The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme · 13 of 159 · tr. Franz Hartmann
Chapter 1 (part 13)
A man knowing nothing of God, and having no faith in the power of anything divine, which may become revealed in him, cannot be in possession of divine self-knowledge; but if man, by being obedient to the law, enters into a state of harmony and union with God, then may God become revealed in him, and the mind being penetrated by the light of the divine spirit, man may partake of the knowledge of divinity.
In this way he may learn all about everything in the three kingdoms; for the Spirit of God pervades the All.
Occult knowledge, therefore, does not consist in gathering information or opinions from books and authorities, but its foundation is the recognition of the divine will in man.
Themes
◆Divine Lighttheology
The uncreated luminous quality of the divine, sometimes experienced directly in mystical states; illumination as revelation.
The text mentions the mind being penetrated by the light of the divine spirit as a means to partake of knowledge.
All passages →◆Inner Lightanthropology
The divine spark or luminous quality residing within the human person, potentially recognisable through introspection.
It describes the power of anything divine being revealed in him and the recognition of the divine will within man.
All passages →◆Kingdom Withinanthropology
The claim that the divine realm is present inside the individual, accessible without external mediation.
It asserts that God becomes revealed in man and the divine will is recognized within, indicating the divine realm is internal.
All passages →◆Living Godtheology
The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.
The Spirit of God is described as pervading the All and becoming revealed in man, indicating active presence.
All passages →◆Return To Sourcesoteriology
The soul's journey back to its divine origin, reversing the fall into matter through stages of purification or illumination.
Entering into a state of harmony and union with God implies a reconnection or return to the divine origin.
All passages →◆Unity Of Beingtheology
The doctrine that all existence is ultimately one substance or one divine reality; non-duality as a theological claim.
The chapter heading is 'The Unity of the All' and the text states the Spirit of God pervades the All.
All passages →◇Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology
Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.
[auto] The passage explicitly defines occult knowledge as the recognition of the divine will within man rather than external information.
All passages →◇Mystical Unionsoteriology
The merging of the individual soul or self with the divine, transcending personal identity.
[auto] The text describes entering a state of harmony and union with God where God becomes revealed in the individual.
All passages →◇Self Knowledgesoteriology
The recognition of one's own true divine nature as the primary path to liberation; 'know thyself' as soteriology.
[auto] Divine self-knowledge is presented as the possession gained through obedience and internal revelation of the divine will.
All passages →Related passages · 11 parallels · 1 contrast
◆greek_mystery|The Golden Verses of Pythagoras|Section 5 (part 2)
“The mortal Oath--that used amongst men--has to be reverenced as an image of the other, and as leading to the greatest strength and stability of character.
And if man would reverence the Oath, then must he do all in his power to understand…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of divine knowledge and harmony with divine will. They also highlight the role of obedience to divine laws and the pursuit of virtue and wisdom as pathways to understanding and union with the divine.
◆greek_mystery|The Golden Verses of Pythagoras|Section 5 (part 3)
“"Thou shalt not hope what thou ought'st not to hope," knowing the nature of all things, and what is possible.
55.
The Gods near at hand are virtue and truth.
p.
17 59, 60.
The fatal strife is caused by our inclination "madly to run cou…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of aligning with divine will and the pursuit of divine knowledge. They share the theme of spiritual purification and the attainment of a higher state of being through obedience to divine laws and the recognition of divine presence within oneself.
◆neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter III
“In the first place, therefore, you say, “ it must be granted that there are Gods .” Thus to speak, however, is not right on this subject. For an innate knowledge of the Gods is coexistent with our very essence; and this knowledge is superio…”
Both passages emphasize the idea that divine knowledge is not acquired through external means like books or reasoning but is an innate, direct experience of the divine. They both highlight the unity and harmony between the human soul and the divine.
◆neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter XVIIb
“For, as he sometimes makes some stupid man to speak wisely, through which it becomes manifest to every one, that this is not a certain human but a divine work; thus, also, he reveals through things which are deprived of knowledge, conceptio…”
Both passages discuss the idea of divine knowledge being revealed to humans, emphasizing that true understanding comes from a divine source rather than human intellect or external authorities. They share the concept of divine spirit or power transcending human limitations and providing insight.
