theology
Living God
The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.
1,622 passages · 23 traditions
christian_mysticism306
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 10, Section 1a
“CHAPTER X Concerning ” Omnipotent ,” ” Ancient of Days “; and also concerning ” Eternity “ and ” Time .” 1.
Now ‘tis time that our Discourse should celebrate God (Whose Names are many) as “Omnipotent” and “Ancient of Days.” The former titl…”
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 10, Section 1b
“For where Scripture speaks of things as “eternal” it doth not always mean things that are absolutely Uncreated or verily Everlasting, Incorruptible, 171 Immortal, Invariable, and Immutable ( e.g.
“Be ye lift up, ye eternal doors,” 461 461…”
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 10, Section 1c
“It is spoken of by ail the Christian Mystics as the root of our being, or as the spark, or the Synteresis, etc.
Our perfection consists in this ultimate reality, which is each man’s self, shining through his whole being and transforming it…”
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 1, Section 1b
“For even as things which are intellectually discerned 52 52 i.
e.
The Transcendent Truths which are beyond ordinary knowledge.
νοητά .
The word νοῦς = Mind in the sense not merely of abstract intellect but of the spiritual personality.…”
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 1e
“These mysteries we learn from the Divine Scriptures, and thou wilt find that in well-nigh all the utterances of the Sacred Writers the Divine Names refer in a Symbolical Revelation 72 72 ἐκφαντορικῶς καὶ ὑμνητικῶς.
to Its beneficent Emanat…”
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 1, Section 1h
“that which makes an individual thing to be one thing); (2) Mental or Spiritual intercourse; (3) Physical intercourse; (4) Sense perception.
Here it = either (1) or (2), probably (1).
limit, infinity, everything that exists.
And yet since…”
Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names | Chapter 1, Section 1i
“1 .
as “God of Gods” and “Lord of Lords”, 108 108 Ps.
cxxxvi.
2, 3 .
and “Holy of Holies,” 109 109 Isa.
vi.
3 .
as “Eternal,” 110 110 Deut.
xxxiii.
27 .
as “Existent” 111 111 Ex.
iii.
14 .
and as “Creator of Ages,” 112 112 Gen.…”
Show all 306 →egyptian222
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 4 (part 24)
“A Hymn of praise to Ra when he setteth in the land of life.
Vignette: The deceased adoring Ra.
Chapter XV B .
2.
A Hymn of praise to Ra-Harmachis when he setteth in the western horizon of heaven.
Vignette: The deceased adoring Ra.
Cha…”
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 4 (part 25)
“Vignette: The deceased being weighed against his heart in the balance in the presence of Osiris, "the great god, the prince of eternity." Chapter XXXI.
The Chapter of repulsing the crocodile which cometh to carry the magical words ### from…”
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 4 (part 26)
“The Chapter of not going in to the divine block a second time.
Vignette: A man standing with his back to the block. Chapter LI.
The Chapter of not walking upside down in the underworld.
Vignette: A man standing.
Chapter LII.* The Chapte…”
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 4 (part 28)
“The Chapter of bringing a boat in the underworld.
Vignette: A boat.
Chapter C.
The Chapter of making perfect the khu , and of making it to enter into the boat of Ra, together with his divine followers.
Vignette: A boat containing a comp…”
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 4 (part 30)
“It shall be recited on the ninth day of the festival.
Vignette: The deceased making offerings before a god.
Chapter CXLIV.
The Chapter of going in.
Vignette: Seven pylons.
Chapter CXLV A .
[Without title.] This Chapter has no vignette…”
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 4 (part 31)
“Chapter CLXV.* The Chapter of arriving in port, of not becoming unseen, and of making the body to germinate, and of satisfying it with the water of heaven.
Vignette: The god Min or Amsu with beetle's body, etc.
Chapter CLXVI.
The Chapter…”
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 5 (part 2)
“In course of time he became king of Egypt, and devoted himself to civilizing his subjects and to teaching them the craft of the husbandman; he established a code of laws and bade men worship the gods.
Having made Egypt peaceful and flouris…”
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…”
Show all 222 →neoplatonism207
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter I
“Hermes, the God who presides over language, was formerly very properly considered as common to all priests; and the power who presides over the true science concerning the Gods 18 is one and the same in the whole of things. Hence our ancest…”
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…”
Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter IV-b
“This, therefore, subsists contrarily to what you suppose, for the purpose of discovering the peculiarity which you now investigate.
In short, whether you think that there is one genus of the Gods, one of dæmons, and in a similar manner of…”
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 V-b
“Again, however, according to another mode of considering the subject, it is necessary to ascribe to the Gods the whole of that which is united, of whatever kind it may be; that which is firmly established in itself, and which is the cause o…”
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 IX-a
“I consider you, therefore, as asking, for it is your inquiry, “ Why, since the Gods dwell in the heavens alone, there are invocations by theurgists of terrestrial and subterranean Gods?
