THE HERMETICA The Lost Wisdom of the Pharaohs - AUDIOBOOK || Timothy Freke & Peter Gandy

JB Sparks・2 minutes read

The Hermetica presents teachings of Hermes, emphasizing deep contemplation, prophesying the loss of pure philosophy, and guiding spiritual seekers to attain true knowledge through meditation on the one god, Atom. It discusses human nature, the cosmos, destiny, knowledge of God, spiritual rebirth, and the power of music towards enlightenment, culminating in a prayer to Adam for the gifts of mind, speech, and knowledge.

Insights

  • Thoth, an ancient Egyptian sage, revealed knowledge on various subjects like astronomy, architecture, and medicine, revered for his wisdom and credited with various inventions and teachings.
  • The Hermetica presents teachings by Hermes emphasizing the power of the mind and contemplation, foreseeing a time when spirituality may be dismissed as superstition.
  • Humanity's involvement is crucial for the completion of the universe, with arts, sciences, and spiritual rebirth essential for communion with God and the attainment of enlightenment.

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  • Who is Thoth and what is he known for?

    Thoth is an ancient Egyptian sage credited with various inventions and teachings, revered for his wisdom.

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Summary

00:00

Wisdom of Thoth: Hermetica Revealed

  • The Hermetica is a collection of writings attributed to Thoth, an ancient Egyptian sage, revered for his wisdom and credited with various inventions and teachings.
  • Thoth was venerated in Egypt from at least 3000 BCE and was believed to have revealed knowledge on various subjects like astronomy, architecture, and medicine.
  • The Greeks associated Thoth with their god Hermes, giving him the title Tris Magistas, meaning thrice great, to honor his wisdom.
  • The Hermetica presents teachings in dialogues between teacher and pupil, but this version opts for a monologue by Hermes to the reader.
  • The text uses the term "atom" as an ancient Egyptian name for the supreme one god, avoiding the term "god" to allow readers to form their own understanding.
  • The authors aimed to distill Hermes' teachings for modern spiritual seekers, emphasizing the power of the mind and contemplation.
  • Hermes prophesies in the text that pure philosophy will be lost in future generations, replaced by intellectual teachings lacking mystical understanding.
  • The spiritual philosophy of Hermes involves deep meditation on atom, the one god, to attain true knowledge and experience the mind of the universe.
  • Hermes foresees a time when spirituality will be dismissed as primitive superstition, and Egypt, once a spiritual center, will be deserted and desolate.
  • Hermes receives a divine mission to be a spiritual guide to mankind after a mystical vision of the creation of the cosmos, where he learns the secrets of creation and the importance of knowledge to save those in darkness.

23:06

"Atom: Supreme Creator of All Existence"

  • Hermes imparts teachings on the being of Atom, describing God as oneness, the source of all subsequent numbers, and the creator who creates himself.
  • God's nature is paradoxical, hidden yet present in the world, with no particular name as all names refer to him.
  • The human mind mirrors the supreme mind, capable of roaming the universe through imagination, understanding the nature of God.
  • Atom is primal mind, motionless yet self-moving, immaculate, and everlasting, the supreme absolute reality filled with imperceptible ideas and all-embracing knowledge.
  • Atom is the unity of all things, the root and source of all, complete like the number one, generating all numbers, the whole containing everything.
  • The cosmos is one, governed by Atom, the creator of all, sowing immortality in heaven and change on earth, constantly creating creation.
  • Everything visible is an illusion compared to the immaterial ideas of goodness and beauty, attributes of Atom, inseparable from him.
  • Hermes guides contemplation of creation to see God, emphasizing the extraordinary order and beauty of the cosmos as a reflection of the supreme mind.
  • The cosmos is a living being, teeming with life, a reflection of God's goodness, filled with energy that can neither be created nor destroyed.
  • The primal mind, Atom, is the source of energy and life, giving birth to the mind of the cosmos, an immortal living being that nourishes all within it.

46:47

Eternal life force sustains cosmos, gods create

  • The cosmos is sustained by eternal life force, with energy infused into it from eternity, giving life to all within it.
  • Mind and soul are manifestations of light and life, with soul permeating the cosmos and giving life to all living creatures.
  • Time is cyclical in the cosmos, governed by unchanging natural laws, with the cosmos essentially changeless.
  • The past, present, and future are illusory in the cosmic perspective, reflecting the oneness of God beyond time.
  • The gods, ruled by the goddess Destiny, administer creation, with the sun symbolizing God's life-giving energy.
  • The gods, including Ra as the sun, pour life force into matter, ensuring continuous change and growth in the cosmos.
  • Atom creates the cosmic mind, which in turn creates the cosmos, governed by time and change.
  • The physical cosmos reflects the beautiful order of nature, with time regulating change and the sun symbolizing life-giving energy.
  • God creates humankind to appreciate the cosmos, with each god offering gifts like joy, sleep, justice, and wisdom.
  • Nature merges with the human soul, creating a blend of immortal soul and mortal body, with reproduction seen as a holy sacrament uniting matter and spirit.

