The Hymn of the Robe of Glory (Echoes

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^ut w
HYMN OF
ky S^OU^ these living ideas be
THE ROBE symbolized by a pearl a precious
OF GLORY, thing, yet the product of disease
If we may be permitted to speculate
on the further meaning of a physical
fact not known to the ancient Gnostics,
we might suggest that Living Gnosis can
not be gained without the help of the
Opposing Powers, the mystical Adversary.
Gnosis from one point of view is the
union of the spiritual and personal man.
When the spiritual self would attain to
Divine consummation, there must be a
descent into the spheres of personality,
where people and things live, so to speak,
within shells." The spiritual man has
to steal from within the Great Shell,
or from within the shell side of things,
that most precious gem which is the
product of self-will or disease that
is of the
Opposer."
This mystery may also be called a
pearl because, on the substance side
of things, the man in whom Gnosis is
born, or who is born in Gnosis, is for ever
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