The Hymn of the Robe of Glory

by G.R.S. Mead

This hymn or poem is an important Gnostic text and should be essential reading for anyone interested in early mystical literature. Also known as "The Hymn of the Pearl", it is an allegorical tale. Instead of an outer journey, as it first seems, it is interpreted here as a deeper, inner one. It contains a message that can be quite profound, depending on the reader's level of spiritual understanding. This book works on the inner psyche, creating an interactive balance, in some cases, between the upper (hidden) and lower (physical) worlds. That was the aim of many Gnostic stories, poems and parables. With that in mind, this book has much to offer.

100 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1993

About the author

George Robert Stowe Mead, who always published under the initialism G.R.S. Mead, was a historian, writer, editor, translator, and an influential member of the Theosophical Society, as well as founder of the Quest Society. His scholarly works dealt mainly with the Hermetic and Gnostic religions of Late Antiquity, and were exhaustive for the time period.

Reviews

[Muhammad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever read in my life. I first read it in the "Gnostic Bible" compilation of text and after further study found who G.R.S. Mead was, and began studying his writings more. Out of the 2 or 3 translations that are available, I prefer his. And his commentary against his extensive knowledge of Gnostic, Hermetic, and ancient Egyptian spiritual systems provides a great point of view from which to understand the text. I cry every time I read this, and I'm not ashamed to say so.