01:10:08

"Divine Guidance Shapes Human Destiny and Potential"

  • Human culture was established under the guidance of the gods Osiris and Isis, who shared creative power with mankind.
  • The Hermetica teaches that humanity's involvement is essential for the completion of the universe.
  • The arts and sciences invented by humans are crucial in fulfilling the grand plan of destiny.
  • Isis taught people skills like sowing, animal husbandry, and healing with herbs, while Osiris introduced laws, justice, and worship rights.
  • Together, Isis and Osiris lifted humanity out of savagery, with Isis caring for the living and Osiris overseeing the dead.
  • Human beings possess a dual nature, with a mortal body and an immortal, divine mind.
  • Man's unique ability to contemplate the cosmos and know God places him above the gods in some aspects.
  • Human beings are intermediaries between spirit and matter, capable of ascending to the heavens through the power of their minds.
  • The zodiac was created by God to control human fate, with Destiny overseeing the constraints of necessity on individual lives.
  • While most are bound by the zodiac's influence, those illuminated by God's light can transcend celestial constraints and awaken their immortal soul.

01:32:41

"Life, Destiny, and Death in Zodiac"

  • Human life transitions from baby to adult to elder, encompassing birth, mortality, and death within the universal form of a human life.
  • Hermes compares universal forms to fixed constellations and changing particular forms to the evolving relationships between stars in astrology.
  • Individual destinies are shaped by the positions of planets at birth, with gods controlling bodies and souls based on zodiac arrangements.
  • Nature, gods, and zodiac powers create diverse forms of animals, each unique yet fitting its species, including humans with universal and particular forms.
  • The human body, a temple constructed by zodiac power, reflects myriad forms from simple archetypes, resonating with star patterns.
  • Souls incarnate into physical bodies, sharing a common nature but differentiated by body characteristics, influenced by gods at birth.
  • Souls, part of the cosmos' one soul, are neither male nor female, with two gods overseeing them, ensuring fitting bodies and characteristics.
  • Souls' characteristics are influenced by gods at birth, affecting instinctual and rational aspects, with spiritual bodies wrapped in spiritual coats.
  • Souls, upon incarnation, forget their nature, embodying gods' qualities, affecting temperament and nature, with different gods accompanying them.
  • Death marks the end of an individual's awareness, not life, with souls judged by gods, leading to heavenly realms or reincarnation based on purity and knowledge of God.

01:56:00

"Overcoming self-doubt to reach enlightenment"

  • Man's potential to ascend to heaven is hindered by self-doubt, leading to a lack of belief in oneself.
  • Hermes highlights mankind's significant error in possessing the power to know God but failing to utilize it.
  • Merely desiring to know God initiates the path to enlightenment, where God unexpectedly reveals Himself.
  • The spiritual journey culminates in realizing God's omnipresence and omnipotence.
  • Happiness is unattainable while attached to the body, emphasizing the need to train the soul for eternal life.
  • Possessions and bodily pleasures distract from the soul's true nature, hindering spiritual growth.
  • Impurity torments the soul more than physical harm, leading to a plea for liberation from ignorance and darkness.
  • Reaching enlightenment involves envisioning oneself as immortal, embracing opposites, and expanding consciousness to merge with God's mind.
  • Knowledge of God surpasses mere opinion, requiring direct experience and unity with the divine.
  • Spiritual rebirth entails purifying oneself from ignorance and vices, leading to communion with God and immersion in divine light.

02:19:54

"Journey of Knowledge: Vision, Music, Harmony"

  • The text discusses the journey of knowledge and the power of vision to guide individuals towards enlightenment.
  • It emphasizes the importance of music in the harmony of the cosmos and the role of Adam in perfecting individual melodies.
  • The inhabitants of heaven are described as united by love and purpose, contrasting with the discord on Earth.
  • Hermes offers a hymn to God, praising His constancy, goodness, and the transformative power of knowing Him.
  • Hermes experiences a mystical vision, becoming a passive instrument of God's will and expressing gratitude for the divine light.
  • The text concludes with a prayer to Adam, expressing deep gratitude for the gifts of mind, speech, and knowledge bestowed upon humanity.
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