O soul: While you were in the world of Unity, you were wealthy, insightful, and learned. you saw all the worlds presented before you, all of them pure, luminous, radiant, and transparent. And beneath them, the world of generation and corruption appeared black and dark; it was visible from those heights just as a black stone is visible within clear water. Then, it occurred to you to enter it, to experience it and to learn its knowledge. When you resolved upon that, you departed from the rank of Unity and descended to the rank of Association (Ishtirak).

You proceeded with the motion, seeking what you had desired, until you arrived at the world of generation. Your departure from the world of Unity to the world of composites—driven by your desire and greed—was like a bird heading toward a trap to snatch its grain, only for the set trap to snatch its life; or like a fish in the water that desired to swallow the fisher’s bait, only to be swallowed by the fisher.

Thus, O soul, you encountered the world of darkness with your light and purity and mingled with it; then, it shrouded and darkened your light, blinded you, and hid from you all your knowledge and everything you once perceived. You remained a captive and a hostage.

O soul: All of this is due to your ancient error. Yet, whenever you prefer to return, O soul, then seek out the harmful things that were yours in nature, strip yourself of them, and purify yourself. For your cleansing from them is the cause of your deliverance and return.