Page 112 - Gnosis volume 2

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the different stages of the Way, to be found on a descending scale in which creation is
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the result of his sustained efforts .
One may recall the following symbols: having crossed the first Threshold, the faithful

is called upon to climb the Staircase in four stages, represented by four elevated steps.

Once they have been mounted, the neophyte, with his Personality now completed, finds

himself in front of the second Threshold. He has to make a further effort to cross this
new hurdle and embark on the Way, properly so called, where he must cover the

essential stage of his evolution by ensuring his own development and pushing it through

to its completion.

On the Staircase, each step represents a note of the scale and each note represents a
task to be fulfilled in order that growth may be achieved. Only the righteous accomplish

each task fully. The others, or the great majority of those in search of the Way, climb the

steps without liquidating, at each stage, their karmic burden, the remains of which

accumulate. However, once they reach the second Threshold, they cannot cross it
(according to the rule) without ridding themselves completely of this burden, for only

the pure can step over this Threshold. When he comes face to face with himself, the

disciple, armed with faith and courage, should conquer the guardian of the Threshold

which is none other than the monster of his Personality which he, himself, has created.
He has to start by judging, weighing and separating the good seed

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Ref. t. I, pp. 247 and the following French original version; p. 263 in the English manuscript.