Living Gnosticism: Question 1

From Fr. Jordan Stratford's blog: Living Gnosticism: 20 Questions

1. What’s the difference between gnosis and Gnosticism?

A. Gnosis is a realization of awareness; an understanding of reality. Gnosticism is the approach to life with the understanding of Gnosis.


Gnosis, in its original Greek form, is "experiential knowledge." The Greeks, when using this word, often used it in reference to "knowledge of the Divine." While I don't actually believe this is a great definition, it is a fair one. In fact, Gnosis is a "knowledge" with "Divine" intuitions. But I would rather use the word "awareness." After all, gnosis is not a knowledge that you seek outside of yourself, such as "intellectual knowledge." You can't read about gnosis and suddenly understand what it is. There is no school that helps confer this special "experiential" knowledge unto you.

It's like reading a book about brain surgery. Read all you like, take as many tests as you like, but you will never be able to perform brain surgery unless you have the adequate knowledge - that is, experience. So with this understanding of gnosis, I bring you to this definition: Gnosis is awareness of the self within reality and the relation of the self with the rest of reality.

That being said, Gnosticism and Gnosis are two different animals.

If a Buddhist practices Buddhism, does it automatically make him/her enlightened? Does it necessarily mean that they even understand what enlightenment is? No. But it is an active approach to enlightenment. The same principle is true of Gnosticism.

Gnosticism is (1) an active approach to gnosis, and (2) a view, interpretation, and overall effect on life through the experience(s) of gnosis. One does not necessarily have to HAVE gnosis in order to practice Gnosticism, which is seemingly a common misinterpretation from people both inside and outside of Gnosticism, and even some clergy members. The idea that you can't practice Gnosticism without having gnosis is just unfounded, and in my opinion completely defeats the purpose behind a Gnostic movement.

Gnosticism is a practice, through which is helpful for realization but not totally necessary for the experience of gnosis. One can realize gnosis, and never actually practice Gnosticism. However, Gnosticism is practiced mainly and chiefly through the quest for and the experience of Gnosis.