maybe I'm nuts, maybe I'm just making this up, maybe I'm putting into words something I know that a few others do in another form of prose.
So...the concept of teh christian god is a hoax. A damn good one. The christain bible is but a set of rules created by those who want to "help" and/or control the average sheep (aka person).
Nothing new there...
Lets say for a minute, a counsel exists. The Greeks subscribed to this concept, so did the Romans. Heck even those of use loyal to Wodin believe in a counsel. Again, nothing too new.
Now lets say, that this counsel is a group of players. Some fighting for the red team, some for the white, some looking to maintain a balance between teams. Heck, there might even be a black team hiding in the corner that cheats and tries to get away with as much as possible. Now each team has key members. Earth is but one of may playing fields. Most players have been playing since the beginning of man-made time (on Earth). Team members live out out life trying to advance their team. Others try to impact the game through simple acts (a parking ticket, a bad contract, etc). Each team is playing for something that none of the team members really know what the prize is. Through time, team members begin to recognize one another in various forms of incarnation (lives). Sometimes these lives even take place on the same game board (Earth as an example). Members call themselves soul-friends. Not soul mates (different discussion altogether). Some form societies. And the game is played.
So, what is each team playing for. Well, one may be playing for control. This team wants control over everything. They think they can do things better and that by allowing the game to run without enough rules, things aren’t proper and people will be hurt. They don’t believe the players (and non-players who are part of the game) can take care of themselves, let alone the gaming place on their own and they ALL need guidance and control.
Another team thinks that by helping everyone it allows the players and non-players to have a happy existence. They may even be inclined to believe that their way is the only “good” way. After all, they are only trying to help. Helping is good. Heck, they may love everyone and believe all we need is love (may have been big fans of the Beatles???).
Another team thinks everyone should have freedom of will. They know in their hearts, players are going to fuck up, get things wrong, not pull the goalie when they should, but heck, it’s the players choice. They don’t see the non-players as something that gets in the way, or a game-piece. They see non-players as those most at risk. After all, nothing worse than being a non-combatant in a DMZ when ya don’t know there’s a war going on is there.
Throughout the history of this rock in space some players have gambled and tried to make a big impact on the local game board. Some times these players (or team members if you will) become known locally as a god, demi-god, saint, etc. They appear to the average domestic ape (aka humans) as having powers and being the masters of magick. Horseshit. First rule of the game, is NO team leader or player may incarnate with their “higher powers”. Second, team members may develop skills they know exist within the universe but it isn’t going to be easy. So as in Austrailia Rules Foort ball here are the rules:
1: no hand-guns 2: if you can get away with breaking rule rule, more power to you SO LONG as you DON’T get caught.
Simple. And it stuns me that people get upset by this concept. By our very nature we’ll do whatever is required to win. Personally, I still hope the tortoise wins. In the meantime, I’ll shoot the rabbit while the judges aren’t watching if I can.
You're certainly not alone in this game theory, although it's ultimately defeatist and cynical, if not nihilistic.
I would invite you to consider that this model is a symptom of the early stages of the Agon - you GET that the universe is broken, but you're still struggling to identify where the good is. I suspect that deep down you know that such a wild-west scenario (we're all lone gunslingers in a town controlled by a corrupt Sherrif) is limited, and too simplistic to be of any real value. But it's a necessary (albeit disposable) step into a wider world view, one that includes liberation and compassion.
I've been thinking alot about this lately. I feel like perhaps I'm somewhere inbetween Struggle and Knowledge. It's as if I'm taking one step forward, two steps back.
"Before enlightenment -- chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment -- chop wood, carry water." I've always had a hard time chopping the wood and carrying the water after I come back down off the mountain, but to paraphrase R. Pirsig's _Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance_, the only Zen you'll find on the mountaintop is the Zen you take up there with you...
I believe I may have had brief flashes of Gnosis which allow me to carry on with the Struggle (the Greater Jihad in Islamic terms), but until one reaches Grace, or Sainthood, it seems we're more likely to vacilate between Struggle and Knowledge.
Or is it more likely that I am wavering between random Epiphanies and the Struggle? Because if I had reached Gnosis, I'd be there, no? I would Know, and these doubts wouldn't be so strong.
"Because if I had reached Gnosis, I'd be there, no? I would Know, and these doubts wouldn't be so strong."
If only it were that easy. I think that this post needs some clarification, because it does sound as though I'm suggesting that once you've attained Gnosis that the struggle is over. Which of course is not the case. I think it's the difference between knowing there's a secret room in your house, and moving into it. You still have the rest of the house to worry about - mortgage and electricity bills and dusting.
Each aspect of this process contains the seeds of the others.
I happened across your journal about 3 weeks ago and quite enjoyed it (so much so that I have one or two excerpts on my forum). I started a topic on these "steps" in the following link and linked back to your own interpretation of them (you might find some of the interpretations given on the forum interesting).
