S2E11: The Gospel of Thomas - Part 2

In this episode, David and Gene continue their exploration of the Gospel of Thomas, examining sayings 24-46 of this enigmatic Gnostic text. Building on their previous discussion, they delve deeper into the three-world Gnostic cosmology: the unity of the spiritual Pleroma, the duality of the realm of Soul/Mind (Heaven), and the unity in multiplicity of the physical world (Earth).

They begin by discussing a listener comment about "combining all religions," noting that spiritual unity might indeed be the ultimate goal, as suggested in Ephesians 4:13, where the original Greek terms "Gnosis" (knowledge) and "Pleroma" (fullness) reveal deeper meaning about attaining wholeness through divine knowledge.

This section of the Gospel contains powerful teachings about spiritual discernment and self-mastery:

• Sayings 24-26 emphasize finding inner light rather than seeking externally, loving others as manifestations of the divine, and addressing one's own spiritual blindness before criticizing others.
• Sayings 27-29 contrast spiritual awareness with material distraction, describing humanity as "drunk" with worldly concerns rather than "thirsty" for self-knowledge, while marveling at how consciousness (great wealth) resides within physical form (poverty).
• Sayings 30-32 outline the three stages of Gnostic initiation and the importance of consistent spiritual practice in establishing one's character as "a city on a high mountain."
• Sayings 33-35 explore spiritual discernment, warning against following blind guides while encouraging the sharing of inner wisdom.
• Sayings 36-41 address detachment from material concerns, the suppression of symbolic readings of sacred texts, and the principle that spiritual understanding multiplies when cultivated.
• Sayings 42-44 discuss becoming "passers-by" (detached observers), judging teachers by their fruits, and the consequences of acting against one's own experience of truth.
• Sayings 45-46 conclude with teachings on cultivating positive thoughts and transcending the ego, with John the Baptist representing the consciousness that can see Gnosis as the goal but requires the "final stroke" of ego death to achieve it.

Throughout their analysis, David and Gene reveal how these ancient sayings speak to the modern seeker's journey toward self-realization, offering insights into overcoming material attachments, developing spiritual discernment, and achieving wholeness by overcoming the delusion of the false self.

Deep Dive:

• The Gospel of Thomas

Chapters:

• 01:15 Introduction
• 03:41 Review
• 04:57 Sayings 24-26
• 08:01 Sayings 27-29
• 11:32 Sayings 30-32
• 14:38 Sayings 33-35
• 17:43 Sayings 36-38
• 19:51 Sayings 39-41
• 22:42 Sayings 42-44
• 25:16 Sayings 45-46
• 28:26 Conclusions

Resources:

• The Gospel of Thomas (history and various translations - Gnosis.org)
• Gospel of Thomas (Patterson and Robinson translation)
• Gnosis.org - The Gnosis Archive
• The Nag Hammadi Scriptures
• The Red Book: A Reader's Edition by Carl Jung
• Jesus and the Lost Goddess: The Secret Teachings of the Original Christians by Freke and Gandy