In this episode of Way of the Hermit, David and Gene continue their exploration of the “Secret Gospel of John,” delving deeper into the text’s esoteric description of the evolution of consciousness.The primary story arc of this episode concerns the awakening of self-consciousness and awareness, and also the accompanying feeling of being “not whole.” The narrative follows how Sophia, representing dawning self-awareness, experiences her separation from divine unity, leading to a profound journe...
In this episode, David and Gene continue their exploration of the Secret Gospel of John, delving into its complex cosmology and comparing it with Neoplatonic philosophy. They review the discussion from the previous episode that detailed the first phases the evolution of consciousness through the emanations of (1) the Monad (pure undifferentiated consciousness - will), (2) Barbelo (first reflection - thought), and (3) Christ/Autogenes (self-generated awareness - life). They draw parallels...
In this episode, David and Gene begin their exploration of "The Secret Gospel of John," also known as the "Apocryphon of John," a pivotal text in the Sethian Gnostic tradition. They discuss the text's history, its multiple versions, and its significance as a comprehensive presentation of Gnostic cosmology and theology.The discussion delves into the concept of the Monad, the ultimate unity in Gnostic thought, comparing it to similar ideas in Pythagoreanism and Kabbalah, and exploring its chara...
In this episode, David and Gene delve into the fascinating world of Gnostic Christianity, exploring its origins, philosophical concepts, and enduring influence.The episode explores the historical and philosophical landscape that gave birth to Gnostic Christianity, focusing on Alexandria's crucial role as a melting pot of Eastern and Western thought. David and Gene also discuss the significance of the Septuagint and the works of Philo of Alexandria, in bridging Jewish and Greek philosophical t...
In this episode of "Way of the Hermit," David and Gene dive down the rabbit hole, into the world of Gnosticism and its connection to Freemasonry. They explore how Gnostic teachings, once considered heretical, were driven underground and lay buried for centuries until their rediscovery in the 20th century. They discuss the core principles of Gnosticism, emphasizing its focus on direct inner knowledge of the divine (gnosis) rather than adherence to dogma or external rules.The episode traces the...
In this episode, David and Gene begin their deep dive into Gnosticism and its intimate connection to Freemasonry. They explore the key concepts that form the foundation of Gnostic thought, including the Monad, Emanations, Duality, and the pursuit of Gnosis, and discuss how these ideas are woven into the fabric of Masonic philosophy, particularly within the Scottish Rite system. The Way of the Hermit Podcast: https://www.wayofthehermit.comDavid and Gene discuss how the ancient wisdom tra...
In this episode, David and Gene delve into the world of esoteric Freemasonry with their esteemed guests, Worshipful Brother Ben Wallace and Most Worshipful Brother Shaun Bradshaw. As authors of the book "A Path to Providence", Shaun and Ben share their inspiring journey in reviving the mystery school roots of Freemasonry through the establishment of groundbreaking esoteric education programs in North Carolina. The Way of the Hermit Podcast: https://www.wayofthehermit.comFrom humble beginnings...
In this first episode of the second season of the “Way of the Hermit” podcast we are “tying up loose ends” left over from last season. In this first part of our two-part season opener, we are looking at the book “A Path to Providence: The Creation of the Middle Chamber Program.”The Way of the Hermit Podcast: https://www.wayofthehermit.comIn "A Path to Providence", authors Shaun Bradshaw and Ben Wallace address the problems within modern Freemasonry and the Scottish Rite, offering solutions to...
Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.In the podcast, the evolution of the Square and Compass, the primary symbol of the "Blue Lodge," is examined after the hosts' journey through the Scottish Rite degrees. It is now seen as a more profound representation, with the Compass over the Square symbolizing Spirit ruling over the material, and the 'G' inside representing the "Grand Architect of the Universe." The discussion a...
Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.In this episode, the intricate details of the Degree Ritual and its profound symbolism are explored, shedding light on the culmination of Masonic teachings. The ritual, set against the backdrop of the Vernal Equinox, serves as a symbolic journey through the Scottish Rite degrees, leading to the understanding of the Royal Secret and the Holy Doctrine.The Encampment, a central symbol...
Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.In the heart of the episode, the mythological setting of the Egyptian "Hall of Judgment" from the Book of the Dead is explored, serving as the backdrop for the degree ritual. This setting is not just a mere stage but a profound allegory for the final judgment, a theme resonant across many world religions but here, uniquely intertwined with ancient Egyptian mythology.The ritual itse...
Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.In the episode, the historical context of the Knights Templar's fall and the execution of their Grandmaster, Jacques de Molay, is examined, revealing the financial might that led to their downfall by King Philip IV of France and Pope Clement V. The degree ritual is described as a symbolic journey through four apartments representing Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, where initiates conf...
Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.In this episode, the rich symbolism and rituals of the "Scottish Knight of Saint Andrew" degree in Freemasonry are explored in depth. The Saint Andrew’s Cross, an equal-armed x-shaped cross, is identified as the main symbol of the degree, with its presence in the ritual space and on the regalia of the officers, who are dressed as Knights. The cross is adorned with the Tetragrammato...
Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.In the episode, the exploration of light and darkness as primary metaphors in "The Mysteries" is revisited, with a deep dive into the symbolic significance of these elements across various religious and mythological contexts. The unity underlying apparent dualities is emphasized, alongside the quest for higher conceptions of God. The discussion transitions into the exploration of t...
Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.In the episode, the depth and complexity of the 28th Degree - Knight of the Sun are explored, revealing its position as a distillation of the entire Scottish Rite system. The discussion begins with Albert Pike's Christian interpretation of the Blue Lodge Degrees, which symbolizes the human condition of blindness and the journey towards enlightenment through Masonic initiation. The ...
Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.In the episode, a comprehensive examination of the "Knight of the Sun" degree's Ritual, both in its original and revised forms, is undertaken, revealing significant philosophical and symbolic depth. The revised Ritual, simplified for modern practice, is described as featuring two presiding officers and a choir of angels representing the planets, focusing on teaching through symboli...
Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.In the episode, the intricate rituals and profound symbolism of the "Knight Commander of the Temple" degree are explored, revealing a ceremony steeped in historical reverence and moral testing. The degree, originating from the siege of St. Jean d'Acre, is depicted as a transformative journey where candidates undergo a rigorous process of self-examination, confession, and amends-mak...
Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.In the exploration of the third and final Degree dedicated to the Greater Mysteries, a profound journey through the symbolism and progression of the Mystery Degrees is undertaken. The discussion delves into the intricate teachings and secrets reserved for the final degree, where the grand mysteries of the Christian religion, such as the incarnation, nativity, passion, and resurrect...
Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.This episode marks a significant shift from the previous degree's focus on Jewish Mysteries, in that it delves into the teachings and traditions of Islamic mysticism, emphasizing the importance of inward purification and personal sacrifice to establish a covenant with God. The ritual underscores the challenge of genuine transformation and self-assessment, illustrating the difficult...
Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.This degree is associated with the Greater Mysteries, following the "Chief of the Tabernacle" degree, and its timing is linked to the Jewish festival of Sukkot, also known as the "Feast of Tabernacles."David and Gene discuss the ritualistic aspects of the degree, and the symbolic items used such as the Lamp of Trismegistus, the Cloak of Apollonius, and the Staff of the Patriarchs. ...