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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/14209-0.txt b/14209-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..db0589f --- /dev/null +++ b/14209-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3458 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14209 *** + +THE KYBALION + +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" + + + +1912 + +COPYRIGHT 1912 + +ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY + +THE YOGI PUBLICATION SOCIETY +MASONIC TEMPLE +CHICAGO, ILLINOIS + +ISBN 0 911662-25-1 + + +TO +HERMES TRISMEGISTUS + + +KNOWN BY THE ANCIENT +EGYPTIANS AS + +"THE GREAT GREAT" +AND +"MASTER OF MASTERS" + +THIS LITTLE VOLUME OF HERMETIC TEACHING +IS REVERENTLY DEDICATED + + + +Table of Contents + + I. The Hermetic Philosophy + II. The Seven Hermetic Principles + 1. The Principle of Mentalism + 2. The Principle of Correspondence + 3. The Principle of Vibration + 4. The Principle of Polarity + 5. The Principle of Rhythm + 6. The Principle of Cause and Effect + 7. The Principle of Gender + III. Mental Transmutation + IV. The All + V. The Mental Universe + VI. The Divine Paradox + VII. "The All" in All + VIII. Planes of Correspondence + IX. Vibration + X. Polarity + XI. Rhythm + XII. Causation + XIII. Gender + XIV. Mental Gender + XV. Hermetic Axioms + + + +INTRODUCTION + +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, not withstanding the countless references to the Teachings in +the many works upon occultism, that the many earnest searchers after the +Arcane Truths will doubtless welcome the appearance of this present +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 +divergent theories entertained and taught 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 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 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 still 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 it, 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 criticized 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 therm 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. + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE HERMETIC PHILOSOPHY + + "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 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, 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 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 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 italics, 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. + +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! + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE SEVEN HERMETIC PRINCIPLES + + "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: + + 1. The Principle of Mentalism. + 2. The Principle of Correspondence. + 3. The Principle of Vibration. + 4. The Principle of Polarity. + 5. The Principle of Rhythm. + 6. The Principle of Cause and Effect. + 7. The Principle of Gender. + +These Seven Principles will be discussed and explained as we proceed +with these lessons. A short explanation of each, however, may as well be +given at this point. + +1. The Principle of Mentalism + + "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 +all the 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. + +2. The Principle of Correspondence + + "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. + +3. The Principle of Vibration + + "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. + +4. The Principle of 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. + +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. + +5. The Principle of 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. + +This Principle embodies the truth that in everything there is manifested +a measured motion, to and fro; a flow and inflow; a swing backward and +forward; a pendulum-like movement; a tide-like ebb and flow; a high-tide +and low-tide; between the two poles which exist in accordance with the +Principle of Polarity described a moment ago. 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. + +6. The Principle of Cause and Effect + + "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. + +7. The Principle of Gender + + "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. + + + +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. + +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 the +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 so-called modern +discoveries in psychology--on the contrary, the Egyptians were +especially skilled in the science of 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 psychologists of to-day, 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, the 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 "Transmute" means "to change from one nature, form, or +substance, into another; to transform" (Webster). 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 Chemistry on the Mental Plane is important enough in its +effects, to be sure, and if the art stopped there it would still be one +of the most important branches of study known to man. But this is only +the beginning. Let us see why! + +The first of the Seven Hermetic Principles is the Principle of +Mentalism, the axiom of which is "THE ALL is Mind; the Universe is +Mental," which means that the Underlying Reality of the Universe is +Mind; and the Universe itself is Mental--that is, "existing in the Mind +of THE ALL." We shall consider this Principle in succeeding lessons, but +let us see the effect of the principle if it be assumed to be true. + +If the Universe is Mental in its nature, then Mental Transmutation must +be the art of CHANGING THE CONDITIONS OF THE UNIVERSE, along the lines +of Matter, Force and mind. So you see, therefore, that Mental +Transmutation is really the "Magic" of which the ancient; writers had so +much to say in their mystical works, and about which they gave so few +practical instructions. If All be Mental, then the art which enables one +to transmute mental conditions must render the Master the controller of +material conditions as well as those ordinarily called "mental." + +As a matter of fact, none but advanced Mental Alchemists have been able +to attain the degree of power necessary to control the grosser physical +conditions, such as the control of the elements of Nature; the +production or cessation of tempests; the production and cessation of +earthquakes and other great physical phenomena. But that such men have +existed, and do exist today, is a matter of earnest belief to all +advanced occultists of all schools. That the Masters exist, and have +these powers, the best teachers assure their students, having had +experiences which justify them in such belief and statements. These +Masters do not make public exhibitions of their powers, but seek +seclusion from the crowds of men, in order to better work their may +along the Path of Attainment. We mention their existence, at this point, +merely to call your attention to the fact that their power is entirely +Mental, and operates along the lines of the higher Mental Transmutation, +under the Hermetic Principle of Mentalism. + + "The Universe is Mental"--The Kybalion. + +But students and Hermetists of lesser degree than Masters--the Initiates +and Teachers--are able to freely work along the Mental Plane, in Mental +Transmutation. In fact all that we call "psychic phenomena,"; "mental +influence"; "mental science"; "new-thought phenomena," etc., operates +along the same general lines, for there is but one principle involved, +no matter by what name the phenomena be called. + +The student and practitioner of Mental Transmutation works among the +Mental Plane, transmuting mental conditions, states, etc., into others, +according to various formulas, more or less efficacious. The various +"treatments," "affirmations," "denials" etc., of the schools of mental +science are but formulas, often quite imperfect and unscientific, of The +Hermetic Art. The majority of modern practitioners are quite ignorant +compared to the ancient masters, for they lack the fundamental knowledge +upon which the work is based. + +Not only may the mental states, etc., of one's self be changed or +transmuted by Hermetic Methods; but also the states of others may be, +and are, constantly transmuted in the same way, usually unconsciously, +but often consciously by some understanding the laws and principles, in +cases where the people affected are not informed of the principles of +self-protection. And more than this, as many students and practitioners +of modern mental science know, every material condition depending upon +the minds of other people may be changed or transmuted in accordance +with the earnest desire, will, and "treatments" of person desiring +changed conditions of life. The public are so generally informed +regarding these things at present, that we do not deem it necessary to +mention the same at length, our purpose at this point being merely to +show the Hermetic Principle and Art underlying all of these various +forms of practice, good and evil, for the force can be used in opposite +directions according to the Hermetic Principles of Polarity. + +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. + + + +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. + +"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--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 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.) + +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. + + "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 human reason, whose reports we must accept so long as we think at +all, informs us as follows regarding THE ALL, and that without +attempting to remove the veil of the Unknowable: + + (1) THE ALL must be ALL that REALLY IS. There can be + nothing existing outside of THE ALL, else THE ALL would + not be THE ALL. + + (2) THE ALL must be INFINITE, for there is nothing else + to define, confine, bound, limit; or restrict THE ALL. + It must be Infinite in Time, or ETERNAL,--it must have + always continuously existed, for there is nothing else to + have ever created it, and something can never evolve from + nothing, and if it had ever "not been," even for a moment, + it would not "be" now,--it must continuously exist forever, + for there is nothing to destroy it, and it can never + "not-be," even for a moment, because something can never + become nothing. It must be Infinite in Space--it must be + Everywhere, for there is no place outside of THE ALL--it + cannot be otherwise than continuous in Space, without break, + cessation, separation, or interruption, for there is nothing + to break, separate, or interrupt its continuity, and nothing + with which to "fill in the gaps." It must be Infinite in + Power, or Absolute, for there is nothing to limit, restrict, + restrain, confine, disturb or condition it--it is subject to + no other Power, for there is no other Power. + + (3) THE ALL must be IMMUTABLE, or not subject to change in + its real nature, for there is nothing to work changes upon it + nothing into which it could change, nor from which it could + have changed. It cannot be added to nor subtracted from; + increased nor diminished; nor become greater or lesser in any + respect whatsoever. It must have always been, and must always + remain, just what it is now--THE ALL--there has never been, + is not now, and never will be, anything else into which it + can change. + +THE ALL being Infinite, Absolute, Eternal and Unchangeable it must +follow that anything finite, changeable, fleeting, and conditioned +cannot be THE ALL. And as there is Nothing outside of THE ALL, in +Reality, then any and all such finite things must be as Nothing in +Reality. Now do not become befogged, nor frightened--we are not trying +to lead you into the Christian Science field under cover of Hermetic +Philosophy. There is a Reconciliation of this apparently contradictory +state of affairs. Be patient, we will reach it in time. + +We see around us that which is called "Matter," which forms the physical +foundation for all forms. Is THE ALL merely Matter? Not at all! Matter +cannot manifest Life or Mind, and as Life and Mind are manifested in the +Universe, THE ALL cannot be Matter, for nothing rises higher than its +own source--nothing is ever manifested in an effect that is not in the +cause--nothing is evolved as a consequent that is not involved as an +antecedent. And then Modern Science informs us that there is really no +such thing as Matter--that what we call Matter is merely "interrupted +energy or force," that is, energy or force at a low rate of vibration. +As a recent writer has said "Matter has melted into Mystery." Even +Material Science has abandoned the theory of Matter, and now rests on +the basis of "Energy." + +Then is THE ALL mere Energy or Force? Not Energy or Force as the +materialists use the terms, for their energy and force are blind, +mechanical things, devoid of Life or Mind. Life and Mind can never +evolve from blind Energy or Force, for the reason given a moment ago: +"Nothing can rise higher than its source--nothing is evolved unless it +is involved--nothing manifests in the effect, unless it is in the cause. +" And so THE ALL cannot be mere Energy or Force, for, if it were, then +there would be no such things as Life and Mind in existence, and we know +better than that, for we are Alive and using Mind to consider this very +question, and so are those who claim that Energy or Force is Everything. + +What is there then higher than Matter or Energy that we know to be +existent in the Universe? LIFE AND MIND! Life and Mind in all their +varying degrees of unfoldment! "Then," you ask, "do you mean to tell us +that THE ALL is LIFE and MIND?" Yes! and No! is our answer. If you mean +Life and Mind as we poor petty mortals know them, we say No! THE ALL is +not that! "But what kind of Life and Mind do you mean?" you ask. + +The answer is "LIVING MIND," as far above that which mortals know by +those words, as Life and Mind are higher than mechanical forces, or +matter--INFINITE LIVING MIND as compared to finite "Life and Mind." We +mean that which the illumined souls mean when they reverently pronounce +the word: "SPIRIT!" + +"THE ALL" is Infinite Living Mind--the Illumined call it SPIRIT! + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE MENTAL UNIVERSE + + "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"--it means 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, at the same time acknowledging that we cannot fully understand 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 also 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 having separated itself into fragments? What else can it be-- +of what else can it be made? This is the great question. Let us examine +it carefully. We find here that the "Principle of Correspondence" (see +Lesson I.) comes to our aid here. The old Hermetic axiom, "As above so +below," may be pressed into service at this point. Let us endeavor to +get a glimpse of the workings on higher planes by examining those on our +own. The Principle of Correspondence must apply to this as well as to +other problems. + +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: 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. + + "The Infinite Mind of THE ALL is the womb of Universes."--The + Kybalion. + +The Principle of Gender (see Lesson I. and other lessons to follow) is +manifested on all planes of life, material mental and spiritual. But, +as we have said before, "Gender" does not mean "Sex" sex is merely a +material manifestation of gender. "Gender" means "relating to generation +or creation." And whenever anything is generated or created, on any +plane, the Principle of Gender must be manifested. And this is true even +in the creation of Universes. + +Now do not jump to the conclusion that we are teaching that there is a +male and female God, or Creator. That idea is merely a distortion of the +ancient teachings on the subject. The true teaching is that THE ALL, in +itself, is above Gender, as it is above every other Law, including those +of Time and Space. It is the Law, from which the Laws proceed, and it is +not subject to them. But when THE ALL manifests on the plane of +generation or creation, then it acts according to Law and Principle, for +it is moving on a lower plane of Being. And consequently it manifests +the Principle of Gender, in its Masculine and Feminine aspects, on the +Mental Plane, of course. + +This idea may seem startling to some of you who hear it for the first +time, but you have all really passively accepted it in your everyday +conceptions. You speak of the Fatherhood of God, and the Motherhood of +Nature--of God, the Divine Father, and Nature the Universal Mother--and +have thus instinctively acknowledged the Principle of Gender in the +Universe. Is this not so? + +But, the Hermetic teaching does not imply a real duality--THE ALL is +ONE--the Two Aspects are merely aspects of manifestation. The teaching +is that The Masculine Principle manifested by THE ALL stands, in a way, +apart from the actual mental creation of the Universe. It projects its +Will toward the Feminine Principle (which may be called "Nature") +whereupon the latter begins the actual work of the evolution of the +Universe, from simple "centers of activity" on to man, and then on and +on still higher, all according to well-established and firmly enforced +Laws of Nature. If you prefer the old figures of thought, you may think +of the Masculine Principle as GOD, the Father, and of the Feminine +Principle as NATURE, the Universal Mother, from whose womb all things +have been born. This is more than a mere poetic figure of speech--it is +an idea of the actual process of the creation of the Universe. But +always remember, that THE ALL is but One, and that in its Infinite Mind +the Universe is generated, created and exists. + +It may help you to get the proper idea, if you will apply the Law of +Correspondence to yourself, and your own mind. You know that the part of +You which you call "I," in a sense, stands apart and witnesses the +creation of mental Images in your own mind. The part of your mind in +which the mental generation is accomplished may be called the "Me" in +distinction from the "I" which stands apart and witnesses and examines +the thoughts, ideas and images of the "Me." "As above, so below," +remember, and the phenomena of one plane may be employed to solve the +riddles of higher or lower planes. + +Is it any wonder that You, the child, feel that instinctive reverence +for THE ALL, which feeling we call "religion"--that respect, and +reverence for THE FATHER MIND? Is it any wonder that, when you consider +the works and wonders of Nature, you are overcome with a mighty feeling +which has its roots away 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. + + "Within the Father-Mother Mind, mortal children are at + home."--The Kybalion. + + "There is not one who is Fatherless, nor Motherless in the + Universe."--The Kybalion. