THE KYBALION/PART 2
CHAPTER II
THE SEVEN HERMETIC PRINCIPLES
"The
Principles of Truth are Seven; he who knows these, understandingly, possesses
the Magic Key before whose touch all the Doors of the Temple fly
open."—The Kybalion.
The
Seven Hermetic Principles, upon which the entire Hermetic Philosophy is based,
are as follows:
1.
The Principle of Mentalism. 2. The Principle of Correspondence. 3. The
Principle of Vibration. 4. The Principle of Polarity. 5. The Principle of
Rhythm. 6. The Principle of Cause and Effect. 7. The Principle of Gender.
These
Seven Principles will be discussed and explained as we proceed with these
lessons. A short explanation of each, however, may as well be given at this
point.
1.
The Principle of Mentalism
"THE
ALL IS MIND; The Universe is Mental."—The Kybalion.
This
Principle embodies the truth that "All is Mind." It explains that THE
ALL (which is the Substantial Reality underlying all the outward manifestations
and appearances which we know under the terms of "The Material
Universe"; the "Phenomena of Life"; "Matter";
"Energy"; and, in short, all that is apparent to our material senses)
is SPIRIT which in itself is UNKNOWABLE and UNDEFINABLE, but which may be considered
and thought of as AN UNIVERSAL, INFINITE, LIVING MIND. It also explains that
all the phenomenal world or universe is simply a Mental Creation of THE ALL,
subject to the Laws of Created Things, and that the universe, as a whole, and
in its parts or units, has its existence in the Mind of THE ALL, in which Mind
we "live and move and have our being." This Principle, by
establishing the Mental Nature of the Universe, easily explains all of the
varied mental and psychic phenomena that occupy such a large portion of the
public attention, and which, without such explanation, are non-understandable
and defy scientific treatment. An understanding of this great Hermetic
Principle of Mentalism enables the individual to readily grasp the laws of the
Mental Universe, and to apply the same to his well-being and advancement. The
Hermetic Student is enabled to apply intelligently the great Mental Laws,
instead of using them in a haphazard manner. With the Master-Key in his
possession, the student may unlock the many doors of the mental and psychic
temple of knowledge, and enter the same freely and intelligently. This
Principle explains the true nature of "Energy," "Power,"
and "Matter," and why and how all these are subordinate to the
Mastery of Mind. One of the old Hermetic Masters wrote, long ages ago: "He
who grasps the truth of the Mental Nature of the Universe is well advanced on
The Path to Mastery." And these words are as true today as at the time
they were first written. Without this Master-Key, Mastery is impossible, and
the student knocks in vain at the many doors of The Temple.
2.
The Principle of Correspondence
"As
above, so below; as below, so above."—The Kybalion.
This
Principle embodies the truth that there is always a Correspondence between the
laws and phenomena of the various planes of Being and Life. The old Hermetic
axiom ran in these words: "As above, so below; as below, so above."
And the grasping of this Principle gives one the means of solving many a dark
paradox, and hidden secret of Nature. There are planes beyond our knowing, but
when we apply the Principle of Correspondence to them we are able to understand
much that would otherwise be unknowable to us. This Principle is of universal
application and manifestation, on the various planes of the material, mental,
and spiritual universe—it is an Universal Law. The ancient Hermetists
considered this Principle as one of the most important mental instruments by
which man was able to pry aside the obstacles which hid from view the Unknown.
Its use even tore aside the Veil of Isis to the extent that a glimpse of the
face of the goddess might be caught. Just as a knowledge of the Principles of
Geometry enables man to measure distant suns and their movements, while seated
in his observatory, so a knowledge of the Principle of Correspondence enables Man
to reason intelligently from the Known to the Unknown. Studying the monad, he
understands the archangel.
3.
The Principle of Vibration
"Nothing
rests; everything moves; everything vibrates."—The
Kybalion.
