THE KYBALION/PART 3
CHAPTER III
MENTAL TRANSMUTATION
"Mind
(as well as metals and elements) may be transmuted, from state to state; degree
to degree; condition to condition; pole to pole; vibration to vibration. True
Hermetic Transmutation is a Mental Art."—The Kybalion.
As
we have stated, the Hermetists were the original alchemists, astrologers, and
psychologists, Hermes having been the founder of these schools of thought. From
astrology has grown modern astronomy; from alchemy has grown modern chemistry;
from the mystic psychology has grown the modern psychology of the schools. But
it must not be supposed that the ancients were ignorant of that which the
modern schools suppose to be their exclusive and special property. The records
engraved on the stones of Ancient Egypt show conclusively that the ancients had
a full comprehensive knowledge of astronomy, the very building of the Pyramids
showing the connection between their design and the study of astronomical
science. Nor were they ignorant of Chemistry, for the fragments of the ancient
writings show that they were acquainted with the chemical properties of things;
in fact, the ancient theories regarding physics are being slowly verified by
the latest discoveries of modern science, notably those relating to the
constitution of matter. Nor must it be supposed that they were ignorant of the
so-called modern discoveries in psychology—on the contrary, the Egyptians were
especially skilled in the science of Psychology, particularly in the branches
that the modern schools ignore, but which, nevertheless, are being uncovered
under the name of "psychic science" which is perplexing the
psychologists of to-day, and making them reluctantly admit that "there may
be something in it after all."
The
truth is, that beneath the material chemistry, astronomy and psychology (that
is, the psychology in its phase of "brain-action") the ancients
possessed a knowledge of transcendental astronomy, called astrology; of
transcendental chemistry, called alchemy; of transcendental psychology, called
mystic psychology. They possessed the Inner Knowledge as well as the Outer
Knowledge, the latter alone being possessed by modern scientists. Among the
many secret branches of knowledge possessed by the Hermetists, was that known
as Mental Transmutation, which forms the subject matter of this lesson.
"Transmutation"
is a term usually employed to designate the ancient art of the transmutation of
metals—particularly of the base metals into gold. The word
"Transmute" means "to change from one nature, form, or
substance, into another; to transform" (Webster). And accordingly,
"Mental Transmutation" means the art of changing and transforming
mental states, forms, and conditions, into others. So you may see that Mental
Transmutation is the "Art of Mental Chemistry," if you like the term—a
form of practical Mystic Psychology.
But
this means far more than appears on the surface. Transmutation, Alchemy, or
Chemistry on the Mental Plane is important enough in its effects, to be sure,
and if the art stopped there it would still be one of the most important branches
of study known to man. But this is only the beginning. Let us see why!
The
first of the Seven Hermetic Principles is the Principle of Mentalism, the axiom
of which is "THE ALL is Mind; the Universe is Mental," which means
that the Underlying Reality of the Universe is Mind; and the Universe itself is
Mental—that is, "existing in the Mind of THE ALL." We shall consider
this Principle in succeeding lessons, but let us see the effect of the
principle if it be assumed to be true.
If
the Universe is Mental in its nature, then Mental Transmutation must be the art
of CHANGING THE CONDITIONS OF THE UNIVERSE, along the lines of Matter, Force
and mind. So you see, therefore, that Mental Transmutation is really the
"Magic" of which the ancient; writers had so much to say in their
mystical works, and about which they gave so few practical instructions. If All
be Mental, then the art which enables one to transmute mental conditions must
render the Master the controller of material conditions as well as those ordinarily
called "mental."
As a
matter of fact, none but advanced Mental Alchemists have been able to attain
the degree of power necessary to control the grosser physical conditions, such
as the control of the elements of Nature; the production or cessation of tempests;
the production and cessation of earthquakes and other great physical phenomena.
But that such men have existed, and do exist today, is a matter of earnest
belief to all advanced occultists of all schools. That the Masters exist, and
have these powers, the best teachers assure their students, having had
experiences which justify them in such belief and statements. These Masters do
not make public exhibitions of their powers, but seek seclusion from the crowds
of men, in order to better work their may along the Path of Attainment. We
mention their existence, at this point, merely to call your attention to the
fact that their power is entirely Mental, and operates along the lines of the
higher Mental Transmutation, under the Hermetic Principle of Mentalism.
"The
Universe is Mental"—The Kybalion.
But
students and Hermetists of lesser degree than Masters—the Initiates and
Teachers—are able to freely work along the Mental Plane, in Mental
Transmutation. In fact all that we call "psychic phenomena,";
"mental influence"; "mental science"; "new-thought
phenomena," etc., operates along the same general lines, for there is but
one principle involved, no matter by what name the phenomena be called.
The
student and practitioner of Mental Transmutation works among the Mental Plane,
transmuting mental conditions, states, etc., into others, according to various
formulas, more or less efficacious. The various "treatments,"
"affirmations," "denials" etc., of the schools of mental
science are but formulas, often quite imperfect and unscientific, of The
Hermetic Art. The majority of modern practitioners are quite ignorant compared
to the ancient masters, for they lack the fundamental knowledge upon which the
work is based.
Not
only may the mental states, etc., of one's self be changed or transmuted by
Hermetic Methods; but also the states of others may be, and are, constantly
transmuted in the same way, usually unconsciously, but often consciously by
some understanding the laws and principles, in cases where the people affected
are not informed of the principles of self-protection. And more than this, as
many students and practitioners of modern mental science know, every material
condition depending upon the minds of other people may be changed or transmuted
in accordance with the earnest desire, will, and "treatments" of
person desiring changed conditions of life. The public are so generally
informed regarding these things at present, that we do not deem it necessary to
mention the same at length, our purpose at this point being merely to show the
Hermetic Principle and Art underlying all of these various forms of practice,
good and evil, for the force can be used in opposite directions according to
the Hermetic Principles of Polarity.
In
this little book we shall state the basic principles of Mental
Transmutation, that all who read may grasp the Underlying Principles,
and thus possess the Master-Key that will unlock the many doors of the
Principle of Polarity.
We
shall now proceed to a consideration of the first of the Hermetic Seven
Principles—the Principle of Mentalism, in which is explained the truth that
"THE ALL is Mind; the Universe is Mental," in the words of The
Kybalion. We ask the close attention, and careful study of this great
Principle, on the part of our students, for it is really the Basic Principle of
the whole Hermetic Philosophy, and of the Hermetic Art of Mental Transmutation.
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