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE DIVINE PARADOX + + "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--hearken to it +for it points the difference between half-wisdom and wisdom. While to +THE INFINITE ALL, the Universe, its Laws, its Powers, its life, its +Phenomena, are as things witnessed in the state of Meditation or Dream; +yet to all that is Finite, the Universe must be treated as Real, and +life, and action, and thought, must be based thereupon, accordingly, +although with an ever understanding of the Higher Truth. Each according +to its own Plane and Laws. Were THE ALL to imagine that the Universe +were indeed Reality, then woe to the Universe, for there would be then +no escape from lower to higher, divineward--then would the Universe +become a fixity and progress would become impossible. And if Man, owing +to half-wisdom, acts and lives and thinks of the Universe as merely a +dream (akin to his own finite dreams) then indeed does it so become for +him, and like a sleep-walker he stumbles ever around and around in a +circle, making no progress, and being forced into an awakening at last +by his falling bruised and bleeding over the Natural Laws which he +ignored. Keep your mind ever on the Star, but let your eyes watch over +your footsteps, lest you fall into the mire by reason of your upward +gaze. Remember the Divine Paradox, that while the Universe IS NOT, still +IT IS. Remember ever the Two Poles of Truth the Absolute and the +Relative. Beware of Half-Truths. + +What Hermetists know as "the Law of Paradox" is an aspect of the +Principle of Polarity. The Hermetic writings are filled with references +to the appearance of the Paradox in the consideration of the problems of +Life and Being. The Teachers are constantly warning their students +against the error of omitting the "other side" of any question. And +their warnings are particularly directed to the problems of the Absolute +and the Relative, which perplex all students of philosophy, and which +cause so many to think and act contrary to what is generally known as +"common sense." And we caution all students to be sure to grasp the +Divine Paradox of the Absolute and Relative, lest they become entangled +in the mire of the Half-Truth. With this in view this particular lesson +has been written. Read it carefully! + +The first thought that comes to the thinking man after he realizes the +truth that the Universe is a Mental Creation of THE ALL, is that the +Universe and all that it contains is a mere illusion; an unreality; +against which idea his instincts revolt. But this, like all other great +truths, must be considered both from the Absolute and the Relative +points of view. From the Absolute viewpoint, of course, the Universe is +in the nature of an illusion, a dream, a phantasmagoria, as compared to +THE ALL in itself. We recognize this even in our ordinary view, for we +speak of the world as "a fleeting show" that comes and goes, is born and +dies--for the element of impermanence and change, finiteness and +unsubstantiality, must ever be connected with the idea of a created +Universe when it is contrasted with the idea of THE ALL, no matter what +may be our beliefs concerning the nature of both. Philosopher, +metaphysician, scientist and theologian all agree upon this idea, and +the thought is found in all forms of philosophical thought and religious +conceptions, as well as in the theories of the respective schools of +metaphysics and theology. + +So, the Hermetic Teachings do not preach the unsubstantiality of the +Universe in any stronger terms than those more familiar to you, although +their presentation of the subject may seem somewhat more startling. +Anything that has a beginning and an ending must be, in a sense, unreal +and untrue, and the Universe comes under the rule, in all schools of +thought. From the Absolute point of view, there is nothing Real except +THE ALL, no matter what terms we may use in thinking of, or discussing +the subject. Whether the Universe be created of Matter, or whether it be +a Mental Creation in the Mind of THE ALL--it is unsubstantial, +non-enduring, a thing of time, space and change. We want you to realize +this fact thoroughly, before you pass judgment on the Hermetic +conception of the Mental nature of the Universe. Think over any and all +of the other conceptions, and see whether this be not true of them. + +But the Absolute point of view shows merely one side of the picture--the +other side is the Relative one. Absolute Truth has been defined as +"Things as the mind of God knows them," while Relative Truth is "Things +as the highest reason of Man understands them." And so while to THE ALL +the Universe must be unreal and illusionary, a mere dream or result of +meditation,--nevertheless, to the finite minds forming a part of that +Universe, and viewing it through mortal faculties, the Universe is very +real indeed, and must be so considered. In recognizing the Absolute +view, we must not make the mistake of ignoring or denying the facts and +phenomena of the Universe as they present themselves to our mortal +faculties--we are not THE ALL, remember. + +To take familiar illustrations, we all recognize the fact that matter +"exists" to our senses--we will fare badly if we do not. And yet, even +our finite minds understand the scientific dictum that there is no such +thing as Matter from a scientific point of view--that which we call +Matter is held to be merely an aggregation of atoms, which atoms +themselves are merely a grouping of units of force, called electrons or +"ions," vibrating and in constant circular motion. We kick a stone and +we feel the impact--it seems to be real, notwithstanding that we know it +to be merely what we have stated above. But remember that our foot, +which feels the impact by means of our brains, is likewise Matter, so +constituted of electrons, and for that matter so are our brains. And, at +the best, if it were not by reason of our Mind, we would not know the +foot or stone at all. + +Then again, the ideal of the artist or sculptor, which he is endeavoring +to reproduce in stone or on canvas, seems very real to him. So do the +characters in the mind of the author; or dramatist, which he seeks to +express so that others may recognize them. And if this be true in the +case of our finite minds, what must be the degree of Reality in the +Mental Images created in the Mind of the Infinite? Oh, friends, to +mortals this Universe of Mentality is very real indeed--it is the only +one we can ever know, though we rise from plane to plane, higher and +higher in it. To know it otherwise, but actual experience, we must be +THE ALL itself. It is true that the higher we rise in the scale--the +nearer to "the mind of the Father" we reach--the more apparent becomes +the illusory nature of finite things, but not until THE ALL finally +withdraws us into itself does the vision actually vanish. + +So, we need not dwell upon the feature of illusion. Rather let us, +recognizing the real nature of the Universe, seek to understand its +mental laws, and endeavor to use them to the best effect in our upward +progress through life, as we travel from plane to plane of being. The +Laws of the Universe are none the less "Iron Laws" because of the mental +nature. All, except THE ALL, are bound by them. What is IN THE INFINITE +MIND OF THE ALL is REAL in a degree second only to that Reality itself +which is vested in the nature of THE ALL. + +So, do not feel insecure or afraid--we are all HELD FIRMLY IN THE +INFINITE MIND OF THE ALL, and there is naught to hurt us or for us to +fear. There is no Power outside of THE ALL to affect us. So we may rest +calm and secure. There is a world of comfort and security in this +realization when once attained. Then "calm and peaceful do we sleep, +rocked in the Cradle of the Deep"--resting safely on the bosom of the +Ocean of Infinite Mind, which is THE ALL. In THE ALL, indeed, do "we +live and move and have our being." + +Matter is none the less Matter to us, while we dwell on the plane of +Matter, although we know it to be merely an aggregation of "electrons," +or particles of Force, vibrating rapidly and gyrating around each other +in the formations of atoms; the atoms in turn vibrating and gyrating, +forming molecules, which latter in turn form larger masses of Matter. +Nor does Matter become less Matter, when we follow the inquiry still +further, and learn from the Hermetic Teachings, that the "Force" of +which the electrons are but units is merely a manifestation of the Mind +of THE ALL, and like all else in the Universe is purely Mental in its +nature. While on the Plane of matter, we must recognize its phenomena-- +we may control Matter (as all Masters of higher or lesser degree do), +but we do so by applying the higher forces. We commit a folly when we +attempt to deny the existence of Matter in the relative aspect. We may +deny its mastery over us--and rightly so--but we should not attempt 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 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 of 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 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 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. 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 biggest 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 realising the Universal tendency in the same direction in +spite of apparent evidence 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. + + + +CHAPTER VII + +"THE ALL" IN ALL + + "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 ancient +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 co-related 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; remaining within; or abiding +within, the mental image also. In other words, the entire virtue, life, +spirit, of reality in the mental image is derived from the "immanent +mind" of the thinker. Consider this for a moment, until the idea is +grasped. + +To take a modern example, let us say that Othello, Iago, Hamlet, Lear, +Richard III, existed merely in the mind of Shakespeare, at the time of +their conception or creation. And yet, Shakespeare also existed within +each of these characters, giving them their vitality, spirit, and +action. Whose is the "spirit" of the characters that we know as +Micawber, Oliver Twist, Uriah Heep--is it Dickens, or have each of these +characters a personal spirit, independent of their creator? Have the +Venus of Medici, the Sistine Madonna, the Apollo Belvidere, spirits and +reality of their own, or do they represent the spiritual and mental +power of their creators? The Law of Paradox explains that both +propositions are true, viewed from the proper viewpoints. Micawber is +both Micawber, and yet Dickens. And, again, while Micawber may be said +to be Dickens, yet Dickens is not identical with Micawber. Man, like +Micawber, may exclaim: "The Spirit of my Creator is inherent within me-- +and yet I am not HE!" How different this from the shocking half-truth so +vociferously announced by certain of the half-wise, who fill the air +with their raucous cries of: "I am God!" Imagine poor Micawber, or the +sneaky Uriah Heep, crying: "I Am Dickens"; or some of the lowly clods in +one of Shakespeare's plays, eloquently announcing that: "I Am +Shakespeare!" THE ALL is in the earthworm, and yet the earth-worm is far +from being THE ALL. And still the wonder remains, that though the +earth-worm exists merely as a lowly thing, created and having its being +solely within the Mind of THE ALL--yet THE ALL is immanent in the +earthworm, and in the particles that go to make up the earth-worm. Can +there be any greater mystery than this of "All in THE ALL; and THE ALL +in All?" + +The student will, of course, realize that the illustrations given above +are necessarily imperfect and inadequate, for they represent the +creation of mental images in finite minds, while the Universe is a +creation of Infinite Mind--and the difference between the two poles +separates them. And yet it is merely a matter of degree--the same +Principle is in operation--the Principle of Correspondence manifests in +each--"As above, so Below; as Below, so above." + +And, in the degree that Man realizes the existence of the Indwelling +Spirit immanent within his being, so will he rise in the spiritual scale +of life. This is what spiritual development means--the recognition, +realization, and manifestation of the Spirit within us. Try to remember +this last definition--that of spiritual development. It contains the +Truth of True Religion. + +There are many planes of Being--many sub-planes of Life--many degrees of +existence in the Universe. And all depend upon the advancement of beings +in the scale, of which scale the lowest point is the grossest matter, +the highest being separated only by the thinnest division from the +SPIRIT of THE ALL. And, upward and onward along this Scale of Life, +everything is moving. All are on the Path, whose end is THE ALL. All +progress is a Returning Home. All is Upward and Onward, in spite of all +seemingly contradictory appearances. Such is the message of the +Illumined. + +The Hermetic Teachings concerning the process of the Mental Creation of +the Universe, are that at the beginning of the Creative Cycle, THE ALL, +in its aspect of Being, projects its Will toward its aspect of +"Becoming" and the process of creation begins. It is taught that the +process consists of the lowering of Vibration until a very low degree of +vibratory energy is reached, at which point the grossest possible form +of Matter is manifested. This process is called the stage of Involution, +in which THE ALL becomes "involved," or "wrapped up," in its creation. +This process is believed by the Hermetists to have a Correspondence to +the mental process of an artist, writer, or inventor, who becomes so +wrapped up in his mental creation as to almost forget his own existence +and who, for the time being, almost "lives in his creation," If instead +of "wrapped" we use the word "rapt," perhaps we will give a better idea +of what is meant. + +This Involuntary stage of Creation is sometimes called the "Outpouring" +of the Divine Energy, just as the Evolutionary state is called the +"Indrawing." The extreme pole of the Creative process is considered to +be the furthest removed from THE ALL, while the beginning of the +Evolutionary stage is regarded as the beginning of the return swing of +the pendulum of Rhythm--a "coming home" idea being held in all of the +Hermetic Teachings. + +The Teachings are that during the "Outpouring," the vibrations become +lower and lower until finally the urge ceases, and the return swing +begins. But there is this difference, that while in the "Outpouring" the +creative forces manifest compactly and as a whole, yet from the +beginning of the Evolutionary or "Indrawing" stage, there is manifested +the Law of Individualization--that is, the tendency to separate into +Units of Force, so that finally that which left THE ALL as +unindividualized energy returns to its source as countless highly +developed Units of Life, having risen higher and higher in the scale by +means of Physical, Mental and Spiritual Evolution. + +The ancient Hermetists use the word "Meditation" in describing the +process of the mental creation of the Universe in the Mind of THE ALL, +the word "Contemplation" also being frequently employed. But the idea +intended seems to be that of the employment of the Divine Attention. +"Attention" is a word derived from the Latin root, meaning "to reach +out; to stretch out," and so the act of Attention is really a mental +"reaching out; extension" of mental energy, so that the underlying idea +is readily understood when we examine into the real meaning of +"Attention." + +The Hermetic Teachings regarding the process of Evolution are that, THE +ALL, having meditated upon the beginning of the Creation--having thus +established the material foundations of the Universe--having thought it +into existence--then gradually awakens or rouses from its Meditation and +in so doing starts into manifestation the process of Evolution, on the +material mental and spiritual planes, successively and in order. Thus +the upward movement begins--and all begins to move Spiritward. Matter +becomes less gross; the Units spring into being; the combinations begin +to form; Life appears and manifests in higher and higher forms; and Mind +becomes more and more in evidence--the vibrations constantly becoming +higher. In short, the entire process of Evolution, in all of its phases, +begins, and proceeds according to the established "Laws of the +Indrawing" process. All of this occupies aeons upon aeons of Man's time, +each aeon containing countless millions of years, but yet the Illumined +inform us that the entire creation, including Involution and Evolution, +of an Universe, is but "as the twinkle of the eye" to THE ALL. At the +end of countless cycles of aeons of time, THE ALL withdraws its +Attention--its Contemplation and Meditation--of the Universe, for the +Great Work is finished--and All is withdrawn into THE ALL from which it +emerged. But Mystery of Mysteries--the Spirit of each soul is not +annihilated, but is infinitely expanded--the Created and the Creator are +merged. Such is the report of the Illumined! + +The above illustration of the "meditation," and subsequent "awakening +from meditation," of THE ALL, is of course but an attempt of the +teachers to describe the Infinite process by a finite example. And, yet: +"As Below, so Above." The difference is merely in degree. And just as +THE ALL arouses itself from the meditation upon the Universe, so does +Man (in time) cease from manifesting upon the Material Plane, and +withdraws himself more and more into the Indwelling Spirit, which is +indeed "The Divine Ego." + +There is one more matter of which we desire to speak in this lesson, and +that comes very near to an invasion of the Metaphysical field of +speculation, although our purpose is merely to show the futility of such +speculation. We allude to the question which inevitably comes to the +mind of all thinkers who have ventured to seek the Truth. The question +is: "WHY does THE ALL create Universes" The question may be asked in +different forms, but the above is the gist of the inquiry. + +Men have striven hard to answer this question, but still there is no +answer worthy of the name. Some have imagined that THE ALL had something +to gain by it, but this is absurd, for what could THE ALL gain that it +did not already possess? Others have sought the answer in the idea that +THE ALL "wished something to love" and others that it created for +pleasure, or amusement; or because it "was lonely" or to manifest its +power;--all puerile explanations and ideas, belonging to the childish +period of thought. + +Others have sought to explain the mystery by assuming that THE ALL found +itself "compelled" to create, by reason of its own "internal +nature"--its "creative instinct." This idea is in advance of the others, +but its weak point lies in the idea of THE ALL being "compelled" by +anything, internal or external. If its "internal nature," or "creative +instinct," compelled it to do anything, then the "internal nature" or +"creative instinct" would be the Absolute, instead of THE ALL, and so +accordingly that part of the proposition falls. And, yet, THE ALL does +create and manifest, and seems to find some kind of satisfaction in so +doing. And it is difficult to escape the conclusion that in some +infinite degree it must have what would correspond to an "inner nature," +or "creative instinct," in man, with correspondingly infinite Desire and +Will. It could not act unless it Willed to Act; and it would not Will to +Act, unless it Desired to Act and it would not Desire to Act unless it +obtained some Satisfaction thereby. And all of these things would belong +to an "Inner Nature," and might be postulated as existing according to +the Law of Correspondence. But, still, we prefer to think of THE ALL as +acting entirely FREE from any influence, internal as well as external. +That is the problem which lies at the root of difficulty--and the +difficulty that lies at the root of the problem. + +Strictly speaking, there cannot be said to be any "Reason" whatsoever +for THE ALL to act, for a "reason" implies a "cause," and THE ALL is +above Cause and Effect, except when it Wills to become a Cause, at which +time the Principle is set into motion. So, you see, the matter is +Unthinkable, just as THE ALL is Unknowable. Just as we say THE ALL +merely "IS"--so we are compelled to say that "THE ALL ACTS BECAUSE IT +ACTS." At the last, THE ALL is All Reason in Itself; All Law in Itself; +All Action in Itself--and it may be said, truthfully, that THE ALL is +Its Own Reason; its own Law; its own Act--or still further, that THE +ALL; Its Reason; Its Act; is Law; are ONE, all being names for the same +thing. In the opinion of those who are giving you these present lessons, +the answer is locked up in the INNER SELF of THE ALL, along with its +Secret of Being. The Law of Correspondence, in our opinion, reaches only +to that aspect of THE ALL, which may be spoken of as "The Aspect of +BECOMING." Back of that Aspect is "The Aspect of BEING" in which all +Laws are lost in LAW; all Principles merge into PRINCIPLE--and THE ALL; +PRINCIPLE; and BEING; are IDENTICAL, ONE AND THE SAME. Therefore, +Metaphysical speculation on this point is futile. We go into the matter +here, merely to show that we recognize the question, and also the +absurdity of the ordinary answers of metaphysics and theology. + +In conclusion, it may be of interest to our students to learn that while +some of the ancient, and modern, Hermetic Teachers have rather inclined +in the direction of applying the Principle of Correspondence to the +question, with the result of the "Inner Nature" conclusion,--still the +legends have it that HERMES, the Great, when asked this question by his +advanced students, answered them by PRESSING HIS LIPS TIGHTLY TOGETHER +and saying not a word, indicating that there WAS NO ANSWER. But, then, +he may have intended to apply the axiom of his philosophy, that: "The +lips of Wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding," +believing that even his advanced students did not possess the +Understanding which entitled them to the Teaching. At any rate, if +Hermes possessed the Secret, he failed to impart it, and so far as the +world is concerned THE LIPS OF HERMES ARE CLOSED regarding it. And where +the Great Hermes hesitated to speak, what mortal may dare to teach? + +But, remember, that whatever be the answer to this problem, if indeed +there be an answer the truth remains that: "While All is in THE ALL, it +is equally true that THE ALL is in All." The Teaching on this point is +emphatic. And, we may add the concluding words of the quotation: "To him +who truly understands this truth, hath come great knowledge." + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +PLANES OF CORRESPONDENCE + + "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. + +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: + + 1. The Great Physical Plane. + 2. The Great Mental Plane. + 3. The Great Spiritual Plane. + +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." + +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 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: + + 1. The Plane of Matter (A) + 2. The Plane of Matter (B) + 3. The Plane of Matter (C) + 4. The Plane of Ethereal Substance + 5. The Plane of Energy (A) + 6. The Plane of Energy (B) + 7. The Plane of Energy (C) + +The Plane of Matter (A) comprises the forms of Matter in its form of +solids, liquids, and gases, as generally recognized by the text-books on +physics. The Plane of Matter (B) comprises certain higher and more +subtle forms of Matter of the existence of which modern science is but +now recognizing, the phenomena of Radiant Matter, in its phases of +radium, etc., belonging to the lower sub-division of this Minor Plane. +The Plane of Matter (C) comprises forms of the most subtle and tenuous +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 forms a connecting link between Matter (so-called) and Energy, +and partakes of the nature of each. The Hermetic Teachings, however, +instruct that this plane has seven sub-divisions (as have all of the +Minor Planes), and that in fact there are seven ethers, instead of but +one. + +Next above the Plane of Ethereal Substance comes the Plane of Energy +(A), which comprises the ordinary forms of Energy known to science, its +seven sub-planes being, respectively, Heat; Light; Magnetism; +Electricity, and 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 subplanes 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 becomes possible. +The Plane of Energy (C) comprises seven sub-planes of energy so highly +organized that it bears many of the characteristics of "life," but which +is not recognized by the minds of men on the ordinary plane of +development, being available for the use on beings of the Spiritual +Plane alone--such energy is unthinkable to ordinary man, and may be +considered almost as "the divine power." The beings employing the same +are as "gods" compared even to the highest human types known to us. + +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: + + 1. The Plane of Mineral Mind + 2. The Plane of Elemental Mind (A) + 3. The Plane of Plant Mind + 4. The Plane of Elemental Mind (B) + 5. The Plane of Animal Mind + 6. The Plane of Elemental Mind (C) + 7. The Plane of Human Mind + +The Plane of Mineral Mind comprises the "states or conditions" of the +units or entities, or groups and combinations of the same, which animate +the forms known to us as "minerals, chemicals, etc." These entities must +not be confounded with the molecules, atoms and corpuscles themselves, +the latter being merely the material bodies or forms of these entities, +just as a man's body is but his material form and not "himself." These +entities may be called "souls" in one sense, and are living beings of a +low degree of development, life, and mind--just a little more than the +units of "living energy" which comprise the higher sub-divisions of the +highest Physical Plane. The average mind does not generally attribute +the possession of mind, soul, or life, to the mineral kingdom, but all +occultists recognize the existence of the same, and modern science is +rapidly moving forward to the point-of-view of the Hermetic, in this +respect. The molecules, atoms and corpuscles have their "loves and +hates"; "likes and dislikes"; "attractions and repulsions". "affinities +and non-affinities," etc., and some of the more daring of modern +scientific minds have expressed the opinion that the desire and will, +emotions and feelings, of the atoms differ only in degree from those of +men. We have no time or space to argue this matter here. All occultists +know it to be a fact, and others are referred to some of the more recent +scientific works for outside corroboration. There are the usual seven +sub-divisions to this plane. + +The Plane of Elemental Mind (A) comprises the state or condition, and +degree of mental and vital development of a class of entities unknown to +the average man, but recognized to occultists. They are invisible to the +ordinary senses of man, but, nevertheless, exist and play their part of +the Drama of the Universe. Their degree of intelligence is between that +of the mineral and chemical entities on the one hand, and of the +entities of the plant kingdom on the other. There are seven subdivisions +to this plane, also. + +The Plane of Plant Mind, in its seven sub-divisions, comprises the +states or conditions of the entities comprising the kingdoms of the +Plant World, the vital and mental phenomena of which is fairly well +understood by the average intelligent person, many new and interesting +scientific works regarding "Mind and Life in Plants" having been +published during the last decade. Plants have life, mind and "souls," as +well as have the animals, man, and super-man. + +The Plane of Elemental Mind (B), in its seven sub-divisions, comprises +the states and conditions of a higher form of "elemental" or unseen +entities, playing their part in the general work of the Universe, the +mind and life of which form a part of the scale between the Plane of +Plant Mind and the Plane of Animal Mind, the entities partaking of the +nature of both. + +The Plane of Animal Mind, in its seven sub-divisions, comprises the +states and conditions of the entities, beings, or souls, animating the +animal forms of life, familiar to us all. It is not necessary to go into +details regarding this kingdom or plane of life, for the animal world is +as familiar to us as is our own. + +The Plane of Elemental Mind (C), in its seven sub-divisions, comprises +those entities or beings, invisible as are all such elemental forms, +which partake of the nature of both animal and human life in a degree +and in certain combinations. The highest forms are semi-human in +intelligence. + +The Plane of Human Mind, in its seven sub-divisions, comprises those +manifestations of life and mentality which are common to Man, in his +various grades, degrees, and divisions. In this connection, we wish to +point out the fact that the average man of today occupies but the fourth +sub-division of the Plane of Human Mind, and only the most intelligent +have crossed the borders of the Fifth Sub-Division. It has taken the +race millions of years to reach this stage, and it will take many more +years for the race to move on to the sixth and seventh sub-divisions, +and beyond. But, remember, that there have been races before us which +have passed through these degrees, and then on to higher planes. Our own +race is the fifth (with stragglers from the fourth) which has set foot +upon The Path. And, then there are a few advanced souls of our own race +who have outstripped the masses, and who have passed on to the sixth and +seventh sub-division, and some few being still further on. The man of +the Sixth Sub-Division will be "The Super-Man"; he of the Seventh will +be "The Over-Man." + +In our consideration of the Seven Minor Mental Planes, we have merely +referred to the Three Elementary Planes in a general way. We do not wish +to go into this subject in detail in this work, for it does not belong +to this part of the general philosophy and teachings. But we may say +this much, in order to give you a little clearer idea, of the relations +of these planes to the more familiar ones--the Elementary Planes bear +the same relation to the Planes of Mineral, Plant, Animal and Human +Mentality and Life, that the black keys on the piano do to the white +keys. The white keys are sufficient to produce music, but there are +certain scales, melodies, and harmonies, in which the black keys play +their part, and in which their presence is necessary. They are also +necessary as "connecting links" of soul-condition; entity states, etc., +between the several other planes, certain forms of development being +attained therein--this last fact giving to the reader who can "read +between the lines" a new light upon the processes of Evolution, and a +new key to the secret door of the "leaps of life" between kingdom and +kingdom. The great kingdoms of Elementals are fully recognized by all +occultists, and the esoteric writings are full of mention of them. The +readers of Bulwer's "Sanoni" and similar tales will recognize the +entities inhabiting these planes of life. + +Passing on from the Great Mental Plane to the Great Spiritual Plane, +what shall we say? How can we explain these higher states of Being, Life +and Mind, to minds as yet unable to grasp and understand the higher +subdivisions of the Plane of Human Mind? The task is impossible. We can +speak only in the most general terms. How may Light be described to a +man born blind--how sugar, to a man who has never tasted anything +sweet--how harmony, to one born deaf? + +All that we can say is that the Seven Minor Planes of the Great +Spiritual Plane (each Minor Plane having its seven sub-divisions) +comprise Beings possessing Life, Mind and Form as far above that of Man +of to-day as the latter is above the earth-worm, mineral or even certain +forms of Energy or Matter. The Life of these Beings so far transcends +ours, that we cannot even think of the details of the same; their minds +so far transcend ours, that to them we scarcely seem to "think," and our +mental processes seem almost akin to material processes; the Matter of +which their forms are composed is of the highest Planes of Matter, nay, +some are even said to be "clothed in Pure Energy." What may be said of +such Beings? + +On the Seven Minor Planes of the Great Spiritual Plane exist Beings of +whom we may speak as Angels; Archangels; Demi-Gods. On the lower Minor +Planes dwell those great souls whom we call Masters and Adepts. Above +them come the Great Hierarchies of the Angelic Hosts, unthinkable to +man; and above those come those who may without irreverence be called +"The Gods," so high in the scale of Being are they, their being, +intelligence and power being akin to those attributed by the races of +men to their conceptions of Deity. These Beings are beyond even the +highest flights of the human imagination, the word "Divine" being the +only one applicable to them. Many of these Beings, as well as the +Angelic Host, take the greatest interest in the affairs of the Universe +and play an important part in its affairs. These Unseen Divinities and +Angelic Helpers extend their influence freely and powerfully, in the +process of Evolution, and Cosmic Progress. Their occasional intervention +and assistance in human affairs have led to the many legends, beliefs, +religions and traditions of the race, past and present. They have +superimposed their knowledge and power upon the world, again and again, +all under the Law of THE ALL, of course. + +But, yet, even the highest of these advanced Beings exist merely as +creations of, and in, the Mind of THE ALL, and are subject to the Cosmic +Processes and Universal Laws. They are still Mortal. We may call them +"gods" if we like, but still they are but the Elder Brethren of the +Race,--the advanced souls who have outstripped their brethren, and who +have foregone the ecstasy of Absorption by THE ALL, in order to help the +race on its upward journey along The Path. But, they belong to the +Universe, and are subject to its conditions--they are mortal--and their +plane is below that of Absolute Spirit. + +Only the most advanced Hermetists are able to grasp the Inner Teachings +regarding the state of existence, and the powers manifested on the +Spiritual Planes. The phenomena is so much higher than that of the +Mental Planes that a confusion of ideas would surely result from an +attempt to describe the same. Only those whose minds have been carefully +trained along the lines of the Hermetic Philosophy for years--yes, those +who have brought with them from other incarnations the knowledge +acquired previously--can comprehend just what is meant by the Teaching +regarding these Spiritual Planes. And much of these Inner Teachings is +held by the Hermetists as being too sacred, important and even dangerous +for general public dissemination. The intelligent student may recognize +what we mean by this when we state that the meaning of "Spirit" as used +by the Hermetists is akin to "Living Power"; "Animated Force;" "Inner +Essence;" "Essence of Life," etc., which meaning must not be confounded +with that usually and commonly employed in connection with the term, +i.e., "religious; ecclesiastical; spiritual; ethereal; holy," etc., etc. +To occultists the word "Spirit" is used in the sense of "The Animating +Principle," carrying with it the idea of Power, Living Energy, Mystic +Force, etc. And occultists know that that which is known to them as +"Spiritual Power" may be employed for evil as well as good ends (in +accordance with the Principle of Polarity), a fact which has been +recognized by the majority of religions in their conceptions of Satan, +Beelzebub, the Devil, Lucifer, Fallen Angels, etc. And so the knowledge +regarding these Planes has been kept in the Holy of Holies in all +Esoteric Fraternities and Occult Orders,--in the Secret Chamber of the +Temple. But this may be said here, that those who have attained high +spiritual powers and have misused them, have a terrible fate in store +for them, and the swing of the pendulum of Rhythm will inevitably swing +them back to the furthest extreme of Material existence, from which +point they must retrace their steps Spiritward, along the weary rounds +of The Path, but always with the added torture of having always with +them a lingering memory of the heights from which they fell owing to +their evil actions. The legends of the Fallen Angels have a basis in +actual facts, as all advanced occultists know. The striving for selfish +power on the Spiritual Planes inevitably results in the selfish soul +losing its spiritual balance and falling back as far as it had +previously risen. But to even such a soul, the opportunity of a return +is given--and such souls make the return journey, paying the terrible +penalty according to the invariable Law. + +In conclusion we would again remind you that according to the Principle +of Correspondence, which embodies the truth: "As Above so Below; as +Below, so Above," all of the Seven Hermetic Principles are in full +operation on all of the many planes, Physical Mental and Spiritual. The +Principle of Mental Substance of course applies to all the planes, for +all are held in the Mind of THE ALL. The Principle of Correspondence +manifests in all, for there is a correspondence, harmony and agreement +between the several planes. The Principle of Vibration manifests on all +planes, in fact the very differences that go to make the "planes" arise +from Vibration, as we have explained. The Principle of Polarity +manifests on each plane, the extremes of the Poles being apparently +opposite and contradictory. The Principle of Rhythm manifests on each +Plane, the movement of the phenomena having its ebb and flow, rise and +flow, incoming and outgoing. The Principle of Cause and Effect manifests +on each Plane, every Effect having its Cause and every Cause having its +effect. The Principle of Gender manifests on each Plane, the Creative +Energy being always manifest, and operating along the lines of its +Masculine and Feminine Aspects. + +"As Above so Below; as Below, so Above." This centuries old Hermetic +axiom embodies one of the great Principles of Universal Phenomena. As we +proceed with our consideration of the remaining Principles, we will see +even more clearly the truth of the universal nature of this great +Principle of Correspondence. + + + +CHAPTER IX + +VIBRATION + + "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 directing the attention of the students to the fact +that even on the physical plane a 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. And, so we see that +all forms of Matter manifest Vibration, in accordance with the Hermetic +Principle of Vibration. + +And 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 to +say, 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 also 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 object, 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 sped 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 +influences 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 +vibrations, 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 rate 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 may. By a knowledge of +the Principle 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." + + + +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. + +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 the following: +"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 thing. 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 traveling 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 following their teachings, may not readily understand the +principle underlying many of these changes. When, however, the Principle +of Polarity is once grasped, and it is seen that the mental changes are +occasioned by a change of polarity-a sliding along the same scale-the +hatter is readily understood. 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. 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 transformed 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., 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 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 this Principle of Polarity, for +a correct understanding of the same will throw light on many difficult +subjects. + + + +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. + +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 word it. +Universes are created; reach their extreme low point of materiality; and +then begin in 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; only to be 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 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 +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 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 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, +even though several lives may be required for the return swing of the +Pendulum of Rhythm. + + + +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. + +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 consideration +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 there be a something acting in the phenomenal universe, +independent of the laws, order, and continuity of the latter? Such a +something would be entirely independent of the orderly trend of the +universe, and therefore superior to it. We can imagine nothing outside +of THE ALL being outside of the Law, and that only because THE ALL is +the LAW in itself. There is no room in the universe for a something +outside of and independent of Law. The existence of such a Something +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 "to 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 infallible +as that which governs 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 +uppermost. + +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 average and +the single toss come under the Law of Cause and Effect, and if we were +able to examine into the preceding causes, it would be clearly seen that +it was simply impossible for the die to fall other than it did, under +the same circumstances and at the same time. Given the same causes, the +same results will follow. There is always a "cause" and a "because" to +every event. Nothing ever "happens" without a cause, or rather a chain +of causes. + +Some confusion has arisen in the minds of persons considering this +Principle, from the fact that they were unable to explain how one thing +could cause another thing--that is, be the "creator" of the second +thing. As a matter of fact, no "thing" ever causes or "creates" another +"thing." Cause and Effect deals merely with "events." An "event" is +"that which comes, arrives or happens, as a result or consequent of some +preceding event." No event "creates" another event, but is merely a +preceding link in the great orderly chain of events flowing from the +creative energy of THE ALL. There is a continuity between all events +precedent, consequent and subsequent. There is a relation existing +between everything that has gone before, and everything that follows. A +stone is dislodged from a mountain side and crashes through a roof of a +cottage in the valley below. At first sight we regard this as a chance +effect, but when we examine the matter we find a great chain of causes +behind it. In the first place there was the rain which softened the +earth supporting the stone and which allowed it to fall; then back of +that was the influence of the sun, other rains, etc., which gradually +disintegrated the piece of rock from a larger piece; then there were the +causes which led to the formation of the mountain, and its upheaval by +convulsions of nature, and so on ad infinitum. Then we might follow up +the causes behind the rain, etc. Then we might consider the existence of +the roof In short, we would soon find ourselves involved in a mesh of +cause and effect, from which we would soon strive to extricate +ourselves. + +Just as a man has two parents, and four grandparents, and eight +great-grandparents, and sixteen great-great-grandparents, and so on +until when, say, forty generations are calculated the numbers of +ancestors run into many millions--so it is with the number of causes +behind even the most trifling event or phenomena, such as the passage of +a tiny speck of soot before your eye. It is not an easy matter to trace +the bit of soot hack to the early period of the world's history when it +formed a part of a massive tree-trunk, which was afterward converted +into coal, and so on, until as the speck of soot it now passes before +your vision on its way to other adventures. And a mighty chain of +events, causes and effects, brought it to its present condition, and the +later is but one of the chain of events which will go to produce other +events hundreds of years from now. One of the series of events arising +from the tiny bit of soot was the writing of these lines, which caused +the typesetter to perform certain work; the proofreader to do likewise; +and which will arouse certain thoughts in your mind, and that of others, +which in turn will affect others, and so on, and on, and on, beyond the +ability of man to think further-and all from the passage of a tiny bit +of soot, all of which shows the relativity and association of things, +and the further fact that "there is no great; there is no small, in the +mind that causeth all." + +Stop to think a moment. If a certain man had not met a certain maid, +away back in the dim period of the Stone Age--you who are now reading +these lines would not now be here. And if, perhaps, the same couple had +failed to meet, we who now write these lines would not now be here. And +the very act of writing, on our part, and the act of reading, on yours, +will affect not only the respective lives of yourself and ourselves, but +will also have a direct, or indirect, affect upon many other people now +living and who will live in the ages to come. Every thought we think, +every act we perform, has its direct and indirect results which fit into +the great chain of Cause and Effect. + +We do not wish to enter into a consideration of Free Will, or +Determinism, in this work, for various reasons. Among the many reasons, +is the principal one that neither side of the controversy is entirely +right-in fact, both sides are partially right, according to the Hermetic +Teachings. The Principle of Polarity shows that both are but Half-Truths +the opposing poles of Truth. The Teachings are that a man may be both +Free and yet bound by Necessity, depending upon the meaning of the +terms, and the height of Truth from which the matter is examined. The +ancient writers express the matter thus: "The further the creation is +from the Centre, the more it is bound; the nearer the Centre it reaches, +the nearer Free is it." + +The majority of people are more or less the slaves of heredity, +environment, etc., and manifest very little Freedom. They are swayed by +the opinions, customs and thoughts of the outside world, and also by +their emotions, feelings, moods, etc. They manifest no Mastery, worthy +of the name. They indignantly repudiate this assertion, saying, "Why, I +certainly am free to act and do as I please--I do just what I want to +do," but they fail to explain whence arise the "want to" and "as I +please." What makes them "want to" do one thing in preference to +another; what makes them "please" to do this, and not do that? Is there +no "because" to their "pleasing" and "Wanting"? The Master can change +these "pleases" and "wants" into others at the opposite end of the +mental pole. He is able to "Will to will," instead of to 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 thing 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 AL--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 +in the LAW itself, and laughs the phenomenal laws to scorn. Are you able +to grasp the inner meaning of this? + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +GENDER + + "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 and 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 from +scientific sources. 