Talk Gnosis

What is Gnosis?! We don’t have THE answer but we have ANSWERS…many of them! In this Mapping Gnosticism installment, Jason and Deacon Jon wander into the labyrinthe of the complex and transformative nature of experiential knowledge that goes beyond intellectual understanding. We look at notions of spiritual enlightenment, presenting gnosis not as a singular, achievable state, but as a dynamic, ongoing journey of personal transformation that encompasses imagination, bodily experience, and a profound connection to something greater than oneself. Is Gnosis a beautiful supernatural experience? Or more of a nuanced, often uncomfortable process of recognizing divine sparks in everyday moments—whether during a stressful commute, caring for a dying friend, or experiencing profound interconnectedness?! Or maybe Gnosis is the friends we make upon the way.  https://dn721505.ca.archive.org/0/items/final-audio-what-is-gnosis/FINAL%20AUDIO%20what%20is%20gnosis.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

Warning: This episode contains multiple info-hazards! Talk Gnosis explores the surprising and horrifing intersection of modern tech culture, artificial intelligence, and ancient gnostic concepts. Hosts Jason Memhel and Jonathan Stewart, and your fav TG contributer Nic Laccetti, look at how Gnosticism can help us think about the AI fad and how ideas and philosophy around AI and Large Language Models resemble Gnosticism in some strange and terrifying ways. Discover how Silicon Valley’s tech culture has inadvertently created a new form of religious mythology – one where a hypothetical future AI could become god-like, potentially punishing those who didn’t help create it. See how deeply religious thinking patterns emerge even within staunchly atheistic communities, revealing humanity’s persistent spiritual yearnings disguised in technological language.  [https://ia600801.us.archive.org/25/items/final-basil-audio/Final%20Basil%20AUDIO.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

Conclave The Apostolic Johannite Church is proud to present the twenty-fifth annual AJC Conclave – May 8th – 13th, 2025 – Hybrid – Online and Atlanta, GA Coming out of the pandemic, and in a first for the Apostolic Johannite Church, we’ve elected to make Conclave 2025 a hybrid event. Conclave will be both online and in-person with the Parish of St. John in Atlanta, GA, giving folks in a variety of circumstances and situations the ability to participate in whichever way is most accessible and enjoyable for them. All Conclave speakers, talks and workshops will take place from Friday, May 9th to Sunday, May 11th, 2025 – with additional activities and in-person liturgy scheduled for those who are able to attend in-person. Our speakers will be a blend of in-person and online- with in-person speakers being broadcast to our online attendees live. This year our theme is Divine Union, Mysticism and Theurgy Each year the people of the AJC, friends and family gather together to socialize, learn, build our skills and deepen our community. It is an amazing opportunity for spiritual growth and insight to modern Gnostic practice. Conclave is a rich opportunity to deepen your practice, education and experience of Gnosticism and the Apostolic Johannite Church. Conclave offers lectures, workshops and panel discussions selected to develop ministry skills, support the work of church leaders both lay and ordained and deepen and enrich the spiritual lives of attendees. As always, we welcome you, no matter who you are or what your spiritual path, to join us for this unique weekend. You can come for all or part and participate as much or as little as you’d like. However you choose, we welcome you into our household.  [https://ia601201.us.archive.org/12/items/final-conclave-audio/final%20conclave%20AUDIO.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

M.R. Osborn has a new essential book so we just had to get into it with him. Delve into the rich spiritual tradition of the “Office of the Holy Spirit” and its connection to the enigmatic 18th-century mystic Martinez de Pasqually. This interview unveils a rare treasure from medieval Christianity that nearly vanished from history but found new purpose in Pasqually’s esoteric Christian practice. Osborn’s latest book reproduces this forgotten divine office – a structured prayer system rooted in the psalms and traditionally observed at specific hours throughout the day. The conversation explores how Pasqually, a Catholic of Portuguese-Jewish origin, incorporated these devotions into his “Élus Coëns” system, emphasizing spiritual reconciliation through prayer. This beautifully illustrated volume, featuring both original Latin texts and English translations, offers not just historical insight but a practical devotional resource for Christians of all backgrounds seeking to deepen their connection with the Holy Spirit through this ancient contemplative tradition.  [https://ia800806.us.archive.org/28/items/talk-gnosis-office-of-the-holy-spirit-martinez-de-pasqually-w-m.-r.-osborn-tube-ripper.com/%5BTalk%20Gnosis%5D%20Office%20of%20the%20Holy%20Spirit%20%2B%20Martinez%20de%20Pasqually%20w%20M.R.%20Osborn%20%5BTubeRipper.com%5D.m4a]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

