In order to understand Gnostic thought, and effectively become a Gnostic you have to understand that you are committed to a transformation. This change is relative to knowing and applying a certain type of Wisdom gleaned from learning it from Gnostic Gospels, to develop a Gnostic mindset.
Part of this learning is to develop a sense of the underlying force in all living things, as well as all concrete matter, and this force is the Monad. The text of the "Gospel of Thomas" relates an entire philosophy, and all the elements of social and cultural Wisdom to function using that philosophy. Both the elements of the philosophy and the underlying force of Jesus as the Monad, are heurisitic devices and methods.
Heuristic: A rule or solution adopted to reduce the complexity of computational tasks, thereby reducing demands on resources such as time, memory, and attention. A heuristic device, is an abstract concept or model useful for thinking about social and physical phenomena. A heuristic method is a sometimes informal method used to help solve a problem, . It is particularly used for a method that often provides a solution, usually reasonably close to the best possible answer. (See; "The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy," Audi, Cambridge, 1999., also Wikipedia)
I think a lot about what the ancient Gnostics said about 'faith' applies to using these insights to establish the right mindset for transcendance, e.g. enlightenment. As there are no Gnostics today that can rightfully declare the Sethian lineage and "Knowledge,'' the need to look for similar devices that can shed some light on how this transformation works is needed. As the study of the Monad, and the Tai Chi involve using an almost identical philosophical tool, the cause and effect of transformation under a device's influence can be revealed. One such tool known well in karate is the eitght precepts of the 'Kenpo Gokui.'
1. A person's heart is the same as heaven and earth. 2. The blood circulating is
the same as the moon and sun. 3. The manner of drinking and spitting is either
hard or soft. 4. A person's unbalance is the same as a weight. 5. The body
should be able to change motion at any time. 6. The time to strike is when the
opportunity presents itself. 7. The eye must see every way. 8. The ear must hear
in all directions.
Karate Masters all over the world know that the above precepts apply not only to the mental, but also the physical aspects of fighting. The 'wisdom' gleaned from these eight sayings is massive, especially in regard to contemplation of them in alignment with the underlying philosophy of the Tai Chi. Their use shows that 'wisdom' encoded like the physical moves of karate, transcend through both physical and mental action. This mental action, becomes 'Action' as part of the Soul in the Gnostic transformation. The Soul in Gnostic terms is Form, Perspective, Consciousness, 'Action,' and Knowledge.
A lot of karate practitioners over the years have recognized the viability as an instrument of 'change' in the use of the "Kenpo Gokui'' in the practice and understanding of martial training. Because these tranformations are notable for this heuristic device, there is every reason to see the Gnsotic works as also viable heuristic tools.
