The Gospel of Direct Experience

When You Know Yourself: Gnostic Revelations from Nag Hammadi


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What if the spiritual texts we grew up with only told part of the story?

In this episode, Jeff and Michael explore the discovery of the Nag Hammadi Library—a collection of ancient, long-buried texts that include radically different teachings attributed to Jesus, including the enigmatic Gospel of Thomas. These writings challenge many assumptions of mainstream Christianity and open a doorway into a spirituality centered on inner knowing, direct experience, and the integration of what is within and what is without. Then Jeff shares a recent dream that unexpectedly mirrors the themes of the Gospel of Thomas, leading into a conversation about what it means to know yourself—and how that knowing might be the very key to transformation.

Episode Highlights [00:02:45] Discovering the Nag Hammadi Library
  • Michael introduces the strange and mysterious discovery of the Nag Hammadi texts in 1945 Egypt—and how they ended up in Carl Jung’s hands.

[00:16:48] The Inner and the Outer
  • Jeff and Michael begin unpacking a core theme of the Gospel of Thomas: that the Kingdom is both within and beyond us. They explore how this insight contrasts with—and deepens—mainstream Christianity.

[00:28:45] Suppression, Not Survival
  • A historical dive into how the Gnostic tradition wasn’t forgotten or lost—it was actively suppressed. What might Christianity have become if these texts had remained in circulation?

[00:33:35] Spooky Timing & the Modern World
  • The Nag Hammadi texts reemerge into history just months after Hiroshima, alongside the rise of quantum physics and the first reported UFOs. Coincidence—or synchronicity?

[00:43:33] A Dream of Inner Revelation
  • Jeff shares a powerful dream that surfaced personal and symbolic dimensions of integration, identity, and coming to know oneself.

[00:50:10] Interpreting the Dream & Returning to the Gospel
  • The conversation turns toward Jung, MBTI types, and the deep need for balance between the inner world and the outer persona. Sayings from Thomas come alive as personal spiritual instruction.

[01:07:01] Final Reflections
  • Michael brings the episode to a close by linking the Nag Hammadi Library’s reappearance to a deeper cultural and spiritual reckoning still unfolding today. 

Two Special Events—Join Us!

Event #1: Live AMA (Ask Me Anything)

Thursday, June 12th at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET

Join us live on Zoom for a laid-back Q&A session. Ask Michael, me, or both of us anything—about the podcast, spirituality, your own journey, or whatever’s on your heart.

RSVP by emailing us at [email protected].

Can’t make it? Email us your question by Wednesday, June 11th, and we might include it when we release the AMA as an episode later in June.

Event #2: Gnostic Town Hall

Thursday, July 10th at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET

This is your time to share. We want to hear your stories, experiences, and spiritual desires. What are you seeking? What does authentic spiritual practice mean to you?

RSVP the same way: [email protected].

This is just the beginning—we hope to see you soon.

— Jeff & Michael

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The Gospel of Direct ExperienceBy Jeff Mansfield & Michael Ellick

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