THIS 20 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: True Mystic: Three Lectures on Mysticism, by Holden Edward Sampson. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1564595811.

Beginning with the premise that modern so-called "Gnostic" organizations are actually products of the 19th Century Occultist and New Age movements, 'This Way: Gnosis Without "Gnosticism"' embraces the most recent scholarship which concludes that there was no ancient "Gnosticism." Consequently, modern organizations which refer to themselves as "Gnosticism" are in no way related to ancient heretical sects in historical reality, but are, instead, entirely modern creations. As a response, 'This Way: Gnosis Without "Gnosticism"' presents an applied spirituality based on the writings found in the Nag Hammadi Library and Zen Buddhism, for people interested in a simple, mature approach to gnosis that doesn't rely on unprovable claims of apostolic succession or New Age neo-Templar silliness, but instead acknowledges the limitations of the material. If you are looking for a context for a modern approach to gnosis that can be practiced by anyone, alone or within an extant organization 'This Way: Gnosis Without "Gnosticism"' is the book for you.

So for centuries among the Jews, writers sought to shelter themselves behind the names of the great dead. In this they were guilty of no fraud. They imagined what Solomon or Enoch would say, or sing, upon a particular theme under given circumstances. It was not really they themselves, but their Solomon, their Enoch, Solomon or Enoch in them, who uttered the new prophesies or temple praises. Thus arose that body of literature, called by modern scholars, "Pseudepigrapha," that is, writings erroneously, unhistorically, and yet sincerely, ascribed to heroic figures summed from the vasty deep by a self-denying imagination, eager to alter man's belief and custom, to interpret his hope and sorrow, without personal gain or fame, and also, may one add, without the deterrent of persecution to arrest free utterance Now it is a foolish modern prejudice against an ancient piece of literature that its author veiled his person in this fashion. The only question is: Was the writing of inherent value? Did it exercise influence?

The disheveled beggar approached Jo Anna Ford shortly after she exited the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. He had a simple request: Fifty cents for the bus that would take him to a free meal at the Community Center. Jo Anna carried no purse during her evening walks; she apologized for having no money with her. "Then, would you just talk with me for a moment?" he asked. "We could sit on that stone wall and just chat a bit." It seemed to be a simple request, and Jo Anna agreed to sit with him for just a few minutes. Within a few seconds she was listening to a story of hardship, loss, loneliness, and despair. As he finished the brief chronicle of his life, he revealed his most painful secret. He had been diagnosed as "schizophrenic with messianic ideation" and locked away in a mental institution for years. With a determined gaze and a soft smile, he assured Jo Anna that he was not insane. She began to doubt her own sanity when she realized she actually believed him - not that he was the Messiah, but that he was not insane. That strange encounter rekindled her interest in the historical Jesus. It was the beginning of a journey that would lead her to the philosophers and historians of Jesus' time: Philo of Alexandria, Josephus, Tacitus, Seutonius, Pliny, and others. She found the epic poems of Ovid, and Homer, and Euripides. The puzzle pieces each of these ancient sources held eventually led her to a most startling realization. Someone would have to rewrite The History of the Roman Empire to include the amazing feats of the man and woman who played the roles of Jesus the Nazarene and Mary Magdalene. And as far as she knew, she was the only person who had been able to uncover their secret historical identities.

This book is guaranteed to contain some ideas many of you have never heard before. Many of these ideas are directly from the bible, history and scientific research. The book presents facts, theories, theologies, and hypothesis that are highly controversial and will spark your mind into either anger or heavy thought. You will agree with, ponder or hate the bearer of this imaginative and innovative fact finding research. It's the author's hope that whatever feelings you may receive from reading this document, whether it is joy or anger, you will always question what others tell you, no matter how renowned they may be. If you wholeheartedly believe the bible or in a deity then it may be best that you not read this book, as it contains several ideas that will bring into question the validity of the bible and may differ greatly from your beliefs. However, if you have always had questions and not enough answers then this may be what you've been searching for, your entire life.

Soaring throughout the heights of the most elevated regions of science and mysticism, the author investigates a wide variety of mysteries within nature and related to the awakening of the consciousness. This book explores a wide variety of scientific and social issues, while also illuminating many aspects of the exact science to awaken the consciousness. Topics include: The Seven Eternities; People from Other Planets; The Consciousness; Time; Darol Froman; The Sacred Order of Tibet; Meditations; Evolution and Devolution; Egyptian Mummies; The Seven Paths of Happiness; The Panspermia of Arrhenius; Egyptian Mysteries; Dark Light; Radio Astronomy; The Demon Apopi; Desires; My Return into Tibet; The Karma of the Holy Gods; The Beautiful Selene; The Black Boar; Mortality and Immortality; Constructing Molecules; The Revolution of the Consciousness; Alaya and Paramartha; Birth Control; The Egyptian Sahu; Mutants; The Demon Hai; The Causes of Existence; Atomic Bombs in Orbit; The Demon Nebt; The Seven Cosmocreators; Cancer; The Triple Dominion of Seth; Return and Reincarnation; The Akashic Records; Lucifer; Substances, Atoms, Forces; Pratimoksha; The Twelve Nidanas; The Thymus Gland; The Negative Confession I; Koan; and more.

