← Home
anthropology

Body As Obstacle

The material body viewed as a prison, tomb, or source of error that hinders spiritual knowledge and return.

953 passages · 19 traditions
neoplatonism: 327 passagesneoplatonism327gnosticism: 158 passagesgnosticism158western_esoteric: 111 passageswestern_esoteric111christian_mysticism: 98 passageschristian_mysticism98platonism: 92 passagesplatonism92renaissance_hermeticism: 47 passagesrenaissance_hermeticism47greek_mystery: 30 passagesgreek_mystery30hermeticism: 24 passageshermeticism24hinduism: 13 passageshinduism13sufism: 13 passagessufism13taoism: 11 passagestaoism11jewish_mysticism: 6 passagesjewish_mysticism6mandaean: 6 passagesmandaean6theosophy: 5 passagestheosophy5egyptian: 4 passagesegyptian4buddhism: 3 passagesbuddhism3celtic: 2 passagesceltic2native_american: 2 passagesnative_american2norse: 1 passagenorse1
neoplatonism327
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter V-a
In the next place, let us direct our attention to the solution of your inquiries. There is, therefore, the good itself which is beyond essence, and there is that good which subsists according to essence; I mean the essence which is most an…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VII
Of the extremes, therefore, one is supreme, transcendent, and perfect; but the other is last in dignity, deficient, and more imperfect. And the former, indeed, is capable of accomplishing all things at once, uniformly in an instant; but the…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VIII-a
But neither must we admit that cause of the distinction of these genera which you subjoin, viz. “ that it is an arrangement with reference to different bodies; as, for instance, 39 of Gods to etherial bodies, but of dæmons to aerial bodies…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VIII-b
Hence, through these things such a corporeal-formed division as you introduce, is demonstrated to be false. It is, indeed, especially necessary not to propose any thing of this kind; but if this should appear to you to be requisite, yet yo…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter X-a
After these things, you again subjoin another division for yourself, “ in which you separate the essences of the more excellent genera by the difference of passive and impassive .” But neither do I admit this division. For no one of the mo…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XI-b
Things of this kind, therefore, are introduced for the sake of our soul, and of the diminution of the evils which adhere to it 55 through generation, and of a solution and liberation from its bonds. On this account, also, they are very pro…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XV-a
After this, you pass on to another division into contraries, viz. the division of Gods with reference to dæmons. For you say, “ that the Gods are pure intellects ;” but you propose this opinion as an hypothesis, or you narrate it as a dog…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XV-b
Or what passion can accede to a thing of this kind, the purity of which the most worthy human manners cannot easily equal? You say, however, “ that the things which are offered in supplications are offered as to sensitive and psychical nat…”
Show all 327 →
gnosticism158
The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 | The Authorities Create Adam-c
heat, cold, wetness, and dryness. However, the mother of all of them is matter, but he who rules over heat, Phloxopha; but he who rules [IV, 28] over cold, Oroorrothos; but he who rules over dryness, Erimacho; but he who rules over wetnes…”
The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 | The Spirit is Blown into Adam
However, all the angels and demons labored until they had formed the psychic body, and their creation was entirely inert and without movement for a prolonged time. When, however, the mother wished to regain the power she had granted to the…”
The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 | The Archons Conspire Against Adam
When they gazed down, they realized that his intellect surpassed (their own), and they convened in counsel together with the group of archons and all angels. They took fire and earth [II, 21] and water, and combined them with each other to…”
The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 | The Chief Archon Pollutes Eve
I appeared in the shape of an eagle on the tree of knowledge, which is Reflection of Providence of Pure Light, so that I could instruct them and rouse them out of their deep sleep, because both of them were in a fallen condition, and they w…”
The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 | The Destiny of Souls-a
I also asked the savior: “Lord, will then all the souls be conducted safely into the pure light?” He answered and said to me: “Great things have arisen in your mind, because it is difficult to explain them to others, with the exception of…”
The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 | The Savior Enters the Realm of Darkness
Therefore, I, the perfect Providence of the all, transformed myself into my (own) seed, because I was the first to exist, traveling all paths, because I am the wealth of the light. [IV, 47] I am the remembrance of the Fullness, but I enter…”
Gospel of Judas | Another Generation
The next morning, he appeared to his disciples. [And] they said to him, "Master, where did [you] go and what did you do when you left us?" Jesus said to them, "I went to another great and holy generation." His disciples said to him, "Lord,…”
Gospel of Philip | Section 1a
(Above image of the Gospel of Thomas courtesy of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, Claremont Graduate University) Visit the Bookstore for a complete selection of translations and books about The Nag Hammadi Library The Nag Hamma…”
Gospel of Philip | Section 1b
TRUTH MADE NAMES Truth made names in the world, and without them we can’t think. Truth is one and is many, teaching one thing through the many. RULERS The rulers wanted to fool us, since they saw we were connected with the good. They too…”
Gospel of Philip | Section 1f
When wanton women see a man sitting alone, the man is overcome. They fondle him and pollute him. When wanton men see a beautiful woman sitting alone, they overcome her, and she is violated and polluted. But when spirits see a man and his…”
Gospel of Philip | Section 1i
His seed was Jesus, and the plant was the cross.” The tree of life in the middle of that garden of paradise is an olive tree, and from the olive tree comes chrism, and from that oil comes the resurrection. THE WORLD EATS BODIES The world e…”
Gospel of Philip | Section 1k
If you become light, light will share you. If you are of those from above, one of those from above will rest in you. If you become a horse or a donkey or bull or dog or sheep or another animal that is wild or tame, then neither a person n…”
Gospel of Philip | Section 1l
Now they say, “He who creates engenders,” but his so-called offspring is merely a creature; therefore his children are not offspring but creatures. He who creates works openly and is visible. He who engenders does so in private. . . .…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 1
And he said, "Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death."…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 15
Jesus said, "When you see one who was not born of woman, prostrate yourselves on your faces and worship him. That one is your father."…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 17
Jesus said, "I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind."…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 27
<Jesus said,> "If you do not fast as regards the world, you will not find the kingdom. If you do not observe the Sabbath as a Sabbath, you will not see the father."…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 28
Jesus said, "I took my place in the midst of the world, and I appeared to them in flesh. I found all of them intoxicated; I found none of them thirsty. And my soul became afflicted for the sons of men, because they are blind in their hearts…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 37
His disciples said, "When will you become revealed to us and when shall we see you?" Jesus said, "When you disrobe without being ashamed and take up your garments and place them under your feet like little children and tread on them, then w…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 42
Jesus said, "Become passers-by."…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 53
His disciples said to him, "Is circumcision beneficial or not?" He said to them, "If it were beneficial, their father would beget them already circumcised from their mother. Rather, the true circumcision in spirit has become completely prof…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 56
Jesus said, "Whoever has come to understand the world has found (only) a corpse, and whoever has found a corpse is superior to the world."…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 60
<They saw> a Samaritan carrying a lamb on his way to Judea. He said to his disciples, "That man is round about the lamb." They said to him, "So that he may kill it and eat it." He said to them, "While it is alive, he will not eat it, but on…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 71
Jesus said, "I shall destroy this house, and no one will be able to build it [...]."…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 79
A woman from the crowd said to him, "Blessed are the womb which bore you and the breasts which nourished you." He said to her, "Blessed are those who have heard the word of the father and have truly kept it. For there will be days when you…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 87
Jesus said, "Wretched is the body that is dependant upon a body, and wretched is the soul that is dependent on these two."…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 101