” For 45 what you assert in the beginning is not true…”
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…”
Show all 207 →gnosticism172
The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 | The Savior Comforts John
“He asked me: “John, John, why do you marvel, and why [do you] fear?
Is this appearance unknown to all of you?
I mean, do not [be] of a weak heart.
I am the one who [is] always [with all of you].
I [am the Father],
I am the Mother,
I am the…”
Gospel of Judas | Jesus Reveals Everything to Judas-a
“Jesus said, "[Come] and I'll teach you about the [mysteries that no] human [will] see, because there exists a great and boundless realm whose horizons no angelic generation has seen, [in] which is a [great] invisible Spirit, which no [angel…”
Gospel of Philip | Section 1d
“When the child is grown, however, then the father turns over all he possesses.
THE LOST Those who have gone astray are those born of the spirit.
And they are usually lost because of the spirit.
So from one single breath of spirit the fir…”
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 Thomas | Logion 2
“Jesus said, "Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All."…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 3
“Jesus said, "If those who lead you say to you, 'See, the kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and i…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 9
“Jesus said, "Now the sower went out, took a handful (of seeds), and scattered them. Some fell on the road; the birds came and gathered them up. Others fell on the rock, did not take root in the soil, and did not produce ears. And others fel…”
Gospel of Thomas | Logion 10
“Jesus said, "I have cast fire upon the world, and see, I am guarding it until it blazes."…”
Show all 172 →greek_mystery139
Orphic Hymns | Hymn I. THE GODDESS PROTHYRÆA
“I. TO THE GODDESS PROTHYRÆA * . The FUMIGATION from STORAX. O venerable goddess, hear my pray'r, For labour pains are thy peculiar care; in thee, when stretch'd upon the bed of grief, The sex as in a mirror view relief. Guard of the race, e…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn II. NIGHT
“II. TO NIGHT. The FUMIGATION with TORCHES. NIGHT, parent goddess, source of sweet repose, From whom at first both Gods and men arose, Hear, blessed Venus, deck'd with starry light, 3 In sleep's deep silence dwelling Ebon night! Dreams and s…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn III. HEAVEN
“III. TO HEAVEN. The FUMIGATION from FRANKINCENSE. GREAT Heav'n, whose mighty frame no respite knows, Father of all, from whom the world arose: Hear, bounteous parent, source and end of all, Forever whirling round this earthly ball; Abode of…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn IV. FIRE
“IV. TO FIRE. The FUMIGATION from SAFFRON. O Ever untam'd Fire, who reign'st on high In Jove's dominions ruler of the sky; The glorious sun with dazzling lustre bright, And moon and stars from thee derive their light; All taming pow'r, æther…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn V. PROTOGONUS, Or the FIRST-BORN
“V. TO PROTOGONUS, Or the FIRST-BORN. The FUMIGATION from MYRRH. O Mighty first-begotten, hear my pray'r, 1 Two-fold, egg-born, and wand'ring thro' the air, p. 119 Bull-roarer, glorying in thy golden wings, 3 From whom the race of Gods and m…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn VII. THE SUN
“VII. TO THE SUN. The FUMIGATION from FRANKINCENSE and MANNA. HEAR golden Titan, whose eternal eye With broad survey, illumines all the sky. Self-born, unwearied in diffusing light, And to all eyes the mirrour of delight: Lord of the seasons…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn VIII. THE MOON
“VIII. TO THE MOON * . The FUMIGATION from AROMATICS. HEAR, Goddess queen, diffusing silver light, Bull-horn'd and wand'ring thro' the gloom of Night. 2 p. 125 With stars surrounded, and with circuit wide Night's torch extending, thro' the h…”
Orphic Hymns | Hymn IX. NATURE
“IX. TO NATURE. * The FUMIGATION from AROMATICS. NATURE, all parent, ancient, and divine, O Much-mechanic mother, art is thine; p. 127 Heav'nly, abundant, venerable queen, In ev'ry part of thy dominions seen. p. 128 Untam'd, all-taming, ever…”
Show all 139 →western_esoteric139
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 5 (part 1)
“Click to view THE TEMPTATION OF EVIL From Cædmon.
INTRODUCTION THE mystic tradition in Christian Times is preserved, apart from all questions and traces of Instituted Mysteries, in the literature of Christian Mystical Theology; it is a lar…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 5 (part 4)
“Blessed and Holy are those who receive the experience of God in the dilucid contemplation, but sanctity and benediction and all in all is that state wherein contemplation is ineffably unified, by a super-eminent leap over of love, with that…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 5 (part 7)
“I should imagine that the Lords of its Convention are to be feared in a certain manner, like the Red and the Black Death.
