The Gnostic perspective of Satan is not literal. Satan is not a real arch demon, but, rather, anything that deceives the seeker from seeing the truth. When Jesus rebuked Peter with the words, “Get thee behind me Satan” he was not speaking to the demon, but rather to Peter whose all too human nature and misunderstanding of the truth could serve as a stumbling block for the master himself. Peter was offering Jesus a way out, and the master knew that by giving into that temptation he would be forsaking his real goal which is unification of body, mind and soul with the ineffable. This journey is often uncomfortable and filled with peril. The temptation to say “good enough” and rest is all too easy to succumb to.

 

Even a spiritual master is capable of error. No matter how great, holy or pious they may seem. Jesus knew this and was constantly on guard against the myriad follies that cause many a spiritual seeker to become waylaid, or as in some cases, completely derailed. It is because of this we must be wary when seeking spiritual companionship or a mentor to guide us through the rough, desert terrain of the spiritual world. We are all potential spiritual masters and always students. Again we must find ourselves back at square one contemplating the truth of our own being before we can ascend to higher elevations. Only a soul free from the dictatorship of his or her own ego can have the humility to accept mentorship, and only such a soul can see the fraud for what he or she is.

 

Our attitude about Satan does not mean that we ignore the presence of evil in this world. Evil exists and it has many faces – all human! Ego and the self-interest that arises from it are more likely the source of evil on this planet rather than an invisible supernatural entity going about the planet causing people to stumble and do hateful things. Our own habits, self centeredness and desires cause us to stumble on our own without any help from supernatural quarters. Fear, anger, hate – these things also lead us down the road of perdition. But never forget perdition is a human condition and entirely a human creation.

 

Even St Augustine recognized that the “punishment for the sin is the sin itself.” God does not punish neither does his arch nemesis. We punish and torture ourselves and if we find our selves in hell it is simply because our blindness to the truth has landed us there. Once we prefer truth to the deceptions we waste our free will on we will find ourselves no longer in hell. Hell does it exist, but it is only an archetype. It represents the “helling off” or separating of ourselves from the truth. In truth it is neither real nor eternal.