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A Study of The Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece
By Three Initiates
"The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding."
To HERMES TRISMEGISTUS
Known by the Egyptians as the
Scribe of the Gods
and by the Greeks as
Thrice-Great Hermes
this little volume of Hermetic Philosophy is reverently dedicated.
We take great pleasure in presenting to the attention of students and investigators of the Secret Doctrines this little work based upon the world-old Hermetic Teachings. There has been so little written upon this subject, notwithstanding the countless references to the Teachings in the many works upon occultism, that the many earnest seekers after the Arcane Truths will doubtless welcome the appearance of this volume.
The purpose of this work is not the enunciation of any special philosophy or doctrine, but rather is to give to the students a statement of the Truth that will serve to reconcile the many bits of occult knowledge that they may have acquired, but which are apparently opposed to each other and which often serve to discourage and disgust the beginner in the study. Our intent is not to erect a new Temple of Knowledge, but rather to place in the hands of the student a Master-Key with which he may open the many inner doors in the Temple of Mystery through the main portals he has already entered.
There is no portion of the occult teachings possessed by the world which have been so closely guarded as the fragments of the Hermetic Teachings which have come down to us over the tens of centuries which have elapsed since the lifetime of its great founder, Hermes Trismegistus, the "scribe of the gods," who dwelt in old Egypt in the days when the present race of men was in its infancy. Contemporary with Abraham, and, if the legends be true, an instructor of that venerable sage, Hermes was, and is, the Great Central Sun of Occultism, whose rays have served to illumine the countless teachings which have been promulgated since his time. All the fundamental and basic teachings embedded in the esoteric teachings of every race may be traced back to Hermes. Even the most ancient teachings of India undoubtedly have their roots in the original Hermetic Teachings.
From the land of the Ganges many advanced occultists wandered to the land of Egypt, and sat at the feet of the Master. From him they obtained the Master-Key which explained and reconciled their divergent views, and thus the Secret Doctrine was firmly established. From other lands also came the learned ones, all of whom regarded Hermes as the Master of Masters, and his influence was so great that in spite of the many wanderings from the path on the part of the centuries of teachers in these different lands, there may still be found a certain basic resemblance and correspondence which underlies the many and often quite conflicting theories entertained by the occultists of these different lands today. The student of Comparative Religions will be able to perceive the influence of the Hermetic Teachings in every religion worthy of the name, now known to man, whether it be a dead religion or one in full vigor in our own times. There is always a certain correspondence in spite of the contradictory features, and the Hermetic Teachings act as the Great Reconciler.
The lifework of Hermes seems to have been in the direction of planting the great Seed-Truth which has grown and blossomed in so many strange forms, rather than to establish a school of philosophy which would dominate the world's thought. But, nevertheless, the original truths taught by him have been kept intact in their original purity by a few men in each age, who, refusing great numbers of half-developed students and followers, followed the Hermetic custom and reserved their truth for the few who were ready to comprehend and master it. From lip to ear the truth has been handed down among the few. There have always been a few Initiates in each generation, in the various lands of the earth, who kept alive the sacred flame of the Hermetic Teachings, and such have always been willing to use their lamps to re-light the lesser lamps of the outside world when the light of truth grew dim, and clouded by reason of neglect, and when the wicks became clogged with foreign matter. There were always a few to tend faithfully the altar of the Truth, upon which was kept alight the Perpetual Lamp of Wisdom. These men devoted their lives to the labor of love which the poet has so well stated in his lines:
"O, let not the flame die out! Cherished age after age in its dark cavern---in its holy temples cherished. Fed by pure ministers of love---let not the flame die out!"
These men have never sought popular approval, nor numbers of followers. They are indifferent to these things, for they know how few there are in each generation who are ready for the truth, or who would recognize it if it were presented to them. They reserve the "strong meat for men," while others furnish the "milk for babes." They reserve their pearls of wisdom for the few elect, who recognize their value and who wear them in their crowns, instead of casting them before the materialistic vulgar swine, who would trample them in the mud and mix them with their disgusting mental food. But these men have never forgotten or overlooked the original teachings of Hermes, regarding the passing on of the words of truth to those ready to receive them, which teaching is stated in The Kybalion as follows: "Where fall the footsteps of the Master, the ears of those ready for his Teaching open wide." And again: "When the ears of the student are ready to hear, then cometh the lips to fill them with Wisdom." But their customary attitude has always been strictly in accordance with the other Hermetic aphorism, also in The Kybalion: "The lips of Wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding."
There are those who have criticised this attitude of the Hermetists, and who have claimed that they did not manifest the proper spirit in their policy of seclusion and reticence. But a moment's glance back over the pages of history will show the wisdom of the Masters, who knew the folly of attempting to teach to the world that which it was neither ready or willing to receive. The Hermetists have never sought to be martyrs, and have, instead, sat silently aside with a pitying smile on their closed lips, while the "heathen raged noisily about them" in their customary amusement of putting to death and torture the honest but misguided enthusiasts who imagined that they could force upon a race of barbarians the truth capable of being understood only by the elect who had advanced along The Path.
And the spirit of persecution has not as yet died out in the land. There are certain Hermetic Teachings, which, if publicly promulgated, would bring down upon the teachers a great cry of scorn and revilement from the multitude, who would again raise the cry of "Crucify! Crucify."
In this little work we have endeavored to give you an idea of the fundamental teachings of The Kybalion, striving to give you the working Principles, leaving you to apply them yourselves, rather than attempting to work out the teaching in detail. If you are a true student, you will be able to work out and apply these Principles---if not, then you must develop yourself into one, for otherwise the Hermetic Teachings will be as "words, words, words" to you.
THE THREE INITIATES.
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"The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding." -- The Kybalion.
From old Egypt have come the fundamental esoteric and occult teachings which have so strongly influenced the philosophies of all races, nations and peoples, for several thousand years. Egypt, the home of the Pyramids and the Sphinx, was the birthplace of the Hidden Wisdom and Mystic Teachings. From her Secret Doctrine all nations have borrowed. India, Persia, Chaldea, Medea, China, Japan, Assyria, ancient Greece and Rome, and other ancient countries partook liberally at the feast of knowledge which the Hierophants and Masters of the Land of Isis so freely provided for those who came prepared to partake of the great store of Mystic and Occult Lore which the masterminds of that ancient land had gathered together.
In ancient Egypt dwelt the great Adepts and Masters who have never been surpassed, and who seldom have been equaled, during the centuries that have taken their processional flight since the days of the Great Hermes. In Egypt was located the Great Lodge of Lodges of the Mystics. At the doors of her Temples entered the Neophytes who afterward, as Hierophants, Adepts, and Masters, traveled to the four corners of the earth, carrying with them the precious knowledge which they were ready, anxious, and willing to pass on to those who were ready to receive the same. All students of the Occult recognize the debt that they owe to these venerable Masters of that ancient land.
But among these great Masters of Ancient Egypt there once dwelt one of whom Masters hailed as "The Master of Masters." This man, if "man" indeed he was, dwelt in Egypt in the earliest days. He was known as Hermes Trismegistus. He was the father of the Occult Wisdom; the founder of the Astrology; the discoverer of Alchemy. The details of his life story are lost to history, owing to the lapse of the years, though several of the ancient countries disputed with each other in their claims to the honor of having furnished his birthplace---and this thousands of years ago. The date of his sojourn in Egypt, in that his last incarnation on this planet, is not now known, but it has been fixed at the early days of the oldest dynasties of Egypt---long before the days of Moses. The best authorities regard him as a contemporary of Abraham, and some of the Jewish traditions go so far as to claim that Abraham acquired a portion of his mystic knowledge from Hermes himself.
As the years rolled by after his passing from this plane of life (tradition recording that he lived three hundred years in the flesh), the Egyptians deified Hermes, and made him one of their gods, under the name of Thoth. Years after, the people of Ancient Greece also made him one of their many gods---calling him "Hermes, the god of Wisdom." The Egyptians revered his memory for many centuries---yes, tens of centuries---calling him "the Scribe of the Gods," and bestowing upon him, distinctively, his ancient title, "Trismegistus," which means "the thrice-great"; "the great-great"; "the greatest-great"; etc. In all the ancient lands, the name of Hermes Trismegistus was revered, the name being synonymous with the "Fount of Wisdom."
Even to this day, we use the term "hermetic" in the sense of "secret"; "sealed so that nothing can escape"; etc., and this by reason of the fact that the followers of Hermes always observed the principle of secrecy in their teachings. They did not believe in "casting pearls before swine," but rather held to the teaching "milk for babes; meat for strong men," both of which maxims are familiar to readers of the Christian scriptures, but both of which had been used by the Egyptians for centuries before the Christian era.
And this policy of careful dissemination of the truth has always characterized the Hermetics, even unto the present day. The Hermetic Teachings are to be found in all lands, among all religions, but never identified with any particular country, nor with any particular religious sect. This because of the warning of the ancient teachers against allowing the Secret Doctrine to become crystallized into a creed. The wisdom of this caution is apparent to all students of history. The ancient occultism of India and Persia degenerated, and was largely lost, owing to the fact that the teachers became priests, and so mixed theology with the philosophy, the result being that the occultism of India and Persia has been gradually lost amidst the mass of religious superstition, cults, creeds and "gods." So it was with Ancient Greece and Rome. So it was with the Hermetic Teachings of the Gnostics and Early Christians, which were lost at the time of Constantine, whose iron hand smothered philosophy with the blanket of theology, the true essence and spirit of the Christian teachings being lost to all but the very few who were able to discern the esoteric meaning underlying the exoteric formalism, the spirit of the true Christ being largely lost to the many who were only able to grasp the outer teachings, which were given to the world in the shape of parables, fables, and semi-allegorical statements. But writers have always existed to interpret and re-vivify the ancient doctrines, and to point out the true meaning and symbolism of the allegorical teachings, so that even to this day the truth is kept before the minds of the elect few. Thus the Hermetic Philosophy is the only Master-Key which will open all the doors of the Occult Teachings!
In the early days, there was a compilation of certain Basic Hermetic Doctrines, passed on from teacher to student, which was known as "THE KYBALION," the exact significance and meaning of the term having been lost for several centuries. This teaching, however, is known to many to whom it has descended, from mouth to ear, on and on throughout the centuries. Its precepts have never been written down, or printed, so far as we are aware. It was merely a collection of maxims, axioms, and precepts, which were non-understandable to outsiders, but which were readily understood by students, after the axioms, maxims, and precepts had been explained and exemplified by the Hermetic Initiates to their Neophytes. These teachings really constituted the basic principles of "The Art of Hermetic Alchemy," which, contrary to the general belief, dealt in the mastery of Mental Forces, rather than Material Elements---the Transmutation of one kind of Mental Vibrations into others, instead of the changing of one kind of metal into another. The legends of the "Philosopher's Stone" which would turn base metal into Gold, was an allegory relating to Hermetic Philosophy, readily understood by all students of true Hermeticism.
In this little book, of which this is the First Lesson, we invite our students to examine into the Hermetic Teachings, as set forth in THE KYBALION, and as explained by ourselves, humble students of the Teachings, who, while bearing the title of Initiates, are still students at the feet of HERMES, the Master. We herein give you many of the maxims, axioms and precepts of THE KYBALION, accompanied by explanations and illustrations which we deem likely to render the teachings more easily comprehended by the modern student, particularly as the original text is purposely veiled in obscure terms.
The original maxims, axioms, and precepts of THE KYBALION are printed herein, in quotation marks, the proper credit being given. Our own words and terms, used in the explanation and elucidation of the text, are left unquoted, in the body of the work. We trust that the many students to whom we now offer this little work will derive as much benefit from the study of its pages as have the many who have gone on before, treading the same Path to Mastery throughout the centuries that have passed since the times of HERMES TRISMEGISTUS---the Master of Masters---the Great-Great. In the words of THE KYBALION:
"Where fall the footsteps of the Master, the ears of those ready for his Teaching open wide." -- The Kybalion.
"When the ears of the student are ready to hear, then cometh the lips to fill them with Wisdom." -- The Kybalion.
So that according to the Teachings, the passage of this book to those ready for the instruction will attract the attention of such as are prepared to receive the Teaching. And, likewise, when the pupil is ready to receive the truth, then will this little book come to him, or her. Such is The Law. The Hermetic Principle of Cause and Effect, in its aspect of The Law of Attraction, will bring lips and ear together---pupil and book in company. So mote it be!
"The Principles of Truth are Seven; he who knows these, understandingly, possesses the Magic Key before whose touch all the Doors of the Temple fly open." -- The Kybalion.
