I have a friend who is dear to me, who has deep interest in the Gnostic teachings. I am seeking guidance how to encourage them.
We always end up having deep discussions in regards to religion, spirituality, and the themes discussed here in Gnostic teachings. I can see they are yearning for more they keep bringing it up. But I find myself unable to think of how to approach introducing them to Gnostic teachings because my personality is in the way.
In my past I came to Gnosis from a very empirical, atheistic, Buddhist perspective. I had no use for Christianity and no respect for it (and no understanding of it's depths) I only see the dogma, mental illusions, bondage and restrictions they live in,. That by merely "believing" or "accepting jesus" is enough and all they need. Which is the culture my friend is submersed, and raised in.
My introduction to Gnosis was through testing, reflection, experimenting, and tasting the truth of the practices. It has taken me a long time to get to the point where concepts like the divine mother, divinity, and "god" could be accepted, and only through direct experience that I grew a reverence to the divine.
Their path, coming from Christianity, into Gnosis. Is so different than the atheist way I have came from, that I don't know how to use the bible to encourage their interests, and inspire them to look deeper. My study of the bible is minimal. I am practice driven, as opposed to scripture driven, or "belief" driven.
In our conversations, whenever I try to approach, understanding the meaning of dreams, meditation, astral projection., Often can easily hit a wall of "sounds like spiritism, witchcraft, mediums"
(I linked an article called "bible verses about witchcraft" below that shows their communities approach to restricting and oppressing each-other, by using those bible quotes out of context.)
I looked, and could not find any suitable audio lecture series within your website, that would appeal to their specific Christian upbringing..Some of it is either way too deep,. too "esoteric and spiritism" based. What other resources do you have in regards to the study of Gnosis, through Jesus? The path of the bodhisattva, although really powerful, is too deep for them to step into.. I need something very light, and introductory for them so slowly ease themselves in,.
Can you assist me with resources or bible passages and quotes that would help someone step past a very oppressive family upbringing of dogmas?
Any materials that they can explore, of their own free will, according to their own curiosities, i wish not to reach into a persons life with my personal delusions that I know whats best for them. So this advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.