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 knows the latter, +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 phenomenon. 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 those wonderful "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 useless the old +textbooks, 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 on a new career. It actively seeks a union with a +Masculine corpuscle, being urged thereto 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 part 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 form. The Hermetic +Teachings include much regarding the operation of the two principles of +Gender in the production and manifestation of various forms of energy, +etc., but we do not deem it expedient to go into detail regarding the +same at this point, because we are unable to back up the same with +scientific proof, for the reason that science has not as yet progressed +thus far. But the example we have given you of the phenomena of the +electrons or corpuscles will show you that science is on the right path, +and will also give you a general idea of the underlying principles. + +Some leading scientific investigators have announced their belief that +in the formation of crystals there was to be found something that +corresponded to "sex-activity" which is another straw showing the +direction the scientific winds are blowing. And each year will bring +other facts to corroborate the correctness of the Hermetic Principle of +Gender. It will be found that Gender is in constant operation and +manifestation in the field of inorganic matter, and in the field of +Energy or Force. Electricity is now generally regarded as the +"Something" into which all other forms of energy seem to melt or +dissolve. The "Electrical Theory of the Universe" is the latest +scientific doctrine, and is growing rapidly in popularity and +general acceptance. And it thus follows that if we are able to discover +in the phenomena of electricity-even at the very root and source of its +manifestations a clear and unmistakable evidence of the presence of +Gender and its activities, we are justified in asking you to believe +that science at last has offered proofs of the existence in all +universal phenomena of that great Hermetic Principle-the Principle of +Gender. + +It is not necessary to take up your time with the well known phenomena +of the "attraction and repulsion" of the atoms; chemical affinity; the +"loves and hates" of the atomic particles; the attraction or cohesion +between the molecules of matter. These facts are too well known to need +extended comment from us. But, have you ever considered that all of +these things are manifestations of the Gender Principle? Can you not see +that the phenomena is "on all fours" with that of the corpuscles or +electrons? And more than this, can you not see the reasonableness of the +Hermetic Teachings which assert that the very Law of Gravitation-that +strange attraction by reason of which all particles and bodies of matter +in the universe tend toward each other is but another manifestation of +the Principle of Gender, which operates in the direction of attracting +the Masculine to the Feminine energies, and vice versa? We cannot offer +you scientific proof of this at this time-but examine the phenomena in +the light of the Hermetic Teachings on the subject, and see if you have +not a better working hypothesis than any offered by physical science. +Submit all physical phenomena to the test, and you will discern the +Principle of Gender ever in evidence. + +Let us now pass on to a consideration of the operation of the Principle +on the Mental Plane. Many interesting features are there awaiting +examination. + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +MENTAL GENDER + +Students of psychology who have followed the modern trend of thought +along the lines of mental phenomena are struck by the persistence of the +dual-mind idea which has manifested itself so strongly during the past +ten or fifteen years, and which has given rise to a number of plausible +theories regarding the nature and constitution of these "two minds." The +late Thomson J. Hudson attained great popularity in 1893 by advancing +his well-known theory of the "objective and subjective minds" which he +held existed in every individual. Other writers have attracted almost +equal attention by the theories regarding the "conscious and +subconscious minds"; the "voluntary and involuntary minds"; "the active +and passive minds," etc., etc. The theories of the various writers +differ from each other, but there remains the underlying principle of +"the duality of mind." + +The student of the Hermetic Philosophy is tempted to smile when he reads +and hears of these many "new theories" regarding the duality of mind, +each school adhering tenaciously to its own pet theories, and each +claiming to have "discovered the truth." The student turns back the +pages of occult history, and away back in the dim beginnings of occult +teachings he finds references to the ancient Hermetic doctrine of the +Principle of Gender on the Mental Plane-the manifestation of Mental +Gender. And examining further he finds that the ancient philosophy took +cognizance of the phenomenon of the "dual mind," and accounted for it by +the theory of Mental Gender. This idea of Mental Gender may be explained +in a few words to students who are familiar with the modern theories +just alluded to. The Masculine Principle of Mind corresponds to the +so-called Objective Mind; Conscious Mind; Voluntary Mind; Active Mind, +etc. And the Feminine Principle of Mind corresponds to the so-called +Subjective Mind; Sub-conscious Mind; Involuntary Mind; Passive Mind, +etc. Of course the Hermetic Teachings do not agree with the many modern +theories regarding the nature of the two phases of mind, nor does it +admit many of the facts claimed for the two respective aspects--some of +the said theories and claims being very far-fetched and incapable of +standing the test of experiment and demonstration. We point to the +phases of agreement merely for the purpose of helping the student to +assimilate his previously acquired knowledge with the teachings of the +Hermetic Philosophy. Students of Hudson will notice the statement at the +beginning of his second chapter of "The Law of Psychic Phenomena," that: +"The mystic jargon of the Hermetic philosophers discloses the same +general idea" i.e., the duality of mind. If Dr. Hudson had taken +the time and trouble to decipher a little of "the mystic jargon of the +Hermetic Philosophy," he might have received much light upon the subject +of "the dual mind"--but then, perhaps, his most interesting work might +not have been written. Let us now consider the Hermetic Teachings +regarding Mental Gender. + +The Hermetic Teachers impart their instruction regarding this subject by +bidding their students examine the report of their consciousness +regarding their Self. The students are bidden to turn their attention +inward upon the Self dwelling within each. Each student is led to see +that his consciousness gives him first a report of the existence of his +Self-the report is "I Am." This at first seems to be the final words +from the consciousness, but a little further examination discloses the +fact that this "I Am" may be separated or split into two distinct parts, +or aspects, which while working in unison and in conjunction, yet, +nevertheless, may be separated in consciousness. + +While at first there seems to be only an "I" existing, a more careful +and closer examination reveals the fact that there exists an "I" and a +"Me." These mental twins differ in their characteristics and nature, and +an examination of their nature and the phenomena arising from the same +will throw much light upon many of the problems of mental influence. + +Let us begin with a consideration of the Me, which is usually mistaken +for the I by the student, until he presses the inquiry a little further +back into the recesses of consciousness. A man thinks of his Self (in +its aspect of Me) as being composed of certain feelings, tastes likes, +dislikes, habits, peculiar ties, characteristics, etc., all of which go +to make up his personality, or the "Self" known to himself and others. +He knows that these emotions and feelings change; are born and die away; +are subject to the Principle of Rhythm, and the Principle of Polarity, +which take him from one extreme of feeling to another. He also thinks of +the "Me" as being certain knowledge gathered together in his mind, and +thus forming a part of himself. This is the "Me" of a man. + +But we have proceeded too hastily. The "Me" of many men may be said to +consist largely of their consciousness of the body and their physical +appetites, etc. Their consciousness being largely bound up with their +bodily nature, they practically "live there." Some men even go so far as +to regard their personal apparel as a part of their "Me" and actually +seem to consider it a part of themselves. A writer has humorously said +that "men consist of three parts--soul, body and clothes." These +"clothes conscious" people would lose their personality if divested of +their clothing by savages upon the occasion of a shipwreck. But even +many who are not so closely bound up with the idea of personal raiment +stick closely to the consciousness of their bodies being their "Me" They +cannot conceive of a Self independent of the body. Their mind seems to +them to be practically "a something belonging to" their body-which in +many cases it is indeed. + +But as man rises in the scale of consciousness he is able to disentangle +his "Me" from his idea of body, and is able to think of his body as +"belonging to" the mental part of him. But even then he is very apt to +identify the "Me" entirely with the mental states, feelings, etc., which +he feels to exist within him. He is very apt to consider these internal +states as identical with himself, instead of their being simply "things" +produced by some part of his mentality, and existing within him--of him, +and in him, but still not "himself." He sees that he may change these +internal states of feelings by all effort of will, and that he may +produce a feeling or state of an exactly opposite nature, in the same +way, and yet the same "Me" exists. And so after a while he is able to +set aside these various mental states, emotions, feelings, habits, +qualities, characteristics, and other personal mental belongings--he is +able to set them aside in the "not-me" collection of curiosities and +encumbrances, as well as valuable possessions. This requires much mental +concentration and power of mental analysis on the part of the student. +But still the task is possible for the advanced student, and even those +not so far advanced are able to see, in the imagination, how the process +may be performed. + +After this laying-aside process has been performed, the student will +find himself in conscious possession of a "Self" which may be considered +in its "I" and "Me" dual aspects. The "Me" will be felt to be a +Something mental in which thoughts, ideas, emotions, feelings, and other +mental states may be produced. It may be considered as the "mental +womb," as the ancients styled it-capable of generating mental offspring. +It reports to the consciousness as a "Me" with latent powers of creation +and generation of mental progeny of all sorts and kinds. Its powers of +creative energy are felt to be enormous. But still it seems to be +conscious that it must receive some form of energy from either its "I" +companion, or else from some other "I" ere it is able to bring into +being its mental creations. This consciousness brings with it a +realization of an enormous capacity for mental work and creative +ability. + +But the student soon finds that this is not all that he finds within his +inner consciousness. He finds that there exists a mental Something which +is able to Will that the "Me" act along certain creative lines, and +which is also able to stand aside and witness the mental creation. This +part of himself he is taught to call his "I." He is able to rest in its +consciousness at will. He finds there not a consciousness of an ability +to generate and actively create, in the sense of the gradual process +attendant upon mental operations, but rather a sense and consciousness +of an ability to project an energy from the "I" to the "Me"--a process +of "willing" that the mental creation begin and proceed. He also finds +that the "I" is able to stand aside and witness the operations of the +"Me's" mental creation and generation. There is this dual aspect in the +mind of every person. The "I" represents the Masculine Principle of +Mental Gender-the "Me" represents the Female Principle. The "I" +represents the Aspect of Being; the "Me" the Aspect of Becoming. You +will notice that the Principle of Correspondence operates on this plane +just as it does upon the great plane upon which the creation of +Universes is performed. The two are similar in kind, although +vastly different in degree. "As above, so below; as below, so above." + +These aspects of mind-the Masculine and Feminine Principles-the "I" and +the "Me"-considered in connection with the well-known mental and psychic +phenomena, give the master-key to these dimly known regions of mental +operation and manifestation. The principle of Mental Gender gives the +truth underlying the whole field of the phenomena of mental influence, +etc. + +The tendency of the Feminine Principle is always in the direction of +receiving impressions, while the tendency of the Masculine Principle is +always in the direction of giving, out or expressing. The Feminine +Principle has much more varied field of operation than has the Masculine +Principle. The Feminine Principle conducts the work of generating new +thoughts, concepts, ideas, including the work of the imagination. The +Masculine Principle contents itself with the work of the "Will" in its +varied phases. And yet, without the active aid of the Will of the +Masculine Principle, the Feminine Principle is apt to rest content with +generating mental images which are the result of impressions received +from outside, instead of producing original mental creations. + +Persons who can give continued attention and thought to a subject +actively employ both of the Mental Principles-the Feminine in the work +of the mental generation, and the Masculine Will in stimulating and +energizing the creative portion of the mind. The majority of persons +really employ the Masculine Principle but little, and are content to +live according to the thoughts and ideas instilled into the "Me" from +the "I" of other minds. But it is not our purpose to dwell upon this +phase of the subject, which may be studied from any good text-book upon +psychology, with the key that we have given you regarding Mental Gender. + +The student of Psychic Phenomena is aware of the wonderful phenomena +classified under the head of Telepathy; Thought Transference; Mental +Influence; Suggestion; Hypnotism, etc. Many have sought for an +explanation of these varied phases of phenomena under the theories of +the various "dual mind" teachers. And in a measure they are right, for +there is clearly a manifestation of two distinct phases of mental +activity. But if such students will consider these "dual minds" in the +light of the Hermetic Teachings regarding Vibrations and Mental Gender, +they will see that the long sought for key is at hand. + +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 sparrows 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 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 sheeplike 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 Vibrational 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 familiarized 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 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 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. + + + +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. + +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 up of +undesirable habits by bidding their students concentrate upon the +opposite quality. If you are possessed of Fear, do not waste time trying +to "kill out" Fear, but instead cultivate the quality of Courage, and +the Fear will disappear. Some writers have expressed this idea most +forcibly by using the illustration of the dark room. You do not have to +shovel out or sweep out the Darkness, but by merely opening the shutters +and letting in the Light the Darkness has disappeared. To kill out a +Negative quality, concentrate upon the Positive Pole of that same +quality, and the vibrations will gradually change from Negative to +Positive, until finally you will become polarized on the +Positive pole instead of the Negative. The reverse is also true, as many +have found out to their sorrow, when they have allowed themselves to +vibrate too constantly on the Negative pole of things. By changing your +polarity you may master your moods, change your mental states, remake +your disposition, and build up character. Much of the Mental Mastery of +the advanced Hermetics is due to this application of Polarity, which is +one of the important aspects of Mental Transmutation. Remember the +Hermetic Axiom (quoted previously), which says: + + "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."--The Kybalion. + +The mastery of Polarization is the mastery of the fundamental principles +of Mental Transmutation or Mental Alchemy, for unless one acquires the +art of changing his own polarity, he will be unable to affect his +environment. An understanding of this principle will enable one to +change his own Polarity, as well as that of others, if he will but +devote the time, care, study and practice necessary to master the art. +The principle is true, but the results obtained depend upon the +persistent patience and practice of the student. + + "Rhythm may be neutralized by an application of the Art + of Polarization."--The Kybalion. + +As we have explained in previous chapters, the Hermetists hold 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, +raises himself above its plane of consciousness, and standing firm in +his Statement of Being he allows the pendulum to swing back on the Lower +Plane without changing his Polarity. This is accomplished by all +individuals who have attained any degree of self-mastery, whether +they understand the law or not. Such persons simply "refuse" to allow +themselves to be swung back by the pendulum of mood and emotion, and by +steadfastly affirming the superiority they remain polarized on the +Positive pole. The Master, of course, attains a far greater degree of +proficiency, because he understands the law which he is overcoming by a +higher law, and by the use of his Will he attains a degree of Poise and +Mental Steadfastness 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. + +Remember always, however, that you do not really destroy the Principle +of Rhythm, for that is indestructible. You simply overcome one law by +counter-balancing it with another and thus maintain an equilibrium. The +laws of balance and counter-balance are in operation on the mental as +well as on the physical planes, and an understanding of these laws +enables one to seem to overthrow laws, whereas he is merely exerting a +counterbalance. + + "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 an understanding of the practice of Polarization, the Hermetists rise +to a higher plane of Causation and thus counter-balance the laws of the +lower planes of Causation. By rising above the plane of ordinary Causes +they become themselves, 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 Rhythm, as we have already explained, they are +able to escape a great part of the operations of Cause and Effect on the +ordinary plane. The masses of people are carried along, obedient to +their environment; the wills and desires of others stronger than +themselves; the effects of inherited tendencies; the suggestions of +those about them; and other outward causes; which tend to move them +about on the chess-board of life like mere pawns. By rising above these +influencing causes, the advanced Hermetists seek a higher plane of +mental action, and by dominating their moods, emotions, impulses and +feelings, they create for themselves new characters, qualities and +powers, by which they overcome their ordinary environment, and thus +become practically players instead of mere Pawns. Such people help to +play the game of life understandingly, instead of being moved about this +way and that way by stronger influences and powers and wills. 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 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 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 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. + + "THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental."--The Kybalion. + + FINIS + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Kybalion, by Three Initiates + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14209 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0e0308a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #14209 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14209) diff --git a/old/14209.txt b/old/14209.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..801ca98 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/14209.