“THE
ALL is
MIND; The Universe is Mental.”–The Kybalion.
One of the greatest minds of the 20th century recognised this ancient wisdom
Universe is the aggregate of all humanity's consciously apprehended and communicated non simultaneous and only partially overlapping experiences.
- Buckminster Fuller
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
.
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:
I. THE PRINCIPLE OF MENTALISM.
II. THE PRINCIPLE OF CORRESPONDENCE.
III. THE PRINCIPLE OF VIBRATION.
IV. THE PRINCIPLE OF POLARITY.
V. THE PRINCIPLE OF RHYTHM.
VI. THE PRINCIPLE OF CAUSE AND EFFECT.
VII. 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.
I. 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.
II. 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.
III. 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.
IV. 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.
V. 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.
VI. 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.
VII. THE PRINCIPLE OF GENDER.
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.
http://marjadevries.nl/universelewetten/kybalion.pdfHere is a great video on the subject that traces this wisdom back to the Ancient Egyptians and warns that all religions have tried to usurp these principles in order to have power over others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYTJwgXjb7wDont be fooled by religion, trust in
your mind and the eternal principles that govern the living universe
