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Synopsis
Spiritual seekers don't need to look to the East; inspiration is right here at home. Derived from the Greek word for 'knowledge' or 'insight', a Gnostic is one who seeks direct experience of Divinity. Refuting the notion that no coherent set of Gnostic beliefs exists, this authoritative introduction reveals Gnosticism as the indigenous mystical tradition of the West and considers its message to Judeo-Christianity in the twenty-first century.
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One of the oldest and grandest inducements to philosophical thought and mystical insights is the mystery of the night sky. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
One of the oldest and grandest inducements to philosophical thought and mystical insights is the mystery of the night sky. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was written, I believe, to be a general introduction to Gnosticism for people with no prior understanding. It is very good in that it does give a brief overview of the major concepts that Gnosticism entails as well as similarly brief overviews of the major Gnostic sects that have appeared through out history.
On the negative side, the book is brief, after all it is only an introduction, and will need to be supplemented by other reading before a modern reader can get a true idea of what Gnosticism was in history, and is today. I would reccomend supplementary readings of "The Allure of Gnosticism" Ed Robert Segal, for an overview of Gnosticism from a genererally psychoanalytic, Jungian perspective, and Elaine Pagels "The Gnostic Gospels" for a scholarly, but very readable treatment of the ancient gnostic literature. I would genuinely suggest a modern beginner should read this supplementary work before launching into a reading of the Nag Hammadi Books because they are confusing and off-putting until you can approach them with a good idea of the "Inner language" or jargon of the times.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Far from being a mere overview of the history of the heterogeneous ancient Gnostic movement, Gnostic polemist Stephan Hoeller puts forward a compelling case for the relevance of Gnosticism today.
A skillful blend of history, esotericism and spiritual insight, Stephan Hoeller reveals the limitation of the orthodox Christian and Jewish world view and proposes the Gnostic alternative with simplicity and poise. Emphasizing the need for each and every one of us to transcend our limitations and those of our imperfect world with the aid of the great spiritual advanced beings of all cultures (especially Jesus), Hoeller proves the relevance of the myths, sacraments, depth psychology as espoused by the Jungian school and an enlightened spirituality in our secularized world.
A brilliant introduction to a cherished spiritual tradition that deserves to be heard.
A skillful blend of history, esotericism and spiritual insight, Stephan Hoeller reveals the limitation of the orthodox Christian and Jewish world view and proposes the Gnostic alternative with simplicity and poise. Emphasizing the need for each and every one of us to transcend our limitations and those of our imperfect world with the aid of the great spiritual advanced beings of all cultures (especially Jesus), Hoeller proves the relevance of the myths, sacraments, depth psychology as espoused by the Jungian school and an enlightened spirituality in our secularized world.
A brilliant introduction to a cherished spiritual tradition that deserves to be heard.
16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the BEST book a Gnostic wannabe might want to start from. It covers a little bit of everything. This is definetily THE book to own about Gnosticism.
From the myths of the early Christian Gnostics to the modern Gnostic thoughts that are spread through the world(although some hidden) this books has it all. The Gnostic views on Jesus, the various Gnostic "groups" that existed and some still exist. Their works, beliefs, sacraments.
really, REALLY GOOD!!
From the myths of the early Christian Gnostics to the modern Gnostic thoughts that are spread through the world(although some hidden) this books has it all. The Gnostic views on Jesus, the various Gnostic "groups" that existed and some still exist. Their works, beliefs, sacraments.
really, REALLY GOOD!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
One of the best introductory texts on the gnostic tradition.
How good this book "is" will depend on what you are looking to get out of it. Anyone who has listened to one or more of Dr Stephan Hoeller's many lectures will know him as a man... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Russell J. Weston
A good introduction, but its agenda is too obvious for it to be...
This was the first book on gnosticism that I read several years ago, and found it at the time to be very useful to providing a base from which to explore further. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2009 by S. Gardiner
Pretentious - moi?
One has to feel some sympathy for this author since he is trying to describe something that doesn't really exist - that is, Gnosticism as a clearly definable entity. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2008 by A. J. Bradbury
Lacklustre and Dull
Perhaps I have been spoilt by having read many far better books on Gnosticism, because I found myself nodding off frequently over this lacklustre volume. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2004
The rediscovery of ancient wisdom
Side by side with Christianity, the Gnostic tradition had its origins 2000 years ago in the Middle East. Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2003 by Pieter
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