Reply To: A Gnostic creation myth – May 21

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    Paul Kieniewicz

    Organizer
    22 May 2021 at 9:07 am

    NOTES

    Source: “Secret book of John”, Translation and commentary: Stevan Davies


    A Gnostic creation myth

    1. Observation of the world – its laws are not what a beneficent deity would have constructed. Something went wrong.

    2. It’s not all the fault of humans. They don’t seem to be wired correctly in the first place.

    3. The fault is in the system where we find ourselves. We may be more the victims rather than the cause. What is our task then? (BIG QUESTION).

    Kabballah, Gnosticism, Cathars all begin with a transcendent deity. Indescribable, beyond imagining, loving, – What existed before the Big Bang – PLEROMA – pure consciousness

    PLEROMA formed an image, conception of itself – Virgin Spirit – Divine Feminine.

    Foreknowledge – Life

    Truth – Incorruptibility

    Formed by reflection

    Father looked at Barbelo, in a spark conceived the only begotten (Christ)

    12 aeons with names such as:

    Mind – Will

    Word – Goodness

    Grace – Truth

    13thaeon – Sophia (Wisdom)

    Pleroma is complete, perfect, balanced, each power works in consort with its partner

    The universe in its early stages

    Sophia – conceived a thought. Wanted to create without the participation of her partner.

    Creation – formless, an abortion. Face of a lion, lightning from the eyes.

    Yaldabaoth

    Her light went into it.

    She is expelled from the Pleroma along with Yaldabaoth

    1. He knows nothing of the Pleroma

    2. Has a creative light

    3. Thinks he is the only god.

    4. Without an inspired plan, he creates the cosmos. Planets, and then Man

    Sophia repents – is received below the 13thaeon. But cannot return to the Pleroma

    Her light ends up in human beings. Yaldabaoth was tricked into breathing life into Adam and Sophia’s light ended up there. Our task is to make that light conscious, and to release it – so that the Pleroma can be restored. We have help – release it

    Origin of Humanity

    The Powers see the image of Man (androgynous) in the waters. Man was conceived by Barbelo. They decided to make a form in that image. Installing qualities that they saw, or thought they saw. They build his body – the best they can. Adam is lifeless.

    Sophia misses her light. She wants it back. So she turns to the father/mother for help. The Father/Mother sends the Five Lights. The Five Lights whisper to Yaldabaoth, blow some of your spirit into Adam. Adam starts to glow, he is filled with Sophia’s light. The powers know that Adam is more powerful than they and cast him to the bottom of the world.

    Father/Mother, sorrowing for the loss of Sophia’s light, sends a spirit to help man. Zoe (Epinoia). She teaches Adam how he descended to the world, and of the way of ascent. Epinoia was hidden in Adam so the rulers couldn’t find her.

    Rulers took Adam and placed him in Paradise. Tree of Knowledge (of good and evil) is the tree of Epinoia. Yaldabaoth made Adam unconscious, forgetful, hoping to steal his light. He looked for Epinoia, but couldn’t find her. Finally he separated Eve out of Adam, modeled after Epinoia. Adam saw the light-filled Epinoia, and woke up. That light is his insight, that guides him to his home.