I definitely feel I've reached my epiphany as I struggled for some time to get to this point. And you are right in saying that I have mistaken this for a sort of "gnosis".
I must ask about something in which I take issue with though. It seems to me some practicing Gnostics mediate with the Archons but partaking in ritual or prayer. I have yet to partake in ritual or adhere to a group who practices these varying aspects of what might constitute "religion". Like Campbell and like the great scholars and philosophers I always view myth through metaphor or allegory.(as is the case with most Gnostics)
So please forgive me in asking... Is it right for me to view this as a time to make peace with my personal demons or to find peace within the world and the turmoil that plagues it? Or is it necessary one view this in a literal sense?
I have many solutions for approaching this part of "The Road of Gnosis" such as finding a Zen practice, taking up martial arts, meditation etc. I hope these paths wouldn't constitute a way in which to "make peace with the archons".
As for "making peace with the archons", I don't see anything wrong with that. They're not going to go away. Our limitations can't be overcome, but they can be addressed and worked around. The first task at hand for any spiritual work is to take stock, identify the space from which we're operating, and move forward. As for the interpretation of this process, it is as varied as it is vast, because it's personal. It certainly does not require group work or even religion per se: only commitment to one's personal integrity, the desire to remain integral.
So, yes, meditation and such practices do in fact constitute a way to make peace with the dominant forces in the world in which we experience.
Yechida - You've called me Tau Jordanus in one of your posts. This presentation is reserved for Bishops in the French Gnostic Tradition, and doesn't apply to me. Not to worry about it, I just wouldn't want people to get the idea that I was purple.
Thank you for this fantastic post. It describes precisely my life within the last seven years. I was progressing steadily through meditation, visualization and manifestation from 2000 to 2004, and from 2004 to 2007 the most illogical and evil occurrences happened to me - thankfully I dealt with them very well, and had the assistance of a higher power that I sensed intuitively accompany me along the way. At the moment now, I feel quite lost. I feel disconnected from this world - I dislike it intensely - but am confused about stepping into the greater world, where I sense I truly belong.
13 comments:
okay..so here's something to think about...
maybe I'm nuts, maybe I'm just making this up, maybe I'm putting into words something I know that a few others do in another form of prose.
So...the concept of teh christian god is a hoax. A damn good one. The christain bible is but a set of rules created by those who want to "help" and/or control the average sheep (aka person).
Nothing new there...
Lets say for a minute, a counsel exists. The Greeks subscribed to this concept, so did the Romans. Heck even those of use loyal to Wodin believe in a counsel. Again, nothing too new.
Now lets say, that this counsel is a group of players. Some fighting for the red team, some for the white, some looking to maintain a balance between teams. Heck, there might even be a black team hiding in the corner that cheats and tries to get away with as much as possible. Now each team has key members. Earth is but one of may playing fields. Most players have been playing since the beginning of man-made time (on Earth). Team members live out out life trying to advance their team. Others try to impact the game through simple acts (a parking ticket, a bad contract, etc). Each team is playing for something that none of the team members really know what the prize is. Through time, team members begin to recognize one another in various forms of incarnation (lives). Sometimes these lives even take place on the same game board (Earth as an example). Members call themselves soul-friends. Not soul mates (different discussion altogether). Some form societies. And the game is played.
So, what is each team playing for. Well, one may be playing for control. This team wants control over everything. They think they can do things better and that by allowing the game to run without enough rules, things aren’t proper and people will be hurt. They don’t believe the players (and non-players who are part of the game) can take care of themselves, let alone the gaming place on their own and they ALL need guidance and control.
Another team thinks that by helping everyone it allows the players and non-players to have a happy existence. They may even be inclined to believe that their way is the only “good” way. After all, they are only trying to help. Helping is good. Heck, they may love everyone and believe all we need is love (may have been big fans of the Beatles???).
Another team thinks everyone should have freedom of will. They know in their hearts, players are going to fuck up, get things wrong, not pull the goalie when they should, but heck, it’s the players choice. They don’t see the non-players as something that gets in the way, or a game-piece. They see non-players as those most at risk. After all, nothing worse than being a non-combatant in a DMZ when ya don’t know there’s a war going on is there.
Throughout the history of this rock in space some players have gambled and tried to make a big impact on the local game board. Some times these players (or team members if you will) become known locally as a god, demi-god, saint, etc. They appear to the average domestic ape (aka humans) as having powers and being the masters of magick. Horseshit. First rule of the game, is NO team leader or player may incarnate with their “higher powers”. Second, team members may develop skills they know exist within the universe but it isn’t going to be easy. So as in Austrailia Rules Foort ball here are the rules:
1: no hand-guns
2: if you can get away with breaking rule rule, more power to you SO LONG as you DON’T get caught.
Simple. And it stuns me that people get upset by this concept. By our very nature we’ll do whatever is required to win. Personally, I still hope the tortoise wins. In the meantime, I’ll shoot the rabbit while the judges aren’t watching if I can.
