Chicago Gnosis Podcast

The Mayan mystics possess an abundance of spiritual knowledge about the nature of the universe and the complete development of the human being. While their methods of exploring and understanding existence differ from that of conventional, materialistic science, such wisdom is accessible through meditation and the clarified perceptions of an awakened consciousness. From this perspective, it becomes possible to comprehend the organization, unity, and complexity of the cosmos, evidenced by the Mayan symbol of Yaxche, the universal tree of life. Such realities are paralleled by the Jewish mystical tradition of kabbalah, whose representations of the tree of life also depict the structure of divine cognizance, from the highest levels of spiritual abstraction to the most fundamental aspects of materiality and being. Learn how the Mayan mystics, the Jewish kabbalists, and the initiates of Kukulkan (the feathered serpent of divine wisdom) agree upon the same points. By studying and practicing the principles upon which they are based, it becomes possible to verify the multidimensionality of nature and our role in the cosmic plan. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/mayan-mysteries-of-the-cosmos

The importance of spiritual practice to awaken consciousness and personally experience divinity. Resources on Practical Spirituality Article Text: Practice, Not Theories Beginning Self-Transformation Dream Yoga and Astral Travel Fundamentals of Gnosticism​ Introduction to Gnostic Studies ​Spiritual Awakening ​The Sufi Path of Self-Knowledge  

"Our Gnostic Church is the Transcended Church. This church is found in the Superior Worlds. We also have many temples in the physical world. In addition, we have opened thousands of Gnostic Lumisials where holy rituals are celebrated and the secret doctrine of the Beloved Savior of the world is studied. We must not forget that our Gnostic Movement has both a school and a religion. It has already been decisively confirmed that Jesus the Christ was Gnostic. The Savior of the World was an active member of the cast of Essenes, mystics who never cut their hair or their beards. The Gnostic Church is the authentic primeval Christian Church whose first Pope was the Gnostic initiate called Peter." ―​Samael Aun Weor, The Perfect Matrimony The purpose, principles, practices, and prerequisites for membership in the Gnostic Church. Resources and References: Article Text: The Gnostic Church The Perfect Matrimony by Samael Aun Weor Sacraments of the Gnostic Church (Glorian Publishing) Attend a Class (Chicago Gnosis)

The Nativity is a cosmic event of tremendous import, not merely in terms of literal history, but psychological and spiritual development. It reveals a universal phenomenon: how a properly prepared individual can give birth to and realize their own divine being upon the initiatic path, thereby providing profound benefit to humanity. Discover the hidden symbolism behind Christmas: Santa and his reindeer, kissing under the mistletoe, the Christmas tree, the Three Magi, the Immaculate Conception, gift-giving, and more. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/christmas-the-birth-of-the-inner-savior

Many spiritual devotees preach about the need to love. However, what many lack is the knowledge how. Compassion must be balanced with wisdom, otherwise it can fall into complacency with crime. Likewise, wisdom without love is impractical, inapplicable to the problems of daily living. Genuine spirituality is therefore based on facts and direct, conscious experience. Discover how the ancient mystical traditions, primarily Christianity and Buddhism, explain what enlightened compassion signifies: how to apply intuitive insight to the complexities of being, so as to cut through suffering and arrive at comprehension, even when it is severe. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/christ-wisdom-the-seal-of-the-truth

Learn the principles, laws, or qualities of the soul as explained within Christic Buddhism: 1. DANA, the key of charity and love immortal. 2. SHILA, the key of Harmony in word and act, the key that counterbalances the cause and the effect, and leaves no further room for Karmic action. 3. KSHANTI, patience sweet, that nought can ruffle. 4. VIRAG, indifference to pleasure and to pain, illusion conquered, truth alone perceived. 5. VIRYA, the dauntless energy that fights its way to the supernal TRUTH, out of the mire of lies terrestrial. 6. DHYANA, whose golden gate once opened leads the Narjol toward the realm of Sat eternal and its ceaseless contemplation. 7. PRAJNA, the key to which makes of a man a god, creating him a Bodhisattva, son of the Dhyanis. ―The Voice of the Silence The final lecture of this course explains the Paramitas or Perfections of Mahayana Buddhism in relation to the Christic teachings: the fundamental principles in which a bodhisattva of compassion develops. Through the paramitas, the master sacrifices him or herself for humanity while developing bodhichitta: compassion for humanity and insight into the abstract nature of reality: the profound and limitless emptiness of the Absolute within Hebraic Kabbalah. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/the-great-perfections

