The Tao of Gnosticism: Part one

Whilst reading a variety of materials on Gnosticism, I've noticed quite a few parallels and similarities with Taoism that I think are interesting. Let's start from the beginning. In Taoist thought, the beginning is described nicely in Lao Tze's Tao Teh Ching. The opening lines of the Tao Teh Ching read:

"The way that can be spoken is not the real Way
The name that can be named is not the real Name."

Later on in the Tao Teh Ching, we are told:

"Tao gave birth to the One;
The One gave birth to two things,
Then to three things, then to ten thousand."

Tao is the power that creates everything. All phenomena in the universe originate from Tao. Tao does not show itself, yet is present in everything. Any attempt to name or describe Tao is futile as Tao is beyond any language, beyond any rational understanding and only the highest Taoist adepts may gain insights into its ways. According to Gnostic thought, in the beginning, there is only the Pleroma; the "empty fullness." Gnostic's regard this as close as can be to God, however it does not possess any human traits as such, and is very similar in concept to the idea of the Tao. The Pleroma is the Primal Source. In Taoism, Tao gave birth to One, which is know as the Supreme Ultimate Source: Tai Chi.

So now we have the Pleroma and the One, both unchanging and fundamental. The next series of events according to Gnosticism are summed up nicely by Gnosticism 101, a post on EGiNA:

"At some point, the Pleroma conceives of the "something" as opposed to "nothing". There is a sudden and significant division between these two poles, a fundamental one and zero. As yin and yang, positive and negative, male and female - all Diads are a reflection of these two "magnetic poles of God". These two poles, yearning for the unity of the pre-existing Pleroma, again come together. The result of that union is a daughter, Sophia ("Wisdom"). Sophia is as close as a Gnostic comes to ascribing a human personality to God."

In Taoism, the Supreme Ultimate Source goes through a very similar process to the Pleroma. Tai Chi was split into two (allegedly by the Big Bang), and Yin and Yang emerged. These poles form a fundamental element in both religions, but more so in Taoism I think. It is also clear from this comparison that both Taoism and Gnosticism agree on the importance of the feminine element in the Creation and in everything that emanated from it. In Taoism the feminine element is of course Yin, which stands for women, water, earth, softness and many other things. In Gnosticism, from the "something" conceived in the Pleroma, emerges Sophia. The next series of events differ on many details in the two pools of thought, but there are similarities in the way that the origin creates one, which creates two, and so on. In Taoism this is the One giving birth to Yin/Yang, which in turn gives birth to the Three Treasures and so on. In Gnosticism, the transcendent God, Pleroma, gives birth to a number of principles, known as Aeons. The Aeons in turn created everything else.

The next main similarity, which is what I believe draws me to both philosophies, is the idea of the divine spark or supreme state of being. Both religions believe in the spark, the knowledge within man. Taoist's do not speak of a God, but of a supreme state of being. This state is locked within every human being and can be unlocked with a great deal of personal dedication and discipline. Taoist's achieve this by cultivating and practicing the way of the Tao; essentially living with the Tao, with nature. Gnostic thought says that once Sophia discovers the agenda of the archons, and their chief, the Demiurge, she sneaks through the Archon control of this planet and plants a divine spark, a part of God so to speak, in everyone and everything. Gnostics seek to cultivate this spark through gnosis (special knowledge), and thus escape the evil Demiurge and his agents. This is a key element in both religions, mans inner potential, and it's what I love about them. The reasons for the existence and cultivation of the spark/state may be different, but they both understand the importance of self-realisation. These ideas are summed up in a great quote by Hermes Trismegistos:

"He who knows himself, knows the All."

Both religions emphasise that this realisation can only be achieved by the self. No-one can help you unlock the potential within yourself. Gnostics use gnosis, special knowledge, to open the gates to their divine spark. Gnosis is knowledge gained from personal experience, and hence one cannot "teach" gnosis. Taoist's also achieve a special knowledge, through different means, but essentially consisting of self realisation; the understanding of the Self.

That's all for now. I may continue this discussion in another post.