1908 Kybalion
1908 Kybalion
The Kybalion
i
The Kybalion
Writings
The Kybalion
ii
The Kybalion
A Study of The Hermetic Philosophy of
Ancient Egypt and Greece
1908
Three Initiates
(1862–1932)
信
YOGeBooks: Hollister, MO
2013:09:06:13:27:37
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The Kybalion
Copyright
YOGeBooks by Roger L. Cole, Hollister, MO 65672
© 2010 YOGeBooks by Roger L. Cole
All rights reserved. Electronic edition published 2010
www.yogebooks.com
iv
Dedication.
To Hermes Trismegistus known by the ancient Egyptians as
“the great great” and “master of masters” this little volume of
Hermetic Teachings is reverently dedicated
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Epigraph.
“The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of understanding.”
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Contents
Chapter I.……………………………………The Hermetic Philosophy.
Chapter II.………………………… The Seven Hermetic Principles.
Chapter III.…………………………………… Mental Transmutation.
Chapter IV.……………………………………………………… The All.
Chapter V.……………………………………… The Mental Universe.
Chapter VI.……………………………………… The Divine Paradox.
Chapter VII.……………………………………………… “The All” in All.
Chapter VIII.……………………… The Planes of Correspondence.
Chapter IX.…………………………………………………… Vibration.
Chapter X.……………………………………………………… Polarity.
Chapter XI.……………………………………………………… Rhythm.
Chapter XII.…………………………………………………… Causation.
Chapter XIII.…………………………………………………… Gender.
Chapter XIV.……………………………………………Mental Gender.
Chapter XV.………………………………………… Hermetic Axioms.
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viii
Introduction.
“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!”
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The Kybalion
2
Chapter I.
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The Hermetic Philosophy
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, losing to the Christian Church that
which was its very essence and spirit, and causing it to grope
throughout several centuries before it found the way back to its
ancient faith, the indications apparent to all careful observers in
this Twentieth Century being that the Church is now struggling
to get back to its ancient mystic teachings.
But there were always a few faithful souls who kept alive the
Flame, tending it carefully, and not allowing its light to become
extinguished. And thanks to these staunch hearts, and fearless
minds, we have the truth still with us. But it is not found in
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books, to any great extent. It has been passed along from
Master to Student; from Initiate to Hierophant; from lip to
ear. When it was written down at all, its meaning was veiled in
terms of alchemy and astrology, so that only those possessing
the key could read it aright. This was made necessary in order
to avoid the persecutions of the theologians of the Middle
Ages, who fought the Secret Doctrine with fire and sword; stake,
gibbet and cross. Even to this day there will be found but few
reliable books on the Hermetic Philosophy, although there are
countless references to it in many books written on various
phases of Occultism. And yet, 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
know. 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
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The Hermetic Philosophy
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 work is printed in the regular way, 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.
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8
Chapter II.
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I. The Principle of Mentalism.
“The All is Mind; The Universe is Mental.”—The Kybalion.
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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 sceptre of power,” says one of the old writers.
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The Seven Hermetic Principles
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
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The Kybalion
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.
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The Kybalion
recognized; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes
the Law.”—The Kybalion.
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The Kybalion
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Chapter III.
Mental Transmutation.
“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.
22
Mental Transmutation
In this little book we shall state the basic principles of Mental
Transmutation, that all who read may grasp the Underlying
Principles, and thus possess the Master‑Key that will unlock the
many doors of the Principle of Polarity.
We shall now proceed to a consideration of the first of
the Hermetic Seven Principles—the Principle of Mentalism,
in which is explained the truth that “The All is Mind; the
Universe is Mental,” in the words of The Kybalion. We ask the
close attention, and careful study of this great Principle, on the
part of our students, for it is really the Basic Principle of the
whole Hermetic Philosophy, and of the Hermetic Art of Mental
Transmutation.
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Chapter IV.
The All.
