Body, Soul, and Spirit -- Overview

The underlying experiential basis of Gnosis, and the nature and importance of contemplative prayer and meditation, has already been introduced. To summarize very briefly: What goes by the label 'spiritual' or 'good', can be viewed experientially as a category encompassing that which is better, that which is healing and wisdom-producing. Such a category is related to what is considered inspiring and nurturing. We can focus or orient our attention toward the various experiences, observations, and potentials that fall into this sort of category. That is what happens in certain forms of contemplation, meditation, and prayer.

One reason for explaining these subjects in such a way, is to root the subject in what can be personally explored and observed. Then perhaps something essential to the subject may be known experientially. Many people, whether because they are skeptical, or for other reasons, may prefer to avoid certain terminology. Some will prefer to use other terms. Some might wish to look beyond unexamined labels like 'spiritual' or 'good', 'knowledge' and 'prayer'. For these reasons, and also because Gnosis emphasizes personal insight and experience -- a sort of integrated knowledge that include intuition as well as reason and observation -- it seemed advisable to take an experiential approach to these basic terms, to serve as a starting point.

Beginning with Basic Principles
Spirit and Light shining upon us

A basic principle of Gnostic teaching is that a principle of Spirit or Light can shine upon our souls in this material world, and thereby guide and illuminate us. Spirit can be seen as the medium or essence of that potential within that may be brought forward in a positive way, resulting in healing, growth, or transformation. Spirit can also be understood in terms of participation in the sort of things we put in the 'good and spiritual' category. Light can be seen as the catalyst for such transformation and for gaining insight. Both Spirit and Light can be seen in terms of a source or field of such potentials, as well as in terms of participation in such qualities.

Different forms of prayer, contemplation, and meditation will be explored more deeply in the future. But before exploring further, I'd like to express some spiritual aspirations and invite the reader to contemplate on the highest principles for a moment, so that we might orient ourselves towards receptivity to greater insight.

That which is spiritually desirable, that which can bring forth the best that is within us, the best that has been called 'the human spirit', that which can lead to healing and insight and empowerment -- shine upon us, illuminate our minds, and free us from what may hinder insight. May we grow in the Desired-for Wisdom. May we be receptive to Theletos-Sophia (Desired-for Wisdom).

Material Obstacles
Matter and Body

Gnostic texts mention the fetters of ignorant matter and the bondage and traps of the body's senses and instincts. It is obvious enough that our bodily form limits us, as does our material existence in this world. Gnostic texts are a wake-up call for people who may wish to recognize a reality beyond the body and matter, people who may wish to see beyond such identifications with the body. Such people may be capable of developing their character or of understanding matters of the highest principle. Perhaps some may bring forth the fullness of an inner self that rises above either the mindlessness of sense-obsession or slavery to instincts, and also above the limitations of obsessions of mental and emotional life. Gnostic texts speak of Spiritual Sparks that are beyond the patterns and pre-occupations, roles, and mind-games of this world.

Our bodies change continually, and one day they will decompose. Our habits of life, our perceptions, and our energies, are all labile and subject to change as well as destruction. To come to terms with these facts, as best as we are able, during life, is a sensible aim. Some degree of such insight is a practical enough expectation for many people. On the most basic level of human existence, some sense of composure in the face of material sensations and instinctual drives, is often part of growing into membership in a community.

As we grow and learn and heal, we cope to differing degrees. We are subject to the whims of material reality, while we are subject to existence in physical bodies. The brain can be scarred by injury, or perhaps it is imprinted by traumatic experience. At certain ages, or during certain types of sickness, we are very limited by our physical brain and body. Insight and freedom from fetters of the body, can nonetheless be sought, and we may grow and develop a degree of composure and empowerment. Nonetheless, recognition of the very real obstacles present in material and instinctual reality, is an important part of coming to terms with existence in our world, and it is also important in efforts to explore, develop, and illuminate different sorts of realities and potentials.

'Psychic' Obstacles
Soul/Character (Psyche)

Psyche is a Greek word that can be translated as soul, character, or life. For our purposes, the 'psychic' level of human experience, is involved with matters of conscience, compassion, thoughts, feelings, and personality.

When the psyche is manipulated by the ups and downs of life, or when it is deluded or enchanted by desire or fear, it is dis-empowered and shackled to a low level of development. Similarly, various evils, deceptions, addictions, the misuse of power or position, recklessness, greed, and plotting – all these can weigh down and sicken the psyche.

Positive aspects of character are associated with the development and empowerment of the soul. They can be seen evidence of some degree of purification or healing of the soul, or as great assistance in the soul's liberation. They can also be considered preliminaries for greater spiritual exploration.Kindness can bring composure that helps us to weather the storms of fate, forethought can give us the means to rise above various evils, and appreciation of the divine can overcome deceptions of mere flesh. The lordship of self-mastery might allow us to use influence or power without being tempted to corruption. Nobility of character can quell the riotous and mindless whims of blood-lust and impulses to excess of all kinds, sincere effort and rightly directed energy can further our own well-being or counteract the greedy and manipulative, and with intelligence we can see through the plotting of others and avoid falsehood or self-deception in our own efforts at understanding. With such character we can more consistently seek what is really beneficial and wise instead of the counterfeit.

Illumination
Spirit (Pneuma)

What's been called 'spirit' and 'light', can shine upon or permeate our psyche. It is what brings out the best in us instead of the worst. It is what heals our soul (psyche) and leads to fruitful insight. At the heights of our psyche's development, a glimmer of that light, a sense of that spirit's essence, is perceived. What may start as an intuition, may become understood. Such things may be invited and experienced. However elusive such encounters with light and spirit may be, they may serve as a basis for some degree of personal knowledge, through such insight and experience.

And such Spiritual intuition of the psyche, such Illumined soul -- such experience that can transform, heal, and guide the mind (emotional, intellectual, personal, and intuitive) -- points to something beyond. A gnostic seeks to understand the nature of body and psyche/soul, with the aim of orienting towards Spirit and Light.

May we be continually receptive to such light and spirit, may we participate in that which flows from such potential goodness, and may it shine upon us and permeate us, that we may grow in that insight which leads to Gnosis.