THIS 24 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten, by G. R. S. Mead. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 092280222X.

THIS 26 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Gnostics and their Remains Ancient and Mediaeval, by C. W. King. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 0766103811.

THIS 118 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Gnostics and their Remains Ancient and Mediaeval, by C. W. King. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 0766103811.

THIS 26 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Gnostics and their Remains Ancient and Mediaeval, by C. W. King. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 0766103811.

1897. A short history of the Manichaean religion, which was taught by Manes, a native of Babylonia, who was put to death by order of the Shah Bahram or Varanes I in 175.

THIS 66 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Gnostics and their Remains Ancient and Mediaeval, by C. W. King. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 0766103811.

THIS 42 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Select Works of Plotinus, by Plotinus . To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1564594297.

This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

The Pistis Sophia is an extremely important Gnostic text, dating back to the early 2nd Century. The text claims that after His resurection, Christ remained on Earth for another eleven years, teaching His Disciples up to the first level of the Mystery. In Gnostic teachings, the Sophia is the female aspect of God, and Christ is the male aspect of Divinity. The title "Pistis Sophia" translates to the "faith of Sophia."

THIS 38 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten, by G. R. S. Mead. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 092280222X.

Discover hidden mysteries behind the early Christian teachings, suppressed by the Church and shunned by the clergy. This is a not a book for the faint of heart who bow to the dogmas, distortions and coercion of organized religions, but it is for those who seek wisdom and knowedge. From Leonardo da Vinci's sacred geometry and the five-pointed star to the star of Bethlehem, you will uncover the mysteries of the heavens above and the heaven within while expanding your knowledge of astrology, mythology and psychology. Transform your life. Master the power and magic of the spoken word, light, and the subconscious mind. Secrets hidden for centuries are now uncovered in this astonishing revelation.

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.

The second issue of The Gnostic: A Journal of Gnosticism, Western Esotericism and Spirituality. Featuring a cover by C.G. Jung, Lance Owens on Jung's Red Book. Interviews with David Tibet of Current 93, Jacob Needleman and Zohar expert Daniel C. Matt. Articles on Gnostic anime, Robert Graves, Gnostic texts, the Gospel of Luke, William Blake, deja vu, coincidence, a ten page comic, reviews and much more.

THIS 26 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Gnostics and their Remains Ancient and Mediaeval, by C. W. King. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 0766103811.

The controversial and influential Gnostic accounting of the Gospel of John; appearing in English for the first time.

Eye Witness to the Ministry of Jesus begins where The Lost Years (the first book in the series) left off, with Jesus' baptism in the River Jordan. It parallels the four Gospels, but this story is told through the eyes of his cousin Veronica who recalls their travels together and the teaching and healings that take place along the way. Jesus draws both male and female disciples into his work. This is a patriarchal world, and Jesus' elevation of women creates friction among his followers and condemnation from the Jewish establishment. John (the Baptist) is beheaded and Jesus' ministry takes on a new sense of urgency. He teaches his inner circle ancient rituals he learned in India, Persia and Egypt, integrating them with Jewish traditions and the sacred cycle of celebrations. Some in the Sanhedrin join forces with their Roman occupiers to bring judgment upon Jesus. Until the end, many of his followers believe he will challenge their oppressors. But he knows they'd only pursue him, and chooses to use events to demonstrate the lie of death and eternality of life. The men scatter while a group of women who had been trained in the mystery schools gather at the cross, forming a matrix of support as he travels into the underworld and back, transformed in the light of resurrection. Jesus remains with his followers for forty days, intensively interacting with them and pushing them to step into their own power and authority. He ultimately ascends, while Roman persecution continues to increase. Veronica and James' marriage deteriorates; factions begin forming around John, Paul and Jesus' brother James. Many decide to take the teachings of their Master out into the world. His many followers gather together one last time near Jerusalem to share their plans and say goodbye. The fire of spirit rains down upon a group gathered to hear Paul speak, and later upon Jesus' closest followers, awakening the spark of inner divinity, preparing them for the great work that lies ahead.

THIS 26 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Gnostics and their Remains Ancient and Mediaeval, by C. W. King. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 0766103811.

Pistis Sophia is an important Gnostic text. The five remaining copies, which scholars date c. 250-300 AD, relate the Gnostic teachings of the transfigured Jesus to the assembled disciples (including his mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Martha), when the risen Christ had accomplished eleven years speaking with his disciples. In it the complex structures and hierarchies of heaven familiar in Gnostic teachings are revealed.