“Under, and back of, the Universe of Time, Space and Change, is ever
to be found The Substantial Reality—the Fundamental Truth.”—The
Kybalion.
“
S ubstance” 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
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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 realizes 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 to all sane
reasoning, action or conduct, and is utterly unfitted for the
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The All
work of life. He is like the squirrel which frantically runs around
and around the circling treadmill wheel of his cage, traveling
ever and yet reaching nowhere—at the end a prisoner still, and
standing just where he started.
And still more presumptuous are those who attempt
to ascribe to The All the personality, qualities, properties,
characteristics and attributes of themselves, ascribing to The
All the human emotions, feelings, and characteristics, even
down to the pettiest qualities of mankind, such as jealousy,
susceptibility to flattery and praise, desire for offerings and
worship, and all the other survivals from the days of the
childhood of the race. Such ideas are not worthy of grown men
and women, and are rapidly being discarded.
(At this point, it may be proper for me to state that we
make a distinction between Religion and Theology—between
Philosophy and Metaphysics. Religion, to us, means that
intuitional realization of the existence of The All, and one’s
relationship to it; while Theology means the attempts of men
to ascribe personality, qualities, and characteristics to it; their
theories regarding its affairs, will, desires, plans, and designs;
and their assumption of the office of “middle‑men” between
The All and the people. Philosophy, to us, means the inquiry
after knowledge of things knowable and thinkable; while
Metaphysics means the attempt to carry the inquiry over and
beyond the boundaries and into regions unknowable and
unthinkable, and with the same tendency as that of Theology.
And consequently, both Religion and Philosophy mean to us
things having roots in Reality, while Theology and Metaphysics
seem like broken reeds, rooted in the quicksands of ignorance,
and affording naught but the most insecure support for the
mind or soul of Man. We do not insist upon our students
accepting these definitions—we mention them merely to
show our position. At any rate, you shall hear very little about
Theology and Metaphysics in these lessons.)
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The Kybalion
But while the essential nature of The All is Unknowable,
there are certain truths connected with its existence which
the human mind finds itself compelled to accept. And an
examination of these reports form a proper subject of inquiry,
particularly as they agree with the reports of the Illumined on
higher planes. And to this inquiry we now invite you.
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Chapter V.
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The Mental Universe
Let us see! On his own plane of being, how does Man create?
Well, first, he may create by making something out of outside
materials. But this will not do, for there are no materials outside
of The All with which it may create. Well, then, secondly, Man
pro‑creates or reproduces his kind by the process of begetting,
which is self‑multiplication accomplished by transferring a
portion of his substance to his offspring. But this will not do,
because The All cannot transfer or subtract a portion of itself,
nor can it reproduce or multiply itself—in the first place there
would be a taking away, and in the second case a multiplication
or addition to The All, both thoughts being an absurdity. Is
there no third way in which man creates? Yes, there is—he
creates mentally! And in so doing he uses no outside materials,
nor does he reproduce himself, and yet his Spirit pervades the
Mental Creation.
Following the Principle of Correspondence, we are justified
in considering that The All creates the Universe mentally, in
a manner akin to the process whereby Man creates Mental
Images. And, here is where the report of Reason tallies precisely
with the report of the Illumined, as shown by their teachings
and writings. Such are the teachings of the Wise Men. Such was
the Teaching of Hermes.
The All can create in no other way except mentally, without
either using material (and there is none to use), or else
reproducing itself (which is also impossible). There is no escape
from this conclusion of the Reason, which, as we have said,
agrees with the highest teachings of the Illumined. Just as you,
student, may create a Universe of your own in your mentality,
so does The All create Universes in its own Mentality. But your
Universe is the mental creation of a Finite Mind, whereas that
of The All is the creation of an Infinite. The two are similar in
kind, but infinitely different in degree. We shall examine more
closely into the process of creation and manifestation, as we
proceed. But this is the point to fix in your minds at this stage:
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The universe, and all it contains, is a mental creation of
the all. Verily, indeed, All is 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.