<Jesus said,> "Whoever does not hate his father and his mother as I do cannot become a disciple to me. And whoever does not love his father and his mother as I do cannot become a disciple to me. For my mother [...], but my true mother gave…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 112
Jesus said, "Woe to the flesh that depends on the soul; woe to the soul that depends on the flesh."…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 114
Simon Peter said to him, "Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of life." Jesus said, "I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman who will make h…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-b
Because of this therefore they were thinking of that Mystery that it is the completion of all completions; and that it is the head of the Universe; and that [4 ] it is the whole Pleroma: since Jesus is wont to say unto his disciples that th…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-c
And all the Angels with their Archangels and with all the Powers of the Height were all hymning unto the inner part of the inner parts. So that all the earth heard their voices, not ceasing even unto the nine of the morrow. But the discip…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-d
It happened while I am sitting being distant from you [9 ] a little upon the mountain of the Olives, thinking of the arrangement of the service concerning which they sent me, that it was finished: and the Last mystery dispatched not to me m…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-e
And having come, coming unto the World I came unto the midst of the Rulers of the Sphere, I was the likeness of Gabriel the angel of the Aeons, and knew me not the Rulers of the Aeons. But they were thinking that I am Gabriel the angel. I…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-f
And when your time was finished they produced you in [14 ] the World, there not being soul of the Rulers in you; and ye took your part out of the power, this which breathed in unto the Confusion the last Helper, this (power) which is mixed…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-g
Now therefore we all together we wait for thee at the last Boundary, namely, the last mystery (reckoning) from within, he also is a part of us. Now therefore we have dispatched to thee thy vesture [17 ] which is thy very own from at first,…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-h
Hasten therefore put this vesture on thee, come even unto us because we (may) wait for thee, for us to put on thee thy two vestures by the command of the First Mystery (Margin: these which become to thee from the first together with the Fir…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-i
For I was enlightening in the Destiny more than the Sphere forty-nine of double of time. And were disturbed all the Rulers with [21 ] all those who become in the Destiny, and they fell upon one another, they became in great fear greatly, s…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-j
And the Adamas the great Tyrant with all the Tyrants who become in all the Aeons began to war without cause against the light and they knew not [24 ] with whom they are warring, because that they were not seeing anyone except the light whic…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-k
Because of this word therefore, my Lord, which it said thus (viz.) the power which (is) in Esaias the prophet, and which it uttered in a spiritual parable, [26 ] once speaking concerning the vision of Egypt: Where, therefore, Egypt, where a…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-n
And he is wont to put in motion the task-master who is over them, and cause them to be turned in their orbit quickly; and he is wont to take away their power which is in them, with the breath of their mouth, and with the tears of their eyes…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-o
It happened therefore while the Rulers of the Aeons, with those of the Destiny, with those of the Sphere are abiding, doing this kind (of thing) [36 ] turning them round, eating the purgation of their matter, having not been allowed to make…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-p
But I shortened the periods with the times because of the perfect number of the souls, which will receive mysteries, namely the chosen (ones): and if I did not shorten their times, there is not any material soul (which) will be saved. But…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-q
It happened therefore having come upon their veils, they drew (away) of their own (accord), they opened to me, 22 I came [40 ] in unto the thirteenth of the Aeon ( MS. Aeons), I found the Pistis Sophia being below the thirteenth Aeon, she…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-r
[42 ] And the great Triple power Self-willed who is the third Triple powered, this who becometh in the thirteenth Aeon, this who was disobedient, having not emanated all the purgation of his power which (is) in him, nor did he give the purg…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-s
It became a Ruler of face of lion in the Chaos, whose (one) half became fire and whose other half became darkness, namely, Ialdabaoth this which I said unto you many times. These therefore having happened, was weakened the Sophia greatly g…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-t
And I trusted unto thee: now therefore, O Light of the Lights, I am afflicted in the darkness of the Chaos: if thou wishest therefore to come to deliver me, great is thy mercy; hear me in truth and deliver me: deliver me out of the matter o…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-u
Now therefore let all the gates rejoice. Seek ye all after the Light, that may live the power of your soul which is in you: because the Light heard the (things of) matter and it would not leave any matter which it did not purge. Let the s…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-v
Deliver me because of my enemies; for thou art (he) who knoweth my reproach with my shame and my disgrace: all those who afflict me (are) in thy presence. My heart looked out for a reproach with wretchedness; I looked out for him who will…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-w
My mouth was full of glory, that I should say the mystery of thy [54 ] greatness at every time. Now therefore, O Light, leave me not in the Chaos for the completion of all my time. Leave me not behind thee O Light, because they took away…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-x
Answered the Saviour, said he to Petros, Well (said), Petros, this is the explanation of her repentance. Ye are happy (ones) beyond every man who is upon the earth, because [56 ] I revealed unto you these mysteries. Verily verily I say to…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-y
This therefore is the explanation of the third repentance which said the Pistis Sophia hymning unto the Height. It happened therefore, Jesus having heard Martha saying these words, said he, Well done, Martha, and fairly (said). Added also…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-z
But it happened while Jesus is saying these words unto his disciples saying to them, This is the fourth repentance which said the Pistis Sophia. Now therefore he who understandeth, let him understand. It happened therefore, Jesus having s…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-aa
It happened therefore, having afflicted her all the material emanations of the Self-Willed, she cried out, saying the fifth Repentance, saying: O Light of my salvation, I hymn unto thee in the Place of the Height, and also [63 ] in the Chao…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-ae
[71 ] Because of this word therefore thy power of light prophesied once by David, saying in the four-twentieth with one psalm, God will sit in the assembly of the gods and (will) give judgment unto the gods. Said he to her Jesus, Well (don…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-af
Give heed unto the Rulers of the twelve Aeons, these which hated me in jealousy. Be watchful with my power and deliver me, and let me not remain in this darkness: because I believed thee, and they made me foolish greatly because I believed…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-ag
And after these (things) I shall [76 ] fill you with all the light and with all the power of the spirit that ye should understand from this hour all the (things) which they will say unto you, and with the (things) which they will see. Yet…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-ah
But I, I trusted unto the Light, I shall rejoice and hymn, because thou hadst compassion upon me, and thou gavest heed unto the straits in which I become, and thou deliveredst me: and also thou wilt save my power out of Chaos, and thou dids…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-ai
Thou hatedst those who keep that which is vain without cause; but I, I trusted, I shall be glad about the Lord, and I shall be delighted over thy mercy: because thou lookedst upon my humility and thou savedst my soul out of the necessities,…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-aj
Because they ensnared me with a power of face of lion, I having not done evil to them, this (power) from which they will take away its light: they oppressed the power which (is) in me, this which they will not be able to take away. Now the…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-ak
Now therefore, O Light of the Lights, let them not take away my light from me, and let them not say within them, Our power was satisfied with her light, and let them not say, (We) swallowed (down) her power, but let darkness rather come upo…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-al
Let them not rejoice at me, those who are enemies unto me in violence, those who hate me without a cause, and they are winking with their eyes. Because I indeed, they are wont to speak with me in words of peace, and they are [87 ] wont to…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-am