◆neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 436
“Section 4 4. But we, too, are king when we are moulded to the Intellectual-Principle. That correspondence may be brought about in two ways: either the radii from that centre are traced upon us to be our law or we are filled full of the Divi…”
Both passages discuss the attainment of divine self-knowledge through union with a higher principle. They emphasize the transformation of the individual through this union, enabling a deeper understanding of the divine and the universe.
◆neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 441
“Section 9 9. In order, then, to know what the Divine Mind is, we must observe soul and especially its most God-like phase. One certain way to this knowledge is to separate first, the man from the body- yourself, that is, from your body- nex…”
Both passages discuss the attainment of divine knowledge through a union or harmony with a higher principle. They emphasize the transformation of the individual through this union, enabling them to partake in divine knowledge and self-awareness.
◆neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 710 (part 1)
“Section 6 6.
In what sense, then, do we assert this Unity, and how is it to be adjusted to our mental processes?
Its oneness must not be entitled to that of monad and point: for these the mind abstracts extension and numerical quantity an…”
Both passages emphasize the direct experience of the divine as the ultimate source of knowledge. They share the theme of transcending ordinary understanding to achieve a higher, mystical insight into the nature of reality.
◆renaissance_hermeticism|The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori)|Third Dialoguea
“.
Tansillo .
There are several varieties of enthusiasts, which may all be reduced to two kinds.
While some only display blindness, stupidity, and irrational impetuosity, which tend towards savage madness, others by divine abstraction bec…”
Both passages discuss the concept of divine knowledge and the role of the divine spirit in human understanding. They emphasize the idea that true knowledge comes from a divine source and that individuals can achieve a higher state of understanding through divine connection.
◆taoism|Tao Te Ching|Chapter 70
“My words are very easy to know, and very easy to practise; but there is no one in the world who is able to know and able to practise them. There is an originating and all-comprehending (principle) in my words, and an authoritative law for t…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of divine knowledge and the difficulty of attaining it. Passage A discusses the necessity of obedience and harmony with God to gain divine self-knowledge, while Passage B highlights the rarity of those who truly understand and practice the teachings, implying a divine or authoritative source.
◆western_esoteric|Tertium Organum (P.D. Ouspensky)|Chapter XXII (part 13)
“Then the understanding of such a man receives from the Holy Spirit the highest and hidden mysteries which according to the divine Paul, neither the human eye can understand nor the human reason comprehend unaided.
(Ii Corinthians ii, 9).…”
Both passages discuss the idea of divine knowledge being revealed to humans through a union with the divine. They emphasize that this knowledge transcends ordinary human understanding and is achieved through a transformative experience rather than through external sources.
2 more
◆western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic I: The Doctrine (Éliphas Lévi)|2. The Pillars Of The Templea
“CHOKMAH DOMUS GNOSIS SCIENCE is the absolute and complete possession of truth.
Hence have the sages of all the centuries trembled before such an absolute and terrible word; they have hesitated in arrogating to themselves the first privileg…”
Both passages emphasize the acquisition of divine knowledge or gnosis through an internal, intuitive process rather than external learning. Passage A focuses on divine self-knowledge revealed through harmony with God, while Passage B discusses the absolute possession of truth through intuitive learning and the creative principles of unity and duality.
◆western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic I: The Doctrine (Éliphas Lévi)|12. The Great WorkaCONTRASTS
“DISCITE CRUX THE Great Work is, before all things, the creation of man by himself, that is to say, the full and entire conquest of his faculties and his future; it is especially the perfect emancipation of his will, assuring him universal d…”
Both passages emphasize the transformation of the individual through divine or spiritual means. Passage A discusses the revelation of God within man through obedience and harmony, leading to divine knowledge. Passage B describes the Great Work as the self-creation of man through the emancipation of the will and the purification of the soul, achieving universal dominion and spiritual gold. Both highlight the internal transformation and the attainment of higher knowledge or power through spiritual practices.