Barque: Thomas Moore Network
Where is everyone?! :)
This has to be one of the quietest groups/blog/forum that I've ever belonged to. Which isn't a complaint, really. I just wish it was a bit more lively. That being said, I just discovered that there is a Twitter following for Thomas Moore.. here>> http://twitter.com/Jessop . Is everyone following that now, does this Ning stand on its own. I would like to keep up here :)
As an aside, two books of Thomas's, "The Soul's Religion", and "Writing In The Sand", stirred my long ago studies in Esoteric Christianity. Such as, Saint Seraphim of Sarov, Saint Francis of Assisi and other writings. Which reminded me that at a very young age, I encountered my first experience of a test of faith. Now, I will not say that Christianity is the ONLY way. As I'm a lover of all the teachings, and believe they have there own certain ways of expressing the divine. My encounter was with a book by John Allegro, called "The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross: A Study of the Nature and Origins of Christianity within the Fertility Cults of the Ancient Near East". Which has purported, from the Dead Sea Scrolls, that Jesus formed a fertility cult. Well, in utter disbelief, but also in reaction to it, it had me question all that I had come to know or felt about spirituality. Nonetheless, it was a very sad experience at that time. I do not agree with the author to this day, but it really brings home how some authors can have a major affect on how we approach our lives.
Although, I would counter this by saying, that of all my studies throughout my life, none come close to the huge positive affect/reaction, that Thomas Moore's works has. Always, always, it comes back to caring for the soul. So, thank you Thomas for being who you are and for sharing your insights.
Moreover, I would like to ask this group something. The inspiration to further delve into early Christian writings, such as The Gospels of Thomas, Phillip, Mary, to name a few, brings up various questions. Like, how can any particular translation of something as important as say the Nag Hammadi, Dead Sea Scrolls, etc., be considered accurate? If we take English, as an example, and the translation of these important documents, should it not be a serious consideration to utilize Etymology in such a body of work. Furthermore, what about semantics in that its not the word, per se, but how its used and meant by the person who said it?
Now, I'm not a scholar, and at times find works written by scholars as dry and hard to follow. But, the soul of these Gnostic writings, for me, lies deep in the heart and evokes love. Which I get that love is the core of Jesus's teachings. Let alone most all religions.
I think I read somewhere that Thomas is going to espouse on the Gnostic writings further. I am deeply looking forward to this, as he always seems to have a way of gleaning through the mishmash and pulling out the soul of things.
Here is a quote from them that comes to mind:
"For whatever is from itself is an empty life; it is self-made. Providence is foolish. Fate is an undiscerning thing." from Eugnostos the Blessed.
Anyway, please don't mind my ramblings, is anyone out here? :)
Gary
Barque
I can't recommend translations of Nag Hammadi or the Dead Sea Scrolls but for the Gospel of Philip, I suggest a translation from the Coptic by Jean-Yves Leloup, English translation of this by Joseph Rowe, called The Gospel of Philip. Jacob Needleman wrote the foreword. The ISBN for the paperback edition is 1-59477-022-0. It was published by Inner Traditions.
I hope this is helpful.
Feb 16, 2010
bradley brooks
hello gary from bradley brooks i read your comment on that this site is not used very much and i think you said not to lively which was posted in 2010-----i'm wondering if the reason is that is----is because 2 or3 yaers ago thomas's computer site was on a network called ning or something and it change to facebook which is to hard for me to navigate so so i gave up trying to perticepate in the discusions etc..------anyway thank goodness i just got a new email from thomas's new sit which i can navigate ----------- i'm wondering if all the swichting back and forth from site to site caused the lack of porticipation--- but i'm eager to get started NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just wondering as i do most of the time
Feb 23, 2012
bradley brooks
hello gary again from bradley brooks am i on the wrong site or what why are all the posted dated 2010 i am in the now 2/23/2012 could you please give me the correct site to go to so i can take part in the thomas more community disscusions------i went to jessopd@gmaillcom and all the other sites and can't get on are find anything ------------i am really bad at computers and have know one to help me ------------any help would be wonderful ----------------frustated in florida
Feb 23, 2012