But I came out of all their midst, not any power knew (it), neither those of the inward part of the inward parts, nor those of the outward part of the outward, except the First Mystery only. It happened therefore, I having come unto the Ch…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-an
Its thought is taking away the light from me at every time; and as iron they are cutting, [92 ] they took away a power from me. I loved to come down unto the Chaos, more than to remain in the Place of the thirteenth Aeon the Place of the r…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-ao
) feared and it cried up unto its God Self-willed, for him to help it: and at that hour looked out of the thirteenth Aeon the God Self-willed, he looked down unto the Chaos being angry greatly, wishing to help his power of face of lion, and…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-ar
But added also Jesus in the word, said he to his disciples, It happened therefore, the Pistis Sophia having said these words, completed was the time for bringing her up from the Chaos, and through my own self, without the First Mystery I br…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-as
Let a cloud of smoke cover over their eyes, and a mist of air let it make darkness unto them: and let them not see the day, that they should not lay hold on me. Let become powerless their plot, and the (things) which they plotted let them…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-au
The truth also is the power which came out of thee, thou being in the Place below of the Chaos. Because of this, thy power said by David, The truth burst forth out of the earth, because that thou art in the Place below of the Chaos. The r…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-av
The peace also is the power which sojourned in thy material body according to the World, this which baptised the race of the mankind, until it made them stranger unto the sin, and made them at peace with thy spirit, and become being at peac…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-b
I therefore with the power also which came out of me, and the soul which I took from Sabaoth the good, they came close to one another [117 ], they became one effluence of light which enlighteneth greatly greatly; I called unto Gabriel down…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-c
These (things) therefore while the First Mystery is saying unto the disciples, that they happened to the Pistis Sophia in the Chaos, answered, said he to them, Do ye understand in what manner I am speaking with you? Came forward [120 ] Pet…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-d
They will give to them the mysteries of the Light of the Height, these who were entrusted with the effluence of the Light. And also according as said thy power, They turned [122 ] lips which were dry, namely, Gabriel with Mikhael took not…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-e
And the Self-willed dispatched out of the Height in the thirteenth Aeon, he dispatched another great power of light, it came down unto the Chaos as an [125 ] arrow flying, that he should help his emanations, and take away the lights of the…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-f
It happened therefore, the angels having gone down unto the Chaos, they with the effluence of Light, and also all the emanations of the Self-willed [127 ] with the emanation of the Adamas, they saw the effluence of Light enlightening greatl…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-g
And I, the First Mystery, I stood upon it, and I took away all the powers which (are) in it, and I destroyed all its matter, that seed from it should not rise up from this hour. But these while the First Mystery is saying unto the disciple…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-h
And thou also art he who will deliver me from all their threats which are cruel. And also the word which said thy power by David, He will make shadow unto thee under his (thy, MS ) breast, and thou wilt trust under his wing, namely, that t…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-i
And the word which thy power of light said by David, Nevertheless thou wilt fill thy sight with them, and thou wilt see the recompense of the 73 sinners, because thou, O Lord, art my helper, namely, the word that the Pistis Sophia filled he…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-j
It happened therefore, the First [137 ] Mystery having heard these words said he: Well (done) Iakkobos, the beloved, But added also in the word the First Mystery, said he to the disciples, It happened, I having brought the Pistis Sophia up…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-k
Thy right (hand) is that which exalted me, and thou tookest the weakness [139 ] away from me, I became prevailing in thy truthfulness, being cleansed in thy righteousness. Were distant away from me those who fight against me. And I was ju…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-l
And the word which thy power said, I became prevailing in thy truth, and cleansed in thy righteousness. That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, I became prevailing by thy light. And I am becoming light which is purified by thy effl…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-m
It happened therefore, the First Mystery having finished saying these words, came 78 forward Mathaios, said he, I understood the explanation of the hymn, this which said the Pistis Sophia, now therefore command to me that I may say it boldl…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-n
That is the word which said the Pistis Sophia, And thou struckest the serpent, he of the seven heads through my hands. And thou settest me up upon his matter, thou destroyedst him that his seed should not rise up from this hour. And the w…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-o
But added also the First Mystery, said he, But added also the Pistis Sophia in this hymn, said she, I [149 ] shall say, Thou art the Light, that which is high, because thou deliveredst me; and thou broughtest me (close) to thee; and thou ca…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-p
He who filled thee with light being purified; and thy beginning will become new as an Invisible of the Height. These words the Pistis having hymned (with) them, because she was delivered, and remembering all the things which I gave to her:…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-q
He brought my soul up from the pit of the misery with the mire of the filth, he set my feet upon a rock, and he directed my footsteps. He cast unto my mouth a new song, a blessing for our God. There are many (who) will see and they (will)…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-r
But thou, thou shalt become having the authority to go up unto their twelve Aeons at the time which thou wishest, and also thou (wilt) return and come unto thy Place, this which is below the thirteenth Aeon, this in which thou art becoming…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-s
[159 ] And thinking that it (is) she who took away its light from it, and he was exasperated greatly, and he added anger upon anger: he emanated out of him an emanation of darkness, and with another cruel (power) of evil Chaos, that he migh…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-t
O Lord, my God, if I did this (thing) if there is violence in my hands, if I repaid to those who repaid to me evil (things), may I perish by my enemy, being empty: and may my enemies persecute my soul and seize it: and trample my life down…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-u
But answered the First Mystery, said he to Martha, I command to thee Martha for to utter the 88 explanation of the words, these which said the Sophia in her hymn. But answered Martha said she, My Lord, these are the words which thy power o…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-v
I shall manifest to thee, O Light, because thou deliveredst me, and (for) thy wonders in the race of [166 ] the mankind, I having become deficient of my power, thou gavest power to me, and I having become deficient of my light, thou filleds…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-w
Those who sit in the darkness with the shadow of the death, those who are bound in a poverty with the iron; because he exasperated the word of God, they irritated the counsel of him who is exalted: their heart was humbled in their tribulati…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-x
[170 ] Because that I was not seeking after the manner (in) which seek the men of the World; but we are seeking indeed in the knowledge of the Height, this which thou gavest to us, and we are seeking also in the type of the search which is…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-y
And ye will become in a great wonder greatly greatly. And whenever I should take you unto the Place of the (Rulers of the) Destiny 93 [173 ] ye will see the glory in which they become, and out of their great glory which is preferable, ye w…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ae
Answered Jesus, said he to Maria in the midst of the disciples, Amen, amen I say to you, The second Helper is distant from the first Helper in a great distance immeasurable in reference to the height above and beneath, in reference to the d…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ah
And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Slander became, and because of what the Word which is good [194 ] became: and that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what the Obedience became, and because of w…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ai
And added also Jesus, said he to his disciples, Yet therefore my Disciples and my friends and my brothers, let each be sober of the spirit which (is) in him that ye may listen and understand every word which I shall say to you, because from…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ak
