Chicago Gnosis Podcast

Millions venerate the profound architectural and artistic achievements of the ancient world: the Egyptian, Aztec, and Mayan pyramids; the immaculate sculptures of Greece and Rome; the sacred Buddhist iconography of India, China, and Tibet, and countless other marvels. While such artifacts testify to the cultural, historical, and religious legacy of their creators, they also convey the secret teaching of all ages: how to unite the consciousness with the divine through the four pillars of science, mysticism, art and philosophy. Discover also the metaphysical basis of humanity’s origins, trajectory, and potential. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/introduction-to-gnostic-anthropology-and-cosmology

All scriptures and spiritual traditions allude to the longed-for goal of Self-realization: the return to divinity through conscious works. However, such references remain elusive to the animal intellect, which only understands literal interpretations and blind adherence to the dead letter. Without applying practical techniques for the development of the soul, aspirants close the doors to the complete actualization of religion (from the Latin religare: "reunion"; or the Sanskrit yug, the root word for yoga). The spiritual path has also never been revealed to the public in its entirety, but was only demonstrated through the profound symbolism of scripture: the internal language of divinity. This lecture concludes the twenty-two major arcana with an explanation of the three mountains: the distinct stages of the path of initiation; and exegeses of the Qur'an, the Bible, and the writings of Samael Aun Weor.  You will also learn how the gnostic esoteric work is sealed through the succession of the prior arcana and the mysticism of the Hebrew letter Tav, allegorized by the ascension of the Prophet Muhammad: the Seal of the Prophets (Khātim an-Nabīyīn). Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/arcanum-22-the-return

All the great mystical traditions speak about the dangers of the initiatic path, how it is easy to have esoteric knowledge while lacking discretion, foresight, and wisdom. Many followers of spiritual and religious groups fail to truly enact the principles of their scriptures, thereby resulting in tremendous suffering, conflict, and ignorance. These people are known as pharisees, fanatical adherents to the dead letter of religion who lack a comprehensive, experiential understanding of what their traditions teach. Such individuals in every spiritual teaching embody the terrible reality of the Fool, the Bohemians of the Tarot who believe they possess the totality of true knowledge when they only know a fraction of it. This arcanum depicts the tragedy, failure, and downfall of the initiate who, while close to the end goal of Self-realization, does not know how to maintain chastity, thereby transforming him or her into a lunatic or follower of egotistical, mechanical nature. Discover the warnings of this arcanum through the works of the prophets, the Qur'an, the Sufis, Friedrich Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra, the kabbalistic Zohar, and the mysteries of the Hebrew letter Shin. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/arcanum-21-transmutation

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are based upon belief in resurrection, yet its spiritual reality is not realized nor understood by the uninitiated. Only those practitioners of the direct path, the revolution of the consciousness, can hope to achieve the heights of resurrection: the culmination of profound psychological works and the complete annihilation of the animal ego. When the "I" is eliminated, the Being resurrects within the purified soul, which rises from the grave of Klipoth to enter the heavenly realms. This card synthesizes the victories and struggles of the previous arcana, which liberate the soul through mystical experiences and payment of one's karma. When the self dies, the consciousness escapes and resurrects within the higher regions of nature. Learn how through a profound study of mummification, astral and jinn experiences, the famous Day of Judgment within the Qur'an and the Egyptian Book of the Dead, the fall of Count Zanoni during the French Revolution, the three types of resurrection within the writings of Samael Aun Weor, the mysteries of Osiris within Freemasonry, and the Kabbalistic mysticism of the Hebrew letter Resh. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/arcanum-20-resurrection

After overcoming terrible battles against negative forces in the previous arcanum, the sincere student develops light and eradicates the causes of suffering. By conquering the mind, the consciousness experiences genuine happiness and liberation. This is the esoteric significance of inspiration: the compelling force of enthusiasm, joy, and perseverance in the spiritual work. This arcanum is deeply related to the powers of transmutation, for to in-spire the vital air is to take in the solar forces necessary for one’s development. The creative energy generates the virtues of contentment, serenity, certainty, and joy, for by breathing in prana and mixing it within one’s seminal system, the alchemist elevates the soul and aspires towards the heights of redemption. Learn how through a profound study of the sacred Kaaba: the philosopher’s stone of the Muslim initiates, Richard Wagner’s Parsifal and Siegfried, the parable of the Wedding Garment in the Christian Gospels, the Hebrew Psalms, the esoterism of the Hebrew letter Quf and the Arabic Qāf, the story of Cain and Abel, Prophet Muhammad’s revelation of the Holy Qur’an through the Angel Gabriel, and Friedrich Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/arcanum-19-inspiration

