Added a new link, today.  Looks like another interesting Gnostic blog.

Seeker of Sophia

Enjoy!

I have yet to see The Golden Compass movie, but I am midway through The Subtle Knife and it’s even better than the first book. I will see the movie in the next few days. In the meantime, here is my daemon Aeschylus

Wow…just, wow. After reading a supposedly “religiously tolerant” message board today I am appalled at what I have read. It seems that in order to classify oneself as ‘Christian’, one must be of the ‘Biblical Christian’ sort that is represented well on the board, and not espouse anything that is in opposition, particularly, in this case, any Gnostic leanings, to the beliefs of this “wider Christian Community”. The wider-what? Do they mean the Catholic Christian world majority which is much closer to Gnosticism than Protestantism? Hmm.

I would expect this sort of message on a protestant Christian board, but, coming from a board that supposedly promotes tolerance for, and communication with those of other belief systems (particularly a moot between Christians and Pagans), I am simply amazed.

It must be hard to run a venue such as that when Christians are pigeon-holed to one particular sort. At least a ‘Pagan’ can still be a ‘Pagan’ there….oh wait….maybe I should first check for a “You’re not a Pagan if…” thread …

Who said the Gnostics had a monopoly on elitism, eh?

In the tradition of the Church calendar, the 3rd Sunday in Advent is often called Rose Sunday, because it represents a lightening of the dark violet of the rest of the penitential season of Advent. This lightening has two points of significance. One is that of a greater light shining through the violet to reveal the rose tint signifying the coming of the Light, the other is a lightening of the mood, for which reason the Church has traditionally ascribed this Sunday to the quality of joy. The rose color expresses the joy of recognition, the recognition of the One who shines from beyond the veil of violet, who is the Messenger of the Light.

More…

“What monstrosities would walk the streets were some people’s faces as unfinished as their minds.”

Eric Hoffer

When the pearl is cast down into the mud, it becomes greatly despised, nor if it is anointed with balsam oil will it become more precious. But it always has value in the eyes of its owner. Compare the Sons of God: wherever they may be, they still have value in the eyes of their Father.

The Gospel of Philip

I have to say that I have struggled a lot with the idea of an inherent sinful nature of humanity. I always believed that people were inherently good, then, external influences created the ‘not so good’ that we can do.

What I have come to understand, is that it is not so much inherent sin, but rather, inherent (and some learned) flaws that are responsible for some of our negative expression.

Can you be callous? Mean? Lazy? Sarcastic? Impatient? Indifferent? A know-it-all? Insecure? Be honest.

There comes a point in our lives when we must face the qualities within us that we do not like. We must face that within us that the Archons put there.

I came across a great exercise for facing your flaws in a productive way.

The Premiseless Imperative: If You Want to be Saved, First Admit You are a Sinner

I think everyone should do this exercise at least once. It would also be useful to repeat the process when you feel the need.  You will be surprised at how much more aware you will be when your flaws surface.  Gnosticism is about being aware, not only of your light, but also your dark.  And being aware of your dark means that you can begin to fix it….to heal it.

I hope you enjoy the exercise as much as I did.