But the versicles and aspirations and formulæ which must be strong enough at any moment to undo all the gates of hell…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 9 (part 4)
“The sources of occult wisdom, it proceeds, are, firstly, in God; secondly, in spiritual essences--that is to say, the Angelical Hierarchy; thirdly, in corporeal creatures, the reference being probably to the signatura rerum of Paracelsus; f…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 9 (part 5)
“Click to view THE CHARACTER OF HAGITH The government of Venereal concerns is entrusted to HAGITH, and the person possessing his character is adorned with all beauty.
He converts copper into gold in a moment and gold instantaneously into co…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 11 (part 3)
“While it thus ensures against evil, it gives happiness in domestic matters and in the enterprises which contribute to prosperity and to the pleasures of a contented life.
The proviso is that [paragraph continues] "the instructions must be…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 11 (part 4)
“There are prayers for voyages, prayers addressed to the Cross, and then under the Tau symbol, commencing with the curious exclamation, Per signum ✠ Domini Tau, libera me , there follows a long conjuration, as express as anything in Magic, d…”
The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 12 (part 1)
“§ 4.
The Seven Mysterious Orisons SUNDAY Pater noster, &c.
Deliver me, O Lord, I beseech Thee, me even, thy creature, N., from all evils Past, present and to come, whether of body or soul; grant me peace and health in Thy goodness; inclin…”
Show all 139 →jewish_mysticism73
The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Page 3 (part 8)
“Of special interest here is the mention of the Garden of Righteousness, and the Tree of Wisdom (xxviii.-xxxvi.).
Much that is written in these chapters may appear p.
xxi pointless and uninspiring; but we must bear in mind the purpose that…”
The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter I
“p. 31 BOOK OF ENOCH I-XXXVI I-V. Parable of Enoch on the Future Lot of the Wicked and the Righteous CHAPTER I. 1. The words of the blessing of Enoch, wherewith he blessed the elect ⌈⌈ and ⌉⌉ righteous, who will be living in the day of tribu…”
The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter II
“CHAPTER II. 1. Observe ye everything that takes place in the heaven, how they do not change their orbits, ⌈ and ⌉ the luminaries which are in the heaven, how they all rise and set in order each in its season, and transgress not against thei…”
The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter V
“CHAPTER V. 1. Observe ⌈⌈ ye ⌉⌉ how the trees cover themselves with green leaves and bear fruit: wherefore give ye heed ⌈ and know ⌉ with regard to all ⌈ His works ⌉ , and recognize how He that liveth for ever hath made them so. 2. And ⌈ all…”
The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter IX
“CHAPTER IX. 1. And then Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel looked down from heaven and saw much blood being shed upon the earth, and all lawlessness being wrought upon the earth. 2. And they said one to another: 'The earth made †without i…”
The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter X (part 1)
“CHAPTER X.
1.
Then said the Most High, the Holy and Great One spake, and sent Uriel to the son of Lamech, and said to him: 2.
' 〈 Go to Noah 〉 and tell him in my name "Hide thyself!" and reveal to him the end that is approaching: that th…”
The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter X (part 2)
“And all desirable trees shall be planted on it, and they shall plant vines on it: and the vine which they plant thereon shall yield wine in abundance, and as for all the seed which is sown thereon each measure (of it) shall bear a thousand,…”
The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter XI
“CHAPTER XI. 1. And in those days I will open the store chambers of blessing which are in the heaven, so as to send them down ⌈ upon the earth ⌉ over the work and labour of the children of men. 2. And truth and peace shall be associated toge…”
Show all 73 →platonism52
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1c
“They are two, and yet they grow together out of one head or stem; and I cannot help thinking that if Aesop had noticed them, he would have made a fable about God trying to reconcile their strife, and when he could not, he fastened their hea…”
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 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 1t
“When Socrates had done speaking, for a considerable time there was silence; he himself and most of us appeared to be meditating on what had been said; only Cebes and Simmias spoke a few words to one another.
And Socrates observing this ask…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1aj
“No other proof is needed, he said; for if the immortal, being eternal, is liable to perish, then nothing is imperishable.
Yes, replied Socrates, all men will agree that God, and the essential form of life, and the immortal in general, will…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1am
“And upon the earth are animals and men, some in a middle region, others dwelling about the air as we dwell about the sea; others in islands which the air flows round, near the continent: and in a word, the air is used by them as the water a…”
Plato: Phaedo | Section 1ar
“He was beginning to grow cold about the groin, when he uncovered his face, for he had covered himself up, and said (they were his last words)-he said: Crito, I owe a cock to Asclepius; will you remember to pay the debt?