David Pantano discusses his book “Alchemical Hermeticism: The Secret Teachings of Marco Daffi” with Talk Gnosis. Daffi, born as Baron Ricciardo Ricciardelli in 1900 in Naples, developed a profound system of spiritual transformation after confronting his own psychological imbalances. Daffi’s alchemical hermeticism offers an approach to inner transformation through the classic stages of nigredo, albedo, and rubedo. His work provides practical methodologies for confronting one’s shadow, purifying the psyche, exploring the inner landscapes, and achieving spiritual integration—a heroic journey of transforming unconscious forces into spiritual gold, remaining as relevant today as when it was first developed. Buy the book at: https://www.innertraditions.com/alchemical-hermeticism  [https://ia600808.us.archive.org/18/items/audio-final-daffi-for-real/AUDIO%20final%20daffi%20for%20real.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

Talk Gnosis welcomes back Dr. Shirley Paulson to discuss her new FREE course on the Nag Hammadi and related texts. Dive into how these texts portray Jesus as a teacher and healer rather than a sacrifice, celebrate divine feminine figures like Mary Magdalene and Sophia, and offers seekers mystical, but practical wisdom, for navigating the world we live in. Featuring insights from renowned scholars and addressing common misconceptions and cliches about Gnostic (or if you prefer, “Gnostic”) this conversation invites listeners to discover how these ancient writings speak to contemporary spiritual needs. Take the course at https://earlychristiantexts.net/introducing-nag-hammadi-and-related-texts/ Dr. Paulson has a great blog post that goes through ten points about why the Nag Hammadi writings matter for right here and right now. Check it out for yourself and share it with someone you think might be interested! You can read it at: https://earlychristiantexts.com/the-nag-hammadi-library/  [https://ia800609.us.archive.org/17/items/audio-actual-final-nag-hammadi/AUDIO%20ACTUAL%20FINAL%20Nag%20Hammadi.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

We’re pretty sure this is our first show where the topic of God’s penis comes up a number of times! Talk Gnosis dives deep into the intersection of Jewish mysticism and sacred sexuality with Dr. Marla Segol, author of “Kabbalah and Sex Magic: A Mythical Ritual Genealogy.” From ancient texts describing God’s body to medieval mystical practices to modern manifestions of Kabbalistic sex magic, Dr. Segol and Jon explore how Kabbalists understood sexuality as a way to participate in divine creation and sustain the cosmos. Check out the book at: https://www.psupress.org/books/titles/978-0-271-08960-7.html  [https://ia800809.us.archive.org/30/items/audio-final-kabbala/AUDIO%20Final%20Kabbala.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

We’re starting an exciting new series here on Talk Gnosis: We’re now going to have regular episodes where Jason and Jon dive deep into what it means to engage with Gnosticism. There will be researched installments about key Gnostic concepts from history, as well as shows looking at Gnosticism in our present time. This is all starting with this ep, where we map out our approach as practitioners who value both research and lived experience. This kicks off what we’re calling “Gnosticism 201” – going beyond just explaining what Gnosticism is to really explore how to engage with it thoughtfully and critically in the modern world. We share our own different approaches but we emphasize there’s no “right way” to be Gnostic. Whether you’re new to Gnosticism or have been exploring it for years, we hope you’ll join us as fellow travelers in mapping out the Gnostic spiritual landscape.  [https://ia902306.us.archive.org/0/items/mapping-gnosticism-audio/Mapping%20Gnosticism%20Audio.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained are pivotal pieces of English literature…and they’re Gnostic?! Yes, claims Dr. Paul Robertson in his paper with Gabrielle Scott titled “Gnostic Thought in Milton’s Paradise Lost: Descent, Creation, Materialism, and the Eve-Sophia Parallel.” Paul guests on Talk Gnosis to drop this epic discovery about these epic poems. Virgil-like, he takes us through Milton’s remarkable synthesis of Gnostic ideas about divine descent, materiality, and salvation. From the Son’s role as a lower creator deity to Eve’s parallel with Sophia, Robertson illuminates how Milton wove ancient Gnostic themes into his masterworks. Don’t miss this revelation of how one of the greatest works in the canon draws on some of the West’s most controversial early traditions. -Deacon Jon shaking his fist at the heavens- “Better to reign in the Hell of low audience and low revenue esoteric content than serve in the Heaven of popular conspiracy content falsely labelled Gnostic.” But seriously, this turned out to be a really fun one and it won’t feel like homework so check it out! Email Dr. Robertson at Paul.Robertson@unh.edu for a copy of the paper!!  [https://ia800105.us.archive.org/22/items/final-paradise-lost-audio/Final%20Paradise%20Lost%20AUDIO.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​ 

In our special Talk Gnosis Christmas Special for 2024, our panel of superstars Nic Laccetti, Joanne Leone, and hosts Jason and Jon tackle Christmas through a uniquely Gnostic perspective, uncovering how early Christians encoded anti-imperial messages within the Nativity story while examining the complex interplay between Christian and pagan winter celebrations. The conversation weaves through topics like St. Nicholas’s controversial history, the wild “Infancy Gospel of Thomas,” and how different cultures adapt these celebrations: give us a listen this holiday and explore the season’s deeper spiritual and cultural significance.  [https://ia800805.us.archive.org/11/items/audio-final-xmas-24/AUDIO%20Final%20Xmas%2024.mp3]  —————– Become a patron: http://patreon.com/gnostic​​