The Whole Body Gospel
Yogic Gnosticism in the Work of Adi Da Samraj
In: Gnosis: Journal of Gnostic StudiesSearch for other papers by Naamleela Free Jones in
Current site
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Abstract
This article explores Gnostic spirituality in a new religious movement by examining what I call “yogic Gnosticism” in the work of my father, spiritual teacher and philosopher, Adi Da Samraj (1939–2008). Although Adi Da’s teachings are most often associated with Indian traditions of thought and practice, an often-overlooked element of his work is his reading of Christian scripture. Adi Da read the New Testament as a moral, devotional, and mystical text – one that simultaneously portrays historical events and esoteric, or hidden, archetypes of enlightenment. To define Adi Da’s work as “Gnostic” is to examine gnosis as a category of religious imagination that is, by definition, transgressive and experiential – drawing on the traditional symbols and myths of the Christian religion but privileging an individualism that is often at odds with an orthodox reading. To categorize his view as “yogic” is to see it in interplay with definitions of the subtle body and of enlightenment that closely parallel Hindu and Buddhist yogic traditions. The result is an innovative interpretation of the gospel of Jesus that simultaneously deconstructs orthodox readings of Christian scripture while affirming a deeply meaningful message of ancient religious truth.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
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| Abstract Views | 542 | 438 | 15 |
| Full Text Views | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 19 | 5 | 0 |
The Whole Body Gospel
Yogic Gnosticism in the Work of Adi Da Samraj
In: Gnosis: Journal of Gnostic StudiesSearch for other papers by Naamleela Free Jones in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
This article explores Gnostic spirituality in a new religious movement by examining what I call “yogic Gnosticism” in the work of my father, spiritual teacher and philosopher, Adi Da Samraj (1939–2008). Although Adi Da’s teachings are most often associated with Indian traditions of thought and practice, an often-overlooked element of his work is his reading of Christian scripture. Adi Da read the New Testament as a moral, devotional, and mystical text – one that simultaneously portrays historical events and esoteric, or hidden, archetypes of enlightenment. To define Adi Da’s work as “Gnostic” is to examine gnosis as a category of religious imagination that is, by definition, transgressive and experiential – drawing on the traditional symbols and myths of the Christian religion but privileging an individualism that is often at odds with an orthodox reading. To categorize his view as “yogic” is to see it in interplay with definitions of the subtle body and of enlightenment that closely parallel Hindu and Buddhist yogic traditions. The result is an innovative interpretation of the gospel of Jesus that simultaneously deconstructs orthodox readings of Christian scripture while affirming a deeply meaningful message of ancient religious truth.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 542 | 438 | 15 |
| Full Text Views | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 19 | 5 | 0 |