The debt shall be p…”
Show all 52 →mesopotamian48
Adapa and the Food of Life | Section 1a
“ADAPA AND THE FOOD OF LIFE .
TABLET NO.1 He possessed intelligence .
.
.
, His command like the command of Anu ...
He (Ea) granted him a wide ear to reveal the destiny of the land, He granted him wisdom, but he did not grant him eterna…”
Adapa and the Food of Life | Section 1b
“Adapa, For whom art thou clad in a mourning garment?" In the country two gods have vanished; therefore am I clad In mourning garments." "Who are the two gods, who have vanished from the land?" "Tammuz and Gishzida." They looked at one anoth…”
The Descent of the Goddess Ishtar into the Lower World | Section 1a
“Return to Ancient Near East index Return to Main Index DESCENT OF THE GODDESS ISHTAR INTO THE LOWER WORLD [From The Civilization of Babylonia and Assyria, M.
Jastrow, 1915] To the land of no return, the land of darkness, Ishtar, the daught…”
The Descent of the Goddess Ishtar into the Lower World | Section 1b
“"Why, O gatekeeper, dost thou remove the girdle of my body, studded with birth-stones?" "Enter, O lady, for such are the decrees of Ereshkigal." The sixth gate, he bade her enter, opened it wide, and removed the spangles off her hands and f…”
The Descent of the Goddess Ishtar into the Lower World | Section 1c
“Sprinkle Ishtar with the waters of life and take her out of my presence.
Namtar went, knocked at the strong palace, Tapped on the threshold of precious stones.
He brought out the Anunnaki and placed them on golden thrones, He sprinkled Is…”
Enuma Elish: The Epic of Creation | 1a
“THE FIRST TABLET When in the height heaven was not named, And the earth beneath did not yet bear a name, And the primeval Apsu, who begat them, And chaos, Tiamut, the mother of them both Their waters were mingled together, And no field was…”
Enuma Elish: The Epic of Creation | 1b
“let us wage war!" ...
the gods in the midst of...
...
for the gods did she create.
They banded themselves together and at the side of Tiamat they advanced; They were furious; they devised mischief without resting night and day.
They pr…”
Enuma Elish: The Epic of Creation | 1c
“Whoever beholdeth them is overcome by terror, Their bodies rear up and none can withstand their attack.
She hath set up vipers, and dragons, and the monster Lahamu, And hurricanes and raging hounds, and scorpion-men, And mighty tempests, a…”
Show all 48 →finnic45
The Kalevala | Rune I-a
“OF WAINAMOINEN.
In primeval times, a maiden, Beauteous Daughter of the Ether, Passed for ages her existence In the great expanse of heaven, O'er the prairies yet enfolded.
Wearisome the maiden growing, Her existence sad and hopeless, Thus…”
The Kalevala | Rune II-d
“Down from heaven came the eagle, Through the air be came a-flying, That he might this thing consider; And he spake the words that follow: "Wherefore, ancient Wainamoinen, Hast thou left the slender birch-tree, Left the birch-tree only stand…”
The Kalevala | Rune VII-d
“This the reason for my weeping; I have lived in toil and torture, Since I left my home and country, Left my native land and kindred, Came to this the land of strangers, To these unfamiliar portals.
All thy trees have thorns to wound me, Al…”
The Kalevala | Rune IX-e
“If thou heedest not this order, I shall offer other measures, Know I well of other forces; I shall call the Hisi irons, In them I shall boil and roast thee, Thus to check thy crimson flowing, Thus to save the wounded hero.
"If these means…”
The Kalevala | Rune IX-f
“Thus it was be tried the balsam, Thus the magic salve he tested, Touched with it the splintered sandstone, Touched the broken blocks of granite, Touched the fissures in the mountains, And the broken parts united, All the fragments grew toge…”
The Kalevala | Rune IX-g
“O, ye people of Wainola, People of this generation, And the folk of future ages, Fashion not in emulation, River boat, nor ocean shallop, Boasting of its fine appearance, God alone can work completion, Give to cause its perfect ending, Neve…”
The Kalevala | Rune XI-f
“I have brought the best among them In my sledge to this thy cottage; Well I wrapped her in my fur-robes, Kept her warm enwrapped in bear-skin, Brought her to my mother's dwelling, As my faithful life-companion; Thus I paid the scornful maid…”
The Kalevala | Rune XII-d
“Spake the stout-heart, Lemminkainen: "Rise ye heroes of the broadsword, Ye, the earth's eternal heroes, From the deeps, ye sickle-bearers, From the brooks, ye crossbow-shooters, Come, thou forest, with thine archers, Come, ye thickets, with…”
Show all 45 →zoroastrianism39
Avesta (Gathas) | Ahunavaiti Gatha, Yasna XXVIII, Section 1a
“1.
