Preface
This is a very esoteric and dense document. If you have a casual curiosity, watch the first video for a narrator’s understanding as an overview. The second video is another narrator’s view of the work. The third video is actually an audiobook almost 10 hours long.
The introductory sections of the audiobook give a lay of the land which may be approachable. It is my recommendation that you not spend time with the actual work, either in audio form or with the full translation of 148 chapters across 6 books accessible through their links.
Although the material seems consistent with the general Gnostic cosmology, it recounts a path of gnosis likely unobtainable to many souls on this planet. and certainly not mine. It raises the question also if it is really necessary.
One of the interesting points is the preeminent role that Mary (The Gospel of Mary) plays in the discourse and of the elevated recognition that the Christ accords her.
The Presentation of Pistis Sophia
Pistis Sophia is a very long document. Because of this, I include 3 videos but not the text. The first is shorter, the second mid-length and the third a longer audiobook of the entire document with introductory information. The document was found in an 18th century codex in Egypt. It is not in the Nag Hammadi codex but is clearly Gnostic in origin.
I recommend listening to the first video and only accessing the longer videos or text for a deeper understanding
Here is the first video (17:54 minutes) which gives an overview of the document. At the 14:36 mark, the narrator gives a few short practices to start your own ascent back to your full divine nature.
The second video (37:35 minutes) is a walk through the whole document and not an overview like the first.
There is another video that may be worth considering but it discusses Pistis Sophia in the context of much other ancient knowledge. Here is a link to The Gnostic Epic of Mary Magdalene and Pistis Sophia.
Finally, here is the audiobook of the entire document (9:45:50 minutes).
Text
Below is the index to the Mead translation1.
Title Page
Contents
Preface
Introduction
Annotated BibliographyThe First Book of Pistis Sophia
The Second Book of Pistis Sophia
A Third Book
A Fourth Book
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132
Chapter 133
Chapter 134
Chapter 135A Fifth Book
Chapter 136
Chapter 137
Chapter 138
Chapter 139
Chapter 140
Chapter 141
Chapter 142
Chapter 143A Sixth Book
Chapter 144
Chapter 145
Chapter 146
Chapter 147
Chapter 148
A Later Postscript
Closing Remarks
This text seems to be a hybrid between early Gnostic doctrine and doctrine of the Christian Church. It is tedious and lacking in key components, namely the nature of all the Mysteries referenced and anything about the “expansion of the universe”.
As I listened to the ebook over several days I was aware of a lingering unease, whether with the material or other influences. On reflection I think that the work is a mythological construct to support the theology of the day.
For myself, I remain focused on the gnosis of my own continued experience with the material – in whole – that I am working with. Pistis Sophia has not added to this in any way that I can perceive.
References
- Pistis Sophia. Translated by G. R. S. Mead. The Gnostic Society Library. PDF.
Articles in This Series
Refer to the series index in Gnostic Wisdom.
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