Threefold Sanctuary of Faith-Wisdom

Faith in one form or another is the foundation of all spirituality, for without faith we would not embark upon the spiritual quest or actively engage in the spiritual practice and life that constitute an actual Path to Self-realization. Thus, as in any other wisdom tradition, faith plays a key role in Gnostic Christianity. In the teachings of the Sophian Tradition faith is frequently spoken of in the context of what is called the Threefold Sanctuary of Faith-Wisdom. Rather than a creed or dogmatic doctrine the Threefold Sanctuary is the basis of a spiritual practice through which we cultivate and direct the power of faith towards our noble ideal of Self-realization in Christ Consciousness. The word sanctuary reflects something about the function of faith. On the one hand, faith shields us against negativity and empowers us to direct our mind, heart and life towards things that are positive, uplifting and true; on the other hand, through faith we are able to establish a connection to a source of blessings and grace through which we receive divine assistance and are empowered in our spiritual practice and life.

The Threefold Sanctuary has an outer, inner and secret level, reflecting the stages of the development of Self-realization in the Path, and each level is composed of three “objects of faith” which serve to uplift our consciousness and empower us. What each of the objects of faith means to an initiate is ultimately determined according to his or her own faith and understanding of them, thus from one initiate to another each will likely have his or her own view and expression of the Threefold Sanctuary.

The Outer Sanctuary

On the outer level the Threefold Sanctuary is represented by three objects of faith: Yeshua Messiah, the Gospel of Truth and the Gnostic Circle. Yeshua Messiah is the first object of faith because it is through the embodiment of the Christos or Light-Presence in him that the Christian stream of the Light-Transmission is manifest in the world. Essentially, because he embodied the Christos and attained the state of Christ Consciousness, and taught us how to consciously evolve towards Christ Consciousness, he opened the Way of the Great Ascension to us – revealing the possibility of a Divine or Supernal Humanity. Having faith in Yeshua Messiah the Gnostic initiate has faith in the Indwelling Christ within him or herself, and seeks to consciously evolve towards Christhood.

There is a significant difference in this object of faith in Gnostic Christianity versus its orthodox and fundamental counterparts, for at the heart of Christian Gnosticism is an actual spiritual experience of the Living Yeshua or Risen Savior – an inner experience of the Truth and Light. Thus, while at the outset, perhaps, we are established in the first object of faith purely by faith, eventually we are established in it by gnosis acquired through a direct spiritual or mystical experience.

The second object of faith is the Gospel, which represents the teachings of Yeshua Messiah - hence the Way to Christ Consciousness. In the Sophian Tradition there are outer, inner and secret teachings of the Gospel, all of which relate directly to spiritual practice and spiritual living. Thus, first and foremost, by “Gospel” is meant one’s own continuum of spiritual practice and spiritual living. Likewise by Gospel we mean one’s own knowledge and understanding of Yeshua Messiah – one’s own experience of the Spirit and Truth born of spiritual practice and spiritual living. If one considers the titles of various Gospels that have been written one will notice that each Gospel is the account of the Mystery according to the initiate who wrote it; hence there is the Gospel according to St. John, the Gospel according to St. Thomas and so on. In a similar way every Gnostic initiate develops his or her own Gospel which unites the teachings of the Tradition he or she has received with his or her own experience of the Truth and Light.

The Gnostic Circle or Spiritual Community is the third object of faith in the outer sanctuary. Essentially, one must go to school and receive a spiritual education in order to learn how to go within and live within, and to unfold the higher levels of Self-realization. A Gnostic Circle is basically a Mystery School in which one receives teachings and initiations that empower one in the spiritual practice and life, along with guidance, encouragement and support in the Mystical Journey. Aside from the necessity of a spiritual education, in the midst of the unspiritual and unenlightened society in which we live it is difficult to progress very far along the Path alone on one’s own – spiritual fellowship and community is a true refuge that serves to uplift and empower our own spiritual practice and life.

In Sophian teachings it is said that even Yeshua had spiritual teachers and participated to some degree in spiritual community, and a spiritual community naturally formed about him once he experienced realization in Christ Consciousness. In terms of the Aquarian Age it is said that learning to be an authentic individual and yet to be able to work harmoniously on a group level is an essential lesson of the Age. Thus, perhaps more than ever, healthy spiritual community is very important to us. Some spiritual adepts and masters would say that it may well be critical to the survival of the human race. This feeling is quite strong among Sophians, thus the role of spiritual community is emphasized in the Sophian Tradition.