It happened therefore, the disciples having heard these words which said Jesus, they drew back and they were silent altogether. Came forward Maria the Magdalene, she prostrated at the feet of Jesus, she worshipped unto them, she cried out,…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-al
And that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled himself him the great Light of the Lights, and because of what he (they, MS ) proceeded out of the Fatherless (ones), and that Mystery indeed is that which knoweth beca…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-am
And that Mystery [206 ] indeed is that which knoweth because of what despoiled themselves the Boundless (ones) and because of what they set them up being twelve Boundless Spaces, and they placed them being three arrays of Spaces according t…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ao
And he who will receive the one word of that mystery, this which I shall say unto you now with all its (his, 114 MS thus again) types with all its figures, with the manner of completing its mystery: because that ye are the perfect of all-pe…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ap
He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the Gods, and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man being upon the World, but he excelleth all the luminaries (phoster), and he will be exalted over them all. He is a man bein…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ar
And each will remain in his Place in the Light of my kingdom. And each will be the authority unto the array which is below him; but [217 ] he will not be the authority to go unto the array which is above him, but he is going to remain in t…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-as
It happened, Jesus having finished saying these words unto his disciples, came forward Maria the Magdalene, she kissed the feet of Jesus, said she, My Lord, bear with me, and be not angry with me, seeking from thee, but have mercy on us, my…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-at
Amen I say unto you, That man whenever he should come out of the body, they are not wont to judge him in any Place of the Rulers, nor will they be able to punish him in any Place, 120 nor the fire will touch him through the great mystery of…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-au
He who also receiveth out of the three mysteries of the Ineffable, whenever also he should come out of body he will inherit unto the kingdom of that mystery, and those three mysteries are equal with one another, they are in the kingdom and…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-aw
Now therefore whenever I should finish distributing to you the Distribution of the Universe, I shall give to you and I shall say unto you the great mysteries of the three lots of my kingdom, namely, the heads of the mysteries which I shall…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ax
And ye became in great tribulations with great afflictions in the change in bodies various of the World. And after all these tribulations through your own selves ye agonised and ye fought having renounced all the World with all the matter…”
Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-ay
This is the answer of the words after which ye seek. Now therefore also, Andreas, yet art thou being in unbelief and with ignorance? But whenever ye should come out of the body and go unto the Height, and arrive at the Place of the Rulers…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-a
A PART OF THE BOOKS OF THE SAVIOUR [ The Interposed Fragment ] [233 ] and those who are worthy of the Mysteries which dwell in the Ineffable, namely, which did not proceed out: these become before the First Mystery and according to resembla…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-d
Say unto them, Do love of God and receive the mysteries of the Light, and go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. Say unto them, Be righteous and receive the mysteries, and go unto the Height unto the kingdom of the Light. Say u…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-e
[242 ] And they are not wont to take it out of the Aeons, that the Rulers of their Aeon should not take it away in the firmaments, but they are wont to take it through the road of the light of the sun and take it up (close) to the Virgin of…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-g
And also if he did not do that which is worthy of the mysteries, and he became in the transgression with every sin (the sins the sins, MS ) and also after these he turned, he became in a great repentance, he renounced all the World with all…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-i
But answered Iohannes, said he, My Lord, whenever we should come preaching and (should) go into a city or a village, and (should) come out in front of us [250 ] the men of that city, and we know not what they are, being in great guile with…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-j
But if yet in a time of repentance they should renounce [252 ] all the World, with all the 138 matter which is in it, with all the sins of the world, and they (are they) who become in all the subjection to the mysteries of the Light, not an…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-k
Answered Maria, said she, Now therefore, my Lord, then thou didst not bring Mysteries indeed unto the World, that the man should not die by the death which is reckoned unto him by the Rulers of the Destiny: because if it is being reckoned u…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-l
He who taketh up a mystery and completeth it, afterwards therefore whenever he should ask any (every) thing, poverty and riches, weakness and strength, disease and sound body, with every healing of the body, and with the raising of the dead…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-m
Now therefore they are wont to bear the child, the power in him being small, and being small in him the soul, and being small in him the counterfeit spirit also in one word, being small the three together: having not any of them any percept…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-n
Now therefore whenever should become completed the time of that man, at first indeed is wont to come out the Fate and lead the man [260 ] in unto the death by the Rulers with their bonds, these in which they were bound by the Destiny: and a…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-o
Added also Jesus in the word, said he, If also a soul is which is not wont to hearken unto the counterfeit spirit (in) all his works, and this (soul) became good, she received the mysteries of the Light, these which (are) in the second Spac…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-p
And whenever the soul, whenever she should say the mystery of the loosening of the seals, and immediately is wont to be loosened the counterfeit spirit; and it is wont to cease coming in against the soul, and it ceaseth from allotting the s…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-q
And also are wont these Receivers, they are wont to take that soul up to the Virgin of the Light, and also is wont that soul, she is wont to give to the Virgin of the Light the seals with the glory of the hymn. And is wont [265 ] the Virgi…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-r
And that of the God to the God, namely, whenever the soul should receive mystery she is wont to give the defence to all the Rulers with the Place of the King, the Adamas. And the soul is wont to give the honour with the glory to those of a…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-s
Concerning this word therefore my Lord, which thou saidst unto us once, (Become) being reconciled with thine enemy while thou art on the road with him, lest-haply thine enemy should give thee to the judge, and the judge should give thee to…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-t
And are not wont those Contentious (ones) they are not wont to prevail to pass through the Chaoses, for them to come unto the arrays which are above the Chaoses, and 150 convict the souls which come out of those Places. Now therefore the s…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-u
Concerning the word therefore of the forgiveness of the sins which thou saidst unto us once in a parable, saying, I came to cast fire upon the earth; and also, What is that which I wish, except that it should be kindled: and also thou separ…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-v
And also that (not only) are they wont to forgive all of them to her, [275 ] but they are not wont to reckon sin unto her from this hour, even until unto age of age, because of the free-gift of that great mystery with its (their, MS ) glory…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-w
Answered Maria, said she, My Lord, then every man who will receive the mystery of the Ineffable, and they transgress, they cease from their faith, and also after these yet living, they turned, they repented, will they forgive to them [277 ]…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-x
Added also Maria, said she, 155 My Lord, then every man who received the mysteries of the First Mystery with the mysteries of the Ineffable, these having not transgressed, but their faith in the mysteries (is) in a directness without hypocr…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-y
But if it is proper for him being man of the World having done this, very much more therefore the Ineffable with the First Mystery, these who are lord over the Universe are having the authority in everything to do that which they will, for…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-z
Added also Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, then a man who received mystery, and did not that which is worthy of the mysteries, but turned (away), he did sin: after these (things) also he repented and he became in a great repentance…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-aa
