In this episode of Way of the Hermit, David and Gene continue their exploration of the “Secret Gospel of John,” delving deeper into the text’s esoteric description of the evolution of consciousness.The primary story arc of this episode concerns the awakening of self-consciousness and awareness, and also the accompanying feeling of being “not whole.” The narrative follows how Sophia, representing dawning self-awareness, experiences her separation from divine unity, leading to a profound journey of anguish, realignment and restoration. In a response from heaven to Sophia’s prayers, heaven grants a vision to her son, the Demiurge, of what the “perfect man” looks like. But, this “image of god” is distorted, as it is reflected down through the worlds into manifestation, resulting in man’s plight.This portion of the narrative of the “Secret Gospel of John” can be seen as the blackening phase of the alchemical process. It is the complete descent of spirit into matter, where it is in a sense, imprisoned, and yet, it is the spark that can reignite the ascent home.David and Gene discuss the idea of building and embodying a living temple, and how the blueprint for such a construction, is an unfolding of “archetype of archetypes,” the same pattern that unfolds and becomes embodied in everything that exists.So join us, as we continue our in-depth discussion of one of the most important spiritual texts of all time - “The Secret Gospel of John.”Deep Dive:Secret Book of JohnSecret Gospel of John correspondencesChapters:01:15 Introduction02:00 Review07:33 Sophia’s Call12:16 Pleroma’s Response16:34 Creation of Man20:42 Body of Light23:32 Luminous Epinoia27:54 Light Trapped in Shadow31:17 Tree of Death35:00 ConclusionsResources:MiddleChamber.org - Symposium on Masonic EsotericaThe Nag Hammadi ScripturesThe Apocryphon of John - Frederick Wisse TranslationGnosis.org - The Gnosis ArchiveThe Red Book: A Reader's Edition by Carl Jung

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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