The Seven Hermetic Principles, upon which the entire Hermetic Philosophy is based, are as follows:
- The Principle of Mentalism.
- The Principle of Correspondence.
- The Principle of Vibration.
- The Principle of Polarity.
- The Principle of Rhythm.
- The Principle of Cause and Effect.
- The Principle of Gender.
These Seven Principles will be discussed and explained as we proceed. A short explanation of each, however, may as well be given at this point.
"THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental." -- The Kybalion.
This Principle embodies the truth that "All is Mind." It explains that THE ALL (which is the Substantial Reality underlying all the outward manifestations and appearances which we know under the terms of "The Material Universe"; the "Phenomena of Life"; "Matter"; "Energy"; and, in short, all that is apparent to our material senses) is SPIRIT, which in itself is UNKNOWABLE and UNDEFINABLE, but which may be considered and thought of as AN UNIVERSAL, INFINITE, LIVING MIND. It also explains that the entire phenomenal world or universe is simply a Mental Creation of THE ALL, subject to the Laws of Created Things, and that the universe, as a whole, and in its parts or units, has its existence in the Mind of THE ALL, in which Mind we "live and move and have our being." This Principle, by establishing the Mental Nature of the Universe, easily explains all of the varied mental and psychic phenomena that occupy such a large portion of the public attention, and which, without such explanation, are non-understandable and defy scientific treatment. An understanding of this great Hermetic Principle of Mentalism enables the individual to readily grasp the laws of the Mental Universe, and to apply the same to his well-being and advancement. The Hermetic Student is enabled to apply intelligently the great Mental Laws, instead of using them in a haphazard manner. With the Master-Key in his possession, the student may unlock the many doors of the mental and psychic temple of knowledge, and enter the same freely and intelligently. This Principle explains the true nature of "Energy," "Power," and "Matter," and why and how all these are subordinate to the Mastery of Mind. One of the old Hermetic Masters wrote, long ages ago: "He who grasps the truth of the Mental Nature of the Universe is well advanced on The Path to Mastery." And these words are as true today as at the time they were first written. Without this Master-Key, Mastery is impossible, and the student knocks in vain at the many doors of The Temple.
"As above, so below; as below, so above." -- The Kybalion.
This Principle embodies the truth that there is always a Correspondence between the laws and phenomena of the various planes of Being and Life. The old Hermetic axiom ran in these words: "As above, so below; as below, so above." And the grasping of this Principle gives one the means of solving many a dark paradox, and hidden secret of Nature. There are planes beyond our knowing, but when we apply the Principle of Correspondence to them we are able to understand much that would otherwise be unknowable to us. This Principle is of universal application and manifestation, on the various planes of the material, mental, and spiritual universe---it is an Universal Law. The ancient Hermetists considered this Principle as one of the most important mental instruments by which man was able to pry aside the obstacles which hid from view the Unknown. Its use even tore aside the Veil of Isis to the extent that a glimpse of the face of the goddess might be caught. Just as a knowledge of the Principles of Geometry enables man to measure distant suns and their movements, while seated in his observatory, so a knowledge of the Principle of Correspondence enables Man to reason intelligently from the Known to the Unknown. Studying the monad, he understands the archangel.
"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates." -- The Kybalion.
This Principle embodies the truth that "everything is in motion"; "everything vibrates"; "nothing is at rest"; facts which Modern Science endorses, and which each new scientific discovery tends to verify. And yet this Hermetic Principle was enunciated thousands of years ago, by the Masters of Ancient Egypt. This Principle explains that the differences between different manifestations of Matter, Energy, Mind, and even Spirit, result largely from varying rates of Vibration. From THE ALL, which is Pure Spirit, down to the grossest form of Matter, all is in vibration---the higher the vibration, the higher the position in the scale. The vibration of Spirit is at such an infinite rate of intensity and rapidity that it is practically at rest---just as a rapidly moving wheel seems to be motionless. And at the other end of the scale, there are gross forms of matter whose vibrations are so low as to seem at rest. Between these poles, there are millions upon millions of varying degrees of vibration. From corpuscle and electron, atom and molecule, to worlds and universes, everything is in vibratory motion. This is also true on the planes of energy and force (which are but varying degrees of vibration); and also on the mental planes (whose states depend upon vibrations); and even on to the spiritual planes. An understanding of this Principle, with the appropriate formulas, enables Hermetic students to control their own mental vibrations as well as those of others. The Masters also apply this Principle to the conquering of Natural phenomena, in various ways. "He who understands the Principle of Vibration, has grasped the scepter of power," says one of the old writers.
"Everything is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled." -- The Kybalion.
This Principle embodies the truth that "everything is dual"; "everything has two poles"; "everything has its pair of opposites," all of which were old Hermetic axioms. It explains the old paradoxes, that have perplexed so many, which have been stated as follows: "Thesis and antithesis are identical in nature, but different in degree"; "opposites are the same, differing only in degree"; "the pairs of opposites may be reconciled"; "extremes meet"; "everything is and isn't, at the same time"; "all truths are but half-truths"; "every truth is half-false"; "there are two sides to everything," etc., etc., etc. It explains that in everything there are two poles, or opposite aspects, and that "opposites" are really only the two extremes of the same thing, with many varying degrees between them. To illustrate: Heat and Cold, although "opposites," are really the same thing, the differences consisting merely of degrees of the same thing. Look at your thermometer and see if you can discover where "heat" terminates and "cold" begins! There is no such thing as "absolute heat" or "absolute cold"---the two terms "heat" and "cold" simply indicate varying degrees of the same thing, and that "same thing" which manifests as "heat" and "cold" is merely a form, variety, and rate of Vibration. So "heat" and "cold" are simply the "two poles" of that which we call "Heat"---and the phenomena attendant thereupon are manifestations of the Principle of Polarity. The same Principle manifests in the case of "Light and Darkness," which are the same thing, the difference consisting of varying degrees between the two poles of the phenomena. Where does "darkness" leave off, and "light" begin? What is the difference between "Large and Small"? Between "Hard and Soft"? Between "Black and White"? Between "Sharp and Dull"? Between "Noise and Quiet"? Between "High and Low"? Between "Positive and Negative"? The Principle of Polarity explains these paradoxes, and no other Principle can supersede it. The same Principle operates on the Mental Plane. Let us take a radical and extreme example---that of "Love and Hate," two mental states apparently totally different. And yet there are degrees of Hate and degrees of Love, and a middle point in which we use the terms "Like or Dislike," which shade into each other so gradually that sometimes we are at a loss to know whether we "like" or "dislike" or "neither." And all are simply degrees of the same thing, as you will see if you will but think a moment. And, more than this (and considered of more importance by the Hermetists), it is possible to change the vibrations of Hate to the vibrations of Love, in one's own mind, and in the minds of others. Many of you, who read these lines, have had personal experiences of the involuntary rapid transition from Love to Hate, and the reverse, in your own case and that of others. And you will therefore realize the possibility of this being accomplished by the use of the Will, by means of the Hermetic formulas. "Good and Evil" are but the poles of the same thing, and the Hermetist understands the art of transmuting Evil into Good, by means of an application of the Principle of Polarity. In short, the "Art of Polarization" becomes a phase of "Mental Alchemy" known and practiced by the ancient and modern Hermetic Masters. An understanding of the Principle will enable one to change his own Polarity, as well as that of others, if he will devote the time and study necessary to master the art.
"Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates." -- The Kybalion.
This Principle embodies the truth that in everything there is manifested a measured motion, a to and from movement, a flow and inflow, a swing backward and forward, a pendulum-like movement. This is true not only of all physical matter and energy, but of all mental states. There is always an action and a reaction; an advance and a retreat; a rising and a sinking. This is in the affairs of the Universe, suns, worlds, men, animals, mind, energy, and matter. This law is manifest in the creation and destruction of worlds; in the rise and fall of nations; in the life of all things; and finally in the mental states of Man (and it is with this latter that the Hermetists find the understanding of the Principle most important). The Hermetists have grasped this Principle, finding its universal application, and have also discovered certain means to overcome its effects in themselves by the use of the appropriate formulas and methods. They apply the Mental Law of Neutralization. They cannot annul the Principle, or cause it to cease its operation, but they have learned how to escape its effects upon themselves to a certain degree depending upon the Mastery of the Principle. They have learned how to USE it, instead of being USED BY it. In this and similar methods, consist the Art of the Hermetists. The Master of Hermetics polarizes himself at the point at which he desires to rest, and then neutralizes the Rhythmic swing of the pendulum which would tend to carry him to the other pole. All individuals who have attained any degree of Self-Mastery, do this to a certain degree, more or less unconsciously, but the Master does this consciously, and by the use of his Will, and attains a degree of Poise and Mental Firmness almost impossible of belief on the part of the masses who are swung backward and forward like a pendulum. This Principle and that of Polarity have been closely studied by the Hermetists, and the methods of counteracting, neutralizing, and USING them form an important part of the Hermetic Mental Alchemy.
"Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause; everything happens according to Law; Chance is but a name for Law not recognized; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the Law." -- The Kybalion.
This Principle embodies the fact that there is a Cause for every Effect; an Effect from every Cause. It explains that: "Everything Happens according to Law"; that nothing ever "merely happens"; that there is no such thing as Chance; that while there are various planes of Cause and Effect, the higher dominating the lower planes, still nothing ever entirely escapes the Law. The Hermetists understand the art and methods of rising above the ordinary plane of Cause and Effect, to a certain degree, and by mentally rising to a higher plane they become Causers instead of Effects. The masses of people are carried along, obedient to environment; the wills and desires of others stronger than themselves; heredity; suggestion; and other outward causes moving them about like pawns on the Chessboard of Life. But the Masters, rising to the plane above, dominate their moods, characters, qualities, and powers, as well as the environment surrounding them, and become Movers instead of pawns. They help to PLAY THE GAME OF LIFE, instead of being played and moved about by other wills and environment. They USE the Principle instead of being its tools. The Masters obey the Causation of the higher planes, but they help to RULE on their own plane. In this statement there is condensed a wealth of Hermetic knowledge---let him read who can.
"Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes." -- The Kybalion.
This Principle embodies the truth that there is GENDER manifested in everything---the Masculine and Feminine Principles ever at work. This is true not only of the Physical Plane, but of the Mental and even the Spiritual Planes. On the Physical Plane, the Principle manifests as SEX, on the higher planes it takes higher forms, but the Principle is ever the same. No creation, physical, mental or spiritual, is possible without this Principle. An understanding of its laws will throw light on many a subject that has perplexed the minds of men. The Principle of Gender works ever in the direction of generation, regeneration, and creation. Everything, and every person, contains the two Elements or Principles, or this great Principle, within it, him or her. Every Male thing has the Female Element also; every Female contains also the Male Principle. If you would understand the philosophy of Mental and Spiritual Creation, Generation, and Re-generation, you must understand and study this Hermetic Principle. It contains the solution of many mysteries of Life. We caution you that this Principle has no reference to the many base, pernicious and degrading lustful theories, teachings and practices, which are taught under fanciful titles, and which are a prostitution of the great natural principle of Gender. Such base revivals of the ancient infamous forms of Phallicism tend to ruin mind, body and soul, and the Hermetic Philosophy has ever sounded the warning note against these degraded teachings which tend toward lust, licentiousness, and perversion of Nature's principles. If you seek such teachings, you must go elsewhere for them---Hermeticism contains nothing for you along these lines. To the pure, all things are pure; to the base, all things are base.
"Mind (as well as metals and elements) may be transmuted, from state to state; degree to degree; condition to condition; pole to pole; vibration to vibration. True Hermetic Transmutation is a Mental Art." -- The Kybalion.
As we have stated, the Hermetists were the original alchemists, astrologers, and psychologists, Hermes having been the founder of these schools of thought. From astrology has grown modern astronomy; from alchemy has grown modern chemistry; from the mystic psychology has grown the modern psychology of the schools. But it must not be supposed that the ancients were ignorant of that which the modern schools suppose to be their exclusive and special property. The records engraved on the stones of Ancient Egypt show conclusively that the ancients had a full comprehensive knowledge of astronomy, the very building of the Pyramids showing the connection between their design and the study of astronomical science. Nor were they ignorant of Chemistry, for fragments of the ancient writings show that they were acquainted with the chemical properties of things; in fact, the ancient theories regarding physics are being slowly verified by the latest discoveries of modern science, notably those relating to the constitution of matter. Nor must it be supposed that they were ignorant of the branch of Psychology known as "Psychic Phenomena"---for they were quite familiar with hypnotism, and what are now called "psychic phenomena" were known and used by them in their Mysteries. In fact, the Egyptians were especially proficient in psychology, particularly in the branches that the modern schools ignore, but which, nevertheless, are being uncovered under the name of "Psychic Science," which is perplexing the modern psychologists, and making them reluctantly admit that "there may be something in it after all."
