Home
bio
bio
Press
Articles
Meditations
The Yoga of Light
The Path of the Priestess
Films
Contact
Infinity
Jay Weidner
Produced by
Sharron Rose
Purchase
Sophia
Returning

John Lash
Produced by
Sharron Rose
Purchase

Alchemy of
Qi Gong Vol. 1
Pedram Shojai

Produced by
Sharron Rose
Purchase
Alchemy of
Qi Gong Vol 2

Pedram Shojai
Produced by
Sharron Rose
Purchase
Alchemy of
Qi Gong Vol. 3

Pedram Shojai
Produced by
Sharron Rose
Purchase
Timewave
2013
Sharron Rose
Directed by
Sharron Rose
Purchase

The Alchemical
Dream
Terence McKenna

Distributed by
Sacred Mysteries
Purchase
Star Dreams
Robert Nichol
Distributed by
Sacred Mysteries
Purchase

2012
The Odyssey
Sharron Rose

Directed by
Sharron Rose
Purchase

Healing the Luminous Body
Alberto Villoldo

Produced by
Sharron Rose
Purchase

Secrets of
Alchemy
Jay Weidner

Produced by
Sharron Rose
Purchase
Art Mind
Alex Grey
Produced by
Sharron Rose
Purchase
Healing Sounds
Jonathan Goldman
Produced by
Sharron Rose
Purchase
Yoga of Light
Sharron Rose
Produced by
Sharron Rose
Purchase
Nada Yoga
Shanti Shivani
Produced by
Sharron Rose
Purchase
Alchemical Healing
Nicki Scully
Produced by
Sharron Rose
Purchase
Quantum Astrology
Rick Levine
Produced by
Sharron Rose
Purchase


From
New Dawn Magazine
Special Issue No.2
"Revelations Beyond the Da Vinci Code"

Apostle of the Apostles

The Pistis Sophia is a Coptic Gnostic revelatory work composed and /or compiled in Egypt around the middle of the second century AD.  It claims to disclose the 'secret teachings of the Savior', reserved for his inner circle of initiates during the eleven years following his resurrection.  Filled with powerful, poetic imagery, this text reveals the intimate connections between this emerging form of Christianity, Paganism and beliefs and rituals founds in the Egyptian Book of the Dead. (3) It also clearly recognizes and demonstrates Mary Magdalene's essential role as foremost disciple, seer and prophetess.

It appears that the teachings found in the Pistis Sophia were created specifically for the apostles who would go forth and spread his gospel. It takes the form of a dialogue between Jesus and these apostles and consists primarily of questions and answers. It is fascinating to note that in this text, out of the forty-six questions asked of him, thirty-nine of them come from Mary Magdalene. Due her sincerity, astute level of inquiry and ability to comprehend the essence of his words, time and time again she is praised and recognized by him for her clarity and insight.  For example, after Jesus presents the first part of these mystical teachings concerning the aeons, orders and regions of the “Great Invisible””, he acknowledges Mary Magdalene's superior capacity for contemplation, insight and revelation.

“It came to pass then, when Mary had heard the Savior say these words, that she gazed fixedly into the air for the space of an hour. She said: “My Lord, give commandment to

me to speak in openness.” And Jesus, the compassionate, answered and said unto Mary:

“Mary, thou blessed one, whom I will perfect in all mysteries, of those of the height, discourse in openness, thou, whose heart is raised to the Kingdom of Heaven more than all thy brethren.”

Throughout the text, after listening to her interpretation of his teachings, he acknowledges her perceptive abilities,

“Well, said, Mary, for thou art blessed before all women on earth, because thou shalt be the fullness of all fullness and the perfection of all perfections”

This is only the first of a number of texts that speak of Mary Magdalene's gifts and unique relationship with Jesus. According to a group of Gnostic Gospels that were discovered in 1945 in a cave in Upper Egypt near the village of Nag Hammadi, she was said to be an inspired prophetess who continuously experienced the living presence of her Lord within her. In The Gospel of Mary, from this collection, Mary Magdalene, the visionary, reveals to the other disciples teachings that were transmitted to her through visionary experience. In this gospel, she clearly takes the lead, not only soothing and reassuring the male apostles who fear capture and death, but relating to them teachings of the Savior that she alone has been privileged to receive. As in the Pistis Sophia, the Savior blesses her for her visionary capacity. When Peter questions her vision, Levi responds with, “ If the Teacher held her worthy, who are you to reject her? Surely the Teacher knew her very well, for he loved her more than us.” (4)

In The Gospel of Phillip, from the same collection, the disciples appear to be jealous of the intimate relationship between the Savior and Mary Magdalene.

“The Companion of the savior is Mary Magdalene. But Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth. The rest of the disciples were offended by it and expressed disapproval. They said to him, “ Why do you love her more than all of us? “ The Savior answered and said to them, “Why do I not love you like her? When a blind man and one who sees are both together in darkness, they are no different from one another. When the light comes then he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will remain in darkness.”

Because I have no reason to doubt Phillips account or the words found in these early texts, I feel that the Christianity that was brought to France by Mary Magdalene has a different feel about it because it was closer to the authentic teachings of Jesus.  If Mary Magdalene truly was the Apostle of the Apostles, then Jesus transmitted more to her or perhaps she understood this transmission better than the rest of the apostles. Through this lens we can begin to perceive and acknowledge the different understanding and practice of Christianity that emerged in Southern France, one that lasted over 1200 years and in a sense pervades the place to this day.

Previous -|- Page 1 -|- Page 2 -|- Page 3 -|- Page 4 -|-Next