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down in your inmost being! It is the Mother Mind that you are
pressing close up to, like a babe to the breast.
Do not make the mistake of supposing that the little world
you see around you—the Earth, which is a mere grain of dust
in the Universe—is the Universe itself. There are millions upon
millions of such worlds, and greater. And there are millions
of millions of such Universes in existence within the Infinite
Mind of The All. And even in our own little solar system there
are regions and planes of life far higher than ours, and beings
compared to which we earth‑bound mortals are as the slimy
life‑forms that dwell on the ocean’s bed when compared to
Man. There are beings with powers and attributes higher than
Man has ever dreamed of the gods’ possessing. And yet these
beings were once as you, and still lower—and you will be even
as they, and still higher, in time, for such is the Destiny of Man
as reported by the illumined.
And Death is not real, even in the Relative sense—it is but
Birth to a new life—and You shall go on, and on, and on, to
higher and still higher planes of life, for aeons upon aeons of
time. The Universe is your home, and you shall explore its
farthest recesses before the end of Time. You are dwelling
in the Infinite Mind of The All, and your possibilities and
opportunities are infinite, both in time and space. And at the
end of the Grand Cycle of Aeons, when The All shall draw back
into itself all of its creations—you will go gladly, for you will
then be able to know the Whole Truth of being At One with
The All. Such is the report of the illumined—those who have
advanced well along The Path.
And, in the meantime, rest calm and serene—you are safe and
protected by the Infinite Power of the Father‑Mother‑Mind.
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The Mental Universe
“There is not one who is Fatherless, nor Motherless in the Universe.”—
The Kybalion.
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Chapter VI.
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to ignore it in its relative aspect, at least so long as we dwell
upon its plane.
Nor do the Laws of Nature become less constant or effective,
when we know them, likewise, to be merely mental creations.
They are in full effect on the various planes. We overcome the
lower laws, by applying still higher ones—and in this way only.
But we cannot escape Law or rise above it entirely. Nothing
but The All can escape Law—and that because The All is Law
itself, from which all Laws emerge. The most advanced Masters
may acquire the powers usually attributed to the gods of men;
and there are countless ranks of being, in the great hierarchy of
life, whose being and power transcends even that of the highest
Masters among men to a degree unthinkable by mortals, but
even the highest Master, and the highest Being, must bow to
the Law, and be as Nothing in the eye of The All. So that if
even these highest Beings, whose powers exceed even those
attributed by men to their gods—if even these are bound by
and are subservient to Law, then imagine the presumption of
mortal man, of our race and grade, when he dares to consider
the Laws of Nature as “unreal,” visionary and illusory, because he
happens to be able to grasp the truth that the Laws are Mental
in nature, and simply Mental Creations of The All. Those Laws
which The All intends to be governing Laws are not to be
defied or argued away. So long as the Universe endures, will
they endure—for the Universe exists by virtue of these Laws
which form its framework and which hold it together.
The Hermetic Principle of Mentalism, while explaining the
true nature of the Universe upon the principle that all is Mental,
does not change the scientific conceptions of the Universe, Life,
or Evolution. In fact, science merely corroborates the Hermetic
Teachings. The latter merely teaches that the nature of the
Universe is “Mental,” while modern science has taught that it is
“Material”; or (of late) that it is “Energy” at the last analysis. The
Hermetic Teachings have no fault to find with Herbert Spencer’s
basic principle which postulates the existence of an “Infinite
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The Divine Paradox
and Eternal Energy, from which all things proceed.” In fact,
the Hermetics recognize in Spencer’s philosophy the highest
outside statement of the workings of the Natural Laws that
have ever been promulgated, and they believe Spencer to have
been a reincarnation of an ancient philosopher who dwelt in
ancient Egypt thousands of years ago, and who later incarnated
as Heraclitus, the Grecian philosopher who lived b. c. 500. And
they regard his statement of the “Infinite and Eternal Energy” as
directly in the line of the Hermetic Teachings, always with the
addition of their own doctrine that his “Energy” is the Energy
of the Mind of The All. With the Master‑Key of the Hermetic
Philosophy, the student of Spencer will be able to unlock many
doors of the inner philosophical conceptions of the great English
philosopher, whose work shows the results of the preparation
of his previous incarnations. His teachings regarding Evolution
and Rhythm are in almost perfect agreement with the Hermetic
Teachings regarding the Principle of Rhythm.
