What is Gnosis?

“Consciousness that sleeps...

How different you would be if you were awakened...

You would know the seven paths of happiness, shine the light of your love everywhere,

the birds would rejoice within the mystery of your woods,

the light of your spirit would shine and, joyful,

the elementals would sing verses for you in choir.” 

-Samael Aun Weor

Gnosis is the greek word for experiential knowledge. It is distinguished from episteme which refers to an intellectual or theoretical knowledge. The true seeker goes beyond the intellectual study or the mere belief in spiritual principles and instead endeavors to verify those principles through direct experience. Gnosis is a mystical insight that reveals itself within the consciousness of the individual.

Gnosis is not a product of time, place, culture, or personality. It is the essential perennial truth which has been present since the dawn of humankind. It has been called the golden thread that runs through all great religions and spiritual traditions. Every teaching that contains a spark of truth contains gnosis. Throughout time, sages and saints have addressed the reality of human suffering and offered methods for the path of liberation. This path is found within our consciousness. When we awaken to our reality as an essence, a spark of Divinity, we can begin to release ourselves from the limits of our mechanical nature.

Gnosis offers tools and meditation practices for our own spiritual development. The awakening of the consciousness is not dependent on external factors or the environment. The awakening of consciousness occurs here and now in our day-to-day lives where infinite potential exists within the profound bosom of the moment.