Zostrianos in the desert
John H. Sieber / John D. Turner (composite, abridged) · Public domain / scholarly composite. Reproduced for educational and religious commentary.
1I am Zostrianos. The words of truth I have spoken to my own race; and I shall speak them again, that those who shall come after me may understand them.
2I had become greatly distressed in my thoughts because of the multitude of differing things in the world, and I sought to understand them all. I disputed with the powers of the world; I disputed with the great archons; I sought to know — what is the world, what is the soul, what is god, what is the cause of the soul's deception?
3I withdrew from the body to the desert that I might give myself to fasting and prayer. There I was alone with my ruminations. And while I was offering myself a sacrifice in such a manner — being deeply troubled — I went out from my body and was taken up into the air, the air which is above all rulers.
4A great angel of the holy Light surrounded me. He said, Zostrianos, why have you become troubled? Why have you fled? Why have you sought after the desolation of the desert? Was it not because you wished to know the things that are? Come, let me reveal to them to you. Be of good courage, for we shall go up together.
5And he caught me up. We went together. And we passed through every aeon: from the world, into the All, from the All to the Aeon of the All, from the Aeon of the All to the Aeon-of-the-Aeons.