The Gnosis Archive, www.gnosis.org, offers a vast collection of primary texts and resources relating to Gnosticism and the Gnostic Tradition, both ancient and modern.
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THE GNOSIS ARCHIVE
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Meditations
Take a moment to reflect on a brief meditation and reading from the Gnostic scriptures, selected from this week's Gnostic liturgy. Meditate upon the feminine aspect of divinity with meditation and readings from this month's Sophia liturgy. Now available on audio as the GnosCast-Meditations podcast via iTunes or RSS
The Gnostic Society Library
Visit the Gnostic Society Library, a comprehensive library of Gnostic scriptures -- including the Nag Hammadi Library -- as well as a large selection of writings and documents relating to the study of Gnosticism. For over a decade, the Gnostic Society Library has been the principal internet resource on Gnostic tradition. Also check the Gnostic Society Bookstore featuring the best current works on Gnosis and Gnosticism.
New in the Library - The Secret Book of John: Among the several dozen ancient Gnostic manuscripts rediscovered in modern times, the Secret Book of John (also known as the Apocryphon of John) is widely considered to be the most important. It is the preeminent “Gnostic Gospel”, a sacred reservoir for the defining essence of Gnostic myth and revelation. Recognizing the importance of this text, we have now added a large section to the Library dedicated to the Secret Book of John -- included in collection you will find introductory materials and several translations of the Secret Book of John, including Prof. Stevan Davies' excellent new "reader's edition". If you are interested in reading a "Gnostic Gospel", this is a good place to start.
We have also recently added a huge digital collection of the works of G. R. S. Mead. Mead was perhaps the most important early scholar of Gnosticism and his writings remain an invaluable resource. This collection contains twelve volumes of Mead's works, several essays from The Theosophical Review, and a bookstore offering of Mead's works in print.
New in the Bookstore
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures, edited by Marvin Meyer, introduction by Elaine Pagels The epochal new translation of the entire Nag Hammadi library has finally arrived! Dr. Marvin Meyer has done a masterful job in producing a volume that will serve for many decades as the standard source. Scholarly understanding of the Gnostic texts found at Nag Hammadi has vastly matured since their original publication as the Nag Hammadi Library in 1977. This new edition fully reflects that refinement in "the scholarly ear" for both the forgotten ancient tongue and the spiritual tradition preserved in the Gnostic Coptic texts. In every possible way, publication of The Nag Hammadi Scriptures represents a milestone in modern understanding of Gnostic tradition. Elaine Pagels, the author and professor who introduced a generation of readers to the Gnostic Gospels, appropriately pens the introduction to this landmark edition. Every student of Gnosticism will want to own this book, but before jumping into the big volume, we still highly recommend a study of some of the briefer introductory readings listed in the Bookstore.
The Gnostic Gospels of Jesus, edited by Marvin Meyer, is our top recommendation for readers beginning their exploration of the Gnostic scriptures. Over the last three decades Prof. Meyer has distinguished himself as a singularly talented translator and commentator on Gnostic traditions. In this new collection -- the best of several that he has now published -- Meyer presents twelve key Gnostic "gospels" in succinct, accurate and highly readable new translations. The book's subtitle claims it to be: "The definitive collection of mystical gospels and secret books about Jesus of Nazareth". Though perhaps not "definitive", we agree this is the best introductory collection available.
Meyer states his goal in these translations is to be "as accurate as possible" while still presenting the texts in "felicitous English." At this he succeeds beautifully. Readers who have labored with the sometimes tortured translations and editorial conventions presented in the original editions of the Nag Hammadi Library published thirty years ago will be amazed at the graceful intelligibility of Meyer's translations. Meyer adds to the collection an overview of our evolving understanding of Christian Gnosticism, and prefaces each of the selected text with an excellent introductory essay.
There has long been need for a comprehensive introductory guide to Gnostic tradition. We are happy to announce the arrival of just such a book: Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing by Stephan A. Hoeller, published by Quest Books. Visit the Gnostic Society Bookstore for more information.Also Featured:
Reading Judas: The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity by Elaine Pagels and Karen L. King Under management of the National Geographic Society, the discovery and publication of The Gospel of Judas received a great deal of publicity. Putting aside the sometimes over-bearing "hype", this is indeed an important addition to our library of early Gnostic Christian texts. Elaine Pagels and Karen King, two of the foremost scholars of Gnostic literature, have now "jumped on the bandwagon" and here offer their own very insightful introduction to the Gospel of Judas, placing the text firmly in the context of early Christianity. If you have read any of Pagels' other works you will immediately recognize the lucid and informative style of this short little book. Visit the Gnostic Society Bookstore for more information and our review.
Listen to an audio interview with Dr Pagels and Dr. King hosted by NPR's Terry Gross.
The Gospel of Mary Magdalene is one the most surprising and delightful of the rediscovered Gnostic texts. This excellent new print edition of the Gospel of Mary of Magdala by the widely respected scholar Karen King is the best authorative edition available. It incorporates translations of the Coptic Gospel of Mary found in 1896 in Cairo, along with the two small Greek fragments of the text found at Oxyrhynchus. Included is a superb introduction along with extensive commentary on the text and its implications for modern understandings of early Christianity. Highly Recommended. Visit the Gnostic Society Bookstore for more information.
Wisdom of the Gnostics - An Introduction to Gnosticism. A ten lecture audio course (nine hours of listening) by Dr. Stephan Hoeller is now available in the Bookstore and from the BC Recordings online store for purchase or immediate download. This is the quintessential introduction to Gnostics, Gnosis and Gnosticism. Included here are introductory lectures on the nature of Gnosticism and discussions of central Gnostic scriptures, including the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Philip. Mary Madgalene, the Prophet Mani, the medieval Cathar Gnostic renaissance, and the Templar myth are all covered in this superb course.