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3844 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Kybalion, by Three Initiates + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Kybalion + A Study of The Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece + +Author: Three Initiates + +Release Date: November 29, 2004 [EBook #14209] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KYBALION *** + + + + +Produced by Tamblyne <tamblyne@digital-daybook.com> + + + + + +THE KYBALION + +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" + + + +1912 + +COPYRIGHT 1912 + +ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY + +THE YOGI PUBLICATION SOCIETY +MASONIC TEMPLE +CHICAGO, ILLINOIS + +ISBN 0 911662-25-1 + + +TO +HERMES TRISMEGISTUS + + +KNOWN BY THE ANCIENT +EGYPTIANS AS + +"THE GREAT GREAT" +AND +"MASTER OF MASTERS" + +THIS LITTLE VOLUME OF HERMETIC TEACHING +IS REVERENTLY DEDICATED + + + +Table of Contents + + I. The Hermetic Philosophy + II. The Seven Hermetic Principles + 1. The Principle of Mentalism + 2. The Principle of Correspondence + 3. The Principle of Vibration + 4. The Principle of Polarity + 5. The Principle of Rhythm + 6. The Principle of Cause and Effect + 7. The Principle of Gender + III. Mental Transmutation + IV. The All + V. The Mental Universe + VI. The Divine Paradox + VII. "The All" in All + VIII. Planes of Correspondence + IX. Vibration + X. Polarity + XI. Rhythm + XII. Causation + XIII. Gender + XIV. Mental Gender + XV. Hermetic Axioms + + + +INTRODUCTION + +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, not withstanding the countless references to the Teachings in +the many works upon occultism, that the many earnest searchers after the +Arcane Truths will doubtless welcome the appearance of this present +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 +divergent theories entertained and taught 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 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 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 still 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 it, 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 criticized 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 therm 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. + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE HERMETIC PHILOSOPHY + + "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 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, 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 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 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 italics, 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. + +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! + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE SEVEN HERMETIC PRINCIPLES + + "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: + + 1. The Principle of Mentalism. + 2. The Principle of Correspondence. + 3. The Principle of Vibration. + 4. The Principle of Polarity. + 5. The Principle of Rhythm. + 6. The Principle of Cause and Effect. + 7. The Principle of Gender. + +These Seven Principles will be discussed and explained as we proceed +with these lessons. A short explanation of each, however, may as well be +given at this point. + +1. The Principle of Mentalism + + "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 +all the 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. + +2. The Principle of Correspondence + + "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. + +3. The Principle of Vibration + + "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. + +4. The Principle of 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. + +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. + +5. The Principle of 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. + +This Principle embodies the truth that in everything there is manifested +a measured motion, to and fro; a flow and inflow; a swing backward and +forward; a pendulum-like movement; a tide-like ebb and flow; a high-tide +and low-tide; between the two poles which exist in accordance with the +Principle of Polarity described a moment ago. 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. + +6. The Principle of Cause and Effect + + "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. + +7. The Principle of Gender + + "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. + + + +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. + +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 the +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 so-called modern +discoveries in psychology--on the contrary, the Egyptians were +especially skilled in the science of 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 psychologists of to-day, 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, the 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 "Transmute" means "to change from one nature, form, or +substance, into another; to transform" (Webster). 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 Chemistry on the Mental Plane is important enough in its +effects, to be sure, and if the art stopped there it would still be one +of the most important branches of study known to man. But this is only +the beginning. Let us see why! + +The first of the Seven Hermetic Principles is the Principle of +Mentalism, the axiom of which is "THE ALL is Mind; the Universe is +Mental," which means that the Underlying Reality of the Universe is +Mind; and the Universe itself is Mental--that is, "existing in the Mind +of THE ALL." We shall consider this Principle in succeeding lessons, but +let us see the effect of the principle if it be assumed to be true. + +If the Universe is Mental in its nature, then Mental Transmutation must +be the art of CHANGING THE CONDITIONS OF THE UNIVERSE, along the lines +of Matter, Force and mind. So you see, therefore, that Mental +Transmutation is really the "Magic" of which the ancient; writers had so +much to say in their mystical works, and about which they gave so few +practical instructions. If All be Mental, then the art which enables one +to transmute mental conditions must render the Master the controller of +material conditions as well as those ordinarily called "mental." + +As a matter of fact, none but advanced Mental Alchemists have been able +to attain the degree of power necessary to control the grosser physical +conditions, such as the control of the elements of Nature; the +production or cessation of tempests; the production and cessation of +earthquakes and other great physical phenomena. But that such men have +existed, and do exist today, is a matter of earnest belief to all +advanced occultists of all schools. That the Masters exist, and have +these powers, the best teachers assure their students, having had +experiences which justify them in such belief and statements. These +Masters do not make public exhibitions of their powers, but seek +seclusion from the crowds of men, in order to better work their may +along the Path of Attainment. We mention their existence, at this point, +merely to call your attention to the fact that their power is entirely +Mental, and operates along the lines of the higher Mental Transmutation, +under the Hermetic Principle of Mentalism. + + "The Universe is Mental"--The Kybalion. + +But students and Hermetists of lesser degree than Masters--the Initiates +and Teachers--are able to freely work along the Mental Plane, in Mental +Transmutation. In fact all that we call "psychic phenomena,"; "mental +influence"; "mental science"; "new-thought phenomena," etc., operates +along the same general lines, for there is but one principle involved, +no matter by what name the phenomena be called. + +The student and practitioner of Mental Transmutation works among the +Mental Plane, transmuting mental conditions, states, etc., into others, +according to various formulas, more or less efficacious. The various +"treatments," "affirmations," "denials" etc., of the schools of mental +science are but formulas, often quite imperfect and unscientific, of The +Hermetic Art. The majority of modern practitioners are quite ignorant +compared to the ancient masters, for they lack the fundamental knowledge +upon which the work is based. + +Not only may the mental states, etc., of one's self be changed or +transmuted by Hermetic Methods; but also the states of others may be, +and are, constantly transmuted in the same way, usually unconsciously, +but often consciously by some understanding the laws and principles, in +cases where the people affected are not informed of the principles of +self-protection. And more than this, as many students and practitioners +of modern mental science know, every material condition depending upon +the minds of other people may be changed or transmuted in accordance +with the earnest desire, will, and "treatments" of person desiring +changed conditions of life. The public are so generally informed +regarding these things at present, that we do not deem it necessary to +mention the same at length, our purpose at this point being merely to +show the Hermetic Principle and Art underlying all of these various +forms of practice, good and evil, for the force can be used in opposite +directions according to the Hermetic Principles of Polarity. + +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. + + + +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. + +"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--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 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.) + +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. + + "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 human reason, whose reports we must accept so long as we think at +all, informs us as follows regarding THE ALL, and that without +attempting to remove the veil of the Unknowable: + + (1) THE ALL must be ALL that REALLY IS. There can be + nothing existing outside of THE ALL, else THE ALL would + not be THE ALL. + + (2) THE ALL must be INFINITE, for there is nothing else + to define, confine, bound, limit; or restrict THE ALL. + It must be Infinite in Time, or ETERNAL,--it must have + always continuously existed, for there is nothing else to + have ever created it, and something can never evolve from + nothing, and if it had ever "not been," even for a moment, + it would not "be" now,--it must continuously exist forever, + for there is nothing to destroy it, and it can never + "not-be," even for a moment, because something can never + become nothing. It must be Infinite in Space--it must be + Everywhere, for there is no place outside of THE ALL--it + cannot be otherwise than continuous in Space, without break, + cessation, separation, or interruption, for there is nothing + to break, separate, or interrupt its continuity, and nothing + with which to "fill in the gaps." It must be Infinite in + Power, or Absolute, for there is nothing to limit, restrict, + restrain, confine, disturb or condition it--it is subject to + no other Power, for there is no other Power. + + (3) THE ALL must be IMMUTABLE, or not subject to change in + its real nature, for there is nothing to work changes upon it + nothing into which it could change, nor from which it could + have changed. It cannot be added to nor subtracted from; + increased nor diminished; nor become greater or lesser in any + respect whatsoever. It must have always been, and must always + remain, just what it is now--THE ALL--there has never been, + is not now, and never will be, anything else into which it + can change. + +THE ALL being Infinite, Absolute, Eternal and Unchangeable it must +follow that anything finite, changeable, fleeting, and conditioned +cannot be THE ALL. And as there is Nothing outside of THE ALL, in +Reality, then any and all such finite things must be as Nothing in +Reality. Now do not become befogged, nor frightened--we are not trying +to lead you into the Christian Science field under cover of Hermetic +Philosophy. There is a Reconciliation of this apparently contradictory +state of affairs. Be patient, we will reach it in time. + +We see around us that which is called "Matter," which forms the physical +foundation for all forms. Is THE ALL merely Matter? Not at all! Matter +cannot manifest Life or Mind, and as Life and Mind are manifested in the +Universe, THE ALL cannot be Matter, for nothing rises higher than its +own source--nothing is ever manifested in an effect that is not in the +cause--nothing is evolved as a consequent that is not involved as an +antecedent. And then Modern Science informs us that there is really no +such thing as Matter--that what we call Matter is merely "interrupted +energy or force," that is, energy or force at a low rate of vibration. +As a recent writer has said "Matter has melted into Mystery." Even +Material Science has abandoned the theory of Matter, and now rests on +the basis of "Energy." + +Then is THE ALL mere Energy or Force? Not Energy or Force as the +materialists use the terms, for their energy and force are blind, +mechanical things, devoid of Life or Mind. Life and Mind can never +evolve from blind Energy or Force, for the reason given a moment ago: +"Nothing can rise higher than its source--nothing is evolved unless it +is involved--nothing manifests in the effect, unless it is in the cause. +" And so THE ALL cannot be mere Energy or Force, for, if it were, then +there would be no such things as Life and Mind in existence, and we know +better than that, for we are Alive and using Mind to consider this very +question, and so are those who claim that Energy or Force is Everything. + +What is there then higher than Matter or Energy that we know to be +existent in the Universe? LIFE AND MIND! Life and Mind in all their +varying degrees of unfoldment! "Then," you ask, "do you mean to tell us +that THE ALL is LIFE and MIND?" Yes! and No! is our answer. If you mean +Life and Mind as we poor petty mortals know them, we say No! THE ALL is +not that! "But what kind of Life and Mind do you mean?" you ask. + +The answer is "LIVING MIND," as far above that which mortals know by +those words, as Life and Mind are higher than mechanical forces, or +matter--INFINITE LIVING MIND as compared to finite "Life and Mind." We +mean that which the illumined souls mean when they reverently pronounce +the word: "SPIRIT!" + +"THE ALL" is Infinite Living Mind--the Illumined call it SPIRIT! + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE MENTAL UNIVERSE + + "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"--it means 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, at the same time acknowledging that we cannot fully understand 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 also 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 having separated itself into fragments? What else can it be-- +of what else can it be made? This is the great question. Let us examine +it carefully. We find here that the "Principle of Correspondence" (see +Lesson I.) comes to our aid here. The old Hermetic axiom, "As above so +below," may be pressed into service at this point. Let us endeavor to +get a glimpse of the workings on higher planes by examining those on our +own. The Principle of Correspondence must apply to this as well as to +other problems. + +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: 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. + + "The Infinite Mind of THE ALL is the womb of Universes."--The + Kybalion. + +The Principle of Gender (see Lesson I. and other lessons to follow) is +manifested on all planes of life, material mental and spiritual. But, +as we have said before, "Gender" does not mean "Sex" sex is merely a +material manifestation of gender. "Gender" means "relating to generation +or creation." And whenever anything is generated or created, on any +plane, the Principle of Gender must be manifested. And this is true even +in the creation of Universes. + +Now do not jump to the conclusion that we are teaching that there is a +male and female God, or Creator. That idea is merely a distortion of the +ancient teachings on the subject. The true teaching is that THE ALL, in +itself, is above Gender, as it is above every other Law, including those +of Time and Space. It is the Law, from which the Laws proceed, and it is +not subject to them. But when THE ALL manifests on the plane of +generation or creation, then it acts according to Law and Principle, for +it is moving on a lower plane of Being. And consequently it manifests +the Principle of Gender, in its Masculine and Feminine aspects, on the +Mental Plane, of course. + +This idea may seem startling to some of you who hear it for the first +time, but you have all really passively accepted it in your everyday +conceptions. You speak of the Fatherhood of God, and the Motherhood of +Nature--of God, the Divine Father, and Nature the Universal Mother--and +have thus instinctively acknowledged the Principle of Gender in the +Universe. Is this not so? + +But, the Hermetic teaching does not imply a real duality--THE ALL is +ONE--the Two Aspects are merely aspects of manifestation. The teaching +is that The Masculine Principle manifested by THE ALL stands, in a way, +apart from the actual mental creation of the Universe. It projects its +Will toward the Feminine Principle (which may be called "Nature") +whereupon the latter begins the actual work of the evolution of the +Universe, from simple "centers of activity" on to man, and then on and +on still higher, all according to well-established and firmly enforced +Laws of Nature. If you prefer the old figures of thought, you may think +of the Masculine Principle as GOD, the Father, and of the Feminine +Principle as NATURE, the Universal Mother, from whose womb all things +have been born. This is more than a mere poetic figure of speech--it is +an idea of the actual process of the creation of the Universe. But +always remember, that THE ALL is but One, and that in its Infinite Mind +the Universe is generated, created and exists. + +It may help you to get the proper idea, if you will apply the Law of +Correspondence to yourself, and your own mind. You know that the part of +You which you call "I," in a sense, stands apart and witnesses the +creation of mental Images in your own mind. The part of your mind in +which the mental generation is accomplished may be called the "Me" in +distinction from the "I" which stands apart and witnesses and examines +the thoughts, ideas and images of the "Me." "As above, so below," +remember, and the phenomena of one plane may be employed to solve the +riddles of higher or lower planes. + +Is it any wonder that You, the child, feel that instinctive reverence +for THE ALL, which feeling we call "religion"--that respect, and +reverence for THE FATHER MIND? Is it any wonder that, when you consider +the works and wonders of Nature, you are overcome with a mighty feeling +which has its roots away 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. + + "Within the Father-Mother Mind, mortal children are at + home."--The Kybalion. + + "There is not one who is Fatherless, nor Motherless in the + Universe."--The Kybalion. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE DIVINE PARADOX + + "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--hearken to it +for it points the difference between half-wisdom and wisdom. While to +THE INFINITE ALL, the Universe, its Laws, its Powers, its life, its +Phenomena, are as things witnessed in the state of Meditation or Dream; +yet to all that is Finite, the Universe must be treated as Real, and +life, and action, and thought, must be based thereupon, accordingly, +although with an ever understanding of the Higher Truth. Each according +to its own Plane and Laws. Were THE ALL to imagine that the Universe +were indeed Reality, then woe to the Universe, for there would be then +no escape from lower to higher, divineward--then would the Universe +become a fixity and progress would become impossible. And if Man, owing +to half-wisdom, acts and lives and thinks of the Universe as merely a +dream (akin to his own finite dreams) then indeed does it so become for +him, and like a sleep-walker he stumbles ever around and around in a +circle, making no progress, and being forced into an awakening at last +by his falling bruised and bleeding over the Natural Laws which he +ignored. Keep your mind ever on the Star, but let your eyes watch over +your footsteps, lest you fall into the mire by reason of your upward +gaze. Remember the Divine Paradox, that while the Universe IS NOT, still +IT IS. Remember ever the Two Poles of Truth the Absolute and the +Relative. Beware of Half-Truths. + +What Hermetists know as "the Law of Paradox" is an aspect of the +Principle of Polarity. The Hermetic writings are filled with references +to the appearance of the Paradox in the consideration of the problems of +Life and Being. The Teachers are constantly warning their students +against the error of omitting the "other side" of any question. And +their warnings are particularly directed to the problems of the Absolute +and the Relative, which perplex all students of philosophy, and which +cause so many to think and act contrary to what is generally known as +"common sense." And we caution all students to be sure to grasp the +Divine Paradox of the Absolute and Relative, lest they become entangled +in the mire of the Half-Truth. With this in view this particular lesson +has been written. Read it carefully! + +The first thought that comes to the thinking man after he realizes the +truth that the Universe is a Mental Creation of THE ALL, is that the +Universe and all that it contains is a mere illusion; an unreality; +against which idea his instincts revolt. But this, like all other great +truths, must be considered both from the Absolute and the Relative +points of view. From the Absolute viewpoint, of course, the Universe is +in the nature of an illusion, a dream, a phantasmagoria, as compared to +THE ALL in itself. We recognize this even in our ordinary view, for we +speak of the world as "a fleeting show" that comes and goes, is born and +dies--for the element of impermanence and change, finiteness and +unsubstantiality, must ever be connected with the idea of a created +Universe when it is contrasted with the idea of THE ALL, no matter what +may be our beliefs concerning the nature of both. Philosopher, +metaphysician, scientist and theologian all agree upon this idea, and +the thought is found in all forms of philosophical thought and religious +conceptions, as well as in the theories of the respective schools of +metaphysics and theology. + +So, the Hermetic Teachings do not preach the unsubstantiality of the +Universe in any stronger terms than those more familiar to you, although +their presentation of the subject may seem somewhat more startling. +Anything that has a beginning and an ending must be, in a sense, unreal +and untrue, and the Universe comes under the rule, in all schools of +thought. From the Absolute point of view, there is nothing Real except +THE ALL, no matter what terms we may use in thinking of, or discussing +the subject. Whether the Universe be created of Matter, or whether it be +a Mental Creation in the Mind of THE ALL--it is unsubstantial, +non-enduring, a thing of time, space and change. We want you to realize +this fact thoroughly, before you pass judgment on the Hermetic +conception of the Mental nature of the Universe. Think over any and all +of the other conceptions, and see whether this be not true of them. + +But the Absolute point of view shows merely one side of the picture--the +other side is the Relative one. Absolute Truth has been defined as +"Things as the mind of God knows them," while Relative Truth is "Things +as the highest reason of Man understands them." And so while to THE ALL +the Universe must be unreal and illusionary, a mere dream or result of +meditation,--nevertheless, to the finite minds forming a part of that +Universe, and viewing it through mortal faculties, the Universe is very +real indeed, and must be so considered. In recognizing the Absolute +view, we must not make the mistake of ignoring or denying the facts and +phenomena of the Universe as they present themselves to our mortal +faculties--we are not THE ALL, remember. + +To take familiar illustrations, we all recognize the fact that matter +"exists" to our senses--we will fare badly if we do not. And yet, even +our finite minds understand the scientific dictum that there is no such +thing as Matter from a scientific point of view--that which we call +Matter is held to be merely an aggregation of atoms, which atoms +themselves are merely a grouping of units of force, called electrons or +"ions," vibrating and in constant circular motion. We kick a stone and +we feel the impact--it seems to be real, notwithstanding that we know it +to be merely what we have stated above. But remember that our foot, +which feels the impact by means of our brains, is likewise Matter, so +constituted of electrons, and for that matter so are our brains. And, at +the best, if it were not by reason of our Mind, we would not know the +foot or stone at all. + +Then again, the ideal of the artist or sculptor, which he is endeavoring +to reproduce in stone or on canvas, seems very real to him. So do the +characters in the mind of the author; or dramatist, which he seeks to +express so that others may recognize them. And if this be true in the +case of our finite minds, what must be the degree of Reality in the +Mental Images created in the Mind of the Infinite? Oh, friends, to +mortals this Universe of Mentality is very real indeed--it is the only +one we can ever know, though we rise from plane to plane, higher and +higher in it. To know it otherwise, but actual experience, we must be +THE ALL itself. It is true that the higher we rise in the scale--the +nearer to "the mind of the Father" we reach--the more apparent becomes +the illusory nature of finite things, but not until THE ALL finally +withdraws us into itself does the vision actually vanish. + +So, we need not dwell upon the feature of illusion. Rather let us, +recognizing the real nature of the Universe, seek to understand its +mental laws, and endeavor to use them to the best effect in our upward +progress through life, as we travel from plane to plane of being. The +Laws of the Universe are none the less "Iron Laws" because of the mental +nature. All, except THE ALL, are bound by them. What is IN THE INFINITE +MIND OF THE ALL is REAL in a degree second only to that Reality itself +which is vested in the nature of THE ALL. + +So, do not feel insecure or afraid--we are all HELD FIRMLY IN THE +INFINITE MIND OF THE ALL, and there is naught to hurt us or for us to +fear. There is no Power outside of THE ALL to affect us. So we may rest +calm and secure. There is a world of comfort and security in this +realization when once attained. Then "calm and peaceful do we sleep, +rocked in the Cradle of the Deep"--resting safely on the bosom of the +Ocean of Infinite Mind, which is THE ALL. In THE ALL, indeed, do "we +live and move and have our being." + +Matter is none the less Matter to us, while we dwell on the plane of +Matter, although we know it to be merely an aggregation of "electrons," +or particles of Force, vibrating rapidly and gyrating around each other +in the formations of atoms; the atoms in turn vibrating and gyrating, +forming molecules, which latter in turn form larger masses of Matter. +Nor does Matter become less Matter, when we follow the inquiry still +further, and learn from the Hermetic Teachings, that the "Force" of +which the electrons are but units is merely a manifestation of the Mind +of THE ALL, and like all else in the Universe is purely Mental in its +nature. While on the Plane of matter, we must recognize its phenomena-- +we may control Matter (as all Masters of higher or lesser degree do), +but we do so by applying the higher forces. We commit a folly when we +attempt to deny the existence of Matter in the relative aspect. We may +deny its mastery over us--and rightly so--but we should not attempt 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 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 of 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 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 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. 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 biggest 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 realising the Universal tendency in the same direction in +spite of apparent evidence 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. + + + +CHAPTER VII + +"THE ALL" IN ALL + + "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 ancient +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 co-related 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; remaining within; or abiding +within, the mental image also. In other words, the entire virtue, life, +spirit, of reality in the mental image is derived from the "immanent +mind" of the thinker. Consider this for a moment, until the idea is +grasped. + +To take a modern example, let us say that Othello, Iago, Hamlet, Lear, +Richard III, existed merely in the mind of Shakespeare, at the time of +their conception or creation. And yet, Shakespeare also existed within +each of these characters, giving them their vitality, spirit, and +action. Whose is the "spirit" of the characters that we know as +Micawber, Oliver Twist, Uriah Heep--is it Dickens, or have each of these +characters a personal spirit, independent of their creator? Have the +Venus of Medici, the Sistine Madonna, the Apollo Belvidere, spirits and +reality of their own, or do they represent the spiritual and mental +power of their creators? The Law of Paradox explains that both +propositions are true, viewed from the proper viewpoints. Micawber is +both Micawber, and yet Dickens. And, again, while Micawber may be said +to be Dickens, yet Dickens is not identical with Micawber. Man, like +Micawber, may exclaim: "The Spirit of my Creator is inherent within me-- +and yet I am not HE!" How different this from the shocking half-truth so +vociferously announced by certain of the half-wise, who fill the air +with their raucous cries of: "I am God!" Imagine poor Micawber, or the +sneaky Uriah Heep, crying: "I Am Dickens"; or some of the lowly clods in +one of Shakespeare's plays, eloquently announcing that: "I Am +Shakespeare!" THE ALL is in the earthworm, and yet the earth-worm is far +from being THE ALL. And still the wonder remains, that though the +earth-worm exists merely as a lowly thing, created and having its being +solely within the Mind of THE ALL--yet THE ALL is immanent in the +earthworm, and in the particles that go to make up the earth-worm. Can +there be any greater mystery than this of "All in THE ALL; and THE ALL +in All?" + +The student will, of course, realize that the illustrations given above +are necessarily imperfect and inadequate, for they represent the +creation of mental images in finite minds, while the Universe is a +creation of Infinite Mind--and the difference between the two poles +separates them. And yet it is merely a matter of degree--the same +Principle is in operation--the Principle of Correspondence manifests in +each--"As above, so Below; as Below, so above." + +And, in the degree that Man realizes the existence of the Indwelling +Spirit immanent within his being, so will he rise in the spiritual scale +of life. This is what spiritual development means--the recognition, +realization, and manifestation of the Spirit within us. Try to remember +this last definition--that of spiritual development. It contains the +Truth of True Religion. + +There are many planes of Being--many sub-planes of Life--many degrees of +existence in the Universe. And all depend upon the advancement of beings +in the scale, of which scale the lowest point is the grossest matter, +the highest being separated only by the thinnest division from the +SPIRIT of THE ALL. And, upward and onward along this Scale of Life, +everything is moving. All are on the Path, whose end is THE ALL. All +progress is a Returning Home. All is Upward and Onward, in spite of all +seemingly contradictory appearances. Such is the message of the +Illumined. + +The Hermetic Teachings concerning the process of the Mental Creation of +the Universe, are that at the beginning of the Creative Cycle, THE ALL, +in its aspect of Being, projects its Will toward its aspect of +"Becoming" and the process of creation begins. It is taught that the +process consists of the lowering of Vibration until a very low degree of +vibratory energy is reached, at which point the grossest possible form +of Matter is manifested. This process is called the stage of Involution, +in which THE ALL becomes "involved," or "wrapped up," in its creation. +This process is believed by the Hermetists to have a Correspondence to +the mental process of an artist, writer, or inventor, who becomes so +wrapped up in his mental creation as to almost forget his own existence +and who, for the time being, almost "lives in his creation," If instead +of "wrapped" we use the word "rapt," perhaps we will give a better idea +of what is meant. + +This Involuntary stage of Creation is sometimes called the "Outpouring" +of the Divine Energy, just as the Evolutionary state is called the +"Indrawing." The extreme pole of the Creative process is considered to +be the furthest removed from THE ALL, while the beginning of the +Evolutionary stage is regarded as the beginning of the return swing of +the pendulum of Rhythm--a "coming home" idea being held in all of the +Hermetic Teachings. + +The Teachings are that during the "Outpouring," the vibrations become +lower and lower until finally the urge ceases, and the return swing +begins. But there is this difference, that while in the "Outpouring" the +creative forces manifest compactly and as a whole, yet from the +beginning of the Evolutionary or "Indrawing" stage, there is manifested +the Law of Individualization--that is, the tendency to separate into +Units of Force, so that finally that which left THE ALL as +unindividualized energy returns to its source as countless highly +developed Units of Life, having risen higher and higher in the scale by +means of Physical, Mental and Spiritual Evolution. + +The ancient Hermetists use the word "Meditation" in describing the +process of the mental creation of the Universe in the Mind of THE ALL, +the word "Contemplation" also being frequently employed. But the idea +intended seems to be that of the employment of the Divine Attention. +"Attention" is a word derived from the Latin root, meaning "to reach +out; to stretch out," and so the act of Attention is really a mental +"reaching out; extension" of mental energy, so that the underlying idea +is readily understood when we examine into the real meaning of +"Attention." + +The Hermetic Teachings regarding the process of Evolution are that, THE +ALL, having meditated upon the beginning of the Creation--having thus +established the material foundations of the Universe--having thought it +into existence--then gradually awakens or rouses from its Meditation and +in so doing starts into manifestation the process of Evolution, on the +material mental and spiritual planes, successively and in order. Thus +the upward movement begins--and all begins to move Spiritward. Matter +becomes less gross; the Units spring into being; the combinations begin +to form; Life appears and manifests in higher and higher forms; and Mind +becomes more and more in evidence--the vibrations constantly becoming +higher. In short, the entire process of Evolution, in all of its phases, +begins, and proceeds according to the established "Laws of the +Indrawing" process. All of this occupies aeons upon aeons of Man's time, +each aeon containing countless millions of years, but yet the Illumined +inform us that the entire creation, including Involution and Evolution, +of an Universe, is but "as the twinkle of the eye" to THE ALL. At the +end of countless cycles of aeons of time, THE ALL withdraws its +Attention--its Contemplation and Meditation--of the Universe, for the +Great Work is finished--and All is withdrawn into THE ALL from which it +emerged. But Mystery of Mysteries--the Spirit of each soul is not +annihilated, but is infinitely expanded--the Created and the Creator are +merged. Such is the report of the Illumined! + +The above illustration of the "meditation," and subsequent "awakening +from meditation," of THE ALL, is of course but an attempt of the +teachers to describe the Infinite process by a finite example. And, yet: +"As Below, so Above." The difference is merely in degree. And just as +THE ALL arouses itself from the meditation upon the Universe, so does +Man (in time) cease from manifesting upon the Material Plane, and +withdraws himself more and more into the Indwelling Spirit, which is +indeed "The Divine Ego." + +There is one more matter of which we desire to speak in this lesson, and +that comes very near to an invasion of the Metaphysical field of +speculation, although our purpose is merely to show the futility of such +speculation. We allude to the question which inevitably comes to the +mind of all thinkers who have ventured to seek the Truth. The question +is: "WHY does THE ALL create Universes" The question may be asked in +different forms, but the above is the gist of the inquiry. + +Men have striven hard to answer this question, but still there is no +answer worthy of the name. Some have imagined that THE ALL had something +to gain by it, but this is absurd, for what could THE ALL gain that it +did not already possess? Others have sought the answer in the idea that +THE ALL "wished something to love" and others that it created for +pleasure, or amusement; or because it "was lonely" or to manifest its +power;--all puerile explanations and ideas, belonging to the childish +period of thought. + +Others have sought to explain the mystery by assuming that THE ALL found +itself "compelled" to create, by reason of its own "internal +nature"--its "creative instinct." This idea is in advance of the others, +but its weak point lies in the idea of THE ALL being "compelled" by +anything, internal or external. If its "internal nature," or "creative +instinct," compelled it to do anything, then the "internal nature" or +"creative instinct" would be the Absolute, instead of THE ALL, and so +accordingly that part of the proposition falls. And, yet, THE ALL does +create and manifest, and seems to find some kind of satisfaction in so +doing. And it is difficult to escape the conclusion that in some +infinite degree it must have what would correspond to an "inner nature," +or "creative instinct," in man, with correspondingly infinite Desire and +Will. It could not act unless it Willed to Act; and it would not Will to +Act, unless it Desired to Act and it would not Desire to Act unless it +obtained some Satisfaction thereby. And all of these things would belong +to an "Inner Nature," and might be postulated as existing according to +the Law of Correspondence. But, still, we prefer to think of THE ALL as +acting entirely FREE from any influence, internal as well as external. +That is the problem which lies at the root of difficulty--and the +difficulty that lies at the root of the problem. + +Strictly speaking, there cannot be said to be any "Reason" whatsoever +for THE ALL to act, for a "reason" implies a "cause," and THE ALL is +above Cause and Effect, except when it Wills to become a Cause, at which +time the Principle is set into motion. So, you see, the matter is +Unthinkable, just as THE ALL is Unknowable. Just as we say THE ALL +merely "IS"--so we are compelled to say that "THE ALL ACTS BECAUSE IT +ACTS." At the last, THE ALL is All Reason in Itself; All Law in Itself; +All Action in Itself--and it may be said, truthfully, that THE ALL is +Its Own Reason; its own Law; its own Act--or still further, that THE +ALL; Its Reason; Its Act; is Law; are ONE, all being names for the same +thing. In the opinion of those who are giving you these present lessons, +the answer is locked up in the INNER SELF of THE ALL, along with its +Secret of Being. The Law of Correspondence, in our opinion, reaches only +to that aspect of THE ALL, which may be spoken of as "The Aspect of +BECOMING." Back of that Aspect is "The Aspect of BEING" in which all +Laws are lost in LAW; all Principles merge into PRINCIPLE--and THE ALL; +PRINCIPLE; and BEING; are IDENTICAL, ONE AND THE SAME. Therefore, +Metaphysical speculation on this point is futile. We go into the matter +here, merely to show that we recognize the question, and also the +absurdity of the ordinary answers of metaphysics and theology. + +In conclusion, it may be of interest to our students to learn that while +some of the ancient, and modern, Hermetic Teachers have rather inclined +in the direction of applying the Principle of Correspondence to the +question, with the result of the "Inner Nature" conclusion,--still the +legends have it that HERMES, the Great, when asked this question by his +advanced students, answered them by PRESSING HIS LIPS TIGHTLY TOGETHER +and saying not a word, indicating that there WAS NO ANSWER. But, then, +he may have intended to apply the axiom of his philosophy, that: "The +lips of Wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding," +believing that even his advanced students did not possess the +Understanding which entitled them to the Teaching. At any rate, if +Hermes possessed the Secret, he failed to impart it, and so far as the +world is concerned THE LIPS OF HERMES ARE CLOSED regarding it. And where +the Great Hermes hesitated to speak, what mortal may dare to teach? + +But, remember, that whatever be the answer to this problem, if indeed +there be an answer the truth remains that: "While All is in THE ALL, it +is equally true that THE ALL is in All." The Teaching on this point is +emphatic. And, we may add the concluding words of the quotation: "To him +who truly understands this truth, hath come great knowledge." + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +PLANES OF CORRESPONDENCE + + "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. + +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: + + 1. The Great Physical Plane. + 2. The Great Mental Plane. + 3. The Great Spiritual Plane. + +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." + +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 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: + + 1. The Plane of Matter (A) + 2. The Plane of Matter (B) + 3. The Plane of Matter (C) + 4. The Plane of Ethereal Substance + 5. The Plane of Energy (A) + 6. The Plane of Energy (B) + 7. The Plane of Energy (C) + +The Plane of Matter (A) comprises the forms of Matter in its form of +solids, liquids, and gases, as generally recognized by the text-books on +physics. The Plane of Matter (B) comprises certain higher and more +subtle forms of Matter of the existence of which modern science is but +now recognizing, the phenomena of Radiant Matter, in its phases of +radium, etc., belonging to the lower sub-division of this Minor Plane. +The Plane of Matter (C) comprises forms of the most subtle and tenuous +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 forms a connecting link between Matter (so-called) and Energy, +and partakes of the nature of each. The Hermetic Teachings, however, +instruct that this plane has seven sub-divisions (as have all of the +Minor Planes), and that in fact there are seven ethers, instead of but +one. + +Next above the Plane of Ethereal Substance comes the Plane of Energy +(A), which comprises the ordinary forms of Energy known to science, its +seven sub-planes being, respectively, Heat; Light; Magnetism; +Electricity, and 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 subplanes 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 becomes possible. +The Plane of Energy (C) comprises seven sub-planes of energy so highly +organized that it bears many of the characteristics of "life," but which +is not recognized by the minds of men on the ordinary plane of +development, being available for the use on beings of the Spiritual +Plane alone--such energy is unthinkable to ordinary man, and may be +considered almost as "the divine power." The beings employing the same +are as "gods" compared even to the highest human types known to us. + +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: + + 1. The Plane of Mineral Mind + 2. The Plane of Elemental