Gnostic Principles

Our church philosophy is rooted in fundamental Gnosticism, which seeks to explore the relationship between individual consciousness and the vast expanse of the Universe. While this philosophy can be expounded upon at length, its essence can be encapsulated in several key principles.

• Gnosis: The essence of Gnosticism resides in Gnosis, the ineffable salvific enlightenment of a divine essence, acquired solely through direct experiential revelation.
• Spiritual Unity: At the core of our belief lies the concept of a transcendental spiritual unity that permeates the cosmos. This notion suggests a convergence between spirituality and scientific understanding, particularly regarding the relationship between physical matter and space.
• Imperfect Manifestation: We perceive the material universe, including the human mind within it, as an imperfect reflection of a more perfect spiritual realm. This imperfection generates the perception of separation on the material plane between humanity and the Divine Unity, often referred to in other traditions as God.
• Nature of Humanity: Humans are viewed as composite beings, embodying a material aspect sculpted by the imperfect manifest universe and a divine spark originating from the ultimate Unity. This dual nature grants humans not only the ability to access other realities but also create them.
• Stupefied Divine Essence: The divine spark within individuals’ slumber inside their material and mental confines, their awareness dulled by the forces of materiality and ego.
• Patterns of the Divine: Patterns and periodicities observed in the manifest universe are seen as glimpses of the Divine Unity’s perpetual echoes. These patterns, discernible in various disciplines such as science, art, music and mathematics, serve as gateways to Gnosis, or spiritual knowledge.
• Role of Sophia: A special reverence is reserved the feminine emanation of the Unity. The name of this emanation is Sophia (Wisdom).
• Messengers of Light: Throughout history, messengers have arisen to impart insights from the ultimate Unity and advance Gnosis among humanity. Foremost among these figures is Jesus Christ, who embodied both teacher, hierophant and mystic challenging established spiritual hierarchies and emphasizing the pursuit of Gnosis.
• Reincarnation and Salvation: The soul experiences multiple lifetimes, with the attainment of Gnosis offering the possibility of liberation and salvation which cannot be attained through mere belief, virtuous deeds, or obedience to commandments.
• Liberation through Gnosis: Through relentless pursuit of Gnosis, individuals can progressively free themselves from all forms of confinement, ultimately achieving unity with the Godhead, transcending embodied existence.

These principles form the cornerstone of Gnostic seeking, yet it’s important to emphasize that our Church does not mandate its cohorts to accept them as matters of belief. Rather, they serve as guiding principles derived from the collective wisdom of those who have traversed similar paths before us.