This is a recording of, THE KYBALION: A STUDY
OF THE HERMETIC PHILOSOPHY OF ANCIENT EGYPT
and
GREECE, BY THREE INITIATES
This book is available, on the public domain,
as well as, here, on Youtube and other websites.
This is, THE KYBALION: A STUDY OF THE HERMETIC
PHILOSOPHY OF ANCIENT EGYPT and
GREECE, BY THREE INITIATES
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,
notwithstanding 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 the 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 a certain correspondence in
spite of the contradictory features, and the
Hermetic Teachings act as the Great Reconciler.
The lifework of Hermes seems to have been
in the direction of planting the great Seed-
Truth which has grown and blossomed in so
many strange forms, rather than to establish
a
school of philosophy which would dominate
the world's thought. But, nevertheless, the
original truths taught by him have been kept
intact in their original purity by a few men
in
each age, who, refusing great numbers of half-developed
students and followers, followed
the Hermetic custom and reserved their truth
for the few who were ready to comprehend and
master it. From lip to ear the truth has been
handed down among the few. There have
always been a few Initiates in each generation,
in the various lands of the earth, who kept
alive the sacred flame of the Hermetic Teachings,
and such have always been willing to use
their lamps to re-light the lesser lamps of
the outside world, when the light of truth
grew dim,
and clouded by reason of neglect, and when
the wicks became clogged with foreign matter.
There were always a few to tend faithfully
the altar of the Truth, upon which was kept
alight
the Perpetual Lamp of Wisdom. These men devoted
their lives to the labor of love which the
poet has so well stated in his lines:
“, 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 criticised this attitude
of the Hermetists, and who have claimed
that they did not manifest the proper spirit
in their policy of seclusion and reticence.
But a
moment's glance back over the pages of history
will show the wisdom of the Masters, who
knew the folly of attempting to teach to the
world that which it was neither ready or willing
to
receive. The Hermetists have never sought
to be martyrs, and have, instead, sat silently
aside with a pitying smile on their closed
lips, while the “heathen raged noisily about
them” in
their customary amusement of putting to death
and torture the honest but misguided
enthusiasts who imagined that they could force
upon a race of barbarians the truth capable
of being understood only by the elect who
had advanced along The Path.
and the spirit of persecution has not as yet
died out in the land. There are certain
Hermetic Teachings, which, if publicly promulgated,
would bring down upon the teachers a
great cry of scorn and revilement from the
multitude, who would again raise the cry of
“Crucify! Crucify.”
In this little work we have endeavored to
give you an idea of the fundamental teachings
of
The Kybalion, striving to give you the working
Principles, leaving you to apply them
yourselves, rather than attempting to work
out the teaching in detail. If you are a true
student, you will be able to work out and
apply these Principles–if not, then you
must
develop yourself into one, for otherwise the
Hermetic Teachings will be as “words, words,
words” to you.
THE THREE INitIATES.
CHAPTER 1
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 master-minds 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 KYBALIDN” are printed herein,
in
quotation marks, the proper credit being given.
Our own work is printed in the regular way,
in
the body of the work. We trust that the many
students to whom we now offer this little
work
will derive as much benefit from the study
of its pages as have the many who have gone
on
before, treading the same Path to Mastery
throughout the centuries that have passed
since
the times of HERMES TRISMEGISTUS–the Master
of Masters–the Great-Great. In the
words of “THE KYBALION”:
“Where fall the footsteps of the Master,
the ears of those ready for his Teaching open
wide.”–The Kybalion.
“When the ears of the student are ready
to hear, then cometh the lips to fill them
with Wisdom.”–The
Kybalion.
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 2.
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 to-day 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 sceptre 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.
VII. 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 3.
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
bas 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 today,
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 Universal 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 to-day, 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 way
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 4.
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–a constant
action and reaction; inflow and outflow; building
up and tearing down; creation and destruction;
birth, growth and death. Nothing endures but
Change!and if he be a thinking man, he 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, travelling 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 or 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
in
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:
. 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.
. THE ALL must be INFINitE, for 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.
. 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 5.
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 1.) 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 wherever 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 sol
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
“centres 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
earthbound
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 6.
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, by
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.
!and they regard his statement of the “Infinite
and Eternal Energy” as directly in the line
of the Hermetic Teachings, always with the
addition of their own doctrine that his “Energy”
is
the Energy of the Mind of THE ALL. With the
Master-Key of the Hermetic Philosophy, the
student of Spencer will be able to unlock
many doors of the inner philosophical conceptions
of the great English philosopher, whose work
shows the results of the preparation of his
previous incarnations. His teachings regarding
Evolution and Rhythm are in almost perfect
agreement with the Hermetic Teachings regarding
the Principle of Rhythm.