(A strengthening blessing 1 is the thought, a blessing is the word, a blessing is the deed of the righteous Zarathu s tra.
May the Bountiful Immortals 2 accept and help on 3 the chants.
Homage to you, O sacred Gâthas 4 !) 2.
With ven…”
Avesta (Gathas) | Ahunavaiti Gatha, Yasna XXVIII, Section 1b
“(And) do thou, O (Divine) Righteousness, bestow (upon me) that sacred blessing which is constituted by the attainments of the Good Mind (within my soul) 3 ; and do thou also, O Piety!
grant unto p.
22 [paragraph continues] Vî s tâspa and…”
Avesta (Gathas) | Ahunavaiti Gatha, Yasna XXIX, Section 1a
“(Homage to you, O Sacred Gâthas!) 1.
Unto you (O Ahura and Asha!) the Soul of the Kine (our sacred herds and folk) cried aloud: For whom did ye create me, and by 1 whom did ye fashion me?
On me comes the assault of wrath, and of violent p…”
Avesta (Gathas) | Ahunavaiti Gatha, Yasna XXIX, Section 1b
“Ahura.
8.
This man is found for me here who alone 4 has p.
11 hearkened to our enunciations, Zarathu s tra Spitama!
Our mighty and completed acts of grace he desires to enounce for us, for (Me), the Great Creator and for Righteousness;…”
Avesta (Gathas) | Ahunavaiti Gatha, Yasna XXX, Section 1a
“1.
And now I will proclaim, O ye who are drawing near and seeking 1 to be taught!
those animadversions 2 which appertain to Him who knows (all things) whatsoever; the praises which are for Ahura, and the sacrifices (which spring) from the…”
Avesta (Gathas) | Ahunavaiti Gatha, Yasna XXX, Section 1b
“And may we be such as those who bring on p.
34 this great renovation, and make this world progressive, (till its perfection shall have been reached).
(As) the Ahuras of Mazda 1 (even) may we be; (yea, like Thyself), in helpful readiness t…”
Avesta (Gathas) | Ahunavaiti Gatha, Yasna XXXI, Section 1a
“1.
These doctrines (therefore) we are earnestly declaring to You as we recite them forth from memory, words (till now) unheard 1 (with faith) by those who by means of the doctrinal vows 2 of the harmful Lie are delivering the settlements o…”
Avesta (Gathas) | Ahunavaiti Gatha, Yasna XXXI, Section 1b
“as the one to be adored with the mind in the creation, as the Father of the Good Mind within us, when I beheld Thee 7 with my (enlightened) eyes as the veritable maker of our Righteousness, as the Lord of the actions of life 8 !
9.
Thine,…”
Show all 39 →hermeticism36
Corpus Hermeticum 1: Poimandres | Section 1b
“But when He raised His head, I see in Mind the Light, [but] now in Powers no man could number, and Cosmos grown beyond all bounds, and that the Fire was compassed round about by a most mighty Power, and [now] subdued had come unto a stand.…”
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 1: Poimandres | Section 1d
“Thou seem'st, He said, O thou, not to have given heed to what thou heardest.
Did I not bid thee think?
Yea do I think, and I remember, and therefore give Thee thanks.
If thou didst think [thereon], [said He], tell me: Why do they merit d…”
Corpus Hermeticum 1: Poimandres | Section 1f
“All this befell me from my Mind, that is Man-Shepherd, Word (Logos) of all masterhood, by whom being God-inspired I came unto the Plain of Truth.
Wherefore with all my soul and strength thanksgiving give I unto Father-God.
31.
Holy art T…”
Corpus Hermeticum 2: The Serapeum | Section 1d
“Not only, then, is God not understood by all, but both unto the gods and some of the men they out of ignorance do give the name of Good, though they can never either be or become Good.
For they are very different from God, while Good can n…”
Corpus Hermeticum 3: The Sacred Sermon | Section 1
“The Sacred Sermon 1. The Glory of all things is God, Godhead and Godly Nature. Source of the things that are is God, who is both Mind and Nature - yea Matter, the Wisdom that reveals all things. Source [too] is Godhead - yea Nature, Energy,…”
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 5: The Discourse of Hermes to Asclepius | Section 1b
“Would that it were possible for thee to get thee wings, and soar into the air, and, poised midway 'tween earth and heaven, behold the earth's solidity, the sea's fluidity (the flowings of its streams), the spaciousness of air, fire's swiftn…”
Show all 36 →hinduism31
The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter II, Section 1a
“CHAPTER II.