In a world of increasing perplexity, hatred, and confusion, it is even more imperative to return to the ancient spiritual traditions for guidance. The genuine mystics have always provided an ethical and moral compass for navigating adversity, albeit their message has been veiled except through direct experience of fundamental principles. Fortunately, Christianity, Buddhism, and Sufism offer profound insights into the nature of divine compassion: selfless love enlightened by clear perception. By awakening our ability to perceive and understand, we arrive at deepened serenity and the wisdom to transform suffering despite its rising intensity. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/christ-love-the-seal-of-compassion

Is life predetermined? Do people possess individual agency? Can serious mistakes be forgiven? Learn how to understand the complexity of causal laws (defined in Sanskrit as कर्म karma) while developing a personal relationship with divinity based on grace and good works. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/fate-free-will-and-forgiveness

"The PATH is one, Disciple, yet in the end, twofold. Marked are its stages by four and seven Portals. At one end — bliss immediate, and at the other — bliss deferred. Both are of merit the reward: the choice is thine. The One becomes the two, the Open and the Secret. The first one leadeth to the goal, the second, to Self-Immolation. "When to the Permanent is sacrificed the Mutable, the prize is thine: the drop returneth whence it came. The Open PATH leads to the changeless change — Nirvana, the glorious state of Absoluteness, the Bliss past human thought. "Thus, the first Path is LIBERATION. But Path the Second is — RENUNCIATION, and therefore called the "Path of Woe." "That Secret Path leads the Arhan to mental woe unspeakable; woe for the living Dead, and helpless pity for the men of Karmic sorrow, the fruit of Karma Sages dare not still." ―The Voice of the Silence Upon entering the heavenly regions of Nirvana or the superior dimensions of nature, two paths open before the initiate: the spiral path of liberation or selfish bliss, or the straight path of sacrifice and renunciation. Learn about the secret, straight path of the bodhisattva: "the essence or incarnation of wisdom / Christ" that leads the practitioner towards the absolute heights of divine attainment, known in the Hebraic Kabbalah as the Ain, Ain Soph, and Ain Soph Aur: the Absolute. This path has been taken by all of humanity's greatest sages, prophets, and luminaries, especially Jesus of Nazareth, who demonstrated with his revolutionary life the way of selfless service and boundless compassion. Through sacrificing oneself for numerous humanities, the bodhisattva of the straight path may be granted entrance into the highest degrees of enlightened experience. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/liberation-and-renunciation

"False learning is rejected by the Wise, and scattered to the Winds by the good Law. Its wheel revolves for all, the humble and the proud. The "Doctrine of the Eye" is for the crowd, the "Doctrine of the Heart," for the elect. The first repeat in pride: "Behold, I know," the last, they who in humbleness have garnered, low confess, "thus have I heard.” "The Dharma of the "Eye" is the embodiment of the external, and the non-existing. The Dharma of the "Heart" is the embodiment of Bodhi, the Permanent and Everlasting." ―The Voice of the Silence True spiritual knowledge, the Heart Doctrine, is gained from direct experience, not from books, lectures, scriptures, scholasticism, intellectualism, or debates. Discover how true wisdom and understanding of Dharma, the divine law, is based upon our living experiences of the truth, denominated in the East as bodhi: the light, perception, and wisdom of Christ. This lecture explains the nature of the Heart Doctrine and the essence of bodhichitta, the wisdom-mind, mind-heart, or heart of compassion within esoteric Buddhism and the Christic path of initiation. Real wisdom is gained through selfless service, for in order to attain complete liberation of the psyche, compassion and sacrifice for others is necessary. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/the-heart-doctrine Carmina Burana: O Fortuna Carmina Burana: Fortune Plango Vulnera