What is Gnosis?

Gnosis is an incredible living knowledge, which ultimately allows someone to attain enlightenment.

In The Nag Hammadi Library Jesus says to Thomas, “Now since it has been said that you are my twin and true companion, examine yourself that you may understand who you are, in what way you exist and how you will come to be. Since you are called my brother, it is not fitting that you be ignorant of yourself,” later continuing, “For he who has not known himself has known nothing, but he who has known himself has at the same time already achieved knowledge about the depth of the all.”

Throughout the ages, the Gnostics have been persecuted for claiming to be able to directly experience the divine. This ability to directly experience something sets Gnosis apart from many religions, which place an emphasis on belief and worship, and from many other studies and sciences.

The word 'Gnosis' itself originates from ancient Greek and means 'knowledge'. Yet this knowledge is not an intellectual one, gained only through reading or from an interest or fascination in the subject like popular culture tends to take.

Much is written about what the Gnostics believed, by historians, theologians, psychologists, popular culture and the media. But to those who take a passing interest or get lost in a web of study and theories, the gates will remain barred - the seemingly complex parables of the ancient Gnostic texts will not surrender their secrets or hidden meanings.

The way to understand and experience Gnosis is through practice. By experiencing something, you gain knowledge about it directly. This knowledge is what the Gnostics wrote about and encoded in their ancient texts. However, instead of practicing, people stumble against the theories which differ from one person to the next – and this accounts for the many interpretations of Gnostic belief.

When speaking about Gnosis however, it is better to use the term faith – and that is the type of spiritual yearning and understanding that comes from true knowledge. Belief is that which is taken literally and for granted. Yet the direct experience of the divine the Gnostics had, means that their teachings come alive in you when you practice them, so that they are not archaic writings of the past to be repeated and memorized, but something that exists for the individual in the moment.

The knowledge that is possible for you to attain then, is of yourself, the inner workings of the universe and of creation itself – a knowledge of life far beyond that of someone who limits themselves to studying worldly phenomenon through a lens, the page of a book, a screen or microscope. This knowledge allowed the ancient Gnostics to attain illumination, and can allow you today, to transform yourself and your life.

Who are the Gnostics? Read More