So, the student of Hermetics need not lay aside any of his
cherished scientific views regarding the Universe. All he is asked
to do is to grasp the underlying principle of “The All is Mind;
the Universe is Mental—held in the Mind of The All.” He will
find that the other six of the Seven Principles will “fit into” his
scientific knowledge, and will serve to bring out obscure points
and to throw light in dark corners. This is not to be wondered
at, when we realize the influence of the Hermetic thought on
the early philosophers of Greece, upon whose foundations
of thought the theories of modern science largely rest. The
acceptance of the First Hermetic Principle (Mentalism) is the
only great point of difference between Modern Science and
Hermetic students, and Science is gradually moving toward the
Hermetic position in its groping in the dark for a way out of the
Labyrinth into which it has wandered in its search for Reality.
The purpose of this lesson is to impress upon the minds
of our students the fact that, to all intents and purposes, the
Universe and its laws, and its phenomena, are just as real, so far
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The Kybalion
as Man is concerned, as they would be under the hypotheses
of Materialism or Energism. Under any hypothesis the Universe
in its outer aspect is changing, ever‑flowing, and transitory—
and therefore devoid of substantiality and reality. But (note the
other pole of the truth) under any of the same hypotheses, we
are compelled to act and live as if the fleeting things were
real and substantial. With this difference, always, between the
various hypotheses—that under the old views Mental Power
was ignored as a Natural Force, while under Mentalism it
becomes the Greatest Natural Force. And this one difference
revolutionizes Life, to those who understand the Principle and
its resulting laws and practice.
So, finally, students all, grasp the advantage of Mentalism,
and learn to know, use and apply the laws resulting therefrom.
But do not yield to the temptation which, as The Kybalion
states, overcomes the half‑wise and which causes them to be
hypnotized by the apparent unreality of things, the consequence
being that they wander about like dream‑people dwelling in a
world of dreams, ignoring the practical work and life of man,
the end being that “they are broken against the rocks and torn
asunder by the elements, by reason of their folly.” Rather follow
the example of the wise, which the same authority states, “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.” Following the authority, let us avoid
the half‑wisdom (which is folly) which ignores the truth that:
“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.” Remember always, student, that “Transmutation,
not presumptuous denial, is the weapon of the Master.” The
above quotations are from The Kybalion, and are worthy of
being committed to memory by the student.
We do not live in a world of dreams, but in an Universe which,
while relative, is real so far as our lives and actions are concerned.
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The Divine Paradox
Our business in the Universe is not to deny its existence, but
to live, using the Laws to rise from lower to higher—living on,
doing the best that we can under the circumstances arising
each day, and living, so far as is possible, to our highest ideas
and ideals. The true Meaning of Life is not known to men on
this plane—if, indeed, to any—but the highest authorities, and
our own intuitions, teach us that we will make no mistake
in living up to the best that is in us, so far as is possible, and
realizing the Universal tendency in the same direction in spite
of apparent evidences to the contrary. We are all on The Path—
and the road leads upward ever, with frequent resting places.
Read the Message of The Kybalion—and follow the example
of “the wise”—avoiding the mistake of “the half‑wise” who
perish by reason of their folly.
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The Kybalion
48
Chapter VII.
56
Chapter VIII.
The Planes of
Correspondence.
“As above, so below; as below, so above.”—The Kybalion.