The truth is, that beneath the material chemistry, astronomy and psychology (that is, psychology in its phase of "brain-action"), the ancients possessed a knowledge of transcendental astronomy, called astrology; of transcendental chemistry, called alchemy; of transcendental psychology, called mystic psychology. They possessed the Inner Knowledge as well as the Outer Knowledge, the latter alone being possessed by modern scientists. Among the many secret branches of knowledge possessed by the Hermetists, was that known as Mental Transmutation, which forms the subject matter of this lesson.
"Transmutation" is a term usually employed to designate the ancient art of the transmutation of metals---particularly of the base metals into gold. The word "Transmutation" means "the act of changing from one form, nature or substance, into another; transformation." And accordingly, "Mental Transmutation" means the art of changing and transforming mental states, forms, and conditions, into others. So you may see that Mental Transmutation is the "Art of Mental Chemistry," if you like the term---a form of practical Mystic Psychology.
But this means far more than appears on the surface. Transmutation, Alchemy, or Mental Chemistry, according to the Hermetic Teachings, really possesses a much more far-reaching effect than the mere changing of one mental state into another. In reality, Mental Transmutation is but one phase of Hermetic Art, but it underlies all the other phases, and is the basic Art upon which the other Hermetic activities rest. Unless the principle of Mental Transmutation be understood, the other Hermetic formulas cannot be applied intelligently.
But, the Hermetic Teachings go much further than do the teachings of modern psychology. They teach that all mental states, conditions, and emotions are accompanied by corresponding physical conditions, and that by changing the mental state the physical condition is likewise changed or transmuted. They also teach that the various manifestations of disease---physical, mental and spiritual---may be "treated" by simple mental states properly directed, and that by the employment of the higher forces of the mind, the lower states of bodily inharmony and disease may be neutralized and transmuted. So that Hermetic Mental Transmutation may be, and is, applied in the healing of physical ills as well as mental ones. And still more than this is taught---that the mental states of others may be changed or transmuted, by the efforts of a properly trained mind, under what are known as the manifestations of "Mental Influence," "Mental Healing," "Mental Therapeutics," etc., etc.
In order to understand the workings of Mental Transmutation, one must have an understanding of the nature of the Substance with which the Hermetists work, and which forms the basis of all their phenomena. This Substance is known under many names by the different schools---some call it "Spirit"; others "Akasa"; others "Ether"; others "Prana"; others "Mana"; others "Vril"; etc., etc. The Hermetists know it as "THE ALL," or "The Substantial Reality," but even they give it many symbolic names, and refer to it under many allegories. But all agree in the statement that the Substance is inconceivably fine, ethereal, and tenuous, and that it pervades all space---that it is, in fact, Universal in its extent. Later on we shall tell you more about this Universal Substance, but at this point we wish to fix your attention upon the fact that it is the basis of all Mental Transmutation, and that the various mental states are but varying degrees of vibration of this Substance, and that the "Transmutation" consists in the changing of these vibrations, by an effort of the WILL, from a lower to a higher rate, or vice versa.
The student will be greatly assisted in the study of Mental Transmutation by a knowledge of the fact that the human brain is the instrument through which the Mind manifests its vibrations, and that the mental vibrations may be transmitted, not only from brain to brain, but from mind to mind, over vast distances, and also may be stored up in the brain for future use. The Hermetists teach that the Sympathetic Nervous System, as well as the Cerebro-Spinal, is concerned in the process, but we cannot enter into a discussion of this phase of the subject at this time. Enough has been said to give the intelligent student a key to the fundamental principles of Mental Transmutation. The fuller application of these principles is set forth in the subsequent lessons of this book, but the basic principles are stated in this chapter.
In the works of the Hermetists, the student will find constant reference to "THE ALL," to which we have referred in this and previous chapters. We wish to call the attention of the student to the fact that the Hermetic teachings concerning THE ALL are most important, and bear directly upon the subject of Mental Transmutation. In fact, the entire theory and practice of Hermetic Alchemy is based upon the nature of THE ALL, and an understanding of the nature of THE ALL is a prerequisite to a successful understanding and application of the Hermetic Art.
For this reason, we wish our students to carefully study the following chapters, in which we go into the heart of the subject of THE ALL, as explained and taught by the Hermetic Masters. We trust that you will not allow the somewhat abstruse nature of the subject to discourage you. The student who will read carefully, and re-read, these chapters on THE ALL, will find many points that will throw light on many dark places encountered in the study of Occultism generally. To those who are ready for the truth, the inner meaning will be made clear, and the Cloud of Darkness surrounding the subject will be lifted. It will be noticed that much of the philosophy is stated in the form of paradoxes---which is the custom of the Hermetic teachers---and the student who will carefully weigh and consider these paradoxes will find the doors of Understanding unlocked.
"Under, and back of, the Universe of Time, Space and Change, is ever to be found The Substantial Reality---the Fundamental Truth." -- The Kybalion.
"Substance" means: "that which underlies all outward manifestations; the essence; the essential reality; the thing in itself," etc. "Substantial" means: "actually existing; being the essential element; being real," etc. "Reality" means: "the state of being real; true, enduring; valid; fixed; permanent; actual," etc.
Under and behind all outward appearances or manifestations, there must always be a Substantial Reality. This is the Law. Man considering the Universe, of which he is a unit, sees nothing but change in matter, forces, and mental states. He sees that nothing really IS, but that everything is BECOMING and CHANGING. Nothing stands still---everything is being born, growing, dying---the very instant a thing reaches its height, it begins to decline---the law of rhythm is in constant operation---there is no reality, enduring quality, fixity, or substantiality in anything---nothing is permanent but Change. He sees all things evolving from other things, and resolving into other things---a constant action and reaction; inflow and outflow; building up and tearing down; creation and destruction; birth, growth and death. Nothing endures but Change. And if he be a thinking man, he concludes that all of these changing things must be but outward appearances or manifestations of some Underlying Power---some Substantial Reality.
All thinkers, in all lands and in all times, have assumed the necessity for postulating the existence of this Substantial Reality. All philosophies worthy of the name have been based upon this thought. Men have given to this Substantial Reality many names---some have called it by the term of Deity (under many titles); others have called it "The Infinite and Eternal Energy"; others have tried to call it "Matter"---but all have acknowledged its existence. It is self-evident---it needs no argument.
In these lessons we have followed the example of some of the world's greatest thinkers, both ancient and modern---the Hermetic Masters---and have called this Underlying Power---this Substantial Reality---by the Hermetic name of "THE ALL," which term we consider the most comprehensive of the many terms applied by Man to THAT which transcends names and terms.
We accept and teach the view of the great Hermetic thinkers of all times, as well as of those illumined souls who have reached higher planes of being, both of whom assert that the inner nature of THE ALL is UNKNOWABLE. This must be so, for naught by THE ALL itself can comprehend its own nature and being.
The Hermetists believe and teach that THE ALL, "in itself," is and must ever be UNKNOWABLE. They regard all the theories, guesses and speculations of the theologians and metaphysicians regarding the inner nature of THE ALL, as but the childish efforts of mortal minds to grasp the secret of the Infinite. Such efforts have always failed and will always fail, from the very nature of the task. One pursuing such inquiries travels around and around in the labyrinth of thought, until he is lost from sight of all sane reasoning and action, and is utterly unfitted for the work of life. The true Hermetist, while recognizing the reality of THE ALL "in itself," gives up all speculations regarding THAT which is Unknowable, and instead bends his efforts to the discovery of the nature of ITS manifestations, and the Laws governing them. And it is in this spirit that we wish our students to pursue their studies.
"That which is the Fundamental Truth---the Substantial Reality---is beyond true naming, but the Wise Men call it THE ALL." -- The Kybalion.
"In its Essence, THE ALL is UNKNOWABLE." -- The Kybalion.
"But, the report of Reason must be hospitably received, and treated with respect." -- The Kybalion.
The reason of Man, however, must report what it finds regarding the nature of THE ALL, as gathered from the manifestations of IT. And the report of Reason is the only guide that we have, and must be accepted. Here is the report:
The material universe, the phenomena of Life, Matter, Energy, and Mind---all these are held by Reason to be but manifestations of THE ALL---temporary and passing phases of THE ALL. But what is THE ALL in itself? Reason must answer, "UNKNOWABLE." For Reason can report only in terms of its own experience, and cannot transcend the boundaries set by its own nature. The ALL cannot be explained or comprehended, for explanation and comprehension imply definition, limitation, and relationship to something else. But THE ALL is everything that is. There is nothing else to which it may be related, or by which it may be defined. It is the ALL, and there is nothing else.
But while the essential nature of THE ALL is Unknowable, there are certain truths connected with its manifestations and activities which may be known, and which constitute the subject of the Hermetic Philosophy. These truths are discoverable by the application of the Hermetic Principles, which serve as keys to unlock the doors of knowledge. In the following chapters we will present these truths, as they were taught by the ancient Hermetic Masters to their disciples.
"The Universe is Mental---held in the Mind of THE ALL." -- The Kybalion.
THE ALL is SPIRIT! But what is Spirit? This question cannot be answered, for the reason that its definition is practically that of THE ALL, which cannot be explained or defined. Spirit is simply a name that men give to the highest conception of Infinite Living Mind---it means "the Real Essence"---"the Living Mind," as much superior to Life and Mind as we know them, as the latter are superior to mechanical Energy and Matter. Spirit transcends our understanding, and we use the term merely that we may think or speak of THE ALL. For the purposes of thought and understanding, we are justified in thinking of Spirit as Infinite Living Mind, and at the same time acknowledging that we can have no real conception of it. We must either do this or stop thinking of the matter at all.
Let us now proceed to a consideration of the nature of the Universe, as a whole and in its parts. What is the Universe? We have seen that there can be nothing outside of THE ALL. Then is the Universe THE ALL? No, this cannot be, because the Universe seems to be made up of MANY, and is constantly changing, and in other ways it does not measure up to the ideas that we are compelled to accept regarding THE ALL, as stated in our last lesson. Then if the Universe be not THE ALL, then it must be Nothing---such is the inevitable conclusion of the mind at first thought. But this will not satisfy the question, for we are sensible of the existence of the Universe. Then if the Universe is neither THE ALL, nor Nothing, what can it be? Let us examine this question.
If the Universe exists at all, or seems to exist, it must proceed in some way from THE ALL---it must be a creation of THE ALL. But as something can never come from nothing, from what could THE ALL have created it? Some philosophers have answered this question by saying that THE ALL created the Universe from ITSELF---that is, from the being and substance of THE ALL. But this will not do, for THE ALL cannot be subtracted from, nor divided, as we have seen, and then again if this be so, would not each particle in the Universe be aware of its being THE ALL---THE ALL could not lose its knowledge of itself, nor actually BECOME an atom, or blind force, or lowly living thing. Some men, indeed, realizing that THE ALL is indeed ALL, and at the same time recognizing that they, the men, existed, have jumped to the conclusion that they and THE ALL were identical, and they have filled the air with shouts of "I AM GOD," to the amusement of the multitude and the sorrow of sages. The claim of the corpuscle that: "I am Man!" would be modest in comparison.
But, what indeed is the Universe, if it be not THE ALL, not yet created by THE ALL by separating itself into fragments? What else can it be---of what else can it be made? This is the great question. Let us examine the reports of Reason. Reason tells us that the Universe must be a Mental Creation, or else it must be a Substance of some sort. There is no other possible answer. But Reason cannot think of a Substance outside of THE ALL, for there can be no such Substance. So the Universe must be a Mental Creation of THE ALL. That is the only alternative. And it is in this sense that the Hermetic Teachings state that the Universe is Mental, and is held in the Mind of THE ALL. Just as a man may create a world in his own mind, and yet that world is not the man, although it proceeds from him, so THE ALL creates the Universe in its Mind, and the Universe is not THE ALL, although it proceeds from THE ALL and is held within its Mind.
"THE ALL creates in its Infinite Mind countless Universes, which exist for aeons of Time---and yet, to THE ALL, the creation, development, decline and death of a million Universes is as the time of the twinkling of an eye." -- The Kybalion.
"The Infinite Mind of THE ALL is the womb of Universes." -- The Kybalion.