These therefore having said them the Saviour, sprang up forward Maria, said she, My Lord, there is ear of my Light-dweller, and I understood all the word which thou saidst: concerning this word therefore which thou saidst unto us once in a…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ab
And I shall answer that I may say to them, I know not you who ye are, those who work the unlawfulness with the evil, even until now. Because of this go unto the Darkness which is outer. And in that hour they will go unto the Darkness whic…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ad
This therefore is the manner which becometh the Darkness which is outer, namely the dragon. These therefore having said them the Saviour, answered Maria, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, then the punishment of that dragon (is) cruel great…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ae
Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, If a sinner, he is being worthy of the Darkness which is outer, or otherwise indeed he did sin according to the punishment, the rest also of the punishments; and this (one) did not repent, or otherwis…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-af
And if that soul received her number of cycles, is wont the Virgin of the Light, she is wont to prove her, she is not wont to let them punish her, because that she received the number of cycle: but she is wont to deliver her unto the seven…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ag
And 166 that man came out of the body before that he repented again and received mystery again in the mysteries, those which (are) within the mysteries which he finished receiving, these which they are wont to receive again for the repentan…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ah
And whenever the Ruler should cast out the souls, are wont the Angels of Ieou, the first man, these who are vigilant unto the chambers of that Place, he is wont to hasten immediately and to carry off that soul until he bringeth her (close)…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ai
Answered the Saviour, said he to Maria, Whenever the light of the sun is out, it is wont to cover with darkness the dragon: but if the sun should be down from the World, is wont the darkness to remain as curtain for the sun; and is wont the…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-aj
But if it is one out of the dregs of the purifying of the Light, is wont Melkhisedek the great Receiver of the Light to take her from the Rulers, or otherwise indeed if they are some out of the tears of their eyes, or out of the breath of t…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ak
And I shall say unto you the name of the counterfeit spirit, and I shall say unto you the name of the Fate, and I shall say unto you the name of all the bonds, these in which are wont the Rulers to bind the counterfeit spirit in unto the so…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-al
But these having said them Salome, the power of light which (is) in Maria the Magdalene boiled up within her, said she to the Saviour, My Lord, command to me that I may speak with my sister Salome, that I may say unto her the explanation of…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-am
These (commands) are those which are wont the Rulers of the great Destiny of the Aeons they are wont to deliver them (him, MS ) to the counterfeit spirit: and are wont the Rulers, they are wont to call the Ministers of the Aeons amounting t…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-an
Are wont the Ministers to bring the two parts to one another, and also are wont the Ministers to hold back the blood of every meat of the woman which she will eat, with the (things) which she drinketh, they are wont to hold them back in the…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ao
Now therefore are wont the Ministers, they are wont to complete the whole man, and all these seals in which they sealed the body; are wont the Ministers, they are wont to bring the whole speciality, and take them to all the Contentious Rule…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-aq
Now therefore say unto them, If ye knew the face of the heaven with the earth out of the winds, Whenever some therefore now should come up (close) to you and preach to you a Godhead, and ye know in an exactness that their words agreed and s…”
Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ar
Added also Maria, said she, My Lord, but I heard that the prophets went unto the Light. Added also the Saviour said he to Maria, Amen amen I say to thee, Not any prophet went unto the Light. But the Rulers of the Aeons who spake with them…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FOURTH-b
And Jesus with his disciples remained in the midst of the aëry Place in the roads of the road of the Middle, this which is below the Sphere. And they came unto the first array of the road (added in margin, MS ) which is in the Middle. But…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FOURTH-c
And he arranged the turning about of his array thus, for him to spend thirteen months in Aeon (after) Aeon standing still, that every Ruler upon whom he cometh should liberate (from) the wickedness of their evil doing. And he gave to him t…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FOURTH-d
Added also in the word Jesus, said he, It happened therefore after these (things), came the Father of my Father, namely, Ieou, he took away other three hundred with sixty Rulers among the Rulers also of the Adamas, these who did not believe…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FOURTH-e
They (the souls) are wont to spend hundred thirty three years with nine months in the punishment of her Places, while she tormenteth them in the fire of her evil doing. It is 185 wont to happen therefore after all these times, whenever the…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FOURTH-f
The souls therefore which will take away by robbery the hekate, she is wont to deliver them unto her demons which are under her to torment them by her smoke of darkness with her evil fire: they are afflicting them greatly by the demons, and…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FOURTH-g
Again also he added in the word, said he to his disciples, The fifth array, of which they are wont to call its Ruler, Iakhthanabas, being a strong Ruler, being under him many other demons: they are those who are wont to go in unto the men,…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FOURTH-h
And they took away their eyes up, they saw a great light which is much greatly, native of earth shall not be able to speak of it. Said he also to them again, Look out on the Light, see what ye see. Said they, We are seeing a fire with wat…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FOURTH-i
Stood (up) Jesus in front of the Oblation: he put the disciples behind him, all being wrapped in garment of linen, with the ticket of the name of the Father of the Treasury of the Light in their hands. He cried out thus, saying, Hear me, m…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FOURTH-j
This is the baptism of the First Oblation which guideth in unto the Place of the truth, and in [335 ] unto the Place of the Light. After these (things) also said they his disciples, Rabbei reveal to us the mystery of the Light of thy Fathe…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIFTH-b
This is the judgment of the man, (the) slanderer. Said she, Mariham, Woe woe to the sinners. Answered [347 ] also Salome, said she, My Lord, Jesus, a man, murderer having not done sin ever except killing, whenever he should come out of bo…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIFTH-c
And whenever should the Sphere turn round, she is wont to give her to her Receivers, that they may cast her unto the Aeons of the Sphere, that the Ministers of the Sphere may take her unto water being below the Sphere, that it may become [3…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIFTH-d
Said Bartholomaios, A man who sleeper with male, What is his punishment? Said he, Jesus: The man sleeping with male with the man who will sleep with him (there shall be the same measure) [351 ] as the man blasphemer: whenever the 197 time…”
Pistis Sophia | Document FIFTH-e
Then she is wont to take away that righteous soul and deliver her up to her Receivers and cast her unto the Aeons of the Sphere, that the Ministers of the Sphere may take her out unto water being underneath the Sphere, that it may become a…”
← Collapse
western_esoteric111
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 80 (part 1)
CHAPTER IX Concerning Infernal Necromancy IT is only within recent times that the attempt to communicate with the dead has been elevated to the dignity of White Magic. Here it is necessary to affirm that the phenomena of Modern Spiritualis…”
The Kybalion (Three Initiates) | Chapter XIV (part 2)
While at first there seems to be only an "I" existing, a more careful and closer examination reveals the fact that there exists an "I" and a "Me." These mental twins differ in their characteristics and nature, and an examination of their na…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | Introduction-d
Both Pythagoras and Empedocles accepted the theory of transmigration, the latter saying: "A boy I was, then did a maid become; a plant, bird, fish, and in the vast sea swum." Archytas is credited with invention of the screw and the crane.…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | Introduction-e
He himself declared philosophy to be the way of true happiness and its purpose twofold: (1) to contemplate God, and (2) to abstract the soul from corporeal sense. The principles of all things he conceived to be three in number: God , matte…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | The Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societies Which Have Influenced Modern Masonic Symbolism-m
