1. Introduction to the Gnostic Teachings: What Is Gnosis?

In this class, we explore the meaning of "Gnosis," what it is, and how it is a crucial part of authentic spiritual realization. The word Gnosis is a Greek word that means "Knowledge," but this does not mean "intellectual knowledge," such as the ability "to think" or to "remember something." Knowledge in the sense of Gnosis means to have direct knowledge of something beyond intellectual opinions. It is a conscious and cognizant knowing that goes beyond believing or not believing. It means to learn something through direct experience. To truly understand something, we have to be able to go beyond our own unconscious ways of thinking and feeling; this requires self-knowledge. Self-knowledge implies the ability to recognize and dissolve one's own Ego. Our Ego blocks Gnosis; because our Ego thinks it "knows", when actually, it does not. To think we know something is entirely different from actually knowing it. The Ego cannot achieve real knowledge. It feels that intellectual knowledge is the best type of knowledge. In reality, intellectual knowledge is the most superficial type of knowledge. The only part of us that can gain direct knowledge is our Consciousness; in the Gnostic teachings, we call this our Essence.

Without question the Essence, or Consciousness, which is the same thing, sleeps deeply... The Essence in itself is very beautiful. It came from above, from the stars. Sadly, it is smothered deep within all these “I’s” (egos) we carry inside. By contrast, the Essence can retrace its steps, return to the point of origin, go back to the stars, but first it must liberate itself from its evil companions, who have trapped it within the slums of condemnation. Human beings have 3% free Essence, and the other 97% percent is imprisoned within the “I’s”. - Samael Aun Weor, The Great Rebellion

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