Sañ g aya said: To him, who was thus overcome with pity, and dejected, and whose eyes were full of tears and turbid, the destroyer of Madhu spoke these words.
The Deity said: How (comes it that) this delusion, O Ar g una!
whi…”
The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter III, Section 1a
“CHAPTER III.
Ar g una said: If, O Ganârdana!
devotion is deemed by you to be superior to action, then why, O Kesava!
do you prompt me to (this) fearful action?
You seem, indeed, to confuse my mind by equivocal words.
Therefore, declare…”
The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter III, Section 1b
“For should I at any time not engage without sloth in action, men would follow in my path from all sides, O son of P ri thâ!
If I did not perform actions, these worlds would be destroyed, I should be the cause of caste interminglings; and I…”
The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter IV, Section 1a
“CHAPTER IV.
The Deity said: This everlasting (system of) devotion I declared to the sun, the sun declared it to Manu , and Manu communicated it to Ikshvâku.
Coming thus by steps, it became known to royal sages.
But, O terror of (your) fo…”
The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter VI, Section 1a
“CHAPTER VI.
The Deity said: He who, regardless of the fruit of actions, performs the actions which ought to be performed, is the devotee and renouncer; not he who discards the (sacred) fires , nor he who performs no acts.
Know, O son of P…”
The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter VI, Section 1b
“That (mental condition), in which the mind restrained by practice of abstraction, ceases to work; in which too, one seeing the self by the self , is pleased in the self; in which one experiences that infinite happiness which transcends the…”
The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter VI, Section 1c
“He who is fallen from devotion attains the worlds of those who perform meritorious acts, dwells (there) for many a year, and is afterwards born into a family of holy and illustrious men.
Or he is even born into a family of talented devotee…”
The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter VII, Section 1a
“CHAPTER VII.
The Deity said: O son of P ri thâ!
now hear how you can without doubt know me fully, fixing your mind on me, and resting in me, and practising devotion.
I will now tell you exhaustively about knowledge together with experien…”
Show all 31 →renaissance_hermeticism31
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | INTRODUCTION-f
“He was then advised to doff the Dominican habit, which he still wore; this he was quite willing to do, only he had no money to buy other clothing, and was forced to have some made of the cloth of his monkish robes, and his new friends prese…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | INTRODUCTION-h
“The primal idea of Pythagoras, which Bruno worked out to a more distinct development is this: numbers are the beginning of things; in other words numbers are the cause of the existence of material things; they are not final, but are always…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | INTRODUCTION-i
“The life of man is more than an experience or trial; it is an effort, a struggle to reproduce and represent upon earth some of that goodness, beauty, and truth which are diffused over the universe and constitute its harmony.
Long, slow, an…”
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-c
“Hence he cries: "O mountain of Parnassus, where I abide!
Muses, with whom I converse!
Fountain of Helicon, where I am nourished.
Mountain, that affordest me a quiet dwelling-place!
Muses, that inspire me with pro found doctrines.
Fount…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | First Dialogue-f
“One thing is certain, that he who loves wisely in youth will in age not go astray.
But derision is for those of mature age, into whose hands Love puts the alphabet.
Cic.
Tell me now why Fate is called blind and bad.
Tans.
Again, blind…”
The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori) | Third Dialogue-d
“In this disposition, I believe, was the Nolano when he said: 14.
Woe's me!
my fury forces me To union with the bad within, And makes it seem a love supreme and good.
Wearied, my soul cares nought That I opposing counsels entertain, And w…”
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 31 →mandaean30
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 5
“The Sun opened his mouth and spake unto Yahyā: 2 "Thou hast three
[head-] bands [and] a crown which equals in worth the whole world. Thou hast
a ship of mashklil , 3 which sails about here
on the Jordan. Thou hast a great vessel which sails…”
Gnostic John the Baptizer — Portents at John's Birth | Section 8
“[What follows is presumably the beginning of the Letter.]
Gnosis of Life 8 who is far from the height [writes]:
"I have come unto thee, O Soul, whom Life has sent into this world. In
robes of the Eight 9 went I into the world. I went in t…”
Gnostic John the Baptizer — Portents at John's Birth | Section 9
“JOHN AND THE BAPTISM OF JESUS (§ 30).
Yahyā proclaims in the nights, Yōhānā on the Night's evenings.
YAHYĀ proclaims in the nights.—Glory rises over the worlds.
Who told Yeshu (Eshu)? Who told Yeshu Messiah, son of Miryam, who told Yeshu…”
Gnostic John the Baptizer — Portents at John's Birth | Section 10
“"A blind man who writes a letter: a villain who has become virtuous. He
abandoned wantonness and abandoned theft and reached unto faith in almighty
Life.