The Principle of Gender (see Lesson II. and other lessons to follow) is manifested on all planes, and the Masculine and Feminine Principle is ever at work. This does not mean Sex, nor does it imply that THE ALL is divided into two parts---it is a Principle of Relationship. The part of the Masculine Principle is to direct a certain energy toward the Feminine Principle, and thus start into operation the creative processes. But the Principle works on all planes, and the student who understands this catches a glimpse of the Mental Creation of Universes. But we cannot enter further into this subject here, but refer the student to our later lessons.
The student will, of course, realize that the illustrations employed above are necessarily imperfect and inadequate, for they represent the creation of mental images in finite minds, while the Universe is a creation of an Infinite Mind. And the difference between the two poles separates them. And yet it is the only illustration that we can give, for there is nothing else in human experience with which to compare the process. The finite mind of man, in its own degree, creates mental images which have a relative reality, as all students of psychology know, and it is by this illustration that the Hermetists endeavor to give the student at least a partial understanding of the creation of the Universe by THE ALL.
It must be remembered that the Universe is not a mere dream, or a phantasy, in the ordinary sense. It is a Mental Creation, but it is real to THE ALL, and will be found to be real to all the living units within the Universe, in proportion to their recognition of the Mental nature of the Universe. All is real, but the only Reality is Mind. The Universe is real, but it is a relative reality, and not an absolute reality. The Absolute Reality is THE ALL.
To us, the Universe is real enough, and we must live and act accordingly. Our recognition of its mental nature must not cause us to neglect our duties and obligations in the world of manifestation. The true Hermetist lives his life upon the principle of "Living in the world, but not being of it." He recognizes the relative reality of the Universe, and uses it as such, but he does not allow himself to be bound by it. He uses the Laws of the Universe, and rises above them when he so desires. This is the message of The Kybalion.
"The half-wise, recognizing the comparative unreality of the Universe, imagine that they may defy its Laws---such are vain and presumptuous fools, and they are broken against the rocks and torn asunder by the elements by reason of their folly. The truly wise, knowing the nature of the Universe, use Law against laws; the higher against the lower; and by the Art of Alchemy transmute that which is undesirable into that which is worthy, and thus triumph. Mastery consists not in abnormal dreams, visions and fantastic imaginings or living, but in using the higher forces against the lower---escaping the pains of the lower planes by vibrating on the higher. Transmutation, not presumptuous denial, is the weapon of the Master." -- The Kybalion.
"The half-wise, recognizing the comparative unreality of the Universe, imagine that they may defy its Laws---such are vain and presumptuous fools, and they are broken against the rocks and torn asunder by the elements by reason of their folly. The truly wise, knowing the nature of the Universe, use Law against laws; the higher against the lower; and by the Art of Alchemy transmute that which is undesirable into that which is worthy, and thus triumph. Mastery consists not in abnormal dreams, visions and fantastic imaginings or living, but in using the higher forces against the lower---escaping the pains of the lower planes by vibrating on the higher. Transmutation, not presumptuous denial, is the weapon of the Master." -- The Kybalion.
This is the Paradox of the Universe, resulting from the Principle of Polarity which manifests when THE ALL begins to Create---and, lo! the seeming separation of Spirit from Mind, and Mind from Matter. The relative truth of the Universe is a paradox to the finite mind. The finite mind insists upon trying to solve the Infinite, and in doing so, creates for itself a mass of contradictions and paradoxes. But the Hermetist, knowing the nature of the Universe, and the operation of the Laws, rises above the paradoxes by the use of the higher principles. The paradox is apparent, not real. It is the result of the finite mind attempting to comprehend the Infinite. The Hermetist, understanding the Law, sees that the apparent contradictions are but the two poles of the same thing, and are capable of reconciliation by the Principle of Polarity. In the Divine Paradox, the Universe and everything in it is a mental creation of THE ALL, and yet everything is real to the beings in it, for they are part of the creation, and the creation is real to the Creator. The Universe is a Dream of THE ALL, but the Dream is a real one, and we must not make the mistake of considering it a mere "day-dream" or "vain imagining." It is a real Mental Creation, and the beings in it have a relative reality, and a real existence, as long as the Dream continues. To THE ALL, the Universe is real; to us, the Universe is real; the difference is in the degree of reality. The Absolute Reality is THE ALL; the Relative Reality is the Universe. So, the Universe is both real and unreal, depending upon the point of view. It is real to us; but unreal in the sense of being a creation of Mind. This is the Divine Paradox. Let the student ponder well over this, for it is one of the great Hermetic Truths.
"While All is in THE ALL, it is equally true that THE ALL is in All. To him who truly understands this truth hath come great knowledge." -- The Kybalion.
How often have the majority of people heard repeated the statement that their Deity (called by many names) was "All in All," and how little have they suspected the inner occult truth concealed by these carelessly uttered words? The commonly used expression is a survival of the old Hermetic maxim quoted above. As the Kybalion says: "To him who truly understands this truth, hath come great knowledge." And, this being so, let us seek this truth, the understanding of which means so much. In this statement of truth---this Hermetic maxim---is concealed one of the greatest philosophical, scientific and religious truths.
We have given you the Hermetic Teaching regarding the Mental Nature of the Universe---the truth that "the Universe is Mental---held in the Mind of THE ALL." As the Kybalion says in the passage quoted above: "All is in THE ALL." But note also the correlated statement, that: "It is equally true that THE ALL is in ALL." This apparently contradictory statement is reconcilable under the Law of Paradox. It is, moreover, an exact Hermetic statement of the relations existing between THE ALL and its Mental Universe. We have seen how "All is in THE ALL"---now let us examine the other aspect of the subject.
The Hermetic Teachings are to the effect that THE ALL is Imminent in ("remaining within; inherent; abiding within") its Universe, and in every part, particle, unit, or combination, within the Universe. This statement is usually illustrated by the Teachers by a reference to the Principle of Correspondence. The Teacher instructs the student to form a Mental Image of something, a person, an idea, something having a mental form, the favorite example being that of the author or dramatist forming an idea of his characters; or a painter or sculptor forming an image of an ideal that he wishes to express by his art. In each case, the student will find that while the image has its existence and being solely within his own mind, yet he, the student, author, dramatist, painter, or sculptor, is, in a sense, immanent in that mental image; for it is his mind that encompasses it, and his thought that gives it life, form, and action. And, yet, the image is not the man, but is a creation of the man. So, as the Kybalion says, while All is in THE ALL, THE ALL is in All.
To the student who is able to grasp the Truth, this Immanence of THE ALL in its Universe is a necessary consequence of the Mental Nature of the Universe. For, if the Universe is Mental, and THE ALL is the Universal Mind, then THE ALL must be present in every part of its creation. Just as the mind of man is present in every part of his mental creation, so is THE ALL present in every part of its Mental Universe. This, of course, does not mean that every part of the Universe is THE ALL, any more than the mental image of a man is the man himself. The mental image is not the man, but the man is in the mental image, in the sense of his mind being the environment and container of the image. So, THE ALL is not the Universe, but the Universe is in THE ALL, and THE ALL is in the Universe. This is the Hermetic Doctrine of Immanence.
"To him who truly understands this truth, hath come great knowledge." -- The Kybalion.
This Immanent nature of THE ALL---this "Withinness"---is one of the great secrets of Hermetic Philosophy. It is the cause of all the phenomena of the Universe. It is the source of all Power, Energy, and Force. It is the basis of all the Hermetic phenomena, and the explanation of all the occult phenomena. Let the student who seeks to become a Master of Hermeticism ponder well over this teaching. It contains the Master-Key to all Hermetic knowledge.
"As above, so below; as below, so above." -- The Kybalion.
The great Second Hermetic Principle embodies the truth that there is a harmony, agreement, and correspondence between the several planes of Manifestation, Life and Being. This truth is a truth because all that is included in the Universe emanates from the same source, and the same laws, principles, and characteristics apply to each unit, or combination of units of activity, as each manifests its own phenomena upon its own plane, and for the purpose of the Cosmos.
For the purpose of convenience of thought and study, the Hermetic Philosophy considers that the Universe may be divided into three great classes of phenomena, known as the Three Great Planes, namely:
- The Great Physical Plane.
- The Great Mental Plane.
- The Great Spiritual Plane.
These divisions are more or less artificial and arbitrary, for the truth is that all of the three planes are but ascending degrees of the great scale of Life, the lowest point of which is undifferentiated Matter, and the highest point that of Spirit. And, moreover, the different Planes shade into each other, so that no hard and fast division may be made between the higher phenomena of the Physical and the lower of the Mental; or between the higher of the Mental and the lower of the Spiritual. In short, the Three Great Planes may be regarded as three great groups of degrees of Life Manifestation. While the purposes of this little book do not allow us to enter into an extended discussion of, or explanation of, the subject of these different planes, still we think it well to give a general description of the same at this point.
At the beginning we may as well consider the question so often asked by the neophyte, who desires to be informed regarding the meaning of the word "Plane," which term has been very freely used, and very poorly explained, in many recent works upon occult subjects. The question is generally about as follows: "Is a Plane a place having dimensions, or is it merely a condition or state?" We answer: "No, not a place, nor ordinary dimension of space; and yet more than a state or condition. It may be considered as a state or condition, and yet the state or condition is a degree of dimension, in a scale subject to measurement." Somewhat paradoxical, is it not? But let us examine the matter. A "dimension," you know, is "a measure in a straight line, relating to measure," etc. The ordinary dimensions of space are length, breadth, and height, or perhaps length, breadth, height, thickness or circumference. But there is another dimension of "created things," or "measure in a straight line," known to occultists, and to scientists as well, although the latter have not as yet applied the term "dimension" to it---and this new dimension, which, by the way, is the much speculated-about "Fourth Dimension," is the standard used in determining the degrees or "planes." This Fourth Dimension may be called "The Dimension of Vibration." It is a fact well known to modern science, as well as to the Hermetists who have embodied the truth in their "Third Hermetic Principle," that "everything is in motion; everything vibrates; nothing is at rest." From the highest manifestation, to the lowest, everything and all things Vibrate. Not only do they vibrate at different rates of motion, but as in different directions and in a different manner. The degrees of the "rate" of vibrations constitute the degrees of measurement on the Scale of Vibrations---in other words the degrees of the Fourth Dimension. And these degrees form what occultists call "Planes." The higher the degree of rate of vibration, the higher the plane, and the higher the manifestation of Life occupying that plane. So that while a Plane is not "a place," nor yet "a state or condition," yet it possesses qualities common to both. We shall have more to say regarding the subject of the scale of Vibrations in our next lesson, entitled "Vibration."
You will kindly remember, however, that the Three Great Planes are not actual divisions of the phenomena of the Universe, but merely arbitrary terms used by the Hermetists in order to aid in the thought and study of the various degrees and forms of universal activity and life. The atom of matter, the unit of force, the mind of man, and the being of the arch-angel are all but degrees in one scale, and all fundamentally the same, the difference between solely a matter of degree, and rate of vibration---all are creations of THE ALL, and have their existence solely within the Infinite Mind of THE ALL.
The Hermetists sub-divide each of the Three Great Planes into Seven Minor Planes, and each of these latter are also sub-divided into seven sub-planes, all divisions being more or less arbitrary, shading into each other, and adopted merely for convenience of scientific study and thought.
The Great Physical Plane, and its Seven Minor Planes, is that division of the phenomena of the Universe which includes all that relates to physics, or material things, forces, and manifestations. It includes all forms of that which we call Matter, and all forms of that which we call Energy or Force. But you must remember that the Hermetic Philosophy does not recognize Matter as a "thing in itself," or as having a separate existence even in the Mind of THE ALL. The Teachings are that Matter is but a form of Energy---that is, Energy at a low rate of vibration of a certain kind. And accordingly the Hermetists classify Matter under the head of Energy, and give to it three of the Seven Minor Planes of the Great Physical Plane. These Seven Minor Physical Planes are as follows:
- The Plane of Matter (A)
- The Plane of Matter (B)
- The Plane of Matter (C)
- The Plane of Ethereal Substance
- The Plane of Energy (A)
- The Plane of Energy (B)
- The Plane of Energy (C)
The Plane of Matter (A) comprises the gross forms of Matter of which we are ordinarily aware, and the forms of which are familiar to our senses. The Plane of Matter (B) comprises the finer forms of Matter, such as the radiant matter of science, and the forms of which are not perceptible to the ordinary senses, but which are known to science. The Plane of Matter (C) comprises forms of the most tenuous and subtle Matter, the existence of which is not suspected by ordinary scientists. The Plane of Ethereal Substance comprises that which science speaks of as "The Ether," a substance of extreme tenuity and elasticity, pervading all Universal Space, and acting as a medium for the transmission of waves of energy, such as light, heat, electricity, etc. This Ethereal Substance links Matter with Energy, and partakes of the nature of each. The Hermetic Teachings, however, instruct that this Ethereal Substance is not a homogeneous substance, but is composed of seven grades, or degrees, the higher of which are employed in the transmission of thought-waves, etc. The Plane of Energy (A) comprises the ordinary forms of Energy known to science, its seven sub-planes being, respectively, Heat; Light; Magnetism; Electricity; Attraction (including Gravitation, Cohesion, Chemical Affinity, etc.); and several other forms of Energy indicated by scientific experiments, but not as yet named or classified. The Plane of Energy (B) comprises seven sub-planes of higher forms of Energy not as yet discovered by science, but which have been called "Nature's Finer Forces," and which are called into operation in manifestations of certain forms of mental phenomena, and by which such phenomena become possible. The Plane of Energy (C) comprises seven sub-planes of such high forms of Energy, that they are ordinarily considered by the uninitiated as "spiritual power," and they are employed by the advanced Hermetic Initiates in their work of Mental Alchemy, etc.
