Thank you. It reminds me of the ancient philosophy of "gnosticism" (Greek "gnosis" or knowledge). The gnostics in the 2nd & 3rd centuries CE believed they could ascend and transcend if they possessed certain secrets. They also believed the body was non-essential--they were dualists: spirit is greater than body. They did not believe that as humans we are an integrated whole of body, soul, and spirit--when one is removed from the other, something violent takes place: death.

This led to an overblown sense of self and pride.