Into it’s smallest, simplest parts. Down to the molecules, further if you can. See it for what it is at its core. Then reassemble it, piece by piece, block by block. Compare every piece. Compare the whole. Let nothing go unnoticed. Weigh it against your conscience. Weigh it against logic. Weigh it against the fire that burns inside you.

Now what do you think of it? How does it weigh? How does it feel against logic and against your fire?

—-

Jack
I Listen.

Basic Ideology 101

Lesson #21
The Battle of the Feather

We are going to talk just a very little about the idea of “Gnosis.” Gnosis is the state of enlightenment that some believe can be achieved through knowledge. At one time, there were many Gnostic sects for many religions, but in present day, very few still exist. We are not going to concern ourselves with where they are and what they do. Instead, we will focus on the idea alone.

The idea of Gnosis, or enlightenment though knowledge, is similar to other things we have talked about, such as Zen and Existentialism. I often find that these three philosophies are more closely tied that most would like to admit.

Gnosis encourages learning and compassion. And as such it also encompasses the “Live in the Now” ideas of Zen and Existentialism.

So, let’s add this brief part of the ideas to our shamanic thoughts. Knowledge is power. That has always been true. Living in the Now gets rid of things that stop human advancement, such as anxieties. If you live in this present moment, and realize that was has past is just a story book, and what is to come is merely science fiction, it becomes easier to make this, and every, moment count.

There are hundreds of ways to say this, and it has been said over and over for centuries, but really understanding the idea is what matters. Understand that the you that is reading this is only you for that moment. After this moment has passed, it is not you anymore. You are already on the next moment, gleaning more information further down the page.

Convert your idea of time into still frames, or seconds, or motions. You can break it down to the most basic thought, and then when you run through all of those thoughts it becomes the flipbook that we call memory. And just like a real flipbook or film reel, sometimes pages, or slides become lost or damaged.

I’m starting to ramble a bit, so let’s pull this together. It’s hard for me not to ramble, knowing this is the end of a class that I’ve taught for more than a year now.

So, if we can gain knowledge, and remain fully aware of our past and future, without letting it hinder our abilities here in the Now, we might reach that state of Gnosis or enlightenment. Sounds pretty difficult, right? Well, you’re the one that wanted to be a shaman. :p

-Jack
I Listen.
Developmental Theology 089
Lesson #52 – End of Class

-Loki.
Developmental Theology 089
Lesson #38

“Smells like Death in here…”

Blogged with Flock

Tags: Buddha, god, concept, buddhism, ideology, religion, philosophy, theology

“All formations are ‘transient’; all formations are ’subject to suffering’; all things are ‘without an Ego-entity.’ Corporeality is transient, feeling is transient, perception is transient, mental formations are transient, consciousness is transient.”

— ((The Eightfold Path), Buddha, the Word (The Eightfold Path))

- Loki 3/28/07
Lesson #8