Is there Karma in Gnosticism?

I know there is reincarnation in Gnosticism and some Gnostic texts but is there anything equivalent to Karma in Gnostic texts? I mean how do Gnostics explain that for instance: Why some people were born healthy while others handicapped? Is it just coincidentally or accidentally? or some people were born intelligent they are more likely to attain Gnosis, while others mentally re tarted thus almost impossible to attain any Gnosis why is that according to Gnosticism?

"Gnosticism" refers to a belief that a person is saved by having a special revelation or encounter with god. A good example would be the Native American's who would go through a ritual of seat lodges and dehydration that would cause them to have a "vision". In that vision they would find whatever was spiritual truth for them. So the Gnostics whom the early church fathers opposed also held this mystic idea of divine revelation. Their salvation and theology did not come through the scriptures or from the teachings of Jesus, but through whatever they were taught in their revelations.

Neither reincarnation or karma are part of "gnosticism". However a "gnostic" could have a vision that instructs him to believe in either (or neither). In many ways "gnosticism" resembles Buddhism, in that its goal is "personal enlightenment", where as the goal of Christianity is personal relationships - first with God and then with others.

The term "gnostic" has come to be associated with many documents that are not "gnostic" at all in their teachings. It has come to refer to any non-accept document that attempts of corrupt Christian theology. So there are "so called" gnostic documents that teach reincarnation and that teach karma and just about anything else you want to name.

But "gnosticism" itself does not teach either. But it does allow a person to believe in them.

The word KARMA is totally misunderstood or misinterpret ted.

In a "Simple" sense KARMA means something one can NOT have control over an event which is going to happen--in a Nut shell "Man proposes-God disposes"---Human with all his/her "Creative Intelligence" and "Logical thinking" meticulously plan certain sequence of events--but the events by a tragedy of circumstances,take place in different sequence and produce exactly opposite results--that is KARMA--in French "Kay Sera Sera"=whatever should happen will happen

Hi,

Short answer is, yes. Karma is a very important theme in Gnosticism. In simplest terms, karma means consequence. Think cause and effect. The term is most often used when we are talking about the consequence of doing something bad. However saying that all people born with a handicap, or into a difficult situation is all due to Karma might not be 100 percent accurate. There might be other factors such as needing to learn something.

Gnosis teaches that there are no accidents. Everything happens as a consequence of our actions, good or bad ones. So our life and the circumstances within are due to our behavior and it isn't just limited to just this life time. For example, a thief might not have been caught in a past life but the next time around they might end up in prison.

Just a little side note but something most people don't realize is that we get payed back for everything, good or bad. So if for example if you find people are generally not nice to you then be extra nice to everyone, if you are struggling with difficulties then take every opportunity to help others, struggling with money then be charitable. Of course do all of this with in reason so don't go out and give all of your money away but don't be greedy. In other words, give what ever you need most and you will be payed back many times over.

Yes, some people are more likely to attain nosies, not so much due to intelligence but to the amount of awakened consciousness they have. But yes, past life plays a big role, as well as how strong a desire for spirituality and enlightenment the divine part within us has.

I do understand your question and it is a valid one but once again it isn't safe to make a general assumption about those with mental challenges and the such. Without a doubt it will be much more difficult if not impossible to attain enlightenment in this lifetime for those with mental retardation but perhaps it will be in the next.

Remember, everything we do, good or bad, gets recorded and we are payed back accordingly. We do good we get good, bad and we get bad, of course this divine judgment is full of mercy and wisdom so although things may seem unfair from our small perspective, all is very just and is set up for us to learn and grow into the spiritual beings that we all have the potential to become, if we choose.

I have been a gnostic for a long time and so I have explained things is from the gnostic perspective.

One more thing. Good deeds pay off karma. So the more good one does the less karma they will have to pay back.

Kind regards,

Chris