The Inner Sanctuary

The inner level of the Threefold Sanctuary represents a more subtle and sublime manifestation of the outer sanctuary, and is said to be the Energy-Dimension within and behind the outer sanctuary. The objects of faith in the inner sanctuary are the Apostle of Light, the Great Angel of the Lord and the Holy Bride. The first object of faith of the inner sanctuary is the Apostle of Light or one’s Holy Tzaddik who serves as one’s spiritual teacher and guide. All authentic wisdom traditions around the world speak of the need for a reliance upon an experienced teacher and guide who embodies something of a higher consciousness or who is a realized individual. The same is true of Gnostic Christianity, which is founded upon actual discipleship with a living Tzaddik as much as faith in Lord Yeshua and Lady Mary Magdalene. We receive teachings and guidance in our spiritual practices from our Tzaddik, along with the extension of helpful spiritual energies and initiation. There is a distinct Living Presence and Power in a Tzaddik that uplifts us and serves to protect us during vulnerable periods in the Mystical Journey, and through which the Tzaddik knows how to guide us in the Path. Essentially, our Tzaddik is the embodiment of the realized adepts and masters of the past, present and future, and thus is a direct link to the Light-Transmission or True Apostolic Succession. It is as though the Apostle of Light is a physical manifestation of the Living Yeshua or Risen Savior.

The blessing we receive from our Tzaddik is dependent upon our view and faith. If we receive him or her as an embodiment of the Light-Presence and Apostle of Light, we receive the blessing and teachings from a Holy Apostle. If we receive the Tzaddik as a righteous person and well educated teacher, then we receive the blessing and teachings from a righteous person. If we receive him or her as a somewhat spiritual and ordinary person, then it is the blessing and teachings of an ordinary person we receive. This is reflected in the Gospel of St. Matthew 10:40-43, where it is written: “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of a righteous person; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple – truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

There is something more profound in our sacred friendship with a living Tzaddik, however, for the Outer Tzaddik reflects our Inner Tzaddik – the truth of the Light-Presence within us. In the midst of the actual Light-Transmission we come to realize that the Light-Presence in Yeshua Messiah, the Light-Presence in our Tzaddik and the Light-Presence in us is one and the same Light-Presence. It is quite a blessing to meet a holy person who embodies something of the Christ Presence, for in so doing we may be certain of our own potential to embody the Divine Presence and Power.

On an esoteric level the Apostle of Light represents something else – the Light that comes from above in the Inner Baptism which ignites the Light and Fire within us; hence the Presence and Power of our Inner and Higher Self – the Christ Self. Specifically, the Apostle symbolizes the descending force of the Serpent Power through which the ascending force is awakened and guided in ascent through the central channel. Thus, while speaking of the Outer Tzaddik, in truth, we are speaking of the awareness of the Inner Tzaddik. For the Light-Transmission we receive from our Tzaddik serves to awaken the power of the Soul of Light in us – it is like a candle that is lit passing its flame to a candle that is unlit, both becoming self-radiant with the Divine Presence and Power.

Gnostic Circles in the Sophian Tradition are composed of the students and disciples who naturally gather around a realized adept or master to receive teachings and initiations from one who embodies something of the Light-Presence. In this sense the Gnostic Circle reflects the first circle of disciples that gathered around Lord Yeshua and Lady Mary Magdalene, so that entering into a sacred friendship and a spiritual community we live the divine drama of the Gospel, and the Light-Transmission continues among us. The Tzaddik and Gnostic Circle are especially integral to the Sophian way of spiritual practice, because for the most part it is an oral and experiential tradition that relies strongly on a close sacred friendship and spiritual fellowship.

The second object of faith in the inner sanctuary is the Great Angel of the Lord, the image of which appears at the outset of the Book of Revelation. On the one hand, the Great Angel indicates the Partzuf with which one experiences a heart connection and which is central to one’s continuum of spiritual practice; on the other hand, it represents one’s Way upon the Path as personified by the six Archangels of the Sacred Circle in the Tradition.

Partzuf is a word that comes from the Kabbalah which means “Divine Personification,” specifically an image envisioned in the mind through which one can experience contact with an aspect of the Divine Presence and Power. A Partzuf may be the light-form of a holy person from the past such as Lord Yeshua, Lady Mary Magdalene, the Holy Mother, John the Baptist, St. Lazarus or any number of other prophets or apostles. Likewise, it can also be the image of an archangel or angel or other divine being. Generally speaking, the Great Angel is one’s Heart Tzaddik, which is an adept or master from the past with which one feels a close affinity. While all Sophian initiates honor Yeshua Messiah as the Risen Savior many experience a strong sense of connect to another Heart Tzaddik. The light-form envisioned is “angelic” in appearance, thus the phrase “The Great Angel of the Lord.” Typically speaking, all initiates have a Heart Tzaddik and that Partzuf serves as a foundation of their way of spiritual practice. Likewise, as the phrase indicates there are many practices involving contact with archangels and orders of angels in the Tradition – so the “Great Angel” may also imply an archangel or order of angels significant to a given cycle of spiritual practice.

