INTRODUCTION
The Gospel of Gnosis is a fertile interpretation of the good news. Its writings take much of its wisdom and strength from the ancient written and oral traditions of early Christians.
This fresh text distills the mysterious beauty of our ancestors and refines it for today’s pilgrim. The quest of the wayfarer has not changed, and by today’s standards its importance is still vital and universal.
The Gospel of Gnosis builds on the revelations of the past. It recognizes that the struggles of the past have become the building blocks for both today’s joys and tribulations. For who we are as humans is a mere extension of free will and evolution. The Gospel of Gnosis reveals that who we are today is what we have become as a collective and ancient people. The problems and joys of today exist because that is who we are at this present moment. How we choose to live our lives at any given moment becomes our shared history. The world is simply reflecting back to us who we are and what we have created. As we learn to see more clearly through the eyes of Gnosis, we will discover that we are destined to be more than what the world currently reflects. If we live a life of contempt and evil, the world will only be able to reflect back to us contempt and evil. However, as we progress through the levels of Gnosis, what the world will reflect back to us is compassion and love.
The traditional myth of creation only speaks of one tree of life found in Paradise. This, of course, is the tree of knowledge which Adam and Eve ate from, which resulted in their minds being opened. However, we must also remember the mysterious allegory of the five trees which encompass our heavenly home, found in the Gospel of Thomas. Here Jesus said, “Blessed is he who was before he came into being. If you become disciples to me and listen to my words, these stones will minister to you. For you have five trees in Paradise which do not change, either in summer or in winter, and their leaves do not fall. He who knows them shall not taste of death.”
In the Gospel of Gnosis we are guided through a conversation with the One. This is lovingly accomplished by the Holy Spirit’s gift of contemplation and devotion to the human who seeks Gnosis. As with all growth, this happens in stages. For the wayfarer the five trees are the beginning of growth delivered in five steps of spiritual baptism, which originate from our true heavenly home. For the sojourner the mystical ascent begins in a trance, as it did for Adam and Eve. The Gospel of Gnosis reveals these baptismal states as first—enrobing, second—as washing, third—as enthroning, fourth—as glorifying, and fifth—as being caught up to luminous places.
The steps of baptism correspond with the stages of growth. The first stage of growth is beguilement, the second is defilement, the third is concentration, the fourth is discipline and the fifth is renewal.
As the burgeoning wayfarer passes through each stage of growth, they are introduced to five levels of internal angelic guidance. First is the catechumen (to ask), second is the neophyte (to join), third is the disciple (to begin), fourth is the noetic (to maintain) and fifth is the elder (to guide). After accepting their new virtuous identities the voyager is called forth to innately live the Gospel of Gnosis in the world. Once again the tree becomes the central motif of equanimity as depicted in the analogy of the tree with seven limbs. Finally, after faithfully living these spiritual realities, the sojourners are ready to depart this temporary world to receive the saintly reward and fullness of the beatific vision of Christ, where they continue to joyfully roam the eternal depths of Christ consciousness.
Kora Press 