A Notion is: “A Concept or idea, conception, vague view, opinion, understanding, inclination or intention”.
The Oxford Dictionary gives us this definition of a notion, but what it does not do, is give you any idea of from where it came from within us, or the intention behind it!
When an individual studies Gnosis, they study themselves as well as their role in the Cosmos. They learn about their own inferior and superior natures (Ego and Essence /Inner Being/Higher Self respectively) and how these aspects behave within them.
One way of doing this, is the faculty of Self-Observation. By observing ourselves in our thoughts, feelings and actions, we can see which part of our nature is acting within us. This starts as a practical everyday exercise for example, where we might experience and recognise notions that someone around us (it could even be our best friend) is a lazy, jealous, vain gossip! This is known as the Inner talk, comes from our egos and the intentions behind it are flavoured with negative thoughts and emotions, creating an internal spiritual “poisoning”. Sometimes these notions are extreme, sometimes subtle, but never-the-less; they are ego based and part of our inferior nature.
Conversely, this same person can be engaged in everyday life activities and suddenly be moved to do a random act of kindness, moved to tears by a beautiful sunset or a sumptuous classical symphony or receive a “Gnotion”. A Gnotion manifests itself as a sudden impregnation of a spiritual or esoteric teaching in the emotional and intellectual centres (heart and mind). All of these are expressions or direct experiences of the “God within”.
Gnotions are similar to notions in definition, but the “feel” and the way they appear within us is mixed with a sense of awe and on a wave of inspiration/emotion. There is often the feeling of an immediate need to share this experience with others, although this must be done with caution as some Gnotions are intended only for the initial recipient, and will not make sense to anyone else not experiencing that sudden flash of the eternal now.
Gnotions come from the activity of our Essence (or consciousness) or communications from our Inner Being and teach us directly about ourselves or even cosmic principles. For example a child of 14 may be studying A level Biology over a period of months, and suddenly one day will receive, without reading or hearing it from any other sources, the Gnotion that in the same way that man is made of many cells, he is a reflection or microcosm of the galaxy and the macrocosm – “As is above so is below”. The child then goes on to verify this information much later on their life, when they go on a spiritual path. The Gnotion may be so strong and persistent that the recipient, if they go into a reflective meditation on it, can bring into their conscious mind, many more teachings sparked off by the initial thought.
We can learn from observing both notions and Gnotions so long as we discern the difference between the two and who is expressing them within us. This then becomes part of the process of Gnosis – Knowing thyself and the Awakening of the consciousness.
By Helen Cooper
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