Mind (A) + 3. The Plane of Plant Mind + 4. The Plane of Elemental Mind (B) + 5. The Plane of Animal Mind + 6. The Plane of Elemental Mind (C) + 7. The Plane of Human Mind + +The Plane of Mineral Mind comprises the "states or conditions" of the +units or entities, or groups and combinations of the same, which animate +the forms known to us as "minerals, chemicals, etc." These entities must +not be confounded with the molecules, atoms and corpuscles themselves, +the latter being merely the material bodies or forms of these entities, +just as a man's body is but his material form and not "himself." These +entities may be called "souls" in one sense, and are living beings of a +low degree of development, life, and mind--just a little more than the +units of "living energy" which comprise the higher sub-divisions of the +highest Physical Plane. The average mind does not generally attribute +the possession of mind, soul, or life, to the mineral kingdom, but all +occultists recognize the existence of the same, and modern science is +rapidly moving forward to the point-of-view of the Hermetic, in this +respect. The molecules, atoms and corpuscles have their "loves and +hates"; "likes and dislikes"; "attractions and repulsions". "affinities +and non-affinities," etc., and some of the more daring of modern +scientific minds have expressed the opinion that the desire and will, +emotions and feelings, of the atoms differ only in degree from those of +men. We have no time or space to argue this matter here. All occultists +know it to be a fact, and others are referred to some of the more recent +scientific works for outside corroboration. There are the usual seven +sub-divisions to this plane. + +The Plane of Elemental Mind (A) comprises the state or condition, and +degree of mental and vital development of a class of entities unknown to +the average man, but recognized to occultists. They are invisible to the +ordinary senses of man, but, nevertheless, exist and play their part of +the Drama of the Universe. Their degree of intelligence is between that +of the mineral and chemical entities on the one hand, and of the +entities of the plant kingdom on the other. There are seven subdivisions +to this plane, also. + +The Plane of Plant Mind, in its seven sub-divisions, comprises the +states or conditions of the entities comprising the kingdoms of the +Plant World, the vital and mental phenomena of which is fairly well +understood by the average intelligent person, many new and interesting +scientific works regarding "Mind and Life in Plants" having been +published during the last decade. Plants have life, mind and "souls," as +well as have the animals, man, and super-man. + +The Plane of Elemental Mind (B), in its seven sub-divisions, comprises +the states and conditions of a higher form of "elemental" or unseen +entities, playing their part in the general work of the Universe, the +mind and life of which form a part of the scale between the Plane of +Plant Mind and the Plane of Animal Mind, the entities partaking of the +nature of both. + +The Plane of Animal Mind, in its seven sub-divisions, comprises the +states and conditions of the entities, beings, or souls, animating the +animal forms of life, familiar to us all. It is not necessary to go into +details regarding this kingdom or plane of life, for the animal world is +as familiar to us as is our own. + +The Plane of Elemental Mind (C), in its seven sub-divisions, comprises +those entities or beings, invisible as are all such elemental forms, +which partake of the nature of both animal and human life in a degree +and in certain combinations. The highest forms are semi-human in +intelligence. + +The Plane of Human Mind, in its seven sub-divisions, comprises those +manifestations of life and mentality which are common to Man, in his +various grades, degrees, and divisions. In this connection, we wish to +point out the fact that the average man of today occupies but the fourth +sub-division of the Plane of Human Mind, and only the most intelligent +have crossed the borders of the Fifth Sub-Division. It has taken the +race millions of years to reach this stage, and it will take many more +years for the race to move on to the sixth and seventh sub-divisions, +and beyond. But, remember, that there have been races before us which +have passed through these degrees, and then on to higher planes. Our own +race is the fifth (with stragglers from the fourth) which has set foot +upon The Path. And, then there are a few advanced souls of our own race +who have outstripped the masses, and who have passed on to the sixth and +seventh sub-division, and some few being still further on. The man of +the Sixth Sub-Division will be "The Super-Man"; he of the Seventh will +be "The Over-Man." + +In our consideration of the Seven Minor Mental Planes, we have merely +referred to the Three Elementary Planes in a general way. We do not wish +to go into this subject in detail in this work, for it does not belong +to this part of the general philosophy and teachings. But we may say +this much, in order to give you a little clearer idea, of the relations +of these planes to the more familiar ones--the Elementary Planes bear +the same relation to the Planes of Mineral, Plant, Animal and Human +Mentality and Life, that the black keys on the piano do to the white +keys. The white keys are sufficient to produce music, but there are +certain scales, melodies, and harmonies, in which the black keys play +their part, and in which their presence is necessary. They are also +necessary as "connecting links" of soul-condition; entity states, etc., +between the several other planes, certain forms of development being +attained therein--this last fact giving to the reader who can "read +between the lines" a new light upon the processes of Evolution, and a +new key to the secret door of the "leaps of life" between kingdom and +kingdom. The great kingdoms of Elementals are fully recognized by all +occultists, and the esoteric writings are full of mention of them. The +readers of Bulwer's "Sanoni" and similar tales will recognize the +entities inhabiting these planes of life. + +Passing on from the Great Mental Plane to the Great Spiritual Plane, +what shall we say? How can we explain these higher states of Being, Life +and Mind, to minds as yet unable to grasp and understand the higher +subdivisions of the Plane of Human Mind? The task is impossible. We can +speak only in the most general terms. How may Light be described to a +man born blind--how sugar, to a man who has never tasted anything +sweet--how harmony, to one born deaf? + +All that we can say is that the Seven Minor Planes of the Great +Spiritual Plane (each Minor Plane having its seven sub-divisions) +comprise Beings possessing Life, Mind and Form as far above that of Man +of to-day as the latter is above the earth-worm, mineral or even certain +forms of Energy or Matter. The Life of these Beings so far transcends +ours, that we cannot even think of the details of the same; their minds +so far transcend ours, that to them we scarcely seem to "think," and our +mental processes seem almost akin to material processes; the Matter of +which their forms are composed is of the highest Planes of Matter, nay, +some are even said to be "clothed in Pure Energy." What may be said of +such Beings? + +On the Seven Minor Planes of the Great Spiritual Plane exist Beings of +whom we may speak as Angels; Archangels; Demi-Gods. On the lower Minor +Planes dwell those great souls whom we call Masters and Adepts. Above +them come the Great Hierarchies of the Angelic Hosts, unthinkable to +man; and above those come those who may without irreverence be called +"The Gods," so high in the scale of Being are they, their being, +intelligence and power being akin to those attributed by the races of +men to their conceptions of Deity. These Beings are beyond even the +highest flights of the human imagination, the word "Divine" being the +only one applicable to them. Many of these Beings, as well as the +Angelic Host, take the greatest interest in the affairs of the Universe +and play an important part in its affairs. These Unseen Divinities and +Angelic Helpers extend their influence freely and powerfully, in the +process of Evolution, and Cosmic Progress. Their occasional intervention +and assistance in human affairs have led to the many legends, beliefs, +religions and traditions of the race, past and present. They have +superimposed their knowledge and power upon the world, again and again, +all under the Law of THE ALL, of course. + +But, yet, even the highest of these advanced Beings exist merely as +creations of, and in, the Mind of THE ALL, and are subject to the Cosmic +Processes and Universal Laws. They are still Mortal. We may call them +"gods" if we like, but still they are but the Elder Brethren of the +Race,--the advanced souls who have outstripped their brethren, and who +have foregone the ecstasy of Absorption by THE ALL, in order to help the +race on its upward journey along The Path. But, they belong to the +Universe, and are subject to its conditions--they are mortal--and their +plane is below that of Absolute Spirit. + +Only the most advanced Hermetists are able to grasp the Inner Teachings +regarding the state of existence, and the powers manifested on the +Spiritual Planes. The phenomena is so much higher than that of the +Mental Planes that a confusion of ideas would surely result from an +attempt to describe the same. Only those whose minds have been carefully +trained along the lines of the Hermetic Philosophy for years--yes, those +who have brought with them from other incarnations the knowledge +acquired previously--can comprehend just what is meant by the Teaching +regarding these Spiritual Planes. And much of these Inner Teachings is +held by the Hermetists as being too sacred, important and even dangerous +for general public dissemination. The intelligent student may recognize +what we mean by this when we state that the meaning of "Spirit" as used +by the Hermetists is akin to "Living Power"; "Animated Force;" "Inner +Essence;" "Essence of Life," etc., which meaning must not be confounded +with that usually and commonly employed in connection with the term, +i.e., "religious; ecclesiastical; spiritual; ethereal; holy," etc., etc. +To occultists the word "Spirit" is used in the sense of "The Animating +Principle," carrying with it the idea of Power, Living Energy, Mystic +Force, etc. And occultists know that that which is known to them as +"Spiritual Power" may be employed for evil as well as good ends (in +accordance with the Principle of Polarity), a fact which has been +recognized by the majority of religions in their conceptions of Satan, +Beelzebub, the Devil, Lucifer, Fallen Angels, etc. And so the knowledge +regarding these Planes has been kept in the Holy of Holies in all +Esoteric Fraternities and Occult Orders,--in the Secret Chamber of the +Temple. But this may be said here, that those who have attained high +spiritual powers and have misused them, have a terrible fate in store +for them, and the swing of the pendulum of Rhythm will inevitably swing +them back to the furthest extreme of Material existence, from which +point they must retrace their steps Spiritward, along the weary rounds +of The Path, but always with the added torture of having always with +them a lingering memory of the heights from which they fell owing to +their evil actions. The legends of the Fallen Angels have a basis in +actual facts, as all advanced occultists know. The striving for selfish +power on the Spiritual Planes inevitably results in the selfish soul +losing its spiritual balance and falling back as far as it had +previously risen. But to even such a soul, the opportunity of a return +is given--and such souls make the return journey, paying the terrible +penalty according to the invariable Law. + +In conclusion we would again remind you that according to the Principle +of Correspondence, which embodies the truth: "As Above so Below; as +Below, so Above," all of the Seven Hermetic Principles are in full +operation on all of the many planes, Physical Mental and Spiritual. The +Principle of Mental Substance of course applies to all the planes, for +all are held in the Mind of THE ALL. The Principle of Correspondence +manifests in all, for there is a correspondence, harmony and agreement +between the several planes. The Principle of Vibration manifests on all +planes, in fact the very differences that go to make the "planes" arise +from Vibration, as we have explained. The Principle of Polarity +manifests on each plane, the extremes of the Poles being apparently +opposite and contradictory. The Principle of Rhythm manifests on each +Plane, the movement of the phenomena having its ebb and flow, rise and +flow, incoming and outgoing. The Principle of Cause and Effect manifests +on each Plane, every Effect having its Cause and every Cause having its +effect. The Principle of Gender manifests on each Plane, the Creative +Energy being always manifest, and operating along the lines of its +Masculine and Feminine Aspects. + +"As Above so Below; as Below, so Above." This centuries old Hermetic +axiom embodies one of the great Principles of Universal Phenomena. As we +proceed with our consideration of the remaining Principles, we will see +even more clearly the truth of the universal nature of this great +Principle of Correspondence. + + + +CHAPTER IX + +VIBRATION + + "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 directing the attention of the students to the fact +that even on the physical plane a 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. And, so we see that +all forms of Matter manifest Vibration, in accordance with the Hermetic +Principle of Vibration. + +And 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 to +say, 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 also 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 object, 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 sped 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 +influences 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 +vibrations, 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 rate 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 may. By a knowledge of +the Principle 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." + + + +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. + +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 the following: +"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 thing. 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 traveling 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 following their teachings, may not readily understand the +principle underlying many of these changes. When, however, the Principle +of Polarity is once grasped, and it is seen that the mental changes are +occasioned by a change of polarity-a sliding along the same scale-the +hatter is readily understood. 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. 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 transformed 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., 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 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 this Principle of Polarity, for +a correct understanding of the same will throw light on many difficult +subjects. + + + +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. + +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 word it. +Universes are created; reach their extreme low point of materiality; and +then begin in 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; only to be 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 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 +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 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 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, +even though several lives may be required for the return swing of the +Pendulum of Rhythm. + + + +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. + +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 consideration +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 there be a something acting in the phenomenal universe, +independent of the laws, order, and continuity of the latter? Such a +something would be entirely independent of the orderly trend of the +universe, and therefore superior to it. We can imagine nothing outside +of THE ALL being outside of the Law, and that only because THE ALL is +the LAW in itself. There is no room in the universe for a something +outside of and independent of Law. The existence of such a Something +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 "to 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 infallible +as that which governs 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 +uppermost. + +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 average and +the single toss come under the Law of Cause and Effect, and if we were +able to examine into the preceding causes, it would be clearly seen that +it was simply impossible for the die to fall other than it did, under +the same circumstances and at the same time. Given the same causes, the +same results will follow. There is always a "cause" and a "because" to +every event. Nothing ever "happens" without a cause, or rather a chain +of causes. + +Some confusion has arisen in the minds of persons considering this +Principle, from the fact that they were unable to explain how one thing +could cause another thing--that is, be the "creator" of the second +thing. As a matter of fact, no "thing" ever causes or "creates" another +"thing." Cause and Effect deals merely with "events." An "event" is +"that which comes, arrives or happens, as a result or consequent of some +preceding event." No event "creates" another event, but is merely a +preceding link in the great orderly chain of events flowing from the +creative energy of THE ALL. There is a continuity between all events +precedent, consequent and subsequent. There is a relation existing +between everything that has gone before, and everything that follows. A +stone is dislodged from a mountain side and crashes through a roof of a +cottage in the valley below. At first sight we regard this as a chance +effect, but when we examine the matter we find a great chain of causes +behind it. In the first place there was the rain which softened the +earth supporting the stone and which allowed it to fall; then back of +that was the influence of the sun, other rains, etc., which gradually +disintegrated the piece of rock from a larger piece; then there were the +causes which led to the formation of the mountain, and its upheaval by +convulsions of nature, and so on ad infinitum. Then we might follow up +the causes behind the rain, etc. Then we might consider the existence of +the roof In short, we would soon find ourselves involved in a mesh of +cause and effect, from which we would soon strive to extricate +ourselves. + +Just as a man has two parents, and four grandparents, and eight +great-grandparents, and sixteen great-great-grandparents, and so on +until when, say, forty generations are calculated the numbers of +ancestors run into many millions--so it is with the number of causes +behind even the most trifling event or phenomena, such as the passage of +a tiny speck of soot before your eye. It is not an easy matter to trace +the bit of soot hack to the early period of the world's history when it +formed a part of a massive tree-trunk, which was afterward converted +into coal, and so on, until as the speck of soot it now passes before +your vision on its way to other adventures. And a mighty chain of +events, causes and effects, brought it to its present condition, and the +later is but one of the chain of events which will go to produce other +events hundreds of years from now. One of the series of events arising +from the tiny bit of soot was the writing of these lines, which caused +the typesetter to perform certain work; the proofreader to do likewise; +and which will arouse certain thoughts in your mind, and that of others, +which in turn will affect others, and so on, and on, and on, beyond the +ability of man to think further-and all from the passage of a tiny bit +of soot, all of which shows the relativity and association of things, +and the further fact that "there is no great; there is no small, in the +mind that causeth all." + +Stop to think a moment. If a certain man had not met a certain maid, +away back in the dim period of the Stone Age--you who are now reading +these lines would not now be here. And if, perhaps, the same couple had +failed to meet, we who now write these lines would not now be here. And +the very act of writing, on our part, and the act of reading, on yours, +will affect not only the respective lives of yourself and ourselves, but +will also have a direct, or indirect, affect upon many other people now +living and who will live in the ages to come. Every thought we think, +every act we perform, has its direct and indirect results which fit into +the great chain of Cause and Effect. + +We do not wish to enter into a consideration of Free Will, or +Determinism, in this work, for various reasons. Among the many reasons, +is the principal one that neither side of the controversy is entirely +right-in fact, both sides are partially right, according to the Hermetic +Teachings. The Principle of Polarity shows that both are but Half-Truths +the opposing poles of Truth. The Teachings are that a man may be both +Free and yet bound by Necessity, depending upon the meaning of the +terms, and the height of Truth from which the matter is examined. The +ancient writers express the matter thus: "The further the creation is +from the Centre, the more it is bound; the nearer the Centre it reaches, +the nearer Free is it." + +The majority of people are more or less the slaves of heredity, +environment, etc., and manifest very little Freedom. They are swayed by +the opinions, customs and thoughts of the outside world, and also by +their emotions, feelings, moods, etc. They manifest no Mastery, worthy +of the name. They indignantly repudiate this assertion, saying, "Why, I +certainly am free to act and do as I please--I do just what I want to +do," but they fail to explain whence arise the "want to" and "as I +please." What makes them "want to" do one thing in preference to +another; what makes them "please" to do this, and not do that? Is there +no "because" to their "pleasing" and "Wanting"? The Master can change +these "pleases" and "wants" into others at the opposite end of the +mental pole. He is able to "Will to will," instead of to 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 thing 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 AL--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 +in the LAW itself, and laughs the phenomenal laws to scorn. Are you able +to grasp the inner meaning of this? + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +GENDER + + "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 and 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 from +scientific sources. 