Since the Gnostic gospels were discovered in Nag Hammadi in 1945, gnosis has become a popular subject. Many definitions exist, but they don't all agree. Let's sift through some of the misconceptions and find the most accurate ways to define gnosis, gnostic and Gnosticism.
The original meaning of the Greek word gnosis is "knowing" or "knowledge,"but this is not knowledge attained through intellectual pursuits. This form of knowing is gained by a direct and personal experience, like riding a bicycle. You can read instructions and watch someone else ride, but you will "know" how to ride only by having the experience.
Gnosis is often associated with attaining esoteric (secret) knowledge or "higher" consciousness. But in the purest sense of the word, gnosis describes the direct, personal experience of Divine Presence. This may sound impossible, but thousands have accomplished it. We don't have to purify ourselves and there are no specific steps, practices or systems involved. We can access the Divine when we're willing to set aside our preconceived notions and listen.
The word gnostic implies that something came about as the result of a direct, personal experience. The "gnostic gospels" refer to a group of writings that were supposedly based on gnosis. The question we want to ask is whether or not gnosis means the direct, personal experience of Divine Presence, or knowing based on some other type of direct experience.
The word Gnosticism is completely out of sync with the definition of gnosis.When we add "ism" to a word, the word describes a distinctive doctrine, theory, system, or practice such as Catholicism, Judaism or Buddhism. The individual experience central to gnosis makes gnosis impossible to organize, let alone institutionalize.
Although some organizations call themselves gnostic, Gnosticism is not a religion, a specific doctrine, practice or belief system. It does not involve secret, magical or occult knowledge. Gnosticism is more accurately described as a spiritual approach that has been used by seekers in all cultures, eras and areas of the globe.
Many definitions or gnosis, gnostic and Gnosticism exist, but they don't all agree. In short, the purest form of each word can be defined this way:
Gnosis is:
· A direct, personal experience of Divine Presence
· Free and available to everyone willing to open themselves to the experience
· Liberating. It frees us of misperceptions and never restricts or condemns us.
Gnostic describes:
· "knowing" that results from any direct, personal experience. Gnostic does not automatically mean a direct, personal experience of the Divine.
Gnosticism is:
· A spiritual approach that predates Christianity
Copyright © 2011 Lee and Steven Hager
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From Lee & Steven Hager at Oroborus Books.
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