Gnosis

From SourceryForge

This article is about an altered state of consciousness that is called gnosis by some modern practitioners of magick. For an article about gnostic religion, and their understanding such states, see Gnosticism.

1 Description of a practitioner
2 Ethymology
3 Use
4 Types of Gnosis
- 4.1 Inhibitory gnosis
- 4.2 Excitatory gnosis
5 Critique
6 References

Description of a practitioner

Gnosis could be best described as your subconcious mind taking over for a while. Most who acheive this state have no recollection of their actions (or so they say). While in this state but they always act out their most recent intentions, but they do so perfectly with no error or hesitation. Perfect Gnosis should not even be noticed by those that achieve it, not even leaving the memory of a blackout. Many Chaos magicians regard this state as necessary prerequisite for successful magickal work.

Ethymology

The word gnosis means knowledge in ancient greek. Plato used the term gnostike episteme, meaning knowledge to influence and control. With later philosophers and religious scholars the word picked up the meaning of spiritual knowledge and enlightenment. To the gnostic religions, it meant direct experience of God. The first magician to use the word in the sense described here were Chaos Magician Peter Carroll.

Use

Chaos Magicians, and many other magicians of today claim that no meaningful or result-producing magic is possible without some kind of altered state of consciousness, or without gnosis. In this, they do have predecessors. East Hindu and tantric practice knows so-called siddhis, magickal abillities gained by spiritual progress, which necessariely includes practicing altered states of consciousness in that traditions. Many jewish kabalists considered an altered/meditative state of consciousness indispensable both for meaningful prayer and magical practice. In the western tradition, altered states of consciousness were not necessariely part of magical practice, but also not unheard of. Many medieval books of ceremonial and Goetic magick give instructions for rituals that don't mention any form of contemplation, but we can't know today how the described rituals were actually practiced. Any ritual activity can be somewhat trance-inducing. On the other hand, many rituals described in the lesser key of Salomon do include contemplation, and the book of abramelin is basically a meditation manual. Notably, those last two are of jewish origin according to what the authors claim, and that is confirmed by modern scholars.

Types of Gnosis

The following two types are the two main ways of achieving gnosis. It is still a matter of debate weather they are two different states of mind or actually the same, only achieved and possibly percieved differently. Classic forms of meditations can be categorized in the same way.

Inhibitory gnosis

This means gnosis achieved by some form of inner and outer stillness. Popular methods for this are some forms of meditation, such as silent sitting or staring at something for a long time, posturing or sitting in asanas or sensual deprivation. Sometimes actions like fasting or keeping taboos and similar are also grouped here when they directly lead to gnosis. Most East Asian forms of meditation can be used to this end. Phil Hine claims the ultimate goal of such practices is the experience of Thanatos, death. Some Chaos magicians believe Thanatos and Eros (carnal love and desire) as the greatest powers in life, and this would be the appropriate way to invoke one of them.

Excitatory gnosis

This means gnosis achieved by mental, physical or sensual overload. Popular methods include orgasm, dancing, drumming, making music (jamming wildly), painting, listening to music and any form of sensual overload. Often, orgasm is cited as the promary and most appropriate and natural method to achieve this. Phil hine describes this form of gnosis as the experience of Eros.

Critique

Many people find the use of this term kind of dodgy, basically for two reasons:

It re-defines a word that had a quite specific meaning within the context of the Western Mystery Tradition prior to that redefinition; this is causing unnecessary confusion.
The word gnosis in this sense is vague, it can cover any hightened or altered state of consciousness. The eastern and even the western mystery traditions offer other terms describing specific states. That would often be much more helpful.

Generally, Peter Carroll's writings about meditation/gnosis have been critizised as somewhat shallow reinventions of the wheel. According to his own accounts, he was largely self-taught in such matters and tried to convey his path and experiences to his students. While his personal achievements are remarkable, it can be doubted if such an experience is enough to be qualified to teach others on a large scale.