Gnosis – Universal Knowledge
Universal Knowledge
“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
William Shakespeare
Origin
Gnosis is a word that comes from Greek, and means “Knowledge”… Knowledge of all that exists: the universe, the human being, nature, and the functioning of all things. In this sense it is said to be “superior.”
Historically speaking, although there existed a Gnostic current within the primitive Christian church, Gnosis has always existed at the heart of the great cultures and religions of the world. Therefore, it predates Christianity and the ancient Greeks. The origin of Gnosis is in fact unknown, as it does not belong to any one culture or people in particular.
Goal
Gnosis seeks to answer questions which remain mysteries for the human being: the invisible forces of creation, the hidden causes of phenomena, the origin of life on Earth, death, the dimensions of nature and the cosmos, the purpose of existence…
Being universal in essence, Gnosis is as vast as “truth.” It is comprised of the sum of human experience throughout the ages—in the fields of art, science, philosophy and mysticism.
Method
As it is based on observation and direct experimentation, Gnosis aims to be an objective science, in the same way as modern science does; the difference is that in Gnosis, metaphysical and even mystical experiences are recognized, provided that they can be repeated.
Gnosis does not only seek to discover “reality,” it is also interested in the human faculties that allow us to experience these realities. This global Knowledge is not only theoretical; it has always invited its adepts to unite theory with practice.
Universality
Thanks to historical and anthropological research, Gnosis affirms that, though sometimes expressed through different symbols, all the great civilizations, religions and philosophies had arrived at a common, single body of doctrine.
As an example, the school of Pythagoras, where mathematics, astronomy, poetry, philosophy, music and the law of octaves were taught as diverse parts of a whole, thus integrating the human-microcosm within the universal-macrocosm and uniting science, art, philosophy and mysticism.
Philosophy
According to Gnosis, there exists a material world and a spiritual world. As the human soul is placed between matter and spirit, it has the possibility of regenerating itself through knowledge and work on oneself, thus allowing for the efflorescence of its superior nature and Awakening. This transformation is a psychological and even alchemical purification that leads to the birth of latent faculties and the direct experience of reality, or “revelation.”
In History
Throughout the ages, many esoteric, mystical and religious groups have attempted to keep this ancient Knowledge alive. In the Middle Ages, it also took the form of various fields of study such as:
- Kabbalah: the study of the structure of the human and universal cosmos.
- Alchemy: the study of chemical mutations in the human body and in nature.
- Astrology: the study of astral influences on the psyche and destiny.
- Philokalia: asceticism and the study of the psyche leading to the amorous experience of the divine, etc.
Finally, what we know today as parapsychology, esotericism, spiritism, traditional medicines, cosmic sciences, martial arts, meditation, yoga, etc., are all fragments of Gnosis.
