The Formed Ideal [al-Mamthul] is the World of Sanctity, while the Representation [al-Mathal] is an expression for the physical World of Sensation, because it operates merely as a downstream shadow [mithalan] of that higher realm, imprinted and cast down from it.

[178] And from Kitab al-Hujub wa-al-Anwar, the Sage—His glory is mighty—stated: 'It is strictly incumbent upon the believer to ascend through the Luminous Realm seven distinct times [sab'an] until he transforms into an active Gate [Baban] for whosoever is beneath him. When he achieves that station, he shall never return back into physical human constraints [al-bashariyyah] ever again.'

[179] And he—His glory is mighty—stated: 'The believer proceeds from Allah: neither adjoined via physical contact [la mawsul] nor separated by spatial distance [la mafsul].'"

[180] Then he—His glory is mighty—stated: 'And I shall grant you further increase upon that: once He has brought him unto union [wasalahu], He never separates him [lam yafsilhu].'