Gnosticism often emerges within mainstream religious communities.
It sees a matter and the body
as either impediment or something to be controlled and disciplined
in the name of spiritual development, toward becoming
a New Man or Super Man or whatever term is favored.
Western Gnosticism claimed Pythagoras as a precursor.
Pythagoras taught a theory of reincarnation.
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When Europeans gained exposure to Hindu doctrines, some of the
modern gnostic systems incorporated Hindu concepts of reincarnation.
karma, etc.
Gnostic systems posit levels of development, often seven levels.
Plato, in his Timeaus dialogue, created a cosmos myth that influenced
neoplatonism and many gnostic systems. Plato began
with the 7 known planets of the time.
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http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/595950/Timaeus
soul theory
mystery religion: Platonists
In the Timaeus, which is an exposition of his theory of the universe, Plato also developed his theory of the soul. The earth is surrounded by the spheres of the seven planets; the eighth sphere is that of the fixed stars. Beyond the eighth sphere is the realm of the divine.
Late Antique Neoplatonism (1st to 4th Century C.E)
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Islamic scholars, including many Sufis obtained knowledge of
Greek philosophy filtered through neoplatonic texts
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Gnosticism -- Seven levels
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SAW -Seven Levels
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You can see how gnostic systems tend to be so very similar. Laughably
the teacher in each system claims its uniqueness!
In modern times (late 19th Century) Helena Blavatsky, with her
editorial assistants, produced books which co mingled
old neoplatonic and gnostic Western occult systems alongside
what was then known of Buddhism and Hinduism, creating Blavatsky's
sytem, Theosophy.
Mass printing and affordable editions spread this material far and
wide, influencing even India.
Blavatsky
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Gurdjieff
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Alice Bailey
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Rudolf Steiner/Anthroposophy -- the Waldorf Schools-Biodynamics
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This leveled system means a teacher necessary for one's progress. (preferably a teacher who has attained 7th or 6th level)
There is no objective way to prove or disprove the teacher's claim
to be thus realized. You are stuck taking someone's word for it.
And, as you are at an inferior level, you of course have no
right to express or feel doubt about the teacher, as you
lack the insight to critique so exalted a being.
Yet another source of worry is that the unquestionable teacher
can claim you have lost progress, or boot you from the group.
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/16/2015 12:01AM by corboy.