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Way of the Hermit

Dr. David Brown & Gene Lawson

55 episodes

4 days ago

In this episode, Gene and David begin their exploration of “The Thunder, Perfect Mind,” one of the most enigmatic and paradoxical texts from the Nag Hammadi library. This mysterious Gnostic revelation presents the divine feminine Voice (Barbelo) speaking in riddles and contradictions that deliberately shake the foundations of dualistic thinking. "I am the first and the last. I am the honored one and the scorned one. I am the whore and the holy one" - these riddles are not quite they seem. The...

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Society & Culture

Religion & Spirituality

All content for Way of the Hermit is the property of Dr. David Brown & Gene Lawson and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

In this episode, Gene and David begin their exploration of “The Thunder, Perfect Mind,” one of the most enigmatic and paradoxical texts from the Nag Hammadi library. This mysterious Gnostic revelation presents the divine feminine Voice (Barbelo) speaking in riddles and contradictions that deliberately shake the foundations of dualistic thinking. "I am the first and the last. I am the honored one and the scorned one. I am the whore and the holy one" - these riddles are not quite they seem. The...

Show more...

Society & Culture

Religion & Spirituality

Episodes (20/55)

Way of the Hermit

S2E18: The Trimorphic Protennoia - Part 4 of 4

In the conclusion to their exploration of the Trimorphic Protennoia, David and Gene delve into the third and final descent of divine consciousness - the emergence of the Son, the Word, from the Voice of the Mother. In this episode we unpack the full expression of the Gnostic trinity, and discuss how reality itself is structured like a mind. We explore the "seed pattern" of consciousness, a five-fold mystery of foreknowledge, indestructibility, eternal life, and truth that forms the blue...

1 month ago

40 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E17: The Trimorphic Protennoia - Part 3 of 4

In this episode, David and Gene journey into the heart of one of Gnosticism's most profound and transformative myths - the second descent of the Trimorphic Protennoia. This stage represents the "pregnancy" phase in the evolution of consciousness, following the implantation of the seed idea of Unity, during the first descent. What follows is a psychic apocalypse, an inner "Dark Night of the Soul" where the very foundations of the ego-built world begin to crumble. The established parts of the m...

2 months ago

39 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E16: The Trimorphic Protennoia - Part 2 of 4

In this episode, Gene and David continue their deep dive into the Gnostic text, "The Trimorphic Protennoia," completing their discussion of the first of three descents of the divine feminine principle. They review how consciousness unfolds through the archetypes of Father (unmanifest thought), Mother (the threshold of voice), and Son (the manifest word), revealing the recursive and mysterious nature of reality itself. The dialogue illuminates the emergence of Christ not as a historical figure...

3 months ago

40 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E15: The Trimorphic Protennoia - Part 1 of 4

In this episode of the “Way of the Hermit” podcast, Gene and David embark on a 4-part exploration of the Trimorphic Protennoia (”Three Forms of the First Thought") - a cornerstone text from the Nag Hammadi library. This episode builds on their previous journeys through the "Secret Gospel of John" and the "Gospel of Thomas," tracing the descent and return of the soul through the mythic architecture of consciousness. In this discussion, the hosts unravel the Trimorphic Protennoia as both a cosm...

4 months ago

34 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E14: The Gospel of Thomas - Part 5 of 5

In this concluding episode of their five-part series, David and Gene explore the final 22 sayings of the Gospel of Thomas (93-114), revealing the text's most profound mysteries about spiritual transformation and divine realization. These culminating teachings address the protection of sacred wisdom ("pearls before swine"), the gradual process of inner transformation symbolized by yeast working through dough and hidden treasure requiring patient excavation, all of which support the ultimate go...

5 months ago

45 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E13: The Gospel of Thomas - Part 4 of 5

In this episode, David and Gene continue their exploration of the Gospel of Thomas, examining sayings 70-92. These sayings focus on navigating the duality between spiritual and material worlds and the constant choices we must make between them. The esoteric meaning behind the sayings of Jesus in the Gospel are discussed, starting with the call to activate the latent "divine spark" within us - a spiritual conception or “virgin birth” (Saying 70). They interpret Jesus’ saying about the destruct...

6 months ago

36 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E12: The Gospel of Thomas - Part 3 of 5

In this episode, David and Gene continue their discussion of the Gospel of Thomas, exploring sayings 47-69 of this profound and mysterious Gnostic text. The sayings it contains offer timeless insights into the spiritual path, providing guidance for those striving to transcend material attachments and awaken to higher consciousness. Building on their previous discussions, they delve deeper into the themes of spiritual unity, overcoming duality, and the transformative nature of self-realization...

7 months ago

38 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E11: The Gospel of Thomas - Part 2 of 5

In this episode, David and Gene continue their exploration of the Gospel of Thomas, examining sayings 24-46 of this enigmatic Gnostic text. Building on their previous discussion, they delve deeper into the three-world Gnostic cosmology: the unity of the spiritual Pleroma, the duality of the realm of Soul/Mind (Heaven), and the unity in multiplicity of the physical world (Earth). They begin by discussing a listener comment about "combining all religions," noting that spiritual unity might inde...

8 months ago

30 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E10: The Gospel of Thomas - Part 1 of 5

In this episode of the Way of the Hermit Podcast, David and Gene begin their exploration of the Gospel of Thomas, a collection of 114 enigmatic sayings attributed to the “Living Jesus,” that, like the other Gnostic texts discovered in the cache at Nag Hammadi, Egypt - challenges conventional religious notions. Unlike the cosmological narrative of the Secret Gospel of John, the teachings in the Gospel of Thomas are distilled into koan-like paradoxes and parables, designed to provoke self-reali...

9 months ago

32 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E9: The Secret Gospel of John - Part 4 of 4

In this episode of Way of the Hermit, David and Gene conclude their deep dive into The Secret Gospel of John, uncovering its profound esoteric teachings on self-awareness, spiritual awakening, and the cosmic struggle between light and darkness. Picking up where the last episode left off, they explore how the creation of Eve symbolizes a division within Adam’s unified self, representing the separation of conscious and subconscious aspects. This psychic split, orchestrated by the Demiurge, obsc...

10 months ago

33 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E8: The Secret Gospel of John - Part 3 of 4

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 journ...

11 months ago

38 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E7: The Secret Gospel of John - Part 2 of 4

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 paralle...

1 year ago

41 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E6: The Secret Gospel of John - Part 1 of 4

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 char...

1 year ago

31 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E5: Gnostic Christianity

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 ...

1 year ago

25 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E4: Gnosis Reborn

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 th...

1 year ago

29 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E3: Introducing Gnosis

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.com David and Gene discuss how the ancient wisdom...

1 year ago

29 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E2: A Path to Providence - Part 2 of 2

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.com From humble beginn...

1 year ago

41 minutes

Way of the Hermit

S2E1: A Path to Providence - Part 1 of 2

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.com In "A Path to Providence", authors Shaun Bradshaw and Ben Wallace address the problems within modern Freemasonry and the Scottish Rite, offering solution...

1 year ago

35 minutes

Way of the Hermit

Scottish Rite: Epilogue

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...

2 years ago

29 minutes

Way of the Hermit

32nd Degree: Master of the Royal Secret

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 sy...

2 years ago

37 minutes