Of these shoots one is manifested from above, which is the Great Power, the Universal Mind ordering all things, male, and the other, [is manifested] from below, the Great Thought, female, producing all things. Hence pairing with each other…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | The Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societies Which Have Influenced Modern Masonic Symbolism-n
In discussing the original meaning of this word, Godfrey Higgins, in his Celtic Druids, has demonstrated that the numerological powers of the letters forming the word Abraxas when added together result in the sum of 365. The same author al…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | The Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societies Which Have Influenced Modern Masonic Symbolism-p
In an oracle delivered to the King of Cyprus, Serapis described himself thus: ''A god I am such as I show to thee, The Starry Heavens are my head, my trunk the sea, Earth forms my feet, mine ears the air supplies, The Sun's far-darting, bri…”
The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | The Ancient Mysteries and Secret Societies Which Have Influenced Modern Masonic Symbolism-w
The Mysteries were the channels through which this one philosophic light was disseminated, and their initiates, resplendent with intellectual and spiritual understanding, were the perfect fruitage of the divine tree, bearing witness before…”
Show all 111 →
christian_mysticism98
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 1, Section 1c
59 59 ὡς οὐκ ὄντος ἴχνους τῶν ἐπὶ τὴν κρυφίαν αὐτῆς ἀπειρίαν διεληλυθότων. Two interpretations of this passage are possible: (1) Those who have penetrated the hidden Depths cannot describe the Vision (cf. Dante, Par. xxxiii. 55–66) ; (2…”
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 1, Section 1d
And we press upwards to those beams which in the Holy Scripture shine upon us; wherefrom we gain the light which leads us unto 55 the Divine praises 64 64 πρὸς τοὺς θεαρχικοὺς ὕμνους. Either (1) “leads us to declare the Divine praises”; or…”
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 1, Section 1f
And in all the other Divine enlightenments which the occult Tradition of our inspired teachers hath, by mystic Interpretation, accordant with the Scriptures, bestowed upon us, we also have been initiated: apprehending these things in the pr…”
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 1, Section 1l
The formless essence (ἀμορφία) of a thing is simple and imageless—a Platonic idea—perceived by the mind; things which have bodily form are, as it were, types and symbols perceived by the senses. 54 Or “indeterminate.” 55 Thus the three gra…”
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 1, Section 1n
82 ἐν θειοτέρᾳ μιμήσει τῶν ὑπερουρανίων νοῶν—i. e. the angels. 83 Luke xx. 36 84 Meditation leads on to Contemplation; and the higher kind of Contemplation is performed by the Via Negativa. 85 i.e. The Angels. I have throughout trans…”
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 2, Section 1m
καὶ τῆς εἰρημένης ἑνώσεως ἴδια καὶ αὖθις τῆς διακρίσεως εἶνάι τινας ἰδικὰς καὶ ἱνώσεις καὶ διακρίσεις. This, as it stands, must be translated: “They say that certain qualities belong to the said Undifference, and that to Differentiation, o…”
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 3, Section 1d
233 Cf p. 77, n. 1. 234 This is profound. Spatial metaphors are always dangerous, though unavoidable, in Theology. In space if A is touching B then B must be touching A. In the spiritual world this is not so. God is near me (or rathe…”
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 4, Section 1e
260 260 The light permeates water but it does not permeate a stone. It passes over the stone and permeates the water beyond it. Yea, and it contributes to the birth of material bodies and brings them unto life, and nourishes them that the…”
Show all 98 →
platonism92
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1d
Socrates replied: And have you, Cebes and Simmias, who are acquainted with Philolaus, never heard him speak of this? I never understood him, Socrates. My words, too, are only an echo; but I am very willing to say what I have heard: and in…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1e
And I rather imagine that Cebes is referring to you; he thinks that you are too ready to leave us, and too ready to leave the gods who, as you acknowledge, are our good rulers. Yes, replied Socrates; there is reason in that. And this indi…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1f
And being dead is the attainment of this separation; when the soul exists in herself, and is parted from the body and the body is parted from the soul-that is death? Exactly: that and nothing else, he replied. And what do you say of anoth…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1g
And he attains to the knowledge of them in their highest purity who goes to each of them with the mind alone, not allowing when in the act of thought the intrusion or introduction of sight or any other sense in the company of reason, but wi…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1h
And now that the hour of departure is appointed to me, this is the hope with which I depart, and not I only, but every man who believes that he has his mind purified. Certainly, replied Simmias. And what is purification but the separation…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1i
They are temperate because they are intemperate-which may seem to be a contradiction, but is nevertheless the sort of thing which happens with this foolish temperance. For there are pleasures which they must have, and are afraid of losing;…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1k
That is clear, he replied. Then the inference is, that our souls are in the world below? That is true. And one of the two processes or generations is visible-for surely the act of dying is visible? Surely, he said. And may not the othe…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1m
And yet from these equals, although differing from the idea of equality, you conceived and attained that idea? Very true, he said. Which might be like, or might be unlike them? Yes. But that makes no difference; whenever from seeing one…”
Show all 92 →
renaissance_hermeticism47
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XI — How Occult Virtues are Infused into the Several Kinds of Things by Ideas Through the Help of the Soul of the World, And Rays of the Stars; and what Things Abound Most with this Virtue | Chapter XI, Section 1
CHAPTER XI. How Occult Virtues are Infused into the Several Kinds of Things by Ideas Through the Help of the Soul of the World, And Rays of the Stars; and what Things Abound Most with this Virtue . Platonists say that all inferior bodies ar…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter LVIII — Of the Reviving of the Dead, and of Sleeping or Hibernating (Wanting Victuals) Many Years Together | Chapter LVIII, Section 1a
CHAPTER LVIII. Of the Reviving of the Dead, and of Sleeping or Hibernating (Wanting Victuals) Many Years Together . The Arabian philosophers agree that some men may elevate themselves above the powers of their body and above their sensiti…”
Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter LX — Of Madness, and Divinations which are made when men are awake, and of the Power of a Melancholy Humor, by which Spirits are sometimes induced into Men's Bodies | Chapter LX, Section 1c
There are also some prognostics which are in the middle, betwixt natural and supernatural divination, as in those who are near to death, and, being weakened with old age, do sometimes foresee things to come, because, as saith Plato, by how…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | INTRODUCTION-l
There he passed the first day of that imprisonment which was to last for eight years. The next day he went over the lagoon in a gondola, in the company of his jailors, who took him to the prison of the Holy Office, and left him there. Lev…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | First Dialogue-d
Some are called in vain to put in a ready appearance, and are chiefly those which proceed from the lower instincts, and which obey the reason either not at all, or very little; and forcing himself to prevent their actions and condemn those…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Second Dialogue-c
I can very well conceive, from what you have said, the condition of that heroic enthusiast, who says, "My hopes are ice and my desires are glowing," because he is not in the temperance of mediocrity, but, in the excess of contradictions, hi…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Second Dialogue-e
Herein he proves that his love is truly heroic; because he proposes to himself as the chief aim, not corporeal beauty, but rather the grace of the spirit, and the inclination of the affections in which, rather than in the beauty of the body…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Third Dialogue-e
Others esteem him unhappy through this appearance of an evil destiny, as being condemned to these pangs, for he will never cease from acknowledging the obligation he is under to love, nor cease from rendering thanks to him because he has pr…”
Show all 47 →
greek_mystery30
Orphic Hymns | Hymn XXXVIII. CORYBAS * The FUMIGATION from FRANKINCENSE
XXXVIII. TO CORYBAS * The FUMIGATION from FRANKINCENSE. THE mighty ruler of this earthly ball, For ever flowing, to these rites I call; p. 170 Martial and blest, unseen by mortal sight, Preventing fears, and pleas'd with gloomy night: Hence…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn LXXV. THE MUSES
LXXV. TO THE MUSES. The FUMIGATION from FRANKINCENSE. Daughters of Jove, dire-sounding and divine, 1 Renown'd Pierian, sweetly speaking Nine; p. 206 To those whose breasts your sacred furies fire Much-form'd, the objects of supreme desire:…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn LXXVI. MNEMOSYNE, or the GODDESS of MEMORY
