Where to Begin?

Whether you are new to Gnostic teachings and texts, or whether you have been aware of them for some time, it is not always obvious where or how to begin a Gnostic Path.

After familiarity with the material listed in this site's Basics menu and a review of the Guide To The Texts, a good place to start would be an in-depth reading of one of the major texts, such as The Apocryphon of John, The Gospel of Truth, or Trimorphic Protennoia. Re-reading such texts, slowly, really letting each passage sink in, can open up aspects of the texts that were previously overlooked.

It is advisable to follow the lead of your intuition. Certain passages, certain texts, may draw you, may speak to you with a certain resonance. You can take such intuitions as subjects of contemplative prayer or further study.

Perhaps a specific theme or teaching appeals to you. That may be an invitation to take a deeper look. You can see if there some other related texts or teachings. A variation, a further development, might take the subject to another level.

A Path of Development

It is possible to learn while exploring in a haphazard fashion, but there are advantages to following a more organized plan.

I do not presume to present a single outline of Gnostic development that will fit everyone. Nor could I easily present a single outline that would be adequately descriptive of even my own development. But I can describe what I have explored and I can try to share my insights in a way that encourages you to creatively explore and gain your own insight.

There are degrees of insight. Starting with some degree of insight, some measure of gnosis, we can seek to grow. Part of that growth is about becoming aware of degrees of confusion or ignorance. Part of it is about inviting new insight. Sincere and comprehensive exploration, combined with persistence, can invite the sort of personal spiritual development that can build a very fruitful path.

A Toolkit

In the following weeks, I will present some options, some ideas, that will develop gradually into a sort of tool-kit for the path. These are practices, contemplations, and groups of reflections that I have used fruitfully in my own personal path. Often, an exercise, a plan of study or contemplation, will build upon itself, or incorporate earlier materials, leading to a progressive development of insight. In several instances, a series of related contemplations or exercises can continue for days, weeks, or even months, and then be repeated, serving as a continual method of exploring and gaining insight.

Some years ago I decided to really take the Gnostic texts and teachings seriously. I decided to really walk a Gnostic Path. But the texts themselves, the reports of the heresy hunters, and the available books on Gnosticism, raised as many questions as they answered. I considered and reconsidered what a Gnostic path might look like. I reflected upon what sort of prayer or meditation would be suitable, tried different kinds, and tried to figure out what seemed indicated by the texts. When I became comfortable with my own sort of Gnostic contemplative practice, I explored questions about the Aeons mentioned in texts, sacred rites and actions, questions about integrating Gnostic insights into my personal life.

Individual texts became vehicles for insight and plans for development. The Valentinian Aeons became a series of contemplative prayers, spread out over weeks. The Luminaries became parts of regular prayer practice. Variant perspectives on dualist teaching, became different insights about entirely different questions.

In time, my path developed to the point where I felt I had something significant to share with others. And with persistence, my path has become developed enough to perhaps help a variety of aspiring Gnostics to work out the specifics of their own path. And so I offer some practical resources to work with as a starting point, a spring board, or as a tentative blue print, as you build your path, walk your path, live your path, and one day perhaps, share insights and resources from your own path with other aspiring Gnostics.