Hey You! (mysticism, myth, gnostic, Gnosticism, Mythology)

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by Mavrikmind

Ok I did that, still not clear about it so I'll say no for now

A Gnostic is someone who seeks or believes they have found gnosis (translates knowledge, but is closer to enlightenment or awakening in meaning) of God.

The golden age of Gnosticism was in the first few centuries after Christ, most Gnostics are and were Christian based, a second large wave of Gnostic thought appeared in medieval times, but was wiped out by the Inquisition (Vatican, not Spanish).
That's not to say all Gnostics were/are Christian, there were Jewish, Islamic and pagan Gnostics. Gnostic thought also found its way into religions such Manichaenism and Mandaism.

To sum up Gnostic belief very briefly, it is that humanity has been separated from God (there are various myths to explain how) and that those who seek and find Gnosis will reunite their souls with God, usually after death.

[Moni_Gail]

To be honest Ash, I'm not sure anymore, though I never really have been sure anyways. Do I believe that we can reach enlightenment, yes. I also think that many texts are possible paths towards that, but that's about as far as it goes for me. I think I also lean more towards Jung's theories of our split psyches (conscious and subconscious) and the reuniting of them is, for lack of a better term, gnosis.

[Buttons*]

cool, guess i'm it

[astarath]

going with a kinda but not really sense myself

[XAAX]

Originally Posted by Buttons*

Hi, I'm trying to get a general headcount of how many of us there actually are. If you're gnostic, just post here saying "i'm here"

Hey buttons, when you say gnostic, to me that is a very broad term...what is your definition?

[Buttons*]

Originally Posted by PREACH THE NETT

Hey buttons, when you say gnostic, to me that is a very broad term...what is your definition?

Gnostic = mystic who understands gnostic texts and who reaches for higher enlightenment.....

could be from any religion, i think of "gnostic" as a synonym for "mystic" ... i'm not a die hard "THE GNOSTIC TEXTS ARE ALL THAT IS TRUTH!" kind of gal

[XAAX]

Originally Posted by Buttons*

Gnostic = mystic who understands gnostic texts and who reaches for higher enlightenment.....

could be from any religion, i think of "gnostic" as a synonym for "mystic" ... i'm not a die hard "THE GNOSTIC TEXTS ARE ALL THAT IS TRUTH!" kind of gal

Hey buttons, I have read a number of books and things that could be considered Gnostic texts... I'm just not sure the title fits me. I do belief fully in the search for higher enlightenment...

[ChrisP]

Then you must be Buddhist

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by Buttons*

Gnostic = mystic who understands gnostic texts and who reaches for higher enlightenment.....

could be from any religion, i think of "gnostic" as a synonym for "mystic" ... i'm not a die hard "THE GNOSTIC TEXTS ARE ALL THAT IS TRUTH!" kind of gal

Oh, in that case, you count me in.

[Buttons*]

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

Oh, in that case, you count me in.

yay, two of us