Gnostic Book Review: The Nag Hammadi Scriptures

Gnostic Book Review: The Nag Hammadi Scriptures

SantMat_Mystic_(James)
http://profiles.yahoo.com/santmat_mystic

 

The Nag Hammadi Scriptures, edited by Marvin Meyer, introduction by Elaine Pagels

The epochal new translation of the entire Nag Hammadi library has finally arrived! Dr. Marvin Meyer has done a masterful job in producing a volume that will serve for many decades as the standard source. Scholarly understanding of the Gnostic texts found at Nag Hammadi has vastly matured since their original publication as the Nag Hammadi Library in 1977. This new edition fully reflects that refinement in "the scholarly ear" for both the forgotten ancient tongue and the spiritual tradition preserved in the Gnostic Coptic texts. In every possible way, publication of The Nag Hammadi Scriptures represents a milestone in modern understanding of Gnostic tradition. Elaine Pagels, the author and professor who introduced a generation of readers to the Gnostic Gospels, appropriately pens the introduction to this landmark edition. Every student of Gnosticism will want to own this book.....

The review above is from Gnosis.org
http://www.gnosis.org/welcome.html

I am impressed with this new, most complete ever, translation of the Nag Hammadi Library. In addition to the Gnostic Gospels from Nag Hammadi, Egypt, are translations of the Gospel of Mary Magdalene along with the Greek Gospel of Mary from the Berlin Gnostic Codex, as well as the recently discovered Codex Tchacos, containing the Gospel of Judas and the Book of Allogenes ("Book of the Stranger"). Also provided is valuable background information on each of the texts and those who composed them in antiquity. There are in all 49 Gnostic Gospels found in this collection: The Nag Hammadi Scriptures -- The International Edition, Edited by Marvin Meyer, Introduction by Elaine Pagels, published by HarperSanFrancisco.

Namaste',

James Bean

Why Meditate? -- Buddha, Sant Kirpal Singh

Why Meditate? -- Buddha, Sant Kirpal Singh

Be Still and Know God is God. (Psalm 46:10)

"Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom."

-- Buddha

And The Silence Speaks Volumes

There is a cardinal need for developing inner receptivity. The Master-Power, as you all know, is not confined to any particular place. It is working in and around you. You have but to turn your face towards Him inwardly to get the required help and guidance wherever necessary. Learn to sit still and be mentally still, and the silence thus generated with be more vocal than words spoken and written; and you will have an instantaneous solution not only to your own personal problems but to the problems of others as well.

Other passages on silence and inner guidance

Be grateful to the Maker who gave you this human birth, wherein you can realize Him. It is thy turn to meet Him, through the silence of the heart - through rising above all faculties.

God is the Ocean of utmost and restful silence. So long as we cannot have this restful silence within us, the soul cannot listen to the Voice of silence arising out of the greatest depths of Silence. By following that Voice we can reach the source and fountainhead of the Great Silence called God and be blessed forever.

In silence the heart illumines; veil after veil is removed. In the heart shines the Light, and the very silence becomes vocal giving vent to the Music of the Spheres reverberating in all creation.

The human body is the temple of God.
He is waiting there for you.
That is why I ask you to look within,
with a longing in your heart
and silence in your soul.
God will reveal himself to you.
You will find him - no, see him.

-- Kirpal Singh, The Way of the Saints, Sant Bani Books, New Hampshire