Gnostic Philosophy: From Ancient Persia to Modern Times

Unlike the previous reviewer, I read every word of this book. First, it is not about some slightly interesting "idea" circulating in the development of Christianity. It's about gnosis which is the full realization of being. It's about the ancient and eternal quest for the Meaning of Existence. It's the history of a philosophical search based on the illusion of separation from source that's become entangled over the long years in complex literalism. And it's made thrillingly clear to a careful reader because it's well understood by its own writer. This one will always have space on my bookshelves, shelves that get smaller as the years pass rather than larger. I seem to be getting very picky as I go along.

I haven't read all of this, but i've set it down for a couple months, sooo... before i forget, and maybe never pick it back up again.. Does that say anything?..I don't know really it is a good book. The thread that holds this book together is the idea of a gnostic philosophy that winds it's way through history, from jewish/greek sources, to what we would think of as proper gnostics or christian era gnostics, to troubadors, freemasons, to Aleister Crowley. I don't know how well he proves his thesis, but it looked plausible to me. I was interested in the Greek/jewish/christian era gnostics at the time and that's what i read it for. He dealt with those era's very well. Interesting insight that seemed to develope a believable chronolgy or show more flow of a diverse and complex idea through the christian era. show less

Subtle masonic references. Read this while going through Blue Lodge degrees and found it very enlightening. Also enjoyed chapter on Crowley although it rubbed out many of the ugly spots others leave on. Did not read chapter on Troubadours but they are set up and can be read independently of each other.