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The Kybalion
These divisions are more or less artificial and arbitrary, for
the truth is that all of the three divisions 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 Physical.
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 the subject of occultism. 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.”
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The Planes of Correspondence
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 lessons, in which we shall consider the
Hermetic Principle of 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
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The Kybalion
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 vibrations 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:
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Chapter IX.
Vibration.
“Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.”—The
Kybalion.
74
Chapter X.
Polarity.
“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.
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The Kybalion
correct understanding of the same will throw light on many
difficult subjects.
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Chapter XI.
Rhythm.
“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.
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Rhythm
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 affect 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
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The Kybalion
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 phenomena. 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
comes into its operations that which is known as the Law of
Compensation. One of the definitions or meanings of the
word “Compensate” is, “to counterbalance,” which is the
sense in which the Hermetists use the term. It is this Law of
Compensation to which the Kybalion refers when it says: “The
measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to
the left; rhythm compensates.”
The Law of Compensation is that the swing in one direction
determines the swing in the opposite direction, or to the
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Rhythm
opposite pole—the one balances, or counterbalances, the
other. On the Physical Plane we see many examples of this
Law. The pendulum of the clock swings a certain distance to
the right, and then an equal distance to the left. The seasons
balance each other in the same way. The tides follow the same
Law. And the same Law is manifested in all the phenomena of
Rhythm. The pendulum, with a short swing in one direction, has
but a short swing in the other; while the long swing to the right
invariably means the long swing to the left. An object hurled
upward to a certain height has an equal distance to traverse
on its return. The force with which a projectile is sent upward a
mile is reproduced when the projectile returns to the earth on
its return journey. This Law is constant on the Physical Plane, as
reference to the standard authorities will show you.
But the Hermetists carry it still further. They teach that a
man’s mental states are subject to the same Law. The man who
enjoys keenly, is subject to keen suffering; while he who feels
but little pain is capable of feeling but little joy. The pig suffers
but little mentally, and enjoys but little—he is compensated.
And on the other hand, there are other animals who enjoy
keenly, but whose nervous organism and temperament cause
them to suffer exquisite degrees of pain. And so it is with Man.
There are temperaments which permit of but low degrees of
enjoyment, and equally low degrees of suffering; while there
are others which permit the most intense enjoyment, but also
the most intense suffering. The rule is that the capacity for
pain and pleasure, in each individual, are balanced. The Law of
Compensation is in full operation here.
But the Hermetists go still further in this matter. They teach
that before one 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 to say 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
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The Kybalion
of pain; on the contrary, the pleasure is the Rhythmic swing,
according to the Law of Compensation, for a degree of pain
previously experienced either in the present 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 without meaning 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 feasting, and
the wealth wherewith to secure all the dainties and luxuries
of the table, while he lacks the appetite to enjoy the same; 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
even if his appetite were not jaded, nor his digestion ruined, for
the wants, habits and inclinations differ. And so it is through
life. The Law of Compensation is ever in operation, striving to
balance and counter‑balance, and always succeeding in time,
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Rhythm
even though several lives may be required for the return swing
of the Pendulum of Rhythm.
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The Kybalion
88
Chapter XII.
Causation.
“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.
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The Kybalion
will because some feeling, mood, emotion, or environmental
suggestion arouses a tendency or desire within him so to do.
The majority of people are carried along like the falling stone,
obedient to environment, outside influences and internal
moods, desires, etc., not to speak of the desires and wills of
others stronger than themselves, heredity, environment, and
suggestion, carrying them along without resistance on their
part, or the exercise of the Will. Moved like the pawns on the
checkerboard of life, they play their parts and are laid aside after
the game is over. But the Masters, knowing the rules of the game,
rise above the plane of material life, and placing themselves in
touch with the higher powers of their nature, dominate their
own moods, characters, qualities, and polarity, as well as the
environment surrounding them and thus become Movers in
the game, instead of Pawns—Causes instead of Effects. The
Masters do not escape the Causation of the higher planes, but
fall in with the higher laws, and thus master circumstances on
the lower plane. They thus form a conscious part of the Law,
instead of being mere blind instruments. While they Serve on
the Higher Planes, they Rule on the Material Plane.