This
Principle embodies the truth that "everything is in motion";
"everything vibrates"; "nothing is at rest"; facts which
Modern Science endorses, and which each new scientific discovery tends to
verify. And yet this Hermetic Principle was enunciated thousands of years ago,
by the Masters of Ancient Egypt. This Principle explains that the differences
between different manifestations of Matter, Energy, Mind, and even Spirit,
result largely from varying rates of Vibration. From THE ALL, which is Pure
Spirit, down to the grossest form of Matter, all is in vibration—the higher the
vibration, the higher the position in the scale. The vibration of Spirit is at
such an infinite rate of intensity and rapidity that it is practically at
rest—just as a rapidly moving wheel seems to be motionless. And at the other
end of the scale, there are gross forms of matter whose vibrations are so low
as to seem at rest. Between these poles, there are millions upon millions of
varying degrees of vibration. From corpuscle and electron, atom and molecule,
to worlds and universes, everything is in vibratory motion. This is also true
on the planes of energy and force (which are but varying degrees of vibration);
and also on the mental planes (whose states depend upon vibrations); and even
on to the spiritual planes. An understanding of this Principle, with the
appropriate formulas, enables Hermetic students to control their own mental
vibrations as well as those of others. The Masters also apply this Principle to
the conquering of Natural phenomena, in various ways. "He who understands
the Principle of Vibration, has grasped the scepter of power," says one of
the old writers.
4.
The Principle of Polarity
"Everything
is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and
unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in
degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be
reconciled."—The Kybalion.
This
Principle embodies the truth that "everything is dual";
"everything has two poles"; "everything has its pair of
opposites," all of which were old Hermetic axioms. It explains the old
paradoxes, that have perplexed so many, which have been stated as follows:
"Thesis and antithesis are identical in nature, but different in degree";
"opposites are the same, differing only in degree"; "the pairs
of opposites may be reconciled"; "extremes meet";
"everything is and isn't, at the same time"; "all truths are but
half-truths"; "every truth is half-false"; "there are two
sides to everything," etc., etc., etc. It explains that in everything
there are two poles, or opposite aspects, and that "opposites" are
really only the two extremes of the same thing, with many varying degrees
between them. To illustrate: Heat and Cold, although "opposites," are
really the same thing, the differences consisting merely of degrees of the same
thing. Look at your thermometer and see if you can discover where
"heat" terminates and "cold" begins! There is no such thing
as "absolute heat" or "absolute cold"—the two terms
"heat" and "cold" simply indicate varying degrees of the
same thing, and that "same thing" which manifests as "heat"
and "cold" is merely a form, variety, and rate of Vibration. So
"heat" and "cold" are simply the "two poles" of
that which we call "Heat"—and the phenomena attendant thereupon are
manifestations of the Principle of Polarity. The same Principle manifests in
the case of "Light and Darkness," which are the same thing, the
difference consisting of varying degrees between the two poles of the
phenomena. Where does "darkness" leave off, and "light"
begin? What is the difference between "Large and Small"? Between
"Hard and Soft"? Between "Black and White"? Between
"Sharp and Dull"? Between "Noise and Quiet"? Between
"High and Low"? Between "Positive and Negative"? The
Principle of Polarity explains these paradoxes, and no other Principle can
supersede it. The same Principle operates on the Mental Plane. Let us take a
radical and extreme example—that of "Love and Hate," two mental
states apparently totally different. And yet there are degrees of Hate and
degrees of Love, and a middle point in which we use the terms "Like or
Dislike," which shade into each other so gradually that sometimes we are
at a loss to know whether we "like" or "dislike" or
"neither." And all are simply degrees of the same thing, as you will
see if you will but think a moment. And, more than this (and considered of more
importance by the Hermetists), it is possible to change the vibrations of Hate
to the vibrations of Love, in one's own mind, and in the minds of others. Many
of you, who read these lines, have had personal experiences of the involuntary
rapid transition from Love to Hate, and the reverse, in your own case and that
of others. And you will therefore realize the possibility of this being
accomplished by the use of the Will, by means of the Hermetic formulas.
"Good and Evil" are but the poles of the same thing, and the
Hermetist understands the art of transmuting Evil into Good, by means of an application
of the Principle of Polarity. In short, the "Art of Polarization"
becomes a phase of "Mental Alchemy" known and practiced by the
ancient and modern Hermetic Masters. An understanding of the Principle will
enable one to change his own Polarity, as well as that of others, if he will
devote the time and study necessary to master the art.
5.
The Principle of Rhythm
"Everything
flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the
pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right
is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates."—The
Kybalion.