LXXVI. To MNEMOSYNE, or the GODDESS of MEMORY * . The FUMIGATION from FRANKINCENSE. THE consort I invoke of Jove divine, Source of the holy, sweetly-speaking Nine; p. 215 Free from th' oblivion of the fallen mind, By whom the soul with inte…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn LXXVII. AURORA
LXXVII. TO AURORA. The FUMIGATION from MANNA. HEAR me, O Goddess! whose emerging ray Leads on the broad refulgence of the day; Blushing Aurora, whose celestial light Beams on the world with red'ning splendours bright: Angel of Titan, whom w…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn LXXXV. THE DIVINITY OF DREAMS
LXXXV. TO THE DIVINITY OF DREAMS. The FUMIGATION from AROMATICS. THEE I invoke, blest pow'r of dreams divine, Angel of future fates, swift wings are thine: Great source of oracles to human kind, When stealing soft, and whisp'ring to the min…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn LXXXVI. DEATH
LXXXVI. TO DEATH. The FUMIGATION from MANNA. HEAR me, O Death, whose empire unconfin'd, Extends to mortal tribes of ev'ry kind. On thee, the portion of our time depends, Whose absence lengthens life, whose presence ends. p. 225 Thy sleep pe…”
The Golden Verses of Pythagoras | Section 4 (part 1)
p. 1 THE GOLDEN VERSES OF PYTHAGORAS 1. First worship the Immortal Gods, as they are established and ordained by the Law. 2. Reverence the Oath, and next the Heroes, full of goodness and light. 3. Honour likewise the Terrestrial Dæmon…”
The Golden Verses of Pythagoras | Section 4 (part 2)
Wherein have I done amiss? What have I done? What have I omitted that I ought to have done? 43. If in this examination thou find that thou hast done amiss, reprimand thyself severely for it; 44. And if thou hast done any good, rejoice.…”
Show all 30 →
hermeticism24
Corpus Hermeticum 1: Poimandres | Section 1a
Poemandres, the Shepherd of Men <This is the most famous of the Hermetic documents, a revelation account describing a vision of the creation of the universe and the nature and fate of humanity. Authors from the Renaissance onward have been…”
Corpus Hermeticum 1: Poimandres | Section 1c
And when she saw that Form of beauty which can never satiate, and him who [now] possessed within himself each single energy of [all seven] Rulers as well as God's own Form, she smiled with love; for 'twas as though she'd seen the image of M…”
Corpus Hermeticum 2: The Serapeum | Section 1a
To Asclepius <This dialogue sets forth the difference between the physical and metaphysical worlds in the context of Greek natural philosophy. Some of the language is fairly technical: the "errant spheres" of sections 6 and 7 are the celes…”
Corpus Hermeticum 2: The Serapeum | Section 1b
A: How is it, then, that things down here, Thrice-greatest one, are moved with those that are [already] moved? For thou hast said the errant spheres were moved by the inerrant one. H: This is not, O Asclepius, a moving with, but one again…”
Corpus Hermeticum 4: The Epistles | Section 1a
The Cup or Monad <This short text gives an unusually lucid overview of the foundations of Hermetic thought. The stress on rejection of the body and its pleasures, and on the division of humanity into those with Mind and those without, are…”
Corpus Hermeticum 4: The Epistles | Section 1b
And having raised themselves so far they sight the Good; and having sighted it, they look upon their sojourn here as a mischance; and in disdain of all, both things in body and the bodiless, they speed their way unto that One and Only One.…”
Corpus Hermeticum 5: The Discourse of Hermes to Asclepius | Section 1a
Though Unmanifest God Is Most Manifest 1. I will recount to thee this sermon (logos) too, O Tat, that thou may'st cease to be without the mysteries of the God beyond all name. And mark thou well how that which to the many seems unmanifest…”
Corpus Hermeticum 6: The All-Father | Section 1b
So then, Asclepius, the name alone of Good is found in men, the thing itself nowhere [in them], for this can never be. For no material body doth contain It - a thing bound on all sides by bad, by labors, pains, desires and passions, by err…”
Show all 24 →
hinduism13
The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter XII, Section 1
CHAPTER XII. Ar g una said: Of the worshippers, who thus, constantly devoted, meditate on you, and those who (meditate) on the unperceived and indestructible, which best know devotion? The Deity said: Those who being constantly devoted, and…”
The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter XIV, Section 1a
CHAPTER XIV. The Deity said: Again I will declare (to you) the highest knowledge, the best of (all sorts of) knowledge, having learnt which, all sages have reached perfection beyond (the bonds of) this (body). Those who, resorting to this…”
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book I | Sutra 4
Heretofore the Seer has been enmeshed in the activities of the psychic nature. The power and life which are the heritage of the spiritual man have been caught and enmeshed in psychical activities. Instead of pure being in the Divine, there…”
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book I | Sutra 15
Ceasing from self-indulgence is conscious mastery over the thirst for sensuous pleasure here or hereafter. Rightly understood, the desire for sensation is the desire of being, the distortion of the soul's eternal life. The lust of sensual s…”
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book I | Sutra 19
Subjective consciousness arising from a natural cause is possessed by those who have laid aside their bodies and been absorbed into subjective nature. Those who have died, entered the paradise between births, are in a condition resembling m…”
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book I | Sutra 31
Grieving, despondency, bodily restlessness, the drawing in and sending forth of the life-breath also contribute to drive the psychic nature to and fro. The first two moods are easily understood. We can well see bow a sodden psychic conditio…”
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book I | Sutra 34
Or peace may be reached by the even sending forth and control of the life-breath. Here again we may look for a double meaning: first, that even and quiet breathing which is a part of the victory over bodily restlessness; then the even and q…”
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book II | Sutra 40
Through purity a withdrawal from one's own bodily life, a ceasing from infatuation with the bodily life of others. As the spiritual light grows in the heart within, as the taste for pure Life grows stronger, the consciousness opens toward t…”
Show all 13 →
sufism13
The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | PROLOGUE-b
Knowest thou why thy mirror reflects not? Because the rust has not been scoured from its face. If it were purified from all rust and defilement, It would reflect the shining of the SUN Of GOD.6 O friends, ye have now heard this tale, Whic…”
The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY II
The Oilman and his Parrot. An oilman possessed a parrot which used to amuse him with its agreeable prattle, and to watch his shop when he went out. One day, when the parrot was alone in the shop, a cat upset one of the oil-jars. When the oi…”
The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY III-a
The Jewish King, his Vazir, and the Christians. A certain Jewish king used to persecute the Christians, desiring to exterminate their faith. His Vazir persuaded him to try a stratagem, namely, to mutilate the Vazir himself, and expel him…”
The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY IV
Another Tyrannical Jewish King. A certain Jewish king, the same who is referred to in the Sura "Signs of the Zodiac," I made up his mind to utterly exterminate the Christian faith, and with that view he set up a huge idol, and issued comman…”
The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY V-c
The skill taught by God to the silkworm Is a learning beyond the reach of the elephant. The earthly Adam was taught of God names, 4 So that his glory reached the seventh heaven. He laid low the name and fame of the angels, 5 Yet blind ind…”
The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY VI-a
Omar and the Ambassador. The hare, having delivered his companions from the tyranny of the lion, in the manner just described, proceeds to improve the occasion by exhorting them to engage in a greater and more arduous warfare, viz., the st…”
The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY VII-a
The Merchant and his Clever Parrot. There was a certain merchant who kept a parrot in a cage. Being about to travel to Hindustan on business, he asked the parrot if he had any message to send to his kinsmen in that country, and the parrot…”
The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | STORY IX-b
Woman is a ray of God, not a mere mistress, The Creator's self, as it were, not a mere creature! Moses and Pharaoh, alike doers of God's will, as Light and Darkness. Poison and Antidote. Verily, both Moses and Pharaoh walked in the right…”
Show all 13 →
taoism11
Tao Te Ching | Chapter 12
Colour's five hues from th' eyes their sight will take; Music's five notes the ears as deaf can make; The flavours five deprive the mouth of taste; The chariot course, and the wild hunting waste Make mad the mind; and objects rare and stran…”
Tao Te Ching | Chapter 13
Favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared; honour and great calamity, to be regarded as personal conditions (of the same kind). What is meant by speaking thus of favour and disgrace? Disgrace is being in a low position (after the…”
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book V (part 1)
p. 223 BOOK V. PART I. SECTION V. Teh Khung Fû, or 'The Seal of Virtue Complete 1 .' 1. In Lû 2 there was a Wang Thâi 3 who had lost both his feet 4 ; while his disciples who followed and went about with him were as numerous as those o…”
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book V (part 2)
'As a verification of the (power of) the original endowment, when it has been preserved, take the result of fearlessness,-how the heroic spirit of a single brave soldier has been thrown into an army of nine hosts 4 . If a man only seeking…”
