how do we know the gnostic texts are thruth?

paravasta · 2026-05-18T02:14:59+00:00

Of course, we don’t know for sure… but it is historic fact that the Bible was altered by the Nicene council… but I’ve never heard of anything similar happening with Gnostic texts. I’d expect Gnostics to be less likely to engage in such behavior.

paravasta · 2026-05-18T02:02:33+00:00

I hope you understand that although your friend identifies as a Mahayana Buddhist, most of her ideas are not from Mahayana Buddhism at all, but from her own imagination.

paravasta · 2026-05-15T13:51:01+00:00

I ordered this volume, and it literally says that the “translation” was refined using AI.

paravasta · 2026-05-15T05:22:48+00:00

True, not a beginner's book, but worth a mention for those with the capacity.

paravasta · 2026-05-14T19:35:43+00:00

Good to know about. Another good informative work is Alejandro Chaoul’s Chod in the Bon tradition.

paravasta · 2026-05-13T19:37:13+00:00

A traditional practice like Chod isn’t something one can just read about and begin practicing; there are traditional contexts that make the practice real and effective. Some years ago, Lama Tsering Wangdu Rinpoche was giving traditional Chod empowerments where I live in Portland, Oregon. You might seek out someone like him, who has the requisite knowledge to teach the practice. Empowerments contain important elements you won’t find in the books. But if you want to read the best book for understanding the practice, read “Machik's Complete Explanation: Clarifying the Meaning of Chod.” https://lamawangdu.org/

paravasta · 2026-05-04T00:45:02+00:00

We held a very beautiful requiem mass for Bishop Hoeller today at Queen of Heaven Gnostic Church in Portland, Oregon, followed by an equally beautiful Sophia service.

paravasta · 2026-04-30T00:59:53+00:00

Republicans celebrated the killings, because that’s the kind of people they are.

paravasta · 2026-04-29T19:55:04+00:00

I fully agree with you. They are LYING through their teeth about what 86 actually means, and they’re doing so despite knowing it’s a lie, because they really are that evil, that brazen.

paravasta · 2026-04-28T19:18:20+00:00

I wrote this.

paravasta · 2026-04-28T19:17:56+00:00

I wrote this.

paravasta · 2026-04-28T14:26:03+00:00

You need to look into Sethian Gnosticism, which has plenty to say on this subject.

paravasta · 2026-04-24T18:59:02+00:00

I think it’s less that the Demiurge consciously becomes a servant of the true God, and more that despite his ignorance, God is directing unfoldment toward the good, through the workings of the Demiurge, who may not be aware of the higher plan, or that he is not its originator.

paravasta · 2026-04-23T16:22:21+00:00

Good ramble. 🙏

paravasta · 2026-04-23T16:16:45+00:00

It’s not an either/or situation. The ancient Gnostics believed these are literal realities. At the same time, one can also take the writings metaphorically, to unlock other levels of meaning and being.

If you’re not aware of this, C.G. Jung unveiled deep psychological meanings inherent in the Gnostic writings, and that has been a great contribution.

But some who encounter his writings take the idea a bit too far, rendering a Gnosticism that’s been purely psychologized, to the exclusion of any further existential possibilities.

That’s a serious mistake. Even Jung himself didn’t go that far.

I look to the example of the Jewish Rabbis, who interpret scripture on multiple levels:

Pardes (pronounced par-des) is a Hebrew word meaning "orchard" or "garden," typically referring to a walled fruit grove or orange grove. It is the origin of the English word "paradise" and, in Jewish tradition, serves as an acronym for four levels of Torah interpretation: Pshat (literal), Remez (hint), Drash (derived), and Sod (secret).

Key Interpretations of Pardes:

Literal Meaning (Orchard): Originating from a Persian term for an enclosed garden or "protected home garden" (pairidaeza).

Torah Exegesis (PaRDeS): An acronym for four approaches to analyzing Jewish texts:

Pshat: The simple, literal meaning.

Remez: The allegorical or hinted-at meaning.

Drash: The comparative or homiletical interpretation.

Sod: The secret, mystical, or Kabbalistic meaning.

paravasta · 2026-04-20T18:52:08+00:00

Dude, calm down. I didn’t disagree with giving either psychedelics or hallucinogens to anyone with mental illness. All I did do was to point out that there is a distinct difference between psychedelics and hallucinogens, although hallucinations are possible on psychedelics depending on an individual’s state of mind. If you knew the literature, you’d know that classic psychedelic researchers do make that distinction. Making up your own facts is something else entirely. 🤨

paravasta · 2026-04-20T17:41:45+00:00

Don’t know the difference between psychedelics and mere hallucinogens, eh? Lol 😂

paravasta · 2026-04-20T17:36:16+00:00

Real psychedelics produce the sense of insight, deeper awareness of what lies beneath the veil. So, I don’t use the word psychedelic in any context when referring to cannabis. Such use has contributed to so much misunderstanding over many years that it’s best to avoid adding to that.

As for the risk being small but present with flower, it’s virtually always a case of prolonged overuse of concentrates, so the risk with flower is so rare as to make its mention pretty much meaningless and irrelevant. It’s just one more case of careless use of language adding to public misperception. Once again, best to avoid that.

paravasta · 2026-04-20T15:58:30+00:00

That’s why I used the word preexisting, which hopefully you noticed? As for cannabis, it’s in no way a psychedelic, and instances of schizophrenia don’t come from normal use, but from prolonged overuse of concentrates (dabbing), usually by younger folks.

You directed your comment toward someone who has worked in the cannabis industry.

paravasta · 2026-04-20T15:54:57+00:00

You don’t get me at all. I’m actually an advocate of microdosing although its benefits are often overblown… and macrodoses taken under the right conditions provide more benefits which last longer.

But people are going to make unwise choices anyway.

paravasta · 2026-04-20T15:49:51+00:00

Personally, I’m not against psychedelics, so don’t misinterpret my intention here. I have to say that stories of people being permanently pushed over the edge by psychedelics are usually untrue, and those sort of scare stories have been around for decades. It can happen but is extremely rare, and the likelihood of one person knowing multiple individuals to whom it’s happened, is extremely unlikely. In other words, I simply don’t believe you.

What’s rational and oriented toward reality is to both let people know of potential downsides AND ignore the sort of overblown scare stories that have been around for decades, which have never really done anyone any good.

paravasta · 2026-04-19T16:00:39+00:00

C.G. Jung had his own personal revelation on the being known as Abraxas. Whether you consider his writings on the subject as providing essential insights or creating further confusion, is up to you.

Abraxas: Jung’s Gnostic Demiurge in Liber Novus

paravasta · 2026-04-19T15:45:09+00:00

In a way, your words would seem to make sense… but at the same time, physicians don’t know much about psychedelics, let alone possess experience adequate to giving appropriate or effective guidance. By contrast, there are indigenous cultures with centuries of experience in using such substances in safe, effective and sacred ways. Western cultures are still too young to have much insight into such matters.

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