Perhaps "Gnostic" is one who believes that "Gnosis" is possible,
either because of having experienced it,
or because they are seeking it.

The other Greek term, "Pistis" is one who rests on "Faith".
Now, faith is required for a lot of things. You have to have
faith that folks are going to stop for the red light and not
crash into you. You have to have faith that the food you
are eating has not been poisoned. But when "Faith" is
applied to religion, it means mentally agreeing with absurd
notions and hopeless promises.

"Gnosis" perhaps with a small "g", gnosis, is Greek for
knowing something because you have directly experience it.
If you touch a hot stove with your bare hand you
gnosis that it will burn you because it did burn you and
it would do it again under the same conditions.
Very scientific, that.

Now gnosis of the metaphysical is interesting.
I collect experiences that are not explained by normal logic,
of observed synchronicities, of intuitive alerts to dangers,
of projecting thoughts into having other begin speaking of them,
in having the kosmos give me signs and inspirations.

Do these little aha moments of gnosis gradually lead up
to the sudden shock of Gnosis? When the pattern is revealed
the little pieces of the puzzle fit together. Then the pattern is
forgotten again and you are left holding the pieces, but you
somehow remember that you once had the complete picture
and it all does fit.

-- Gnostic Tom