This book is presented in the form of a dialogue between Samael Aun Weor and an audience, and ranges through many topics of interest to those who at the time (1972) were investigating events ignored or shunned by mainstream science and media, such as UFOs, ghosts, strange creatures, and the like.
When this book was first published in Spanish, Samael Aun Weor had been teaching and writing for more than twenty years, and was internationally known throughout Mexico, Central, and South America. Yet since his writings were not yet available in English, he was completely unknown outside of Spanish speaking countries.
Through this book, Samael Aun Weor refers to Gnosis as the basis of the teachings he describes in his books and lectures. The Greek word γνώσις gnosis means knowledge, and refers to the knowledge we acquire through our own experience, as opposed to knowledge that we are told or believe. We do not acquire Gnosis through lectures or books, but through our own experience. Just as we cannot satisfy our hunger by listening to a lecture about food, we also cannot acquire Gnosis through lectures. To satisfy hunger, one must eat. Similarly, to acquire Gnosis, one must acquire experience for oneself. Therefore, Gnosis is conscious, experiential knowledge, not merely intellectual or conceptual knowledge, belief, or theory.
In the context of these studies, the word Gnosis is not used in reference to common, everyday experiences. Instead, it refers to experiences of the consciousness perceiving more than mere physical events. Gnosis is the knowledge of the divine, the spirit, the soul, and the worlds they inhabit. Those worlds interpenetrate the physical world, yet we lack the ability to see that fact. When we acquire that ability — which is part of every living thing, yet inactive in us — we acquire Gnosis.
The word Gnosis is further used to refer to the tradition that embodies the core wisdom or knowledge of humanity. That knowledge does not belong to any time in history, or any group or creed. Experience can be had by anyone with the means and the will to acquire it.
Just as anyone can acquire practical knowledge of gravity or other physical phenomena, anyone can acquire knowledge of the physics of other dimensions. The only difference is that while physical phenomena is measured with physical senses, the paraphysical phenomena — that which occurs beyond the range of physical senses — require corresponding senses capable of perceiving them. This is precisely the problem with modern humanity: we lack the senses to perceive what is not physical. Furthermore, we ignorantly assume that if we cannot perceive it with our physical senses, then it must not exist. Scientifically, this is an absurd position, yet even scientists assume it when they deny what they cannot perceive with their instruments. This is analogous to an astronomer denying the existence of atoms; his telescope cannot see them, so he thinks they must not exist. This is precisely what he does when he disbelieves any other phenomena; just because he did not see it, he does not believe. Yet, provide him with the means to see, and he will see. So, the tradition of Gnosis seeks to provide us with the means to acquire our own Gnosis: the experience of what is real and true.
The science of Gnosis is ancient and very sophisticated, and can be accessed by anyone willing to make the effort to change. The reason we cannot perceive what is beyond our physical senses is because our other senses are atrophied, and weakened by our attachment to physical things. It makes sense, really: by attaching ourselves to dense forms, we increasingly distance ourselves from more subtle forms. Conversely, if we detach ourselves from material things (which are impermanent, anyway), the senses of our heart and spirit are strengthened, and new perceptions begin to emerge.
While reading this book you will quickly come to see that Samael Aun Weor had a great deal of experience with phenomena beyond the mere physical: he had acquired a great deal of Gnosis, and was eminently qualified to teach about it. More importantly, his experience convinced him that each of us was equally capable of doing the same, and he dedicated the whole of his life to encouraging us to do so. We, the translators and editors of the English edition, pray that you will.
