12/15/2018
The Pythagoreans and Stoics in ancient Greece also followed the Essene principles and much of their way of life.
Stoics - (always loved their teachings) - The Stoics taught that emotions (positive and negative) resulted in errors of judgment which were destructive, due to the active relationship between cosmic determinism and human freedom, and the belief that it is virtuous to maintain a will (called prohairesis) that is in accord with nature.
So basically like the Essene they focused on development of Will power and character - overcoming desire - once addiction and desire was overcome they had mastery over themselves. That’s what “Gnosis” is. You won’t find Gnosis from reading books but rather overcoming your weakness - desires - wants - etc.....
Prohairesis (Ancient Greek: προαίρεσις; variously translated as "moral character", "will", "volition", "choice", "intention", or "moral choice")
So they developed will power as to attain mastery of oneself. Then and only then can you ever expect to achieve Gnosis.