A different look at Gnosticism

I was having a conversation with someone, about the post I made below and my frustrations. He gave me his take on Unitarian Universalism which I thought was very good and worth posting about. He said (and I'll probably do a poor job trying to paraphrase him) that he views Unitarian Universalism as a form of Gnosticism in that everyone (at least in theory) who attends a Unitarian Universalist congregation is on a "A free and responsible search for truth and meaning." He said that the freedom to search for truth and meaning is Gnostic in character and the willingness to do it in community had special meaning. We talked about, "What do Unitarian Universalists believe?" and "What do Unitarian Universalist ministers do?" His response was that Unitarian Universalists search for truth and ministers help people find truth, but he went further and said that they don't simply preach a checklist of dogma but help guide others while allowing them to still have the freedom to search for truth and that this was much harder than preaching a litany of doctrines.

I thought this was very insightful and I've been pondering it for a few days now. Gnosticism, and search for truth and meaning are very important to me. I see much truth and meaning in the spiritual practices that I am engaged. Last week during the religious education program at Yellow Springs UU Fellowship a friend was facilitating the class and we were discussing what Unitarian Universalism was to each of us. I used a metaphor of a protective umbrella in illustrating what Unitarian Universalism was to me. I conveyed that I see the "world" as a storm with a lot of rain. Unitarian Universalism is like a protective umbrella from that storm, but it is not who I am -- but it does protect me from the storm. Other aspects of my spirituality could be represented by parts of clothing or even parts of my body -- depending on much a part of me they really are. Some of these spiritual practices have been transforming and, I believe, are an ontological part of my being -- the affects of the sacraments (baptism, confirmation, and holy orders) for example, or the various initiatory transformations I've undergone. My own praxis as an individual is good enough to protect me from the storm of the world (I'm well protected), however, having that umbrella as further protection is an added benefit as I weather the storm of life. Even in times of great joy when the storm recedes and the sun comes out the umbrella can still protect me. Instead of protecting me from rain it can protect me from too many rays of the sun. The protective umbrella of Unitarian Universalism can help me in my own search for truth and meaning.

I reflect on who I am as a person, and my search for meaning and wholeness. This is no easy task, and not something to take lightly. Education and learning is a transformative experience for me and is something that I must pursue, I cannot imagine myself doing anything else at this point in my life. The cost and hurdles will be difficult, but as my friend mentioned to me earlier in the week I must have faith. Sometimes it is hard to have faith, especially faith in yourself. I just have to remember to breath, and take one milestone at a time.