The Great Mental Plane comprises those forms of "living things" known to us in ordinary life, as well as certain other forms not so well known except to the occultist. The classification of the Seven Minor Mental Planes is more or less satisfactory and arbitrary (unless accompanied by elaborate explanations which are foreign to the purpose of this particular work), but we may as well mention them. They are as follows:
- The Plane of Mineral Mind
- The Plane of Elemental Mind (A)
- The Plane of Plant Mind
- The Plane of Elemental Mind (B)
- The Plane of Animal Mind
- The Plane of Elemental Mind (C)
- The Plane of Human Mind
The Plane of Mineral Mind comprises the "states or conditions" of the units or entities which manifest in the forms of minerals, chemicals, etc. These entities are living things, possessing mind of a low degree, just as much as the higher forms of life. The Plane of Elemental Mind (A) comprises the state and degree of mental and vital phenomena of a class of entities unknown to the average man, but recognized to occultists. These entities are invisible to the ordinary senses of man, but, nevertheless, exist and play their part of the Drama of the Universe. They belong to the three elemental kingdoms, the first of which is composed of entities that are just above the mineral mind in point of development. The Plane of Plant Mind, in its seven sub-divisions, comprises the states and conditions of the entities comprising the Vegetable Kingdom, the life and mind of plants being fairly well understood by the average intelligent person. The Plane of Elemental Mind (B) comprises the higher forms of the elemental kingdoms, the second kingdom being above the Plant Mind in development. The Plane of Animal Mind comprises the states and conditions of the entities animating the animal forms of life, familiar to us all. The Plane of Elemental Mind (C) comprises those entities of the elemental kingdoms which have attained a degree of development equal to the animal mind, and which are evolving along the line of becoming human. The Plane of Human Mind comprises the states and conditions of the minds of human beings, in all their varying degrees of development, from the lowest savage to the highest developed Master. And, in connection with this subject, we wish to call your attention to the fact that man, in his present state, occupies not only the Seventh Minor Mental Plane, composed of the Human Mind, but also the lower sub-divisions of the Great Spiritual Plane. The human mind shades into the Spiritual Plane, and the developed man touches, and partakes of, the Spiritual Consciousness even in this life. The advanced Hermetist, or Master, of course, functions largely on the Spiritual Plane, and is able to perceive, and to communicate with, entities of the higher Spiritual Planes.
The Great Spiritual Plane comprises those planes of consciousness known to us as "The Plane of the Masters," "The Plane of the Arch-Angels," "The Plane of the Gods," etc., the beings of these planes being as much superior to Man as Man is to the earthworm. Their existence is a certainty to the advanced Hermetist, but the ordinary man, lacking the development of the spiritual consciousness, cannot comprehend them, and either denies their existence, or else allows the matter to pass by default. It is upon these planes that the higher forms of Spiritual Beings dwell, and from these planes come the great inspiration, illumination, and spiritual help which descend to the struggling race of men. The Seven Minor Planes of the Great Spiritual Plane are as follows:
- The Plane of Human Mind (the lower sub-divisions)
- The Plane of the Masters
- The Plane of the Arch-Angels
- The Plane of the Minor Gods
- The Plane of the Great Gods
- The Plane of the Solar Logoi
- The Plane of the Absolute (or THE ALL)
There are, of course, many planes of existence between the Plane of the Great Gods and the Plane of the Absolute, but they are beyond the comprehension of the human mind, and we will not attempt to describe them. But the student will understand that each of these Seven Minor Planes is divided into Seven Sub-Planes, and that there are many degrees of beings, life, and activity upon each.
We trust that the student will be able to grasp something of the meaning of the Planes of Correspondence, and will recognize that as the Principle states: "As above, so below; as below, so above," the laws and phenomena of the higher planes may be studied by observing the lower. And, accordingly, the Hermetists are enabled to reason from the Known to the Unknown. The study of the lower planes gives them a key to the higher. The Macrocosm is understood through the Microcosm. The Universe is understood through Man. So, the study of Man gives the key to the study of the Universe. And this is the Hermetic Method of studying the higher planes, by the application of the Principle of Correspondence.
"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates." -- The Kybalion.
The great Third Hermetic Principle---the Principle of Vibration---embodies the truth that Motion is manifest in everything in the Universe---that nothing is at rest---that everything moves, vibrates, and circles. This Hermetic Principle was recognized by some of the early Greek philosophers who embodied it in their systems. But, then, for centuries it was lost sight of by the thinkers outside of the Hermetic ranks. But in the Nineteenth Century physical science re-discovered the truth and the Twentieth Century scientific discoveries have added additional proof of the correctness and truth of this centuries-old Hermetic doctrine.
The Hermetic Teachings are that not only is everything in constant movement and vibration, but that the "differences" between the various manifestations of the universal power are due entirely to the varying rate and mode of vibrations. Not only this, but that even THE ALL, in itself, manifests a constant vibration of such an infinite degree of intensity and rapid motion that it may be practically considered as at rest, the teachers instructing the student that even on the physical plane the rapidly moving object (such as a revolving wheel) seems to be at rest. The Teachings are to the effect that Spirit is at one end of the Pole of Vibration, the other Pole being certain extremely gross forms of Matter. Between these two poles are millions upon millions of different rates and modes of vibration.
Modern Science has proven that all that we call Matter and Energy are but "modes of vibratory motion," and some of the more advanced scientists are rapidly moving toward the positions of the occultists who hold that the phenomena of Mind are likewise modes of vibration or motion. Let us see what science has to say regarding the question of vibrations in matter and energy.
In the first place, science teaches that all matter manifests, in some degree, the vibrations arising from temperature or heat. Be an object cold or hot---both being but degrees of the same things---it manifests certain heat vibrations, and in that sense is in motion and vibration. Then all particles of Matter are in circular movement, from corpuscle to suns. The planets revolve around suns, and many of them turn on their axes. The suns move around greater central points, and these are believed to move around still greater, and so on, ad infinitum. The molecules of which the particular kinds of Matter are composed are in a state of constant vibration and movement around each other and against each other. The molecules are composed of Atoms, which, likewise, are in a state of constant movement and vibration. The atoms are composed of Corpuscles, sometimes called "electrons," "ions," etc., which also are in a state of rapid motion, revolving around each other, and which manifest a very rapid state and mode of vibration. So we see that all forms of Matter manifest Vibration, in accordance with the Hermetic Principle of Vibration.
So it is with the various forms of Energy. Science teaches that Light, Heat, Magnetism and Electricity are but forms of vibratory motion connected in some way with, and probably emanating from the Ether. Science does not as yet attempt to explain the nature of the phenomena known as Cohesion, which is the principle of Molecular Attraction; nor Chemical Affinity, which is the principle of Atomic Attraction; nor Gravitation (the greatest mystery of the three), which is the principle of attraction by which every particle or mass of Matter is bound to every other particle or mass. These three forms of Energy are not as yet understood by science, yet the writers incline to the opinion that these too are manifestations of some form of vibratory energy, a fact which the Hermetists have held and taught for ages past.
The Universal Ether, which is postulated by science without its nature being understood clearly, is held by the Hermetists to be but a higher manifestation of that which is erroneously called matter---that is, Matter at a higher degree of vibration---and is called by them "The Ethereal Substance." The Hermetists teach that this Ethereal Substance is of extreme tenuity and elasticity, and pervades universal space, serving as a medium of transmission of waves of vibratory energy, such as heat, light, electricity, magnetism, etc. The Teachings are that The Ethereal Substance is a connecting link between the forms of vibratory energy known as "Matter" on the one hand, and "Energy or Force" on the other; and that it manifests a degree of vibration, in rate and mode, entirely its own.
Scientists have offered the illustration of a rapidly moving wheel, top, or cylinder, to show the effects of increasing rates of vibration. The illustration supposes a wheel, top, or revolving cylinder, running at a low rate of speed---we will call this revolving thing "the object" in following out the illustration. Let us suppose the object moving slowly. It may be seen readily, but no sound of its movement reaches the ear. The speed is gradually increased. In a few moments its movement becomes so rapid that a deep growl or low note may be heard. Then as the rate is increased the note rises one in the musical scale. Then, the motion being still further increased, the next highest note is distinguished. Then, one after another, all the notes of the musical scale appear, rising higher and higher as the motion is increased. Finally when the motions have reached a certain rate the final note perceptible to human ears is reached and the shrill, piercing shriek dies away, and silence follows. No sound is heard from the revolving wheel, the rate of motion being so high that the human ear cannot register the vibrations. Then comes the perception of rising degrees of Heat. Then after quite a time the eye catches a glimpse of the object becoming a dull dark reddish color. As the rate increases, the red becomes brighter. Then as the speed is increased, the red melts into an orange. Then the orange melts into a yellow. Then follow, successively, the shades of green, blue, indigo, and finally violet, as the rate of speed increases. Then the violet shades away, and all color disappears, the human eye not being able to register them. But there are invisible rays emanating from the revolving object, the rays that are used in photographing, and other subtle rays of light. Then begin to manifest the peculiar rays known as the "X Rays," etc., as the constitution of the object changes. Electricity and Magnetism are emitted when the appropriate rate of vibration is attained.
When the object reaches a certain rate of vibration its molecules disintegrate, and resolve themselves into the original elements or atoms. Then the atoms, following the Principle of Vibration, are separated into the countless corpuscles of which they are composed. And finally, even the corpuscles disappear and the object may be said to be composed of The Ethereal Substance. Science does not dare to follow the illustration further, but the Hermetists teach that if the vibrations be continually increased the object would mount up the successive states of manifestation and would in turn manifest the various mental stages, and then on Spiritward, until it would finally re-enter THE ALL, which is Absolute Spirit. The "object," however, would have ceased to be an "object" long before the stage of Ethereal Substance was reached, but otherwise the illustration is correct inasmuch as it shows the effect of constantly increased rates and modes of vibration. It must be remembered, in the above illustration, that at the stages at which the "object" throws off vibrations of light, heat, etc., it is not actually "resolved" into those forms of energy (which are much higher in the scale), but simply that it reaches a degree of vibration in which those forms of energy are liberated, in a degree, from the confining influence of its molecules, atoms and corpuscles, as the case may be. These forms of energy, although much higher in the scale than matter, are imprisoned and confined in the material combinations, by reason of the energies manifesting through, and using material forms, but thus becoming entangled and confined in their creations of material forms, which, to an extent, is true of all creations, the creating force becoming involved in its creation.
But the Hermetic Teachings go much further than do those of modern science. They teach that all manifestation of thought, emotion, reason, will or desire, or any mental state or condition, are accompanied by vibratory motions, a portion of which are thrown off and which tend to affect the minds of other persons by "induction." This is the principle which produces the phenomena of "telepathy"; mental influence, and other forms of the action and power of mind over mind, with which the general public is rapidly becoming acquainted, owing to the wide dissemination of occult knowledge by the various schools, cults and teachers along these lines at this time.
Every thought, emotion or mental state has its corresponding vibration and mode of vibration. And by an effort of the will of the person, or of other persons, these mental states may be reproduced, just as a musical tone may be reproduced by causing an instrument to vibrate at a certain rate---just as color may be reproduced in the same way. By a knowledge of the Law of Vibration, as applied to Mental Phenomena, one may polarize his mind at any degree he wishes, thus gaining a perfect control over his mental states, moods, etc. In the same way he may affect the minds of others, producing the desired mental states in them. In short, he may be able to produce on the Mental Plane that which science produces on the Physical Plane---namely, "Vibrations at Will." This power of course may be acquired only by the proper instruction, exercises, practice, etc., the science being that of Mental Transmutation, one of the branches of the Hermetic Art.