Enough for now…
S.
You're certainly not alone in this game theory, although it's ultimately defeatist and cynical, if not nihilistic.
I would invite you to consider that this model is a symptom of the early stages of the Agon - you GET that the universe is broken, but you're still struggling to identify where the good is. I suspect that deep down you know that such a wild-west scenario (we're all lone gunslingers in a town controlled by a corrupt Sherrif) is limited, and too simplistic to be of any real value. But it's a necessary (albeit disposable) step into a wider world view, one that includes liberation and compassion.
I've been thinking alot about this lately. I feel like perhaps I'm somewhere inbetween Struggle and Knowledge. It's as if I'm taking one step forward, two steps back.
"Before enlightenment -- chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment -- chop wood, carry water." I've always had a hard time chopping the wood and carrying the water after I come back down off the mountain, but to paraphrase R. Pirsig's _Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance_, the only Zen you'll find on the mountaintop is the Zen you take up there with you...
I believe I may have had brief flashes of Gnosis which allow me to carry on with the Struggle (the Greater Jihad in Islamic terms), but until one reaches Grace, or Sainthood, it seems we're more likely to vacilate between Struggle and Knowledge.
Or is it more likely that I am wavering between random Epiphanies and the Struggle? Because if I had reached Gnosis, I'd be there, no? I would Know, and these doubts wouldn't be so strong.
"Because if I had reached Gnosis, I'd be there, no? I would Know, and these doubts wouldn't be so strong."
If only it were that easy. I think that this post needs some clarification, because it does sound as though I'm suggesting that once you've attained Gnosis that the struggle is over. Which of course is not the case. I think it's the difference between knowing there's a secret room in your house, and moving into it. You still have the rest of the house to worry about - mortgage and electricity bills and dusting.
Each aspect of this process contains the seeds of the others.
Wow... I've been through all of those except for Charis... Or maybe I'm just being modest? :)
Ave Father,
I happened across your journal about 3 weeks ago and quite enjoyed it (so much so that I have one or two excerpts on my forum). I started a topic on these "steps" in the following link and linked back to your own interpretation of them (you might find some of the interpretations given on the forum interesting).
http://members.createforum.net/viewtopic.php?p=600&mforum=occultireland#600
We also have a full Gnosticism section if you'd like to check that out:
http://members.createforum.net/index.php?mforum=occultireland
LLLSHJ,
Yechidah.
Sorry, the link to the main topic is:
http://members.createforum.net/viewtopic.php?t=130&mforum=occultireland
The first link I gave scrolls right down to my interpretation.
LLLSHJ,
Yechidah.
I definitely feel I've reached my epiphany as I struggled for some time to get to this point. And you are right in saying that I have mistaken this for a sort of "gnosis".
I must ask about something in which I take issue with though. It seems to me some practicing Gnostics mediate with the Archons but partaking in ritual or prayer. I have yet to partake in ritual or adhere to a group who practices these varying aspects of what might constitute "religion". Like Campbell and like the great scholars and philosophers I always view myth through metaphor or allegory.(as is the case with most Gnostics)
So please forgive me in asking...
Is it right for me to view this as a time to make peace with my personal demons or to find peace within the world and the turmoil that plagues it? Or is it necessary one view this in a literal sense?
I have many solutions for approaching this part of "The Road of Gnosis" such as finding a Zen practice, taking up martial arts, meditation etc. I hope these paths wouldn't constitute a way in which to "make peace with the archons".
First off, asking needs no forgiveness. ;-)
As for "making peace with the archons", I don't see anything wrong with that. They're not going to go away. Our limitations can't be overcome, but they can be addressed and worked around. The first task at hand for any spiritual work is to take stock, identify the space from which we're operating, and move forward. As for the interpretation of this process, it is as varied as it is vast, because it's personal. It certainly does not require group work or even religion per se: only commitment to one's personal integrity, the desire to remain integral.
So, yes, meditation and such practices do in fact constitute a way to make peace with the dominant forces in the world in which we experience.
Yechida - You've called me Tau Jordanus in one of your posts. This presentation is reserved for Bishops in the French Gnostic Tradition, and doesn't apply to me. Not to worry about it, I just wouldn't want people to get the idea that I was purple.
Editted the applicable post. I knew there was something wrong with it as I was typing it up. Thanks for the clarification :)
LLLSHJ,
Yechidah.
Thank you for this fantastic post. It describes precisely my life within the last seven years. I was progressing steadily through meditation, visualization and manifestation from 2000 to 2004, and from 2004 to 2007 the most illogical and evil occurrences happened to me - thankfully I dealt with them very well, and had the assistance of a higher power that I sensed intuitively accompany me along the way. At the moment now, I feel quite lost. I feel disconnected from this world - I dislike it intensely - but am confused about stepping into the greater world, where I sense I truly belong.
These introduction posts have been very informative. Great blog!
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