"A desolate house who ascends again to the height: one of position who
has become hum…”
Gnostic John the Baptizer — Portents at John's Birth | Section 11
“[? Gnosis of Life speaks (cp. § 29):]
"Let me warn you, my brothers, let me warn you, my beloved! Let me warn
you, my brothers, against the . . . who are like unto the cross. They lay it
on the walls; then stand there and bow down to the b…”
Gnostic John the Baptizer — Portents at John's Birth | Section 12
“Thereon they 3 fashioned for Yahyā a wife out of thee, thou Region of the Faithful. 4 From the first conception were Handan and Sharrath born. From the middle conception were Birhām and R'himath-Haiyē born. From the last conception were Nṣa…”
Gnostic John the Baptizer — Portents at John's Birth | Section 14
“When Enishbai heard this, she cried out and she said: "Of all these names which you name, will I not give him one; but the name Yahyā-Yōhānā will I give him, [the name] which Life's self has given unto him."
When the Jews heard this, they…”
Show all 30 →sufism17
The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi) | PROLOGUE-a
“HEARKEN to the reed-flute, how it complains, Lamenting its banishment from its home: "Ever since they tore me from my osier bed, My plaintive notes have moved men and women to tears.
I burst my breast, striving to give vent to sighs, And t…”
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 I-a
“The Prince and the Handmaid.
A prince, while engaged on a hunting excursion, espied a fair maiden, and by promises of gold induced her to accompany him.
After a time she fell sick, and the prince had her tended by divers physicians.
As,…”
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-a
“The Lion and the Beasts.
In the book of Kalila and Damna a story is told of a lion who held all the beasts of the neighborhood in subjection, and was in the habit of making constant raids upon them, to take and kill such of them as he requ…”
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…”
Show all 17 →celtic13
The Mabinogion | Tale KILHWCH AND OLWEN-a
“OR THE TWRCH TRWYTH Kilydd the son of Prince Kelyddon desired a wife as a helpmate, and the wife that he chose was Goleuddydd, the daughter of Prince Anlawdd.
And after their union, the people put up prayers that they might have an heir.…”
The Mabinogion | Tale KILHWCH AND OLWEN-o
“And these are Nynniaw and Peibaw whom God turned into oxen on account of their sins.” “It will be easy for me to compass this.” “Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.
Seest thou yonder red tilled ground?” “I see…”
The Mabinogion | Tale KILHWCH AND OLWEN-r
“It is not possible to hunt the boar Trwyth without Gwynn the son of Nudd, whom God has placed over the brood of devils in Annwvyn, lest they should destroy the present race.
He will never be spared thence.” “It will be easy for me to compa…”
The Mabinogion | Tale KILHWCH AND OLWEN-w
“Said Arthur, “Which of the marvels will it be best for us now to seek first?” “It will be best to seek for the two cubs of Gast Rhymhi.” “Is it known,” asked Arthur, “where she is?” “She is in Aber Deu Cleddyf,” said one.
Then Arthur went…”
The Mabinogion | Tale KILHWCH AND OLWEN-z
“And the third day Arthur himself encountered him, and he fought with him nine nights and nine days without so much as killing even one little pig.
The warriors inquired of Arthur what was the origin of that swine; and he told them that he…”
The Mabinogion | Tale TALIESIN-b
“And just as she was about to stoop upon him, and he was in fear of death, he espied a heap of winnowed wheat on the floor of a barn, and he dropped among the wheat, and turned himself into one of the grains.
Then she transformed herself in…”
The Mabinogion | Tale TALIESIN-c
“Elphin of notable qualities, Be not displeased at thy misfortune; Although reclined thus weak in my bag, There lies a virtue in my tongue.
While I continue thy protector Thou hast not much to fear; Remembering the names of the Trinity, Non…”
The Mabinogion | Tale TALIESIN-d
“I will supplicate my Lord that I get refuge in him, A regard I may obtain in his grace; The Son of Mary is my trust, great in him is my delight, For in him is the world continually upholden.
God has been to instruct me and to raise my expe…”
Show all 13 →native_american12
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 II-b
“You may destroy him once and again, but he issues as often from that same gentle lap—a gift of the Great Good to the race, in which man is only an accomplice!” This wild mother has not only the experience of her mother and grandmother, and…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter III-a
“CEREMONIAL AND SYMBOLIC WORSHIP Modern Perversions of Early Religious Rites.
The Sun Dance.
The Great Medicine Lodge.
Totems and Charms.
The Vapor-Bath and the Ceremonial of the Pipe.