So, the student of Hermetics need not lay
aside any of his cherished scientific views
regarding the Universe. All he is asked to
do is to grasp the underlying principle of
“THE ALL
is Mind; the Universe is Mental–held in
the Mind of THE ALL.” He will find that
the other six
of the Seven Principles will “fit into”
his scientific knowledge, and will serve to
bring out
obscure points and to throw light in dark
corners. This is not to be wondered at, when
we
realize the influence of the Hermetic thought
on the early philosophers of Greece, upon
whose foundations of thought the theories
of modern science largely rest. The acceptance
of
the First Hermetic Principle (Mentalism) is
the only great point of difference between
Modern
Science and Hermetic students, and Science
is gradually moving toward the Hermetic
position in its groping in the dark for a
way out of the Labyrinth into which it has
wandered in
its search for Reality.
The purpose of this lesson is to impress upon
the minds of our students the fact that, to
all intents and purposes, the Universe and
its laws, and its phenomena, are just as REAL,
so
far as Man is concerned, as they would be
under the hypotheses of Materialism or
Energism. Under any hypothesis the Universe
in its outer aspect is changing, ever-flowing,
and transitory–and therefore devoid of substantiality
and reality. But (note the other pole of
the truth) under any of the same hypotheses,
we are compelled to ACT and LIVE as if the
fleeting things were real and substantial.
With this difference, always, between the
various
hypotheses–that under the old views Mental
Power was ignored as a Natural force, while
under Mentalism it becomes the Greatest Natural
force!and this one difference
revolutionizes Life, to those who understand
the Principle and its resulting laws and practice.
So, finally, students all, grasp the advantage
of Mentalism, and learn to know, use and
apply the laws resulting therefrom. But do
not yield to the temptation which, as The
Kybalion
states, overcomes the half-wise and which
causes them to be hypnotized by the apparent
unreality of things, the consequence being
that they wander about like dream-people
dwelling in a world of dreams, ignoring the
practical work and life of man, the end being
that
“they are broken against the rocks and torn
asunder by the elements, by reason of their
folly.” Rather follow the example of the
wise, which the same authority states, “use
Law
against Laws; the higher against the lower;
and by the Art of Alchemy transmute that which
is undesirable into that which is worthy,
and thus triumph.” Following the authority,
let us
avoid the half-wisdom (which is folly) which
ignores the truth that: “Mastery consists
not in
abnormal dreams, visions, and fantastic imaginings
or living, but in using the higher forces
against the lower–escaping the pains of
the lower planes by vibrating on the higher.”
Remember always, student, that “Transmutation,
not presumptuous denial, is the weapon of
the Master.” The above quotations are from
The Kybalion, and are worthy of being
committed to memory by the student
We do not live in a world of dreams, but in
an Universe which, while relative, is real
so far
as our lives and actions are concerned. Our
business in the Universe is not to deny its
existence, but to LIVE, using the Laws to
rise from lower to higher–living on, doing
the best
that we can under the circumstances arising
each day, and living, so far as is possible,
to
our highest ideas and ideals. The true Meaning
of Life is not known to men on this plane–if,
indeed, to any–but the highest authorities,
and our own intuitions, teach us that we will
make
no mistake in living up to the best that is
in us, so far as is possible, and realizing
the
Universal tendency in the same direction in
spite of apparent evidences to the contrary.
We
are all on The Path–and the road leads upward
ever, with frequent resting places.
Read the Message of The Kybalion–and follow
the example of “the wise”–avoiding the
mistake of “the half-wise” who perish
by reason of their folly.
CHAPTER 7.
“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 Appollo 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, grandiloquently announcing that: “I
Am Shakespeare!” THE ALL is in the earth-worm,
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 earth-worm, and in the particles that
go to
make up the earthworm. 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 “Out-pouring,”
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
æons upon æons of Man's time, each æon
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
æons 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; its 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 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 8.
THE 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 fellows: “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
archangel
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
sub-planes of higher forms of energy not as
yet discovered by science, but which have
been
called “Nature's Finer forces” and which
are called into operation in manifestations
of
certain forms of mental phenomena, and by
which such phenomena 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 sub-divisions 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 superman.
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 division.
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
subdivisions,
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
“Zanoni'' 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 sub-divisions
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 earthworm, 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 super-imposed
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 ecstacy 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; spirituelle; 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 9
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 speed increases. Then the violet
shades
away, and all color disappears, the human
eye not being able to register them. But there
are
invisible rays emanating from the revolving
object, the rays that are used in photographing,
and other subtle rays of light. Then begin
to manifest the peculiar rays known as the
“X
Rays,” etc. as the constitution of the object
changes. Electricity and Magnetism are emitted
when the appropriate rate of vibration is
attained.