Apart from the Way of Melchizedek, there are Five Ways on the Path, which are personified by the Archangels Raphael, Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Metatron-Sandalphon. These are the Way of Knowledge, Way of Power, Way of Devotion, Way of Work and the Way of the Weave, respectively. Although the Sophia Tradition is founded upon the Way of the Weave, which is the Union of the Four Ways, early on the Path most initiates are inclined to a more limited combination of Ways, one Way typically being principle. The Way to which an initiate is naturally inclined determines the methods of practice used and his or her approach to the spiritual life. Based upon this the Tzaddik gives specific teachings and instructions unique to each individual. Essentially, though all sojourn the same Path, the Way upon the Path is different with every person because every person is unique. Quite obviously, one’s Heart Tzaddik and one’s Way upon the Path will directly reflect one’s own experience of the Truth and Light; hence one’s own knowledge and understanding of the Gospel.

There is another more esoteric meaning to this object of faith, for as one enters into the Fruition Stage of the Path there is a development of consciousness beyond the body and the generation of the Body of Light. This Body of Light is generated by the activation and union of the descending and ascending currents of the Serpent Power, and in the Body of Light the appearance of the adept is “angelic,” just like the light-forms of Partzufim envisioned in spiritual practice. Thus, the Great Angel is one’s own Heavenly and Supernal Image which comes into being as the Self-realization process unfolds. In this development, truly, the promise of the Gospel is fulfilled – that one will not experience death.

The third object of faith is the Holy Bride, St. Mary Magdalene, who is the female embodiment of the Christos according to Sophian Tradition. It is faith in Lady Mary that distinguishes Sophians among Gnostic Christians. She is the First Holy Apostle, and the Apostle of all Apostles, and thus, in the Sophian Tradition she represents the embodiment of the Apostolic Succession. Likewise, she represents the Matrix of Light, which is the Divine Energy-Intelligence within and behind the Gnostic Circle or Spiritual Community.

There is something far more than merely teachings and methods of practice we receive from a Holy Apostle and the Sacred Circle – more important than the words of the teachings or techniques of practice are the fields of Divine Energy-Intelligence generated within and around a Tzaddik and in the Sacred Circle of the Community. Having a strong connection to a living Tzaddik and the fellowship of spiritual community we receive a large influx of Energy-Intelligence that is helpful to spiritual practice and will likely lead to a more rapid experience of the Light-Transmission and various degrees of the Enlightenment Experience. Because we tend to remain very active in life while seeking to unfold Self-realization and lead very busy lives, the need for such Energy-Intelligence is even more crucial in the Western Path to Enlightenment than its Eastern counterparts; hence the grace that flows from a living Tzaddik and Community.

The Divine Energy-Intelligence that manifests within and around a realized adept or master and that moves through a spiritual community is called the Shekinah and Holy Spirit, and it is quite distinct. Yet, the Shekinah and Holy Spirit are not isolate to the Tzaddik and Sacred Circle – it is the Life-Power which is within everything and everyone. On an esoteric level, the Holy Bride represents the ascending force of the Serpent Power, or the Fire Snake proper; hence the Divine Power latent within oneself which is awakened and uplifted in the Self-realization process.

By the description of the outer sanctuary one will realize that it is applicable to exoteric forms of Christianity and to Gnostic Christianity equally, but that the inner sanctuary is specifically esoteric and corresponds to Gnostic Christianity. Likewise, one will note that, although seemingly external objects of faith are given for the inner sanctuary, they actually point at the Energy-Dimension of the Light-Transmission, and specifically the Energy-Dimension of oneself; hence the realization of the Light-Presence in oneself and generation of the Body of Light, which is the Body of the Resurrection.

The Secret Sanctuary

The secret level of the Threefold Sanctuary is the unification with the Christ Presence and attainment of Christ Consciousness, and thus is the actual attainment of the Body of the Resurrection, which is called the Threefold Body of Melchizedek in the Sophian Tradition. This Body of Light naturally and spontaneously arises from the state of Supernal or Messianic Consciousness. The Threefold Body spoken of as though three distinct Bodies, however, are actually three dimensions of one Body of Light. There is the Body of Truth, which is the very Essence of the Christos and is composed of Transparent Light, and there is the Body of Glory which is an Image of Translucent Light, and then there is the Body of Emanation which is the appearance of a Perfect Tzaddik or Master in the world. These, respectively, form the three objects of faith in the secret sanctuary – thus the ultimate manifestation of Sanctuary is the Enlightenment and Liberation of Christ Consciousness itself. This is the true Noble Ideal of the Gnostic Christian, the actual attainment of Christhood. (For a more in-depth teaching on the secret sanctuary see the article entitled: Threefold Body, which also appears in the archives.)

The body of teachings on the Threefold Sanctuary is extensive in the Sophian Tradition and could easily fill several volumes. Thus, what is given here is only a brief introduction that might serve to give the reader deeper insight into the Tradition and to serve as a guide to these terms as they appear in our writings and teachings.

Blessings & shalom!