Daskalos: We are beings of light experiencing human existence

Daskalos, born Stylianos Atteshlis, is one of the most mystical figures in modern spiritual teaching and self-knowledge. Born in Cyprus, he dedicated his life to preserving and partially unveiling the secrets of the spiritual world and the path of human beings towards Theosis—the union with the Divine, the state of unity with God.

According to Daskalos, Theosis is the ultimate goal of every consciousness, the pursuit of divine union that requires continuous inner work and mastery over the mind and heart (thoughts and emotions). At the core of Daskalos' teachings lies the concept of the four human bodies—physical, psychic, mental, and spiritual. He explains that each of these aspects plays a crucial role in elevating consciousness. The physical body is connected to the material world, while the psychic body contains emotions and sensations. The mental body focuses on thought processes, and the spiritual body—or the "Divine Spark"—represents the eternal essence of the human, linking them to the Absolute.

One of the most important practices recommended by Daskalos is "Self-Observation," a method for awareness and analysis of one's own thoughts and emotions. "Only when we achieve inner clarity and control over our emotions and thoughts can we approach true wisdom," he says. This method helps students overcome the illusions of egocentrism and discover their deep essence, free from external influences.

Daskalos states, "Do not accept anything based on faith alone without experiencing it yourself." He teaches that faith by itself is not enough for true, profound knowledge. A person must explore and experience each Teaching, seeking Truth in everything.
According to Daskalos, Theosis is the process of "returning to our true essence" while overcoming the illusions of the material world. In his discourses, he emphasizes, "We are beings of light experiencing human existence." This path requires both discipline and complete dedication, as one must learn to recognize and understand the symbols and signs of the spiritual world to reach the full Truth.

A central theme in Daskalos' Teaching is unconditional Love and compassion for all beings. He emphasizes that Love is the foundation of all true spiritual growth and that without it, reaching spiritual heights is impossible. "Love is the key to all doors," says Daskalos, underscoring that Love is entirely giving, wholly sacrificial, wholly selfless, wholly unattached, wholly unchanging.

Daskalos founded the spiritual movement "Seekers of Truth," which is relatively concealed, closed, and resembles the Gnostic teachings of Christian mysticism. At the heart of the Teaching lies the understanding that humanity is an inseparable part of the Absolute—the universal source of life and primordial Truth, uniting all existence. Followers of the "Seekers of Truth" work through methods of inner knowledge, contemplation, and self-observation, aiming not only to reach spiritual awareness but to experience union with God (samadhi), which reveals Reality. This requires serious dedication, as the path to spiritual maturity is profound and demands complete liberation from material illusions, as well as achieving purity and balance in every aspect of life.

What is the difference between Theosis and Gnosis? Gnosis comes from the Greek “γνῶσις,” meaning "knowledge" or "understanding." In a spiritual sense, gnosis represents profound, inner knowledge of Divine Truth. It is not merely intellectual understanding but an intuitive and mystical knowledge of God and the true Essence of Reality. Gnosis involves awareness of spiritual principles and knowledge of the existence and structure of the Divine. Gnostic development requires inner work, meditation, and self-observation to peer beyond the visible and reach the hidden essence of the universe and the self. This process is associated with a deeper understanding of spiritual dimensions and the truth of our inner world.

Theosis (Gr. "θέωσις") means "union with God" or "divine unification." Theosis is a concept mostly associated with Eastern Orthodoxy and represents the ultimate goal of human existence—a complete merging and union with God (in Sufism known as fana, dissolution in God). Unlike gnosis, which emphasizes knowledge, Theosis is connected with practical spiritual transformation—a complete Change in which one becomes like God, revealing one's divine nature. This state is achieved through divine grace, discipline, and love, and is a process of spiritual growth that requires total inner transformation, a path through which all great spiritual Teachers have passed from antiquity to today. In this sense, Theosis represents the culmination of gnosis—when the knowledge of God matures into Union with Him.

Daskalos is adamant that Akhenaten's spiritual system produced thousands of initiates who reached very high levels of super-consciousness. He emphasizes the Spiritual Sun, which was the central focus in Akhenaten's initiation system.

Daskalos revered Akhenaten for his love, sincerity, integrity, and rejection of hypocrisy. One of his quotes highlights the importance of Truth and the courage to face it, rejecting lies and fear of it. Daskalos notes that a sincere person speaks from the heart, without hypocrisy or deceit, while the hypocrite lives in constant tension, never truly synchronized with their own words and heart.