I had the pleasure of talking with Jordan Stratford over at Ecclesia Gnostica in Nova Albion
about his latest entry (the title of which I have repeated for this entry).

He asked me which of the ten points would be the trickiest in terms of accomplishing.
This is simple: Points 2 and 10

Here's why:

Starting with Point 10 first- (point 2 to be done in a separate entry)

10) Praxis and Caritas

We are people, dealing with people. Caritas and Praxis are extremely important. The focus here is on Communion- yet many miss the basic elements of what it really means to have communion with anything.

The success of such a Communion rests in hands of a simple concept: service.

Let's be frank and not kid ourselves here- You cannot separate your own path as a entity to itself, isolated and free from both interference with the world at large and free from giving interference with the world at large. Every change or lack thereof within the human condition and Being has a direct effect, for good or ill, on everything around you.

Your success in understanding yourself or your subsequent failure produces great effect. If we are to get anywhere towards service for fellow man it has to be with the understanding that all achievement and attainment in one's own path does not belong to one alone. If your achievements or attainments are not turned towards the purpose of service, then they are ornamental and without value, merit or benefit- no different than the fig tree cursed by the Master.

There is a trend in Gnostic Churches to view Holy Orders as nothing more than a series of Initiations. Indeed, in many Gnostic Churches you can't be a real or first class Gnostic without such. The laity appear to be at best an audience for playing Church 'dress-up' and at worst, the unwashed and unenlightened distraction at weekly services.

(Even this frank and negative portrayal of many Gnostic groups gives them almost a wholly unfounded benefit of the doubt- that they even have regular services or regular interaction with community.)

Indeed, the Gnostic movement is rife with special events clergy, who attire themselves for every 'Holy Gnostic Synod' and marathon exchanges of filiations and successions, yet in their day to day life seem to forget their holy calling and their purpose.

The people that matter are lost in the inbetween times, the sick that cannot come for communion, the downtrodden and depressed brethren unable to meet basic needs due to unfortunate circumstance, the people who would unburden themselves and their thoughts if only they had an ear that would listen.

These people aren't looking for Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Grand Masters, the Illuminati or even the Rotary.. they are looking for a friend.

If we cannot meet them at this level, then attempting to meet them at any other level is but futile and ultimately self-serving ego gratification.

This means meeting them 'on the level' as our equals (for indeed the Divine Spark makes them such), with a willingness to accept contribution, give contribution and recognize the presence of both. There is no second class Gnostic.