A little reflection on what we have said will show the student that the Principle of Vibration underlies the wonderful phenomena of the power manifested by the Masters and Adepts, who are able to apparently set aside the Laws of Nature, but who, in reality, are simply using one law against another; one principle against others; and who accomplish their results by changing the vibrations of material objects, or forms of energy, and thus perform what are commonly called "miracles."
As one of the old Hermetic writers has truly said: "He who understands the Principle of Vibration, has grasped the scepter of power."
"Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled." -- The Kybalion.
The great Fourth Hermetic Principle---the Principle of Polarity---embodies the truth that all manifested things have "two sides"; "two aspects"; "two poles"; a "pair of opposites," with manifold degrees between the two extremes. The old paradoxes, which have ever perplexed the mind of men, are explained by an understanding of this Principle. Man has always recognized something akin to this Principle, and has endeavored to express it by such sayings, maxims and aphorisms as: "Everything is and isn't, at the same time"; "all truths are but half-truths"; "every truth is half-false"; "there are two sides to everything"; "there is a reverse side to every shield," etc., etc.
The Hermetic Teachings are to the effect that the difference between things seemingly diametrically opposed to each other is merely a matter of degree. It teaches that "the pairs of opposites may be reconciled," and that "thesis and anti-thesis are identical in nature, but different in degree"; and that the "universal reconciliation of opposites" is effected by a recognition of this Principle of Polarity. The teachers claim that illustrations of this Principle may be had on every hand, and from an examination into the real nature of anything. They begin by showing that Spirit and Matter are but the two poles of the same thing, the intermediate planes being merely degrees of vibration. They show that THE ALL and The Many are the same, the difference being merely a matter of degree of Mental Manifestation. Thus the Law and laws are the two opposite poles of one another. Likewise, PRINCIPLE and principles. Infinite Mind and finite minds.
Then passing on to the Physical Plane, they illustrate the Principle by showing that Heat and Cold are identical in nature, the differences being merely a matter of degrees. The thermometer shows many degrees of temperature, the lowest pole being called "cold," and the highest "heat." Between these two poles are many degrees of "heat" or "cold," call them either and you are equally correct. The higher of two degrees is always "warmer," while the lower is always "colder." There is no absolute standard---all is a matter of degree. There is no place on the thermometer where heat ceases and cold begins. It is all a matter of higher or lower vibrations. The very terms "high" and "low," which we are compelled to use, are but poles of the same thing---the terms are relative. So with "East and West"---travel around the world in an eastward direction and you reach a point which is called west at your starting point, and you return from that westward point. Travel far enough North and you will find yourself going South, or vice versa.
Light and Darkness are poles of the same thing, with many degrees between them. The musical scale is the same---starting with "C" you move upward until you reach another "C" and so on, the differences between the two ends of the board being the same, with many degrees between the two extremes. The scale of color is the same---higher and lower vibrations being the only difference between high violet and low red. Large and Small are relative. So are Noise and Quiet; Hard and Soft follow the rule. Likewise Sharp and Dull. Positive and Negative are two poles of the same thing, with countless degrees between them.
Good and Bad are not absolute---we call one end of the scale Good and the other Bad, or one end Good and the other Evil, according to the use of the terms. A thing is "less good" than the thing higher in the scale; but that "less good" thing, in turn, is "more good" than the thing next below it---and so on, the "more or less" being regulated by the position on the scale.
And so it is on the Mental Plane. "Love and Hate" are generally regarded as being things diametrically opposed to each other; entirely different; unreconcilable. But we apply the Principle of Polarity; we find that there is no such thing as Absolute Love or Absolute Hate, as distinguished from each other. The two are merely terms applied to the two poles of the same thing. Beginning at any point of the scale we find "more love," or "less hate," as we ascend the scale; and "more hate" or "less love" as we descend---this being true no matter from what point, high or low, we may start. There are degrees of Love and Hate, and there is a middle point where "Like and Dislike" become so faint that it is difficult to distinguish between them. Courage and Fear come under the same rule. The pairs of opposites exist everywhere. Where you find one thing you find its opposite---the two poles.
And it is this fact that enables the Hermetist to transmute one mental state into another, along the lines of Polarization. Things belonging to different classes cannot be transmuted into each other, but things of the same class may be changed, that is, may have their polarity changed. Thus Love never becomes East or West, or Red or Violet---but it may and often does turn into Hate---and likewise Hate may be transformed into Love, by changing its polarity. Courage may be transmuted into Fear, and the reverse. Hard things may be rendered Soft. Dull things become Sharp. Hot things become Cold. And so on, the transmutation always being between things of the same kind of different degrees. Take the case of a Fearful man. By raising his mental vibrations along the line of Fear-Courage, he can be filled with the highest degree of Courage and Fearlessness. And, likewise, the Slothful man may change himself into an Active, Energetic individual simply by polarizing along the lines of the desired quality.
The student who is familiar with the processes by which the various schools of Mental Science, etc., produce changes in the mental states of those who follow their teachings, may not readily understand the principle underlying many of these changes. When, however, the Principle of Polarity is once grasped, it is seen that the mental changes are occasioned by a change of polarity---a sliding along the same scale. The change is not in the nature of a transmutation of one thing into another thing entirely different---but is merely a change of degree in the same things, a vastly important difference to understand. For instance, borrowing an analogy from the Physical Plane---it is impossible to change Heat into Sharpness, Loudness, Highness, etc., but Heat may readily be transmuted into Cold, simply by lowering the vibrations. In the same way Hate and Love are mutually transmutable; so are Fear and Courage. But Fear cannot be transmuted into Love, nor can Courage be transmuted into Hate. The mental states belong to innumerable classes, each class of which has its opposite poles, along which transmutation is possible.
The student will readily recognize that in the mental states, as well as in the phenomena of the Physical Plane, the two poles may be classified as Positive and Negative, respectively. Thus Love is Positive to Hate; Courage to Fear; Activity to Non-Activity, etc. And it will also be noticed that even to those unfamiliar with the Principle of Vibration, the Positive pole seems to be of a higher degree than the Negative, and readily dominates it. The tendency of Nature is in the direction of the dominant activity of the Positive pole.
In addition to the changing of the poles of one's own mental states by the operation of the art of Polarization, the phenomena of Mental Influence, in its manifold phases, shows us that the principle may be extended so as to embrace the phenomena of the influence of one mind over that of another, of which so much has been written and taught of late years. When it is understood that Mental Induction is possible, that is that mental states may be produced by "induction" from others, then we can readily see how a certain rate of vibration, or polarization of a certain mental state, may be communicated to another person, and his polarity in that class of mental states thus changed. It is along this principle that the results of many of the "mental treatments" are obtained. For instance, a person is "blue," melancholy and full of fear. A mental scientist bringing his own mind up to the desired vibration by his trained will, and thus obtaining the desired polarization in his own case, then produces a similar mental state in the other by induction, the result being that the vibrations are raised and the person polarizes toward the Positive end of the scale instead of toward the Negative, and his Fear and other negative emotions are transmuted to Courage and similar positive mental states. A little study will show you that these mental changes are nearly all along the line of Polarization, the change being one of degree rather than of kind.
A knowledge of the existence of this great Hermetic Principle will enable the student to better understand his own mental states, and those of other people. He will see that these states are all matters of degree, and seeing thus, he will be able to raise or lower the vibration at will---to change his mental poles, and thus be Master of his mental states, instead of being their servant and slave. And by his knowledge he will be able to aid his fellows intelligently, and by the appropriate methods change the polarity when the same is desirable. We advise all students to familiarize themselves with the Principle of Polarity, for a correct understanding of the same will throw light on many difficult subjects.
"Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates." -- The Kybalion.
The great Fifth Hermetic Principle---the Principle of Rhythm---embodies the truth that in everything there is manifested a measured motion; a to-and-from movement; a flow and inflow; a swing forward and backward; a pendulum-like movement; a tide-like ebb and flow; a high-tide and a low-tide; between the two-poles manifest on the physical, mental or spiritual planes. The Principle of Rhythm is closely connected with the Principle of Polarity described in the preceding chapter. Rhythm manifests between the two poles established by the Principle of Polarity. This does not mean, however, that the pendulum of Rhythm swings to the extreme poles, for this rarely happens; in fact, it is difficult to establish the extreme polar opposites in the majority of cases. But the swing is ever "toward" first one pole and then the other.
There is always an action and reaction; an advance and a retreat; a rising and a sinking; manifested in all of the airs and phenomena of the Universe. Suns, worlds, men, animals, plants, minerals, forces, energy, mind and matter, yes, even Spirit, manifests this Principle. The Principle manifests in the creation and destruction of worlds; in the rise and fall of nations; in the life history of all things; and finally in the mental states of Man.
Beginning with the manifestations of Spirit---of THE ALL---it will be noticed that there is ever the Outpouring and the Indrawing; the "Outbreathing and Inbreathing of Brahm," as the Brahmans so beautifully phrase it. Universes are created; reach their extreme low point of materiality; and then begin their upward swing. Suns spring into being, and then their height of power being reached, the process of retrogression begins, and after aeons they become dead masses of matter, awaiting another impulse which starts again their inner energies into activity and a new solar life cycle is begun. And thus it is with all the worlds; they are born, grow and die; and then are reborn. And thus it is with all the things of shape and form; they swing from action to reaction; from birth to death; from activity to inactivity---and then back again. Thus it is with all living things; they are born, grow, and die---and then are reborn. So it is with all great movements, philosophies, creeds, fashions, governments, nations, and all else---birth, growth, maturity, decadence, death---and then new-birth. The swing of the pendulum is ever in evidence.
Night follows day; and day night. The pendulum swings from Summer to Winter, and then back again. The corpuscles, atoms, molecules, and all masses of matter, swing around the circle of their nature. There is no such thing as absolute rest, or cessation from movement, and all movement partakes of Rhythm. The principle is of universal application. It may be applied to any question, or phenomena of any of the many planes of life. It may be applied to all phases of human activity. There is always the Rhythmic swing from one pole to the other. The Universal Pendulum is ever in motion. The Tides of Life flow in and out, according to Law.
The Principle of Rhythm is well understood by modern science, and is considered a universal law as applied to material things. But the Hermetists carry the principle much further, and know that its manifestations and influence extend to the mental activities of Man, and that it accounts for the bewildering succession of moods, feelings and other annoying and perplexing changes that we notice in ourselves. But the Hermetists by studying the operations of this Principle have learned to escape some of its activities by Transmutation.
The Hermetic Masters long since discovered that while the Principle of Rhythm was invariable, and ever in evidence in mental phenomena, still there were two planes of its manifestation so far as mental phenomena are concerned. They discovered that there were two general planes of Consciousness, the Lower and the Higher, the understanding of which fact enabled them to rise to the higher plane and thus escape the swing of the Rhythmic pendulum which manifested on the lower plane. In other words, the swing of the pendulum occurred on the Unconscious Plane, and the Consciousness was not affected. This they call the Law of Neutralization. Its operations consist in the raising of the Ego above the vibrations of the Unconscious Plane of mental activity, so that the negative-swing of the pendulum is not manifested in consciousness, and therefore they are not affected. It is akin to rising above a thing and letting it pass beneath you. The Hermetic Master, or advanced student, polarizes himself at the desired pole, and by a process akin to "refusing" to participate in the backward swing, or, if you prefer, a "denial" of its influence over him, he stands firm in his polarized position, and allows the mental pendulum to swing back along the unconscious plane. All individuals who have attained any degree of self-mastery, accomplish this, more or less unknowingly, and by refusing to allow their moods and negative mental states to influence them, they apply the Law of Neutralization. The Master, however, carries this to a much higher degree of proficiency, and by the use of his Will he attains a degree of Poise and Mental Firmness almost impossible of belief on the part of those who allow themselves to be swung backward and forward by the mental pendulum of moods and feelings.
The importance of this will be appreciated by any thinking person who realizes what creatures of moods, feelings and emotion the majority of people are, and how little mastery of themselves they manifest. If you will stop and consider a moment, you will realize how much these swings of Rhythm have affected you in your life---how a period of Enthusiasm has been invariably followed by an opposite feeling and mood of Depression. Likewise, your moods and periods of Courage have been succeeded by equal moods of Fear. And so it has ever been with the majority of persons---tides of feeling have ever risen and fallen with them, but they have never suspected the cause or reason of the mental phenomenon. An understanding of the workings of this Principle will give one the key to the Mastery of these rhythmic swings of feeling, and will enable him to know himself better and to avoid being carried away by these inflows and outflows. The Will is superior to the conscious manifestation of this Principle, although the Principle itself can never be destroyed. We may escape its effects, but the Principle operates, nevertheless. The pendulum ever swings, although we may escape being carried along with it.
