Chicago Gnosis Podcast

The secret teachings are not only profound and subtle, but beautiful and complex, especially in the way they are depicted through opera. This lecture will introduce you to some fundamental principles behind any operatic work, specifically the esoteric sciences of kabbalah and alchemy: the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. Music is highly mathematical, and since kabbalah is the science of numbers and symbols, the initiates of the mystery schools used music and drama to instruct students in the path of initiation. Discover how and why! Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/introduction-to-the-secret-teachings-of-opera

"The Guardian of the Threshold of the mind is similar to the smoke of the flame. The Guardian of the Threshold of the mind is a terrible demonic creature. It lives by reacting against the exterior world with waves of pleasure and pain, with waves of likes and dislikes, and with waves of hatred, envy, greed, slander, selfishness, etc." —Samael Aun Weor, Igneous Rose The first ordeal that the candidate for spiritual initiation must overcome is the Guardian of the Threshold. Through meditative understanding of the nature of the mind, emotions, and will, we can conquer the false self within us, allowing the light of the inner spirit to shine.​ Resources and References: http://chicagognosis.org/lectures/the-guardian-of-the-threshold

The path of initiation has been cited throughout all the world's great religions and mystical traditions in allegorical form. However, the key and method for entering it has never been revealed until the publication of The Perfect Matrimony in 1950. This key is sexual alchemy: the science of harnessing our creative potential to empower our noblest, spiritual aspirations. Just as the sexual force has the power to create physical life, it also can give birth to our spirituality, as Jesus taught in parables to Nicodemus, "You must be born again." Discover the secret teachings of Jesus: how to enter the straight and narrow gate that leads to life, and that few find (Matthew 7:14). Learn also how to enter initiation through the wisdom of Buddhism, Kabbalah, Alchemy, and the Judeo-Christian Bible. Resources and References: http://chicagognosis.org/lectures/what-is-initiation

Throughout history, serious spiritual aspirants have sought to enter the most sacred, divine mysteries, but to do so requires conscious efforts and sacrifices. Initiation is dependent upon the qualities of the heart, verified through the intimate internal experiences of the soul. However, before we can pass the threshold of the mysteries, we must prepare our minds, hearts, and bodies to become a living temple for our Innermost: the divine spark of spirit that seeks to be known and developed within the depths of the true human being. Resources and References: http://chicagognosis.org/lectures/preparation-for-initiation

"Christ taught three ways in order to reach union with the Innermost. When he was preaching to the multitudes, when he was mystically exalted, he showed us the way of Ramakrishna, Kempis, and Francis of Assisi. This is the path of Anthony of Padua and Theresa of Jesus. This is the Mystical Path. When Christ was walking with Magdalene, the repented prostitute, when he was among publicans and sinners, fishermen and wine drinkers, he showed us the Gnostic Path. When he retired to the solitude of the desert for forty days and forty nights, he then taught the way of Oriental Yoga." ―Samael Aun Weor, Igneous Rose Jesus of Nazareth taught unto humanity these three different ways or aspects of one path,  in accordance with his own life, that lead towards the divine: the way of the Mystic, Gnostic, and Yogi. The mystic cultivates the heart, the yogi develops the mind, and the Gnostic elaborates the full capacity of the consciousness through the power of tantrism and sexuality. Learn how Christ embodied and exemplified these three different aspects of the "straight and narrow gate that leads to life" (Matthew 7:14) and how we can follow in his footsteps in a practical and didactic manner. Resources and References: http://chicagognosis.org/lectures/the-three-ways-of-christ

The Judeo-Christian Bible is replete with profound symbolism, most notably the mysteries pertaining to the anointment of prophets and kings.  This lecture explores the esoteric meaning of anointment through oil (Hebrew: שֶׁמֶן shemen, semen, or creative sexual energy) and how this spiritual force aids the sincere practitioner of any religion towards psychological purification and redemption. This lecture also explains the Gnostic Gospel of Philip, the Book of Genesis, the anointment of Jesus before his Passion by the woman of Bethany, as well as the coronations of King Saul and King David in the Old Testament. Resources and References: http://chicagognosis.org/lectures/the-mysteries-of-anointment

The Bible is deep, intricate, and mystical. Its psychological teachings, moreover, offer insights into how to practically develop our complete spiritual potential. Through its allegorical narratives, the Torah and Gospels depict the soul’s inception, struggles, and redemption. By comprehending the Bible’s cosmological dramas and its characters’ symbolic roles, aspirants can learn how to enact lasting inner change and procure the alleviation of humanity’s suffering. Discover how through the stories of Cain (the ego), Abel (the Essence or soul), Nimrod and the Tower of Babel (the personality), and Christ (our divine Being and legitimate identity). Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/biblical-psychology

Christ is a universal principle within all religions, not only incarnated within Jesus of Nazareth, but Quetzalcoatl, Krishna, Buddha, Moses, and all masters properly prepared through initiation. Just as the Spring sun resurrects nature, likewise Christ, the cosmic solar energy of divine intelligence, resurrects spiritual life within the soul through the mysteries of Easter. Discover how through an explanation of Kabbalah, sacred  sexuality, and Ishtar’s descent into the underworld. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/secrets-of-gnostic-easter

"I died as a mineral and became a plant, I died as plant and rose to animal, I died as animal and I was Man. Why should I fear? When was I less by dying? Yet once more I shall die as Man, to soar With angels blest; but even from angelhood I must pass on: all except God doth perish. When I have sacrificed my angel-soul, I shall become what no mind e'er conceived. Oh, let me not exist! for Non-existence proclaims in organ tones, To Him we shall return." ―Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi This lecture discusses reincarnation, the law of karma, and the manifestation of the divine in accordance with practical, spiritual works. Learn how the soul migrates through its many experiences throughout different forms of matter, energy, and consciousness, and what laws we need to work with in order to escape suffering. This lecture also discusses the manifestation of the soul [psyche] as depicted in Gnosis, Greece, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Kabbalah, and many other scriptures and texts. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/the-transmigration-of-souls

Esoteric science begins where empirical science ends: through the objective development of spiritually-illuminated consciousness. This is in order to investigate mystical phenomena as cited throughout Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and other religions. Learn about perception, time, the spatial sense and the science behind conscious investigation, the laws governing the multidimensionality of the cosmos, and the role of science's enigmatic ether. This lecture refers to the writings of Albert Einstein, the 14th Dalai Lama, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, and others, discussing various modes of cosmic energy known as Akasha and the Tattvas (elemental principles) of nature. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/consciousness-and-our-multidimensional-universe