Every aspirant on the path of self-realization must encounter and battle negative forces, both within themselves and within the internal dimensions. This eternal struggle is represented in every spiritual tradition by the confrontation between good and evil, the struggle of the soul against the animal mind, desire, defects, sins, etc. This arcanum also warns of diabolic entities who fight to pull initiates from the spiritual path, so as to enter submerged devolution within the infernal worlds. This lecture explains the mysteries of spiritual war, the conflict between consciousness and ego, the Greek myth of Cerberus, the nine submerged realms of Dante's Inferno, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path according to Aquarian Gnosticism, a Zoharic commentary on the Book of Genesis, and the symbolism of the Hebrew letter Tzadi. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/arcanum-18-twilight

Through consistent discipline, practitioners of the spiritual path learn to overcome great dangers, traumas, and obstacles in their daily life. As students work on the comprehension and elimination of the ego, they experience great joy, enthusiasm, and inspiration, since the disciple, according to Samael Aun Weor, comes to experience divinity and therefore love the gnostic esoteric work above all things. Hope is the result of alchemy between priest and priestess. Through the sexual power of the Divine Mother Kundalini, initiates give birth to the radiant star of Bethlehem, the Venustic Initiations and the incarnation of the solar dragon of wisdom: the Intimate Christ. This lecture explores the mystical Sufi sayings on the nature of hope, the Greco-Roman myth of the birth of Venus-Aphrodite, the four types of women within esoterism, the Nativity of Christ, the seven primary astrological influences within life, and the mysteries of the Hebrew letter Peh. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/arcanum-17-hope

The path of initiation is filled with dangers both within and without. Those disciples who want to consciously return to divinity and achieve the Self-realization of the Being must vigorously defend their spirituality against the temptations of the black lodge and the animal ego. This is accomplished through studying, understanding, and confronting this dangerous arcanum within oneself. People who begin the spiritual path but do not conserve and transform their creative energies lose their soul; they become fulminated towers punished by the ray of divine justice. Learn how to defend yourself against failure in the path through the application of the the Key of SOL (Subject, Object, Location), which is the method to awaken consciousness during the dream state. You will also learn about the transformation of impressions as taught by the Persian Sufi Al-Hujwiri, the Qur'an, and the teachings of Jesus. This lecture concludes with a kabbalistic explanation of the Hebrew letter Ayin, the Biblical Tower of Babel, and the myths of Samson, Delilah, and Heracles. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/arcanum-16-fragility

Religions have taught us to believe that the devil is some extemporaneous, historical personage whom we must despise in accordance with dogma and superstition. However, such a caricature fails to represent the essential wisdom of temptation and the spiritual role it plays in the development of the soul.  Discover the genuine significance of Lucifer, the “bearer of light” within sexual alchemy and the perfect matrimony. He is part of divinity that provides rigorous ordeals, sufferings, and difficulties in life so as to help the consciousness acquire self-knowledge. Without temptation, there is no possibility for redemption and spiritual development. Therefore, rather than denigrate this mysterious force and shadow of the Platonic Logos, it would be better to comprehend his necessity and role in the mysteries of initiation. This lecture explains the symbology of Typhon Baphomet through the writings of the Bible, the Qur'an, and Samael Aun Weor. You will also learn about the Hebrew letter Samech, the ouroboros or serpent devouring its own tail, a representation of the Christic energy, the Angel Samael, and the power of Lucifer within the Zohar. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/arcanum-15-passion

Dive into the fascinating world of temperance, where ego dissolution leads to spiritual balance and inner strength. Discover alchemical transformations tied to the zodiac sign Cancer and how personal evolution integrates divine essence. Explore the quest for enlightenment through symbolic journeys and the mastery of energies. The podcast connects Gnostic rituals with personal growth, emphasizing the importance of sexual energy on the path to awakening. Finally, learn to balance intellect and intuition for deeper spiritual practice.