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book V (part 3)
228 (virtue) which is internal, and not an adjunct of the body, and yet you are continually directing your attention to my external body;--are you not wrong in this?' Dze-khân felt uneasy, altered his manner and looks, and said, 'You need n…”
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book V (part 4)
for many months, when I was drawn to the man; and before he had been with me a full year, I had confidence in him. The state being without a chief minister, I (was minded) to commit the government to him. He responded to my proposal sorro…”
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book V (part 7)
Shû-shan or Shû hill was, probably, where he dwelt:--'Toeless of Shû hill.' 229:1 'Heaven' here is a synonym of Tâo. Perhaps the meaning is 'unavoidable;' it is so in the Tâoistic order of things. 229:2 It was in the sixteenth year of duk…”
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book VI (part 7)
With these views, how should they know wherein death and life are to be found, or what is first and what is last? They borrow different substances, and pretend that the common form of the body is composed of them 1 . They dismiss the thou…”
Show all 11 →
jewish_mysticism6
The Book of Concealed Mystery (Siphra Dtzenioutha) | 1c
And to it also pertain the following names, namely, the name) IH, Yah (whensoever it is written in full with A in this manner:) IVD HA, Yod Ha (and containeth the number of the numeral powers of the letters of the Tetragrammaton, namely, 26…”
The Book of Concealed Mystery (Siphra Dtzenioutha) | 1f
[The letters of the Hebrew alphabet are divided into three classes, the three mothers as they are called, AMSh; the seven duplex letters, BGDKPRTh, so called because they are sometimes tenues and sometimes aspirates, according to whether th…”
The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter XII
XII-XVI. Dream Vision of Enoch: his intercession for Azâzêl and the fallen Angels: and his announcement to them of their first and final doom . CHAPTER XII. 1. Before these things Enoch was hidden, and no one of the children of men knew whe…”
The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter XIV (part 2)
None of the angels could enter and could behold His face by reason of the magnificence and glory and no flesh could behold Him. 22. The flaming fire was round about Him, and a great fire stood before Him, and none around could draw nigh H…”
The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter XXXIX
XXXIX. The Abode of the Righteous and of the Elect One: the Praises of the Blessed . CHAPTER XXXIX. 1. [ And it †shall come to pass in those days that elect and holy children †will descend from the high heaven, and their seed †will become o…”
The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter LX (part 1)
LX. Book of Noah--a Fragment . p. 76 Quaking of Heaven: Behemoth and Leviathan: the Elements . CHAPTER LX. 1. In the year five hundred, in the seventh month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the life of †Enoch†. In that Parable…”
mandaean6
Gnostic John the Baptizer — Portents at John's Birth | Section 4
Yahyā proclaims in the nights, Yōhānā on the Night's evenings. 4 YAHYĀ proclaims in the nights and says: "Through my Father's discourses I give light and through the praise of the Man, my creator, I have freed my soul from the world and fr…”
Gnostic John the Baptizer — Portents at John's Birth | Section 7
YAHYĀ proclaims and speaks: "Ye nobles, who lie there, ye ladies, who will not awaken,—ye who lie there, what will you do on the Day of the Judgment? When the soul strips off the body, on Judgment-Day what will you do? O thou distracted, ju…”
Gnostic John the Baptizer — Portents at John's Birth | Section 15
When the youth saw her alone, he set himself free and fell down from the cloud. He set himself free and fell down from the cloud and kissed the mouth of Enishbai. When Anōsh, the treasure, saw him [do this], he spake unto Yahyā in Jerusalem…”
Gnostic John the Baptizer — Portents at John's Birth | Section 16
When Messiah said this, Yahyā cries aloud; tears come to him without ceasing, and he speaks: "[God] forbid that the high King of Light should look for lot in deceivers. The soul is not like the blood, that it should become heated in the bod…”
Gnostic John the Baptizer — Portents at John's Birth | Section 17
"[The women] who wept ran hither and thither and [the men] who wailed ran hither and thither, as long as the body lay there before them. When the soul leaves the body, four 2 go forth to the graveyard. [The women] who wept ran hither and th…”
Gnostic John the Baptizer — Some Typical Extracts | Section 15
"Who will come, who tell me what was before this? When the heaven was not yet outspread and stars were not yet in it figured, when the earth was not yet condensed and into the water no condensation had fallen, when sun and moon came not as…”
theosophy5
The Secret Doctrine | Page 16 (part 3)
(5.) Everything in the Universe, throughout all its kingdoms, is CONSCIOUS: i.e., endowed with a consciousness of its own kind and on its own plane of perception. We men must remember that because we do not perceive any signs -- which we c…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 67 (part 4)
The "deva-eye" exists no more for the majority of mankind. The third eye is dead, and acts no longer; but it has left behind a witness to its existence. This witness is now the PINEAL GLAND. As for the "four-armed" men, it is they who be…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 73 (part 5)
This is clearly instanced in the paradoxical behaviour of Jehovah, who first curses Adam and Eve (or Humanity) for the supposed committed crime, and then blesses his "chosen people" by saying "Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the ear…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 84 (part 13)
The three nails with the three wounds are in number 6, which denotes the 6 faces of the cube unfolded (which make the cross or man-form, or 7, counting three horizontal and four vertical bars) on which the man is placed; and this in turn po…”
The Secret Doctrine | Page 90 (part 4)
The idealism of the present day, not only contrives to absorb, on the one hand, the basic negations of Atheism, but lands its votaries in a tangle of unreality, which culminates in a practical Nihilism. Argument with such writers is almost…”
egyptian4
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 5 (part 3)
When Isis heard of this she went to Byblos, and, gaining admittance to the palace through the report of the royal maidens, she was made nurse to one of the king's sons, Instead of nursing the child in the ordinary way, Isis gave him her fin…”
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 43 (part 44)
The preservation of the corruptible body too was in some way connected with the life in the world to come, and its preservation was necessary to ensure eternal life; otherwise the prayers recited to this end would have been futile, and the…”
The Egyptian Heaven and Hell | Chapter 30 (part 2)
When the disk is on the horizon all men know that the monsters of the Tuat have failed to destroy AFU-RA or to obstruct his passage, that the god has, with the aid of KHEPERA, made all his transformations, that he has appeared in the sky ag…”
The Egyptian Heaven and Hell | Chapter 31
Sacred-texts Egypt The Egyptian Heaven and Hell by E. A. Wallis Budge [1905] This is a three volume collection of texts and commentary about the Ancient Egyptian alternate reality called the Tuat. The Tuat was both the region that the boat…”
buddhism3
The Dhammapada | Chapter III, Section 1b
That s ru means 'to run,' and is in fact a merely dialectic variety of sru, has been proved by Burnouf, while Boehtlingk thinks the substitution of s for s is a mistake. Â s rava therefore, or âsrava, meant originally 'the running out towa…”
The Dhammapada | Chapter XI, Section 1a
p. 41 CHAPTER XI. OLD AGE. 146. How is there laughter, how is there joy, as this world is always burning? Why do you not seek a light, ye who are surrounded by darkness? 147. Look at this dressed-up lump, covered with wounds, joined…”
The Dhammapada | Chapter XV, Section 1a
p. 53 CHAPTER XV. HAPPINESS. 197. Let us live happily then, not hating those who hate us! among men who hate us let us dwell free from hatred! 198. Let us live happily then, free from ailments among the ailing! among men who are ail…”
celtic2
The Mabinogion | Tale TALIESIN-j
And the king caused them to fetch Elphin in haste from his dungeon, and placed him before Taliesin. And it is said, that immediately he sang a verse, so that the chains opened from about his feet. “I adore the Supreme, Lord of all animati…”
The Mabinogion | Tale TALIESIN-l
And then said Taliesin, “Elphin, behold a payment and reward unto thee, for having taken me out of the weir, and for having reared me from that time until now.” And on this spot stands a pool of water, which is to this time called Pwllbair.…”
native_american2
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter I-a
THE GREAT MYSTERY Solitary Worship. The Savage Philosopher. The Dual Mind. Spiritual Gifts versus Material Progress. The Paradox of “Christian Civilization.” The original attitude of the American Indian toward the Eternal, the “Great My…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter I-b
Sometimes an old man, standing upon the brink of eternity, might reveal to a chosen few the oracle of his long-past youth. The native American has been generally despised by his white conquerors for his poverty and simplicity. They forget…”
norse1
The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1j
On his ring swore Othin | the oath, methinks; Who now his troth shall trust? Suttung's betrayal | he sought with drink, And Gunnloth to grief he left. * * * 111. It is time to chant | from the chanter's stool; By the wells of Urth I was,…”