Belief and faith and Pistis

[Guest guest]

Shriman Ananda-ji :

 

I have never seen even a linguist explain the etymology of 'words' in

this exemplary manner . You are indeed right ! The word 'shraddha' is

not not just a synonym for 'faith', 'trust' or belief. It is these

and much more. Shraddha also implies 'commitment', 'dedication',

and 'practice' .

 

I am equally delighted to read the entire post regarding different

terms specially the greek word 'Pistis'

 

but please allow me to ask you this - is 'pistis (faith) always used

in conjunction with 'sophia '( wisdom) . ?

 

I read :

 

"The important Gnostic text, the Pistis Sophia, in five copies, which

scholars date c. 250–300 AD, relates the Gnostic teachings of the

transfigured Jesus to the apostles assembled (including Mary

Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Martha), when the risen

Christ had accomplished eleven years speaking with his disciples.

 

The title Pistis Sophia is obscure, and is sometimes translated Faith

wisdom or Wisdom in faith or Faith in wisdom. A more accurate

translation taking into account its gnostic context, is the faith of

Sophia, as Sophia to the gnostics was a divine syzygy of Christ,

rather than simply a word meaing wisdom. In an earlier, simpler

version of a Sophia, in the Berlin Codex and also found in a papyrus

at Nag Hammadi, the transfigured Christ explains Pistis in a rather

obscure manner:

 

Again, his disciples said: Tell us clearly how they came down from

the invisibilities, from the immortal to the world that dies?

The perfect Saviour said: Son of Man consented with Sophia, his

consort, and revealed a great androgynous light. Its male name is

designated 'Saviour, begetter of all things'. Its female name is

designated 'All-begettress Sophia'. Some call her 'Pistis'. "

 

The reason i ask you this is - Sophia is also referred to as the

equivalent of the 'kundalini' force of shakta texts.

 

i Just happened to read this soulful poem ' 'Thundermind Perfect

Mind' (a poem that can be found in the Nag Hammadi Library).

 

AND A FEW LINES FROM THIS POEM

 

" I am the substance and the one who has no substance.

Those who are without association with me are ignorant of me,

and those who are in my substance are the ones who know me.

Those who are close to me have been ignorant of me,

and those who are far away from me are the ones who have known me.

On the day when I am close to you, you are far away from me,

and on the day when I am far away from you, I am close to you. "

 

http://www.bluehoney.org/Thundermind.htm

 

This message is for chitta - Chitta, there is a wonderful article

on 'vedanta and kundalini' - please read it and let me know what you

think

 

http://www.shiningworld.com/Home Page Links/Kundalini and vedanta.htm

 

Chiita- you are also right about your explanation of the knot of

Brahma . and it is devi Lalithambika who removes these knots - that

is why she is called 'brahmagranthivibedhini' - These knots are

present in the muladhara and swadisthana chakras and are the lower

chakras that are associated with sensuality.

 

Ananda-ji, forgive me for this transgression- I am also interested in

the 'divine feminine' - hence these questions.

 

Btw, Anandaji - CERTAIN WORDS IN SANSKRIT ARE OF FEMININE GENDER -

SUCH AS BUDDHI , SHRADDHA , ATMA - i believe the greek word 'pistis

is also of a feminine gender . so is 'sophia' ! Does this mean only

women ae wise and trustworthy? Smile :-) not really !!!!!!

 

Thank you

 

ps - moderators , forgive me ! i just could not help responding .

That was such a 'wonderful' post from Anandaji.

 

 

advaitin, Ananda Wood <awood@v...> wrote:

>

> Dear Michael, Shri Chittaranjan, Shri Madathil and Shri

> Dhyanasaraswati,

>

> Thank you for your thought-provoking remarks on European and Greek

> notions of belief and faith.

>