But, on higher and on lower, the Law is always in operation.
There is no such things as Chance. The blind goddess has been
abolished by Reason. We are able to see now, with eyes made
clear by knowledge, that everything is governed by Universal
Law—that the infinite number of laws are but manifestations
of the One Great Law—the Law which is The All. It is true
indeed that not a sparrow drops unnoticed by the Mind of The
All—that even the hairs on our head are numbered—as the
scriptures have said. There is nothing outside of Law; nothing
that happens contrary to it. And yet, do not make the mistake
of supposing that Man is but a blind automaton—far from that.
The Hermetic Teachings are that Man may use Law to overcome
laws, and that the higher will always prevail against the lower,
until at last he has reached the stage in which he seeks refuge
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Causation
in the Law itself, and laughs the phenomenal laws to scorn. Are
you able to grasp the inner meaning of this?
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The Kybalion
96
Chapter XIII.
Gender.
“Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine
Principles; Gender manifests on all planes.”—The Kybalion.
102
Chapter XIV.
Mental Gender.
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Mental Gender
In the phenomena of Telepathy it is seen how the Vibratory
Energy of the Masculine Principle is projected toward the
Feminine Principle of another person, and the latter takes the
seed‑thought and allows it to develop into maturity. In the
same way Suggestion and Hypnotism operates. The Masculine
Principle of the person giving the suggestions directs a stream
of Vibratory Energy or Will‑Power toward the Feminine
Principle of the other person, and the latter accepting it
makes it its own and acts and thinks accordingly. An idea thus
lodged in the mind of another person grows and develops,
and in time is regarded as the rightful mental offspring of the
individual, whereas it is in reality like the cuckoo egg placed in
the sparrow’s nest, where it destroys the rightful offspring and
makes itself at home. The normal method is for the Masculine
and Feminine Principles in a person’s mind to co‑ordinate
and act harmoniously in conjunction with each other. But,
unfortunately, the Masculine Principle in the average person
is too lazy to act—the display of Will‑Power is too slight—and
the consequence is that such persons are ruled almost entirely
by the minds and wills of other persons, whom they allow to do
their thinking and willing for them. How few original thoughts
or original actions are performed by the average person? Are
not the majority of persons mere shadows and echoes of others
having stronger wills or minds than themselves? The trouble
is that the average person dwells almost altogether in his “Me”
consciousness, and does not realize that he has such a thing as
an “I.” He is polarized in his Feminine Principle of Mind, and the
Masculine Principle, in which is lodged the Will, is allowed to
remain inactive and not employed.
The strong men and women of the world invariably manifest
the Masculine Principle of Will, and their strength depends
materially upon this fact. Instead of living upon the impressions
made upon their minds by others, they dominate their own
minds by their Will, obtaining the kind of mental images desired,
and moreover dominate the minds of others likewise, in the
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The Kybalion
same manner. Look at the strong people, how they manage to
implant their seed‑thoughts in the minds of the masses of the
people, thus causing the latter to think thoughts in accordance
with the desires and wills of the strong individuals. This is
why the masses of people are such sheep‑like creatures, never
originating an idea of their own, nor using their own powers of
mental activity.
The manifestation of Mental Gender may be noticed all
around us in everyday life. The magnetic persons are those who
are able to use the Masculine Principle in the way of impressing
their ideas upon others. The actor who makes people weep
or cry as he wills, is employing this principle. And so is the
successful orator, statesman, preacher, writer or other people
who are before the public attention. The peculiar influence
exerted by some people over others is due to the manifestation
of Mental Gender, along the Vibratorial lines above indicated.
