Tek-Gnostics Codex... now in Paperback
The third installment in the Tek-Gnostics Trilogy is now available for purchase in paperback and E-book format, through Amazon. The Tek-Gnostics Codex - Ancient Wisdom for the Collective Conscious closes the circle on the Tek-Gnostics Trilogy series that I began back in 2016. I am very excited about how this final volume turned out. I think it is simultaneously my most playful and scholarly work to date. Book three examines an obscure and very mysterious collection of ancient codices, likely surviving from the Neolithic era, perhaps as far back as 12,000 years ago... which I have aggregated, translated, modernized, and otherwise heresified for your reading pleasure!
The following excerpt is taken from the prologue of The Tek-Gnostic Codex...
The Mysterious Origins of Sensei Djinn
Legend has it that the surviving fragments of this ancient system were first complied and preserved by a most mysterious figure, said to be a great scholar and “Keeper of the Archives” for the Royal Court of Zhou. The Zhou dynasty (1046 BCE to 256 BCE) was one of ancient China’s most enduring reigns, ending in an era of political chaos known as the “Warring States” period. More importantly, the Zhou archives were rumored to contain the secret wisdoms of the ancients, including the works of the Yellow Emperor, as well as many earlier classics.
Over the eons, this mysterious scholar was known by many names. The earliest accounts record his surname as Li, with a given name of Er. Although the royals knew him as such, to the commoners and peasants of the era, he was belovedly known as Li Dan (later Lao Dan), a name that translates to: “Old Long-Ears.” As you shall see dear reader, this mysterious figure… Old Long-Ears… holds a most revered place within the Tek-Gnostics mythology...
“It was written in such ancient narratives as those of first century BCE historian: Sima Qian that the subject of our tale… a most mysterious figure indeed… known in ancient China as the royal archivist of Zhou… grew weary of the moral decay of life in the capital city of Chang-Zhou. He was deeply saddened and discouraged by the Empire’s decline and the constant waging of war between the Empire’s many providences. In his disenchantment, he finally came to the decision to leave the capital city and venture into the wilds, to live in retirement as a hermit in the unsettled western frontier.
After making his plans known to the royal court, discharging his duties and making preparations, this enigmatic old man at last passed through the gates of Chang-Zhou, traveling in a simple ox-cart, drawn, so the legend goes, by a white water buffalo. His departure came in late autumn. As he traveled west along the high-road, rain-soaked rhododendron groves and bamboo thickets began to give way to lush conifer forests. Snow glistened on the peaks of the Wuling and Xuefeng Mountains.
In these times, the wide world was largely unknown. Human endeavor had forged early city-states and archaic dynasties, but outside the walls of cities, the forest was dark and vast… the road was full of mud. It was along these well-worn ruts, muddied by late autumn rains, that the old man traveled… ever westward
Along his route, the old man would stop at villages, to seek a bowl of rice and lodging for the night. In no particular hurry, he would stop at small mountain shrines to light incense and pay his respect to the ancestors. In this leisurely manner, he reached the Empire’s western border as early snows began to fall.
The high-road had led him to a military garrison and small village that supported the Empire’s western gate. This was the western pass that led out of the Luo-Yi valley, and into the wilds. Beyond this gate, the high-road narrowed and snaked upward, winding its way into the mountainous wilderness, into parts unknown. Rumors of bandits and worse… insured that only the most intrepid travelers ventured beyond this gate.
Having rested and refreshed at the village’s only tea house, the old man sought out the western gate, to inquire on passage into the wild and upon conditions of the road ahead. Leaving his cart and belongings safely secured at the tea house, the old man trudged on foot, through the muddy lane that led to the gate’s sentry post. It was here that our protagonist (known herein, and for reasons that shall soon become clear, as: “Sensei”) met the guard known as “Yin-xi.”
“Pardon the interruption” Sensei began… “but might I inquire as to the road ahead and the likelihood of safe passage?” Yin-xi inspected the curious man before him. “There is something familiar about this old peasant” Yin-xi thought to himself. “Traveling conditions are poor” Yin-xi began… “Although the road appears open, the high passes are by now snowed-in for the winter.” After a pause, Yin-xi added… “It would not be wise to venture beyond these gates until the spring thaw.”
Yin-xi eyed the stranger… “And why might a man of such honored age be traveling into the wilds, at this time of year?” he asked. “I come to retire from the intrigues of man and affairs of State” Sensei replied. “As to time” Sensei continued… “it is time, or to be more precise, ‘the times’ that necessitates my standing before you now.”
It just so happened, that Yin-xi was an avid student of astrology. The old man’s answer, and his cryptic reference to time, sparked memory of his recent study of the heavens, and of the signs and portents therein. For indeed the signs indicated (along with rumors from the capital) the arrival of a great man. In those days, the term ‘great man’ referred to a man of great learning and deep wisdom.
“Your appearance is not altogether unexpected” Yin-xi said, in an attempt to ‘draw out’ the old man, whose identity he suspected. “I expect my appearance to be as that of any wayfarer” Sensei countered. “You appear as a simple traveler, yes” said Yin-xi, his eyes narrowing… “yet word has reached this modest garrison that a man of high station is on the road, traveling in common guise.” Despite the inscrutable demeanor of the old man, Yin-xi pressed on. “My own humble observations of the heavens have indicated the coming of a man of high wisdom” Yin-xi continued… “Are you not, in fact, the honorable person known to be the royal archivist of House Zhou?”
Will Sensei Djinn confirm Yin-Xi's guesses as to his true identity? If so, what, if any arcane secrets will Sensei reveal to Yin-Xi? Or... will Sensei maintain his masquerade and not reveal himself? Will Sensei pass through the western gates of Zhou to live in retirement as a hermit in the unsettled western frontier? All of these and more secrets and mysteries, including the ancient codices... will be revealed in the final volume of the Tek-Gnostics Trilogy.
Find out for yourself, dear intrepid reader, by purchasing my book! Do it today! I think you will enjoy it and I know I will appreciate it! ...Cheers!
- J ♥
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