There are other features of the operation of this Principle of Rhythm of which we wish to speak at this point. There is the operation of this Law in the matter of the Compensation of Rhythm. The Hermetic Teachings are to the effect that the Rhythmic swing is according to Law, and that there must be an invariable compensation. "The measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates." The pendulum swing is ever in accordance with the Law of Compensation. The Hermetic Teachings regarding the Law of Compensation is that the compensation is always in exact balance---the swing of the pendulum is ever to the right, for a certain distance, and then an equal distance to the left. The opposite poles balance each other perfectly. An understanding of this Law gives one a key to the many dark problems of life. Let one contemplate this Law for a moment, and he will see its universal application. He will see that there is always a compensation after periods of peace and rest; and vice versa. And so it is with the affairs of life. The man who enjoys keenly, must suffer keenly. He who feels but little pain is capable of feeling but little joy. The pig lives a dull, unfeeling life; while the highly developed and sensitive person must suffer keenly at times, but he also may experience the keenest joy. The Law of Compensation is ever in operation. The pendulum swings ever---and the swing is ever compensated.
The Hermetists carry this Principle into the phenomena of the Mental Plane, and teach that before a person is able to enjoy a certain degree of pleasure, he must have swung as far, proportionately, toward the other pole of feeling. They hold, however, that the negative is precedent to the positive in this matter, that is that in experiencing a certain degree of pleasure it does not follow that he will have to "pay up for it" with a corresponding degree of pain; but the contrary is true, that the pleasure is the Rhythmic swing, according to the Law of Compensation, for a degree of pain previously experienced either in this life or in a previous incarnation. This throws a new light on the Problem of Pain.
The Hermetists regard the chain of lives as continuous, and as forming a part of one life of the individual, so that in consequence the rhythmic swing is understood in this way, while it would be quite ununderstandable unless the truth of reincarnation is admitted. But the Hermetists claim that the Master or advanced student is able, to a great degree, to escape the swing toward Pain, by the process of Neutralization before mentioned. By rising on to the higher plane of the Ego, much of the experience that comes to those dwelling on the lower plane is avoided and escaped.
The Law of Compensation plays an important part in the lives of men and women. It will be noticed that one generally "pays the price" of anything he possesses or lacks. If he has one thing, he lacks another---the balance is struck. No one can "keep his penny and have the bit of cake" at the same time. Everything has its pleasant and unpleasant sides. The things that one gains are always paid for by the things that one loses. The rich possess much that the poor lack, while the poor often possess things that are beyond the reach of the rich. The millionaire may have the inclination toward the feast, and the wealth to secure all the dainties and luxuries of the table, while he lacks the appetite to enjoy them; he envies the appetite and digestion of the laborer, who lacks the wealth and inclinations of the millionaire, and who gets more pleasure from his plain food than the millionaire could obtain from his elaborate, exquisitely cooked and served meal, were he able to digest them. And so it is throughout life. The Law of Compensation is ever in operation, striving to balance and counter-balance, and always succeeding in time, even though several lives may be required for the return swing of the Pendulum of Rhythm.
"Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause; everything happens according to Law; Chance is but a name for Law not recognized; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the Law." -- The Kybalion.
The great Sixth Hermetic Principle---the Principle of Cause and Effect---embodies the truth that Law pervades the Universe; that nothing happens by Chance; that Chance is merely a term indicating cause existing but not recognized or perceived; that phenomena is continuous, without break or exception.
The Principle of Cause and Effect underlies all scientific thought, ancient and modern, and was enunciated by the Hermetic Teachers in the earliest days. While many and varied disputes between the many schools of thought have since arisen, these disputes have been principally upon the details of the operations of the Principle, and still more often upon the meaning of certain words. The underlying Principle of Cause and Effect has been accepted as correct by practically all the thinkers of the world worthy of the name. To think otherwise would be to take the phenomena of the universe from the domain of Law and Order, and to relegate it to the control of the imaginary something which men have called "Chance."
A little consideration will show anyone that there is in reality no such thing as pure Chance. Webster defines the word "Chance" as follows: "A supposed agent or mode of activity other than a force, law, or purpose; the operation or activity of such agent; the supposed effect of such an agent; a happening; fortuity; casualty; etc." But a little thought will show you that there can be no such agent as "Chance," in the sense of something outside of Law---something outside of Cause and Effect. How could a thing act in the phenomenal universe, independent of the laws, forces and causes of the universe? Such an agent would be entirely independent of the orderly trend of the universe, and therefore superior to it. We can imagine nothing outside of THE ALL, and THE ALL is the Law. There is no room in the Universe for a thing outside of and independent of Law. The existence of such a thing would render all Natural Laws ineffective, and would plunge the universe into chaotic disorder and lawlessness.
A careful examination will show that what we call "Chance" is merely an expression relating to obscure causes; causes that we cannot perceive; causes that we cannot understand. The word Chance is derived from a word meaning "fall" (as the falling of dice), the idea being that the fall of the dice (and many other happenings) are merely a "happening" unrelated to any cause. And this is the sense in which the term is generally employed. But when the matter is closely examined, it is seen that there is no chance whatsoever about the fall of the dice. Each time a die falls, and displays a certain number, it obeys a law as fixed as the law governing the revolution of the planets around the sun. Back of the fall of the die are causes, or chains of causes, running back further than the mind can follow. The position of the die in the box; the amount of muscular energy expended in the throw; the condition of the table; etc., etc., all are causes, the effect of which may be seen. But back of these seen causes there are chains of unseen preceding causes, all of which had a bearing upon the number of the die which fell upward.
If a die be cast a great number of times, it will be found that the numbers shown will be about equal, that is, there will be an equal number of one-spot, two-spot, etc., coming uppermost. Toss a penny in the air, and it may come down either "heads" or "tails"; but make a sufficient number of tosses, and the heads and tails will about even up. This is the operation of the Law of Average. But both the Law of Average and the Law of Chance are but terms applied to the operations of the Law of Cause and Effect, the exact character of which is not recognized or understood.
The Hermetic Teachings are to the effect that there is no such thing as Chance or Luck; that these are but terms applied by the ignorant to the operation of unrecognized and unknown laws and causes. The Hermetists say that the Law of Cause and Effect is ever in operation in the Mental Plane as well as on the Physical, and that there is no such thing as a purely mental creation; that everything mental is the result of some cause, and will in turn become a cause for other effects. That every thought, emotion, will, etc., has its cause, and will have its effect. The Hermetists say, moreover, that every human action, thought, emotion, word, and deed, is the direct or indirect effect of some cause, and will in turn become a cause for other effects. The Law is in full operation on all planes.
Just as we here, in our present lives, are reaping the effects of causes set into operation in previous lives, so we are sowing causes for future lives. "As we sow, so shall we reap." This is the Law of Cause and Effect, applied to the life of the individual. The past lives are the cause of the present life, the conditions of which are the effects of past causes; and the present life is the cause of the future life, the conditions of which will be the effects of present causes. There is no such thing as Reward or Punishment, in the sense that these words are generally used---there is but Cause and Effect. The Law of Cause and Effect is absolutely just, and is no respecter of persons. All are equally bound by it, and none may escape its operation. The Law is universal, and applies to the many as well as to the few.
The Hermetists, however, while recognizing the universality of the Law of Cause and Effect, and its absolute justice, also teach that there are higher planes of Causation, and that by rising to these higher planes, one may become a Causer, instead of an Effect. The masses of the people are carried along, obedient to their environment; the wills and desires of others stronger than themselves; heredity; suggestion; and other outward causes moving them about like pawns on the Chessboard of Life. But the Masters, rising to the plane above, dominate their moods, characters, qualities, and powers, as well as the environment surrounding them, and become Movers, instead of pawns. They help to PLAY THE GAME OF LIFE, instead of being played and moved about by other wills and environment. They USE the Principle, instead of being its tools. The Masters obey the Causation of the higher planes, but they help to RULE on their own plane.
In this statement there is condensed a wealth of Hermetic knowledge---let him read who can. The Law of Cause and Effect, as applied to the mental states of individuals, is one of the most important branches of the Hermetic Philosophy. An understanding of this Law enables the individual to intelligently apply the higher laws, and to rise above the lower. The Hermetists teach that by the use of the Will, one may rise above the ordinary plane of causation, and thus become Masters of their own destiny. This is the central point of the Hermetic Teachings. The student who grasps this truth, and who applies it in his life, will find that the doors of Knowledge and Power will open before him.
"Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes." -- The Kybalion.
The great Seventh Hermetic Principle---the Principle of Gender---embodies the truth that there is Gender manifested in everything---that the Masculine and Feminine principles are ever present and active in all phases of phenomena, on each and every plane of life. At this point we think it well to call your attention to the fact that Gender, in its Hermetic sense, and Sex in the ordinarily accepted use of the term, are not the same.
The word "Gender" is derived from the Latin root meaning "to beget; to procreate; to generate; to create; to produce." A moment's consideration will show you that the word has a much broader and more general meaning than the term "Sex," the latter referring to the physical distinctions between male and female living things. Sex is merely a manifestation of Gender on a certain plane of the Great Physical Plane---the plane of organic life. We wish to impress this distinction upon your minds, for the reason that certain writers, who have acquired a smattering of the Hermetic Philosophy, have sought to identify this Seventh Hermetic Principle with wild, fanciful, and often reprehensible theories and teachings regarding Sex.
The office of Gender is solely that of creating, producing, generating, etc., and its manifestations are visible on every plane of phenomena. It is somewhat difficult to produce proofs of this along scientific lines, for the reason that science has not as yet recognized this Principle as of universal application. But still some proofs are forthcoming. In the first place, we find a distinct manifestation of the Principle of Gender among the corpuscles, ions, or electrons, which constitute the basis of Matter, as science now teaches the case, and which by forming certain combinations form the Atom, which until lately was regarded as final and indivisible.
The latest word of science is that the atom is composed of a multitude of corpuscles, electrons, or ions (the various names being applied by different authorities) revolving around each other and vibrating at a high degree and intensity. But the accompanying statement is made that the formation of the atom is really due to the clustering of negative corpuscles around a positive one---the positive corpuscles seeming to exert a certain influence upon the negative corpuscles, causing the latter to assume certain combinations and thus "create" or "generate" an atom. This is in line with the most ancient Hermetic Teachings, which have always identified the Masculine principle of Gender with the "Positive," and the Feminine with the "Negative" Poles of Electricity (so-called).
Now a word at this point regarding this identification. The public mind has formed an entirely erroneous impression regarding the qualities of the so-called "Negative" pole of electrified or magnetized Matter. The terms Positive and Negative are very wrongly applied to this phenomenon by science. The word Positive means something real and strong, as compared with a Negative unreality or weakness. Nothing is further from the real facts of electrical phenomena. The so-called Negative pole of the battery is really the pole in and by which the generation or production of new forms and energies is manifested. There is nothing "negative" about it. The best scientific authorities now use the word "Cathode" in place of "Negative," the word Cathode coming from the Greek root meaning "descent; the path of generation," etc. From the Cathode pole emerge the swarm of electrons or corpuscles; from the same pole emerge the wonderful "radiant matter" or "rays" which have revolutionized scientific conceptions during the past decade. The Cathode pole is the Mother of all of the strange phenomena which have rendered the old textbooks out of date, and which have caused many long accepted theories to be relegated to the scrap-pile of scientific speculation. The Cathode, or Negative Pole, is the Mother Principle of Electrical Phenomena, and of the finest forms of matter as yet known to science. So you see we are justified in refusing to use the term "Negative" in our consideration of the subject, and in insisting upon substituting the word "Feminine" for the old term. The facts of the case bear us out in this, without taking the Hermetic Teachings into consideration. And so we shall use the word "Feminine" in the place of "Negative" in speaking of that pole of activity.
The latest scientific teachings are that the creative corpuscles or electrons are Feminine (science says "they are composed of negative electricity"---we say they are composed of Feminine energy). A Feminine corpuscle becomes detached from, or rather leaves, a Masculine corpuscle, and starts a new career. It actively seeks a union with a Masculine corpuscle, being driven to it by the natural impulse to create new forms of matter or energy. One writer goes so far as to use the term "it at once seeks, of its own volition, a union," etc. This detachment and uniting form the basis of the greater part of the activities of the chemical world. When the Feminine corpuscle unites with a Masculine corpuscle, a certain process is begun. The Feminine particles vibrate rapidly under the influence of the Masculine energy, and circle rapidly around the latter. The result is the birth of a new atom. This new atom is really composed of a union of the Masculine and Feminine electrons, or corpuscles, but when the union is formed the atom is a separate thing, having certain properties, but no longer manifesting the property of free electricity. The process of detachment or separation of the Feminine electrons is called "ionization." These electrons, or corpuscles, are the most active workers in Nature's field. Arising from their unions, or combinations, manifest the varied phenomena of light, heat, electricity, magnetism, attraction, repulsion, chemical affinity and the reverse, and similar phenomena. And all this arises from the operation of the Principle of Gender on the plane of Energy.
