Twitter Talk
Your Favourite Gnostic Gospel
Wed, 11/11/2009 - 20:10
Hi all,
The Gnostic Gospels have got so much depth to them. When I've had the time to sit, and quietly reflect upon their passages, I've learned some amazing things.
The symbolic language really helps me to feel spiritual truths.
There are a lot of Gnostic Gospels that I like, and that have helped me in one way or another, but my favourite (at least for the moment) has got to be the Book of Thomas the Contender.
It touches on so many deep and important aspects in spirituality, and emphasizes the need to overcome material pleasures. The part that touches me the most is at the end, where Jesus tells Thomas about escaping from the bitterness of life through prayer, and about reigning with the King. It's so poetic!
What are your favourite gospels?
Mike
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 02:02
#2
Hi Mike,
There are so many wonderful treasures in the Nag Hammadi. And each one has so much depth, that it really can't be all written down in words. BUT.. one which I have found to be very wonderful is the The Book of the Great Invisible Spirit.
Aka the Gospel of the Egyptians in some texts. This text has alot of ceremonial rites and prayers to the Being. (each person has their own internal Being) And you can see the mantra's that they used within these ceremonies are some of the same mantras we use today! Particularly the Baptismal Ceremony really strikes a wonderful note inside me. I read the text and its like Im offering a wonderful prayer to my Being. I find it incredibly powerful when I'm looking to connect with the Divine.
Thought I'd share that one. and Looking forward to hear other's favourites!
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 17:52
#3
Hi
My favorite is the Gospel of Philip. I cant really pinpoint why as clearly as Andrew has with the Gospel of the Egyptians (definitely my next read) but the Gospel of Philip just seems to talk to me on a deeper level, the whole context of it.
I am also a big fan of the The Book of Thomas the Contended, as Thomas is the person that walked with Jesus that I feel the most for. His longing to be able to believe but his inability to do so without proof, and the pain that brought to him, is something I deeply can relate to.
Mattias
Fri, 01/29/2010 - 23:14
#4
First one that really made an impact on me was Secret book of John, but only the first part of it where Jesus was trying to describe the Absolute and the Father in words. I found this part very inspirational. Other parts of that book were too symbolic. He mentions there about creation of Universe, Aeons, Sophia etc., and I couldn't understand basically anything of it.
Book of Thomas the Contender is so far my favorite book from Nag Hamadi, I find it especially useful to read in time when things aren't going smoothly. It helps then to kind of get to your senses and see things clearer again.
Hi Mike,
The Book of Thomas also used to be one of my favorites, especially in difficult times. The stretch at the end has a force and power that you really can't describe.
Recently I've had some really profound experiences reading the Gospel of Thomas. Some of these sayings just seemed to leap out at me intuitively in a way they never have before.
Another favorite is the Gospel of Philip.
Really I wouldn't know where to start with this topic :-). We'd probably need a forum dedicated to each text.
And so much also depends upon your own inner state and how you approach the reading experience.