Shepherd of Men: Gem from ‘Poemandres’ and ‘Corinthians’

A man says in the Poemandres:

“Upon a time while my mind was meditating on the things that are, my thought was raised to a great height, while the physical senses of my body were held back—just as are the senses of men who are heavy with sleep after a large meal, or from fatigue of body.

I thought I heard a Being more than vast—in size beyond all bounds—called out my name and say: “What wouldst thou hear and see, and what hast thou in mind to learn and know?”

And I said: “Who art thou?”

It answered: “I am Shepherd of Men, Mind of all-Masterhood; I know what thou desirest and I am with thee everywhere.”

And I replied: “I long to learn the things that are, and comprehend their nature, and know God. This (I said) is what I desire to hear.”

It answered me: “Hold in thy mind all thou wouldst know, and I will teach thee.”

And with these words Its aspect changed; and straightway, in the twinkling of an eye, all things were opened to me. And I saw a limitless Vision: all things turned into Light—sweet, joyous Light. And I became transported as I gazed (…)” (Poemandres (Ποιμάνδρης), The Shepherd of Men, v. 1-4)

A man narrates in Corinthians:

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows (…) was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.” (Corinthians 12:2, 4-5, NIV)


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dominique Johnson is a writer and author of The American Minervan created years ago and changed from its first iteration as Circle of Asia (11 years ago), because of its initial Eurasian focus. The change indicated increasing concern for the future of their own home country. He has spent many years academically researching the deeper philosophical classical sources of Theosophy, Eclecticism and American Republicanism to push beyond current civilizational limitations. He has spent his life since a youth dedicated to understanding what he sees as the “inner meanings” and instruction in classical literature, martial philosophies, world mythology and folklore for understanding both the nature of life and dealing with the challenges of life.




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