportunities for personal transformation. Some of these continue to exist, being preserved in the Christian tradition as Baptism, Chrism, and the Eucharist—which are all mentioned and discussed in ancient Gnostic texts. The expressions of the other mystery practices that are mentioned in the texts have been lost. There are also what seem to be books of chants for group practice. Visionary practices were of great importance, and accounts of them were seen as a resource for others. And there is mention of what may be the practice of "putting on the light."
Texts are attributed to specific Gnostic groups based upon unique emphases or aspects. Often these are very recognizable “families” within the larger “clan” of Gnosticism. For example: The figures of Adam and Seth as the primary figures of Gnosis indicate the Sethian movement. Similarly, calling the teaching figure Hermes or thrice-great indicates the Hermetic movement. While, a highly developed symbolic mythology with ritual elements indicate the Valentinian movement.
Which specific groups are included under the umbrella term varies. Historically it is the movements in the ancient Mediterranean that were the targets of the polemical writings of the early heresiologists that were considered Gnostic. More modern classification generally includes groups with texts that were collected in the Nag Hammadi Codices are most often included. Though the Hermetic tradition is sometimes excluded as it was not attacked by early heresiologists.
What other groups are considered to be Gnostic is largely a matter of how it is understood. If it is considered to be a matter of common tendencies and approaches, doctrines, or origins. This in turn is dependent on the purposes of the one making such considerations. Some of the groups that can be seen as part of a larger Gnostic tradition are: Mandeans, Hermeticists, Manicheans, Bogomils, and Cathars.
Gnosis: It's not what you Think!
Gnosis is not what you think. It is not an idea, not a doctrine. It is not objective. It is not definable. It is not found inside of rigid limits, nor outside of all considerations. It is not yours. It is not ours. It is something attained, and is a quickening of what we already have. It is a knowledge that you are, not a knowledge that you have.
If you are looking for a label, Gnosis is not it. If you are seeking a path with answers, Gnosis is not it. If you are looking for a path that fits you, Gnosis is not it. If you are seeking what is real beyond yourself and your ideas, then you may already be on the path of Gnosis.
We do not seek to propagate a set of beliefs or doctrines, nor to spread one set of teachings or one perspective. We seek to follow the injunction from the Gospel of Thomas: “If you see what is before your face, there is nothing that will not be revealed to you.” We seek to know what is real, and to follow that beyond our current notions, ideas, and understandings. We stand apart from mainstream culture only in that we do not prejudge the real to exclude the spiritual. We do not exclude what has always been a part of human experience, what has always been a part of human culture. For to do that would be to veer from the path of Gnosis towards mere ideas.
Gnosis is not what you think. And it is not something you will understand quickly. It is something you will come to know, and grow in that knowing. You may know someone to a large extent after a few years, but you cannot know someone entirely in the span of a lifetime. If you think you have hold of it, you have not. It is in the living, in the growing—it is never complete.
Scriptures tell us that the truth shall make us free. In Greek, the word for “truth” is “un-hidden.” The un-hidden, the unveiled, the examined shall set us free. This requires discipline and commitment, training and work. It requires an allegiance to the real that is higher than the allegiance to the ideal.
How seriously do you take your spiritual path? How committed are you to your liberation?
About the Institute
A Scholar is a candle which the love and desire of all men will light.
The Gnosis Institute was founded in 2006 by Troy Pierce, a priest in the Ecclesia Gnostica.
The mission of the Gnosis Institute is to act as the academic center for Gnosticism, one that holds to the highest standards of scholarship. It is a non-profit research and educational corporation. The Institute was created by Gnostics for Gnostics that see themselves as part of the Classical Gnostic tradition. With the motto of “the truth shall set you free” the Institute fosters and values academic freedom, we seek the truth not to propagate a set of beliefs.
The Institute is committed to building the future of Gnosticism and Spirituality from a foundation in the historical manifestations of Gnosis and modern research. The Gnosis Institute is a non-profit educational and research institution formed for the purpose of performing needed scholarly work to explore and elucidate our understanding of ourselves and others through understanding Gnosis, Gnosticism, and spiritual/psychological development.
The Institute is open to all regardless of denomination, affiliation, or creed. It exists to serve the Gnostic community in particular, and the world community in general. The work of Institute Fellows will meet academic standards, being: well-referenced, intellectually honest, peer reviewed, and reality-oriented. Educational programs will meet full academic accreditation, and will consist of serious academic work, not based on beliefs but based upon experience with a strong element of practice. The Institute is positioned to be a leader in scholarship and academics.
We do not seek to propagate any set of beliefs or doctrines, nor to spread one set of teachings or one perspective. We seek to follow the injunction from the Gospel of Thomas: “If you see what is before your face, there is nothing that will not be revealed to you.” We seek to know what is real, and to follow that beyond our current notions, ideas, and understandings. We stand apart in that we do not prejudge the real to exclude what is called the spiritual. We do not exclude what has always been a part of human experience, what has always been a part of human culture.
The symbol of the institute is enclosed in the Ouroboros, the serpent eating his tail in a circle, representing the living active eternal. The letters on the cross form the words phos and gnosis. Phos is a
Greek pun from the prologue of the Gospel of John, it means both 'Light' and 'Human.' Gnosis is the Greek word for a type of knowledge, knowing through direct acquaintance or recognition.
The Gnosis Institute is a way to be able to support serious and scholarly work, and a way to work together on important projects. And it is so much more. We seem to be entering a dim age in many ways. We must preserve and expand the light. The Renaissance really began centuries earlier, with a reawakening to the interiority of the human being. This occurred at the time Gnostic thought moved into Western Europe and gained adherents in the form of the Cathars. The religious reforms of the period can be traced to a large degree to Cathar influence, as can the troubadour tradition and its vast cultural influence. And, perhaps, the roots of the Renaissance can be traced directly to them as well. Gnosis can have larger effects than we can imagine.
Like any other non-profit, we rely on donations to be able to perform our mission. If you support our mission, please support the Institute.
The Gnosis Institute is not affiliated with any other institute. A number of groups use the terms "Gnosis" and "Gnostic" in an individual or idiosemantic way. See the Idiosemantics of Gnosis section for a list of some of these groups.