The public religious rites of the Plains Indians ar…”
The Soul of the Indian | Chapter III-b
“It was customary to paint the man red and the animal black, and each was suspended from one end of the crossbar which was securely tied some two feet from the top of the pole.
I have never been able to determine that this cross had any sig…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 12
“ORIGIN OF STRAWBERRIES When the first man was created and a mate was given to him, they lived together very happily for a time, but then began to quarrel, until at last the woman left her husband and started off toward Nûñdâgûñ′yĭ, the Sun…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 52
“THE RED MAN AND THE UKTENA Two brothers went hunting together, and when they came to a good camping place in the mountains they made a fire, and while one gathered bark to put up a shelter the other started up the creek to look for a deer.…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 72
“THE HUNTER AND SELU A hunter had been tramping over the mountains all day long without finding any game and when the sun went down, he built a fire in a hollow stump, swallowed a few mouthfuls of corn gruel and lay down to sleep, tired out…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 81c
“She was very glad to meet her brother and talked with him a long time, but did not ask him to come inside, and at last he went away without having seen her husband.
Several other times her brother came to the mountain, but always his siste…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 94a
“HATCINOÑDOÑ’S ESCAPE FROM THE CHEROKEE Hatcinoñdoñ was a great warrior, the greatest among the Seneca.
Once he led a company against the Cherokee.
They traveled until they came to the great ridge on the border of the Cherokee country, and…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 97a
“ORIGIN OF THE YONTOÑWISAS DANCE Two Seneca women who were sisters, with the baby boy of the older one, were in a sugar grove near their home when a war party of Cherokee came upon them and carried them off.
When the people of the town lear…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 97b
“When you get to the town, you must call the people together and tell them all that has happened.
You must go to the long house and take off your skirt and carry it on your shoulder.
Then you must go inside and go around once, singing, ‘We…”
Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 126d
“Seven ears from the last year’s crop were always put carefully aside, in order to attract the corn until the new crop was ripened and it was time for the dance, when they were eaten with the rest.
In eating the first new corn after the Gre…”
← Collapsetaoism6
Tao Te Ching | Chapter 6
“The valley spirit dies not, aye the same; The female mystery thus do we name. Its gate, from which at first they issued forth, Is called the root from which grew heaven and earth. Long and unbroken does its power remain, Used gently, and wi…”
Tao Te Ching | Chapter 39
“The things which from of old have got the One (the Tao) are-- Heaven which by it is bright and pure; Earth rendered thereby firm and sure; Spirits with powers by it supplied; Valleys kept full throughout their void All creatures which throu…”
Tao Te Ching | Chapter 51
“All things are produced by the Tao, and nourished by its outflowing operation. They receive their forms according to the nature of each, and are completed according to the circumstances of their condition. Therefore all things without excep…”
Tao Te Ching | Chapter 67
“All the world says that, while my Tao is great, it yet appears to be inferior (to other systems of teaching). Now it is just its greatness that makes it seem to be inferior. If it were like any other (system), for long would its smallness h…”
Tao Te Ching | Chapter 79
“When a reconciliation is effected (between two parties) after a great animosity, there is sure to be a grudge remaining (in the mind of the one who was wrong). And how can this be beneficial (to the other)? Therefore (to guard against this)…”
The Writings of Chuang Tzu (Inner Chapters) | Book VI (part 5)
“Dze-sze 1 , Dze-yü 1 , Dze-1î 1 , and Dze-lâi 1 , these four men, were talking together, when some one said, 'Who can suppose the head to be made from nothing, the spine from life, and the rump-bone from death?
Who knows how death and birt…”
buddhism1
The Dhammapada | Chapter XIV, Section 1c
“But that is not a safe refuge, that is not the best refuge; a man is not delivered from all pains after having gone to that refuge.
190.
He who takes refuge with Buddha, the Law, [188-192.
These verses occur in Sanskrit in the Prâtihârya…”
norse1
The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1n
“Knowest how one shall write, | knowest how one shall rede?
Knowest how one shall tint, | knowest how one makes trial?
Knowest how one shall ask, | knowest how one shall offer?
Knowest how one shall send, | knowest how one shall sacrifice…”
theosophy1
The Secret Doctrine | Page 30 (part 2)
“Whether Egyptian or Pelasgian, Aryan or Semitic, the genius loci , the local god, embraced in its unity all nature; but not especially the four elements any more than one of their creations, such as trees, rivers, mounts or stars.
The geni…”
upanishads1
Îsâ-Upanishad | Îsâ, Section 1b
“Remember thy deeds 5 !
18.
Agni, lead us on to wealth (beatitude) by a good path, thou, O God, who knowest all things!
p.
314 [paragraph continues] Keep far from us crooked evil, and we shall offer thee the fullest praise!
(Rv.
I, 189…”