Gnosticism and Taoism (rituals, mystic, tradition, Buddhism, beliefs) - Page 2

Buttons* · #11 03-09-2006, 12:39 PM

*smiles* thanks for that Chris

ChrisP · #12 03-09-2006, 12:45 PM

See I can do serious... *cough*

Buttons* · #13 03-09-2006, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Is Gnosticism like Taoism?

Not at all! Everyone knows that Taoism is just another name for SATANISM!!!!

We've all heard the stories of how Taoists eat the brains of babies (cooked rare, with a side of green salad) as part of their evil pagan rituals. This is common knowledge!

And how could you forget the great Taoist crusade? When millions of Taoists descended on the innocent western world, killing billions of innocent men, women, children and oldies - then using their remains to invent the first Tikka Masala.
Plus i've heard a rumour that the founder of Taoism was the great nephew of Satan, and frequently went on badger hunts.

How could you compare Gnosticism, the one true most awesomeist and righteousist path to God, with Taoism, the religion of evilness.

Buttons* (if that is your real name

) you are officially discombobulated from all Gnostic organisations.
Please return your red hat with the bobbles, and your officially sanctioned "Guide to Gnosticity".

I will NEVER give my bobbles and guide back!!! You'll have to steal them from my dead lifeless body! (dont worry, shouldnt be too long now...)

Thanks for filling me in though, i never knew that Taoism was like that!

Buttons* · #14 03-09-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisP

See I can do serious... *cough*

*smiles*

Buttons* · #15 03-09-2006, 01:08 PM

*sigh* I didnt think about how confusing this thread was going to be for people who dont already know what I mean....

Its hard to explain.... I dont mean gnostic as in the mythology of it. I simply mean the "inner knowing" belief of it. No doctrine or allegorical mythology involved. JUST that inner knowing, or understanding belief... compared to Philosophical Taoism.

Openly admitting here, I dont know ANYTHING about taoism... as a religion OR as a philosophy. I'm just looking for opinions. If you dont know anything about gnosticism, it's probably best to not comment... although i love your ideas very much.

Sorry for the confusion.... I'll work on this more when i get our of hell...

Halcyon · #16 03-09-2006, 04:03 PM

Right, well i've given my demented answer. Now for the real one.

The Gnostic concept of God - me and Ash normally refer to it as The One - is everything. It is the source of all things manifest and imaginary.
From the The One our universe emanated, along with an infinite number of other universes and realms.
The One is in everything, everything is of the One.

To me, from what i've read of the Tao Te Ching, our concept of The One is almost identical to the Tao. Please tell me if i'm wrong.

As for the myths, well they're just people trying to get across concepts. The Demiurge for example was flawed and created a flawed world, thus matter is flawed and evil. Only the spirit is pure.
What this is telling us is that matters of the flesh are less important than matters of the spirit. And by only taking pleasure in material possessions and experiences is ultimately unfulfilling.

ChrisP · #17 03-09-2006, 04:17 PM

I agree with the source concept any differences that could be put forward would merely be semantics.

Taoism removes the desire of any kind which may be a little different from Gnosis. To feel is not unnatural, but to desire can be calamitous as it creates action with purpose. (purpose is bad

go figure)

The idea of Gnostic myths as analogies again ties well with the Tao. Essentially the whole of the Tao te Ching is a list of analogies all trying to get across the same point(s) in a different way. Chuang Tzu is also an excellent source of Taoist analogies with more of a master talking with his student approach.

Someone needs to PM S_W cos I think he missed this thread! That man is a master.

Buttons* · #18 03-09-2006, 04:37 PM

why dont you do it Chrispy?

Buttons* · #19 03-09-2006, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisP

I agree with the source concept any differences that could be put forward would merely be semantics.

Taoism removes the desire of any kind which may be a little different from Gnosis. To feel is not unnatural, but to desire can be calamitous as it creates action with purpose. (purpose is bad

go figure)

Gnostics arent supposed to desire either, it's one of the seven "powers of wrath" the soul is supposed to ascend though....*checks Mary's gospel* Yep... It's one of the first things the soul must ascend through... all allegorically of course:

"The first form is darkness,
the second, desire,
the third, ignorance,
the fourth, death wish,
the fifth, fleshly kingdom,
the sixth, foolish fleshly wisdom,
the seventh, angry person's wisdom."

...so do those steps give a purpose? Is that what you're saying the difference is? Okay, so Gnostics have to gain gnosis to understand whereas Toaists just... exist?

ChrisP · #20 03-10-2006, 04:40 AM

I'm saying "gnosis/tao" is all around us but we become used to it being there at a very young age (when we lose that sense of wonder) and so it just becomes part of the landscape.

Succinctly: If you saw something literally Everywhere and Everywhen you become conditioned to its presence and while not ignoring it become blind to it.

I'm not sure about steps. Taoism just tends to focus on the path as a whole which Gnostics seem to do too... maybe we should just have the forums merged