The 2008 Gnostic Calendar by Rev. Troy Pierce. It's back! The third year of the first Calendar specifically for Gnostics! The Gnostic Calendar features the Liturgical Calendar of the Ecclesia Gnostica: the Sundays and Holy days/holidays of the year; with the liturgical color of the day in the upper right hand corner. It includes many additional dates of interest, quotes, and original art. This year's themes include a series on the Hermetic tradition, Esclarmonde d'Foix, Ascension, Transcendence, the Path of Gnosis, and more. New this Year: High quality art prints from this and previous calendars are available. Order while available
What is Gnosticism?
Many visitors to the Archive have requested some basic introductory material explaining Gnosticism. To meet this need we offer these "places to start": two short articles, The Gnostic World View: A Brief Summary of Gnosticism and What is a Gnostic?; and two audio lecture on Gnosticism and its Legacy and the Gnostic concept of Christ: The Misunderstood Redeemer. For more in-depth reading suggestions visit the Gnostic Society Bookstore -- you will find offered there a selection of the best introductory and advanced books on Gnosticism, along with brief reviews of recommended books. And of course just "surfing" The Gnosis Archive will lead to a wealth of information. Blessings on your journey!
The Gnostic Viewpoint: Essays on Contemporary Gnosticism
The Gnostic Viewpoint section offers a series of short articles examining Gnosis from a modern perspective selected from past volumes of Gnosis: A Journal of Western Inner Experience. These essays offer an excellent introduction to the wide scope of modern Gnostic interests. A sample of some of the titles: Valentinus: A Gnostic for All Seasons -- What is a Gnostic? -- The Gnosis of the Eucharist -- Hermes and Hermeticism Throughout the Ages -- and many others.
Genesis and Gnosis
The popular PBS television special "Genesis: A Living Conversation", hosted by Bill Moyers, directed wide attention to the many interpretations of the Book of Genesis. One of the vital readings of Genesis -- the Gnostic reading -- was, however, completely ignored. Explore this balancing perspective in The Genesis Factor, an essay by Dr. Stephan Hoeller.
Lectures from the Gnostic Society
For twenty-five years Bryan Campbell (a professional Hollywood recording engineer) has been archiving recordings of Dr. Hoeller's weekly lectures. A huge selection from this collection is now available by for immediate online download and for shipping in CD albums. Visit our Web Lecture page for more information.
Current free Web Lectures (available at BC Recordings):
Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing
Dr. Hoeller introduces the subject of his latest book of the same title. An excellent brief introduction to the Gnostic Tradition. (This lecture introduces not only our 10-lecture album "The Wisdom of the Gnostics", but all of our recordings on Gnosticism by Stephan A. Hoeller) Running Time 47:25.
The Greatest Treasures of Nag Hammadi
"Thomas and Philip: Gospels of the Gnostic Christ" is a free, full-length presentation introducing the ten part set of lectures on the most popular and valued writings from the Nag Hammadi Library, the Gnostic writings found in Egypt in 1945.
Running Time 79:52.
An Introduction to The Gospel of Judas
Dr. Hoeller regards "The Gospel of Judas" as an important and very Gnostic document, and gives his preliminary evaluation in this brief talk. A series in four parts on the "Gospel of Judas" was delivered Summer 2006, and is available in disk and in download formats.Running Time 39:11
Altered States Ancient and Modern
Aids to consciousness have so much history it takes 13 titles in this set to cover this controversial subject. This brief lecture lays a foundation for a Gnostic understanding of this topic. Running Time 53:01.
Tolkien and "The Lord of the Rings"
Gnosis and Creativity merged in this great work by J.R.R. Tolkien. A 7 part set on it is introduced by this brief presentation.
Running Time 74:04.The Battle about God: Where do Gnostics stand?
Christopher Hitchens' "God is Not Great" and Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion", Mother Theresa's Doubts and the timeless Gnostic answers to the issues they raise in this full-length presentation. Running time 80:08.We also offer this special lecture series presented Dr. Lance Owens:
C. G. Jung: Portrait of a Twentieth-Century Wizard. Dr. Lance Owens (from the Wasatch Gnostic Society in Salt Lake City) explores the Archetype of the Wizard in this the first of four retrospectives on the life work of C. G. Jung. Go the the Wasatch Gnostic Society page for more information on this series. These lectures are available in both RealPlayer and MP3 format.
The Gnosis Archive Index
You can search the entire Gnosis Archive for keywords and subjects using our index. A search function specifically for the Nag Hammadi Library is also available.
Gnostic Studies on the Web
This section contains a wide selection of current Sites and Documents dealing with Gnosticism, ancient and modern, available on the Web.
Ecclesia Gnostica
A selection of thoughts and writings from the Ecclesia Gnostica, as well as a schedule of services for the parishes in Los Angeles, Portland and Salt Lake City.
The Gnostic Society
The Gnosis Archive is maintained in association with The Gnostic Society. Visit for more information, including the current "Friday Lecture Series" schedule.
There is now also a Gnostic Society branch in Seattle, Portland and in Salt Lake City! Visit The Gnostic Society of Seattle, The Portland Gnostic Society, or The Wasatch Gnostic Society (in SLC) for information on their upcoming local events. If you are in Europe, you may wish to contact the Oslo Gnostic Center about current activities.
The Studio
The Studio offers an evolving "online gallery" for art and Gnosis. Our current show in The Studio presents a series of pencil, pen, and watercolor images evoked by personal dreams and visions: Images by Jacquelyn Owens.
If you have a completed show that you would like to submit for consideration, please contact .