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 knows the latter, +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 phenomenon. 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 those wonderful "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 useless the old +textbooks, 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 on a new career. It actively seeks a union with a +Masculine corpuscle, being urged thereto 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 part 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 form. The Hermetic +Teachings include much regarding the operation of the two principles of +Gender in the production and manifestation of various forms of energy, +etc., but we do not deem it expedient to go into detail regarding the +same at this point, because we are unable to back up the same with +scientific proof, for the reason that science has not as yet progressed +thus far. But the example we have given you of the phenomena of the +electrons or corpuscles will show you that science is on the right path, +and will also give you a general idea of the underlying principles. + +Some leading scientific investigators have announced their belief that +in the formation of crystals there was to be found something that +corresponded to "sex-activity" which is another straw showing the +direction the scientific winds are blowing. And each year will bring +other facts to corroborate the correctness of the Hermetic Principle of +Gender. It will be found that Gender is in constant operation and +manifestation in the field of inorganic matter, and in the field of +Energy or Force. Electricity is now generally regarded as the +"Something" into which all other forms of energy seem to melt or +dissolve. The "Electrical Theory of the Universe" is the latest +scientific doctrine, and is growing rapidly in popularity and +general acceptance. And it thus follows that if we are able to discover +in the phenomena of electricity-even at the very root and source of its +manifestations a clear and unmistakable evidence of the presence of +Gender and its activities, we are justified in asking you to believe +that science at last has offered proofs of the existence in all +universal phenomena of that great Hermetic Principle-the Principle of +Gender. + +It is not necessary to take up your time with the well known phenomena +of the "attraction and repulsion" of the atoms; chemical affinity; the +"loves and hates" of the atomic particles; the attraction or cohesion +between the molecules of matter. These facts are too well known to need +extended comment from us. But, have you ever considered that all of +these things are manifestations of the Gender Principle? Can you not see +that the phenomena is "on all fours" with that of the corpuscles or +electrons? And more than this, can you not see the reasonableness of the +Hermetic Teachings which assert that the very Law of Gravitation-that +strange attraction by reason of which all particles and bodies of matter +in the universe tend toward each other is but another manifestation of +the Principle of Gender, which operates in the direction of attracting +the Masculine to the Feminine energies, and vice versa? We cannot offer +you scientific proof of this at this time-but examine the phenomena in +the light of the Hermetic Teachings on the subject, and see if you have +not a better working hypothesis than any offered by physical science. +Submit all physical phenomena to the test, and you will discern the +Principle of Gender ever in evidence. + +Let us now pass on to a consideration of the operation of the Principle +on the Mental Plane. Many interesting features are there awaiting +examination. + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +MENTAL GENDER + +Students of psychology who have followed the modern trend of thought +along the lines of mental phenomena are struck by the persistence of the +dual-mind idea which has manifested itself so strongly during the past +ten or fifteen years, and which has given rise to a number of plausible +theories regarding the nature and constitution of these "two minds." The +late Thomson J. Hudson attained great popularity in 1893 by advancing +his well-known theory of the "objective and subjective minds" which he +held existed in every individual. Other writers have attracted almost +equal attention by the theories regarding the "conscious and +subconscious minds"; the "voluntary and involuntary minds"; "the active +and passive minds," etc., etc. The theories of the various writers +differ from each other, but there remains the underlying principle of +"the duality of mind." + +The student of the Hermetic Philosophy is tempted to smile when he reads +and hears of these many "new theories" regarding the duality of mind, +each school adhering tenaciously to its own pet theories, and each +claiming to have "discovered the truth." The student turns back the +pages of occult history, and away back in the dim beginnings of occult +teachings he finds references to the ancient Hermetic doctrine of the +Principle of Gender on the Mental Plane-the manifestation of Mental +Gender. And examining further he finds that the ancient philosophy took +cognizance of the phenomenon of the "dual mind," and accounted for it by +the theory of Mental Gender. This idea of Mental Gender may be explained +in a few words to students who are familiar with the modern theories +just alluded to. The Masculine Principle of Mind corresponds to the +so-called Objective Mind; Conscious Mind; Voluntary Mind; Active Mind, +etc. And the Feminine Principle of Mind corresponds to the so-called +Subjective Mind; Sub-conscious Mind; Involuntary Mind; Passive Mind, +etc. Of course the Hermetic Teachings do not agree with the many modern +theories regarding the nature of the two phases of mind, nor does it +admit many of the facts claimed for the two respective aspects--some of +the said theories and claims being very far-fetched and incapable of +standing the test of experiment and demonstration. We point to the +phases of agreement merely for the purpose of helping the student to +assimilate his previously acquired knowledge with the teachings of the +Hermetic Philosophy. Students of Hudson will notice the statement at the +beginning of his second chapter of "The Law of Psychic Phenomena," that: +"The mystic jargon of the Hermetic philosophers discloses the same +general idea" i.e., the duality of mind. If Dr. Hudson had taken +the time and trouble to decipher a little of "the mystic jargon of the +Hermetic Philosophy," he might have received much light upon the subject +of "the dual mind"--but then, perhaps, his most interesting work might +not have been written. Let us now consider the Hermetic Teachings +regarding Mental Gender. + +The Hermetic Teachers impart their instruction regarding this subject by +bidding their students examine the report of their consciousness +regarding their Self. The students are bidden to turn their attention +inward upon the Self dwelling within each. Each student is led to see +that his consciousness gives him first a report of the existence of his +Self-the report is "I Am." This at first seems to be the final words +from the consciousness, but a little further examination discloses the +fact that this "I Am" may be separated or split into two distinct parts, +or aspects, which while working in unison and in conjunction, yet, +nevertheless, may be separated in consciousness. + +While at first there seems to be only an "I" existing, a more careful +and closer examination reveals the fact that there exists an "I" and a +"Me." These mental twins differ in their characteristics and nature, and +an examination of their nature and the phenomena arising from the same +will throw much light upon many of the problems of mental influence. + +Let us begin with a consideration of the Me, which is usually mistaken +for the I by the student, until he presses the inquiry a little further +back into the recesses of consciousness. A man thinks of his Self (in +its aspect of Me) as being composed of certain feelings, tastes likes, +dislikes, habits, peculiar ties, characteristics, etc., all of which go +to make up his personality, or the "Self" known to himself and others. +He knows that these emotions and feelings change; are born and die away; +are subject to the Principle of Rhythm, and the Principle of Polarity, +which take him from one extreme of feeling to another. He also thinks of +the "Me" as being certain knowledge gathered together in his mind, and +thus forming a part of himself. This is the "Me" of a man. + +But we have proceeded too hastily. The "Me" of many men may be said to +consist largely of their consciousness of the body and their physical +appetites, etc. Their consciousness being largely bound up with their +bodily nature, they practically "live there." Some men even go so far as +to regard their personal apparel as a part of their "Me" and actually +seem to consider it a part of themselves. A writer has humorously said +that "men consist of three parts--soul, body and clothes." These +"clothes conscious" people would lose their personality if divested of +their clothing by savages upon the occasion of a shipwreck. But even +many who are not so closely bound up with the idea of personal raiment +stick closely to the consciousness of their bodies being their "Me" They +cannot conceive of a Self independent of the body. Their mind seems to +them to be practically "a something belonging to" their body-which in +many cases it is indeed. + +But as man rises in the scale of consciousness he is able to disentangle +his "Me" from his idea of body, and is able to think of his body as +"belonging to" the mental part of him. But even then he is very apt to +identify the "Me" entirely with the mental states, feelings, etc., which +he feels to exist within him. He is very apt to consider these internal +states as identical with himself, instead of their being simply "things" +produced by some part of his mentality, and existing within him--of him, +and in him, but still not "himself." He sees that he may change these +internal states of feelings by all effort of will, and that he may +produce a feeling or state of an exactly opposite nature, in the same +way, and yet the same "Me" exists. And so after a while he is able to +set aside these various mental states, emotions, feelings, habits, +qualities, characteristics, and other personal mental belongings--he is +able to set them aside in the "not-me" collection of curiosities and +encumbrances, as well as valuable possessions. This requires much mental +concentration and power of mental analysis on the part of the student. +But still the task is possible for the advanced student, and even those +not so far advanced are able to see, in the imagination, how the process +may be performed. + +After this laying-aside process has been performed, the student will +find himself in conscious possession of a "Self" which may be considered +in its "I" and "Me" dual aspects. The "Me" will be felt to be a +Something mental in which thoughts, ideas, emotions, feelings, and other +mental states may be produced. It may be considered as the "mental +womb," as the ancients styled it-capable of generating mental offspring. +It reports to the consciousness as a "Me" with latent powers of creation +and generation of mental progeny of all sorts and kinds. Its powers of +creative energy are felt to be enormous. But still it seems to be +conscious that it must receive some form of energy from either its "I" +companion, or else from some other "I" ere it is able to bring into +being its mental creations. This consciousness brings with it a +realization of an enormous capacity for mental work and creative +ability. + +But the student soon finds that this is not all that he finds within his +inner consciousness. He finds that there exists a mental Something which +is able to Will that the "Me" act along certain creative lines, and +which is also able to stand aside and witness the mental creation. This +part of himself he is taught to call his "I." He is able to rest in its +consciousness at will. He finds there not a consciousness of an ability +to generate and actively create, in the sense of the gradual process +attendant upon mental operations, but rather a sense and consciousness +of an ability to project an energy from the "I" to the "Me"--a process +of "willing" that the mental creation begin and proceed. He also finds +that the "I" is able to stand aside and witness the operations of the +"Me's" mental creation and generation. There is this dual aspect in the +mind of every person. The "I" represents the Masculine Principle of +Mental Gender-the "Me" represents the Female Principle. The "I" +represents the Aspect of Being; the "Me" the Aspect of Becoming. You +will notice that the Principle of Correspondence operates on this plane +just as it does upon the great plane upon which the creation of +Universes is performed. The two are similar in kind, although +vastly different in degree. "As above, so below; as below, so above." + +These aspects of mind-the Masculine and Feminine Principles-the "I" and +the "Me"-considered in connection with the well-known mental and psychic +phenomena, give the master-key to these dimly known regions of mental +operation and manifestation. The principle of Mental Gender gives the +truth underlying the whole field of the phenomena of mental influence, +etc. + +The tendency of the Feminine Principle is always in the direction of +receiving impressions, while the tendency of the Masculine Principle is +always in the direction of giving, out or expressing. The Feminine +Principle has much more varied field of operation than has the Masculine +Principle. The Feminine Principle conducts the work of generating new +thoughts, concepts, ideas, including the work of the imagination. The +Masculine Principle contents itself with the work of the "Will" in its +varied phases. And yet, without the active aid of the Will of the +Masculine Principle, the Feminine Principle is apt to rest content with +generating mental images which are the result of impressions received +from outside, instead of producing original mental creations. + +Persons who can give continued attention and thought to a subject +actively employ both of the Mental Principles-the Feminine in the work +of the mental generation, and the Masculine Will in stimulating and +energizing the creative portion of the mind. The majority of persons +really employ the Masculine Principle but little, and are content to +live according to the thoughts and ideas instilled into the "Me" from +the "I" of other minds. But it is not our purpose to dwell upon this +phase of the subject, which may be studied from any good text-book upon +psychology, with the key that we have given you regarding Mental Gender. + +The student of Psychic Phenomena is aware of the wonderful phenomena +classified under the head of Telepathy; Thought Transference; Mental +Influence; Suggestion; Hypnotism, etc. Many have sought for an +explanation of these varied phases of phenomena under the theories of +the various "dual mind" teachers. And in a measure they are right, for +there is clearly a manifestation of two distinct phases of mental +activity. But if such students will consider these "dual minds" in the +light of the Hermetic Teachings regarding Vibrations and Mental Gender, +they will see that the long sought for key is at hand. + +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 sparrows 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 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 sheeplike 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 Vibrational 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 familiarized 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 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 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. + + + +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. + +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 up of +undesirable habits by bidding their students concentrate upon the +opposite quality. If you are possessed of Fear, do not waste time trying +to "kill out" Fear, but instead cultivate the quality of Courage, and +the Fear will disappear. Some writers have expressed this idea most +forcibly by using the illustration of the dark room. You do not have to +shovel out or sweep out the Darkness, but by merely opening the shutters +and letting in the Light the Darkness has disappeared. To kill out a +Negative quality, concentrate upon the Positive Pole of that same +quality, and the vibrations will gradually change from Negative to +Positive, until finally you will become polarized on the +Positive pole instead of the Negative. The reverse is also true, as many +have found out to their sorrow, when they have allowed themselves to +vibrate too constantly on the Negative pole of things. By changing your +polarity you may master your moods, change your mental states, remake +your disposition, and build up character. Much of the Mental Mastery of +the advanced Hermetics is due to this application of Polarity, which is +one of the important aspects of Mental Transmutation. Remember the +Hermetic Axiom (quoted previously), which says: + + "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."--The Kybalion. + +The mastery of Polarization is the mastery of the fundamental principles +of Mental Transmutation or Mental Alchemy, for unless one acquires the +art of changing his own polarity, he will be unable to affect his +environment. An understanding of this principle will enable one to +change his own Polarity, as well as that of others, if he will but +devote the time, care, study and practice necessary to master the art. +The principle is true, but the results obtained depend upon the +persistent patience and practice of the student. + + "Rhythm may be neutralized by an application of the Art + of Polarization."--The Kybalion. + +As we have explained in previous chapters, the Hermetists hold 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, +raises himself above its plane of consciousness, and standing firm in +his Statement of Being he allows the pendulum to swing back on the Lower +Plane without changing his Polarity. This is accomplished by all +individuals who have attained any degree of self-mastery, whether +they understand the law or not. Such persons simply "refuse" to allow +themselves to be swung back by the pendulum of mood and emotion, and by +steadfastly affirming the superiority they remain polarized on the +Positive pole. The Master, of course, attains a far greater degree of +proficiency, because he understands the law which he is overcoming by a +higher law, and by the use of his Will he attains a degree of Poise and +Mental Steadfastness 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. + +Remember always, however, that you do not really destroy the Principle +of Rhythm, for that is indestructible. You simply overcome one law by +counter-balancing it with another and thus maintain an equilibrium. The +laws of balance and counter-balance are in operation on the mental as +well as on the physical planes, and an understanding of these laws +enables one to seem to overthrow laws, whereas he is merely exerting a +counterbalance. + + "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 an understanding of the practice of Polarization, the Hermetists rise +to a higher plane of Causation and thus counter-balance the laws of the +lower planes of Causation. By rising above the plane of ordinary Causes +they become themselves, 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 Rhythm, as we have already explained, they are +able to escape a great part of the operations of Cause and Effect on the +ordinary plane. The masses of people are carried along, obedient to +their environment; the wills and desires of others stronger than +themselves; the effects of inherited tendencies; the suggestions of +those about them; and other outward causes; which tend to move them +about on the chess-board of life like mere pawns. By rising above these +influencing causes, the advanced Hermetists seek a higher plane of +mental action, and by dominating their moods, emotions, impulses and +feelings, they create for themselves new characters, qualities and +powers, by which they overcome their ordinary environment, and thus +become practically players instead of mere Pawns. Such people help to +play the game of life understandingly, instead of being moved about this +way and that way by stronger influences and powers and wills. 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 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 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 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. + + "THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental."--The Kybalion. + + FINIS + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Kybalion, by Three Initiates + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KYBALION *** + +***** This file should be named 14209.txt or 14209.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/4/2/0/14209/ + +Produced by Tamblyne <tamblyne@digital-daybook.com> + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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