The role of the Masculine principle seems to be that of directing a certain inherent energy toward the Feminine principle, and thus starting into activity the creative processes. But the Feminine principle is the one always doing the active creative work---and this is so on all planes. And yet, each principle is incapable of operative energy without the assistance of the other. In some of the forms of life, the two principles are combined in one organism. For that matter, everything in the organic world manifests both genders---there is always the Masculine present in the Feminine form, and the Feminine present in the Masculine form. The Hermetic Teachings include much regarding the operation of the two principles of Gender in the production and manifestation of various forms of life, etc. The teaching is that the very essence of the creative energy, whether on the Mental, Physical or Spiritual Plane, is the Principle of Gender. This Principle is the basis of all creative work on all planes. Without it, there would be no creation, generation, or regeneration. All of this is true on the Physical Plane, and on the Mental and Spiritual Planes to a still greater degree. The Hermetists teach that this Principle manifests in the Mental and Spiritual Planes, in the creation of thought, emotion, mental states, etc., and that the law is the same in all.
But we cannot enter into an extended discussion of this phase of the subject in the limited space at our command in this little work. The student who is interested in the subject will find the Hermetic Teachings fully explained in the many works on Occultism, which have appeared during the past few years. The real student of the Hermetic Philosophy will be able to secure more detailed instruction regarding the operation of the Principle of Gender on the higher planes, from the lips of the teachers who belong to the ancient school of the Hermetics. But, we trust, enough has been said to give the student a general idea of the underlying principle, and to lead him to see the truth of the Hermetic maxim: "Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes."
"The Masculine Principle of Mind corresponds to the so-called Conscious Mind; the Feminine Principle to the so-called Sub-conscious Mind. And the sub-conscious mind is the womb of all those mental states which are generated, or created, by the conscious mind." -- The Kybalion.
The students of psychology who are acquainted with the modern theories regarding the dual-mind of Man---the objective and subjective minds; the voluntary and involuntary; the conscious and sub-conscious; the active and passive, etc., etc.---will readily see the application of the Hermetic Teaching regarding Mental Gender. The Hermetic Teachings, however, were formulated many centuries before the birth of modern psychology, and it is interesting to note that the latter science has unconsciously verified the ancient occult teachings.
The Hermetists teach that the Masculine Principle of Mind is the Will, and that the Feminine Principle is the Imagination, or the faculty of creating mental images. They also teach that the Masculine Principle is the Conscious Mind, and that the Feminine Principle is the Sub-conscious Mind. The Conscious Mind is the active, positive, volitional part of the mind. The Sub-conscious Mind is the passive, negative, receptive part. The Conscious Mind generates thought, and the Sub-conscious Mind receives it, and gives it form and manifestation. The Conscious Mind is the "I" that thinks and wills. The Sub-conscious Mind is the "Me" that feels and acts. The Conscious Mind is the Master; the Sub-conscious Mind is the Servant. The Conscious Mind gives the commands; the Sub-conscious Mind obeys and carries out the orders. The Conscious Mind is the Masculine Principle; the Sub-conscious Mind is the Feminine Principle. This is the Hermetic Teaching regarding Mental Gender.
The student will readily see that the two principles of Mental Gender are operative in all human beings, male and female. In the male, the Masculine Principle is more prominent, and in the female the Feminine Principle is more prominent, but both are present in each. The male has a Feminine element in his mind, and the female has a Masculine element in hers. The man who is "all man" is a monstrosity; and the woman who is "all woman" is a monstrosity. The balanced person has both elements well developed and evenly balanced. The man who has the Feminine element well developed is apt to be intuitive, emotional, imaginative, and receptive. The woman who has the Masculine element well developed is apt to be strong, positive, determined, and willful. But the ideal is the balanced development of both elements, in both sexes. The man who is too Masculine is apt to be brutal, coarse, unfeeling, and lacking in sympathy. The woman who is too Feminine is apt to be weak, vacillating, over-emotional, and lacking in stability. The true student of Hermetics seeks to develop both the Masculine and Feminine elements in his or her mind, so that he or she may be a perfectly balanced, well-rounded individual. The Hermetic Masters have always taught the doctrine of Mental Balance, and have always pointed out the danger of allowing one element to over-develop at the expense of the other. The student who understands the Law of Mental Gender will be able to develop his mind along the proper lines, and will escape the pitfalls of mental one-sidedness.
But the Hermetic Teachings regarding Mental Gender go much further than the mere statement of the existence of the two principles. They teach that the Conscious Mind may impress the Sub-conscious Mind with any idea, thought, or mental state, and that the Sub-conscious Mind will accept that idea, and will proceed to work it out into manifestation. The Sub-conscious Mind is the "Womb of Things," and will give birth to whatever seed is planted in it by the Conscious Mind. This is the basis of all Mental Healing, Mental Influence, and Mental Creation. The Hermetists teach that by the proper use of the Will, the Conscious Mind may be directed to impress the Sub-conscious Mind with any desired idea, and that the Sub-conscious Mind will thereupon proceed to materialize that idea into objective reality. This is the secret of all "Mental Magic," and of all "Mental Alchemy." The student who understands this Law may become a Master of Mental Creation, and may bring into manifestation anything that he desires, provided that he works in accordance with the Law. But he must remember that the Sub-conscious Mind is a faithful servant, and that it will work out any idea that is impressed upon it, whether that idea be good or bad. Therefore, the student should be careful to impress only such ideas as he desires to see manifested. The Sub-conscious Mind does not reason; it merely obeys. It is the "Blind Giant" of the mind, and must be directed by the Conscious Mind. The Hermetists teach that the Will is the directing power, and that the Imagination is the creating power. The Will directs the Imagination, and the Imagination creates the mental image. This mental image is then impressed upon the Sub-conscious Mind, which proceeds to materialize it. This is the Hermetic Art of Mental Creation.
"The possession of Knowledge, unless accompanied by a manifestation and expression in Action, is like the hoarding of precious metals---a vain and foolish thing. Knowledge, like Wealth, is intended for Use. The Law of Use is Universal, and he who violates it suffers by reason of his conflict with natural forces." -- The Kybalion.
And so the Hermetists teach that the student should use his knowledge for the benefit of himself and others. The Law of Use is the Law of Life. The student who hoards his knowledge, and does not use it, is like the miser who hoards his gold. Both are violating the Law of Use, and both will suffer in consequence. The student who uses his knowledge for the benefit of himself and others, is in harmony with the Law, and will receive the reward of his efforts. This is the Hermetic Teaching regarding the use of Knowledge.
"The possession of Knowledge, unless accompanied by a manifestation and expression in Action, is like the hoarding of precious metals---a vain and foolish thing. Knowledge, like Wealth, is intended for Use. The Law of Use is Universal, and he who violates it suffers by reason of his conflict with natural forces." -- The Kybalion.
The Hermetic Teachings, while always having been kept securely locked up in the minds of the fortunate possessors thereof, for reasons which we have already stated, were never intended to be merely stored away and secreted. The Law of Use is dwelt upon in the Teachings, as you may see by reference to the above quotation from The Kybalion, which states it forcibly. Knowledge without Use and Expression is a vain thing, bringing no good to its possessor, or to the race. Beware of Mental Miserliness, and express into Action that which you have learned. Study the Axioms and Aphorisms, but practice them also.
We give below some of the more important Hermetic Axioms, from The Kybalion, with a few comments added to each. Make these your own, and practice and use them, for they are not really your own until you have Used them.
"To change your mood or mental state---change your vibration." -- The Kybalion.
One may change his mental vibrations by an effort of Will, in the direction of deliberately fixing the Attention upon a more desirable state. Will directs the Attention, and Attention changes the Vibration. Cultivate the Art of Attention, by means of the Will, and you have solved the secret of the Mastery of Moods and Mental States.
"To destroy an undesirable rate of mental vibration, put into operation the Principle of Polarity and concentrate upon the opposite pole to that which you desire to suppress. Kill out the undesirable by changing its polarity." -- The Kybalion.
This is one of the most important of the Hermetic formulas. It is based upon true scientific principles. We have shown you that a mental state and its opposite were merely the two poles of one thing, and that by Mental Transmutation the polarity might be reversed. This principle is known to modern psychologists, who apply it to the breaking of undesirable habits by bidding their pupils to concentrate upon the opposite quality. If you have a disposition to Hate, you can change it into Love by concentrating upon Love, and by refusing to think of Hate. In this way the vibrations of Love overcome those of Hate, and the polarity is changed. The Hermetists have known this for centuries, and have applied it in their work.
"Rhythm may be neutralized by an application of the Art of Polarization." -- The Kybalion.
As we have explained in previous chapters, the Hermetists teach that the Principle of Rhythm manifests on the Mental Plane as well as on the Physical Plane, and that the bewildering succession of moods, feelings, emotions, and other mental states, are due to the backward and forward swing of the mental pendulum, which carries us from one extreme of feeling to the other. The Hermetists also teach that the Law of Neutralization enables one, to a great extent, to overcome the operation of Rhythm in consciousness. As we have explained, there is a Higher Plane of Consciousness, as well as the ordinary Lower Plane, and the Master by rising mentally to the Higher Plane causes the swing of the mental pendulum to manifest on the Lower Plane, and he, dwelling on his Higher Plane, escapes the consciousness of the swing backward. This is effected by polarizing on the Higher Self, and thus raising the mental vibrations of the Ego above those of the ordinary plane of consciousness. It is akin to rising above a thing and allowing it to pass beneath you. The advanced Hermetist polarizes himself at the Positive Pole of his Being---the "I AM" pole rather than the pole of personality, and by "refusing" and "denying" the operation of Rhythm, by raising himself above its plane of causation, he stands firm and undisturbed. The ordinary person may accomplish much of this by refusing to allow the negative moods to affect him---by asserting the "I" and denying the power of the mood. But the Master carries this to a much higher degree of efficiency.
"Nothing escapes the Principle of Cause and Effect, but there are many Planes of Causation, and one may use the laws of the higher to overcome the laws of the lower." -- The Kybalion.
By understanding the practice of Polarization, the Hermetists rise to a higher plane of Causation and thus counterbalance the laws of the lower planes of Causation. By rising above the plane of ordinary causes, they become, in a degree, Causes instead of being merely Caused. By being able to master their own moods and feelings, and by being able to neutralize the power of others over them, they become Movers, instead of pawns. They are able to play the Game of Life, instead of being played by others. They use the Principle of Cause and Effect, instead of being used by it. Of course, even the highest are subject to the Principle as it manifests on the higher planes, but on the lower planes of activity, they are Masters, instead of Slaves. As The Kybalion says:
"The wise ones serve on the higher, but rule on the lower. They obey the laws coming from above them, but on their own plane, and those below them, they rule and give orders. And, yet, in so doing, they form a part of the Principle, instead of opposing it. The wise man falls in with the Law, and by understanding its movements he operates it instead of being its blind slave. Just as does the skilled swimmer turn this way and that, going and coming as he will, instead of being as the log which is carried here and there---so is the wise man as compared to the ordinary man---and yet both swimmer and log; wise man and fool, are subject to Law. He who understands this is well on the road to Mastery." -- The Kybalion.
In conclusion let us again call your attention to the Hermetic Axiom:
"True Hermetic Transmutation is a Mental Art." -- The Kybalion.
In the above axiom, the Hermetists teach that the great work of influencing one's environment is accomplished by Mental Power. The Universe being wholly Mental, it follows that it may be ruled only by Mentality. And in this truth is to be found an explanation of all the phenomena and manifestations of the various mental powers which are attracting so much attention and study in these earlier years of the Twentieth Century. Back of and under the teachings of the various cults and schools, remains ever the constant principle of the Mental Substance of the Universe. If the Universe be Mental, then Mind must be the highest power affecting its phenomena. If this is understood, then all the so-called "miracles" and "wonders" are seen to be possible. And the Universal Law is the same, whether applied to the physical, mental, or spiritual planes. The only difference is in the degree of the power, and the plane of its manifestation.
"THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental." -- The Kybalion.
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