When the object reaches a certain rate of
vibration its molecules disintegrate, and
resolve
themselves into the original elements or atoms.
Then the atoms, following the Principle of
Vibration, are separated into the countless
corpuscles of which they are composed!and
finally, even the corpuscles disappear and
the object may be said to be composed of The
Ethereal Substance. Science does not dare
to follow the illustration further, but the
Hermetists teach that if the vibrations be
continually increased the object would mount
up
the successive states of manifestation and
would in turn manifest the various mental
stages,
and then on Spiritward, until it would finally
re-enter THE ALL, which is Absolute Spirit.
The
“object,” however, would have ceased to
be an “object” long before the stage of
Ethereal
Substance was reached, but otherwise the illustration
is correct inasmuch as it shows the
effect of constantly increased rates and modes
of vibration. it must be remembered, in the
above illustration, that at the stages at
which the “object” throws off vibrations
of light, heat,
etc. it is not actually “resolved” into
those forms of energy (which are much higher
in the
scale), but simply that it reaches a degree
of vibration in which those forms of energy
are
liberated, in a degree, from the confining
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 way. 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, be 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 sceptre of Power.”
CHAPTER 10.
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 matter is more 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 11.
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 their upward swing. Suns spring
into being, and then their height of power
being
reached, the process of retrogression begins,
and after æons 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
newbirth. 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
he 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 12.
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 back 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 latter 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 resistence on their part, or
the exercise of the Will. Moved like the pawns
on
the checkerboard of life, they play their
parts and are laid aside after the game is
over. But
the Masters, knowing the rules of the game,
rise above the plane of material life, and
placing
themselves in touch with the higher powers
of their nature, dominate their own moods,
characters, qualities, and polarity, as well
as the environment surrounding them and thus
become Movers in the game, instead of Pawns–Causes
instead of Effects. The Masters do
not escape the Causation of the higher planes,
but fall in with the higher laws, and thus
master circumstances on the lower plane. They
thus form a conscious part of the Law,
instead of being mere blind instruments. While
they Serve on the Higher Planes, they Rule
on the Material Plane.
But, on higher and on lower, the Law is always
in operation. There is no such things as
Chance. The blind goddess has been abolished
by Reason. We are able to see now, with
eyes made clear by knowledge, that everything
is governed by Universal Law–that the
infinite number of laws are but manifestations
of the One Great Law–the LAW which is THE
ALL. it is true indeed that not a sparrow
drops unnoticed by the Mind of THE ALL–that
even
the hairs on our head are numbered–as the
scriptures have said. There is nothing outside
of
Law; nothing that happens contrary to it!and
yet, do not make the mistake of supposing
that
Man is but a blind automaton–far from that.
The Hermetic Teachings are that Man may use
Law to overcome laws, and that the higher
will always prevail against the lower, until
at last
he has reached the stage in which he seeks
refuge in the LAW itself, and laughs the
phenomenal laws to scorn. Are you able to
grasp the inner meaning of this?
CHAPTER 13.
GENDER.
“Gender is in everything; everything has
its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender
manifests on
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 phenomena. The so-called Negative
pole of the battery is really the pole in
and by
which the generation or production of new
forms and energies is manifested. There is
nothing “negative” about it. The best
scientific authorities now use the word “Cathode”
in
place of “Negative,” the word Cathode
coming from the Greek root meaning “descent;
the
path of generation, etc.” From the Cathode
pole emerge the swarm of electrons or
corpuscles; from the same pole emerge 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 text-books, 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 14.
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 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 sub-conscious 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; Subconscious 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
tile 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 ship-wreck. 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
an 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 a 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 active 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 textbook
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 sparrow's nest, where it destroys the
rightful offspring and makes itself at home.
The
normal method is for the Masculine and Feminine
Principles in a person's mind to coordinate
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 sheep-like creatures,
never originating an idea of their own, nor
using their own powers of mental activity.
The manifestation of Mental Gender may be
noticed all around us in everyday life. The
magnetic persons are those who are able to
use the Masculine Principle in the way of
impressing their ideas upon others. The actor
who makes people weep or cry as he wills,
is
employing this principle!and so is the successful
orator, statesman, preacher, writer or other
people who are before the public attention.
The peculiar influence exerted by some people
over others is due to the manifestation of
Mental Gender along the Vibratorial lines
above
indicated. In this principle lies the secret
of personal magnetism, personal influence,
fascination, etc. as well as the phenomena
generally grouped under the name of
Hypnotism.
The student who has 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 15.
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 tile 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 effect 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 en 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.
This is THE END of, THE KYBALION: A STUDY
OF THE HERMETIC PHILOSOPHY OF ANCIENT EGYPT
and
GREECE, BY THREE INITIATES
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