This
Principle embodies the truth that in everything there is manifested a measured
motion, to and fro; a flow and inflow; a swing backward and forward; a pendulum-like
movement; a tide-like ebb and flow; a high-tide and low-tide; between the two
poles which exist in accordance with the Principle of Polarity described a
moment ago. There is always an action and a reaction; an advance and a retreat;
a rising and a sinking. This is in the affairs of the Universe, suns, worlds,
men, animals, mind, energy, and matter. This law is manifest in the creation
and destruction of worlds; in the rise and fall of nations; in the life of all
things; and finally in the mental states of Man (and it is with this latter
that the Hermetists find the understanding of the Principle most important).
The Hermetists have grasped this Principle, finding its universal application,
and have also discovered certain means to overcome its effects in themselves by
the use of the appropriate formulas and methods. They apply the Mental Law of
Neutralization. They cannot annul the Principle, or cause it to cease its
operation, but they have learned how to escape its effects upon themselves to a
certain degree depending upon the Mastery of the Principle. They have learned
how to USE it, instead of being USED BY it. In this and similar methods,
consist the Art of the Hermetists. The Master of Hermetics polarizes himself at
the point at which he desires to rest, and then neutralizes the Rhythmic swing
of the pendulum which would tend to carry him to the other pole. All
individuals who have attained any degree of Self-Mastery do this to a certain
degree, more or less unconsciously, but the Master does this consciously, and
by the use of his Will, and attains a degree of Poise and Mental Firmness
almost impossible of belief on the part of the masses who are swung backward
and forward like a pendulum. This Principle and that of Polarity have been
closely studied by the Hermetists, and the methods of counteracting,
neutralizing, and USING them form an important part of the Hermetic Mental
Alchemy.
6.
The Principle of Cause and Effect
"Every
Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause; everything happens according
to Law; Chance is but a name for Law not recognized; there are many planes of
causation, but nothing escapes the Law."—The Kybalion.
This
Principle embodies the fact that there is a Cause for every Effect; an Effect
from every Cause. It explains that: "Everything Happens according to
Law"; that nothing ever "merely happens"; that there is no such
thing as Chance; that while there are various planes of Cause and Effect, the
higher dominating the lower planes, still nothing ever entirely escapes the Law.
The Hermetists understand the art and methods of rising above the ordinary
plane of Cause and Effect, to a certain degree, and by mentally rising to a
higher plane they become Causers instead of Effects. The masses of people are
carried along, obedient to environment; the wills and desires of others
stronger than themselves; heredity; suggestion; and other outward causes moving
them about like pawns on the Chessboard of Life. But the Masters, rising to the
plane above, dominate their moods, characters, qualities, and powers, as well
as the environment surrounding them, and become Movers instead of pawns. They
help to PLAY THE GAME OF LIFE, instead of being played and moved about by other
wills and environment. They USE the Principle instead of being its tools. The
Masters obey the Causation of the higher planes, but they help to RULE on their
own plane. In this statement there is condensed a wealth of Hermetic
knowledge—let him read who can.
7.
The Principle of Gender
"Gender
is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender
manifests on all planes."—The Kybalion.
This
Principle embodies the truth that there is GENDER manifested in everything—the
Masculine and Feminine Principles ever at work. This is true not only of the
Physical Plane, but of the Mental and even the Spiritual Planes. On the
Physical Plane, the Principle manifests as SEX, on the higher planes it takes
higher forms, but the Principle is ever the same. No creation, physical, mental
or spiritual, is possible without this Principle. An understanding of its laws
will throw light on many a subject that has perplexed the minds of men. The
Principle of Gender works ever in the direction of generation, regeneration,
and creation. Everything, and every person, contains the two Elements or
Principles, or this great Principle, within it, him or her. Every Male thing
has the Female Element also; every Female contains also the Male Principle. If
you would understand the philosophy of Mental and Spiritual Creation,
Generation, and Re-generation, you must understand and study this Hermetic
Principle. It contains the solution of many mysteries of Life. We caution you
that this Principle has no reference to the many base, pernicious and degrading
lustful theories, teachings and practices, which are taught under fanciful
titles, and which are a prostitution of the great natural principle of Gender.
Such base revivals of the ancient infamous forms of Phallicism tend to ruin
mind, body and soul, and the Hermetic Philosophy has ever sounded the warning
note against these degraded teachings which tend toward lust, licentiousness,
and perversion of Nature's principles. If you seek such teachings, you must go
elsewhere for them—Hermeticism contains nothing for you along these lines. To
the pure, all things are pure; to the base, all things are base.
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