In this principle lies the secret of personal magnetism, personal
influence, fascination, etc., as well as the phenomena generally
grouped under the name of Hypnotism.
The student who has familiarised himself with the phenomena
generally spoken of as “psychic” will have discovered the
important part played in the said phenomena by that force
which science has styled “Suggestion,” by which term is meant
the process or method whereby an idea is transferred to, or
“impressed upon” the mind of another, causing the second
mind to act in accordance therewith. A correct understanding
of Suggestion is necessary in order to intelligently comprehend
the varied psychical phenomena which Suggestion underlies.
But, still more is a knowledge of Vibration and Mental Gender
necessary for the student of Suggestion. For the whole principle
of Suggestion depends upon the principle of Mental Gender
and Vibration.
It is customary for the writers and teachers of Suggestion to
explain that it is the “objective or voluntary” mind which make
the mental impression, or suggestion, upon the “subjective or
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Mental Gender
involuntary” mind. But they do not describe the process or
give us any analogy in nature whereby we may more readily
comprehend the idea. But if you will think of the matter in
the light of the Hermetic Teachings, you will be able to see
that the energizing of the Feminine Principle by the Vibratory
Energy of the Masculine Principle is in accordance to the
universal laws of nature, and that the natural world affords
countless analogies whereby the principle may be understood.
In fact, the Hermetic Teachings show that the very creation
of the Universe follows the same law, and that in all creative
manifestations, upon the planes of the spiritual, the mental,
and the physical, there is always in operation this principle of
Gender—this manifestation of the Masculine and the Feminine
Principles. “As above, so below; as below, so above.” And more
than this, when the principle of Mental Gender is once grasped
and understood, the varied phenomena of psychology at once
becomes capable of intelligent classification and study, instead
of being very much in the dark. The principle “works out” in
practice, because it is based upon the immutable universal
laws of life.
We shall not enter into an extended discussion of, or
description of, the varied phenomena of mental influence or
psychic activity. There are many books, many of them quite
good, which have been written and published on this subject
of late years. The main facts stated in these various books
are correct, although the several writers have attempted to
explain the phenomena by various pet theories of their own.
The student may acquaint himself with these matters, and by
using the theory of Mental Gender he will be able to bring
order out of the chaos of conflicting theory and teachings, and
may, moreover, readily make himself a master of the subject if
he be so inclined. The purpose of this work is not to give an
extended account of psychic phenomena, but rather to give
to the student a master‑key whereby he may unlock the many
doors leading into the parts of the Temple of Knowledge which
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The Kybalion
he may wish to explore. We feel that in this consideration of the
teachings of The Kybalion, one may find an explanation which
will serve to clear away many perplexing difficulties—a key that
will unlock many doors. What is the use of going into detail
regarding all of the many features of psychic phenomena and
mental science, provided we place in the hands of the student
the means whereby he may acquaint himself fully regarding
any phase of the subject which may interest him. With the aid
of The Kybalion one may go through any occult library anew,
the old Light from Egypt illuminating many dark pages, and
obscure subjects. That is the purpose of this book. We do not
come expounding a new philosophy, but rather furnishing the
outlines of a great world‑old teaching which will make clear the
teachings of others—which will serve as a Great Reconciler of
differing theories, and opposing doctrines.
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Chapter XV.
Hermetic Axioms.
“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.
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Hermetic Axioms
“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.
“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
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The Kybalion
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 way, 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 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 constant the principle of the Mental Substance of
the Universe. If the Universe be Mental in its substantial nature,
then it follows that Mental Transmutation must change the
conditions and phenomena of the Universe. If the Universe
is Mental, then Mind must be the highest power affecting
its phenomena. If this be understood then all the so‑called
“miracles” and “wonder‑workings” are seen plainly for what
they are.
Finis.
118
Bibliography
Three Initiates [William Walker Atkinson]. The Kybalion: A Study of The
Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece. Chicago, IL: The Yogi
Publication Society, 1908.
119